Patent ID: 8837982
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: a drum cartridge supporting member for supporting a plurality of drum cartridges, each including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, wherein said drum cartridge supporting member is movable, with respect to an axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drums, between a first position inside a main assembly of said image forming apparatus and a second position, outside the main assembly, in which the drum cartridges are mountable and dismountable; a guide portion, fixed in the main assembly, for guiding a plurality of developing cartridges, each including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a corresponding one of the electrophotographic photosensitive drums, wherein said guide portion individually guides the developing cartridges mountably to and demountably from the main assembly in an axial direction of the developing rollers; and moving means for moving the developing cartridges mounted in the main assembly between a developing position in which the electrostatic latent image is to be developed and a retracted position in which the developing cartridges are retracted from the developing position, wherein when the developing cartridges are in the retracted position, said drum cartridge supporting member is permitted to move between the first position and the second position, wherein when the developing cartridges are mounted in the main assembly, said moving means is engaged with the developing cartridges, wherein said moving means includes an arm provided movably in the main assembly and a drive transmission member, rotatably supported by the arm, for transmitting a driving force to the developing rollers, and wherein the drive transmission member is a coupling engaged with shafts of the developing rollers when the developing cartridges are mounted in the main assembly.