Patent ID: 6023599
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, the image carrier being rotatable around an central shaft thereof, the image forming apparatus comprising:a developing unit assembly having a plurality of developing units at an outer peripheral portion thereof, each of the developing units including a developing roller to be contacted with the image carrier to supply a color of toner, the developing unit assembly being rotatable around a central shaft thereof;a first drive member coupled to the developing roller, for rotatively driving the developing roller and positioning the developing roller at a contact position with the image carrier, the contact position being arranged more upstream than a line connecting the central axis of the developing unit assembly and the central axis of the image carrier in the rotational direction of the developing unit assembly;a second drive member coupled to the developing unit assembly, for rotatively driving the developing unit assembly to subsequently position each of the developing roller at the contact position, the second drive member rotatively driving the developing unit assembly in a rotational direction opposite of a rotational direction of the developing unit assembly by a reaction force derived from the driving of the first drive member.