Compact bi-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus having deflection scanning type and line type exposing devices and first and second developing devices arranged around a photoconductive element, so that parts around the photoconductive element are arranged with ease to promote the miniaturization of the apparatus. The exposing devices are selected based on the principle that the image quality is enhanced for an image of particular color and is lowered for an image of another color expected to be printed less frequently. Specifically, the deflection scanning type exposing device forms the image of the particular color, and the line type exposing device which has an inherently long optical path and simple structure forms the image of another color. Fans are provided to produce cooling air flow to the line type exposing device and to draw out toner dirt and ozone produced by the charger associated therewith. The line type exposing device and the associated charger are electrically insulated from each other and mounted in a common casing. Cleaning elements are provided to clean the charger and the line type exposing device during withdrawal of these elements from the photoconductive element.