US Patent 7917061 Image forming apparatus

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus with an improved structure for mounting or dismounting a cleaning device. An image forming unit includes an image carrier for transporting a developer image. A cleaning device includes a cleaning member to remove residual developer from the image carrier. The cleaning device is mounted or dismounted to/from the image forming unit by moving along a first direction and along a second direction. A first guide device includes a restraining unit to generally restrict movement of the cleaning device in the second direction when the cleaning device moves in the first direction, and a receiving unit to receive the restraining unit so as to allow the cleaning device to move in the second direction when desirable.