Image forming device based on direct recording method and image forming apparatus including the same

An image forming device comprising:

• a casing that stores therein an image forming agent;
• an agent carrier that is rotatably supported by the casing, faces outside of the casing through an opening that is formed on the casing, and carries the image forming agent stored in the casing;
• a hole defining member that is formed in a sheet and includes a row of a plurality of holes in an axial direction of the agent carrier, and is arranged opposite to the agent carrier with a predetermined interval therebetween;
• a plurality of spray electrodes provided on the hole defining member respectively corresponding to the holes, and forms an electric field for selectively causing the image forming agent to be sprayed from the agent carrier towards the holes;
• and
• a positioning member provided on the casing to cover the agent carrier, at least holds the hole defining member in the axial direction of the agent carrier by side walls of its own having a portion defining an opening at a location opposite to the row of holes in the hole defining member, and positions the hole defining member with respect to the agent carrier so that relative positions of the agent carrier and the hole defining member are in a predetermined positional relationship, wherein
• the image forming device is used in an image forming apparatus that, based on image information, forms an image by depositing the image forming agent selectively caused to be sprayed from the agent carrier by forming a spraying electric field, and having passed through the holes, on a recording member arranged in the image forming apparatus opposite to the agent carrier with the hole defining member interposed therebetween, and wound around and brought into contact with a counter electrode for forming an electric field that attracts the image forming agent caused to be sprayed from the agent carrier, and
• an angle of the positioning member is adjustable relative to the casing about a rotation shaft that is coaxial with the agent carrier.