Patent ID: 6647233
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:an image carrier; a latent image forming unit to form a latent image on the image carrier; a developing device having a developing unit that supplies a developer to the latent image by sliding in a direction to contact/separate to/from the image carrier in a main body; a positioning device to maintain the developing device in an operable state for the development in the main body; and a driving device to connect/separate the developing device to/from the positioning device by applying load in a sliding direction to the developing device and after connecting the developing device to the positioning device, move the developing device by sliding in a direction to contact/separate to/from the image carrier, wherein the driving device releases the load applied to the developing device after separating the developing device from the positioning device, wherein the connection/separation of the developing device to/from the main body is made from the front side of the main body that is orthogonal to the sliding direction.