CN118011750A - Image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including: a developing device including a developing roller and a storage frame including a storage portion configured to store toner; a body frame having an opening; a toner cartridge configured to store toner, the toner cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the developing device through the opening, the toner cartridge being movable to an attaching position and a retracted position, and the toner cartridge being configured to supply toner to the storage portion in a state in which the toner cartridge is in the attaching position; and a moving device configured to move the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retreat position. The toner cartridge is configured such that at least a portion of the toner cartridge protrudes outside the body frame in a state where the toner cartridge is in the retracted position.

Description

Image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.

Background

In an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system, a rotary developing system that forms a color image by rotating a rotary including a plurality of developing rollers is known. Japanese patent application laid-open nos. 2007-183305 and 2008-096852 each disclose an image forming apparatus including a rotary having a plurality of developing rollers and a plurality of toner cartridges (toner storage containers), each of which is attachable to and detachable from the rotary.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes: a developing device including a developing roller and a storage frame including a storage portion configured to store toner to be supplied to the developing roller; a body frame having an opening, the body frame being configured to accommodate the developing device; a toner cartridge configured to store toner, the toner cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the developing device through the opening, the toner cartridge being movable to an attaching position and a retracted position from the attaching position with respect to the storage frame, and the toner cartridge being configured to supply toner to the storage portion in a state where the toner cartridge is in the attaching position; and a moving device configured to move the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retracted position, wherein the toner cartridge is configured such that at least a portion of the toner cartridge protrudes outside the body frame in a state where the toner cartridge is in the retracted position.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a developing unit, a toner cartridge, and a tray according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4A and 4B are each a sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rotating body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6A to 6C are perspective views each of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7A and 7B are each a sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view of the rotating body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view of the rotating body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory view of the rotating body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11A and 11B are each an explanatory view of elements related to movement of the tray according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12A and 12B are explanatory views of elements related to movement of the tray according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 14A to 14C are explanatory views of elements related to movement of the tray according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory view of elements related to movement of the tray according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 16A to 16C are explanatory views of elements related to movement of the tray according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 17A and 17B are explanatory views of elements related to movement of the tray according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 18A and 18B are each an explanatory diagram showing a mobile device according to a modification.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First embodiment

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 12B. In the following description and the respective drawings, the vertical direction in the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed on a horizontal surface will be referred to as a Z direction. A direction intersecting the Z direction and being a direction of a rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (rotation axis direction of the rotary member) to be described later will be referred to as a Y direction. The direction intersecting both the Z direction and the Y direction will be referred to as the X direction. The X-direction and the Y-direction are preferably horizontal directions. In addition, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably orthogonal to each other. In addition, sides pointed to by arrows X, Y and Z shown in the respective figures will be referred to as +x side, +y side, and +z side, respectively, and the opposite sides thereof will be referred to as-X side, -Y side, and-Z side, respectively.

Integral structure of image forming apparatus

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is a laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S by using an electrophotographic method. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color laser beam printer including four developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50 k. As the sheet S used as a recording material (recording medium), various sheet materials of different sizes and different materials can be used. Examples of various sheet materials include paper sheets (e.g., plain paper sheets and cardboard), plastic films, cloths, surface-treated sheet materials (e.g., coated paper sheets), and unconventionally shaped sheet materials (e.g., envelope and index paper sheets).

A schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 and an image forming operation will be described with reference to fig. 1,2, and 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram for describing a driving source of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing elements for supplying toner from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50.

As shown in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus body 1A), and toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k that are attachable to the apparatus body 1A and detachable from the apparatus body 1A. The apparatus body 1A of the present embodiment is a portion of the image forming apparatus 1 other than the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

The apparatus body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a photosensitive member 2 used in an electrophotographic system. The photosensitive member has a drum shape (cylindrical shape), and is hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum 2. The photosensitive member 2 serves as an image bearing member that bears an electrostatic latent image. A charging roller 3, a scanner 4 serving as an exposure device, and a cleaning unit 6 are provided around the photosensitive drum 2.

The charging roller 3 is an example of a charging device or a charging unit for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The scanner 4 is an example of an exposure device or an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive drum 2 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light according to image information. By irradiating the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light after charging, electrostatic latent images are formed on the respective surfaces of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning unit 6 is an example of a cleaning device or cleaning portion that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

Further, the apparatus body 1A includes a sheet storage portion 300, a pickup roller 310, a feed roller 311, a separation roller 312, a conveying roller pair 320, a secondary transfer roller 12, a fixing device 40, and an intermediate transfer unit 10. The pickup roller 310 is an example of a feeding device or a feeding unit that feeds the sheet S. The feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 are examples of a separation conveying unit that conveys the sheet S while separating the sheet S from each other by friction. The secondary transfer roller 12 is an example of a transfer device or transfer unit that transfers an image from the intermediate transfer belt 10a onto the sheet S.

The intermediate transfer unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 10a, a belt driving roller 10b, a tension roller 10c, a cleaning device 13, and a primary transfer roller 11. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is an example of an intermediate transfer member that carries an image transferred from the photosensitive drum 2 by primary transfer and conveys the image so as to transfer the image onto the sheet S by secondary transfer. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is stretched over a belt driving roller 10b and a tension roller 10 c. The belt driving roller 10b is a driving member rotationally driven by a driving source to convey the intermediate transfer belt 10 a.

In addition, the apparatus body 1A includes a rotating body 90, which serves as a rotating member, a rotator, or a developing device, including the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. As will be described later, trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k serving as support members in the present embodiment are attached to the rotating body 90. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are detachably attached to the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

In the following description, a plurality of components having similar functions may be distinguished by a number that is assigned thereto. For example, one of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k may be referred to as a first toner cartridge, one of the remaining three may be referred to as a second toner cartridge, one of the remaining two may be referred to as a third toner cartridge, and the last one may be referred to as a fourth toner cartridge. Similarly, one of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k may be referred to as a first tray, one of the remaining three may be referred to as a second tray, one of the remaining two may be referred to as a third tray, and the last one may be referred to as a fourth tray. That is, one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a first supporting member, another one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a second supporting member, yet another one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a third supporting member, and the last one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a fourth supporting member. This numbering is for convenience of description only and may in principle be interchanged as appropriate.

The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k serving as the first to fourth developing units are examples of developing devices or developing portions each developing (visualizing) an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image by using toners of the respective colors. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k each develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by using a corresponding one of yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k may be arranged in a different order from that shown in fig. 1.

The developing unit 50y includes a developing roller 51y, a supply roller 52y, and a developing blade. The developing roller 51y is a developer bearing member that rotates while bearing toner serving as a developer or developing agent and supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 2. The supply roller 52y is a supply member that is provided in contact with the developing roller 51y and supplies toner to the developing roller 51 y. The developing blade is a regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer carried on the developing roller 51 y. The other developing units 50m, 50c, and 50k include developing rollers 50m, 51c, and 51k, supply rollers 52m, 52c, and 52k, respectively, and developing blades, which are configured in a similar manner.

The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k corresponding to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are attached to the rotating body 90. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k store therein yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner to be supplied to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, respectively. One of the four color toners may be referred to as a first toner, one of the remaining three color toners may be referred to as a second toner, one of the remaining two color toners may be referred to as a third toner, and the last remaining color toner may be referred to as a fourth toner. For example, a black toner may be referred to as an example of a first toner, and a magenta toner may be referred to as an example of a second toner. This numbering is for convenience of description only and may in principle be interchanged as appropriate.

Here, the rotary 90 includes a rotary frame 90f supporting the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50 k. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are supported by a rotation frame 90f as a rotatable rotation support member.

In addition, trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are attached to the rotating body 90. The rotating body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k as a combination may be referred to as a rotating unit 90U. In other words, the rotating unit 90U includes the rotating body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are detachably held by trays 80y to 80 k. As will be described later, the trays 80y to 80k are supported so as to be slidable to the outside of the rotating body 90. The rotating unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k as a combination may be referred to as a rotating assembly 90A. In other words, the rotating assembly 90A includes the rotating unit 90U, and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

As will be described later, the rotating body 90 is rotatable about a rotation axis (rotation center) 90C. The rotation axis 90C coincides with the rotation axis of the rotation frame 90f, the rotation axis of the rotation unit 90U, and the rotation axis of the rotation assembly 90A. In addition, the rotation axis 90C is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (rotation center) of the photosensitive drum 2.

The rotary 90 rotates about the rotation axis 90C, and thus can take a developing posture in which any one of the developing rollers 51y, 50m, 51C, and 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2. The posture of the developing roller 51y facing the photosensitive drum 2 will be referred to as a yellow developing posture. The posture of the developing roller 50m facing the photosensitive drum 2 will be referred to as a magenta developing posture. The posture of the developing roller 51c facing the photosensitive drum 2 will be referred to as a cyan developing posture. The posture of the developing roller 51k facing the photosensitive drum 2 will be referred to as a black developing posture. That is, the rotating body 90 can rotate about the rotation axis 90C so that the positions of the developing rollers 51y, 50m, 51C, and 51k are changed with respect to the photosensitive drum 2. The black developing posture is an example of a first developing posture in which the first developing roller (for example, the developing roller 51 k) faces the photosensitive drum 2. The other developing posture is an example of a second developing posture in which the second developing roller (for example, one of the developing rollers 51y to 51 c) faces the photosensitive drum 2. The yellow/magenta/cyan/black developing postures may be referred to as first to fourth developing postures. This numbering is for convenience of description only and may in principle be interchanged as appropriate.

As shown in fig. 2, the apparatus body 1A includes motors M1, M2, and M3 serving as driving sources. As will be described later, the motor M1 provides a driving force for rotating the rotary body 90 about the rotation axis 90C. In other words, the motor M1 rotates the rotating assembly 90A and the rotating unit 90U about the rotation axis 90C.

In addition, the apparatus body 1A includes a driving apparatus 98 including a motor M2 and a transmission. The transmission device includes drive racks 15L and 15R serving as drive gears, and a transmission portion 15t which will be described later. The driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the driving racks 15L and 15R through the transmission portion 15t. In other words, the motor M2 is configured to drive the driving racks 15L and 15R, and move the trays 80y, 80M, 80c, and 80k with respect to the rotating body 90 via the driving racks 15L and 15R.

The motor M3 drives components that are not driven by the motors M1 and M2. For example, the motor M3 drives the photosensitive drum 2, the developing units 50y, 50M, 50c, and 50k, the pickup roller 310, the feed roller 311, the conveying roller pair 320, the secondary transfer roller 12, the belt driving roller 10b, and the fixing device 40.

It should be noted that the components driven by the motors M1, M2, and M3 may be appropriately changed. In addition, the roles of two or three of the motors M1, M2, and M3 may be concentrated in one motor. In addition, driving sources other than the motors M1, M2, and M3 may be added.

Here, suffixes y, m, c, and k given to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k, the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k, and the like indicate the colors of the toners. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k have substantially the same configuration and function. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k have substantially the same configuration and function. Further, the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k have substantially the same configuration and function. Therefore, the suffixes y, m, c, and k will be omitted, and any selected one of four units, four cartridges, and four trays will be described, without distinction.

As shown in fig. 3, the toner cartridge 70 includes a toner frame 71. The toner frame 71 includes a toner storage portion 71a storing toner, and a discharge opening 71b communicating with the toner storage portion 71 a.

The developing unit 50 includes a developing frame 53 serving as a storage frame. The developing frame 53 includes a developing-side storing portion 53a and an inlet opening 53b communicating with the developing-side storing portion (toner supply chamber) 53 a. It should be noted that, as described above, although the developing unit 50 includes the developing roller 51, the supply roller 52, and the like, illustration of these components is omitted in fig. 3.

The developing roller 51k included in the developing unit 50k is an example of a first developing roller. The developing roller 50m included in the developing unit 50m is an example of a second developing roller. The developing frame 53k of the developing unit 50k including the developing-side storing portion 53a shown in fig. 4A is an example of a first storing frame including a first storing portion. The developing frame 53m of the developing unit 50m including the developing-side storage portion 53a shown in fig. 4A is an example of a second storage frame including a second storage portion. The rotating body 90 is an example of a rotatable rotating member, and includes a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a first storage frame including a first storage portion, and a second storage frame including a second storage portion. In the present embodiment, the rotating body 90 includes first to fourth developing rollers and first to fourth storage frames.

As will be described later, the toner cartridge 70 is movable to an attachment position and a retreat position from the attachment position with respect to the developing frame 53. In a state where the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position with respect to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b faces the inlet opening 53b. That is, the toner storage portion 71a of the toner cartridge 70 and the developing-side storage portion 53a of the developing unit 50 communicate with each other via the discharge opening 71b and the inlet opening 53b. When toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50, at least a portion of the inlet opening 53b is located below at least a portion of the discharge opening 71 b.

Then, the toner stored in the toner storage portion 71a is discharged through the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged through the discharge opening 71b is stored in the developing-side storage portion 53a through the inlet opening 53 b. The toner stored in the developing-side storing portion 53a is supplied to the developing roller 51 by the supply roller 52. The toner stored in the toner storage portion 71a is supplied to the developing roller 51 through such a path.

The toner cartridge 70 preferably includes a sealing member (first sealing member) covering the discharge opening 71b, not shown. In addition, the developing unit 50 preferably includes a sealing member (second sealing member) not shown covering the inlet opening 53 b.

In a state where the toner cartridge 70 is not attached to the developing unit 50, the discharge opening 71b and the inlet opening 53b are preferably both covered with a sealing member, so that leakage of toner through the discharge opening 71b and the inlet opening 53b is suppressed.

Image forming operation

The image forming operation in the present embodiment will be described. First, the photosensitive drum 2 rotates in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction) in fig. 1 in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10 a. Further, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 3.

In the case of forming a color image on the sheet S, the rotating body 90 rotates in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) in fig. 1 while supporting the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. Then, the electrophotographic process is repeatedly performed while moving the developing rollers 51y, 50m, 51c, and 51k one by one to the developing position.

First, the scanner 4 emits laser light based on image data corresponding to a yellow image, and thus forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. In parallel with the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the motor M1 rotates the rotary 90, and the rotary 90 assumes a yellow development posture. When the rotary 90 is in the yellow development posture, the developing roller 51y is in the development position, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is developed with yellow toner.

Here, in the present embodiment, the developing rollers 51y, 50m, 51c, and 51k are all elastic rollers formed by covering a metal shaft with rubber. At the development position, the development rollers 51y, 50m, 51c, and 51k each develop the electrostatic latent image in a state of contact with the photosensitive drum 2. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment employs a contact type developing system. However, at the development position, each of the development rollers 51y, 50m, 51c, and 51k may develop the electrostatic latent image with a gap between the development roller and the photosensitive drum 2. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 may employ a noncontact developing system.

After developing the yellow toner image, the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10a by primary transfer by a primary transfer roller 11 provided on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 10 a.

Thereafter, toner images of the respective colors are formed by rotating the rotating body 90 and thus sequentially moving the developing rollers 50m, 51c, and 51k to the developing positions. That is, after the yellow toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotating body 90 assumes a magenta developing posture, and a magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 a. After the magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary 90 assumes a cyan developing posture, and a cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 a. After the cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary 90 assumes a black developing posture, and a black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 a. After the black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary 90 rotates about the rotation axis 90C in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) shown in fig. 1 and returns to the yellow development posture. It should be noted that the color of the image formed first on the intermediate transfer belt 10a may be arbitrarily selected, and for example, a black toner image may be formed first.

Then, the primary transfer is repeated so as to superimpose the four color toner images on each other on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, thereby forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 a. It should be noted that the secondary transfer roller 12 and the cleaning device 13 are not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10a before the color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 a.

In addition, the sheet S is fed from the sheet storage portion 300 provided at the lower portion of the apparatus body 1A by the pickup roller 310. The sheet S is conveyed to the conveying roller pair 320 in a state where one sheet S is separated from the stacked sheets S by the feeding roller 311 and the separating roller 312. The conveying roller pair 320 conveys the fed sheet S to a transfer portion (secondary transfer portion) that is a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 10a and the secondary transfer roller 12. The color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is transferred onto the surface of the conveying sheet S by secondary transfer.

The sheet S on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 40. In the fixing device 40, the sheet S is heated and pressurized, and thus an image is fixed to the sheet S. The sheet S having passed through the fixing device 40 is discharged as a product to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

In contrast, in the case of forming a black-and-white image (monochrome image) on the sheet S, the rotary 90 assumes a black development posture. In this state, by charging and exposing the photosensitive drum 2, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed with a black toner by a developing roller 51k located at a developing position. The black toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10a by primary transfer, and then the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by secondary transfer. The steps thereafter are similar to the case of color images.

Structure of rotary member

The construction of the rotating body 90 will be described with reference to fig. 1, 4A, 4B, and 5. Fig. 4A and 4B are each a sectional view of the rotary body 90 of the image forming apparatus 1 and its surroundings. It should be noted that fig. 4A and 4B are each a sectional view taken along a virtual plane orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rotary body 90.

As has been described, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k can be attached to the rotating body 90 and can be detached from the rotating body 90. In the case where the toner in the toner cartridges 70y to 70k has run out, the user can replenish the image forming apparatus 1 with toner by replacing the toner cartridges 70y to 70 k.

As shown in fig. 1, the apparatus body 1A includes a frame 16 accommodating a rotating body 90. The frame 16 is a main body frame of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The frame 16 is a housing or skeleton of the apparatus body 1A constituted by a frame and an exterior member, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The frame 16 has an opening 16a. More specifically, the frame 16 has a side surface 16b extending in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. The side surface 16b constitutes at least a part of the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A on the +x side. An opening 16a is provided in the side surface 16b. The side surface 16b is a side surface provided on the downstream side of the discharge port in the discharge direction in which the sheet S on which the image has been formed is discharged from the apparatus body 1A through the discharge port. From the side surface 16b side of the image forming apparatus 1, the user can access the sheet storing portion 300 to replenish the sheet storing portion 300 with the sheet S, and can obtain the sheet S discharged through the discharge port. Accordingly, the side surface 16b may be referred to as a front surface of the apparatus body 1A.

The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are attachable to the rotating body 90 through the opening 16a and detachable from the rotating body 90. That is, the toner cartridge 70k may be referred to as an example of a first toner cartridge that stores toner to be supplied to a first developing roller (developing roller 51 k), and is attachable to and detachable from a rotary (rotary 90) through an opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A. The toner cartridge 70m may be referred to as an example of a second toner cartridge that stores toner to be supplied to a second developing roller (developing roller 50 m), and is attachable to and detachable from a rotary (rotary 90) through an opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

In the present embodiment, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are attached to the rotating body 90 through the opening 16a and detached from the rotating body 90 in a state supported by the trays 80y to 80 k. In other words, the user can attach the toner cartridges 70y to 70k to the rotation body 90 and detach the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the rotation body 90 via the trays 80y to 80 k.

An opening 16a is provided in a side surface 16b of the frame 16. In the present embodiment, the side surface 16b is a surface substantially parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90. Therefore, in the case of replacing the toner cartridge 70, the toner cartridge 70 passes through the opening 16a in a direction intersecting the rotation axis 90C (preferably, a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C).

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a door 14 covering an opening 16a of a frame 16. The door 14 is an opening and closing member movable to a closed position where the door 14 covers the opening 16A shown in fig. 6A and an open position where the opening 16A is exposed shown in fig. 6B and 6C.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be attachable to the rotating body 90 via the tray 80 and detachable from the rotating body 90. Therefore, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably attached to the rotating body 90 and detached from the rotating body 90.

More specifically, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70 by an operation of attaching the toner cartridge 70 to the tray 80 configured to be movable with respect to the rotating body 90 (i.e., with respect to the apparatus body 1A) and detaching the toner cartridge 70 from the tray 80. In the case of a configuration in which the toner cartridge is replaced by a user directly inserting and removing the toner cartridge into and from the apparatus body, the user needs to insert the toner cartridge into a predetermined attachment position in the apparatus body. In the present embodiment, the tray 80 is movable so that the toner cartridge 70 is moved to the attachment position in a state where the tray 80 supports the toner cartridge 70. Therefore, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70 by a simple operation of setting the toner cartridge 70 on the tray 80, thus improving operability.

It should be noted that the toner cartridge 70 has an elongated shape in which the Y direction is parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90 as the longitudinal direction. That is, the toner cartridge 70 has a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is larger than the height and width thereof in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In the case of using the toner cartridge 70 having the elongated shape as described above, by providing the opening 16a in the side surface 16b of the frame 16 substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner cartridge 70, the toner cartridge 70 can pass through the opening 16a with a short moving distance. Replacement of the toner cartridge 70 becomes easier, for example, as compared with the case where the toner cartridge 70 is inserted or removed through an opening provided in a side surface of one side (+y side or-Y side) of the frame 16 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70.

The rotation body 90 rotates about the rotation axis 90C, and thus a replacement posture that allows one of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k to be detached from the rotation body 90 can be taken. The posture allowing the disassembly of the toner cartridge 70y will be referred to as a yellow replacement posture. The posture allowing the removal of the toner cartridge 70m will be referred to as a magenta replacement posture. The posture allowing the disassembly of the toner cartridge 70c will be referred to as a cyan replacement posture. The posture allowing the removal of the toner cartridge 70k will be referred to as a black replacement posture. The black replacement posture is an example of a first replacement posture that allows the first toner cartridge to be detached from the rotating body 90. The yellow/magenta/cyan replacement posture is an example of a second replacement posture that allows the second toner cartridge to be detached from the rotating body 90. The yellow/magenta/cyan/black replacement posture may be referred to as first to fourth replacement postures. This numbering is for convenience of description only and may in principle be interchanged as appropriate.

The rotating body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C in the counterclockwise direction of fig. 1, and can take a yellow/magenta/cyan/black replacement posture in sequence. In the present embodiment, the rotary 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 1, and thus the developing posture and the replacement posture can be alternately switched. For example, in fig. 1, the rotary 90 is in a black developing posture. By rotating the rotary 90 in the clockwise direction from this state, the posture of the rotary 90 can be switched in the order of the cyan replacement posture, the yellow development posture, the black replacement posture, the magenta development posture, the yellow replacement posture, the cyan development posture, and the magenta replacement posture. By rotating the rotary 90 in the clockwise direction from the magenta replacement posture, the rotary 90 returns to the black development posture. That is, the rotating body 90 may rotate more than one turn (360 °) in the clockwise direction.

Fig. 4A shows a cross section of the rotary 90 in a developing posture (specifically, a yellow developing posture). Fig. 4B shows a cross section of the rotating body 90 in a replacement posture (specifically, a black replacement posture).

As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, four trays 80y to 80k are attached to the rotating body 90. The trays 80y to 80k hold the toner cartridges 70y to 70k, respectively. In fig. 4A and 4B, the trays 80y to 80k are accommodated in the rotating body 90, and this state may be referred to as a state in which the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are attached to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50 k.

As described above, the toner cartridge 70 is movable to the attachment position and the retreat position from the attachment position with respect to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. That is, the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70K) is movable to the first attachment position and the first retreat position with respect to the first storage frame (developing frame 53K). The second toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70 m) is movable to a second attachment position and a second retreat position with respect to the second storage frame (developing frame 53 m).

In a state where the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position with respect to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b and the inlet opening 53b face each other as shown in fig. 3. The toner cartridge 70 is configured to supply toner to the developing-side storage portion 53a through the inlet opening 53b (opening of the storage frame) in this state.

The apparatus body 1A includes a moving device 85 configured to move the toner cartridge 70 from the attachment position to the retreat position with respect to the rotating body 90 (more specifically, with respect to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50). The moving device 85 will be described below with reference to fig. 8 and the like. In the present embodiment, a plurality of moving devices 85y to 85k corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70y to 70k are provided in the rotating body 90. The trays 80y to 80k may be referred to as a part of the moving devices 85y to 85 k.

In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70k storing the black toner is larger in size than the toner cartridges 70y to 70c storing the yellow toner, the magenta toner, and the cyan toner, and is capable of storing more toners. In other words, the first toner cartridge is capable of storing a first amount of toner, the second toner cartridge is capable of storing a second amount of toner, and the first amount is greater than the second amount.

Specifically, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in the first radial direction with respect to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary 90 is greater than the length of the magenta toner cartridge 70m in the second radial direction. Here, the first radial direction is a rotation radial direction of the rotating body 90 (a radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis 90C), and is a direction in which the toner cartridge 70k extends with respect to the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. The second radial direction is a rotation radius direction of the rotating body 90, and is a direction in which the toner cartridge 70m extends with respect to the rotation axis 90C as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. Similarly, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in the first radial direction is larger than the lengths of the other toner cartridges 70y and 70c in the radial directions corresponding to the toner cartridges 70y and 70 c.

Therefore, the tray 80k holding the black toner cartridge 70k is larger in size than the trays 80y to 80c holding the other toner cartridges 70y, 70m, and 70 c. That is, four toner cartridges 70y to 70k and trays 80y to 80k having different sizes are provided in the rotating body 90. In other words, the toner cartridge 70k serving as an example of the first toner cartridge and the toner cartridge 70y serving as an example of the second toner cartridge smaller than the first toner cartridge can be attached to the rotating body 90 and can be detached from the rotating body 90. Accordingly, a tray 80k serving as an example of a first supporting member supporting the first toner cartridge and a tray 80y serving as an example of a second supporting member smaller than the first supporting member are provided in the rotating body 90. In addition, the toner cartridges 70m and 70c serving as examples of third and fourth toner cartridges smaller in size than the first toner cartridge can be attached to the rotating body 90 and can be detached from the rotating body 90. Accordingly, trays 80m and 80c serving as examples of third and fourth support members smaller in size than the first support member are provided in the rotating body 90.

Here, the rotational driving of the rotating body 90 will be described with reference to fig. 5. As shown in fig. 5, disk gears 92L and 92R are formed on the respective ends of the rotating body 90. In addition, rotation drive gears 93L and 93R are formed on the respective ends of the swing shaft 91 in a manner capable of transmitting a driving force. Here, the driving force of the motor M1 is transmitted to the rotation driving gear 93R via the drive transmission mechanism. Next, the driving force is transmitted to the disk gears 92L and 92R via the rotation driving gears 93L and 93R, and thus the rotary body 90 is rotationally driven. The rotating body 90 rotates about the rotation axis 90C in the clockwise direction in fig. 1.

In addition, the rotating body 90 is supported so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 91. The rotating body 90 is urged in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 4A and 4B about the swing shaft 91 by an urging member not shown. This direction may be referred to as a direction in which the respective developing rollers 51y to 51k approach the photosensitive drum 2. As a result, one of the developing rollers 51y to 51k is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 in a state where the rotary 90 is in the developing posture.

Further, as shown in fig. 5, rotary cams 90eL and 90eR are provided on the respective ends of the rotary body 90. When the rotating body 90 rotates about the rotation axis 90C in the clockwise direction in fig. 4A and 4B, the rotating cams 90eL and 90eR come into contact with the roller 96 supported by the frame 16 as shown in fig. 4A and 4B. Then, the rotating body 90 moves around the swing shaft 91 in the clockwise direction in fig. 4A and 4B. This direction may be referred to as a direction in which the respective developing rollers 51y to 51k move away from the photosensitive drum 2. In addition, this direction may be referred to as a direction in which the rotator 90 approaches the opening 16a of the frame 16 and the door 14.

As a result, when the rotary 90 rotates and is switched from the developing posture to the replacement posture, the rotary 90 swings about the swing shaft 91. In a state where the rotating body 90 is in the replacement posture, the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 2.

As shown in fig. 4B, in the black replacement posture, the toner cartridge 70k is stopped at a position where the toner cartridge 70k faces the opening 16a and the door 14 provided on the side surface 16B of the apparatus body 1A. When the tray 80k is slid from the attachment position for the developing unit 50k to the outside of the rotating body 90 from this state, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70k.

Replacing operation of toner cartridge

The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described with reference to fig. 4A, 6A to 6C, 7A and 7B. Fig. 6A to 6C are external views of the apparatus body 1A. Fig. 7A and 7B are each a sectional view of the rotating body 90 and its surroundings when the toner cartridge is replaced. It should be noted that fig. 7A and 7B are each a cross-sectional view of the device taken along a virtual plane orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90.

Fig. 6A shows an appearance of the apparatus body 1A during an image forming operation and in a standby state. The period during which the image forming operation is a period during which a series of operations of the image forming apparatus 1 feeding the sheet S, forming an image on the sheet S, and then discharging the sheet S as a product is performed. The standby state is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 can start performing an image forming operation in the case of receiving an image forming instruction (print instruction), and is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 waits for an image forming instruction from a user. As shown in fig. 6A, the door 14 is closed during an image forming operation and in a standby state.

Fig. 6B shows an appearance of the apparatus body 1A at the time of toner cartridge replacement. At the time of toner cartridge replacement, the door 14 is opened, and the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 are moved to the outside of the apparatus body 1A.

The toner cartridge 70 is movable to an attachment position and a retreat position at which the toner cartridge 70 retreats from the attachment position with respect to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. In a state where the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position with respect to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b and the inlet opening 53b face each other as shown in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the rotating body 90 is configured to rotate about the rotation axis 90C in a state where the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position to take a developing posture and a replacement posture.

The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described. First, the user instructs the toner cartridge replacement operation to the controller of the apparatus body 1A. An instruction of the toner cartridge replacement operation is given by, for example, input via an operation panel (operation portion) provided on the apparatus body 1A.

When the controller receives an instruction of the toner cartridge replacement operation, the rotating body 90 rotates to a replacement posture of the toner cartridge 70 (toner cartridge 70 for which toner has been used up) serving as a replacement target, and stops. That is, the controller rotates the rotating body 90 to the replacement posture of the toner cartridge specified in the instruction for toner cartridge replacement (in fig. 4B, the black replacement posture for replacing the black toner cartridge 70 k). In the replacement posture, the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 that has been instructed to be replaced faces the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

For example, the rotary 90 of fig. 4A is in a yellow development posture in which the yellow development roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2. At this time, the black toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k do not necessarily face the opening 16a and the door 14. In other words, the toner cartridge 70 and the tray 80 do not have to face the opening 16a and the door 14 in the case where the rotary 90 is in the developing posture or the replacement posture other than the replacement posture of the toner cartridge. Accordingly, the opening 16a may have a size such that each of the toner cartridges 70 can pass therethrough individually. When the rotary 90 rotates from the yellow development posture by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the black toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k face the opening 16a and the door 14, as shown in fig. 4B.

Here, "the tray 80 faces the opening 16a" means that the tray 80 is positioned so as to be movable to the outside of the apparatus body 1A through the opening 16a. That is, in a case where the tray 80 faces the opening 16a, a movement mechanism, which will be described later, moves the tray 80 outwardly in the rotation radius direction of the rotating body 90, and thus the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 supported by the tray 80 can protrude to the outside of the apparatus body 1A. In fig. 4A, none of the trays 80y to 80k faces the opening 16a. In fig. 4B, only the black tray 80k faces the opening 16a, and the other trays 80y to 80c do not face the opening 16a.

When the rotating body 90 is in the replacement posture, the motor M2 moves the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 serving as the replacement target to the outside of the apparatus body 1A. As a result, the toner cartridge 70 serving as the replacement target is moved from the attachment position to the retreat position with respect to the rotating body 90. In addition, as shown in fig. 6B, 6C, 7A, and 7B, the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 supported by the tray 80 as a replacement target protrude to the outside of the apparatus body 1A through the opening 16 a.

More specifically, the tray 80 is movable to the accommodating position and the detaching position with respect to the rotating body 90. The accommodation position is a position where the tray 80 is accommodated in the rotating body 90. The detachable position is a position (a removal position or a replacement position) where the tray 80 protrudes outside the rotating body 90 and the toner cartridge 70 can be detached from the tray 80. The positions of the trays 80y to 80k in fig. 4A and 4B serve as examples of the accommodation positions. The position of the tray 80 in fig. 6B and 6C, the position of the tray 80k in fig. 7A, and the position of the tray 80m in fig. 7B are used as examples of the disassembly position.

When the tray 80 is in the accommodated position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is in the attached position. When the tray 80 is in the detached position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is in the retracted position.

Here, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the rotating body 90 has a convex portion 95 for holding the tray 80 in the accommodating position and holding the toner cartridge 70 in the attaching position. As shown in fig. 8, the tray 80 has a recess 87 configured to fit over the protrusion 95. Fig. 7A and 7B show the convex portions 95k and 95m corresponding to the trays 80k and 80m, and fig. 8 shows the concave portions 87y and 87m of the trays 80y and 80 m. The convex portion 95 and the concave portion 87 are provided for each of the trays 80y to 80 k. The protrusion 95 is preferably urged in a direction to engage the recess 87.

The protrusion 95 is fitted in the recess 87 of the tray 80, and thus the tray 80 is locked with respect to the rotating frame 90 f. As a result, even when the rotating body 90 rotates, the tray 80 is held at the accommodating position, and thus the toner cartridge 70 can be restrained from moving from the attaching position. It should be noted that in the case where the tray 80 is moved between the accommodated position and the detached position by a moving means to be described below, the convex portion 95 may be configured to be moved by the tray 80 and thereby be disengaged from the concave portion 87.

In the present embodiment, the door 14 is supported so as to be pivotable with respect to the apparatus body 1A. As shown in fig. 7A, the door 14 is urged from the open position to the closed position by a spring 14 s. The spring 14s is, for example, an extension spring, and urges the door 14, thereby generating a moment in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 7A and 7B around the support shaft 14c of the door 14.

The tray 80 presses the door 14 so that the door 14 is in the open state shown in fig. 6B. This state may be referred to as a state in which the tray 80 is supported by the door 14. The door 14 supports at least a portion of the tray 80 protruding to the outside of the apparatus body 1A, and thus the toner cartridge 70 can be more stably supported. In other words, when the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70 k) is in the first retracted position, the opening and closing member (door 14) in the open position supports the first supporting member (tray 80 k). In addition, when the second toner cartridge (one of the toner cartridges 70y to 70 c) is in the second retracted position, the opening-closing member (door 14) in the open position supports the second supporting member (one of the trays 80y to 80 c).

It should be noted that the door 14 is configured such that the door 14 in the open position is in contact with a portion of the frame 16 of the device body 1A (e.g., the lower edge 16c of the opening 16 a) and does not pivot downward beyond the open position. When the tray 80 is pulled back into the apparatus body 1A from the outside, the door 14 is returned to the closed position by the urging force of the spring 14 s.

The toner cartridge 70 is detachably held by a tray 80. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6C, the user can perform a job (replacement job) of detaching the toner cartridge 70 from the tray 80 and attaching a new toner cartridge 70. It should be noted that in the case of replacing a plurality of toner cartridges 70, the replacement work may be performed by repeating the above-described operations.

Fig. 7A and 7B show a cross section of the rotating body 90 and its surroundings at the time of toner cartridge replacement. Fig. 7A shows a state when the black toner cartridge 70k is replaced. Fig. 7B shows a state when the magenta toner cartridge 70m is replaced.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a moving device 85 shown in fig. 8 that moves the toner cartridge 70 from the attachment position to the retreat position. In the present embodiment, it can be said that the moving means 85 includes the tray 80. The moving device 85k including the tray 80k may be referred to as an example of a first moving device including a first supporting member. The moving device 85m including the tray 80m may be referred to as an example of a second moving device including a second supporting member.

Even when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the tray 80 is coupled to the rotating body 90 (supported by the rotating body 90). In order to easily detach the toner cartridge 70 from the rotating body 90, the length of the toner cartridge 70 protruding from the rotating body 90 at the retracted position is preferably large. Since the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be attachable to the rotating body 90 via the tray 80 and detachable from the rotating body 90, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably supported by the tray 80 even in the case where the length of the toner cartridge 70 protruding from the rotating body 90 is large.

The moving direction of the toner cartridge 70 in which the toner cartridge 70 moves from the attachment position to the retreat position will be referred to as the retreat direction. In the present embodiment, the retreat direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction intersecting the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. Therefore, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the retreat direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction orthogonal to the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. In addition, the retreat direction of the toner cartridge 70 may be referred to as a direction outward in the rotation radius direction of the rotating body 90, that is, a direction away from the rotation axis 90C.

As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, since the user detaches the toner cartridge 70 from the rotation body 90, it is preferable that at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotation body 90 when the toner cartridge 70 is detached. In the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the entire toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotating body 90.

When the rotating body 90 rotates about the rotation axis 90C, it can be said that the rotation locus of the rotating body 90 coincides with the circumscribed circle of the rotating body 90 centered on the rotation axis 90C (i.e., the virtual circle 90V shown by the broken line in fig. 7A and 7B). When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retreat position, more than half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retreat direction is preferably outside the rotation locus of the rotating body 90. That is, as viewed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary, in the moving direction of the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retreat position, half or more of the total length of the toner cartridge is preferably located outside the rotation locus of the rotary. This applies to the toner cartridge 70 including the toner cartridge 70k (which serves as an example of the first cartridge) and the toner cartridge 70m (which serves as an example of the second cartridge). In addition, in the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position as shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the toner cartridge 70 is entirely outside the rotation locus (virtual circle 90V) of the rotating body 90.

Further, in order to make it easier for the user to grasp the toner cartridge 70, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is preferably located outside the image forming apparatus 1 (i.e., outside the apparatus body 1A) when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position. The outside of the apparatus referred to herein refers to a space outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus body 1A) when the image forming apparatus 1 is used for, for example, an image forming operation on a sheet S.

In the present embodiment, the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A is constituted by the outer surface of the frame 16. That is, the device exterior may also be referred to as the frame 16 exterior. Therefore, a state in which at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the apparatus may also be referred to as a state in which at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes outside the frame 16 through the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

In the present embodiment, when the door 14 is in the closed position, the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A is covered by the door 14. Further, the outer surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position constitutes a part of the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A. In this case, the exterior of the device refers to the exterior of the outer surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position. That is, in the case where the position of the outer surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position is referred to as the outer position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is positioned further outward than the outer position with respect to the apparatus body 1A when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position.

In other words, if the door 14 is in the closed position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is located in a space outside the apparatus body 1A. Further, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is located downstream of the external position along the retreat direction of the toner cartridge 70.

In addition, in the case where the side surface 16b having the opening 16a is the front surface of the apparatus body 1A, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it can be said that at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes more toward the front side than the outer surface of the front side of the apparatus body 1A. In this case, the user can easily approach the toner cartridge 70 from the front side of the image forming apparatus and replace the toner cartridge 70.

It should be noted that when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retreat position, more than half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retreat direction is preferably outside the apparatus. That is, when viewed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary, in a state where the toner cartridge is in the retracted position, half or more of the total length of the toner cartridge is preferably located outside the body frame along the moving direction of the toner cartridge from the attaching position to the retracted position. This applies to the toner cartridge 70 including the toner cartridge 70k (which serves as an example of the first toner cartridge) and the toner cartridge 70m (which serves as an example of the second toner cartridge). Further, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70 as a whole is preferably located outside the apparatus. It should be noted that although the outer surface 14a and the side surface 16b of the door 14 constitute the outer surface of the front side of the apparatus body 1A in the present embodiment, the configuration of the door 14 is not limited thereto. For example, the door 14 may be sized to cover the entire side surface 16b. In this case, the outer surface 14a of the door 14 constitutes the outer surface of the front side of the apparatus body 1A.

The tray 80 includes a cartridge holding portion 81 that holds the toner cartridge 70 shown in fig. 3 and 6C. The cartridge holding portion 81 is an attached portion to which the toner cartridge 70 is attached. When the tray 80 is in the detached position, the cartridge holding portion 81 as a whole is preferably located outside the rotation locus of the rotating body 90 in the retreat direction. When the tray 80 is in the detached position, in the retreat direction, half or more of the length of the cartridge holding portion 81 is preferably outside the apparatus.

Here, as described above, the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k are larger in size than the other toner cartridges 70y to 70c and the other trays 80y to 80c. Therefore, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B, in the present embodiment, the movement amount of the tray 80 at the time of toner cartridge replacement varies according to the size of the toner cartridge 70.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7A, the tray 80k (first supporting member) has a moving distance L1 from the accommodating position (first accommodating position) to the detaching position (first detaching position). The movement distance of the tray 80m (second supporting member) from the accommodated position to the detached position (third detached position) is L2. Although a state in which the toner cartridge 70m and the tray 80m are moved is shown in fig. 7B, the moving distance of the trays 80y and 80c from the accommodating position to the detaching position is also L2. In this case, L1 is greater than L2. In other words, it can be said that the moving distance of the first supporting member in the case where the first toner cartridge is moved from the first attachment position to the first retreat position is larger than the moving distance of the second supporting member in the case where the second toner cartridge is moved from the second attachment position to the second retreat position.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7A, in a state where the tray 80k is in the detached position and the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70k protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the apparatus by a distance P1. In this embodiment, the tray 80k also protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the apparatus by a distance P1.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7B, in a state where the tray 80m is in the detached position and the toner cartridge 70m is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70m protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the apparatus by a distance P2. In this embodiment, the tray 80m also protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the apparatus by a distance P2. It should be noted that the distance by which the toner cartridges 70y and 70c protrude from the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the apparatus is also P2.

The distance P1 is greater than the distance P2. That is, the length of the first toner cartridge protruding through the opening 16a of the apparatus body 1A at the first retreat position will be referred to as a first length (P1), and the length of the second toner cartridge protruding through the opening 16a at the second retreat position will be referred to as a second length (P2). In this case, it can be said that the first length is larger than the second length.

In terms of strength, it is more preferable that the distance P2 by which the toner cartridges 70y to 70c having a smaller size than the toner cartridge 70k protrude to the outside of the apparatus at the retracted position is smaller than the distance P1 by which the toner cartridge 70k protrudes to the outside at the retracted position. The reason for this is as follows. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes outside the apparatus from the outside of the rotation locus of the rotating body 90 or the outer surface of the apparatus body 1A. At this time, the tray 80 supports the weight of the toner cartridge 70 in a state where one side thereof is supported by the rotating body 90. Therefore, reducing the distance P2 by which the toner cartridges 70y to 70c protrude outside the apparatus at the retreat position can reduce the load on the trays 80y to 80c or the guide portion 97 of the rotating body 90 supporting the trays 80y to 80 k. In addition, since the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are smaller than the toner cartridge 70k, operability with respect to the trays 80y to 80c in cartridge replacement can be maintained even if the distance P2 is set smaller than the distance P1.

Tray arrangement in a rotating member

The arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotating body 90 will be described with reference to fig. 8, 9, and 10. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotating body 90. Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotating body 90. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of components of the trays 80Y to 80k on one end side in the Y direction. It should be noted that fig. 9 shows a cross section of the rotating body 90 taken along a virtual plane orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90. In addition, the upper half of fig. 10 is a diagram of the rotating body 90 and the trays 80m and 80k of fig. 8 viewed from the upper right side (+z side) of fig. 8, and the lower half of fig. 10 is a diagram of the rotating body 90 and the trays 80c and 80y of fig. 8 viewed from the left side (-X side) of fig. 8.

As shown in fig. 8, the trays 80y to 80k are provided with cassette holding portions 81y to 81k and guided portions 82y to 82k, respectively.

The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are attached to the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k, respectively. The cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k respectively house at least a portion of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k attached thereto.

The guided portions 82Y to 82k are provided at the respective ends of the trays 80Y to 80k such that the cartridge holding portions 81Y to 81k are interposed therebetween in the Y direction. The guided portions 82y to 82k are elongated members each extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotating body 90.

In the present embodiment, the reinforcing rib 82k1 is formed on a part of the guided portion 82k in the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, and the reinforcing rib 82m1 is formed on a part of the guided portion 82m in the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m, as shown in fig. 11A and 11B. The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 are elongated rib shapes (ridges) protruding outward in the Y direction from the guided portions 82k and 82m of the respective ends of the trays 80k and 80m in the Y direction and extending in the moving directions Dk and Dm of the trays 80k and 80 m. The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 enhance the rigidity of the guided portions 82k and 82 m.

It should be noted that although the length of the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 in the present embodiment is limited to avoid the guided portions 82y and 82c, the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may be provided over the entire length of the guided portions 82m and 82k as long as they do not interfere with the guided portions 82y and 82c. Reinforcing ribs may be added to the guided portions 82y and 82c. In addition, in the case where the rigidity of the guided portions 82m and 82k is sufficient, a configuration may be adopted in which the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 are not provided.

The guided portions 82y to 82k have rack portions (rack gears) 83y to 83k formed therein. In addition, the pinions 94y to 94k are rotatably held in the rotary body 90. The pinion gears 94y to 94k are engaged with the rack portions 83y to 83k, respectively, in a manner capable of transmitting driving force.

The rack portions 83y to 83k and the pinions 94y to 94k are part of the moving devices 85y to 85k configured to move the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the attachment position to the retreat position. In addition, it can be said that the rack portions 83y to 83k and the pinions 94y to 94k are part of driven devices driven by the driving device 98 of the device body 1A. The pinions 94y to 94k can be said to be rotatable bodies (rotating members) that rotate to move the trays 80y to 80k relative to the rotating body 90.

The pinions 94y to 94k and the rack portions 83y to 83k serve as driven portions of the moving devices 85y to 85k of the rotating body 90 to receive the driving force from the driving device 98 of the device body 1A. The pinion 94k and the rack portion 83k are examples of a first pinion and a first rack gear that constitute at least a part of a first driven portion included in the first moving device. The pinion 94m and the rack portion 83m are examples of a second pinion and a second rack gear that constitute at least a part of a second driven portion included in the second moving device.

The rotating body 90 includes guide portions 97 shown in fig. 7A and 7B respectively engaged with the guided portions 82y to 82 k. Fig. 7A shows the guide portion 97 (97 k) engaged with the guided portion 82k of the tray 80k, and fig. 7B shows the guide portion 97 (97 m) engaged with the guided portion 82m of the tray 80 m. The rotating body 90 includes similar guide portions that engage the guided portions 82y and 82c of the trays 80y and 80c, respectively. In addition, although the guide portion 97 provided at one side (+y side) of the rotating body 90 in the Y direction is shown in fig. 7A and 7B, a similar guide portion 97 is also provided at the other side (-Y side) of the rotating body 90 in the Y direction.

When the tray 80 moves between the accommodated position and the detached position, the guide portion 97 maintains the state of engagement with the guided portion 82 in at least a part of the movement range, and guides the movement direction of the tray 80. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 97 maintains the state of engagement with the guided portion 82k throughout the entire movement range of the tray 80k between the accommodated position and the detached position. In addition, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 97 maintains the state of engagement with the guided portion 82m throughout the entire movement range of the tray 80m between the accommodated position and the detached position.

In addition, as shown in fig. 8 and 9, four trays 80y to 80k are provided in the rotating body 90 to overlap each other, as will be described in detail below.

When the pinions 94y to 94k rotate, the rack portions 83y to 83k and the trays 80y to 80k move relative to the rotating body 90. As shown in fig. 9, the four trays 80y to 80k are arranged such that they are rotated by 90 ° to each other with respect to the moving direction of the rotating body 90. Accordingly, the tray 80y and the tray 80c are held so as to be slidable in substantially the same direction (parallel direction) as each other, and the tray 80m and the tray 80k are held so as to be slidable in substantially the same direction (parallel direction) as each other. The moving direction of the sliding of the trays 80y to 80k is regulated by the engagement between the guide portion 97 and the guided portions 82y to 82k described above.

It should be noted that the trays 80y to 80k are moved to the outside of the device through the opening 16 a. When the trays 80y to 80k are all moved to the outside of the apparatus through the opening 16a, the moving directions of the trays are substantially the same (parallel).

As shown in fig. 9, the trays are arranged such that the arrangement range of the tray 80k overlaps with the arrangement range of the tray 80y and the arrangement range of the tray 80c with respect to the movement direction Dk of the tray 80 k. In addition, the installation range of the tray 80k overlaps the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90 with respect to the movement direction Dk of the tray 80 k. That is, as shown in fig. 4B, it can be said that the toner cartridge 70k held by the cartridge holding portion 81k of the tray 80k overlaps with the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90.

In contrast, the trays are set in a shifted manner such that the setting range of the tray 80m does not overlap with the setting range of the tray 80y and the setting range of the tray 80c with respect to the moving direction Dm of the tray 80 m. Further, the trays are arranged in a shifted manner such that the arrangement range of the tray 80y does not overlap with the arrangement range of the tray 80m and the arrangement range of the tray 80k with respect to the moving direction Dy of the tray 80 y. Similarly, the trays are arranged in a shifted manner such that the arrangement range of the tray 80c does not overlap with the arrangement range of the tray 80m and the arrangement range of the tray 80k with respect to the movement direction Dc of the tray 80 c.

The positional relationship between the trays 80 can also be expressed as follows. The tray 80y and the tray 80k overlap each other as viewed in the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y, but the tray 80y and the tray 80m do not overlap each other. The tray 80m and the tray 80k overlap each other as viewed in the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m, but the tray 80m and the trays 80y and 80c do not overlap each other. The tray 80c and the tray 80k overlap each other as viewed in the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c, but the tray 80c and the tray 80m do not overlap each other.

Here, the overlapping of two elements (e.g., parts, components, and units) when viewed in a specific direction means that the projection area of one element and the projection area of the other element overlap each other at least partially in the case where the two elements are perpendicularly projected onto a virtual plane orthogonal to the specific direction.

As shown in fig. 8 and 10, the setting ranges of the rack portion 83m and the guided portion 82m and the setting ranges of the rack portion 83k and the guided portion 82k at least partially overlap each other with respect to the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. That is, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the setting range of the first rack gear (rack portion 83 k) and the setting range of the second rack gear (rack portion 83 m) at least partially overlap each other with respect to the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary member. Accordingly, the rack portions 83m and 83k and the guided portions 82m and 82k can be arranged in a smaller space in the Y direction than in a layout in which the rack portion 83m and the guided portion 82m do not overlap with the rack portion 83k and the guided portion 82 k.

With respect to the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C, the arrangement ranges of the rack portion 83Y and the guided portion 82Y and the arrangement ranges of the rack portion 83C and the guided portion 82C overlap each other at least partially. That is, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the setting range of the third rack gear (rack portion 83Y) and the setting range of the fourth rack gear (rack portion 83 c) at least partially overlap each other with respect to the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary member. Accordingly, the rack portions 83Y and 83c and the guided portions 82Y and 82c can be arranged in a smaller space in the Y direction than in a layout in which the rack portion 83Y and the guided portion 82Y do not overlap with the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82 c.

Here, the engagement position between the rack portion 83 and the pinion 94 will be described with reference to fig. 10. The upper half of fig. 10 shows the engagement position between the rack portion 83k and the pinion 94 k. The lower half of fig. 10 shows the engagement position between the rack portion 83y and the pinion 94 y.

In a region Y1 in the direction (Y direction) along the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 in the drawing, a driving force transmitted from the motor M2 serving as a driving source shown in fig. 2 to a transmission device to be described below is transmitted to the pinion gears 94Y to 94k. In a region Y2 along the Y direction in the drawing, the pinion 94k is engaged with the rack portion 83k in a manner capable of transmitting a driving force. In a region Y3 along the Y direction in the drawing, the pinion 94Y is engaged with the rack portion 83Y in a manner capable of transmitting a driving force. It should be noted that, similarly to the rack portion 83k, the rack portion 83m is engaged with the pinion 94m shown in fig. 8 in a manner capable of transmitting the driving force in the region Y2. Similar to the rack portion 83Y, the rack portion 83c is engaged with the pinion 94c shown in fig. 8 in a manner capable of transmitting driving force in the region Y3.

Here, the regions Y2 and Y3 are at different positions in the Y direction (i.e., shifted from each other in the Y direction). In addition, the region Y1 is at a different position in the Y direction from both the regions Y2 and Y3. That is, the region Y1 is shifted in the Y direction with respect to the regions Y2 and Y3.

Further, in a state where the toner cartridges 70y and 70c are at the attachment positions, the setting range of the rack portion 83y and the setting range of the rack portion 83c at least partially overlap each other with respect to the moving direction of the rack portion 83y (the moving direction Dy of the tray 80 y). In the present embodiment, since the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y and the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c are substantially the same (parallel), the setting range of the rack portion 83y and the setting range of the rack portion 83c also overlap each other at least partially with respect to the moving direction Dc of the tray 80 c. Accordingly, in a state where the toner cartridges 70y and 70c are at the attachment positions, the tooth surfaces of the rack portion 83y face the tooth surfaces of the rack portion 83c in a direction (left-right direction of fig. 8) orthogonal to the moving direction Dy of the rack portion 83y and the moving direction Dc of the rack portion 83 c.

Further, in a state where the toner cartridges 70m and 70k are at the attachment positions, the setting range of the rack portion 83m and the setting range of the rack portion 83k at least partially overlap each other with respect to the moving direction of the rack portion 83m (the moving direction Dm of the tray 80 m). In the present embodiment, since the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m and the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k are substantially the same (parallel), the setting range of the rack portion 83m and the setting range of the rack portion 83k also overlap each other at least partially with respect to the moving direction Dk of the tray 80 k. Accordingly, in a state where the toner cartridges 70m and 70k are at the attachment positions, the tooth surfaces of the rack portion 83m face the tooth surfaces of the rack portion 83k in a direction (up-down direction in fig. 8) orthogonal to the moving direction Dm of the rack portion 83m and the moving direction Dk of the rack portion 83 k.

In addition, as also shown in fig. 12A to be described later, the rack portion 83Y overlaps with the rack portions 83m and 83k when viewed in the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. The rack portion 83m overlaps with the rack portions 83Y and 83C as viewed in the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. The rack portions 83C and 83m overlap with the rack portion 83k as viewed in the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. The rack portions 83k and 83Y overlap with the rack portion 83C as viewed in the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C. In other words, it can be said that the setting range of the first rack gear (rack portion 83 k) does not overlap with the setting range of the second rack gear (rack portion 83Y) with respect to the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary member. In addition, it can be said that the first rack gear (rack portion 83 k) and the second rack gear (rack portion 83Y) overlap each other in a state in which the first toner cartridge 70k is at the first attachment position and the second toner cartridge 70Y is at the second attachment position, as viewed in the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary.

As described above, since the arrangement positions of the rack portions 83k and 83m and the arrangement positions of the rack portions 83Y and 83c are different in the Y direction, the rack portions may be arranged such that the rack portions 83Y and 83c overlap with the rack portions 83m and 83k when viewed in the Y direction.

As a result, the space for arranging four trays in the rotating body 90 can be reduced, and thus the dimension of the rotating body 90 in the rotation radius direction can be reduced. That is, if it is attempted to arrange the rack portions 83 such that the moving distance of the trays 80Y to 80k is equal to the moving distance of the present embodiment and the rack portions 83 do not overlap each other when viewed in the Y direction, the area required to arrange the four rack portions is large when viewed in the Y direction. Compared with such a configuration, since the plurality of rack portions 83 are arranged in a shifted manner in the Y direction such that the rack portions 83 overlap each other when viewed in the Y direction, the mounting area for the rack portions 83 when viewed in the Y direction can be reduced.

In addition, in the present embodiment, four rack portions 83Y to 83k are grouped into two pairs (two for each pair) and the two pairs are arranged in a shifted manner in the Y direction. That is, it can be said that the setting range of the first rack gear and the setting range of the second rack gear overlap each other, and the setting range of the third rack gear and the setting range of the fourth rack gear overlap each other with respect to the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary member. In addition, it can be said that the arrangement ranges of the first rack gear and the second rack gear do not overlap with the arrangement ranges of the third rack gear and the fourth rack gear with respect to the Y direction. As a result, the dimension of the rotating body 90 in the Y direction can be reduced as compared with the case where all of the four rack portions 83Y to 83k are arranged in a shifted manner in the Y direction.

Moving element of tray

Elements related to movement of the trays 80y to 80k provided in the rotating body 90 will be described with reference to fig. 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B. Fig. 11A and 11B are perspective views of elements associated with the movement of the tray 80 k. Fig. 12A and 12B are each a sectional view of an element associated with the movement of the tray 80 k.

In the present embodiment, the trays 80y to 80k are driven accordingly by receiving the driving force of the motor M2 transmitted to the pinions 94y to 94k via the driving racks 15L and 15R serving as the transmission means. Here, elements for moving the tray 80k with respect to the rotating body 90 will be described, and since elements for moving the trays 80y to 80c with respect to the rotating body 90 are substantially the same as elements for moving the tray 80k, description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 11A shows a state in which the tray 80k is inside the rotating body 90, that is, a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is attached to the developing unit 50 k. That is, fig. 11A shows a state in which the tray 80k is in the accommodated position, and corresponds to a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is in the attached position with respect to the developing frame 53k shown in fig. 4A. Fig. 11B shows a state in which the tray 80k has slid outside the rotating body 90. That is, fig. 11B shows a state in which the tray 80k is in the attached position, and corresponds to a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position with respect to the developing frame 53k shown in fig. 4B.

The apparatus body 1A of the present embodiment includes drive racks 15L and 15R serving as drive gears for driving the pinion 94. The drive racks 15 are each driven by a motor M2 via a drive transmission mechanism not shown.

As described above, the two rack portions 83k are formed at the respective ends of the tray 80k in the Y direction. The two pinion gears 94k and the drive racks 15L and 15R are provided at the respective ends at positions corresponding to the rack portions 83k, respectively. That is, the apparatus body 1A of the present embodiment includes the drive racks 15L and 15R serving as the first drive gear and the second drive gear. It can be said that the drive rack 15L is an example of a first drive gear, and the drive rack 15R is an example of a second drive gear. However, this number is for convenience of description only, and may in principle be appropriately interchanged. In the case where it is not necessary to distinguish the drive racks 15L and 15R from each other, each of the drive racks may be described as "drive rack 15".

The rack portion 83 of the present embodiment is configured as a pair of rack gears, and the pinion 94 of the present embodiment is configured as a pair of pinion gears. In the present embodiment, a pair of rack gears and a pair of pinions are provided on both end sides (i.e., one end side and the other end side) of the support member (tray 80) in the Y direction, but a pair of rack gears and a pair of pinions may be provided at other positions. The rack portion 83k and the pinion 94k of the moving device 85k corresponding to the tray 80k may be referred to as an example of a first pair of rack gears and a first pair of pinion gears, respectively. The rack portions 83y to 83c and the pinions 94y to 94c of the moving devices 85y to 85c corresponding to the other trays 80y to 80c, respectively, may be referred to as examples of a second pair of rack gears and a second pair of pinions, respectively.

One of the pair of rack gears is engaged with one of the pair of pinions, and the other of the pair of rack gears is engaged with the other of the pair of pinions. At least one of the pair of pinion gears is driven by a drive rack 15L serving as a first drive rack. In the present embodiment, two of the pair of pinion gears are simultaneously driven by the drive racks 15L and 15R serving as the first drive rack and the second drive rack. As a result, rotation of the tray 80 is unlikely to occur, and thus stable movement of the toner cartridge 70 can be achieved.

It should be noted that a configuration may be employed in which the tray 80 includes a rack portion 83 and is moved by a drive rack 15 through a pinion 94.

The tray 80k is held so as to be slidable with respect to the rotating body 90 in a direction parallel to the guided portion 82k (i.e., the moving direction Dk). The drive rack 15 is held slidably with respect to the apparatus body 1A in a direction intersecting the moving direction Dk of the tray 80 k. The drive rack 15 is configured to slide (reciprocate) in a first direction (vertically upward direction in the present embodiment) and a second direction (vertically downward direction in the present embodiment) opposite to the first direction with respect to the apparatus body 1A. That is, the moving direction of the drive rack 15 of the present embodiment is a direction intersecting (preferably orthogonal to) both the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k and the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C of the rotating body 90.

A tray moving operation of sliding the tray 80k between the accommodating position and the detaching position will be described with reference to fig. 11A and 11B. The tray moving operation of the tray 80k is performed by a motor M2 shown in fig. 2, a drive transmission mechanism not shown, a drive rack 15, a pinion 94k, and a rack portion 83 k.

First, a tray moving operation (tray pulling-out operation) of detaching the toner cartridge 70k from the rotating body 90 will be described. In a state before the start of the tray pulling-out operation, the drive rack 15 shown in fig. 11A is located below the position where the drive rack 15 is engaged with the pinion 94 k. In addition, as described above, in the replacement operation of the toner cartridge 70k, the rotating body 90 takes the replacement posture of the toner cartridge 70k shown in fig. 4B.

At the start of the tray pulling-out operation, the drive rack 15 slides upward with respect to the apparatus body 1A by the driving force of the motor M2. During the movement of the drive rack 15, the drive rack 15 is engaged with the pinion 94k, and the pinion 94k is rotationally driven.

As shown in fig. 11B, the pinion 94k is rotationally driven in the arrow direction in fig. 11B, and thus a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k engaged with the pinion 94 k. As a result, the tray 80k is pushed to the outside of the apparatus, and moves to the detached position with respect to the rotating body 90 from the housed position. By the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k of the rotating body 90 shown in fig. 7A, the moving direction of the tray 80k in this movement is guided to the predetermined moving direction Dk. Since the tray 80k moves from the accommodated position to the detached position, the toner cartridge 70k moves from the attached position to the retracted position with respect to the developing unit 50 k.

In a state where the tray 80k is located at the detaching position and the toner cartridge 70k is located at the retracted position, the user can attach the toner cartridge 70k to the tray 80k and detach the toner cartridge 70k from the tray 80 k.

The tray moving operation (tray introducing operation or tray inserting operation) is performed in a process opposite to the tray pulling-out operation when the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotating body 90. In a state before the start of the tray introducing operation, the drive rack 15 is located above the position where the drive rack 15 is engaged with the pinion 94 k. For example, the tray introducing operation is started in response to a user operating a predetermined operation portion. When the tray introducing operation is started, the drive rack 15 slides downward with respect to the apparatus body 1A by the driving force of the motor M2. Here, the rotation direction of the motor M2 in the tray drawing-in operation is opposite to the rotation direction of the motor M2 in the tray drawing-out operation. During the movement of the drive rack 15, the drive rack 15 is engaged with the pinion 94k, and thus the pinion 94k is rotationally driven.

Since the pinion 94k is rotationally driven in the direction opposite to the arrow of fig. 11B, a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k engaged with the pinion 94 k. As a result, the tray 80k is introduced into the device, and moves from the detached position to the accommodated position with respect to the rotating body 90. The moving direction of the tray 80k is guided to the moving direction Dk opposite to the arrow of fig. 11B by the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k of the rotating body 90. Since the tray 80k moves from the detached position to the accommodated position, the toner cartridge 70k moves from the retracted position to the attached position with respect to the developing unit 50 k.

The movement of the tray 80k and the toner cartridge 70k for black has been described above, and the movement of the other trays 80y to 80c and the toner cartridges 70y to 70c is also performed by a similar mechanism. That is, the drive rack 15 transmits the driving force to the pinions 94y to 94c in the respective replacement postures of the toner cartridges.

The motor M2 provided in the apparatus body 1A and the transmission device including the drive rack 15 (15L and 15R) and the drive transmission mechanism constitute a driving device 98 for driving the moving device 85 provided in the rotating body 90.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the plurality of moving devices 85k to 85y corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70k to 70y are provided in the rotating body 90. The driving device 98 of the device body 1A is a common driving device that drives the plurality of moving devices 85k to 85y (plurality of driven devices) of the rotating body 90.

In the present embodiment, the driving target of the driving device 98 is switched according to the rotation of the rotating body 90. In other words, the driving device of the present embodiment includes the driving racks 15, each of which serves as a transmission member that transmits the driving force of the driving source. The driving device may take a state in which the transmission member is engaged with the first driven portion (for example, the pinion 94 k) in a manner capable of transmitting the driving force and a state in which the transmission member is engaged with the second driven portion (for example, the pinion 94 m) in a manner capable of transmitting the driving force. In addition, the driving device may take a state in which the transmission member is disengaged from the first driven portion and the second driven portion.

As described above, the pinions 94y to 94k are held by the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the rotary body 90 rotates, it is preferable to release the engagement between the drive rack 15 and the pinions 94y to 94 k.

Fig. 12A shows a state in which the tray 80k is inside the rotating body 90, that is, a state in which the tray 80k is in the accommodated position. Fig. 12B shows a state in which the tray 80k has been moved outside the rotating body 90, that is, a state in which the tray 80k has been moved to the detached position.

As shown in fig. 12A, when the tray 80k is inside the rotating body 90, the drive rack 15 is located at the lower portion of the apparatus body 1A. At this time, the drive rack 15 is retracted from the pinion 94 k. Therefore, the rotating body 90 can rotate without interfering with the drive rack 15. More specifically, the drive rack 15 may retreat to the outside of the rotation locus of the rotating body 90 indicated by a broken line in fig. 12A and 12B.

As described above, by rotationally driving the motor M2 in the forward and reverse directions, the tray 80 attached to the rotating body 90 can be moved from the accommodating position to the detaching position and from the detaching position to the accommodating position with respect to the rotating body 90. That is, the driving device of the present embodiment can drive not only the moving device to move the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retreat position but also the moving device to move the toner cartridge from the retreat position to the attachment position.

Here, as described above, in the present embodiment, the movement amount of the tray 80 at the time of toner cartridge replacement varies according to the size of the toner cartridge 70. Specifically, the moving distance L1 of the black tray 80k from the accommodated position to the detached position is larger than the moving distance L2 of the other trays 80y to 80c from the accommodated position to the detached position, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are moved from the attachment position to the retreat position, a value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack portion 83k by the speed of the drive rack 15 is larger than a value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack portions 83y to 83c by the speed of the drive rack 15.

For example, as shown in fig. 10, the pinion 94y is formed as a step gear including a large diameter gear 941 engaged with the drive rack 15 and a small diameter gear 942 having a smaller pitch radius than the large diameter gear 941 and engaged with the rack portion 83 y. Pinion gears 94m and 94c are formed as similar step gears. In contrast, the pinion 94k is formed such that its portion that engages with the drive rack 15 and its portion that engages with the rack portion 83k have the same pitch circle radius. In this case, the pitch radius of the pinion 94k may be equal to the pitch radius of the large diameter gears 941 of the pinions 94y to 94 c. According to this configuration, even in the case where the moving distances of the driving racks 15 are the same, the moving distance of the rack portion 83k can be made larger than the moving distances of the other rack portions 83y to 83 c. That is, the moving distance L1 by which the black tray 80k can be moved from the accommodating position to the detaching position is larger than the moving distance L2 by which the other trays 80y to 80c are moved from the accommodating position to the detaching position.

In addition, by forming the pinions 94y to 94c as stepped gears, even in a configuration in which the pinions 94y to 94k receive driving forces from the same driving rack 15, the moving distance L1 of the tray 80k can be made larger than the moving distances L2 of the other trays 80y to 80 c.

It should be noted that the pinion 94k may be formed as a step gear instead of (or in combination with) the pinion 94y to 94c being formed as a configuration of a step gear. In this case, the portion of the pinion 94k that engages with the drive rack 15 may be formed as a small-diameter gear, and the portion of the pinion 94k that engages with the rack portion 83k may be formed as a large-diameter gear having a larger pitch radius than the small-diameter gear. In addition, the step gear is an example of a speed reduction mechanism, and may be replaced by a known speed reduction mechanism that makes the movement amount of the member on the input side (drive source side) smaller than the movement amount of the member on the output side (tray 80 side).

In addition, the movement amount of the driving rack 15 when the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the attachment position to the retracted position may be made larger than the movement amount of the driving rack 15 when the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are moved from the attachment position to the retracted position.

Incidentally, in the case where the moving distance of the toner cartridge 70 from the attachment position to the retreat position is small, the moving time of the toner cartridge 70 can be made short, and the time for which the user waits for the toner cartridge 70 to move can be made short. If the configuration is adopted in which the movement amount of the drive rack 15 for the toner cartridge 70k is larger than the movement amount of the drive rack 15 for the toner cartridges 70y to 70c as described above, it is possible to make the time for the user to wait for the movement of the toner cartridges 70y to 70c shorter.

According to the above configuration, the moving distance L1 can be made larger than the moving distance L2. These configurations may be used in combination.

Variant examples

Although the configuration has been described in which the driven portion includes the pinion 94 engaged with both the drive rack 15 and the rack portion 83, the driven portion may include a gear engaged with the drive rack 15 and a gear engaged with the rack portion 83.

In addition, the configuration of the moving device 85 that moves the tray 80 is not limited to the so-called rack-and-pinion configuration. For example, the member corresponding to the pinion 94 may be replaced with a roller that receives the drive of the motor M2 to rotate, and the tray 80 may be moved by friction between the roller and the tray 80.

In addition, in the case of using a roller that receives the drive of the motor M2 to rotate, the roller may be in contact with the toner cartridge 70. In this case, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k can be directly attached to the rotating body 90 and detached from the rotating body 90 without using the trays 80y to 80k. In this case, the moving device 85 is constituted by a roller.

A moving device 85' serving as a modification will be described with reference to fig. 18A and 18B. Fig. 18A and 18B are diagrams showing a mobile device 85' according to the present modification. The moving device 85' includes a rotating part 494a that receives the driving force of the motor M2 to rotate.

In the present modification, the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation member 494a is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotation body 90. The rotation member 494a abuts against the toner cartridge 70 and rotates, and thus the toner cartridge 70 can reciprocate between an attached position indicated by a solid line in fig. 18B and a retracted position indicated by a broken line in fig. 18B.

It should be noted that the rotating member 494a may be a roller that moves the toner cartridge 70 by friction by abutting against the toner cartridge 70 and rotating. In addition, the toner cartridge 70 can be moved by a configuration in which the rotating member 494a is a gear that engages with a gear shape (rack shape) formed on the toner cartridge 70.

The moving device 85' may include a plurality of rotating members 494a. The plurality of rotating members 494a may be arranged arbitrarily. For example, as shown in fig. 18A, the moving device 85' may include a rotating member 494a abutting one end portion of the toner cartridge 70 and a rotating member 494a abutting the other end portion of the toner cartridge 70 in a longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70 parallel to the rotation axis 90C. In addition, the moving device 85' may include a rotating member 494a abutting the center of the toner cartridge 70.

In addition, the moving device 85' may include only one rotating part 494a. In this case, the moving means 85' may be provided at an arbitrary position. For example, the moving device 85' may include a rotating member 494a that abuts the center of the toner cartridge 70.

Further, the rotating member 494a may be urged toward the toner cartridge 70. In addition, the moving device 85' may include a driven roller 494B, as shown in fig. 18B. The toner cartridge 70 is interposed between the rotating member 494a and the driven roller 494 b. It should be noted that the position of the rotating member 494a and the position of the driven roller 494b may overlap each other or may be different from each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70. In addition, at least one of the rotating member 494a and the driven roller 494b may be urged toward the toner cartridge 70.

In addition, a rotating member 494a and a driven roller 494b may be provided in the rotating body 90.

Second embodiment

The second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 13 to 14C. Although the pinion 94 is driven by the drive rack 15 in the first embodiment, the pinion 94 may be driven by a different mechanism. In the present embodiment, a configuration using a swing gear will be described as an example. In the following description, it is assumed that elements denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified, and portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Fig. 13 to 14C are schematic diagrams for describing the configuration for moving the tray 80 in the second embodiment. The apparatus body 101A of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment includes a motor M2 serving as a driving source of a driving apparatus and a swing gear unit 115 serving as a transmission apparatus.

A moving device (driven device) driven by the driving device to move the tray 80 is provided in the rotating body 90. That is, the rotating unit 90U includes the rotating body 90 and the moving device including the tray 80.

In the second embodiment, a plurality of moving devices are provided corresponding to a plurality of toner cartridges 70y to 70 k. The moving means each include a driven portion 194 (one of the driven portions 194y to 194 k) and a rack portion 83 (one of the rack portions 83y to 83 k). The swing gear unit 115 transmits the driving force of the motor M2 to the driven portion 194, and moves the tray 80 via the rack portion 83.

Similar to the first embodiment in which the pinions 94y to 94k are driven by the driving rack 15, the first to fourth driven portions 194y to 194k are each driven by the swing gear unit 115. The first to fourth driven portions 194y to 194k are engaged with the rack portions 83y to 83k, respectively, and move the trays 80y to 80k, respectively.

Each of the first to fourth driven portions 194y to 194k is substantially identical in configuration driven by the swing gear unit 115. In addition, the configuration for moving each of the trays 80y to 80k via each of the first to fourth driven portions 194y to 194k and each of the rack portions 83y to 83k is the same. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first to fourth driven portions 194y to 194k, the rack portions 83y to 83k, and the trays 80y to 80k will be referred to as the driven portion 194, the rack portion 83, and the tray 80, respectively, without distinguishing from each other.

As shown in fig. 14A, the swing gear unit 115 includes an input gear 115a, an output gear 115b, and an arm 115c. The input gear 115a is rotationally driven by the motor M2. The arm 115c rotatably supports the output gear 115b (enables the output gear 115b to rotate) and allows the output gear 115b to move (swing or revolve) around the input gear 115 a.

Further, the swing gear unit 115 includes an arm restricting member 115d that restricts the arm 115 c. The arm restriction member 115d includes a restriction portion 115d2 and a restriction rack portion 115d1. The restricting rack portion 115d1 is engaged with the input gear 115 a.

In addition, the driven portion 194 includes a driven gear 194a and a pinion gear 194b. Pinion 194b engages rack portion 83 of tray 80.

In the case of moving the tray 80 from the accommodated position to the detached position, that is, in the case of moving the toner cartridge 70 from the attached position to the retracted position, the motor M2 rotationally drives the input gear 115a in the clockwise direction in fig. 14A to 14C.

When the input gear 115a rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the arm 115c swings in the clockwise direction in the drawing similarly to the input gear 115a by the frictional force received from the input gear 115 a. The output gear 115B supported by the arm 115c rotates in the clockwise direction around the input gear 115a together with the arm 115c, and engages with the driven gear 194a, as shown in fig. 14B. At this time, the reaction force received by the output gear 115b from the driven gear 194a preferably acts in a direction that moves the output gear 115b and the arm 115c in a clockwise direction around the input gear 115 a. That is, the direction of the reaction force received from the driven gear 194a in the case where the output gear 115B rotates in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 14B while pressing the driven gear 194a is preferably a direction in which a moment is generated in the clockwise direction in the drawing with respect to the rotation axis of the input gear 115 a. As a result, the engagement between the output gear 115b and the driven gear 194a is more easily maintained.

As shown in fig. 14C, when the input gear 115a rotates in the clockwise direction in a state where the output gear 115b is engaged with the driven gear 194a, the driven gear 194a drives the pinion gear 194b. Since the rack portion 83 is moved by the rotation of the pinion 194b, the tray 80 is moved from the accommodated position to the detached position. Further, the toner cartridge 70 moves from the attachment position to the retreat position.

It should be noted that the positional relationship between the toner cartridge 70 and the frame 16 of the apparatus body 101A and the positional relationship between the toner cartridge 70 and the rotating body 90 when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the above-described clockwise rotation of the input gear 115a, the arm restriction member 115d including the restriction rack portion 115d1 engaged with the input gear 115a moves downward. Then, the arm restriction member 115d is positioned at a position such that the restriction portion 115d2 restricts the arm 115 c. The restricting portion 115d2 restricts movement of the arm 115c that would disengage the output gear 115b from the driven gear 194 a.

In the case of moving the tray 80 from the detached position to the accommodated position, that is, in the case of moving the toner cartridge 70 from the retracted position to the attached position, the motor M2 rotationally drives the input gear 115a in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 14A to 14C.

When the input gear 115a rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the output gear 115b supported by the arm 115c receives a force in a direction to move around the input gear 115a in the counterclockwise direction together with the arm 115 c. However, since the movement of the arm 115c is restricted by the arm restricting member 115d, the engagement between the output gear 115b and the driven gear 194a is maintained.

When the input gear 115a rotates in the counterclockwise direction in a state where the output gear 115b is engaged with the driven gear 194a, the pinion 194b is driven by the driven gear 194a, and the tray 80 moves from the detached position to the accommodated position. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 70 moves from the retreat position to the attachment position.

After the tray 80 has been moved to the accommodated position, the restriction of the arm 115c by the restriction portion 115d2 of the arm restriction member 115d is canceled. As a result, rotation of the input gear 115a in the counterclockwise direction moves the output gear 115b in the counterclockwise direction around the input gear 115a together with the arm 115c, and thus engagement between the output gear 115b and the driven gear 194a is canceled.

According to the above configuration, the tray 80 can be moved from the accommodated position to the detached position. In addition, the toner cartridge 70 can be moved from the attachment position to the retreat position. Further, the tray 80 can be moved from the detached position to the accommodated position. In addition, the toner cartridge 70 can be moved from the retreat position to the attachment position.

Variant examples

Although the driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the tray 80 via the driven gear 194a and the pinion 194b in the present embodiment, one gear may be configured to be engaged with the output gear 115b and the rack portion 83.

In addition, similar to the first embodiment, the configuration for moving the tray 80 is not limited to the so-called rack-and-pinion configuration.

As a further modification, instead of the configurations of the first and second embodiments, a partially toothed gear may be used as a drive transmission mechanism from the motor M2 to a pinion engaged with the rack portion 83. For example, a partially toothed gear that engages with a pinion gear of the rotating body 90 may be provided in the device body 1A, and the partially toothed gear may be rotationally driven by the motor M2. In this case, when the rotating body 90 takes the replacement posture shown in fig. 4B, the partially toothed gear is engaged with the pinion engaged with the rack portion 83 of the tray 80 facing the opening 16 a. In the black replacement posture shown in fig. 12A, the partially toothed gear is engaged with the pinion 94 k. By switching the rotation direction of the partially toothed gear, the movement direction of the tray 80 can be switched. In addition, it is preferable that the engagement between the partially toothed gear and the pinion 94 is released in a period other than when the tray 80 moves relative to the rotating body 90.

Third embodiment

The third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 15 to 16B. Although the toner cartridge 70 is moved from the attachment position to the retreat position by the driving force of the motor M2 of the apparatus body 1A in the first and second embodiments, the configuration for moving the toner cartridge 70 is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the toner cartridge 70 is moved by the elastic force (urging force) of a spring (elastic member) will be described as an example. In the following description, it is assumed that elements denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified, and portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in fig. 15, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 is moved from the attachment position to the retreat position by using the pressing member 294 (which serves as an example of a moving device). More specifically, the rotating body 90 of the image forming apparatus includes the pressing members 294k corresponding to the toner cartridges 70k and the trays 80k, and the pressing members 294y to 294c corresponding to the toner cartridges 70y to 70c and the trays 80y to 80 c. That is, the rotary member of the present embodiment includes first to fourth pushing members corresponding to the first to fourth toner cartridges. The pressing member 294k is an example of a first pressing member. The pressing members 294y to 294c are all examples of the second pressing member. It should be noted that this numbering is for convenience of description only and may in principle be interchanged as appropriate.

The pressing member 294 of the present embodiment includes an elastic member, and is attached to the rotating body 90. In the present embodiment, a compression spring may be used as the elastic member.

In the present embodiment, the pressing member 294 presses the tray 80, and therefore the tray 80 moves from the accommodating position to the detaching position, and the toner cartridge 70 moves from the attaching position to the retracted position. Although the pressing member 294 presses the toner cartridge 70 via the tray 80 in the present embodiment, the pressing member 294 may directly press the toner cartridge 70.

That is, although the pressing member 294 of the present embodiment is configured to contact the tray 80, the pressing member 294 may contact the toner cartridge 70. In this case, the tray 80 may be omitted.

It should be noted that, also in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k are larger in size than the other toner cartridges 70y to 70c and the trays 80y to 80c. Therefore, the distance that the toner cartridge 70k moves from the attachment position to the retreat position is larger than the distance that the toner cartridges 70y to 70c move from the attachment position to the retreat position. Further, the distance that the tray 80k moves from the accommodated position to the detached position is greater than the distance that the trays 80y to 80c move from the accommodated position to the detached position.

In a state where the tray 80k is at the accommodating position and the toner cartridge 70k is at the attaching position, the elastic member of the pressing member 294k is deformed. Similarly, in a state in which the trays 80y to 80c are in the accommodating position and the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are in the attaching position, the elastic members of the pressing members 294y to 294c are deformed.

In this state, the urging force of the elastic member of the urging member 294k may be set to be larger than the urging forces of the elastic members of the urging members 294y to 294 c. In addition, the deformation amount of the elastic member of the pressing member 294k may be set to be larger than the deformation amount of the elastic members of the pressing members 294y to 294 c. As a result, the distance that the toner cartridge 70k can be moved from the attachment position to the retracted position is larger than the distance that the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are moved from the attachment position to the retracted position. In addition, the distance by which the tray 80k is moved from the accommodated position to the detached position may be made larger than the distance by which the trays 80y to 80c are moved from the accommodated position to the detached position.

It should be noted that when the rotating body 90 rotates, it is preferable to restrict the movement of the toner cartridge 70 to the retreat position and the movement of the tray 80 to the detachment position.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 16A, the movement of the tray 80 to the detached position and the movement of the toner cartridge 70 to the retracted position can be regulated by the regulating member 295. The regulating member 295 is movable to a regulating position in which the regulating member 295 regulates movement of the tray 80 to the removal position and movement of the toner cartridge 70 to the retracted position, and a releasing position in which the regulating member 295 permits movement of the tray 80 to the removal position and movement of the toner cartridge 70 to the retracted position.

In the present embodiment, the restricting member 295 is urged toward the restricting position. In a state where the rotating body 90 is in the replacement posture, when the regulating member 295 is moved to the release position, the pressing member 294 moves the tray 80 to the removal position, and thus the toner cartridge 70 is moved to the retreat position. The movement of the restriction member 295 to the release position may be manually performed by a user, and the device body 1A may include a release device or a release mechanism that moves the restriction member 295. As the release means (release mechanism), a driving source such as a solenoid or a motor may be used. It should be noted that one of the motors M1, M2, and M3 may be used as a driving source.

In addition, the pressing member 294 may be configured to switch the pressing state every time the toner cartridge 70 or the tray 80 is pushed in.

For example, as shown in fig. 16B, the image forming apparatus may include a received portion 296 that is linked with the pressing member 294, and a receiving portion 297 that receives the received portion 296. For example, the received portion 296 is provided on the tray 80, and the receiving portion 297 is provided on the rotating body 90. The received portion 296 is urged rightward in the drawing by the urging force of the urging member 294.

In a state where the received portion 296 is at the position PP, the urging force of the urging member 294 is received by the first recess 297d of the receiving portion 297, and the received portion 296 stays at the position PP. In this state, the tray 80 is positioned at the detaching position, and the toner cartridge 70 is positioned at the retreat position.

When the tray 80 is pushed toward the accommodating position or the toner cartridge 70 is pushed toward the attaching position against the urging force of the urging member 294 in this state, the received portion 296 moves to the position Pt1 along the first guide surface 297a of the receiving portion 297. Then, when the force pushing into the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70 no longer exists, the pushing force of the pushing member 294 moves the received portion 296 to the position PR along the receiving portion 297. At this time, the pressing force of the pressing member 294 is received by the second recess 297e of the receiving portion 297. As a result, the tray 80 is positioned at the accommodating position, and the toner cartridge 70 is positioned at the attaching position.

When the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70 is pushed in again against the urging force of the urging member 294 in this state, the received portion 296 moves to the position Pt2 along the second guide surface 297b of the receiving portion 297. Then, when the force pushing into the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70 no longer exists, the pushing force of the pushing member 294 moves the received portion 296 to the position PP along the third guide surface 297c of the receiving portion 297. As a result, the tray 80 is positioned at the detaching position, and the toner cartridge 70 is positioned at the retreat position.

It should be noted that in the case where the receiving portion 297 is attached to the rotating body 90, the pressing member 294 may include an elastic member and a received portion 296. In this case, in a state where the received portion 296 is positioned at the position PR, the urging force of the urging member 294 is received by the second recess 297e of the receiving portion 297 and does not act on the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70. In addition, when the received portion 296 moves from the position Pt2 to the position PP, the urging force of the urging member 294 acts on the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70, the tray 80 is positioned at the detached position, and the toner cartridge 70 is positioned at the retracted position. It should be noted that a member corresponding to the received portion 296 may be provided in the rotating body 90, and a member corresponding to the receiving portion 297 may be provided in the pressing member 294 or the tray 80.

It should be noted that the image forming apparatus may include a locking portion 298 (tray holding member) shown in fig. 16C. Although the locking portion 298 is engaged with the tray 80 in the present embodiment, the locking portion 298 may be engaged with the toner cartridge 70. In a state where the pressing member 294 does not press the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70, the locking portion 298 holds the tray 80 in the accommodating position or the toner cartridge 70 in the attaching position. For example, similarly, in a state where the direction of gravity acting on the toner cartridge 70 coincides with or becomes close to the retreat direction of the toner cartridge 70 due to the rotation of the rotating body 90, the toner cartridge 70 is held at the attachment position by the lock portion 298. When the urging force of the urging member 294 acts on the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70, the locking portion 298 is moved by the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70. It should be noted that the position where the locking portion 298 engages with the tray 80 or the locked portion of the toner cartridge 70 is not limited to the position of fig. 16C.

As the locking portion 298, for example, the same members as the convex portions 95 provided in the rotating body 90 of the first embodiment shown in fig. 7A and 7B can be used.

Variant examples

Although the elastic member is a compression spring in the present embodiment, the elastic member may be a torsion coil spring, a leaf spring, or an extension spring all provided at appropriate positions.

In addition, for example, a magnet may be used as the urging member. For example, a first magnet may be attached to the rotating body 90, and the tray 80 may be urged toward the retracted position by a repulsive force between the first magnet and a second magnet attached to the toner cartridge 70 or the tray 80.

Fourth embodiment

The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 17A and 17B. Although the toner cartridge 70 is moved from the attachment position to the retracted position by the driving force of the motor M2 of the apparatus body 1A in the first and second embodiments and is moved from the attachment position to the retracted position by the pressing member 294 in the third embodiment, the configuration for moving the toner cartridge 70 is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the toner cartridge 70 is moved by using a solenoid will be described as an example. In the following description, it is assumed that elements denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified, and portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Fig. 17A and 17B are each a diagram for describing a configuration for moving the tray 80 in the fourth embodiment. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 is moved from the attachment position to the retreat position by using the solenoid unit 394 serving as an example of the moving means. More specifically, the rotating body 90 of the present embodiment includes a solenoid unit 394k corresponding to the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80 k. In addition, the rotating body 90 of the present embodiment includes solenoid units 394y to 394c corresponding to the toner cartridges 70y to 70c and the trays 80y to 80 c.

The solenoid unit 394 includes a coil and a movable member, and the movable member is moved by a magnetic field induced in the coil. The movable member is movable to move the tray 80 from the accommodated position to the detached position, or to move the toner cartridge 70 from the attached position to the retracted position.

In addition, the movable member is movable to move the tray 80 from the detached position to the accommodated position, or to move the toner cartridge 70 from the retracted position to the attached position.

It should be noted that, as shown in fig. 17B, the image forming apparatus may include a locking portion 397 (tray holding member). Although the locking portion 397 is engaged with the tray 80 in the present embodiment, the locking portion 397 may be engaged with the toner cartridge 70. In a state in which the movable member of the solenoid unit 394 does not push the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70, the locking portion 397 holds the tray 80 in the accommodating position or the toner cartridge 70 in the attaching position. That is, in a state in which the movable member of the solenoid unit 394 does not push the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70, the locking portion 397 restricts the movement of the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70. In contrast, when the movable member of the solenoid unit 394 acts on the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70, the locking portion 397 is moved by the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70. It should be noted that the position where the locking portion 397 engages with the locked portion of the tray 80 or the toner cartridge 70 is not limited to the position shown in fig. 17B.

As the locking portion 397, for example, the same member as the convex portion 95 provided in the rotating body 90 of the first embodiment shown in fig. 7A and 7B can be used.

Fifth embodiment

The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 19. In the first to fourth embodiments, the configuration has been described in which the rotary 90 includes four developing units 50y to 50k and a color image can be formed by using toners of four colors. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a toner cartridge is moved relative to a developing device capable of forming a monochrome image will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that elements denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first to fourth embodiments have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first to fourth embodiments, unless otherwise specified, and portions different from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described.

As shown in fig. 19, the image forming apparatus 501 includes a toner cartridge 570 attachable to the apparatus body 1A and detachable from the apparatus body 1A. In addition, the apparatus body 1A includes a developing device (developing unit) 590.

The developing device 590 is an example of a developing device or a developing portion that develops (visualizes) an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image by using toner. The developing device 590 of the present embodiment develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by using black toner.

The developing device 590 includes a developing roller 51, a supply roller 52, and a developing blade. The toner cartridge 570 is attached to the developing device 590. The toner cartridge 570 stores therein black toner to be supplied to the developing device 590.

The toner cartridge 570 includes a toner frame 571. The toner frame 571 includes a toner storage portion 571a that stores toner, and a discharge opening 571b that communicates with the toner storage portion 571 a.

The developing device 590 includes a developing frame (storage frame) 553 including a developing side storage portion 553a that stores toner. In addition, the developing frame 553 has an inlet opening 553b that communicates with a developing side storage portion (toner supply chamber) 553a.

The toner cartridge 570 is attachable to the developing device 590 and detachable from the developing device 590 through an opening 16a provided in the frame 16 of the device body 1A. More specifically, the toner cartridge 570 is movable to an attachment position and a retreat position from the attachment position with respect to the developing frame 553 through the opening 16 a. In a state where the toner cartridge 570 is in the attached position with respect to the developing frame 553, the discharge opening 571b faces the inlet opening 553b. That is, the toner storage portion 571a of the toner cartridge 570 and the developing-side storage portion 553a of the developing device 590 communicate with each other via the discharge opening 571b and the inlet opening 553b. When toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 570 to the developing device 590, at least a portion of the inlet opening 553b is located below at least a portion of the discharge opening 571 b.

Then, the toner stored in the toner storage portion 571a is discharged through the discharge opening 571b, and the toner discharged through the discharge opening 571b is stored in the developing-side storage portion 553a through the inlet opening 553 b. The toner stored in the developing-side storage portion 553a is supplied to the developing roller 51 by the supply roller 52. It should be noted that the developing-side storage portion 553a may include a toner conveying member that conveys toner toward the supply roller 52.

The function of the toner cartridge 570 is substantially the same as that of the toner cartridges 70 of the first to fourth embodiments. In addition, the function of the developing device 590 is substantially the same as that of one of the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k of the first to fourth embodiments.

Further, the apparatus body 1A includes a transfer roller 512. The transfer roller 512 is an example of a transfer device or transfer unit that transfers an image from the photosensitive drum 2 onto the sheet S. The conveying roller pair 320 conveys the sheet S to a transfer portion (i.e., a nip between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer roller 512). The image on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred onto the surface of the sheet S that has been conveyed thereto.

The apparatus body 1A includes a moving device configured to move the toner cartridge 570 from the attachment position to the retreat position with respect to the developing device 590 (more specifically, with respect to the developing frame 553 of the developing device 590). As the mobile device, the mobile devices described in the first to fourth embodiments and modifications thereof can be used.

In this case, in the moving device of the first to fourth embodiments, the portion provided in the rotating body 90 may be provided in the developing device 590. In addition, the replacement posture and the development posture of the development device 590 may be the same or different. For example, the developing device 590 may be movable to a contact position where the developing roller 51 contacts the photosensitive drum 2 and a separation position where the developing roller 51 separates from the photosensitive drum 2, and the developing device 590 may be in the separation position in a state where the developing device 590 is in the replacement posture.

For example, the developing device 590 may have a tray 80 and a configuration for moving the tray 80. As the configuration for moving the tray 80, those described in the first to fourth embodiments and modifications thereof may be used. In addition, the developing device 590 may include the rotating member 494a and the driven roller 494b that have been described in the modification of the first embodiment.

Also, in the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 570 is in the retracted position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 570 is preferably outside the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 501 (outside the apparatus body 1A). That is, when the toner cartridge 570 is in the retracted position, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 570 is positioned further outward than the external position with respect to the apparatus body 1A. In other words, with the door 14 in the closed position, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 570 is positioned in a space outside the apparatus body 1A. Further, at least a part of the toner cartridge 570 is positioned downstream of the external position in the retreat direction of the toner cartridge 570.

In addition, in the case where the side surface 16b having the opening 16a is the front surface of the apparatus body 1A, it can be said that at least a part of the toner cartridge 570 protrudes more toward the front side than the outer surface of the front side of the apparatus body 1A when the toner cartridge 570 is in the retracted position.

Also, in the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 570 is in the retracted position, half or more of the length of the toner cartridge 570 in the retraction direction is preferably outside the apparatus.

As described above, although the toner cartridge 70 is detachably attached to the rotating body 90 in the first to fourth embodiments and modifications thereof, the toner cartridge 570 is detachably attached to the developing device 590 in the present embodiment.

Other embodiments

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the tray 80 is moved from the accommodated position to the detached position by the driving means, the pushing member, or the like of the apparatus body 1A without requiring the user to operate the tray 80. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the user grips the tray 80 in a state in which the rotator 90 is in the replacement posture and pulls the tray 80 out from the accommodating position to the detached position, that is, a configuration in which the supporting member is manually moved. Also in this case, since the user only needs to attach the toner cartridge 70 to the tray 80 pulled out from the apparatus body or only needs to detach the toner cartridge 70 from the tray 80, operability is improved as compared with the case where the toner cartridge is directly inserted into or removed from the apparatus body.

In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the configuration has been described in which the rotary 90 includes four developing units 50y to 50k and a color image can be formed by using toners of four colors. However, the number of developing units included in the rotary 90 may be 3 or less or 5 or more. In these cases, the number and arrangement of the trays and toner cartridges may be appropriately changed according to the number of developing units. For example, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the configuration in which the four toner cartridges 70y to 70k are attachable to the rotating body 90 and detachable from the rotating body 90 has been described as an example. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the rotary 90 includes only one developing unit 50k and only one toner cartridge 70k is attached to the rotary 90. In this case, the rotary 90 may be rotated about the rotation axis 90C in the clockwise direction in fig. 1 to alternately take a black replacement posture and a black development posture.

In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the configuration has been described in which the rotary 90 includes four developing units 50y to 50k and a color image can be formed by using toners of four colors. However, the rotary 90 may include a plurality of developing units capable of performing image formation by using the same color toner. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the rotary 90 includes four black developing units 50k and four toner cartridges 70k are attached to the rotary 90.

According to the present disclosure, a new form of image forming apparatus that improves on the conventional art can be provided.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (17)

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a developing device including a developing roller and a storage frame including a storage portion configured to store toner to be supplied to the developing roller;

A body frame having an opening, the body frame being configured to accommodate the developing device;

A toner cartridge configured to store toner, the toner cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the developing device through the opening, the toner cartridge being movable to an attaching position and a retracted position from the attaching position with respect to the storage frame, and the toner cartridge being configured to supply toner to the storage portion in a state where the toner cartridge is in the attaching position; and

A moving device configured to move the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retreat position,

Wherein the toner cartridge is configured such that at least a portion of the toner cartridge protrudes outside the body frame in a state where the toner cartridge is in the retracted position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein the moving means includes a supporting member configured to support the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge being detachably attached to the supporting member, and the supporting member being attached to the developing means, and

Wherein the support member is configured to move relative to the storage frame such that the toner cartridge moves from the attachment position to the retracted position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a driving device including a driving source,

Wherein the moving means includes a driven portion attached to the developing device, and

Wherein the driving means includes a transmission means configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the driven portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

Wherein the transmission includes a first drive gear configured to be driven by the driving force,

Wherein the driven portion includes a rack gear provided in the supporting member and a pinion engaged with the rack gear, and

Wherein the first drive gear is configured to drive the pinion gear.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

Wherein the driving device is configured to drive the driven portion such that the supporting member moves from the retracted position to the attachment position.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

Wherein the transmission includes a transmission member configured to transmit the driving force to the driven portion, and

Wherein the transmission member is configured to take a state in which the transmission member is engaged with the driven portion in a manner capable of transmitting the driving force and a state in which the transmission member is disengaged from the driven portion.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

Wherein the transmission comprises a first drive gear configured to be driven by the driving force,

Wherein the driven portion includes a pair of pinion gears and a pair of rack gears provided in the supporting member,

Wherein one of the pair of rack gears is engaged with one of the pair of pinions and the other of the pair of rack gears is engaged with the other of the pair of pinions, and

Wherein the first drive gear is configured to drive the one of the pair of pinion gears.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

Wherein the developing device is a rotary configured to rotate, and

Wherein the one of the pair of rack gears and the one of the pair of pinions are provided on one end side of the supporting member, and the other of the pair of rack gears and the other of the pair of pinions are provided on the other end side of the supporting member, with respect to a rotation axis direction of the developing device.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

Wherein the transmission includes a second drive gear configured to be driven by the driving force, and

Wherein the second drive gear is configured to drive the other of the pair of pinion gears.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein the moving device includes a pushing member attached to the developing device and configured to push the toner cartridge.

11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and 10,

Wherein the developing device is a rotary configured to rotate.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,

Wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis of the developing device, in a state in which the toner cartridge is in the retracted position, more than half of the total length of the toner cartridge in a moving direction of the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retracted position is located outside the body frame.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12,

Wherein the toner cartridge is entirely located outside the body frame in a state in which the toner cartridge is in the retracted position as viewed in the rotation axis direction.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,

Wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis of the developing device, in a state in which the toner cartridge is in the retracted position, more than half of the total length of the toner cartridge in a moving direction of the toner cartridge from the attachment position to the retracted position is located outside the rotational locus of the developing device.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14,

Wherein the toner cartridge is entirely located outside a rotation locus of the developing device in a state in which the toner cartridge is in the retracted position as viewed in the rotation axis direction.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,

Wherein a moving direction of the toner cartridge, which is followed by the toner cartridge moving from the attachment position to the retreat position, intersects with a rotation axis direction of the developing device.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

The photosensitive drum is provided with a plurality of photosensitive drums,

Wherein the developing device is rotatable to a developing posture in which the developing roller faces the photosensitive drum and a replacement posture in which the toner cartridge is allowed to be detached from the developing device.