Patent ID: 7792464
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image-forming device comprising: a conveying belt that conveys a recording medium; a plurality of image carrying members provided for respective colors and aligned in a first direction, the image carrying members being in opposition to the conveying belt; a plurality of developing units provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of image carrying members, the developing units including respective developer carrying members that supply developer to the corresponding image carrying members; first and second contact/separation members linearly movable in the first direction, the first contact/separation member being disposed on one side of the plurality of developing units in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second contact/separation member being disposed on another side of the plurality of developing units in the second direction, each of the first and second contact/separation members having a plurality of contact surfaces and a plurality of separating surfaces, wherein while linearly moving in the first direction, the first and second contact/separation members linearly move the developing units between contact positions where the developer carrying members contact the corresponding image carrying members and separating positions where the developer carrying members separate from the corresponding image carrying members; and a synchronous moving mechanism that linearly moves the first and second contact/separation members in synchronization with each other, wherein the developing units contact the corresponding contact surfaces of the first and second contact/separation members at the contact positions, and the developing units contact the corresponding separating surfaces of the first and second contact/separation members at the separating positions.