CN218675685U

CN218675685U - Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device

Info

Publication number: CN218675685U
Application number: CN202222887341.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 源陆
Original assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2022-10-31
Filing date: 2022-10-31
Publication date: 2023-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-31

Abstract

The utility model provides an image forming apparatus can prevent that the toner container that does not detect the toner exhaust state from being changed. The attached portion is a portion to which the toner container is detachably attached. The toner end detection unit detects a toner end state in which a remaining toner amount in a toner container attached to the attached portion is lower than an allowable remaining amount. The container lock mechanism can restrict the toner container from being detached from the mounted portion. The container locking mechanism includes a restricting member and a restricting member locking portion. The regulating member is movable between a regulating position for regulating the removal of the toner container from the mounted portion and a retracted position for not regulating the removal of the toner container from the mounted portion. The restricting member lock portion holds the restricting member at the restricting position by restricting the restricting member from moving to the retracted position when the toner-end state is not detected, and releases the holding of the restricting member to the restricting position when the toner-end state is detected.

Description

Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a mechanism for locking a mounted toner container.

Background

An image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system includes a photoreceptor having an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface thereof and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner. The toner is supplied from a toner container to the developing device.

The toner container is a consumable that contains the toner and is attached to an attached portion in a main body of the image forming apparatus.

The main body has an opening communicating with the mounted portion, and the image forming apparatus has a lid portion that opens and closes the opening. And replacing the toner container in a state where the lid portion is opened.

Further, the image forming apparatus may include a toner end detector that detects a toner end state in the toner container. The toner-end state is a state in which a remaining amount of toner in the toner container attached to the attached portion is lower than an allowable remaining amount.

The image forming apparatus can output detection information of the toner end detector to a display device.

However, the user may overlook or misrepresent the detection information of the toner end detection unit. In this case, the toner container in which the toner end state is not detected may be replaced, and the toner may be wastefully discarded.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the utility model is to provide an image forming apparatus, can prevent that the toner container that does not detect the toner exhaust state from being changed.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a toner container, an attached portion, a toner-end detection portion, and a container lock mechanism. The toner container contains toner. The mounted portion is a portion to which the toner container is detachably mounted. The toner end detection unit detects a toner end state in which a remaining toner amount in the toner container attached to the attached portion is lower than an allowable remaining amount. The container lock mechanism is capable of restricting the toner container from being detached from the mounted portion. The container locking mechanism includes a restricting member and a restricting member locking portion. The regulating member is movable between a regulating position where the regulating member protrudes toward the inlet of the mounted portion to regulate the removal of the toner container from the mounted portion, and a retracted position where the regulating member does not regulate the removal of the toner container from the mounted portion. The restricting member lock portion holds the restricting member at the restricting position by restricting the restricting member from moving to the retracted position when the toner-end state is not detected, and releases the holding of the restricting member to the restricting position when the toner-end state is detected.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which a toner container in which a toner end state is not detected can be prevented from being replaced.

The present specification will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate, in a simplified manner, for summarizing the concepts described in the detailed description below. The present specification is not intended to limit the important features and essential features of the subject matter described in the claims, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the subject matter described in the claims. The object described in the claims is not limited to the embodiment for solving some or all of the disadvantages described in any part of the present invention

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a toner container in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a leg portion of the toner container in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a container lock mechanism in a released state when the cover portion is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a container lock mechanism in an unlocked state when the cover is closed in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a container lock mechanism in a locked state when the cover is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples embodying the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. (first embodiment: configuration of image Forming apparatus 10)

The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a printing apparatus 4 that executes a printing process in an electrophotographic manner. The printing process is a process of forming an image on a sheet 9. The sheet 9 is an image forming medium such as a sheet or a sheet-like resin member.

As shown in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body 1, a sheet housing 2, a paper feeding device 3, a printing device 4, and 1 or more toner containers 5. The main body 1 is a main housing that houses the paper feeding device 3, the printing device 4, and the toner container 5.

The sheet feeding device 3 includes a sheet feeding device 30 driven by a motor not shown and a plurality of sets of conveying roller pairs 31. The sheet feeding device 30 feeds the sheet 9 stored in the sheet storage 2 to the sheet conveyance path 300 in the main body 1.

The plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 31 convey the sheet 9 along the sheet conveyance path 300, and further discharge the sheet 9 from the sheet conveyance path 300 to the sheet discharge tray 100a.

The printing apparatus 4 forms an image on a sheet 9 conveyed along the sheet conveyance path 300. The printing apparatus 4 includes an image forming unit 4x, an exposure device 46, a transfer device 47, and a fixing device 48. The image forming unit 4x includes a cylindrical photoreceptor 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, a drum cleaning device 45, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 shown in fig. 1 is a color image forming apparatus of a tandem type. Therefore, the printing apparatus 4 includes 4 image forming portions 4x corresponding to the four color toners 90 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black.

Further, the transfer device 47 includes an intermediate transfer belt 471, a plurality of belt support rollers 4710, 4 first transfer portions 472 corresponding to the 4 image forming portions 4x, a second transfer portion 473, and a belt cleaning portion 474.

A part of the transfer device 47 is unitized as an intermediate transfer unit 470. The intermediate transfer unit 470 includes an intermediate transfer belt 471, a plurality of belt supporting rollers 4710, 4 first transfer portions 472, and a belt cleaning portion 474.

In the image forming unit 4x, the photoreceptor 41 rotates, and the charging device 42 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 41. Further, the exposure device 46 writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41.

Further, the developing device 43 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying the toner 90 to the surface of the photoreceptor 41. Further, the toner 90 is a granular developer. The photoreceptor 41 is an example of an image carrier on which the toner image is carried.

The transfer device 47 transfers the toner image to a sheet 9 in the sheet conveyance path 300. The first transfer unit 472 transfers the toner image carried on the photoreceptor 41 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 471. Thereby, the color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 471. The intermediate transfer belt 471 is an example of an intermediate transfer body.

The secondary transfer portion 473 transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 471 to the sheet 9 in the sheet transport path 300.

In addition, when the image forming apparatus 10 is a monochrome image forming apparatus, the first transfer unit 472 transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor 41 to the sheet 9 in the sheet transport path 300.

The drum cleaning device 45 removes the waste toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 41. The belt cleaning part 474 removes the waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 471.

The fixing device 48 heats and presses the toner image transferred onto the sheet 9 to fix the toner image to the sheet 9.

The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a control device 11, an operation device 12, and a display device 13 (see fig. 1) that control the paper feeding device 3 and the printing device 4.

The control device 11 includes a processor 11x that executes a computer program, and a storage device 11y that stores the computer program. The control device 11 performs various data processing and control by the processor 11x executing the computer program.

The operation device 12 accepts an operation by a user. For example, the operation device 12 includes one or both of a touch panel and a plurality of operation buttons. The display device 13 is a panel display device capable of displaying information.

The toner 90 is supplied from the toner container 5 to the developing device 43. The toner container 5 is a consumable that stores toner 90 and is detachable from the main body 1.

The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a mounted portion 6 disposed in the main body 1. Namely, the main body 1 is internally wrapped with the mounting portion 6. The toner container 5 is detachably attached to the attached portion 6.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the intermediate transfer unit 470 constitutes the bottom surface of the mounted portion 6. The main body 1 is formed with a main opening 1a communicating with the mounted portion 6.

In the present embodiment, the main opening 1a is formed in the upper portion of the main body 1. The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a top cover 100 that closes the main opening 1a.

The top cover 100 can open and close the main opening 1a. In a state where the top cover 100 is opened, the toner container 5 is replaced. The top cover 100 is an example of a cover portion.

The top cover 100 is supported by the main body 1 to be rotatable up and down. The rotation shaft 101 of the top cover 100 is rotatably supported by the main body 1. In the present embodiment, the top cover 100 forms a paper output tray 100a.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes a cover sensor 14 (see fig. 1) that detects a cover closed state. The lid closed state is a state in which the top lid 100 is closed.

For example, the cover sensor 14 is a contact or noncontact object detection sensor disposed at the edge portion of the main opening 1a. The object detection sensor detects the top cover 100 when the top cover 100 is closed.

That is, the state in which the object detection sensor detects the top cover 100 is the cover closed state.

For example, the object detection sensor is a limit switch that contacts the top cover 100 in the closed state. The object detection sensor may be an optical sensor that detects the closed state of the top cover 100 in a non-contact manner.

As shown in fig. 2, the toner container 5 includes a housing portion 50 and a shutter mechanism 51. The storage portion 50 is a container that stores the toner 90.

In each drawing, the main direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the toner container 5, and the sub direction D2 is the width direction of the toner container 5. That is, the sub direction D2 is a direction intersecting the main direction D1. For example, the sub direction D2 is a direction orthogonal to the main direction D1.

The toner container 5 has an outlet 500 and a shutter mechanism 51. The outlet 500 is an opening that communicates the inside and the outside of the housing 50. The toner 90 in the housing 50 is discharged from the discharge port 500. The delivery port 500 and the shutter mechanism 51 are provided at one end portion in the main direction D1 in the toner container 5.

The shutter mechanism 51 can be switched from one of the closed state and the open state to the other. The closed state is a state in which the delivery port 500 is blocked, and the open state is a state in which the delivery port 500 is opened.

The shutter mechanism 51 is a mechanism for preventing the toner 90 from leaking from the outlet 500 when the toner container 5 is replaced. The shutter mechanism 51 switches the open state of the toner container from the closed state in a state where the toner container 5 is mounted on the mounted portion 6.

The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a first cover linkage mechanism 6x (see fig. 1), and the first cover linkage mechanism 6x switches the state of the shutter mechanism 51 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the top cover 100.

Further, the toner container 5 includes a screw conveying member 53, a rotation input portion 54, and a gear mechanism 55 (see fig. 2). The screw conveying member 53 is disposed in the housing portion 50. The rotation input portion 54 and the gear mechanism 55 are disposed outside the housing portion 50.

The rotation input portion 54 receives a rotational force to rotate the screw conveying member 53. The gear mechanism 55 transmits the rotational force received by the rotation input portion 54 to the screw member 53.

The conveying screw member 53 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation input portion 54. The screw conveying member 53 stirs and conveys the toner 90 in the housing portion 50.

In the present embodiment, toner conveying path 4700 is formed in intermediate transfer unit 470 (see fig. 2). Toner conveyance path 4700 has receiving port 4701 and supply port 4702.

The receiving port 4701 is an opening formed in the upper surface of the toner conveying passage 4700. Supply port 4702 is an opening formed in the lower surface of toner conveyance path 4700.

Toner conveyance path 4700 is a path for conveying toner 90 sent from toner container 5 toward developing device 43. The receiving port 4701 is an opening formed in an upper portion of the toner conveying passage 4700.

When the shutter mechanism 51 is in the open state, the delivery outlet 500 of the toner container 5 and the receiving port 4701 of the toner conveying passage 4700 communicate vertically. Supply port 4702 communicates with a toner inlet of developing device 43 disposed below toner conveyance path 4700.

When the shutter mechanism 51 is in the open state, the spiral conveying member 53 in the housing 50 rotates, and the toner 90 is discharged from the discharge port 500. Toner 90 fed from feeding port 500 falls into toner conveyance path 4700 through receiving port 4701.

As shown in fig. 2, the conveying screw 475 is disposed in the toner conveying path 4700. By the rotation of the screw conveying member 475, the toner 90 in the toner conveying path 4700 is supplied into the developing device 43 through the supply port 4702.

However, if the toner container 5 is mounted at a position deviated from an appropriate position in the mounted portion 6, a trouble such as leakage of the toner 90 from the toner container 5 may occur.

In the present embodiment, the toner container 5 has a plurality of leg portions 501 (see fig. 2 and 3) formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of the toner container 5.

For example, the toner container 5 includes two leg portions 501 formed at an interval in the main direction D1. The leg portions 501 are formed extending in the sub direction D2, respectively.

The lower surfaces 501a of the two feet 501 are formed along one plane. Thereby, the toner container 5 is stably placed on a flat placement surface such as a surface of a table.

The attached portion 6 has a fitting portion 4703, and when the toner container 5 is disposed on the attached portion 6, the fitting portion 4703 is fitted to at least 1 of the plurality of leg portions 501 (see fig. 2). The fitting portion 4703 is formed on the upper surface of the intermediate transfer unit 470.

In the present embodiment, 1 of the two leg portions 501 is a fitting leg portion 501x (see fig. 2 and 3) that can be fitted to the fitting portion 4703. The fitting portion 4703 is fitted to the fitting leg portion 501x when the toner container 5 is disposed on the mount portion 6.

For example, the fitting leg portion 501x has a wall portion 501c (see fig. 3) surrounding the hollow portion 501 b. In this case, the fitting portion 4703 is convex to fit into the hollow portion 501b of the fitting leg portion 501x (see fig. 2).

The fitting portion 4703 may have a hollow portion, and the fitting leg portion 501x may be fitted into the hollow portion of the fitting portion 4703.

The fitting portion 4703 is fitted to the fitting leg portion 501x to position the toner container 5. In the present embodiment, the fitting portion 4703 is fitted to the fitting leg portion 501x to position the toner container 5 in the main direction D1. That is, the fitting portion 4703 regulates the movement of the toner container 5 in the main direction D1.

In general, the degree of freedom of the dimension in the main direction D1 of the delivery port 500 and the receiving port 4701 is small. Therefore, it is desirable that the delivery opening 500 is positioned with high accuracy in the main direction D1 when the toner container 5 is disposed on the mounted portion 6.

By fitting the fitting leg 501x into the fitting portion 4703, the toner container 5 is positioned in the main direction D1 with high accuracy. As a result, the delivery port 500 is positioned with high accuracy with respect to the receiving port 4701.

Further, since the leg portion 501 also has a function of positioning the toner container 5, the toner container 5 can be positioned with high accuracy by a simple configuration.

In the present embodiment, the toner container 5 is positioned in the sub direction D2 by a guide portion, not shown, provided in the mounted portion 6. However, the fitting portion 4703 may position the toner container 5 in both the main direction D1 and the sub direction D2.

One of the two legs 501 is a first fitting leg for positioning in the main direction D1, and the other is a second fitting leg for positioning in the sub direction D2. In this case, the fitting portion 4703 includes a first fitting portion to be fitted to the first fitting leg portion and a second fitting portion to be fitted to the second leg portion.

The first fitting portion is fitted to the first fitting leg portion to position the toner container 5 in the main direction D1. The second fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting leg portion to position the toner container 5 in the sub direction D2.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes 4 toner-end sensors 6y (see fig. 1) corresponding to the 4 toner containers 5. The 4 toner-end sensors 6y are disposed on the mounted portion 6.

Each of the toner end sensors 6y is an example of a toner end detector that detects a toner end state. The toner-end state is a state in which the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 5 attached to the attached portion 6 is lower than the permissible remaining amount.

For example, the toner-end sensor 6y is a transmission type photosensor. In this case, a pair of transparent windows disposed to face each other is formed in the housing portion 50 of the toner container 5.

The transmission type photosensor includes a light emitting portion disposed to face one of the pair of windows, and a light receiving portion disposed to face the other of the pair of windows. The light receiving unit is arranged in a traveling direction of the light emitted from the light emitting unit.

The state in which the light receiving unit detects light having an amount of light exceeding a predetermined level is the toner-end state.

In addition, when the transmissive photosensor is used as the toner end sensor 6y, the image forming apparatus 10 has an erroneous detection prevention function corresponding to the non-attachment of the toner container 5. The false detection prevention function is a function of preventing false detection of the toner end state in a situation where the toner container 5 is not mounted.

As a first example, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a container sensor that detects the toner container 5 attached to the attached portion 6. In this case, the processor 11x does not refer to the detection state of the toner end-up sensor 6y when the container sensor does not detect the toner container 5.

As a second example, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a light shielding mechanism that shields light between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion when the toner container 5 is not mounted on the mounted portion 6.

The false detection prevention function is realized by using the first example or the second example.

The processor 11x outputs detection information indicating the detection state of the toner end sensor 6y to the display device 13. The processor 11x can execute processing for outputting the detection information to the display unit of the host device via a communication device not shown. The host device is an information processing device with which the processor 11x can communicate via the communication device.

Further, the processor 11x may also execute a toner-end determination process of determining the toner-end state. For example, the toner-end determination process includes: a process of deriving an estimated value of the amount of consumption of toner 90 each time the printing process is executed; a process of deriving an integrated value of the estimated values; and a process of comparing the accumulated value with a reference value.

When the integrated value exceeds the reference value, the processor 11x determines that the toner-end state has occurred. In this case, the processor 11x is an example of the toner end detection section.

However, the user sometimes overlooks or misreads the detection information display of the toner-end sensor 6 y. In this case, the toner container 5 in which the toner end state is not detected may be replaced, and the toner 90 may be wastefully discarded.

(Container locking mechanism 7)

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, the image forming apparatus 10 further includes a container lock mechanism 7.

The container lock mechanism 7 is a mechanism that can be detached from the attached portion 6 to restrict the toner container 5.

The container lock mechanism 7 includes a contact portion 70, a pivot member 71, a spring 72, and a solenoid 73 (see fig. 4).

The abutment portion 70 is formed to protrude from the inner side surface of the top cover 100. The rotating member 71 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 7x in the main body 1. The rotating member 71 is movable between a restricting position and a retracted position.

Fig. 4 shows a state in which the rotating member 71 is present at the retracted position, and fig. 5 and 6 show a state in which the rotating member 71 is present at the restricting position.

When the rotary member 71 is present at the regulation position, it projects toward the inlet of the mounted portion 6 and faces the portion to be locked 58 of the toner container 5 from above (see fig. 5 and 6). The locked portion 58 is formed on the upper surface of the toner container 5.

When the rotating member 71 is present at the regulation position, it protrudes toward the inlet of the mounted portion 6, and regulates the removal of the toner container 5 from the mounted portion 6 (see fig. 5 and 6). The rotating member 71 is an example of a restricting member.

The retracted position is a position away from the entrance of the mounted portion 6 (see fig. 4). When the rotary member 71 is at the retracted position, the toner container 5 is not restricted from being removed from the mounted portion 6.

The spring 72 is disposed within the body 1. The spring 72 biases the rotating member 71 toward the retracted position. The spring 72 is, for example, a torsion spring supported by the rotating shaft 7 x. The spring 72 is an example of an elastic member.

The abutment portion 70 abuts against the rotating member 71 when the top cover 100 is closed. Thereby, the contact portion 70 moves the rotating member 71 from the retracted position to the restricting position against the biasing force of the spring 72 (see fig. 5).

On the other hand, when the top cover 100 is opened, the spring 72 moves the rotating member 71 from the restricting position to the retracted position. In the present embodiment, the abutting portion 70 and the spring 72 constitute a second cover link mechanism.

The second lid interlocking mechanism moves the rotating member 71 from the retracted position to the restricting position in conjunction with the closing operation of the top lid 100 (see fig. 4). Further, the second lid interlocking mechanism moves the rotating member 71 from the restricting position to the retracted position in conjunction with the opening operation of the top lid 100 (see fig. 5).

The solenoid 73 has a main body portion 731 and an actuator portion 732 (see fig. 4). The solenoid 73 operates in accordance with a control signal output from the processor 11 x. The control signal is a signal corresponding to the detection result of the toner end sensor 6 y.

The actuator 732 is supported by the body portion 731 to be extendable and retractable with respect to the body portion 731. The main body portion 731 drives the actuator 732 according to the control signal.

The actuator 732 is movable between a reference position and an extended position extending from the body portion 731 longer than the reference position. Fig. 4 and 5 show a state in which the actuator 732 is present at the reference position, and fig. 6 shows a state in which the actuator 732 is present at the extended position.

The main body portion 731 moves the actuator 732 from one of the reference position and the extended position to the other thereof in accordance with the control signal.

The actuator 732 regulates the movement of the rotating member 71 to the retracted position at the extended position, and holds the rotating member 71 at the regulated position (see fig. 6). On the other hand, the actuator 732 releases the holding of the rotating member 71 to the restricting position at the reference position (see fig. 4 and 5).

That is, the solenoid 73 switches from one of a state in which the pivotal member 71 is locked at the restriction position and a state in which the locking of the pivotal member 71 is released to the other, in accordance with the control signal. The processor 11x outputs the control signal corresponding to the detection result of the toner-end sensor 6y to the solenoid 73.

Specifically, when the toner-end state is not detected by the toner-end sensor 6y in a state where the cover closed state is detected by the cover sensor 14, the processor 11x outputs a lock signal as the control signal.

The solenoid 73 holds the actuator 732 in the extended position by inputting the lock signal. Thereby, the solenoid 73 holds the rotating member 71 at the restricting position (refer to fig. 6).

In the present embodiment, when the toner-end state is not detected, the solenoid 73 restricts the second cover link mechanism to move the rotating member 71 to the retracted position, and holds the rotating member 71 at the restricting position (see fig. 6).

On the other hand, when the toner-end state is detected by the toner-end sensor 6y in a state where the cover closed state is detected by the cover sensor 14, the processor 11x outputs a release signal as the control signal.

The solenoid 73 holds the actuator 732 at the reference position by inputting the release signal. Thereby, the solenoid 73 releases the state of holding the rotating member 71 at the restricting position (see fig. 4 and 5).

That is, when the toner-end state is detected, the solenoid 73 releases the holding of the rotary member 71 at the restricting position. The solenoid 73 is an example of the restricting member locking portion.

By employing the container lock mechanism 7, the toner container 5 in which the toner end state is not detected can be prevented from being replaced.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a toner container for containing toner;

a mounted portion to which the toner container is detachably mounted;

a toner end detection unit that detects a toner end state in which a remaining amount of toner in the toner container attached to the attached portion is lower than an allowable remaining amount; and

a container lock mechanism capable of restricting the toner container from being detached from the attached portion,

the container locking mechanism includes:

a regulating member movable between a regulating position where the regulating member protrudes toward an inlet of the mounted portion to regulate detachment of the toner container from the mounted portion and a retracted position where the regulating member does not regulate detachment of the toner container from the mounted portion; and

and a restricting member locking portion that restricts movement of the restricting member to the retracted position to hold the restricting member at the restricting position when the toner-end state is not detected, and releases holding of the restricting member to the restricting position when the toner-end state is detected.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

the restricting member locking portion includes a solenoid that switches from one of a state in which the restricting member is locked at the restricting position and a state in which the restricting member is unlocked to the other, in accordance with a control signal corresponding to a detection result of the toner end detecting portion.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the image forming apparatus further includes:

a main body enclosing the mounted portion and having a main opening communicating with the mounted portion;

a lid supported by the main body and capable of opening and closing the main opening; and

a lid interlocking mechanism that moves the restricting member from the retracted position to the restricting position in conjunction with a closing operation of the lid section and moves the restricting member from the restricting position to the retracted position in conjunction with an opening operation of the lid section,

the restricting member locking portion restricts the restricting member from moving to the retracted position by the cover link mechanism to hold the restricting member at the restricting position when the toner-end state is not detected, and releases the holding of the restricting member to the restricting position when the toner-end state is detected.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

the lid linkage mechanism includes:

an elastic member provided in the main body and urging the restricting member toward the retracted position; and

and an abutting portion provided on an inner side surface of the lid portion, and abutting against the restricting member when the lid portion is closed, thereby moving the restricting member from the retracted position to the restricting position against an urging force of the elastic member.