JP2006030285A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a user-friendly image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a plurality of attaching/detaching parts to which a developer storing body for storing developer to serve for developing the latent image is attached, and a storing body attaching mechanism for setting the developer storing body in which the developer of one color is stored so as to be attached to all of a plurality of attaching/detaching parts and the developer storing bodies in which the developer of colors other than the above one color is stored so as to be attached only to the prescribed attaching/detaching part out of a plurality of attaching/detaching parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

As an image forming apparatus, for example, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a plurality of detachable parts to which a developer container for containing a developer used for developing the latent image can be attached. There is a printer that has.
JP 2003-15409 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-4466

The above-described printer forms a color image by attaching a plurality of developer containers containing developers of different colors to the detachable portion. In addition, from the viewpoint of forming a large amount of a single color image, the above-described printer may form a single color image by attaching a developer container containing a developer of one color to all of a plurality of detachable portions. Note that, from the viewpoint of maintaining the quality of the color image, it is desirable to attach the developer containers containing the developer other than one color only to the predetermined detachable portions.
Therefore, a developer container containing a developer of a color other than one color can be easily attached to all of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions without mismounting the developer container. There is a demand for an image forming apparatus that can be attached only to a predetermined detachable portion.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus that can easily attach a developer container to an attachment / detachment portion without erroneous attachment. Is to realize.

  The main present invention includes an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a plurality of attaching / detaching portions to which a developer container for containing a developer to be used for developing the latent image can be attached, and one color. The developer accommodating body containing the developer can be attached to all of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions, and the developer accommodating body containing the developer of a color other than the one color is used as the plurality of attaching / detaching portions. An image forming apparatus comprising: a container mounting mechanism that can be mounted only on a predetermined detachable portion.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image, a plurality of attachment / detachment portions to which a developer container for containing a developer to be used for developing the latent image can be attached, and a developer of one color The developed developer container can be attached to all of the plurality of attachment / detachment parts, and the developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is a predetermined one of the plurality of attachment / detachment parts. An image forming apparatus comprising: a container mounting mechanism that can be mounted only on the detachable portion.
According to such an image forming apparatus, the user can easily attach the developer container to the detachable portion by the container mounting mechanism without erroneous mounting. It can be realized.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the container mounting mechanism is connected to each of the plurality of attaching / detaching units, and is a lid unit that can be opened and closed, and closes and attaches the developer container to the attaching / detaching unit. Even if the developer container containing the developer of the one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the plurality of detachable portions, the lid unit is closed, and the color other than the one color The lid unit may be closed only when the developer containing body containing the developer is inserted into the predetermined attaching / detaching portion of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions.
In such a case, whether or not the developer container is attached to an appropriate detachable portion can be confirmed depending on whether or not the lid unit is closed, so that a more user-friendly image forming apparatus can be realized. Become.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, each of the developer container that contains the developer of one color and the developer container that contains a plurality of developers other than the one color. Is provided with a convex portion, and the lid unit connected to each of the plurality of detachable portions is configured to prevent the lid unit from interfering with the convex portion so that the lid unit is closed. A notch portion is provided, and the developer container containing the developer of one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the detachable portions by the notch portion. Only when interference is prevented, the lid unit is closed, and a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is inserted into the predetermined attaching / detaching portion of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions. The interference is prevented by the notch and the lid unit is closed. It may be used as a.
In such a case, a user-friendly image forming apparatus can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the plurality of attachment / detachment portions include attachment / detachment portions corresponding to each of a plurality of developer containers each containing a developer of a color other than the one color. The developer container containing the developer of one color and the developer containers containing the developer of a color other than the one color are located at different positions. The cover unit connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment units is provided in a developer container of the cover unit in which the developer of the one color is stored. A first notch portion for preventing interference with the convex portion, and a detachable portion corresponding to a developer container in which a developer of a color other than the one color is accommodated. The lid unit connected to the convex portion of the lid unit is provided on the developer container. Second cutout portion for preventing interference with, may be is provided.
In such a case, the developer container in which the developer of one color is more securely attached to all of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions, and the developer container in which the developer of a color other than one color is accommodated. The body can be more securely attached only to the predetermined attaching / detaching portion.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, each of a plurality of developer containers in which a developer of a color other than the one color is accommodated, a developer container in which the developer of the one color is accommodated. It is good also as a 2nd convex part being provided in the same position as the said convex part provided in the body.
In such a case, since the distance between the second convex portions arranged at the same position and the convex portions arranged at different positions is different, the developer is displaced when the lid unit is closed. It is possible to effectively prevent the container from being erroneously attached.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the lid unit includes a connecting portion connected to the detachable portion, and can be opened and closed with the connecting portion as a fulcrum. The connecting portion and the first notch portion The distance may be greater than the distance between the connecting portion and the second notch portion.
When a developer container in which a developer of a color other than one color is contained is erroneously inserted into the detachable part, the lid unit interferes with the convex part. If an attempt is made to close the lid unit in a state where the lid unit interferes with the convex portion, a load is applied to the connecting portion. If this load is large, the lid unit may be damaged. For this reason, it is desirable to reduce the load applied to the connecting portion during erroneous insertion. Therefore, when the distance between the connecting portion and the first notch portion is larger than the distance between the connecting portion and the second notch portion, it acts on the connecting portion at the time of erroneous insertion compared to the reverse case. The load can be reduced.

In the image forming apparatus, the lid unit is locked to the developer container at a locking position when the lid unit is closed, and a distance between the locking position and the first notch portion. May be smaller than the distance between the locking position and the second notch.
When the developer container is erroneously inserted into the detachable portion, the lid unit interferes with the convex portion, and a gap is generated between the lid unit and the side wall. The gap when the distance between the locking position and the first notch is smaller than the distance between the locking position and the second notch is larger than the gap in the opposite case. This is because the lid unit elastically deforms when the lid unit interferes with the convex portion, so that the amount of deformation increases as the locking position becomes farther from the position of interference. Therefore, if the gap is large, that is, if the distance between the locking position and the first notch is smaller than the distance between the locking position and the second notch, the lid unit is erroneously engaged with the side wall. It is possible to effectively prevent the stoppage.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the developer container is a developing device provided with a developer carrier for carrying a developer used for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier. It may be there.
The developing device may be removed when the amount of developer accommodated becomes small or when the developer carrier is worn. For this reason, when the developer container is a developing device, the frequency of mounting the developer container is high. In such a case, since the possibility that the developing device is removed while being covered with the lid unit is increased, the effect that a user-friendly image forming apparatus can be realized is more effectively achieved.

In the image forming apparatus, the developer of the one color may be a black developer.
The frequency of forming a monochrome image using a black developer is high. For this reason, when a developing device containing a black developer can be attached to all of the plurality of detachable portions, a large amount of monochrome images can be formed, and a more user-friendly image forming apparatus can be realized.

Also, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a plurality of detachable parts to which a developer container for containing a developer to be used for developing the latent image can be attached, and a developer of one color Can be attached to all of the plurality of detachable parts, and the developer container in which a developer of a color other than the one color is accommodated, of the plurality of detachable parts. A container mounting mechanism that can be mounted only on a predetermined detachable part,
The container mounting mechanism is an openable and closable lid unit that is connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions and closes and attaches the developer storage body to the attachment / detachment portion, and the developer of one color Even if the developer container in which the developer is accommodated is inserted into any of the plurality of attachment / detachment parts, the lid unit is closed, and the developer accommodation in which the developer other than the one color is accommodated. The lid unit closes only when a body is inserted into the predetermined attachment / detachment portion of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions,
Each of the developer container containing the developer of the one color and the developer container containing the developer of a color other than the plurality of colors is provided with a convex portion. The lid unit connected to each of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions is provided with a notch portion for preventing interference with the convex portion of the lid unit so that the lid unit is closed, Even if the developer container containing the developer of the one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the detachable portions, the interference is prevented by the notch portions, and the lid unit is The notch prevents the interference only when the developer container that is closed and contains a developer of a color other than the one color is inserted into the predetermined detachable part of the plurality of detachable parts. The lid unit is closed,
The plurality of attachment / detachment portions include attachment / detachment portions corresponding to each of a plurality of developer containers containing developer of a color other than the one color. Each of the developer accommodating body that accommodates the developer and the developer accommodating body that accommodates a plurality of developers other than the one color is provided with the convex portions at different positions, The lid unit connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions interferes with the convex portion provided on the developer accommodating body in which the developer of the one color is accommodated. A first notch for preventing, and a lid unit connected to a detachable part corresponding to a developer containing a developer of a color other than the one color, A second cut for preventing the lid unit from interfering with the convex portion provided on the developer container. Out portion, are provided,
Each of the plurality of developer containers that store a developer of a color other than the one color includes the convex portion provided on the developer container that stores the developer of the one color. A second convex portion is provided at the same position,
The lid unit includes a connecting part connected to the attaching / detaching part, and can be opened and closed with the connecting part as a fulcrum. The distance between the connecting part and the first notch part is the connecting part and the first notch part. Greater than the distance between the two notches,
The lid unit is locked to the developer container at a locking position when the lid unit is closed, and the distance between the locking position and the first notch is equal to the locking position and the second notch. Smaller than the distance to the notch,
The developer container is a developing device including a developer carrier for carrying a developer used for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer of one color is a black developer.
According to such an image forming apparatus, the effect of realizing a highly convenient image forming apparatus is most effectively achieved.

Also, a computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a developer container for containing a developer used for developing the latent image A plurality of detachable parts to which the body can be attached and a developer container in which a developer of one color is accommodated can be attached to all of the plurality of detachable parts. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus having a housing mounting mechanism that allows the stored developer storage body to be mounted only on a predetermined mounting portion of the plurality of mounting portions. system.
According to such an image forming system, since it is provided with a highly convenient image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming system superior to the conventional one.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, the outline of the printer 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing main components constituting the printer 10, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components when the printer 10 is used as a color printer, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating main components when 10 is used as a monochrome printer. The use of the printer 10 as a color printer or a monochrome printer will be described in detail later. 1 and 2, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 10 includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, a developing device holding unit 50, along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 as an image carrier for carrying a latent image. The image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, and a cleaning unit 75, and further includes a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a liquid crystal panel, and a display unit 95 as a display unit for a user or the like. It has the control unit 100 for controlling.

The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and can rotate around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 in FIGS. Rotate clockwise as indicated by the arrow.
The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like. Based on image information input from an external computer (not shown), a photosensitive laser charged with a modulated laser is provided. Irradiate toward the body 20.
The developing device holding unit 50 has a plurality of detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d in which a developing device serving as a developing device for containing the developer and developing the latent image formed on the photosensitive member 20 is detachable. is doing. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed using the toner T as an example of the developer accommodated in the developing device attached to the detachable portion.

By the way, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment can be used as a color printer (color image forming apparatus) for forming a color image. The printer 10 can be used as a single-color printer (single-color image forming apparatus) that forms a single-color image.
When the printer 10 is used as a color printer, as shown in FIG. 1, four developing units, that is, a black developing unit 51 are provided in the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d of the developing unit holding unit 50. A magenta developing unit 53, a cyan developing unit 52, and a yellow developing unit 54 are mounted. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed with the toner T accommodated in each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54.

  In addition, the developing device holding unit 50 can move the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by rotating. That is, the developing device holding unit 50 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 50e, and the developing device holding unit 50 includes four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d so as to surround the rotation shaft 50e. Is provided. For this reason, when the developing device holding unit 50 is rotated around the rotation shaft 50e in a state where the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the detachable portions, the four developing devices 51 that are attached are rotated. , 52, 53, and 54 move while maintaining their relative positions. The developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 sensitize the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 when developing with the toner T contained in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. It is moved to a position facing the body 20. When a latent image for one page is developed by a certain developing device, the developing device holding unit 50 rotates 90 °, and adjacent developing devices are sequentially moved to a position facing the photoconductor 20.

  On the other hand, when the printer 10 is used as a single color printer, as shown in FIG. 2, development in which the same color developer is accommodated in the four attaching / detaching portions 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d of the developing device holding unit 50. A vessel is attached. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed by the toner T accommodated in the developing device in which the mounted developer of the same color is accommodated. In the present embodiment, the printer 10 can be used as a monochrome printer by mounting the black developing device 51 on the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. Then, by rotating the developing device holding unit 50, any one of the four mounted black developing devices 51 is moved to a position facing the photoconductor 20. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is transferred to the black toner T accommodated in the black developing device 51 moved to a position facing the photoconductor 20 among the four black developing devices 51 mounted. Developed. Details of the developing device will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70.
The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is provided on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface layer and laminated. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor 20.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth.
The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing the toner image transferred onto the medium to a permanent image.
The cleaning unit 75 includes a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 20. The cleaning unit 75 is a unit for scraping and removing the toner T remaining on the photosensitive member 20 by the cleaning blade 76 after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 70 by the primary transfer unit 60.

  The control unit 100 includes a controller unit 101 and a unit control unit 102 (FIG. 7). The controller unit 101 communicates with an external computer, and the unit control unit 102 controls each unit and forms an image. The controller unit 101 and the unit control unit 102 are connected via an interface.

=== Operation Example of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described separately for an operation for forming a color image and an operation for forming a monochrome image. When the printer 10 is used as a color printer, the printer 10 can form not only a color image but also a monochrome image. Accordingly, the operation for forming a monochrome image described below is performed when a monochrome image is formed when the printer 10 is used as the color printer described above, and when the printer 10 is used as a monochrome printer. Applies to and when forming.

<Color image formation>
First, the operation of the printer 10 when forming a color image will be described.

When the image data PD and the control signal COM from the computer 702 are input to the controller unit 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112 (see FIG. 7), unit control based on a command from the controller unit 101 is performed. The photosensitive member 20, the developing roller provided in the developing unit, and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated by the control of the unit 102. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . Further, in the developing device holding unit 50, the yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner is located at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.
The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner T is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are in contact with each other, and the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

The above processing is sequentially executed for each developing device for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, so that four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. It is transcribed and superimposed. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.
The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full color toner image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 and the toner T adhering to the surface thereof is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare for. The toner T thus scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

<Monochrome image formation>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 when forming a monochrome image will be described.
When the image data PD and the control signal COM from the computer 702 are input to the controller unit 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112 (see FIG. 7), unit control based on a command from the controller unit 101 is performed. The photosensitive member 20, the developing roller provided in the developing unit, and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated by the control of the unit 102. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches the exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and the exposure unit 40 forms a latent image corresponding to the image information in the area. The developing device holding unit 50 is located at a developing position where a black developing device 51 containing black toner is opposed to the photoconductor 20.

The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches a developable position as the photoconductor 20 rotates and is developed by the black developing device 51. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.
The toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The toner image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 and the toner T adhering to the surface thereof is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare for. The toner T thus scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

=== Overview of Developer ===
Next, a configuration example of the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the developing device, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing device. Note that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 represents a cross-section obtained by cutting the developing device along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 4, as in FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow, and the yellow developing device 54 is in a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The developer holding unit 50 contains a black developer 51 containing black (K) toner (one color developer), a magenta developer 53 containing magenta (M) toner, and cyan (C) toner. A cyan developing device 52 and a yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner can be mounted. Here, the yellow developing device 54 will be described.
The yellow developing device 54 includes a developing roller 510 as a developer carrying member, a seal member 520, a toner container 530, a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550, a regulating blade 560, and the like.

  The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing roller 510 is supported at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is rotatable about the central axis. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 4). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 510 of the yellow developing unit 54 and the photosensitive member 20 are opposed to each other with a space therebetween. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

  The seal member 520 prevents the toner T in the yellow developing device 54 from leaking out of the device, and collects the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed through the developing position into the developing device without being scraped off. The seal member 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like, and is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force of a seal urging member 524 made of a malt plane or the like provided on the opposite side to the developing roller 510 side.

The housing 540 is formed by welding a plurality of integrally molded housing portions. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 has an opening 572 that communicates with the outside of the housing 540, the peripheral surface of the housing 540 faces the opening 572 from the outside of the housing 540, and the developing roller 510 described above is one of them. It is arranged with the part exposed. Further, a regulation blade 560 described later is also arranged in a state of facing the opening 572 from the outside of the housing 540.
The housing 540 forms a toner storage portion 530 that can store the toner T.

  The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the toner storage unit 530 described above, and supplies the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the toner storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 is supplied to the developing roller 510 by the toner supply roller 550 below the toner storage unit 530. The The toner supply roller 550 rotates around the central axis in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4). The toner supply roller 550 has a function of supplying the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510, and peels off the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after the development from the developing roller 510. It also has a function.

  The regulating blade 560 applies a charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 and regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 560a and a rubber support part 560b. The rubber part 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like, and the rubber support part 560b is a thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The rubber part 560a is supported by a rubber support part 560b, and the rubber support part 560b is supported by being sandwiched between a pair of blade support metal plates 562 via the blade support metal plate 562. Is attached. Further, a blade back member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the regulating blade 560.

  Here, the rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force caused by the bending of the rubber support portion 560 b. Further, the blade back member 570 prevents the toner T from entering between the rubber support portion 560b and the housing 540, stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560b, and provides rubber from the back of the rubber portion 560a. The rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by urging the portion 560 a toward the developing roller 510. Therefore, the blade back member 570 improves the uniform contact property of the rubber portion 560a to the developing roller 510.

  In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the abutting position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and when the toner T passes through the corresponding contacting position, an electric charge is applied and the layer thickness is regulated. Is done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 whose layer thickness is regulated reaches the developing position facing the photoconductor 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and is formed on the photoconductor 20 under an alternating electric field at the developing position. Used for developing the latent image. The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the seal member 520 and is collected in the developing unit without being scraped off by the seal member 520.

As shown in FIG. 3, the side wall 580Y of the yellow developing device 54 is provided with a handle portion 590Y, a first rib 581Y that is a convex portion, and a second rib 582Y that is a second convex portion. Yes.
The handle portion 590Y is for a user or the like to grip the yellow developing device 54 when the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d or when the yellow developing device 54 is detached from the attaching / detaching portion 50d. When the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the detachable portion 50d, a part of the side wall 580Y, that is, a portion other than the handle portion 590Y is covered with a lid unit 640 described later.
The role of the first rib 581Y and the second rib 582Y will be described later.

  In the above description, the yellow developing unit 54 has been described. However, since the configurations of the side walls of the developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 are different, the configurations of the side walls 580K, 580C, and 580M of the developing units 51, 52, and 53 will be described.

  On the side wall 580K of the black developing device 51, a handle portion 590K and a first rib 581K which is a convex portion are provided (FIG. 8). Note that the second rib is not provided on the side wall 580K. The side wall 580C of the cyan developing unit 52 is provided with a handle portion 590C, a first rib 581C that is a convex portion, and a second rib 582C that is a second convex portion (FIG. 8). The side wall 580M of the magenta developing unit 53 is provided with a handle portion 590M, a first rib 581M that is a convex portion, and a second rib 582M that is a second convex portion (FIG. 8).

  The first ribs 581K, 581C, 581M and 581Y are arranged at different positions. On the other hand, the second ribs 582C, 582M, and 582Y are disposed at the same position as the first rib 581K provided in the black developing device 51. Therefore, in the developing devices 52, 53, and 54, the distance between the first rib and the second rib is different from each other.

  In order to identify the destination, the positions of the first rib 581K and the second ribs 582C, 582M, and 582Y may be shifted for each developing device mounted on the printer 10 having a different destination. However, in such a case, the first rib 581K and the second ribs 582C, 582M, and 582Y whose positions are shifted are arranged at the same position.

  Each of the developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 stores various information related to the developing unit such as the color information of the toner accommodated in each developing unit, the remaining amount of toner, and the rotation time of the developing roller 510. Storage elements, for example, non-volatile storage memory (hereinafter also referred to as developing device side memory) 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a such as serial EEPROM.

  The developing device side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a include developing device side connectors 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b provided on one side surface of the developing device, and an apparatus main body provided on the apparatus main body side (printer side). The side connector 34 is in contact with each other when necessary, and is electrically connected to the unit control unit 102 of the main body control unit 100.

=== Overview of Developer Holding Unit ===
Next, an outline of the developing device holding unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C. In this section, for the sake of convenience, the case where the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d will be described as an example. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a developing device in which a developer of the same color is accommodated in 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d.
The developing device holding unit 50 has a rotation shaft 50e located at the center thereof, and a support frame 55 for holding the developing device is fixed to the rotation shaft 50e. The rotation shaft 50e serves as a housing of the printer 10. It spans between two frame side plates (not shown) formed, and both ends thereof are supported. In addition, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 50e intersects the vertical direction.
The support frame 55 includes four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d in which the four color developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are detachably attached around the rotating shaft 50e in the circumferential direction. It is provided at 90 ° intervals.

  A pulse motor (not shown) is connected to the rotary shaft 50e. By driving the pulse motor, the support frame 55 can be rotated to position the four phenomenon devices 51, 52, 53, 54 at predetermined positions. It is like that.

  5A to 5C show three stop positions of the rotating developing device holding unit 50, and FIG. 5A shows the standby position when waiting for execution of image formation. FIG. 5B shows a home position (hereinafter referred to as “HP position”) that is a stop position serving as a reference position in the rotation direction of FIG. 5B, and a developer-side connector 54b of the yellow developer 54 attached to the developer holding unit 50; FIG. 5C shows the attachment / detachment position of the yellow developing device 54, and the connector attachment / detachment position facing the apparatus body-side connector 34 provided on the apparatus body side.

  5B and 5C, the connector attaching / detaching position and the developing device attaching / detaching position are shown with respect to the yellow developing device 54, but the position where the developing device holding unit 50 is rotated by 90 degrees is the position of each developing device. A connector attach / detach position and a developer attach / detach position.

  First, the HP position shown in FIG. 5A will be described. On one end side of the rotation shaft 50e of the developing device holding unit 50, an HP detection unit 31 (FIG. 7) for detecting the HP position is provided. The HP detection unit 31 includes a signal generation disk fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 50e, and an HP sensor including a photo interrupter provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The peripheral part of the disk is arranged so as to be positioned between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the HP sensor, and when the slit part formed in the disk moves to the detection position of the HP sensor, the output from the HP sensor The signal changes from “L” to “H”. The HP position of the developing device holding unit 50 is detected based on the change in the signal level and the number of pulses of the pulse motor, and the developing device can be positioned at the developing position of each developing device on the basis of the HP position. Has been.

  FIG. 5B shows a connector attaching / detaching position of the yellow developing device 54 in which the pulse motor is rotated by a predetermined number of pulses from the HP position. At this connector attaching / detaching position, the developing device side connector 54b of the yellow developing device 54 attached to the developing device holding unit 50 and the apparatus main body side connector 34 provided on the apparatus main body side face each other, and these connectors are in contact with each other. It is possible to make contact or separation.

Further explanation will be given with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is a diagram related to the separation position, and FIG. 6B is a diagram related to the contact position.
FIG. 6A shows a state where the apparatus main body side connector 34 and the developing device side connector 54b of the yellow developing device 54 are separated from each other. The apparatus main body side connector 34 is configured to be movable toward and away from the yellow developing unit 54, and moves in the direction approaching the yellow developing unit 54 (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6B) as necessary. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the apparatus main body side connector 34 abuts against the developing device side connector 54 b of the yellow developing device 54, and the developing device side memory 54 a attached to the yellow developing device 54 is connected to the control unit 100. The unit controller 102 is electrically connected, and communication is performed between the developing device side memory 54a and the apparatus main body.

  On the other hand, the apparatus main body side connector 34 moves away from the yellow developing device 54 from the state in which the apparatus main body side connector 34 and the developing device side connector 54b of the yellow developing device 54 shown in FIG. 6B) (in the direction opposite to the arrow direction). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the apparatus main body side connector 34 is separated from the developing device side connector 54 b of the yellow developing device 54.

  The movement of the apparatus main body side connector 34 is realized by, for example, a mechanism (not shown) including a pulse motor, a plurality of gears connected to the pulse motor, and an eccentric cam connected to the gear. That is, when the pulse motor is rotated by a predetermined number of pulses, the mechanism moves the apparatus main body side connector 34 by a distance corresponding to the pulse number from a predetermined separation position, and the apparatus main body side connector 34 is moved. It is positioned at a predetermined contact position. Conversely, when the pulse motor is reversely rotated by a predetermined number of pulses, the mechanism moves the device body side connector 34 by a distance corresponding to the number of pulses from a predetermined contact position, and the device body side The connector 34 is positioned at a predetermined separation position.

  Further, the connector attaching / detaching position with respect to the yellow developing unit 54 becomes the developing position of the cyan developing unit 52 with the developing roller 510 of the cyan developing unit 52 and the photosensitive member 20 facing each other. That is, the connector attaching / detaching position of the developing device holding unit 50 related to the yellow developing device 54 is the developing position of the developing device holding unit 50 related to the cyan developing device 52. Further, when the pulse motor rotates the developing device holding unit 50 by 90 ° counterclockwise, the connector attaching / detaching position of the black developing device 51 and the developing position of the yellow developing device 54 are obtained, and the developing device holding unit 50 is rotated by 90 °. Each time it is done, it becomes the connector attaching / detaching position and developing position of each developing device.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the detachable portion 50a has a lid unit 610, the detachable portion 50b has a lid unit 620, the detachable portion 50c has a lid unit 630, and the detachable portion 50d has a lid unit 640. Are connected to each other. The lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 can be opened and closed, respectively, and the developing device is mounted when the developing device is inserted into the detachable portion and the lid unit is closed. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are respectively attached to the detachable portion. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the black developing device 51 is attached to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the lid unit 610 is closed, the black developing device 51 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50a, and when the lid unit 620 is closed, the cyan developing device 52 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50b, and the lid unit 630 is closed. As a result, the magenta developing device 53 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50c, and the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion by closing the lid unit 640. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the black developing device 51 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portions 50b, 50c, 50d, the lid units 620, 630, 640 are closed, so that the black developing device 51 is attached to the attaching / detaching portions 50b, 50c. , 50d.
The detailed configuration of the lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 will be described later.

In addition, one of the two frame side plates that support the developing device holding unit 50 and form the housing of the printer 10 can be opened and closed with a detachable opening 37 through which one developing device can pass and a detachable opening 37. And an inner cover (not shown) for covering. When the developing device holding unit 50 is rotated and each developing device is stopped at the set developing device attaching / detaching position, the attaching / detaching dedicated port 37, as shown in FIG. 5C, corresponds to the corresponding developing device (here, yellow). Only the developing device 54) is formed at a position where it can be pulled out and removed in the direction along the rotation shaft 50e. In addition, the attachment / detachment port 37 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer shape of the developing device. At the developing device attaching / detaching position, not only the developing device is removed, but also a new developing device is installed in the direction along the rotation shaft 50e through the attaching / detaching port 37. The developing device can also be attached to the support frame 55 by making it enter. While the developing device holding unit 50 is located at a position other than the developing device attaching / detaching position, the attaching / detaching of the developing device is restricted by the frame side plate.
A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided in order to securely position and fix the developing device holding unit 50 at the above-described position.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control unit 100 of the printer 10.

  The controller unit 101 includes a CPU 111, an interface 112 for connecting to a computer (not shown), an image memory 113 for storing image signals and the like input from the computer, electrically rewritable EEPROMs 114a and RAM 114b, And a controller unit side memory 114 composed of a program ROM or the like having a control program. Various information such as an image signal is sent to the controller unit 101 from a computer connected to the printer 10.

  The controller unit 101 converts RGB data of red, green, and blue as image signals transmitted from a computer or the like into YMCK image data of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the converted YMCK image data is stored in the image memory 113. It has a function to memorize. When the printer 10 is used as a single color printer, the RGB data is converted into black image data, and the converted black image data is stored in the image memory 113. Furthermore, the controller unit 101 has a function of sending various information to a connected computer.

  The EEPROM 114a stores model information as device information indicating whether the printer 10 is used as a color printer or a monochrome printer. The CPU 111 receives, from the unit control unit 102, the mounting information of the developing device indicating where the developing device is mounted and the information of each developing device at the predetermined timing. Based on the mounting information, the model information in the EEPROM 114a is rewritten as necessary. The model information is written as 1-bit information in the EEPROM 114a. When the value is 0, the printer 10 is used as a color printer. When the value is 1, the printer 10 is monochrome. Indicates that the printer is being used. This model information is rewritten in the RAM 114b based on the EEPROM 114a when the printer 10 is turned on.

  The unit controller 102 includes a CPU 120, an electrically rewritable EEPROM 116a, RAM, a unit controller memory 116 including a program ROM having various control programs, and each unit (charging unit 30, The exposure unit 40, the primary transfer unit 60, the cleaning unit 75, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, the display unit 95), and drive control circuits for driving and controlling the developing device holding unit 50 are included.

  The CPU 120 is connected to a non-volatile storage element (hereinafter referred to as a main body side memory) 122 such as a serial EEPROM via a serial interface (I / F) 121. The main body side memory 122 stores data necessary for device control. The CPU 120 is connected not only to the main body side memory 122 but also to the developing device side memories 51 a, 52 a, 53 a, 54 a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 via the serial interface 121. In addition, data can be transferred between the main body side memory 122 and the developing device side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and chip select can be made to each developing device side memory 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a via the input / output port 123. The signal CS can be input. The CPU 120 is also connected to the HP detection unit 31 via the input / output port 123.

  The CPU 120 is electrically connected to each drive control circuit and controls each drive control circuit based on a control signal from the CPU 111 of the controller unit 101. That is, the unit control unit 102 receives signals from sensors and the like included in each unit, thereby detecting the state of each unit and the developing device holding unit 50, and based on a signal input from the controller unit 101. Each unit and the developer holding unit 50 are controlled.

  The CPU 120 controls each drive control circuit based on the above-described model information. That is, when the model information value is 0, each unit of the printer 10 and the developing device holding unit 50 are controlled as a color printer. When the device information value is 1, the printer 10 is a monochrome printer. Control each unit.

=== Detailed configuration of the lid unit ===
A detailed configuration of the lid unit will be described.
First, the configuration of the lid unit 640 connected to the attaching / detaching portion 50d will be described. FIG. 10 is a view of the lid unit 640 as viewed from the front. FIG. 11 is a view of the lid unit 640 as viewed from the back.

The lid unit 640 covers a part of the side wall 580Y of the yellow developing device 54 attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d. Specifically, the lid unit 640 covers a portion other than the handle portion 590Y provided on the side wall 580Y. As shown in FIG. 10, the lid unit 640 includes a developing device cover 641, a latch 642, and an operation button 643.
The developing device cover 641 includes a connecting portion 644 connected to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, and can be opened and closed with the connecting portion 644 as a fulcrum. The connecting part 644 is connected to the attaching / detaching part 50d via the hinge 57Y. The color of the developing device cover 641 is different from the color of the side wall 580Y (yellow).

  Further, the developing device cover 641 is provided with a first cutout portion 647 and a second cutout portion 648. The first notch 647 is for preventing the developer cover 641 from interfering with the second rib 582Y, and the second notch 648 prevents the developer cover 641 from interfering with the first rib 581Y. It is for preventing. The first notch 647 is disposed at a position corresponding to the second rib 582Y, and the second notch 648 is disposed at a position corresponding to the first rib 581Y. Thereby, when the yellow developing device 54 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the first notch portion 647 and the second notch portion 648 cause the developer cover 641 to interfere with the first rib 581Y and the second rib 582Y. Thus, the developer cover 641 is closed (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 10, the distance X1 between the first notch 647 and the connecting part 644 is larger than the distance X2 between the second notch 648 and the connecting part 644.

  When the black developing device 51 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the first notch portion 647 prevents the developing device cover 641 from interfering with the first rib 581Y, and the developing device cover 641 is closed (see FIG. 9). ). On the other hand, when the cyan developing device 52 and the magenta developing device 53 are inserted into the detachable portion 50d, the developing device cover 641 interferes with the first rib 581C of the cyan developing device 52 and the first rib 581M of the magenta developing device 53, and The developer cover 641 does not close. Therefore, only the black developing device 51 and the yellow developing device 54 can be attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

Further, the developing device cover 641 is provided with a knob 645 for a user or the like to grip when the developing device cover 641 is opened or closed.
The latch 642 is for holding the state where the developing device cover 641 is closed. As shown in FIG. 11, the latch 642 is supported on the back side of the developing device cover 641. Note that the color of the latch 642 is the same as the color of the side wall 580Y (yellow).
The latch 642 is provided with an engaging portion 642a and a notch 642b. By engaging the engaging portion 642a with the side wall 580Y, the developing device cover 641 is locked to the side wall 580Y at the locking position (engaging portion). The movement of the latch 642 is restricted by the notch 642b and the protruding piece 641a provided on the developing device cover 641, and the latch 642 can only slide in the D1 direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the distance Y1 between the locking position (engagement portion) and the first cutout portion 647 is greater than the distance Y2 between the lock position (engagement portion) and the second cutout portion 648. small.

The operation button 643 is connected to the latch 642 and is for operating the latch 642. Note that the color of the operation button 643 is different from the color of the side wall 580Y (yellow). A part of the operation button 643 is covered with a knob 645. Thereby, the operation button 643 can be moved only in the direction D1.
A compression spring (not shown) is provided between the operation button 643 and the knob 645. When a force is applied to the operation button 643, the compression spring contracts, and the operation button 643 slides. Since the operation button 643 is connected to the latch 642, when the operation button 643 slides, the latch 642 also slides.

Next, the configuration of the lid units 610, 620, and 630 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the lid unit 610 connected to the attaching / detaching portion 50 a has a developing device cover 611, a latch 612, and an operation button 613. The lid unit 620 connected to the detachable portion 50b includes a developing device cover 621, a latch 622, and an operation button 623. The lid unit 630 connected to the detachable portion 50 c includes a developing device cover 631, a latch 632, and an operation button 633.

  The developer cover 611 is provided with a first notch 617 disposed at a position corresponding to the first rib 581K. On the other hand, the developing device cover 611 is not provided with a second notch. The developer cover 611 has the same configuration as the developer cover 641 except that the second notch is not provided.

  When the black developing device 51 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50a, the developing device cover 611 does not interfere with the first rib 581K by the first notch portion 617, and thus the lid unit 610 is closed. On the other hand, when the developing devices 52, 53, and 54 are inserted into the detachable portion 50a, the lid unit 610 does not close because the lid unit 610 interferes with the first ribs 581C, 581M, and 581Y. Therefore, only the black developing device 51 can be attached to the detachable portion 50a.

  The developing device cover 621 includes a first notch 627 disposed at a position corresponding to the second rib 582C and a second notch 628 disposed at a position corresponding to the first rib 581C. ing. The developing device cover 621 has the same configuration as the developing device cover 641 except that the position of the second notch 628 relative to the developing device cover 621 is different from the position of the second notch 648 relative to the developing device cover 641. .

  When the cyan developing device 52 is inserted into the detachable portion 50b, the developing device cover 621 does not interfere with the second rib 582C and the first rib 581C by the first notch portion 627 and the second notch portion 628. The lid unit 620 is closed. Further, when the black developing device 51 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50b, the developing device cover 621 does not interfere with the first rib 581K by the first notch portion 627, so the lid unit 620 is closed. On the other hand, when the developing devices 53 and 54 are inserted into the detachable portion 50b, the lid unit 620 does not close because the lid unit 620 interferes with the first ribs 581M and 581Y. Therefore, only the black developing device 51 and the cyan developing device 52 can be attached to the detachable portion 50b.

  The developing device cover 631 includes a first notch 637 disposed at a position corresponding to the second rib 582M and a second notch 638 disposed at a position corresponding to the first rib 581M. ing. The developing device cover 631 has the same configuration as the developing device cover 641 except that the position of the second notch 638 relative to the developing device cover 631 is different from the position of the second notch 648 relative to the developing device cover 641. .

  When the magenta developing device 53 is inserted into the detachable portion 50c, the developing device cover 631 does not interfere with the second rib 582M and the first rib 581M by the first notch portion 637 and the second notch portion 638. Unit 630 closes. Further, when the black developing device 51 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50c, the developing device cover 631 does not interfere with the first rib 581K by the first notch portion 637, so that the lid unit 620 is closed. On the other hand, when the developing devices 52 and 54 are inserted into the detachable portion 50c, the lid unit 630 interferes with the first ribs 581C and 581Y, and therefore the lid unit 630 does not close. Therefore, only the black developing device 51 and the magenta developing device 53 can be attached to the detachable portion 50c.

  The latches 612, 622, and 623 have the same shape as the latch 642, but their color is different from the color of the latch 642 (yellow). The color of the latch 612 is black, the color of the latch 622 is cyan, and the color of the latch 632 is magenta. Further, the operation buttons 613, 623, and 633 have the same configuration as the operation button 643.

=== Mounting of the developing unit to the detachable part ===
A procedure for attaching the developing device to the detachable portion will be described. Since the mounting of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 to the detachable portion is performed in the same procedure, the procedure for mounting the yellow developing device 54 to the detachable portion 50d will be described below. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state where the lid unit 640 is opened. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in the middle of rotating the lid unit 640 in order to close it. FIG. 14 is a view showing a state where the lid unit 640 is closed.
The mounting of the yellow developing device 54 to the attaching / detaching portion 50d is started in a state where the developing device holding unit 50 is located at the attaching / detaching position of the yellow developing device 54. Here, the description will be made assuming that the developing unit is not attached to the detachable portion 50d.

First, the user or the like opens the developing device cover 641. Then, the user or the like compares the color of the latch 642 and the color of the side wall 580Y to determine whether the yellow developing device 54 is a developing device that can be attached to the detachable portion 50d. Here, since the color of the latch 642 and the color of the side wall 580Y are yellow, the user or the like determines that the yellow developing device 54 can be attached to the detachable portion 50d. Since the black developing device 51 can be attached to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, the above determination is unnecessary.
Next, the user or the like inserts the yellow developing device 54 into the attaching / detaching portion 50d. The user or the like picks up the handle portion 590Y and inserts the yellow developing device 54 into the attaching / detaching portion 50d through the attaching / detaching exclusive port 37 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the user or the like rotates the developing device cover 641 to close it. Since the first notch 647 is provided at a position corresponding to the second rib 582Y and the second notch 648 is provided at a position corresponding to the first rib 581Y, the developing device cover 641 is rotated. The first rib 581Y and the second rib 582Y do not interfere with each other. When the developing device cover 641 rotates by a predetermined amount without interfering with the first rib 581Y and the second rib 582Y, the latch 642 is engaged with the side wall 580Y. By engaging the latch 642 with the side wall 580Y, the developing device cover 641 is locked to the side wall 580Y, and the developing device cover 641 is closed.

  On the other hand, when the cyan developing device 52 and the magenta developing device 53 are inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the developing device cover 641 is not closed. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the cyan developing device 52 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the position of the second notch 648 is not the position corresponding to the first rib 581C, so the developing device cover 641 is The developing device cover 641 does not close due to interference with the first rib 581C. FIG. 15 is a view showing a state where the developing device cover 641 is not closed when the cyan developing device 52 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

=== Removal of developing device ===
A procedure for removing the developing device attached to the attaching / detaching portion will be described. Since removal of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 is performed in the same procedure, the procedure for removing the yellow developing device 54 attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d will be described below.
The yellow developing unit 54 is removed from a state in which the developing unit holding unit 50 is located at the mounting / demounting position of the yellow developing unit 54. The user or the like can see the color (yellow) of the side wall 580Y of the yellow developing device 54 through the exclusive mounting port 37, and therefore can determine whether the yellow developing device 54 is appropriate as a developing device to be removed.

First, the user or the like slides the operation button 643 by applying a force to the operation button 643 to contract the compression spring. When the operation button 643 is slid, the latch 642 is also slid. When the latch 642 is slid by a predetermined amount or more, the engagement of the latch 642 with the side wall 580Y of the yellow developing device 54 is released. As a result, the developing device cover 641 can be rotated.
Next, the user or the like picks the knob 645 and rotates the developing device cover 641 forward. The developing device cover 641 starts to open with the connecting portion 644 as a fulcrum. Then, the user or the like opens the developing device cover 641 to a position where the yellow developing device 54 can be removed.
Next, the user or the like picks up the handle portion 590Y and pulls out the yellow developing device 54 to the front. A user or the like can remove the yellow developing device 54 from the attaching / detaching portion 50d by pulling out the yellow developing device 54 through the attaching / detaching exclusive port 37.

=== Function of the lid unit ===
As described above, the printer 10 (image forming apparatus) includes a black developing device 51 (developer container) containing black toner (one color developer) and four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, The cyan developer 52 can be attached only to the attach / detach section 50b, the magenta developer 53 can be attached only to the attach / detach section 50c, and the yellow developer 54 can be attached only to the attach / detach section 50d. Cover units 610, 620, 630, and 640 (container mounting mechanism). As a result, the user-friendly printer 10 can be realized. This will be described in detail below.

  Conventionally, the printer 10 forms a color image by attaching a black developing unit 51, a cyan developing unit 52, a magenta developing unit 53, and a yellow developing unit 54 to the detachable portion. In addition, from the viewpoint of forming a large amount of monochrome images, the printer 10 may form a monochrome image by attaching the black developing device 51 to all four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d.

  Note that, from the viewpoint of maintaining the quality of the color image, it is desirable that the cyan developing device 52, the magenta developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54 are attached only to predetermined attachment / detachment portions. For example, when the magenta developing device 53 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50b instead of the predetermined attaching / detaching portion 50c, and the cyan developing device 52 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50c instead of the predetermined attaching / detaching portion 50b, a magenta toner image and cyan toner are used. Since the order in which the images are formed on the photoconductor 20 is switched, the quality of the intermediate color image using cyan toner and magenta toner may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, the black developing device 51 can be easily attached to all the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d without erroneous attachment, and the cyan developing device 52, the magenta developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54 are respectively attached to the predetermined attaching / detaching portions. There is a demand for the realization of a user-friendly printer 10 that can be attached only to the printer.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a lid unit 610, a lid unit 620, a lid unit 630, and a lid unit 640 are provided. When the lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 are closed, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the detachable portion.

  When the black developing device 51 is inserted into the detachable portion 50a, the lid unit 610 is closed. On the other hand, when the developing devices 52, 53, and 54 are inserted into the detachable portion 50a, the lid unit 610 is not closed. When the black developing device 51 and the cyan developing device 52 are inserted into the detachable portion 50b, the lid unit 620 is closed. On the other hand, when the magenta developing device 53 and the yellow developing device 54 are inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50b, the lid unit 620 is not closed. When the black developing device 51 and the magenta developing device 53 are inserted into the detachable portion 50c, the lid unit 630 is closed. On the other hand, when the cyan developing device 52 and the yellow developing device 54 are inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50c, the lid unit 630 is not closed. When the black developing device 51 and the yellow developing device 54 are inserted into the detachable portion 50d, the lid unit 640 is closed. On the other hand, when the cyan developing device 52 and the magenta developing device 53 are inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the lid unit 640 does not close.

Accordingly, the printer 10 can attach the black developing device 51 to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. On the other hand, the printer 10 can mount the cyan developing device 52 only on the attaching / detaching portion 50b, the magenta developing device 53 only on the attaching / detaching portion 50c, and the yellow developing device 54 only on the attaching / detaching portion 50d.
In such a case, the user or the like can confirm whether or not the developing device is attached to an appropriate attachment / detachment unit depending on whether or not the lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 are closed.

  As described above, when the above-described lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 are provided, a user or the like can easily attach the developing device to the attachment / detachment unit without erroneous attachment. 10 can be realized.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus including the rotary developing device has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus provided with a tandem developing device.

  In the above embodiment, the photoconductor as the image carrier has been described as a configuration in which the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical conductive base material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-like conductive substrate may be used.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the printer 10 is used as a monochrome printer, it has been described that the black developing device 51 is attached to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the printer 10 is used as a monochrome printer, the black developing device 51 may be attached only to the detachable portions 50a and 50b.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the container mounting mechanism is connected to each of the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, and closes the developing device to be mounted on the detachable portion. The lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 can be opened and closed. The lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 are closed when the black developing device 51 is inserted into any of the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. On the other hand, when the cyan developing device 52 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50b, the lid unit 620 is closed, when the magenta developing device 53 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50c, the lid unit 630 is closed, and when the yellow developing device 54 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d. The lid unit 640 was closed.
However, it is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the container mounting mechanism may be the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. In this case, it is necessary to provide notches in the attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d.
However, in the case where the container mounting mechanism is the lid unit 610, 620, 630, 640, whether or not the developing device is mounted on an appropriate detachable part can be confirmed depending on whether or not the lid unit 640 is closed. Therefore, it becomes possible to realize a more user-friendly printer 10. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first ribs 581K, 581C, 581M, and 581Y and the second ribs 582C, 582M, and 582Y (convex portions) are provided in each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. ), And the lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 connected to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are connected to the first rib so that the lid units are closed. The first cutout portions 617, 627, 637, and 647 and the second cutout portions 628, 638, and 648 are provided for preventing the lid unit from interfering. Even if the black developing device 51 is inserted into any of the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, the first cutout portion prevents the lid units 610, 620, 630, 640 from interfering with each other. The lid unit was closed. On the other hand, only when the cyan developing device 52 is inserted into the detachable portion 50b, the first cutout portion 627 and the second cutout portion 628 prevent the lid unit 620 from interfering with the lid unit 620, and the magenta developing device is closed. Only when 53 is inserted into the detachable portion 50c, the first cutout portion 637 and the second cutout portion 638 prevent the lid unit 630 from interfering, the lid unit 630 is closed, and the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the detachable portion 50d. Only when it is inserted into the lid unit 640, the first cutout portion 647 and the second cutout portion 648 prevent the lid unit 640 from interfering with each other, and the lid unit 640 is closed.
However, it is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 may be provided with notches, and the lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 may be provided with first ribs.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, among the four attaching / detaching parts 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, an attaching / detaching part 50 b corresponding to the cyan developing unit 52 and an attaching / detaching part corresponding to the magenta developing unit 53 are included. 50c, and an attaching / detaching portion 50d corresponding to the yellow developing device 54, and the first ribs 581K, 581C, 581M, and 581Y are provided at different positions in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54, respectively. It was decided that Further, the lid units 610, 620, 630, and 640 connected to the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d prevent the lid unit from interfering with the first rib 581K provided in the black developing device 51. Are provided with first notches 617, 627, 637 and 647, and lid units 620, 630 and 640 connected to the detachable portions 50b, 50c and 50d include a cyan developing device 52 and a magenta developing device. 53 and second notches 628, 638, 648 for preventing the lid unit from interfering with the first ribs 581C, 581M, 581Y provided in the yellow developing unit 54. . However, it is not limited to the above configuration.
However, in the case of the above configuration, the black developing device 51 can be more securely attached to the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, and the cyan developing device 52, the magenta developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54. Can be more reliably attached only to a predetermined attaching / detaching portion. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the cyan developing unit 52, the magenta developing unit 53, and the yellow developing unit 54 has the same position as the first rib 581K provided in the black developing unit 51. The second ribs 582C, 582M, and 582Y are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the cyan developing unit 52, the magenta developing unit 53, and the yellow developing unit 54 may not include the second rib.
However, when the second ribs are not provided and the first ribs 581C, 581M, and 581Y are arranged at positions close to each other, the lid units may be moved due to a shift or the like when the lid units 620, 630, and 640 are closed. The developing device may be mounted incorrectly without interfering with the first rib. On the other hand, when the cyan developing device 52, the magenta developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54 are provided with the second ribs 582C, 582M, and 582Y, the second ribs 582C, 582M, Since the distance between 582Y and the first ribs 581C, 581M, and 581K arranged at different positions is different, the developer is erroneously mounted even if the lid units 620, 630, and 640 are displaced when they are closed. This can be effectively prevented. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the cover unit 640 (610, 620, 630) is connected with the attaching / detaching part 50d (50a, 50b, 50c), and the connection part 644 (614, 624, 634). ) And can be opened and closed with the connecting portion as a fulcrum. The distance X1 between the connecting portion 644 (624, 634) and the first notch portion 647 (627, 637) is the same as the connecting portion 644 (624, 634). Although it was decided that it was larger than distance X2 with the 2nd notch part 648 (628, 638), it is not limited to this. For example, the distance X1 may be smaller than the distance X2.
However, when the developing devices 52, 53, and 54 are erroneously inserted into an attaching / detaching portion other than the predetermined attaching / detaching portion, for example, when the cyan developing device 52 is erroneously inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the lid unit 640 is provided with the first rib. Interfering with 581C. If the lid unit 640 is closed in a state where the lid unit 640 interferes with the first rib 581C, a load acts on the periphery of the connecting portion 644. If this load is large, the lid unit 640 may be damaged. is there. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the load acting on the periphery of the connecting portion 644 when the developing devices 52, 53, and 54 are erroneously inserted into the detachable portion. Therefore, when the distance X1 is greater than the distance X2, compared with the case where the distance X1 is smaller than the distance X2, it acts on the periphery of the connecting portion 644 when the developing devices 52, 53, and 54 are erroneously inserted into the detachable portion. It is possible to reduce the load applied. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the lid unit 640 (610, 620, 630) is locked to the developing device 54 (51, 52, 53) at the locking position when closed. The distance Y1 between the locking position and the first notch 647 (627, 637) is smaller than the distance Y2 between the locking position and the second notch 648 (628, 638). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the distance Y1 may be larger than the distance Y2.
However, when the developing devices 52, 53, and 54 are erroneously inserted into an attaching / detaching portion other than the predetermined attaching / detaching portion, for example, when the cyan developing device 52 is erroneously inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the lid unit 640 is the first. When interfering with the rib 581C, a gap is generated between the engaging portion 642a of the latch 642 and the side wall 580C. The gap when the distance Y1 is smaller than the distance Y2 is larger than the gap when the distance Y1 is larger than the distance Y2. This is because the lid unit 640 elastically deforms when the lid unit 640 interferes with the first rib 581C, and therefore the amount of deformation increases as the distance from the position where the engaging portion 642a interferes. Therefore, when the gap is large, that is, when the distance Y1 is smaller than the distance Y2, erroneous engagement of the latch 642 with respect to the side wall 580C can be effectively prevented. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the developer container is a developing roller 510 (developer carrier) for carrying toner for developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the developer container may be a cartridge that does not include the developing roller 510 and that stores toner supplied to the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54.
However, the toner may be removed from the attaching / detaching portion when the amount of toner contained becomes small or the developing roller 510 is worn. Therefore, when the developer container is the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54, the frequency of mounting the developer container is higher than that when the developer container is a cartridge. In such a case, the effect of the present embodiment, that is, the effect that the user-friendly printer 10 can be realized is more effectively achieved. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the developer of one color is black toner (black developer), but is not limited to this. For example, the developer of one color may be any one of cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner. In such a case, the printer 10 forms a monocolor image.
However, the frequency of forming a monochrome image using black toner is higher than that of forming a monocolor image. Therefore, when the black developing device 51 containing black toner can be attached to the four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, a large amount of monochrome images can be formed, and the more user-friendly printer 10 can be realized. It becomes possible. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 10, an input device 708, and a reading device 710.

  In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 10, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, an example in which the printer 10 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include the computer 702 and the printer 10, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 10 may have a part of each function or mechanism of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 10 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components when the printer is used as a color printer. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components when the printer is used as a monochrome printer. It is a conceptual diagram of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing device. FIG. 5A shows a home position (hereinafter referred to as “HP position”) which is a standby position when waiting for execution of image formation and is also a stop position serving as a reference position in the rotation direction of the developing device holding unit 50. 5B shows a connector attaching / detaching position where the developing device side connector 54b of the yellow developing device 54 attached to the developing device holding unit 50 and the device main body side connector 34 provided on the device main body side face each other, and FIG. The attachment / detachment positions of the yellow developing device 54 are shown. FIG. 6A is a diagram related to a separation position. FIG. 6B is a diagram related to the contact position. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit 100. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are respectively attached to an attaching / detaching portion. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a black developing device 51 is attached to four attachment / detachment portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. It is the figure which looked at the lid unit 640 from the front. It is the figure which looked at lid unit 640 from the back. It is the figure which showed the state which the cover unit 640 opened. It is the figure which showed the state in the middle of rotating the cover unit 640 in order to close. It is the figure which showed the state which the cover unit 640 closed. When the cyan developing device 52 is inserted into the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the developing device cover 641 is not closed. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 printer, 20 photoconductor, 30 charging unit, 40 exposure unit,
50 Developer holding unit, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Detachable part, 50e Rotating shaft,
51 Black developer, 52 Cyan developer, 53 Magenta developer,
54 Yellow developing unit, 57K, 57M, 57C, 57Y Hinge,
60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member, 75 cleaning unit,
76 Cleaning blade, 80 Secondary transfer unit, 90 Fixing unit,
92 paper feed tray, 94 paper feed roller, 95 display unit, 96 registration roller,
100 control unit, 101 controller unit, 102 unit control unit,
112 interface, 113 image memory, 114 controller side memory,
114a EEPROM, 114b RAM, 120 CPU,
121 serial interface (I / F), 122 main unit side memory,
123 input / output port, 510 developing roller, 520 seal member,
524 seal urging member, 530 toner accommodating portion, 540 housing,
550 toner supply roller, 560 regulating blade, 560a rubber part,
560b rubber support, 570 blade backing member, 572 opening,
580K, 580C, 580M, 580Y side wall,
581K, 581C, 581M, 581Y first rib,
582C, 582M, 582Y second rib,
590K, 590C, 590M, 590Y Handle,
610, 620, 630, 640 lid unit,
611, 621, 631, 641 Developer unit cover,
612, 622, 632, 642 latch,
613, 623, 633, 643 operation buttons,
614, 624, 634, 644 connecting part,
617, 627, 637, 647 first notch,
618, 628, 638, 648, second notch,
700 image forming system, 702 computer, 704 display device,
708 input device, 708A keyboard, 708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device, 710B CD-ROM drive device,
802 Internal memory, 804 Hard disk drive unit

Claims (11)

An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A plurality of detachable portions to which a developer container for containing a developer to be used for developing the latent image can be attached;
A developer container containing a developer of one color can be attached to all of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions, and a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is A container mounting mechanism that can be mounted only on a predetermined detachable portion of the detachable portions;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The container mounting mechanism is
An openable / closable lid unit that is connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions and is attached to the attachment / detachment portion by closing.
And
Even if the developer container containing the developer of the one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the plurality of detachable portions, the lid unit is closed,
The image is characterized in that the lid unit is closed only when a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is inserted into the predetermined detachable portion of the plurality of detachable portions. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
Each of the developer container containing the developer of the one color and the developer container containing the developer of a color other than the plurality of colors is provided with a convex portion.
In the lid unit connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions,
A notch for preventing the lid unit from interfering with the convex portion so that the lid unit is closed;
Is provided,
Even if the developer container containing the developer of the one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the detachable portions, the interference is prevented by the notch portions, and the lid unit is Close,
The interference is prevented by the notch portion only when a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is inserted into the predetermined detachable portion of the plurality of detachable portions. An image forming apparatus, wherein the lid unit is closed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
Among the plurality of attaching / detaching portions,
A detachable portion corresponding to each of a plurality of developer containers in which a developer of a color other than the one color is accommodated,
Is included,
Each of the developer container that contains the developer of one color and the developer container that contains a plurality of developers other than the one color has the convex portions at different positions. Provided,
In the lid unit connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions,
A first cutout portion for preventing interference with the convex portion provided in the developer container in which the developer of one color is accommodated, of the lid unit;
Is provided,
The lid unit connected to the detachable portion corresponding to the developer container in which the developer other than the one color is accommodated,
A second cutout portion for preventing interference of the lid unit with the convex portion provided in the developer container,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
Each of the plurality of developer containers that store a developer of a color other than the one color includes the convex portion provided on the developer container that stores the developer of the one color. An image forming apparatus comprising a second convex portion at the same position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
The lid unit includes a connecting portion connected to the detachable portion, and can be opened and closed with the connecting portion as a fulcrum.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a distance between the connecting portion and the first cutout portion is larger than a distance between the connecting portion and the second cutout portion. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The lid unit is locked at the locking position to the developer container when closed.
The distance between the locking position and the first cutout is smaller than the distance between the locking position and the second cutout. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the developer container is a developing device provided with a developer carrier for carrying a developer used for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer of one color is a black developer. An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A plurality of detachable portions to which a developer container for containing a developer to be used for developing the latent image can be attached;
A developer container containing a developer of one color can be attached to all of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions, and a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is A container mounting mechanism that can be mounted only on a predetermined detachable portion of the detachable portions;
Have
The container mounting mechanism is
An openable / closable lid unit that is connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions and is attached to the attachment / detachment portion by closing.
And
Even if the developer container containing the developer of the one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the plurality of detachable portions, the lid unit is closed,
The lid unit is closed only when the developer container in which the developer of a color other than the one color is accommodated is inserted into the predetermined detachable portion of the plurality of detachable portions,
Each of the developer container containing the developer of the one color and the developer container containing the developer of a color other than the plurality of colors is provided with a convex portion.
In the lid unit connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions,
A notch for preventing the lid unit from interfering with the convex portion so that the lid unit is closed;
Is provided,
Even if the developer container containing the developer of the one color is inserted into any of the detachable portions of the detachable portions, the interference is prevented by the notch portions, and the lid unit is Close,
The interference is prevented by the notch portion only when a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is inserted into the predetermined detachable portion of the plurality of detachable portions. The lid unit is closed,
Among the plurality of attaching / detaching portions,
A detachable portion corresponding to each of a plurality of developer containers in which a developer of a color other than the one color is accommodated,
Is included,
Each of the developer container that contains the developer of one color and the developer container that contains a plurality of developers other than the one color has the convex portions at different positions. Provided,
In the lid unit connected to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment portions,
A first cutout portion for preventing interference with the convex portion provided in the developer container in which the developer of one color is accommodated, of the lid unit;
Is provided,
The lid unit connected to the detachable portion corresponding to the developer container in which the developer other than the one color is accommodated,
A second cutout portion for preventing interference of the lid unit with the convex portion provided in the developer container,
Is provided,
Each of the plurality of developer containers that store a developer of a color other than the one color includes the convex portion provided on the developer container that stores the developer of the one color. A second convex portion is provided at the same position,
The lid unit includes a connecting portion connected to the detachable portion, and can be opened and closed with the connecting portion as a fulcrum.
The distance between the connecting part and the first notch part is greater than the distance between the connecting part and the second notch part,
The lid unit is locked at the locking position to the developer container when closed.
The distance between the locking position and the first notch is smaller than the distance between the locking position and the second notch,
The developer container is a developing device including a developer carrier for carrying a developer used for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer of one color is a black developer. A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer,
An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A plurality of detachable portions to which a developer container for containing a developer to be used for developing the latent image can be attached;
A developer container containing a developer of one color can be attached to all of the plurality of attaching / detaching portions, and a developer container containing a developer of a color other than the one color is A container mounting mechanism that can be mounted only on a predetermined detachable portion of the detachable portions;
An image forming apparatus having
An image forming system comprising: