Method and apparatus for preventing deformation and contamination of an OPC drum in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus

A method for controlling contact between a charger roller and a drum of an electrophotographic image forming device, said method comprising the steps of:

• raising said charger roller a predetermined distance above said drum by means of a tension spring to prevent said charger roller from contaminating or deforming said drum when said drum is at a standstill, said raising step comprising a step of moving a bearing rotatable supporting a shaft of said charger roller along a guide path formed by a bracket and limited by a partition positioned said predetermined distance from said bearing;
• and
• lowering said charger roller to contact said drum when said drum is rotated.

An apparatus for preventing a charger roller from deforming or contaminating an organic photoconductive drum in an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a tension spring connected to said charger roller for lifting said charger roller a predetermined distance above said organic photoconductive drum when said organic photoconductive drum is at a standstill;
• and
• means for generating a driving force greater than a restoring force of said tension spring to rotate said organic photoconductive drum and to lowering said charger roller to enable said charger roller to maintain uniform contact with said organic photoconductive drum.