Patent ID: 7200351
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a drum-shaped image bearing member on which an electrostatic image is formed; a developing device, which develops the electrostatic image with a developer at a developing position; a rotary member holding said developing device and rotating in a predetermined direction to cause a rotational movement of said developing device in a route including the developing position; a first developer carrying member rotatably provided in said developing device for carrying the developer to develop the electrostatic image, said first developer carrying member being disposed in said developing device so as to be opposed to said image bearing member with a first gap between said image bearing member and said first developer carrying member when said developing device is at the developing position; a second developer carrying member rotatably provided upstream of said first developer carrying member in the predetermined direction in said developing device for carrying the developer to develop the electrostatic image; and an abutting member provided on said second developer carrying member for forming a second gap between said image bearing member and said second developer carrying member by abutting against said image bearing member when said developing device is at the developing position, wherein said rotary member holds said developing device to cause a pivot movement of said developing device between an abutting attitude in which said abutting member abuts against said image bearing member and a retracting attitude in which said abutting member is separated from said image bearing member, a pivot center of said pivot movement being aligned with a rotation center of said first developer carrying member, and wherein, after a developing operation is completed in a state in which said developing device, which is in the developing position, assumes the abutting attitude, said developing device is moved to the retracting attitude, and thereafter, said rotary member causes the rotational movement of said developing device, which is at the developing position, in the predetermined direction.