Patent ID: 7809310

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member for bearing an image on a peripheral surface thereof, the image bearing member being driven in such a manner as to rotate at a predetermined circumferential velocity; a development unit including a development roller that is driven in such a manner that the image bearing member and the development roller rotate with a circumferential velocity difference therebetween, the development roller carrying a toner layer with an intended thickness on a peripheral surface thereof, the development roller being in contact with the image bearing member through the toner layer, the development unit being disposed adjacent to the image bearing member; a supporting portion for supporting the development unit in such a manner that the development unit is supported movably toward and away from the image bearing member; a biasing member for urging the development unit toward the image bearing member, the biasing member being directly connected with the supporting portion; and a load applying member for applying to the development unit a load that damps self-excited vibration of the development unit when the development roller provides toner to the image bearing member, wherein the load applying member is provided between the development unit and the supporting portion such that the load applying member is in direct contact with the supporting portion.