Patent ID: 9256163
Filing Date: 2016-02-09
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; a developing unit including a developing roller extending in a front-back direction and disposed so as to abut against the image carrier, and a magnetic roller disposed parallel to the developing roller; a holder unit in which the developing unit is introduced with a rear end portion of the developing roller directed ahead, and from which the developing unit is drawn out with a front end portion of the developing roller directed ahead thus to be removed; and a cover unit configured to pivot between a closed position in which the cover unit overlaps at least a part of the developing unit mounted on the holder unit when viewed from a position forward of the holder unit, and an open position in which the cover unit does not overlap the developing unit in the same view, wherein the developing unit further includes: a bearing unit rotatably supporting the respective end portions of the developing roller and the magnetic roller and disposed to swing about the axial center of the magnetic roller; a first biasing device that biases the bearing unit in a direction to cause the developing roller to move toward the image carrier; a shaft member movably extending in the front-back direction so as to cause the bearing unit to swing about the axial center of the magnetic roller; and a second biasing device that biases the shaft member in a forward direction against the biasing force of the first biasing device, and the cover unit is configured to transmit, by pivoting from the closed position to the open position, moving force of the cover unit toward the open position to the shaft member, to thereby draw out the shaft member to a forward position to cause the developing roller to move away from the image carrier, and to press the shaft member backward to a rear position to cause the developing roller to abut against the image carrier, by pivoting from the open position to the closed position.