Patent ID: 8055155
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body; a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive unit housing and a photosensitive member rotatably provided in the photosensitive housing; a developing device including a developing roller, wherein the developing device is detachably mountable and configured such that the developing roller and the photosensitive member are positioned adjacent to each other when the developing device is installed with respect to the photosensitive unit; a support roller positioned to engage a first support portion of the developing device when the developing device is installed with respect to the photosensitive unit; a second support portion provided at the developing device to engage a first portion of the photosensitive unit housing; and a third support portion provided at the developing device to engage a second portion of the photosensitive unit housing, wherein the second support portion and the third support portion are configured to movably support the developing device so as to enable the developing device to move back and forth with respect to the photosensitive unit housing during operation of the image forming apparatus, wherein, when the development device moves back and forth with respect to the photosensitive unit housing during operation of the image forming apparatus, the support roller rotatably supports a rear section of the developing device via the first support portion provided at the rear section of the developing device, wherein (i) the first support portion provided at the rear section of the developing device, (ii) the second support portion provided at a front section of the developing device, and (iii) the third support portion provided at the front section of the developing device serve to provide a three-point support for the development device.