Abstract:
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing device, a unit support frame, a retainer, and a developing device moving mechanism. The retainer swings in a first direction, in which the image carrier unit and the developing device are mounted in the unit support frame, to perform positioning of an image carrier, and swings in a second direction, in which the image carrier unit and the developing device are drawn out from a main body of the image forming apparatus, to unlock a positioned state of the image carrier. The developing device moving mechanism associates with the swing of the retainer in the first direction to dispose the developing device at a developing position, and associates with the swing of the retainer in the second direction to dispose the developing device at a separation position.
Abstract:
A development device includes a sheet member, a support member, and a vibration applying device. The sheet member is disposed between a developer carrier and a blade to receive a developer falling from the developer carrier toward the blade. The developer carrier is disposed to face to an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and configured to supply the developer to the image carrier in a facing area to the image carrier. The blade is configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrier. The support member holds the sheet member. The vibration applying device applies vibration to the sheet member. The sheet member is stretchable and flexible and is stretched over the support member.
Abstract:
A developer transporting mechanism includes a pipe-like transporting path, sealing member, shutter, and urging member. The pipe-like transporting path, through which a developer is transported, has an discharge port at part of its side surface. The shutter is slidable along the surface of the sealing member to open and close the discharge port. The urging member urges the shutter in a direction in which the discharge port is closed. The sealing member is secured to the outer circumferential surface of the pipe-like transporting path. The sealing member also has a reduced part; its dimension in a width direction orthogonal to a direction in which the shutter moves is gradually reduced from the upstream end in the closing direction of the shutter toward the downstream end.