Patent ID: 9703254
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: G03G

Claim:
1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: a main assembly to which a cartridge including a developing device for developing the latent image on an image bearing member is detachably mountable; and a transfer unit, detachably mountable to said main assembly separately from said cartridge, for transferring a developer image formed on said image bearing member, wherein said developing device includes a developer carrying member and is movable between a contact position where said developer carrying member contacts said image bearing member and a spaced position where said developer carrying member is spaced from said image bearing member, wherein said transfer unit includes a developing device contact-and-separation mechanism for moving said developing device between the contact position and the spaced position, and wherein said developing device contact-and-separation mechanism includes an engaging member engageable with said cartridge and movable, with respect to said transfer unit, between a first position and a second position, wherein said engaging member in the first position permits said developing device to be placed in the contact position, and said engaging member in the second position places said developing device in the spaced position.