IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes (i) a developing unit including a storage frame having a receiving opening, (ii) a toner cartridge including a toner frame having a discharge opening, and a toner shutter movable between a closed position to cover the discharge opening and an open position to expose the discharge opening, the toner cartridge being movable relative to the storage frame between a mounting position at which the discharge opening faces the receiving opening and a retreat position at which the toner cartridge is moved from the mounting position, and (iii) a moving device configured to move the toner cartridge from the mounting position toward the retreat position. The moving device includes a contact member configured to contact the toner cartridge, and, while the toner cartridge is moving from the retreat position to the mounting position, the contact member is separated from the toner shutter.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit including a developing roller, and a storage frame that includes a receiving opening and a storage chamber configured to contain toner to be supplied to the developing roller; an apparatus body accommodating the developing unit; a toner cartridge detachably attached to the developing unit, the toner cartridge including a toner frame that contains toner to be supplied to the developing unit and that has a discharge opening, and a toner shutter movable between a closed position at which the discharge opening is covered and an open position at which the discharge opening is exposed, wherein the toner cartridge is movable relative to the storage frame between a mounting position at which the discharge opening faces the receiving opening and a retreat position at which the toner cartridge is moved from the mounting position, and at least part of the toner cartridge is positioned outside of the apparatus body when the toner cartridge is at the retreat position; a moving device including a contact member configured to contact the toner cartridge, the moving device being configured to move the toner cartridge from the mounting position toward the retreat position; and a drive device including a drive source configured to drive the contact member, wherein the toner shutter is configured to move from the open position to the closed position as a result of movement of the toner cartridge from the mounting position toward the retreat position, and while the toner cartridge is moving from the retreat position to the mounting position, the contact member is separated from the toner shutter.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is a tray to which the toner cartridge is removably mounted, and the tray is movable between a storage position at which the toner cartridge is positioned at the mounting position and an eject position at which the toner cartridge is positioned at the retreat position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the toner frame includes a grip portion, and the grip portion is exposed from the tray in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the tray.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is a rotating member configured to contact the toner cartridge, and the rotating member is disposed outside of a trajectory along which the toner shutter passes when the toner cartridge moves from the retreat position to the mounting position.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a position of the rotating member does not overlap a position of the toner shutter in a longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an opener configured to move the toner shutter from the closed position toward the open position.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the developing unit includes the opener.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit includes a developing shutter configured to cover the receiving opening, and the toner cartridge is configured to contact the developing shutter to move the developing shutter such that the receiving opening is exposed.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary supporting the developing unit and capable of rotating.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the rotary, the receiving opening is closer to an outer edge of the rotary than the rotation axis of the rotary, and the discharge opening is closer to the outer edge of the rotary than the rotation axis of the rotary.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving device is configured to move the toner cartridge from the retreat position toward the mounting position.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a moving direction of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge moves from the mounting position to the retreat position crosses a longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a developing unit, a toner cartridge, and a tray according to the first embodiment.

[0010] FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0012] FIGS. 6A to 6C are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0013] FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a view that illustrates the rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates the rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a view that illustrates the rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0017] FIGS. 11A and 11B are views that illustrate a configuration related to movement of the tray according to the first embodiment.

[0018] FIGS. 12A and 12B are views that illustrate the configuration related to movement of the tray according to the first embodiment.

[0019] FIGS. 13A and 13B are views that illustrate a configuration related to a drive system of the tray according to the first embodiment.

[0020] FIGS. 14A and 14B are views that illustrate the configuration related to the drive system of the tray according to the first embodiment.

[0021] FIGS. 15A and 15B are perspective views of a stepped gear according to the first embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a lock member according to the first embodiment.

[0023] FIGS. 17A and 17B are views that illustrate a configuration related to a lock mechanism of the rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0024] FIGS. 18A and 18B are views that illustrate the configuration related to the lock mechanism of the rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0025] FIGS. 19A to 19D are perspective views of a drive rack according to the first embodiment.

[0026] FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views of a configuration related to holding of the drive rack according to the first embodiment.

[0027] FIGS. 21A and 21B are perspective views of the rotary body according to the first embodiment.

[0028] FIGS. 22A to 22D are views that illustrate a configuration related to regulation of a gear clearance according to the first embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 23 is a view that illustrates the configuration related to regulation of the gear clearance according to the first embodiment.

[0030] FIGS. 24A and 24B are views that illustrate a configuration of an idle gear according to the first embodiment.

[0031] FIGS. 25A to 25E are views that illustrate a configuration related to detection of tray pushing action according to the first embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 26 is a view that shows the internal structure of a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 27 is a sectional view that shows the internal structure of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0034] FIGS. 28A and 28B are sectional views of the toner cartridge and the developing unit according to the first embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 29 is a sectional view of a rotary assembly according to the first embodiment.

[0036] FIGS. 30A and 30B are views that show the configuration of a covers and a connecting portion according to the first embodiment.

[0037] FIGS. 31A and 31B are views that show the configuration of the covers and the connecting portion according to the first embodiment.

[0038] FIGS. 32A and 32B are sectional views of the developing unit according to the first embodiment.

[0039] FIGS. 33A to 33C are views that show a rotary holder according to the first embodiment.

[0040] FIGS. 34A to 34C are views that show the relationship between the rotation of the rotary body and the movement of a protrusion relative to the rotary holder according to the first embodiment.

[0041] FIGS. 35A and 35B are perspective views of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 36 is a view that shows the toner cartridge when viewed in a transverse direction according to the first embodiment.

[0043] FIGS. 37A and 37B are views that illustrate a toner shutter and a shutter drive unit according to the first embodiment.

[0044] FIGS. 38A to 38C are views that illustrate the toner shutter and the shutter drive unit according to the first embodiment.

[0045] FIGS. 39A to 39D are views that illustrate the toner shutter and the shutter drive unit according to the first embodiment.

[0046] FIGS. 40A and 40B are views that illustrate a modification of a grip portion of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0047] FIGS. 41A and 41B are views that illustrate a modification of the grip portion of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0048] FIGS. 42A and 42B are views that illustrate a modification of the grip portion of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the developing unit according to the first embodiment.

[0050] FIGS. 44A to 44D are views that illustrate the movement of a developing shutter according to the first embodiment.

[0051] FIGS. 45A to 45C are views that illustrate the movement of the developing shutter according to the first embodiment.

[0052] FIGS. 46A and 46B are views that illustrate the movement of the developing shutter according to the first embodiment.

[0053] FIGS. 47A and 47B are views that illustrate the position of the developing shutter at a closed position according to the first embodiment.

[0054] FIGS. 48A and 48B are views that show the relationship between the developing shutter at an open position, the toner shutter at an open position, and a photoconductor drum according to the first embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 49 is a view that illustrates the engagement of a positioned portion of the toner cartridge with a positioning portion of the developing unit according to the first embodiment.

[0056] FIGS. 50A to 50C are views that illustrate the engagement of the positioned portion of the toner cartridge with the positioning portion of the developing unit according to the first embodiment.

[0057] FIGS. 51A to 51D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where the positioned portion of the toner cartridge and the positioning portion of the developing unit start to engage according to the first embodiment.

[0058] FIGS. 52A to 52D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where an adjustment protrusion has passed through an adjustment portion according to the first embodiment.

[0059] FIGS. 53A to 53D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where a stopper is released by a release portion according to the first embodiment.

[0060] FIGS. 54A to 54D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where gear teeth have passed through an opener and the toner shutter is positioned at the open position according to the first embodiment.

[0061] FIGS. 55A to 55D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where the opener is in contact with a shutter holder according to the first embodiment.

[0062] FIGS. 56A to 56D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where the developing shutter is at the open position according to the first embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 57 is a view that shows the rotary assembly in the state where the toner cartridge is at a mounting position according to the first embodiment.

[0064] FIGS. 58A and 58B are perspective views of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 59 is a view that shows the toner cartridge when viewed in a transverse direction according to the second embodiment.

[0066] FIGS. 60A and 60B are views that illustrate a toner shutter and a shutter drive unit according to the second embodiment.

[0067] FIGS. 61A to 61C are views that illustrate the toner shutter and the shutter drive unit according to the second embodiment.

[0068] FIGS. 62A to 62D are views that illustrate the toner shutter and the shutter drive unit according to the second embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a developing unit according to the second embodiment.

[0070] FIGS. 64A and 64B are perspective views that show an opener unit according to the second embodiment.

[0071] FIGS. 65A and 65B are sectional views that show the arrangement of the opener unit according to the second embodiment.

[0072] FIG. 66 is a view that illustrates the engagement of a positioned portion of the toner cartridge with a positioning portion of the developing unit according to the second embodiment.

[0073] FIGS. 67A to 67D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where the positioned portion of the toner cartridge and the positioning portion of the developing unit start to engage according to the second embodiment.

[0074] FIGS. 68A to 68D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where an adjustment protrusion has passed through an adjustment portion according to the second embodiment.

[0075] FIGS. 69A to 69D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where a stopper is released by a release portion according to the second embodiment.

[0076] FIGS. 70A to 70D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where gear teeth have passed through the opener and the toner shutter is at the open position according to the second embodiment.

[0077] FIGS. 71A to 71D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where the opener is in contact with a shutter holder according to the second embodiment.

[0078] FIGS. 72A to 72D are views that illustrate the developing shutter and the toner shutter in the state where the developing shutter is at the open position according to the second embodiment.

[0079] FIG. 73 is a view that shows the rotary assembly in the state where the toner cartridge is at a mounting position according to the second embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 74 is a view that illustrates a configuration related to movement of a tray according to a third embodiment.

[0081] FIGS. 75A to 75C are views that illustrate a configuration related to movement of the tray according to the third embodiment.

[0082] FIGS. 76A and 76B are views that illustrate a configuration related to movement of a tray according to a fourth embodiment.

[0083] FIGS. 77A and 77B are diagrams that illustrate a configuration related to a moving device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0084] FIGS. 78A and 78B are views that illustrate the configuration related to the moving device according to the fifth embodiment.

[0085] FIGS. 79A to 79C are views that illustrate the configuration related to the moving device according to the fifth embodiment.

[0086] FIG. 80 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

[0087] FIGS. 81A to 81C are views that illustrate a configuration to seal a discharge opening of a toner cartridge according to a modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0088] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment

[0089] An image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12B.

[0090] In the following description and drawings, a vertical direction in a case where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal plane is defined as Z direction. A direction that crosses the Z direction and that is a direction of a rotation axis 90C of a rotary body 90 (described later) (a rotation axis direction of a rotary) is defined as Y direction. A direction that crosses both the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as X direction. The X direction and the Y direction can be a horizontal direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction can be orthogonal to each other. As needed, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in the drawings are referred to as +X side, +Y side, and +Z side, and their opposite sides are referred to as X side, Y side, and Z side.

Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

[0091] Initially, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is a laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S by using an electrophotographic method. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color laser beam printer including four developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k. Various sheet materials of different sizes and materials, including paper, such as plain paper and thick paper, plastic film, cloth, sheet materials with surface treatment like coated paper, and special-shaped sheet materials, such as envelopes and index paper, can be used as the sheet S that is a recording material (recording medium).

[0092] The schematic configuration and image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that shows the sectional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a drive source of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual view that shows a configuration for supplying toner from a toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus body (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus body) 1A, and toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k detachably attached to the apparatus body 1A. The apparatus body 1A of the present embodiment is a portion excluding the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0094] The apparatus body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 includes an electrophotographic photoconductor (hereinafter, photoconductor drum) 2 having a drum shape (cylindrical shape) as an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image. A charge roller 3, a scanner 4 serving as an exposure device, and a cleaning unit 6 are disposed around the photoconductor drum 2.

[0095] The charge roller 3 is an example of a charging device or charging unit for uniformly charging the photoconductor drum 2. The scanner 4 is an example of an exposure device or exposure unit that performs exposure by irradiating the photoconductor drum 2 with laser beam according to image information. By irradiating the photoconductor drum 2 with a laser beam, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 2. The cleaning unit 6 is an example of a cleaning device or cleaning portion for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 2.

[0096] The apparatus body 1A includes a sheet storage chamber 300, a pick-up roller 310, a feed roller 311, a separation roller 312, a conveyance roller pair 320, a secondary transfer roller 12, a fuser unit 40, and an intermediate transfer unit 10. The pick-up roller 310 is an example of a sheet feeding device or sheet feeding unit that feeds sheets S. The feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 are an example of a separation conveying unit that conveys a sheet S while separating the sheet S one by one by friction. The secondary transfer roller 12 is an example of a transfer device or transfer unit that transfers an image from an intermediate transfer belt 10a to the sheet S.

[0097] The intermediate transfer unit 10 includes the intermediate transfer belt 10a, a belt drive roller 10b, a tension roller 10c, a cleaning device 13, and a primary transfer roller 11. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is an example of an intermediate transfer member that carries an image transferred (primary transfer) from the photoconductor drum 2 and conveys the image for transferring (secondary transfer) the image to the sheet S. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is stretched between the belt drive roller 10b and the tension roller 10c. The belt drive roller 10b is a drive member that conveys the intermediate transfer belt 10a by being rotationally driven by a drive source.

[0098] The apparatus body 1A includes the rotary body (a rotary, a rotating member, and a developing device) 90 with the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, trays (support members) 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k are attached to the rotary body 90. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k are removably mounted to the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k.

[0099] In the following description, a plurality of members and the like having similar functions can be distinguished from each other by assigning numerals. For example, one of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k can be called a first toner cartridge, one of the remaining three can be called a second toner cartridge, one of the remaining two can be called a third toner cartridge, and the last one can be called a fourth toner cartridge. Similarly, one of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k can be called a first tray, one of the remaining three can be called a second tray, one of the remaining two can be called a third tray, and the last one can be called a fourth tray. In other words, one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a first support member, another one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a second support member, yet another one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a third support member, and the last one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a fourth support member. Numbering is used for the sake of convenience of description and can generally be interchanged as needed.

[0100] The developing units (the first to fourth developing units) 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k are examples of a developing device or developing portion that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 2 into a toner image using toner of the corresponding color. Each of the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 2 using yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, or black toner. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 has a first developer, a second developer, a third developer, and a fourth developer with different colors. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k may be arranged in a different order from the order shown in FIG. 1.

[0101] The developing unit 50y includes a developing roller 51y, a supply roller 52y, and a developing blade. The developing roller 51y is a developer carrier that rotates while carrying toner as a developer and supplies the toner to the photoconductor drum 2. The supply roller 52y is a supply member that is disposed so as to contact the developing roller 51y and that supplies toner to the developing roller 51y. The developing blade is a regulating member that regulates the thickness of a toner layer carried on the developing roller 51y. The other developing units 50m, 50c, 50k also include similar developing rollers 51m, 51c, 51k, supply rollers 52m, 52c, 52k, and developing blades, respectively.

[0102] The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k corresponding to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k are mounted to the rotary body 90. Yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner are respectively contained in the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k as toners to be supplied to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k. One of the four-color toners is called first toner, one of the remaining three-color toners is called second toner, one of the remaining two-color toners is called third toner, and the last toner is called fourth toner. For example, black toner is an example of the first toner, and magenta toner is an example of the second toner. Numbering is used for the sake of convenience of description and can generally be interchanged as needed.

[0103] Here, the rotary body 90 includes a rotary frame 90f that supports the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k are supported by the rotary frame 90f that is a rotatable rotation support member.

[0104] The trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k are attached to the rotary body 90. A combination of the rotary body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k can be referred to as a rotary unit 90U. In other words, the rotary unit 90U includes the rotary body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k.

[0105] The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are detachably held by the trays 80y to 80k, respectively. As will be described later, the trays 80y to 80k are supported so as to be slidable to the outside of the rotary body 90. A combination of the rotary unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k can be referred to as a rotary assembly 90A. In other words, the rotary assembly 90A includes the rotary unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k.

[0106] As will be described later, the rotary body 90 is rotatable around the rotation axis (rotation center) 90C. The rotation axis 90C coincides with the rotation axes of the rotary frame 90F, the rotary unit 90U, and the rotary assembly 90A. The rotation axis 90C is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (rotation center) of the photoconductor drum 2.

[0107] When the rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C, any one of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, 51k can take a development posture to face the photoconductor drum 2. The posture in which the developing roller 51y faces the photoconductor drum 2 is called a yellow development posture. The posture in which the developing roller 51m faces the photoconductor drum 2 is called a magenta development posture. The posture in which the developing roller 51c faces the photoconductor drum 2 is called a cyan development posture. The posture in which the developing roller 51k faces the photoconductor drum 2 is called a black development posture. In other words, the rotary body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C so that the positions of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, 51k relative to the photoconductor drum 2 change. The black development posture is an example of a first development posture in which a first developing roller (developing roller 51k) faces the photoconductor drum 2. The other development postures are examples of a second development posture in which a second developing roller (any one of the developing rollers 51y to 51c) faces the photoconductor drum 2. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black development postures may also be referred to as first to fourth development postures. Numbering is used for the sake of convenience of description and can generally be interchanged as needed.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus body 1A includes motors M1, M2, M3 as drive sources. As will be described later, the motor M1 supplies driving force for rotating the rotary body 90 around the rotation axis 90C. In other words, the motor M1 rotates the rotary assembly 90A and the rotary unit 90U around the rotation axis 90C. The motors M1, M2, M3 are examples of the drive sources that operate upon receiving electric power.

[0109] The apparatus body 1A includes a drive device 98 including the motor M2 and a transmission device. The transmission device includes drive racks 15R, 15L serving as drive gears (described later), and a transmitting unit 15t. The driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the drive racks 15R, 15L by the transmitting unit 15t. In other words, the motor M2 is configured to drive the drive racks 15R, 15L and moves the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k relative to the rotary body 90 through the drive racks 15R, 15L.

[0110] The motor M3 drives members other than the members driven by the motor M1 or the motor M2. For example, the motor M3 drives the photoconductor drum 2, the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k, the pick-up roller 310, the feed roller 311, the conveyance roller pair 320, the secondary transfer roller 12, the belt drive roller 10b, and the fuser unit 40.

[0111] The members driven by the motors M1, M2, M3 can be changed as needed. The roles of any two or three of the motors M1, M2, M3 may be consolidated into a single motor. On the other hand, another drive source other than the motors M1, M2, M3 may be added.

[0112] The apparatus body 1A includes a control unit 30 as a controller for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 30 includes a CPU that runs programs, and a storage unit such as a ROM and a RAM. The CPU reads and runs the programs stored in the storage unit to control the operation of actuators, that is, the motors M1, M2, M3, provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit includes a non-volatile storage medium and a volatile storage medium, serves as a storage location for programs and data, and also serves as a workspace for the CPU to run programs. The functions of the control unit 30 described below may be implemented in a circuit within the control unit 30 as independent hardware, such as an ASIC.

[0113] The suffixes y, m, c, and k of the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k, and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k each indicate the color of toner. The basic configurations and functions of the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k are common. The basic configurations and functions of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k are common. The basic configurations and functions of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k are common. Therefore, when the units, cartridges, or trays do not need to be distinguished from one another, the suffixes y, m, c, and k are omitted, and the units, cartridges, or trays will be described on the assumption that there is any one of the four units, cartridges, or trays. When the four units, cartridges, or trays are distinguished from one another, they will be described on the assumption that each of them is one of the four units, cartridges, or trays corresponding to the suffix y, m, c, or k.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 70 includes a toner frame 71. The toner frame 71 has a toner storage chamber 71a that contains toner, and a discharge opening 71b that communicates with the toner storage chamber 71a.

[0115] The developing unit 50 has a developing frame (storage frame) 53. The developing frame 53 includes a developing-side storage chamber 53a and a receiving opening (inlet opening) 53b that communicates with the developing-side storage chamber (toner supply chamber) 53a. That is, the rotary body 90 includes a developing frame 53y, a developing frame 53m, a developing frame 53c, and a developing frame 53k. In other words, the rotary body 90 includes a first developing chamber, a second developing chamber, a third developing chamber, and a fourth developing chamber. As described earlier, the developing unit 50 includes the developing roller 51, the supply roller 52, and the like; however, these components are omitted in FIG. 3.

[0116] The developing roller 51k of the developing unit 50k is an example of the first developing roller. The developing roller 51m of the developing unit 50m is an example of the second developing roller. The developing frame 53k of the developing unit 50k (FIG. 4A) with the developing-side storage chamber 53a is an example of a first storage frame having a first storage chamber. The developing frame 53m of the developing unit 50m (FIG. 4A) with the developing-side storage chamber 53a is an example of a second storage frame having a second storage chamber. The rotary body 90 is an example of a rotatable rotary including the first developing roller, the second developing roller, the first storage frame having the first storage chamber, and the second storage frame having the second storage chamber. In the present embodiment, the rotary body 90 includes first to fourth developing rollers and first to fourth storage frames.

[0117] As will be described later, the toner cartridge 70 is movable relative to the developing frame 53 between a mounting position and a position different from the mounting position. In embodiments, the position different from the mounting position may define a retreat position. Alternatively, the retreat position may be considered a non-mounted/unmounted position, an eject position, or a retrieval position. In embodiments, the toner cartridge is movable from the mounting position to the retreat position and/or from the retreat position to the mounting position. The discharge opening 71b faces the receiving opening 53b in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is at the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53. In other words, the toner storage chamber 71a of the toner cartridge 70 and the developing-side storage chamber 53a of the developing unit 50 communicate with each other via the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b. When toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50, at least part of the receiving opening 53b is positioned below at least part of the discharge opening 71b.

[0118] Then, toner contained in the toner storage chamber 71a is discharged from the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is put into the developing-side storage chamber 53a through the receiving opening 53b. In other words, a first developer is supplied to the first developing chamber of the rotary body 90, a second developer is supplied to the second developing chamber of the rotary body 90, a third developer is supplied to the third developing chamber of the rotary body 90, and a fourth developer is supplied to the fourth developing chamber of the rotary body 90.

[0119] The toner contained in the developing-side storage chamber 53a is supplied to the developing roller 51 by the supply roller 52. The toner contained in the toner storage chamber 71a is supplied to the developing roller 51 through this route.

[0120] The toner cartridge 70 desirably includes a seal member (first seal member) (not shown) that covers the discharge opening 71b. The developing unit 50 desirably includes a seal member (second seal member) (not shown) that covers the receiving opening 53b.

[0121] In the state where the toner cartridge 70 is not mounted to the developing unit 50, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b are desirably covered by the seal members to suppress the outflow of toner from the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b.

Image Forming Operation

[0122] The image forming operation in the present embodiment will be described. First, the photoconductor drum 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10a. Then, the surface of the photoconductor drum 2 is uniformly charged with the charge roller 3.

[0123] When forming a color image on a sheet S, the rotary body 90 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 (clockwise) while supporting the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k as described below. After that, while the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, 51k are moved to a developing position one by one, an electrophotographic process is repeatedly performed.

[0124] First, the scanner 4 applies laser beam based on image data corresponding to a yellow image to form a static latent image corresponding to the yellow image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 2. In parallel with the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the motor M1 rotates the rotary body 90 to cause the rotary body 90 to take a yellow development posture. When the rotary body 90 is in the yellow development posture, the developing roller 51y is at the developing position and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 2 by using yellow toner.

[0125] In the present embodiment, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, 51k is an elastic roller in which a metal shaft is coated with rubber. At the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, 51k develops an electrostatic latent image in a state of being in contact with the photoconductor drum 2. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment adopts a contact developing method. However, at the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, 51k may develop an electrostatic latent image in a state where there is a gap from the photoconductor drum 2. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 may adopt a noncontact developing method.

[0126] When the yellow toner image is developed, the yellow toner image on the photoconductor drum 2 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10a by the primary transfer roller 11 disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0127] After this, the rotary body 90 is rotated to move the developing rollers 51m, 51c, 51k in sequence to the developing position, and a toner image of the corresponding color is formed. In other words, after the yellow toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 takes a magenta development posture, and a magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After the magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 takes a cyan development posture, and a cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After the cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 takes a black development posture, and a black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After the black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 (clockwise) to return to the yellow development posture. The color of an image first formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is optional. For example, a black toner image may be formed first.

[0128] Then, primary transfer is repeated such that four toner images are overlaid on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, with the result that a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. The secondary transfer roller 12 and the cleaning device 13 do not contact the intermediate transfer belt 10a until a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0129] On the other hand, a sheet S is fed by the pick-up roller 310 from the sheet storage chamber 300 provided at the bottom of the apparatus body 1A. The sheets S are separated into individual sheets by the feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 and sent to the conveyance roller pair 320. The conveyance roller pair 320 sends the fed sheet S to a transfer portion (secondary transfer unit) that is a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 10a and the secondary transfer roller 12. The color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is transferred to the surface of the conveyed sheet S (secondary transfer).

[0130] The sheet S with a color image transferred is sent to the fuser unit 40. In the fuser unit 40, the sheet S is heated and pressed to fix the image onto the sheet S. The sheet S having passed through the fuser unit 40 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 as a product.

[0131] On the other hand, when forming a monochrome image on a sheet S, the rotary body 90 takes the black development posture. In this state, after an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 2 as a result of charging and exposure of the photoconductor drum 2, the electrostatic latent image is developed using black toner by the developing roller 51k positioned at the developing position. The black toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10a and then secondarily transferred to a sheet S. The subsequent processes are similar to those in the case of color images.

Rotary Configuration

[0132] The configuration of the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4A, 4B, and 5.

[0133] FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views that show the rotary body 90 of the image forming apparatus 1 and its surroundings. FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views of the apparatus, taken along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotary body 90.

[0134] As described earlier, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are detachably attachable to the rotary body 90. A user is able to supply toner to the image forming apparatus 1 by replacing the toner cartridges 70y to 70k when toner inside the toner cartridges 70y to 70k runs out.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus body 1A includes a frame 16 that accommodates the rotary body 90.

[0136] The frame 16 is a main body frame of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The frame 16 is the housing (framework) of the apparatus body 1A made up of a frame and an exterior member. The frame 16 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present embodiment.

[0137] The frame 16 has an opening (main body opening, housing opening) 16a. More specifically, the frame 16 includes a side surface 16b that expands in a direction that crosses a horizontal direction. The side surface 16b makes up at least part of a plus X-side appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A. The opening 16a is disposed at the side surface 16b. The side surface 16b is a side surface disposed downstream of an outlet of the apparatus body 1A in a discharge direction in which a sheet S with a formed image is discharged. A user is able to access the sheet storage chamber 300 from the side surface 16b side of the image forming apparatus 1 to replenish the sheet storage chamber 300 with sheets S or collect a sheet S discharged from the outlet. Therefore, the side surface 16b may be regarded as the front (front face) of the apparatus body 1A.

[0138] The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k can be attached to and detached from the rotary body 90 through the opening 16a. In other words, the toner cartridge 70k may be regarded as an example of a first toner cartridge that contains toner supplied to the first developing roller (developing roller 51k) and that can be attached to and detached from the rotary (rotary body 90) through the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A. The toner cartridge 70m may be regarded as an example of a second toner cartridge that contains toner supplied to the second developing roller (developing roller 51m) and that can be attached to and detached from the rotary (rotary body 90) through the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

[0139] In the present embodiment, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k are attached to and detached from the rotary body 90 through the opening 16a in a state of being supported by the trays 80y to 80k.

[0140] In other words, a user is able to attach and detach the toner cartridges 70y to 70k to and from the rotary body 90 via the trays 80y to 80k.

[0141] The opening 16a is disposed at the side surface 16b of the frame 16. In the present embodiment, the side surface 16b is a surface that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 70 is replaced, the toner cartridge 70 passes through the opening 16a in a direction that crosses (which can be a direction orthogonal to) the rotation axis 90C.

[0142] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a door 14 that covers the opening 16a of the frame 16. The door 14 is an opening and closing member movable between a closed position at which the opening 16a is covered (see FIG. 6A) and an open position at which the opening 16a is exposed (see FIGS. 6B and 6C).

[0143] As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be detachably attached to the rotary body 90 via the tray 80. Therefore, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably attached to and detached from the rotary body 90.

[0144] More specifically, a user is able to replace the toner cartridge 70 by performing operation to attach and detach the toner cartridge 70 to and from the tray 80 configured to be movable relative to the rotary body 90 (that is, relative to the apparatus body 1A). When the user directly replaces the toner cartridge by directly removing the toner cartridge from the apparatus body and inserting a toner cartridge to the apparatus body, the user is asked to insert the toner cartridge into the predetermined mounting position inside the apparatus body. In the present embodiment, the tray 80 is movable in the state of supporting the toner cartridge 70 so that the toner cartridge 70 moves to the mounting position. Therefore, a user is able to replace the toner cartridge 70 through easy operation, that is, by putting the toner cartridge 70 on the tray 80, so the operability improves.

[0145] The toner cartridge 70 has an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction set to the Y direction parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. In other words, the dimension of the toner cartridge 70 in the longitudinal direction is larger than the height and width in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. When the toner cartridge 70 with such an elongated shape is handled, the toner cartridge 70 can be passed through the opening 16a with a short moving distance by disposing the opening 16a at the side surface 16b of the frame 16 that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner cartridge 70. For example, replacing the toner cartridges 70 is easier compared to removing and inserting the toner cartridge 70 through an opening provided at one-side (+Y-side or Y-side) side surface of the frame 16 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70.

[0146] The rotary body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C to take a replacement posture in which removal of any one of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the rotary body 90 is allowed. The posture in which removal of the toner cartridge 70y is allowed is referred to as yellow replacement posture. The posture in which removal of the toner cartridge 70m is allowed is referred to as magenta replacement posture. The posture in which removal of the toner cartridge 70c is allowed is referred to as cyan replacement posture.

[0147] The posture in which removal of the toner cartridge 70k is allowed is referred to as black replacement posture.

[0148] The black replacement posture is an example of a first replacement posture in which removal of the first toner cartridge from the rotary body 90 is allowed. The yellow, magenta, and cyan replacement postures are examples of a second replacement posture in which removal of the second toner cartridge from the rotary body 90 is allowed. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures can also be referred to as first to fourth replacement postures. Numbering is used for the sake of convenience of description and can generally be interchanged as needed.

[0149] The rotary body 90 can sequentially take the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures by rotating clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C. In the present embodiment, the rotary body 90 can alternately switch between the development posture and the replacement posture by rotating clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C. For example, in FIG. 1, the rotary body 90 is in the black development posture. From this state, when the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise, the posture of the rotary body 90 is switched in order of cyan replacement posture, yellow development posture, black replacement posture, magenta development posture, yellow replacement posture, cyan development posture, and magenta replacement posture. When the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise from the magenta replacement posture, the rotary body 90 returns to the black development posture. In other words, the rotary body 90 can rotate more than one full rotation (360) clockwise.

[0150] FIG. 4A shows the cross section of the rotary body 90 in a development posture (specifically, in the yellow development posture). FIG. 4B shows the cross section of the rotary body 90 in a replacement posture (specifically, the black replacement posture).

[0151] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, four trays 80y to 80k are attached to the rotary body 90. The trays 80y to 80k respectively hold the toner cartridges 70y to 70k. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the trays 80y to 80k are accommodated inside the rotary body 90, and this state may be regarded as the state where the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are mounted to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k.

[0152] As described above, the toner cartridge 70 is movable relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50 between the mounting position and the retreat position moved from the mounting position. In other words, the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is movable relative to the first storage frame (developing frame 53k) between a first mounting position and a first retreat position. The second toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70m) is movable relative to the second storage frame (developing frame 53m) between a second mounting position and a second retreat position.

[0153] The discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is at the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53. In this state, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to supply toner to the developing-side storage chamber 53a through the receiving opening 53b (the opening of the storage frame).

[0154] The apparatus body 1A includes a moving device 85 configured to move the toner cartridge 70 from the mounting position to the retreat position relative to the rotary body 90 (more specifically, relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50). The moving device 85 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8 and the like. In the present embodiment, a plurality of moving devices 85y to 85k corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70y to 70k is disposed in the rotary body 90. The trays 80y to 80k may be regarded as parts of the moving devices 85y to 85k.

[0155] In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70k containing black toner has a larger size and can contain a larger amount of toner than the toner cartridges 70y to 70c respectively containing yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner. In other words, the first toner cartridge can contain a first amount of toner, and the second toner cartridge can contain a second amount of toner, so the first amount is regarded as being greater than the second amount.

[0156] Specifically, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in a first radial direction relative to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 is longer than the length of the magenta toner cartridge 70m in a second radial direction. Here, the first radial direction refers to the radial direction of the rotary body 90 (the radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis 90C) and is a direction in which the toner cartridge 70k extends relative to the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. The second radial direction is the radial direction of the rotary body 90 and is a direction in which the toner cartridge 70m extends relative to the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. Similarly, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in the first radial direction is longer than the length of the toner cartridges 70y, 70c in the radial directions corresponding to the other toner cartridges 70y, 70c.

[0157] Therefore, the tray 80k that holds the black toner cartridge 70k is larger in size than the trays 80y to 80c that hold the other toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c. In other words, the four toner cartridges 70y to 70k and trays 80y to 80k with different sizes are disposed inside the rotary body 90. In other words, the toner cartridge 70k that is an example of the first toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge 70y that is an example of the second toner cartridge smaller in size than the first toner cartridge are attachable to and detachable from the rotary body 90. In accordance with this, the rotary body 90 includes the tray 80k that is an example of the first support member supporting the first toner cartridge and the tray 80y that is an example of the second support member smaller in size than the first support member. The toner cartridges 70m, 70c that are examples of the third toner cartridge and the fourth toner cartridge smaller in size than the first toner cartridge are attachable to and detachable from the rotary body 90. In accordance with this, the rotary body 90 includes the trays 80m, 80c that are examples of the third support member and the fourth support member smaller in size than the first support member.

[0158] Here, the rotational drive of the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, disk gears 92R, 92L are respectively provided at both ends of the rotary body 90. Rotary drive gears 93R, 93L are respectively drivably connected to both ends of a pivot shaft 91. Here, the driving force of the motor M1 is transmitted to the rotary drive gear 93R by a drive transmission mechanism. Subsequently, the rotary body 90 is rotationally driven by the driving force transmitted to the disk gears 92R, 92L by the rotary drive gears 93R, 93L. The rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C clockwise in FIG. 1.

[0159] The rotary body 90 is supported so as to be pivotable about the pivot shaft 91. The rotary body 90 is urged by an urging member in a counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 4A and 4B about the pivot shaft 91. This direction may be regarded as the direction in which each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k approaches the photoconductor drum 2. As a result, in the state where the rotary body 90 is in the development posture, each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k contacts the photoconductor drum 2.

[0160] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, rotary cams 90eR, 90eL are provided at both ends of the rotary body 90. When the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 4A and 4B about the rotation axis 90C, the rotary cams 90eR, 90eL contact a roller 96 supported by the frame 16. Then, the rotary body 90 moves in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 4A and 4B about the pivot shaft 91. This direction may be regarded as a direction in which each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k moves away from the photoconductor drum 2. This direction may be regarded as a direction in which the rotary body 90 approaches the opening 16a of the frame 16 and the door 14.

[0161] Thus, when the rotary body 90 rotates to switch from the development posture to the replacement posture, the rotary body 90 pivots about the pivot shaft 91. In the state where the rotary body 90 is in the replacement posture, the developing roller 51 separates from the photoconductor drum 2.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 4B, in the black replacement posture, the toner cartridge 70k stops at a position at which the toner cartridge 70k faces the opening 16a and the door 14 both provided at the side surface 16b of the apparatus body 1A. From this state, when the tray 80k is slid from the mounting position for the developing unit 50k to the outside of the rotary body 90, a user is able to replace the toner cartridge 70k.

Replacement Operation of Toner Cartridge

[0163] The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 6A to 6C, 7A, and 7B. FIGS. 6A to 6C are outer appearance views of the apparatus body 1A. FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views around the rotary body 90 when the toner cartridge is replaced. FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views of the apparatus, taken along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90.

[0164] FIG. 6A is the outer appearance of the apparatus body 1A during image forming operation and in a standby state. During the image forming operation, the image forming apparatus 1 is performing a series of operations in which the image forming apparatus 1 feeds a sheet S, forms an image on the sheet S, and then discharges the sheet S as a product. The standby state is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 can start the image forming operation when receiving an image forming instruction (print instruction) and is a state of waiting for an image forming instruction from a user. As shown in FIG. 6A, the door 14 is in a closed state during the image forming operation and in the standby state.

[0165] FIG. 6B is the outer appearance of the apparatus body 1A when the toner cartridge is replaced. When the toner cartridge is replaced, the door 14 is placed in the open state, and the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 are moved to the outside of the apparatus body 1A.

[0166] The toner cartridge 70 is movable relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50 between the mounting position and the retreat position moved from the mounting position. The discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other as shown in FIG. 3 in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is at the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rotary body 90 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis 90C to take the development posture or the replacement posture when the toner cartridge 70 is at the mounting position.

[0167] The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described. Initially, the user instructs the control unit 30 of the apparatus body 1A to perform the toner cartridge replacement operation. The instruction for the toner cartridge replacement operation is provided by input through an operation panel (operating unit) provided, for example, on the apparatus body 1A.

[0168] When the control unit 30 receives the instruction for toner cartridge replacement operation, the rotary body 90 rotates to the replacement posture of the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced (toner-empty toner cartridge 70) and stops. In other words, the control unit 30 rotates the rotary body 90 to the replacement posture of the toner cartridge designated in the instruction for toner cartridge replacement operation (the black replacement posture for replacing the black toner cartridge 70k in FIG. 4B). In the replacement posture, the tray 80 supporting the designated toner cartridge 70 for replacement faces the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

[0169] For example, the rotary body 90 in FIG. 4A is in the yellow development posture in which the yellow developing roller 51y faces the photoconductor drum 2. At this time, the black toner cartridge 70k and the corresponding tray 80k do not need to face the opening 16a and the door 14. In other words, the toner cartridge 70 and the tray 80 do not need to face the opening 16a and the door 14 when the rotary body 90 is in a replacement posture other than the replacement posture of the toner cartridge, or a development posture. Therefore, the opening 16a just needs to have a size enough for each toner cartridge 70 to pass through individually. When the rotary body 90 rotates from the yellow development posture by a predetermined angle clockwise in the drawing, the black toner cartridge 70k and the corresponding tray 80k face the opening 16a and the door 14 as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0170] Here, the tray 80 faces the opening 16a means that the tray 80 is positioned so that the tray 80 is movable to the outside of the apparatus body 1A through the opening 16a. In other words, when the tray 80 faces the opening 16a, the tray 80 is moved to the radially outer side of the rotary body 90 by a moving mechanism (described later), with the result that the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 supported by the tray 80 can protrude to the outside of the apparatus body 1A. In FIG. 4A, none of the trays 80y to 80k are facing the opening 16a. In FIG. 4B, only the black tray 80k faces the opening 16a, while the other trays 80y to 80c do not face the opening 16a.

[0171] When the rotary body 90 is positioned in the replacement posture, the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced is moved toward the outside of the apparatus body 1A by the motor M2.

[0172] As a result, the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced moves from the mounting position to the retreat position relative to the rotary body 90. As shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C, 7A, and 7B, the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced, supported by the tray 80, protrude to the outside of the apparatus body 1A through the opening 16a.

[0173] More specifically, the tray 80 is movable relative to the rotary body 90 between a storage position and an eject position. In other words, the first tray is movable relative to the rotary body 90 between the storage position (first position) and the eject position (second position). The second tray is movable relative to the rotary body 90 between the storage position (third position) and the eject position (fourth position). The storage position is a position at which the tray 80 is stored in the rotary body 90. The eject position is a position at which the tray 80 protrudes to the outside of the rotary body 90 and the toner cartridge 70 is allowed to be removed from the tray 80 (removal position, replaceable position). Examples of the storage position include the positions of the trays 80y to 80k in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Examples of the eject position include the positions of the tray 80 in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the tray 80k in FIG. 7A, and the tray 80m in FIG. 7B.

[0174] When the tray 80 is at the storage position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is positioned inside the rotary body 90 and positioned at the mounting position. When the tray 80 is at the eject position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is positioned outside of the rotary body 90 and positioned at the retreat position.

[0175] Here, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the rotary body 90 has protrusions 95 to hold the tray 80 at the storage position and to hold the toner cartridge 70 at the mounting position. As shown in FIG. 8, the tray 80 has recesses 87 that fit the protrusions 95. FIGS. 7A and 7B show protrusions 95k, 95m corresponding to the trays 80k, 80m, and FIG. 8 shows recesses 87y, 87m of the trays 80y, 80m; however, the protrusions 95 and the recesses 87 are provided for each of the trays 80y to 80k. The protrusions 95 can be urged in a direction to engage with the recesses 87.

[0176] When the protrusions 95 fit the recesses 87 of the tray 80, the tray 80 is locked to the rotary frame 90f. This makes the tray 80 stay at the storage position even when the rotary body 90 rotates and prevents the movement of the toner cartridge 70 from the mounting position. When the tray 80 is moved between the storage position and the eject position by the moving device (described later), the protrusions 95 can be configured to be moved by the tray 80 to come off from the recesses 87.

[0177] In the present embodiment, the door 14 is pivotally supported relative to the apparatus body 1A. As shown in FIG. 7A, the door 14 is urged from the open position toward the closed position by a spring 14s. The spring 14s is, for example, a tension spring that urges the door 14 to generate moment in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 7A and 7B about a support shaft 14c of the door 14.

[0178] The tray 80 pushes the door 14 to place the door 14 in the open state (the state shown in FIG. 6B). This state can also be referred to as the state where the tray 80 is supported by the door 14. The door 14 supports at least part of the tray 80 protruding to the outside of the apparatus body 1A, with the result that the toner cartridge 70 can be further stably supported. In other words, when the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is at the first retreat position, the opening and closing member (door 14) at the open position supports the first support member (tray 80k). When the second toner cartridge (any one of the toner cartridges 70y to 70c) is at the second retreat position, the opening and closing member (door 14) at the open position supports the second support member (a corresponding one of the trays 80y to 80c).

[0179] The door 14 is configured to contact a part (for example, a lower edge 16c of the opening 16a) of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A at the open position and not to pivot downward beyond the open position. When the tray 80 is pulled back from the outside to the inside of the apparatus body 1A, the door 14 returns to the closed position due to the urging force of the spring 14s.

[0180] The toner cartridge 70 is detachably held by the tray 80. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, a user is able to perform the work for removing the toner cartridge 70 from the tray 80 and attaching a new toner cartridge 70 (replacement work). When the plurality of toner cartridges 70 is replaced, replacement work can be performed by repeating the above-described actions.

[0181] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a cross-section around the rotary body 90 when the toner cartridge is replaced.

[0182] FIG. 7A shows a state when the black toner cartridge 70k is replaced. FIG. 7B shows a state when the magenta toner cartridge 70m is replaced.

[0183] The image forming apparatus 1 includes moving devices 85y, 85m, 85c, 85k (FIG. 8) that respectively move the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k from the mounting position to the retreat position. When the moving device 85 is mentioned without a suffix, the moving device 85 ordinarily refers to any one of the moving devices 85y, 85m, 85c, 85k. In the present embodiment, it may be understood that the moving device 85 includes the tray 80. The moving device 85k including the tray 80k may be regarded as an example of a first moving device including the first support member. The moving device 85m including the tray 80m may be regarded as an example of a second moving device including the second support member.

[0184] Even when the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, the tray 80 is still connected to the rotary body 90 (supported by the rotary body 90). To easily perform operation to remove the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, the length by which the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90 at the retreat position can be long. Since the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be detachably attachable to the rotary body 90 via the tray 80, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably supported by the tray 80 even when the length by which the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90 is long.

[0185] The moving direction of the toner cartridge 70 when the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounting position to the retreat position is referred to as a retrieval direction. In the present embodiment, the retrieval direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that crosses the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the retrieval direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). The retrieval direction of the toner cartridge 70 may be regarded as a direction outward in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 (a direction away from the rotation axis 90C).

[0186] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, because the user performs operation to remove the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 can protrude from the rotary body 90 when the toner cartridge 70 is removed. In the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, the entire toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90.

[0187] When the rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C, the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 can be considered to coincide with the circumscribed circle (the imaginary circle 90V indicated by the dashed line in FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the rotary body 90 about the rotation axis 90C. When the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, a half or more of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retrieval direction can be placed outside of the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90. In other words, when viewed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary, a half or more of the total length of the toner cartridge can be positioned outside of the rotation trajectory of the rotary in the moving direction of the toner cartridge from the mounting position toward the retreat position in the state where the toner cartridge is at the retreat position. This applies to each of the toner cartridges 70 including the toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and the toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, the entire toner cartridge 70 is positioned outside of the rotation trajectory (imaginary circle 90V) of the rotary body 90.

[0188] Furthermore, to make it easier for the user to grasp the toner cartridge 70, when the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 can be positioned outside of the machine of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside of the machine of the apparatus body 1A). Here, the outside of the machine means a space outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside of the apparatus body 1A) when the image forming apparatus 1 is used in, for example, image forming operation on a sheet S or the like.

[0189] In the present embodiment, the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A is formed by the outer appearance surface of the frame 16. In other words, the outside of the machine may be regarded as the outside of the frame 16. Therefore, the state where at least part of the toner cartridge 70 is positioned outside of the machine may be regarded as the state where at least part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A toward the outside of the frame 16.

[0190] In the present embodiment, when the door 14 is at the closed position, the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A is covered by the door 14. Part of the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A is formed by the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 at the closed position. In this case, outside of the machine refers to outside of the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 at the closed position. In other words, where the position of the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 at the closed position is an outer appearance position, when the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 is positioned outside of the apparatus body 1A beyond the outer appearance position.

[0191] In other words, if the door 14 is at the closed position, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 is positioned in a space outside of the apparatus body 1A. In the retrieval direction of the toner cartridge 70, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 is positioned downstream of the outer appearance position.

[0192] Where the side surface 16b having the opening 16a is the front of the apparatus body 1A, when the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 may be regarded as protruding further to the front beyond the front-side outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A. In this case, a user is able to access the toner cartridge 70 from the front side of the image forming apparatus to easily replace the toner cartridge 70.

[0193] When the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, a half or more of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retrieval direction can be placed outside of the machine. In other words, when viewed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary, a half or more of the total length of the toner cartridge can be positioned outside of the main body frame in the moving direction of the toner cartridge from the mounting position toward the retreat position in the state where the toner cartridge is at the retreat position. This applies to each of the toner cartridges 70 including the toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and the toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. When the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, the entire toner cartridge 70 can be placed outside of the machine. In the present embodiment, the front-side outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A is formed by the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 and the side surface 16b; however, the configuration of the door 14 is not limited thereto. For example, the size of the door 14 may be a size covering the entire side surface 16b. In this case, the front-side outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A is formed by the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14

[0194] The tray 80 includes a cartridge holding portion 81 that holds the toner cartridge 70 (see FIGS. 3 and 6C). The cartridge holding portion 81 is a mounted portion to which the toner cartridge 70 is mounted. When the tray 80 is at the eject position, the entire cartridge holding portion 81 can be positioned outside of the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 in the retrieval direction. When the tray 80 is at the eject position, a half or more of the length of the cartridge holding portion 81 can be positioned outside of the machine in the retrieval direction.

[0195] As described earlier, the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k are larger in size than the other toner cartridges 70y to 70c and the other trays 80y to 80c. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the amount of movement of the tray 80 during toner cartridge replacement is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70.

[0196] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the tray 80k (first support member) moves from the storage position (first storage position) to the eject position (first eject position), the moving distance is L1. When the tray 80m (second support member) moves from the storage position to the eject position (second eject position), the moving distance is L2. FIG. 7B shows the state where the toner cartridge 70m and the tray 80m have moved, and, when the trays 80y, 80c move from the storage position to the retreat position, the moving distance is also L2. At this time, L1 is greater than L2. In other words, the moving distance of the first support member when the first toner cartridge moves from the first mounting position to the first retreat position may be regarded as being longer than the moving distance of the second support member when the second toner cartridge moves from the second mounting position to the second retreat position.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 7A, in the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position and the toner cartridge 70k is at the retreat position, the toner cartridge 70k protrudes from the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the machine by a distance P1. In the present embodiment, the tray 80k also protrudes from the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the machine by a distance P1.

[0198] As shown in FIG. 7B, in the state where the tray 80m is at the eject position and the toner cartridge 70m is at the retreat position, the toner cartridge 70m protrudes from the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the machine by a distance P2. In the present embodiment, the tray 80m also protrudes from the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the machine by a distance P2. The toner cartridges 70y, 70c also protrude from the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A to the outside of the machine by a distance P2.

[0199] The distance P1 is longer than the distance P2. In other words, the length by which the first toner cartridge at the first retreat position protrudes from the opening 16a of the apparatus body 1A is defined as a first length (P1), and the length by which the second toner cartridge at the second retreat position protrudes from the opening 16a is defined as a second length (P2). In this case, the first length may be regarded as being longer than the second length.

[0200] The smaller toner cartridges 70y to 70c as compared to the toner cartridge 70k can be beneficial in terms of strength when the distance P2 by which the toner cartridge protrudes to the outside of the machine at the retreat position is shorter than the distance P1 by which the toner cartridge 70k protrudes to the outside of the machine at the retreat position. This is due to the following reasons. When the toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, at least part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes to the outside of the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 or to the outside of the machine from the outer appearance surface of the apparatus body 1A. At this time, the tray 80 supports the weight of the toner cartridge 70 in a state of being supported by the rotary body 90 in a cantilever manner. Therefore, as the distance P2 by which the toner cartridges 70y to 70c protrude to the outside of the machine at the retreat position is reduced, the load on the trays 80y to 80c and guide portions 97 of the rotary body 90, which support the trays 80y to 80k, can be reduced. Since the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are smaller in size than the toner cartridge 70k, even when the distance P2 is made shorter than the distance P1, it is possible to maintain the operability of cartridge replacement for the trays 80y to 80c.

Tray Arrangement in Rotary

[0201] The arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90. FIG. 10 is a view of the arrangement of members on one end side of the trays 80y to 80k in the Y direction. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the rotary body 90, taken along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. The upper half of FIG. 10 is a view of the rotary body 90 and the trays 80m, 80k from the upper side (+Z side) of FIG. 8, and the lower half of FIG. 10 is a view of the rotary body 90 and the trays 80c, 80y from the right side (+X side) of FIG. 8.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 8, each of the trays 80y to 80k includes a corresponding one of the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k and a corresponding one of guided portions 82y to 82k.

[0203] The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are respectively mounted on the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k. Each of the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k stores at least part of a corresponding one of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k, mounted thereon.

[0204] Each of the guided portions 82y to 82k is provided at each end of a corresponding one of the trays 80y to 80k so as to sandwich a corresponding one of the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k in the Y direction. Each of the guided portions 82y to 82k is an elongated member extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotary body 90.

[0205] In the present embodiment, a reinforcement rib 82k1 is formed on part of the guided portion 82k in a moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, and a reinforcement rib 82m1 is formed on part of the guided portion 82m in a moving direction Dm of the tray 80m (see also FIGS. 11A and 11B). Each of the reinforcement ribs 82k1, 82m1 has an elongated rib shape (projection) extending outward from a corresponding one of the guided portions 82k, 82m provided at each end of a corresponding one of the trays 80k, 80m in the Y direction and extends in a corresponding one of the moving directions Dk, Dm of the trays 80k, 80m. With the reinforcement ribs 82k1, 82m1, the rigidity of the guided portions 82k, 82m improves.

[0206] In the present embodiment, the length of the reinforcement ribs 82m1, 82k1 is limited to avoid interference with the guided portions 82y, 82c. However, if there is no interference with the guided portions 82y, 82c, the reinforcement ribs 82m1, 82k1 may be provided along the entire length of the guided portions 82m, 82k. Reinforcement ribs may be added to the guided portions 82y, 82c. When the rigidity of the guided portions 82m, 82k is sufficient, the reinforcement ribs 82m1, 82k1 do not need to be provided.

[0207] Rack portions 83y to 83k (racks) are respectively formed at the guided portions 82y to 82k. Pinions 94y to 94k are rotatably held in the rotary body 90. The pinions 94y to 94k are respectively drivably in mesh with the rack portions 83y to 83k.

[0208] The tray 80y includes one or more rack portions 83y. The rotary body 90 includes one or more pinions 94y corresponding to one or more rack portions 83y. Similarly, the tray 80m includes one or more rack portions 83m, the tray 80c includes one or more rack portions 83c, and the tray 80k includes one or more rack portions 83k. The rotary body 90 includes one or more pinions 94m corresponding to one or more rack portions 83m, one or more pinions 94c corresponding to one or more rack portions 83c, and one or more pinions 94k corresponding to the rack portions 83k.

[0209] The rack portions 83y to 83k and the pinions 94y to 94k are respectively parts of the moving devices 85y to 85k configured to move the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the mounting position to the retreat position. The rack portions 83y to 83k and the pinions 94y to 94k may be regarded as part of a driven device driven by the drive device 98 of the apparatus body 1A.

[0210] The pinions 94y to 94k may be regarded as rotating members (rotary members) that rotate to move the trays 80y to 80k relative to the rotary body 90.

[0211] The moving devices 85y to 85k are driven by the drive device 98 of the apparatus body 1A. The pinions 94y to 94k and the rack portions 83y to 83k function as driven units for the moving devices 85y to 85k of the rotary body 90 to receive driving force from the drive device 98 of the apparatus body 1A. The pinion 94k and the rack portion 83k are examples of a first pinion and a first rack that make up at least part of a first driven unit of the first moving device. The pinion 94m and the rack portion 83m are examples of a second pinion and a second rack that make up at least part of a second driven unit of the second moving device.

[0212] The rotary body 90 has the guide portions 97 that respectively engage with the guided portions 82y to 82k (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). FIG. 7A shows the guide portion 97 (97k) that engages with the guided portion 82k of the tray 80k, and FIG. 7B shows the guide portion 97 (97m) that engages with the guided portion 82m of the tray 80m. The rotary body 90 includes similar guide portions that engage with the guided portions 82y, 82c of the trays 80y, 80c. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the guide portion 97 provided on one side (+Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction; however, a similar guide portion 97 is also provided on the other side (Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction.

[0213] When the tray 80 moves between the storage position and the eject position, the guide portion 97 maintains engagement with the guided portion 82 at least in part of the moving range and guides the tray 80 in the moving direction. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 97 maintains engagement with the guided portion 82k over the entire moving range between the storage position and the eject position of the tray 80k. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 97 maintains engagement with the guided portion 82m over the entire moving range between the storage position and the eject position of the tray 80m.

[0214] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, four trays 80y to 80k are disposed so as to overlap each other in the rotary body 90, as will be specifically described below.

[0215] When the pinions 94y to 94k rotate, the rack portions 83y to 83k and the trays 80y to 80k move relative to the rotary body 90. As shown in FIG. 9, four trays 80y to 80k are disposed in the rotary body 90 such that the moving directions of the four trays 80y to 80k are rotated by 90 degrees. Therefore, the pair of tray 80y and tray 80c and the pair of tray 80m and tray 80k each are held so as to be slidable substantially in the same direction (parallel direction). The moving direction of each of the trays 80y to 80k during sliding is regulated by the engagement of a corresponding one of the guided portions 82y to 82k with a corresponding one of the guide portions 97.

[0216] Each of the trays 80y to 80k moves to the outside of the machine through the opening 16a. When each of the trays 80y to 80k moves to the outside of the machine through the opening 16a, the moving direction of each tray is substantially the same direction (parallel).

[0217] As shown in FIG. 9, in the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, the range in which the tray 80k is placed is disposed so as to overlap the range in which the tray 80y is placed and the range in which the tray 80c is placed. In the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, the range in which the tray 80k is placed overlaps the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. In other words, the toner cartridge 70k held by the cartridge holding portion 81k of the tray 80k may be regarded as overlapping the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (FIG. 4B).

[0218] On the other hand, in the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m, the range in which the tray 80m is placed is disposed with an offset so as not to overlap the range in which the tray 80y is placed or the range in which the tray 80c is placed. Furthermore, in the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y, the range in which the tray 80y is placed is disposed with an offset so as not to overlap the range in which the tray 80m is placed or the range in which the tray 80k is placed. Similarly, in the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c, the range in which the tray 80c is placed is disposed with an offset so as not to overlap the range in which the tray 80m is placed or the range in which the tray 80k is placed.

[0219] The positional relationship among the trays 80 can also be described as follows. When viewed in the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y, the tray 80y overlaps the tray 80k; however, the tray 80y does not overlap the tray 80m. When viewed in the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m, the tray 80m overlaps the tray 80k; however, the tray 80m does not overlap the tray 80y or the tray 80c. When viewed in the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c, the tray 80c overlaps the tray 80k; however, the tray 80c does not overlap the tray 80m.

[0220] Here, the phrase two elements (members, components, units, or the like) overlap each other when viewed in a specific direction means that, when each element is perpendicularly projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the specific direction, the projection area of one element and the projection area of the other element at least partially overlap each other.

[0221] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the range in which the rack portion 83m and the guided portion 82m are placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the rack portion 83k and the guided portion 82k are placed. In other words, in the present embodiment, in the rotation axis direction of the rotary (Y direction), the range in which the first rack (rack portion 83k) is placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the second rack (rack portion 83m) is placed. Therefore, compared to the arrangement in which the rack portion 83m and the guided portion 82m do not overlap the rack portion 83k and the guided portion 82k, the rack portions 83m, 83k and the guided portions 82m, 82k can be disposed in a space-saving manner in the Y direction.

[0222] In the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the range in which the rack portion 83y and the guided portion 82y are placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82c are placed. In other words, in the present embodiment, in the rotation axis direction of the rotary (Y direction), the range in which a third rack (rack portion 83y) is placed at least partially overlaps the range in which a fourth rack (rack portion 83c) is placed. Therefore, compared to the arrangement in which the rack portion 83y and the guided portion 82y do not overlap the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82c, the rack portions 83y, 83c and the guided portions 82y, 82c can be disposed in a space-saving manner in the Y direction.

[0223] Here, the meshing position between the rack portion 83 and the pinion 94 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The upper half of FIG. 10 shows the meshing position between the rack portion 83k and the pinion 94k.

[0224] The lower half of FIG. 10 shows the meshing position between the rack portion 83c and the pinion 94c.

[0225] In the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction) of the rotary body 90, in the range Y1 in the drawing, driving force transmitted by the transmission device (described later) from the motor M2 (FIG. 2) serving as the drive source is transmitted to the pinions 94y to 94k. In the range Y2 in the drawing in the Y direction, the pinion 94k is drivably in mesh with the rack portion 83k. In the range Y3 in the drawing in the Y direction, the pinion 94c is drivably in mesh with the rack portion 83c. The rack portion 83m, as in the case of the rack portion 83k, is drivably in mesh with the pinion 94m (FIG. 8) in the range Y2. The rack portion 83y, as in the case of the rack portion 83c, is drivably in mesh with the pinion 94y (FIG. 8) in the range Y3.

[0226] Here, the range Y2 and the range Y3 lie at different positions in the Y direction (lie with an offset in the Y direction). The range Y1 is located at a different position in the Y direction from any one of the range Y2 and the range Y3. In other words, the range Y1 lies with an offset in the Y direction from the range Y2 and the range Y3.

[0227] Furthermore, in the state where the toner cartridges 70y, 70c are at the mounting position, the range in which the rack portion 83y is placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the rack portion 83c is placed in the moving direction of the rack portion 83y (the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y). In the present embodiment, since the moving directions Dy, Dc of the trays 80y, 80c are substantially the same direction (parallel), the range in which the rack portion 83y is placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the rack portion 83c is placed also in the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c. Therefore, in the state where the toner cartridges 70y, 70c are at the mounting position, the tooth surface of the rack portion 83y faces the tooth surface of the rack portion 83c in a direction orthogonal to the moving directions Dy, Dc of the rack portions 83y, 83c (the right and left direction in FIG. 8).

[0228] Furthermore, in the state where the toner cartridges 70m, 70k are at the mounting position, the range in which the rack portion 83m is placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the rack portion 83k is placed in the moving direction of the rack portion 83m (the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m). In the present embodiment, since the moving directions Dm, Dk of the trays 80m, 80k are substantially the same direction (parallel), the range in which the rack portion 83m is placed at least partially overlaps the range in which the rack portion 83k is placed also in the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k. Therefore, in the state where the toner cartridges 70m, 70k are at the mounting position, the tooth surface of the rack portion 83m faces the tooth surface of the rack portion 83k in a direction orthogonal to the moving directions Dm, Dk of the rack portions 83m, 83k (the up and down direction in FIG. 8).

[0229] As shown in FIG. 12A (described later), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83y overlaps the rack portion 83m and the rack portion 83k. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83m overlaps the rack portion 83y and the rack portion 83c. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83c overlaps the rack portion 83m and the rack portion 83k. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83k overlaps the rack portion 83y and the rack portion 83c. In other words, in the rotation axis direction of the rotary (Y direction), the range in which the first rack (rack portion 83k) is placed does not overlap the range in which the second rack (rack portion 83y) is placed. When viewed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary (Y direction), the first rack (rack portion 83k) overlaps the second rack (rack portion 83y) in the state where the first toner cartridge 70k is at the first mounting position and the second toner cartridge 70y is at the second mounting position.

[0230] In this way, since the positions at which the rack portions 83k, 83m are placed in the Y direction differ from the positions at which the rack portions 83y, 83c are placed in the Y direction, the rack portions 83y, 83c and the rack portions 83m, 83k can be disposed so as to overlap each other when viewed in the Y direction.

Tray Movement Configuration

[0231] The configuration related to the movement of the trays 80y to 80k disposed in the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B. FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views of the configuration related to the movement of the tray 80k. FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views of the configuration related to the movement of the tray 80k.

[0232] In the present embodiment, the trays 80y to 80k are driven by the driving force of the motor M2, transmitted to the pinions 94y to 94k by drive racks 15R, 15L serving as the transmission device. Here, the configuration for moving the tray 80k relative to the rotary body 90 will be described, and the configuration for moving the trays 80y to 80c relative to the rotary body 90 is substantially the same as the configuration for moving the tray 80k, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0233] FIG. 11A shows the state where the tray 80k is placed inside the rotary body 90 (that is, the state where the toner cartridge 70k is mounted to the developing unit 50k). In other words, FIG. 11A shows the state where the tray 80k is at the storage position and corresponds to the state where the toner cartridge 70k is at the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53k (FIG. 4A). FIG. 11B shows the state where the tray 80k has been slid to the outside of the rotary body 90. In other words, FIG. 11B shows the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position and corresponds to the state where the toner cartridge 70k is at the retreat position relative to the developing frame 53k (FIG. 4A).

[0234] The apparatus body 1A of the present embodiment includes the drive racks 15R, 15L as drive gears that drive the pinions 94. Each of the drive racks 15 is driven by the motor M2 via the transmitting unit 15t. As shown in FIG. 11A, in the state where the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90 (that is, the state where the toner cartridge 70k is mounted to the developing unit 50k), the drive racks 15R, 15L are at a disengaged position away from the pinions 94k. The drive racks 15R, 15L move from the disengaged position and engage with the pinions 94k so that the tray 80k moves from the storage position to the eject position and the toner cartridge 70k moves from the mounting position to the retreat position.

[0235] As described earlier, two rack portions 83k are provided at both ends of the tray 80k in the Y direction. The two pinions 94k and the two drive racks 15R, 15L are respectively disposed at the positions corresponding to the rack portions 83k at both ends. In other words, the apparatus body 1A of the present embodiment includes the drive racks 15L, 15R as a first drive gear and a second drive gear. The drive rack 15L is an example of the first drive gear, and the drive rack 15R is an example of the second drive gear.

[0236] However, numbering is used for the sake of convenience of description and can generally be interchanged as needed. When there is no need to distinguish between the drive racks 15R, 15L, the drive racks 15R, 15L are referred to as drive racks 15.

[0237] The rack portions 83 of the present embodiment are configured as a rack pair, and the pinions 94 of the present embodiment are configured as a pinion pair. In the present embodiment, the rack pair and the pinion pair are disposed at one end and the other end of the support member (tray 80) in the Y direction; however, the rack pair and the pinion pair may be disposed at other positions. The rack portions 83k and pinions 94k of the moving device 85k corresponding to the tray 80k may be regarded as examples of a first rack pair and a first pinion pair.

[0238] Any one set of the rack portions 83y to 83c and the pinions 94y to 94c of the moving devices 85y to 85c corresponding to the other trays 80y to 80c may be regarded as examples of a second rack pair and a second pinion pair.

[0239] One of the rack pair is in mesh with one of the pinion pair, and the other one of the rack pair is in mesh with the other one of the pinion pair. At least one of the pinion pair is driven by the drive rack 15L serving as a first drive rack. In the present embodiment, both of the pinion pair are driven at the same time by the drive racks 15R, 15L serving as the first drive rack and a second drive rack. Thus, the tray 80 is less likely to rotate, with the result that it is possible to stably move the toner cartridge 70. The tray 80 may have a single rack portion 83 and may be configured to be moved by a single drive rack 15 through a single pinion 94.

[0240] The tray 80k is held so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the guided portion 82k (that is, the moving direction Dk) relative to the rotary body 90. The drive rack 15 is held so as to be slidable in a direction that crosses the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k relative to the apparatus body 1A. The drive rack 15 is configured to slide (reciprocate) in a first direction (vertically upward in the present embodiment) and in a second direction (vertically downward in the present embodiment) opposite to the first direction relative to the apparatus body 1A. In other words, the moving direction of the drive rack 15 of the present embodiment is a direction that crosses (which can be a direction orthogonal to) both the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k and the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction) of the rotary body 90.

[0241] The tray moving operation for sliding the tray 80k between the storage position and the eject position will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. The tray moving operation of the tray 80k is performed by the motor M2 (FIG. 2), the transmitting unit 15t, the drive racks 15, the pinions 94k, and the rack portions 83k.

[0242] Initially, the tray moving operation (tray ejection operation) when the toner cartridge 70k is removed from the rotary body 90 will be described. In a state before the tray ejection operation is started, the drive rack 15 is positioned below the position at which the drive rack 15 meshes with the pinion 94k (FIG. 11A).

[0243] As described earlier, in the replacement operation of the toner cartridge 70k, the rotary body 90 takes the replacement posture of the toner cartridge 70k (FIG. 4B).

[0244] When the tray ejection operation is started, the drive rack 15 is slid upward of the apparatus body 1A by the driving force of the motor M2. During the process in which the drive rack 15 moves, the drive rack 15 engages with the pinion 94k, and the pinion 94k is rotationally driven.

[0245] As shown in FIG. 11B, when the pinion 94k is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, the driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that is in mesh with the pinion 94k. As a result, the tray 80k is pushed out to the outside of the machine and moves from the storage position to the eject position relative to the rotary body 90. The moving direction of the tray 80k at this time is guided in the predetermined moving direction Dk by the engagement of the guided portion 82k with the guide portion 97k of the rotary body 90 (FIG. 7A).

[0246] As a result of the tray 80k moving from the storage position to the eject position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the mounting position to the retreat position relative to the developing unit 50k.

[0247] In the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position and the toner cartridge 70k is at the retreat position, a user is able to attach the toner cartridge 70k to or detach the toner cartridge 70k from the tray 80k.

[0248] The tray moving operation (tray insertion operation, tray insertion operation) when the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary body 90 is performed in the process reverse to the tray ejection operation. For example, when the user operates a predetermined operating unit, the tray insertion operation is started. When the tray insertion operation is started, the drive rack 15 is slid downward of the apparatus body 1A by the driving force of the motor M2. Here, the rotation direction of the motor M2 in the tray insertion operation is opposite to the tray ejection operation.

[0249] When the pinion 94k is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 11B, the driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that is in mesh with the pinion 94k. As a result, the tray 80k is pulled into the machine and moves from the eject position to the storage position relative to the rotary body 90.

[0250] The moving direction of the tray 80k is guided in the moving direction Dk (the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 11B) by the engagement of the guided portion 82k with the guide portion 97k (FIG. 7A) of the rotary body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the eject position to the storage position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the retreat position to the mounting position relative to the developing unit 50k.

[0251] The movement of the black tray 80k and the black toner cartridge 70k has been described, and the movement of the other trays 80y to 80c and the other toner cartridges 70y to 70c is also performed by similar mechanisms. In other words, the drive rack 15 transmits driving force to the pinions 94y to 94c in the replacement posture of each toner cartridge.

[0252] The drive device 98 for driving the moving device 85 provided in the rotary body 90 is made up of the motor M2 provided in the apparatus body 1A and the transmission device including the drive racks 15 (15R, 15L) and the transmitting unit 15t. The moving device 85 of the present embodiment may be regarded as a moving device powered by electric power.

[0253] As described earlier, in the present embodiment, the plurality of moving devices 85y to 85k corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70y to 70k is disposed in the rotary body 90. The drive device 98 of the apparatus body 1A is a common drive device that drives the plurality of moving devices 85y to 85k (a plurality of driven devices) of the rotary body 90.

[0254] In the present embodiment, the target to be driven by the drive device 98 switches with the rotation of the rotary body 90. In other words, the drive device of the present embodiment includes the drive rack 15 as a transmission member for transmitting the driving force of the drive source. The drive device is capable of taking the state where the transmission member drivably engages with the first driven unit (pinion 94k) and the state where the transmission member drivably engages with the second driven unit (pinion 94m). The drive device is capable of taking the state where the transmission member is disconnected from the first driven unit and the second driven unit.

[0255] As described above, the pinions 94y to 94k are held in the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the rotary body 90 rotates, the meshing of the pinions 94y to 94k with the drive rack 15 can be released.

[0256] FIG. 12A shows the state where the tray 80k is placed inside the rotary body 90 (the state at the storage position). FIG. 12B shows the state where the tray 80k has moved to the outside of the rotary body 90 (the state of having moved to the eject position).

[0257] As shown in FIG. 12A, when the tray 80k is placed inside the rotary body 90, the drive rack 15 is positioned at the bottom in the apparatus body 1A. At this time, the drive rack 15 is retracted from the pinion 94k. Therefore, the rotary body 90 is allowed to be rotated without any interference with the drive rack 15. More specifically, the drive rack 15 can retract to the outside of the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90, indicated by the dashed line in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

[0258] As described above, when the motor M2 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions, the tray 80 attached to the rotary body 90 can be moved from the storage position to the eject position and from the eject position to the storage position relative to the rotary body 90. In other words, the drive device of the present embodiment is capable of not only driving each moving device of the rotary such that the toner cartridge moves from the mounting position to the retreat position but also driving each moving device such that the toner cartridge moves from the retreat position to the mounting position.

[0259] Here, as described earlier, in the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the tray 80 during toner cartridge replacement is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the moving distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the eject position is longer than the moving distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the eject position.

[0260] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are moved from the mounting position to the retreat position, the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack portion 83k by the speed of the drive rack 15 is greater than the value obtained by dividing the speed of each of the rack portions 83y to 83c by the speed of the drive rack 15.

[0261] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the pinion 94c is a stepped gear, the pitch radius of a small-diameter gear 942 that meshes with the rack portion 83c is smaller than the pitch radius of a large-diameter gear 941 that meshes with the drive rack 15. The pinions 94m, 94y are also similar stepped gears. On the other hand, the pinion 94k is made such that a portion that meshes with the drive rack 15 and a portion that meshes with the rack portion 83k have the same pitch radius. At this time, the pitch radius of the pinion 94k can be set to the same radius as the pitch radius of the large-diameter gears 941 of the pinions 94y to 94c.

[0262] With this configuration, even when the moving distance of drive rack 15 is the same, the moving distance of the rack portion 83k can be made larger than the moving distances of the other rack portions 83y to 83c. In other words, the moving distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the eject position can be made longer than the moving distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the eject position.

[0263] When the pinions 94y to 94c are stepped gears, the moving distance L1 of the tray 80k can be made larger than the moving distance L2 of the other trays 80y to 80c with the configuration that the pinions 94y to 94k receive driving force from the same drive rack 15.

Modifications

[0264] The configuration in which the driven unit includes the pinion 94 that meshes with both the drive rack 15 and the rack portion 83 has been described. Alternatively, the driven unit may include a gear that meshes with the drive rack 15 and a gear that meshes with the rack portion 83.

[0265] The configuration of the moving device 85 for moving the tray 80 is not limited to a so-called rack and pinion mechanism. For example, the member corresponding to the pinion 94 may be replaced with a roller that rotates under the drive of the motor M2, and the tray 80 is moved by the friction between the roller and the tray 80.

[0266] When a roller that rotates under the drive of the motor M2, the roller may be brought into contact with the toner cartridge 70. In this case, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k may be configured to be directly attached to and detached from the rotary body 90 without intervening the trays 80y to 80k. In this case, the moving device 85 is made up of rollers.

Right and Left Connecting Configuration of Tray Drive System

[0267] A drive system 100 for moving the tray 80k as an example of a moving member and a configuration for connecting the right and left drive racks 15L, 15R (right and left connecting configuration). The drive system 100 for moving the tray 80k relative to the rotary body 90 will be described. Drive systems for moving the trays 80y to 80c that are other examples of the moving member are substantially similar to the drive system 100 that will be described below, so the description is omitted.

[0268] For the purpose of description, when the apparatus body 1A is viewed from the +X side (when viewed from the front), the +Y side can be referred to as the right side of the apparatus body 1A, and the Y side can be referred to as the left side of the apparatus body 1A. For example, one drive rack 15L is provided at the left side of the apparatus body 1A, and the other drive rack 15R is provided at the right side of the apparatus body 1A.

[0269] FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of the drive system 100 for the tray 80k. FIG. 13A shows the state where the tray 80k is positioned inside the rotary body 90 (the state where the tray 80k is at the storage position). FIG. 13B shows the state where the tray 80k has moved to the outside of the rotary body 90 (the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position). FIGS. 14A and 14B are views illustrating the configuration of the drive system 100 for the tray 80k. FIG. 14A shows the configuration of the drive system 100 at the left side of the apparatus body 1A. FIG. 14B shows the configuration of the drive system 100 at the right side of the apparatus body 1A. FIGS. 14A and 14B show the state of the drive system 100 when the tray 80k is at the storage position.

[0270] As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the drive system 100 of the tray 80k includes the motor M2 as a drive source, and a drive transmission mechanism 101 that transmits the driving force of the motor M2 to the tray 80k. The drive transmission mechanism 101 includes a rotating member that transmits the driving force of the motor M2 by rotation, and a linear motion member that transmits the driving force of the motor M2 by linear motion. More specifically, the drive transmission mechanism 101 of the present embodiment includes a worm gear 60, stepped gears 61, 62, an idle gear 63, drive rack input gears 64R, 64L, and the drive racks 15R, 15L.

[0271] The drive transmission mechanism 101 of the present embodiment includes stepped gear 65R, 65L, a connecting rack 66, and the pinions 94k (94KR, 94kL). The tray 80k includes the rack portions 83k (83kR, 83kL) as a force receiving portion that receives the driving force from the drive transmission mechanism 101. The connecting rack 66 is an example of the linear motion member.

[0272] The drive system 100 for the tray 80k may also be regarded as being made up of the drive device 98 of the apparatus body 1A and the moving device 85k of the rotary body 90 (FIG. 2).

[0273] The drive device 98 includes the motor M2, the drive racks 15R, 15L, and the transmitting unit 15t that transmits driving force from the motor M2 to the drive racks 15R, 15L. The transmitting unit 15t includes the worm gear 60, the stepped gears 61, 62, the idle gear 63, the drive rack input gears 64R, 64L, the stepped gears 65L, 65R, and the connecting rack 66. The moving device 85k includes the pinions 94k (94KR, 94kL) and the rack portions 83k (83kR, 83kL). Therefore, the drive transmission mechanism 101 includes elements of the drive device 98 other than the motor M2, elements of the moving device 85k other than the elements provided in the tray 80k (the rack portions 83kR, 83kL).

[0274] The drive system for the tray 80y is obtained by replacing the moving device 85k of the drive system 100 with the moving device 85y corresponding to the tray 80y, and the drive device 98 is common.

[0275] The drive system for the tray 80m is obtained by replacing the moving device 85k of the drive system 100 with the moving device 85m corresponding to the tray 80m, and the drive device 98 is common. The drive system for the tray 80c is obtained by replacing the moving device 85k of the drive system 100 with the moving device 85c corresponding to the tray 80c, and the drive device 98 is common.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 13A, the tray 80k of the present embodiment includes two rack portions 83kR, 83kL. The rack portion 83kL is an example of a first force receiving portion, and the rack portion 83kR is an example of a second force receiving portion.

[0277] The rack portion 83kR (second force receiving portion) is disposed at a position away from the rack portion 83kL (first force receiving portion) in a direction that crosses the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k. In the present embodiment, the rack portion 83kR is positioned away from the rack portion 83kL in the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary body 90. In the present embodiment, the rack portion 83kL is disposed at one end (left end) of the tray 80k in the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary body 90. On the other hand, the rack portion 83kR is disposed at the other end (right end) of the tray 80k in the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary body 90.

[0278] The rotary body 90 of the present embodiment includes two pinions 94kR, 94kL corresponding to two rack portions 83kR, 83kL. The two pinions 94kR, 94kL include the pinion 94kL corresponding to the rack portion 83kL and the pinion 94kR corresponding to the rack portion 83kR.

[0279] As shown in FIG. 13A, the worm gear 60 is secured to the output shaft of the motor M2. The stepped gear 61 integrally has a large-diameter gear that meshes with the worm gear 60 and a small-diameter gear smaller in diameter than the large-diameter gear. The stepped gear 62 integrally has a large-diameter gear that meshes with the small-diameter gear of the stepped gear 61, and a small-diameter gear smaller in diameter than the large-diameter gear. The idle gear 63 is in mesh with each of the small-diameter gear of the stepped gear 62, the stepped gear 65L, and the drive rack input gear 64L. The drive rack input gear 64L is in mesh with the drive rack 15L.

[0280] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the stepped gear 65L integrally has a large-diameter gear 651L that meshes with the idle gear 63, and a small-diameter gear 652L (third small-diameter gear) smaller in diameter than the large-diameter gear 651L.

[0281] The stepped gear 65L is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor M2, received by the large-diameter gear 651L, to the connecting rack 66 via the small-diameter gear 652L. The connecting rack 66 has a first rack portion 661L that meshes with the small-diameter gear 652L of the stepped gear 65L, and a second rack portion 661R that meshes with the small-diameter gear 652R of the stepped gear 65R. The stepped gear 65R integrally has the large-diameter gear 651R that meshes with the drive rack input gear 64R, and the small-diameter gear 652R smaller in diameter than the large-diameter gear 651R. The stepped gear 65R is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor M2, received by the small-diameter gear 652R from the connecting rack 66, to the rack portion 83kR via the large-diameter gear 651R. The drive rack input gear 64R is in mesh with the drive rack 15R.

[0282] The connecting rack 66 is a rack member that is capable of reciprocating in a direction that crosses (which can be a direction orthogonal to) the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k. In the present embodiment, the connecting rack 66 reciprocates in the Y direction that is the rotation axis direction of the rotary body 90. In other words, the connecting rack 66 moves in a direction different from the moving direction of the drive racks 15R, 15L (a direction that crosses the Y direction, and the Z direction in the present embodiment) that are the other rack members of the drive transmission mechanism 101. The connecting rack 66 of the present embodiment is elongated so as to extend in the Y direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the connecting rack 66 is the Y direction. The first rack portion 661L is provided at one end of the connecting rack 66 in the Y direction, and the second rack portion 661R is provided at the other end of the connecting rack 66 in the Y direction. The first rack portion 661L and the second rack portion 661R may be continuous.

[0283] The left drive rack 15L is an example of a first transmission member for transmitting the driving force of the motor M2 to the rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k, which serves as the first force receiving portion. The right drive rack 15R is an example of a second transmission member for transmitting the driving force of the motor M2 to the rack portion 83kR of the tray 80k, which serves as the second force receiving portion. The right and left drive racks 15R, 15L are connected to each other via the connecting rack 66 so as to operate in conjunction with each other. Specifically, the left drive rack 15L is connected to the right drive rack 15R via the drive rack input gear 64L, the idle gear 63, the stepped gear 65L, the connecting rack 66, the stepped gear 65R, and the drive rack input gear 64R.

[0284] The connecting rack 66 is configured to transmit the force received from one of the drive racks 15R, 15L to the other one of the drive racks 15R, 15L. The drive transmission mechanism 101 including the connecting rack 66 is configured to transmit the force received from one of the two rack portions 83kR, 83kL of the tray 80k to the other one of the rack portions 83kR, 83kL. The benefits of this configuration will be described later.

[0285] The operation of the drive system 100 when the tray 80k is moved from the storage position (FIG. 13A) to the eject position (FIG. 13B) will be described. Hereinafter, the rotation direction of the motor M2 (first rotation direction, first direction) when the tray 80k is moved from the storage position toward the eject position is referred to as a forward direction. The rotation direction of the motor M2 (second rotation direction, second direction) when the tray 80k is moved from the eject position toward the storage position is referred to as a reverse direction. In the moving direction Dk in which the tray 80k moves between the eject position and the storage position, the direction from the storage position toward the eject position is referred to as an ejection direction Dk1, and the direction from the eject position toward the storage position is referred to as an insertion direction Dk2.

[0286] When the motor M2 rotates in the forward direction, the driving force is transmitted in order of the worm gear 60, the stepped gear 61, the stepped gear 62, and the idle gear 63. Subsequently, the driving force is transmitted from the idle gear 63 to both the drive rack input gear 64L and the stepped gear 65L. The left drive rack 15L is slid upward (+Z direction) by the drive rack input gear 64L to which the driving force is transmitted from the idle gear 63.

[0287] The left drive rack 15L engages with the left pinion 94kL during the process of moving upward to rotate the pinion 94kL. When the pinion 94kL is rotated, the driving force is transmitted to the rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k that is in mesh with the pinion 94kL. As a result, the rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k receives the force in the ejection direction Dk1 from the storage position toward the eject position via the left drive train (the drive rack input gear 64L, the drive rack 15L, and the pinion 94kL) of the drive transmission mechanism 101.

[0288] On the other hand, the driving force of the idle gear 63 is also transmitted to the right drive train (the drive rack input gear 64R, the drive rack 15R, and the pinion 94kR) of the drive transmission mechanism 101 via the stepped gear 65L and the connecting rack 66. In other words, the connecting rack 66 is slid to the right side (in the +Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A by the stepped gear 65L to which the driving force is transmitted from the idle gear 63. When the connecting rack 66 is slid, the driving force is transmitted to the drive rack input gear 64R via the stepped gear 65R, and the right drive rack 15L is slid upward (in the +Z direction).

[0289] The right drive rack 15R meshes with the right pinion 94kR during the process of moving upward to rotate the pinion 94KR. When the pinion 94kR is rotated, the driving force is transmitted to the rack portion 83kR of the tray 80k that is in mesh with the pinion 94KR. As a result, the tray 80k receives the force in the ejection direction Dk1 from the storage position toward the eject position via the right drive train (the drive rack input gear 64R, the drive rack 15R, and the pinion 94kR) of the drive transmission mechanism 101.

[0290] In this way, when the motor M2 rotates in the forward direction, the tray 80k moves from the storage position (FIG. 13A) toward the eject position (FIG. 13B) by receiving the force in the ejection direction Dk1 at the right and left rack portions 83kR, 83kL.

[0291] The operation of the drive system 100 when the tray 80k is moved from the eject position to the storage position is similar to the case when the tray 80k is moved from the storage position to the eject position, except that the rotation direction or sliding direction of each element of the drive system 100 is reversed. In other words, when the motor M2 rotates in the reverse direction, the left drive rack 15L is slid downward (in the Z direction) via the worm gear 60, the stepped gear 61, the stepped gear 62, the idle gear 63, and the drive rack input gear 64L. When the drive rack 15L is slid, the driving force in the insertion direction Dk2 is transmitted to the rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k via the pinion 94kL. On the other hand, the driving force is transmitted from the idle gear 63 to the connecting rack 66 via the stepped gear 65L, and the connecting rack 66 is slid to the left side (in the Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A. When the connecting rack 66 is slid, the right drive rack 15R is slid downward (in the Z direction) via the stepped gear 65R and the drive rack input gear 64R. When the drive rack 15R is slid, the driving force in the insertion direction Dk2 is transmitted to the rack portion 83kR of the tray 80k via the pinion 94kR.

[0292] In this way, when the motor M2 rotates in the reverse direction, the tray 80k moves from the eject position (FIG. 13B) toward the storage position (FIG. 13A) by receiving the force in the insertion direction Dk2 at the right and left rack portions 83kR, 83kL.

[0293] As described above, during the tray ejection operation or the tray insertion operation of the tray 80k (hereinafter, collectively referred to as ejection or insertion operation), the driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the right and left rack portions 83kR, 83kL of the tray 80k by the drive transmission mechanism 101. In other words, during the tray ejection operation, the driving force in the ejection direction Dk1 is transmitted to each of the two rack portions 83kR, 83kL, and during the tray insertion operation, the driving force in the insertion direction Dk2 is transmitted to each of the two rack portions 83kR, 83kL. For this reason, compared to the configuration that the driving force is transmitted to only one rack portion of the tray 80k during the ejection or insertion operation of the tray 80k, the tray 80k is less likely to tilt, so further stable ejection or insertion operation is possible.

Benefits of Right and Left Connecting Configuration

[0294] Hereinafter, the benefits of the configuration that the right and left drive racks 15R, 15L are connected by the connecting rack 66 will be described.

[0295] The connecting rack 66 of the present embodiment transmits the force received from the left drive rack 15L to the right drive rack 15R, and transmits the force received from the right drive rack 15R to the left drive rack 15L. The drive transmission mechanism 101 of the present embodiment, including the connecting rack 66, transmits the force received from the left rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k to the right rack portion 83kR, and transmits the force received from the right rack portion 83kR of the tray 80k to the left rack portion 83kL. In other words, the drive transmission mechanism is configured to transmit the force received by the drive transmission mechanism from the first force receiving portion of the moving member to the second force receiving portion, and to transmit the force received by the drive transmission mechanism from the second force receiving portion of the moving member to the first force receiving portion.

[0296] Therefore, the right and left drive racks 15R, 15L are connected to each other via the connecting rack 66 so as to move in conjunction with each other. The drive transmission mechanism 101 including the connecting rack 66 can move the rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k and the rack portion 83kR of the tray 80k in conjunction with each other. Thus, the tray 80k is less likely to tilt.

[0297] More specifically, when the tray 80k is at the eject position, a user is able to execute the tray insertion operation by operating the operating unit provided on the apparatus body 1A (for example, buttons on the operating panel) to move the tray 80k to the storage position.

[0298] On the other hand, when the user pushes in the tray 80k in the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position, the tray 80k is allowed to move toward the storage position (the details of a mechanism that allows this movement will be described later). At this time, the user does not necessarily push the center of the tray 80k in the width direction (right and left direction, Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A. If an area near one end of the tray 80k in the Y direction is pushed by the user, one end moves in the insertion direction Dk2, and the other end does not move, the tray 80k tilts. When the tray 80k tilts, it is difficult for the user to smoothly push the tray 80k into the rotary body 90. When the tray 80k tilts, the drive system 100 can have difficulty in smoothly executing the tray insertion operation.

[0299] When the right and left drive racks 15R, 15L for the tray 80k are connected as in the case of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the tilting of the tray 80k. This is because, even when one end of the tray 80k in the Y direction is pushed and moved in the insertion direction Dk2, the other end of the tray 80k also moves in the insertion direction Dk2 since the right and left drive racks 15R, 15L are connected to each other.

[0300] For example, assuming that, in the state shown in FIG. 13B, the user pushes in an area near the left end (Y side) of the tray 80k in the insertion direction Dk2. In this case, the drive rack 15L is moved downward via the pinion 94kL by the movement of the rack portion 83kL in the insertion direction Dk2. When the drive rack 15L moves downward, the drive rack input gear 64L, the idle gear 63, and the stepped gear 65L rotate, and the connecting rack 66 moves to the left side (in the Y direction).

[0301] When the connecting rack 66 moves to the left side, the stepped gear 65R and the drive rack input gear 64R rotate, and the drive rack 15R moves downward. When the drive rack 15R moves downward, the rack portion 83kR receives the force in the insertion direction Dk2 via the pinion 94kR.

[0302] In other words, the tray 80k receives the force in the insertion direction Dk2 from the user near the rack portion 83kL provided at the left-side (Y-side) end and also receives the force in the insertion direction Dk2 at the rack portion 83kR provided at the right-side (+Y-side) end. The drive transmission mechanism 101 enables the transmission of force in the insertion direction Dk2 to the rack portion 83kR by transmitting part of the force received by the drive rack 15L from the tray 80k via the pinion 94kL to the drive rack 15R via the connecting rack 66. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the tilting of the tray 80k compared to the configuration that the force in the insertion direction Dk2 acts only near the left-side (Y-side) end of the tray 80k. This also applies to the case where an area near the rack portion 83kR is pushed in the insertion direction Dk2.

[0303] The drive transmission mechanism 101 is configured such that, when the tray 80k is pushed in the insertion direction Dk2, the force rotates the idle gear 63, but the force is not transmitted from the idle gear 63 to the motor M2. In the present embodiment, the force transmission path when the tray 80k is pushed in the insertion direction Dk2 is interrupted by the idle gear 63 as will be described later. Therefore, when one end of the tray 80k in the Y direction is pushed and moved in the insertion direction Dk2 without being affected by the static torque of the motor M2, the other end of the tray 80k can move in the insertion direction Dk2 together.

[0304] Therefore, the tray 80k is less likely to tilt, so it is possible to achieve smooth operability at the time when the user pushes the tray 80k in.

Benefits in Using Stepped Gear in Right and Left Connecting Configuration

[0305] As shown in FIG. 13A, in the state where the tray 80k is at the storage position, the connecting rack 66 is in mesh with both the right and left stepped gears 65R, 65L. As shown in FIG. 13B, in the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position as well, the connecting rack 66 is in mesh with both the right and left stepped gears 65R, 65L.

[0306] As described earlier, the connecting rack 66 moves to the right side (in the +Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A when the tray 80k moves from the storage position to the eject position. The amount of movement of the connecting rack 66 during the movement of the tray 80k from the storage position to the eject position is denoted as W. In this case, in the state where the tray 80k is at the storage position (FIG. 13A), the first rack portion 661L of the connecting rack 66 extends at least the length of the amount of movement W to the left side (in the Y direction) from a meshing position mp1 with the stepped gear 65L. In the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position (FIG. 13B), the second rack portion 661R of the connecting rack 66 extends at least the length of the amount of movement W to the right side (in the +Y direction) from a meshing position mp2 with the stepped gear 65R. In other words, the length of the connecting rack 66 in the moving direction (the Y direction in the present embodiment) of the connecting rack 66 is equal to or greater than the sum of the distance from the meshing position mp1 with the stepped gear 65L to the meshing position mp2 with the stepped gear 65R and the amount of movement W of the connecting rack 66.

[0307] Therefore, in order to achieve downsizing in the right and left direction (width direction, Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A, the amount of movement W of the connecting rack 66 is desirably small. Hereinafter, a configuration that reduces the amount of movement W of the connecting rack 66 and that enables downsizing of the apparatus body 1A in the width direction (Y direction) will be described.

[0308] As shown in FIG. 14A, the stepped gear 65L (first stepped gear) includes the large-diameter gear 651L (first large-diameter gear) and the small-diameter gear 652L (first small-diameter gear) smaller in pitch radius than the large-diameter gear 651L. The large-diameter gear 651L is in mesh with the idle gear 63 and can receive the driving force of the motor M2 via the idle gear 63. In other words, the large-diameter gear 651L (first large-diameter gear) is drivably connected to the motor M2 (drive source). The small-diameter gear 652L is in mesh with the first rack portion 661L of the connecting rack 66.

[0309] The large-diameter gear 651L is connected to the rack portion 83kL of the tray 80k via the idle gear 63, the drive rack input gear 64L, the drive rack 15L, and the pinion 94kL. In other words, the large-diameter gear 651L (first large-diameter gear) is drivably connected to the rack portion 83kL (first force receiving portion).

[0310] The ratio (r2/r1) of the pitch radius r2 of the small-diameter gear 652L to the pitch radius r1 of the large-diameter gear 651L is referred to as the pitch radius ratio of the stepped gear 65L. With the configuration that the driving force is transmitted to the connecting rack 66 via the stepped gear 65L, the amount of movement W of the connecting rack 66 reduces depending on the pitch radius ratio (r2/r1) of the stepped gear 65L. In other words, when the speed is reduced with the stepped gear 65L, it is possible to reduce the amount of movement W during the ejection or insertion operation of the tray 80k and achieve downsizing in the width direction (Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A.

[0311] Here, the amounts of movement of the right and left rack portions 83kR, 83kL when the tray 80k is moved are desirably equal to each other. The moving speeds of the right and left rack portions 83kR, 83kL when the tray 80k is moved are desirably equal to each other. In the present embodiment, the numbers of teeth of the right and left pinions 94kR, 94kL are equal to each other. In other words, the amounts of movement (moving speeds) of the right and left drive racks 15R, 15L are equal to each other.

[0312] In the present embodiment, the stepped gear 65R is interposed between the connecting rack 66 and the drive rack input gear 64R. The stepped gear 65R has a function to increase the amount of movement (movement speed) of the drive rack 15R relative to the amount of movement (moving speed) of the connecting rack 66.

[0313] As shown in FIG. 14B, the stepped gear 65R (second stepped gear) includes the large-diameter gear 651R (second large-diameter gear) and the small-diameter gear 652R (second small-diameter gear) smaller in pitch radius than the large-diameter gear 651R. The large-diameter gear 651R is in mesh with the drive rack input gear 64R, and is connected to the rack portion 83kR of the tray 80k via the drive rack input gear 64R, the drive rack 15R, and the pinion 94kR. In other words, the large-diameter gear 651R (second large-diameter gear) is drivably connected to the rack portion 83kR (second force receiving portion). The small-diameter gear 652R (second small-diameter gear) is in mesh with the second rack portion 661R of the connecting rack 66.

[0314] For example, the pitch radii of the large-diameter gears 651R, 651L of the right and left stepped gears 65R, 65L are set so as to be equal to each other, and the pitch radii of the small-diameter gears 652R, 652L are set so as to be equal to each other. As a result, the pitch radius ratio of the stepped gear 65L can be made equal to the pitch radius ratio of the stepped gear 65R, and the amounts of movement (moving speeds) of the rack portions 83kR, 83kL can be made equal to each other.

[0315] In the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the rack portion 83kL and the amount of movement of the drive rack 15L are almost equal to each other, and the amount of movement of the rack portion 83kR and the amount of movement of the drive rack 15R are almost equal to each other. On the other hand, the amount of movement W of the connecting rack 66 is less than the amounts of movement of the rack portion 83kL and the drive rack 15L and the amounts of movement of the rack portion 83kR and the drive rack 15R. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of movement W of the connecting rack 66 compared to the amounts of movement of the tray 80k and the drive rack 15R during the ejection or insertion operation of the tray 80k. Therefore, it is possible to move the tray 80k by the desired amount of movement and achieve downsizing in the width direction (Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A.

Lock Mechanism of Rotary

[0316] When the tray 80 is moved to attach or detach the toner cartridge 70, the pinion 94 can be positioned such that the pinion 94 (driven unit) of the rotary body 90 and the drive rack 15 (drive member) of the apparatus body 1A are reliably engaged with each other. The pinion 94 can be accurately positioned at a position where the pinion 94 can appropriately mesh with the corresponding drive rack 15 (hereinafter, referred to as meshing position).

[0317] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a lock mechanism 90L is provided to restrict (lock) the rotation of the rotary body 90 in the state where the rotary body 90 is in the replacement posture. The lock mechanism 90L switches between a locked state where the rotation of the rotary body 90 is restricted and an unlocked state where the rotation of the rotary body 90 is allowed. The lock mechanism 90L is configured to take the locked state when the rotary body 90 takes any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures. The lock mechanism 90L of the present embodiment switches between the locked state and the unlocked state in conjunction with the ejection or insertion operation of the tray 80.

[0318] The lock mechanism 90L of the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16, 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B. FIGS. 15A and 15B are perspective views of the stepped gear 65R. FIG. 16 is a view showing the lock member 67. FIGS. 17A and 17B are views illustrating the configuration of the lock mechanism 90L. FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective views of the configuration of the lock mechanism 90L.

[0319] As shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16, 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B, the lock mechanism 90L includes a pressing portion 653 provided on the stepped gear 65R, the lock member 67, an urging member 68, and an engaged portion 99a provided in the rotary body 90.

[0320] As shown in FIG. 15B, the pressing portion 653 is formed on the large-diameter gear 651R of the stepped gear 65R. As will be described later, the pressing portion 653 has a function to move the lock member 67 in conjunction with the ejection or insertion operation of the tray 80. Therefore, the lock member 67 can move in conjunction with the operation of the drive device 98 when the toner cartridge 70 is moved. In other words, the lock member 67 is moved by the driving force of the motor M2.

[0321] The pressing portion 653 is a protruding portion provided at a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the stepped gear 65R and extending radially outward from a boss portion 65aR of the stepped gear 65R. The boss portion 65aR is fitted to a support shaft 342R of a lower holding member 34R (FIG. 20B) (described later), with the result that the stepped gear 65R is rotatably supported by the lower holding member 34R.

[0322] In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 653 is provided on one-side (X-side) side surface of the large-diameter gear 651R in the rotation axis direction of the stepped gear 65R, and the small-diameter gear 652R is provided on the other-side (+X-side) side surface of the large-diameter gear 651R. In the state viewed in the rotation axis direction of the stepped gear 65R, some teeth of the small-diameter gear 652R overlap the pressing portion 653.

[0323] As shown in FIG. 16, the lock member 67 has a pressed portion 671 pressed by the pressing portion 653 of the stepped gear 65R, and an engagement portion 672 that can engage with the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90. The lock member 67 is movably supported by the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A. The lock member 67 of the present embodiment is capable of reciprocating in the moving direction D67 along the Y direction that is the moving direction of the connecting rack 66. The engagement portion 672 has a protruded shape that protrudes in one direction (Y direction) of the moving direction D67.

[0324] The lock member 67 is movable between an engaged position (lock position) in which the engagement portion 672 is engaged with the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90 and a disconnected position (unlock position) in which the engagement portion 672 is disconnected from the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90.

[0325] The lock member 67 is configured to move in conjunction with the drive rack 15 (drive member) as will be described below. The lock member 67 of the present embodiment is connected to the connecting rack 66 (rack member) serving as a transmitting unit that transmits force to actuate the right and left drive racks 15R, 15L (first drive member, second drive member), and is in conjunction with the drive racks 15R, 15L via the connecting rack 66.

[0326] The lock member 67 has an elongated hole 673 formed in the moving direction D67. When the elongated hole 673 is engaged with the support shaft 342R of the lower holding member 34R (FIG. 20B), the lock member 67 is guided to move in the moving direction D67 relative to the lower holding member 34R. In other words, the support shaft 342R that holds the stepped gear 65R also functions as a guide portion that guides the lock member 67.

[0327] As shown in FIG. 18A, the urging member 68 urges the lock member 67 toward any one side of the moving direction D67. The urging member 68 of the present embodiment urges the lock member 67 in a direction from the unlock position toward the lock position (in the Y direction). The urging member 68 is a compression spring disposed between, for example, a spring receiving surface of the lock member 67 and a spring receiving surface provided on the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

[0328] As shown in FIG. 18A, the rotary body 90 includes a number (four in the present embodiment) of the engaged portions 99a, corresponding to the number of the trays 80. The engaged portions 99a of the present embodiment are formed in a flange portion 99f provided at the end of the rotary body 90 in the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary body 90. The flange portion 99f projects outward from a disk gear 92R (see also FIG. 5) in the radial direction (the radial direction of the rotary body 90) with respect to the rotation axis 90C.

[0329] The engaged portions 99a are provided at positions in the rotation direction of the rotary body 90. The positions correspond to the replacement postures that the rotary body 90 can take. In the present embodiment, four engaged portions 99a (99ay, 99am, 99ac, 99ak) respectively corresponding to the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures are disposed at equal intervals of 90 degrees in the rotation direction (see FIGS. 20A and 20B). When the rotary body 90 is viewed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary body 90 in the state where the rotary body 90 is in any one of the replacement postures, one of the engaged portions 99a overlaps the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67.

[0330] When the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 engages with the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90, the rotation of the rotary body 90 is restricted. The state of the lock mechanism 90L when the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 is engaged with any one of the engaged portions 99a of the rotary body 90 is referred to as a locked state. The state of the lock mechanism 90L when the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 is disconnected from all the engaged portions 99a of the rotary body 90 is referred to as an unlocked state. The locked state is the state where the lock mechanism 90L restricts the rotation of the rotary body 90 around the rotation axis 90C, and the unlocked state is the state where the lock mechanism 90L allows the rotation of the rotary body 90 around the rotation axis 90C. In the locked state, the lock mechanism 90L restricts the rotation of the rotary body 90 around the rotation axis 90C in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0331] The operation of the lock mechanism 90L to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state is referred to as locking operation, and the operation of the lock mechanism 90L to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state is referred to as unlocking operation. The locking operation and the unlocking operation are performed in conjunction with the ejection and insertion operations of the tray 80.

[0332] FIGS. 17A and 18A show the lock mechanism 90L in the unlocked state. FIGS. 17B and 18B show the lock mechanism 90L in the locked state. Hereinafter, the operation of the lock mechanism 90L will be described in detail.

[0333] As described earlier, when the tray 80 is at the storage position, the rotary body 90 is rotatable. In other words, the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 is disconnected from the engaged portions 99a of the rotary body 90, and the lock mechanism 90L is in the unlocked state (FIGS. 17A and 18A). During the process in which the tray 80 moves from the storage position to the eject position, the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 engages with the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90. In other words, during the process of the tray ejection operation, the lock mechanism 90L switches from the unlocked state to the locked state (FIGS. 17B and 18B).

[0334] As shown in FIG. 17A, when the rotary body 90 is in any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures and the tray 80 is at the storage position, the lock member 67 is held at the disconnected position by the pressing portion 653 of the stepped gear 65R. In other words, the pressing portion 653 of the stepped gear 65R contacts the pressed portion 671 of the lock member 67 to prevent the lock member 67 from moving in the urging direction of the urging member 68 (Y direction). At this time, as shown in FIG. 18A, the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 is placed at a position away from the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90 in the +Y direction.

[0335] In this way, when the rotary body 90 is in any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures and the toner cartridge 70 corresponding to the posture of the rotary body 90 is at the mounting position, the lock mechanism 90L is maintained in the unlocked state.

[0336] Next, the case where the tray 80 is moved from the storage position to the eject position (when the tray ejection operation is performed) will be described. When the tray 80 is moved from the storage position toward the eject position, the connecting rack 66 moves to the left side in the drawing (to the right side of the apparatus body 1A, in the +Y direction) as shown in FIG. 17B. The stepped gear 65R rotates clockwise in the drawing under the driving force from the connecting rack 66. Then, the pressing portion 653 of the stepped gear 65R rotates to move in the direction to retract from the pressed portion 671 of the lock member 67 (to the left side of the apparatus body 1A, in the Y direction). As the pressing portion 653 rotates to move, the lock member 67 moves to the right side in the drawing (in the Y direction) due to the urging force of the urging member 68, and, as shown in FIG. 18B, the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 engages with the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90. In other words, when the pressing portion 653 retracts from the lock member 67, the lock member 67 is moved from the disconnected position (unlock position) to the engaged position (lock position).

[0337] In this way, in the state where the rotary body 90 is in any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures, when the corresponding toner cartridge 70 is moved from the mounting position to the retreat position, the lock mechanism 90L switches from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0338] After the engagement portion 672 engages with the engaged portion 99a, the pressing portion 653 of the stepped gear 65R separates from the pressed portion 671 of the lock member 67. The rotation angle of the stepped gear 65R during the period from the start to the end of the tray ejection operation is set to smaller than 360, and the pressing portion 653, which is separated from the pressed portion 671 in the middle of the tray ejection operation, is configured not to collide with the pressed portion 671 until the end of the tray ejection operation.

[0339] As shown in FIG. 18A, when the rotary body 90 is in any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures and the tray 80 is at the eject position, the lock member 67 is held at the engaged position by the urging force of the urging member 68. In other words, when the rotary body 90 is in any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures and the corresponding toner cartridge 70 is at the retreat position, the lock mechanism 90L is maintained in the locked state.

[0340] The operation of each element of the lock mechanism 90L when the tray 80 is moved from the eject position to the storage position (when the tray insertion operation is performed) is reverse to when the tray 80 is moved from the storage position to the eject position. In other words, the connecting rack 66 moves to the right in FIG. 17B (to the left side of the apparatus body 1A, in the Y direction). The stepped gear 65R rotates counterclockwise in the drawing under the driving force from the connecting rack 66. Then, the pressing portion 653 of the stepped gear 65R contacts the pressed portion 671 of the lock member 67 to push in the lock member 67 in the direction (+Y direction) opposite to the urging direction of the urging member 68. As a result, the lock member 67 moves to the left side in the drawing (in the +Y direction) in FIG. 17A against the urging force of the urging member 68, and, as shown in FIG. 18A, the engagement portion 672 of the lock member 67 disconnects from the engaged portion 99a of the rotary body 90.

[0341] In this way, in the state where the rotary body 90 is in any one of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement postures, when the corresponding toner cartridge 70 is moved from the retreat position to the mounting position, the lock mechanism 90L switches from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0342] Here, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 22A to 22D, when the tray ejection operation is performed, the drive rack 15 (drive member) is configured to start moving from a position away from the pinion 94 (lower position) toward the pinion 94. The lock mechanism 90L of the present embodiment is configured such that, during the process of the tray ejection operation, the lock mechanism 90L switches from the unlocked state to the locked state and then the drive rack 15 meshes with the pinion 94. In other words, the lock mechanism 90L switches from the unlocked state to the locked state after the drive rack 15 (drive member) starts moving from a position away from the pinion 94 (driven unit) toward the pinion 94 and before the drive rack 15 contacts the pinion 94.

[0343] As a result, the drive rack 15 meshes with the pinion 94 in the state where the rotation of the rotary body 90 is restricted (in other words, the state where positional deviation of the pinion 94 is suppressed). Thus, it is possible to achieve further reliable meshing of the drive rack 15 with the pinion 94.

[0344] The lock mechanism 90L of the present embodiment is configured to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state after the meshing of the drive rack 15 with the pinion 94 is released during the process in which the tray 80 moves from the eject position to the storage position. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility of positional deviation in the rotation direction of the rotary body 90 due to the force received by the pinion 94 from the drive rack 15.

[0345] In the present embodiment, the configuration that the drive device 98 (transmission device) for moving the toner cartridge 70 between the mounting position and the retreat position mechanically operates in conjunction with the lock mechanism 90L has been illustrated. Not limited to this configuration, a lock mechanism that does not mechanically operate in conjunction with the drive device 98 (transmission device) and that switches between the locked state and the unlocked state based on an instruction from the control unit 30 (FIG. 2) may be used.

[0346] Regulation of Gear Clearance between Pinion and Drive Rack

[0347] Next, the configuration to suppress the variation in gear clearance between the pinion 94 and the drive rack 15 (hereinafter, which may be simply referred to as gear clearance) will be described. If there is variation in the gear clearance, the meshing between the drive rack 15 and the pinion 94 may become shallow, and in some cases, tooth skipping may occur. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress variation in the gear clearance.

[0348] The gear clearance between the pinion 94 and the drive rack 15 is the distance between the pitch circle of the pinion 94 and the pitch line of the rack portion of the drive rack 15 meshing with the pinion 94 when viewed in the rotation axis direction of the pinion 94. The pitch circle referred to here is a circle that is a reference for the shape of the gear (reference pitch circle). The pitch line referred to here is a straight line on a plane (reference plane) that is a reference for the shape of the rack.

[0349] The configuration for regulating the gear clearance will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A to 19D, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A to 22D, and 23.

[0350] FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views of the drive rack 15L. FIGS. 19C and 19D are perspective views of the drive rack 15R.

[0351] As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the drive rack 15L has an input rack portion 151L, an output rack portion 152L, and an engagement portion 153L. The input rack portion 151L has a rack shape for meshing with the drive rack input gear 64L to receive (input) the driving force from the motor M2. The output rack portion 152L has a rack shape for meshing with any one of the pinions 94 (94yL to 94kL) to transmit (output) the driving force from the motor M2 to the pinion 94. The input rack portion 151L and the output rack portion 152L each are formed such that a plurality of teeth is arranged in the Z direction that is the sliding direction of the drive rack 15L. When viewed in the Z direction, the protruding direction of the teeth of the input rack portion 151L and the protruding direction of the teeth of the output rack portion 152L are perpendicular. The engagement portion 153L will be described later.

[0352] As shown in FIGS. 19C and 19D, the drive rack 15R, as in the case of the drive rack 15L, has an input rack portion 151R, an output rack portion 152R, and an engagement portion 153R. The input rack portion 151R has a rack shape for meshing with the drive rack input gear 64R to receive (input) the driving force from the motor M2. The output rack portion 152R has a rack shape for meshing with any one of the pinions 94 (94yR to 94kR) to transmit (output) the driving force from the motor M2 to the pinion 94. The input rack portion 151R and the output rack portion 152R each are formed such that a plurality of teeth is arranged in the Z direction that is the sliding direction of the drive rack 15R. When viewed in the Z direction, the protruding direction of the teeth of the input rack portion 151R and the protruding direction of the teeth of the output rack portion 152R are perpendicular. The engagement portion 153R will be described later.

[0353] The output rack portions 152R, 152L are examples of a force transmitting portion configured to transmit the driving force by engaging with the pinion 94 serving as the driven unit. The engagement portions 153R, 153L have a function to restrict the relative movement (movement relative to each other) of the drive racks 15R, 15L (drive members) and the rotary body 90 (rotary) such that the output rack portions 152R, 152L (force transmitting portions) separate from the pinions 94 (driven units).

[0354] The driven units of the present embodiment include the pinion 94 (94yL to 94kL) serving as a first force receiving portion provided at one end of the rotary body 90 in the rotation axis direction of the rotary body 90, and the pinion 94 (94yR to 94kR) serving as a second force receiving portion provided at the other end of the rotary body. The drive members of the present embodiment include the drive rack 15L serving as a first force application member that engages with the first force receiving portion, and the drive rack 15R serving as a second force application member that engages with the second force receiving portion. The output rack portion 152R (force transmitting portion) and the engagement portion 153R are provided in the drive rack 15R. The output rack portion 152L (force transmitting portion) and the engagement portion 153L are provided in the drive rack 15L.

[0355] FIGS. 20A and 20B are views showing the holding configuration of the drive racks 15R, 15L. FIG. 20A shows the holding configuration of the drive rack 15L. FIG. 20B shows the holding configuration of the drive rack 15R.

[0356] As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the drive rack 15L is held so as to be slidable by the lower holding member 34L and an upper holding member 33L provided in the apparatus body 1A. The drive rack 15R is held so as to be slidable by the lower holding member 34R and an upper holding member 33R provided in the apparatus body 1A. The lower holding members 34R, 34L and the upper holding members 33R, 33L are members fixed to the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A.

[0357] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20A, the drive rack 15L is supported so as to be slidable in the up and down direction (Z direction) of the apparatus body 1A by a lower guide portion 341L of the lower holding member 34L. When the drive rack 15L moves from the position in FIG. 20A upward (+Z direction) of the apparatus body 1A, the drive rack 15L is supported so as to be slidable by an upper guide portion 331L of the upper holding member 33L.

[0358] The lower guide portion 341L and the upper guide portion 331L of the present embodiment have a groove shape formed in the sliding direction of the drive rack 15L. The width of the groove shape in the direction (here, the Y direction) that crosses the sliding direction of the drive rack 15L corresponds to the width of the drive rack 15L. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the drive rack 15L in the direction that crosses the sliding direction. The upper holding member 33L supports the motor M2 and also supports the stepped gears 61, 62, the idle gear 63, and the stepped gear 65L such that they are rotatable.

[0359] As shown in FIG. 20B, the drive rack 15R is supported so as to be slidable in the up and down direction (Z direction) of the apparatus body 1A by a lower guide portion 341R of the lower holding member 34R. When the drive rack 15R moves from the position in FIG. 20B upward (+Z direction) of the apparatus body 1A, the drive rack 15R is supported so as to be slidable by an upper guide portion 331R of the upper holding member 33R.

[0360] The lower guide portion 341R and the upper guide portion 331R of the present embodiment have a groove shape formed in the sliding direction of the drive rack 15R. The width of the groove shape in the direction (here, the Y direction) that crosses the sliding direction of the drive rack 15R corresponds to the width of the drive rack 15R. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the drive rack 15L in the direction that crosses the sliding direction. The lower holding member 34R supports the stepped gear 65R and the drive rack input gear 64R such that they are rotatable, and also supports the lock member 67 such that the lock member 67 is slidable in the right and left direction (Y direction) of the apparatus body 1A.

[0361] FIGS. 21A and 21B are perspective views of the rotary body 90. FIG. 21B shows the state where the rotary body 90 of FIG. 21A is rotated 180 around the rotation axis 90C.

[0362] The center area of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction is not shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B.

[0363] As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the engaged portion 99b is provided one by one near each of the pinions 94 of the rotary body 90. In other words, the rotary body 90 includes an engaged portion 99byL corresponding to the pinion 94yL, an engaged portion 99bmL corresponding to the pinion 94mL, an engaged portion 99bcL corresponding to the pinion 94cL, and an engaged portion 99bkL corresponding to the pinion 94kL. The rotary body 90 includes an engaged portion 99byR corresponding to the pinion 94yR, an engaged portion 99bmR corresponding to the pinion 94mR, an engaged portion 99bcR corresponding to the pinion 94cR, and an engaged portion 99bkR corresponding to the pinion 94kR. The left-side four engaged portions 99byL to 99bkL are disposed at intervals of 90 around the rotation axis 90C, and the right-side four engaged portions 99byR to 99bkR are disposed at intervals of 90 around the rotation axis 90C.

[0364] Each of the left-side engaged portions 99byL to 99bkL is an example of a first engaged portion engaged with the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L serving as the first force applying member. Each of the right-side engaged portions 99byR to 99bkR is an example of a second engaged portion that engages with the engagement portion 153R of the drive rack 15R serving as the second force application member.

[0365] FIGS. 22A to 22D are views illustrating the configuration related to the regulation of the gear clearance. The left-side view of each of FIGS. 22A to 22D is a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis C of the rotary body 90. The right-side view of each of FIGS. 22A to 22D is a perspective view of the left side of the rotary body 90. In the right-side view (perspective view) of each of FIGS. 22A to 22C, the pinion 94kL is not shown.

[0366] Hereinafter, the operation of the drive rack 15 and the pinion 94k in the tray ejection operation of the tray 80k will be described. Here, the operation of the drive rack 15 and each of the pinions 94y to 94c in the tray ejection operation of a corresponding one of the trays 80y to 80c is substantially similar to the operation of the drive rack 15 and the pinion 94k, so the description is omitted. The following description will be performed by using the drive rack 15L and the pinion 94kL disposed at the left side of the apparatus body 1A. The operation of the drive rack 15R and the pinion 94kR disposed at the right side of the apparatus body 1A is substantially similar to the operation of the drive rack 15L and the pinion 94kL, so the description is omitted.

[0367] The lower-side (Z-side) end position of the apparatus body 1A in the range in which the drive rack 15L is slidable is referred to as the lower position of the drive rack 15L. The upper-side (+Z-side) end position of the apparatus body 1A in the range in which the drive rack 15L is slidable is referred to as the upper position of the drive rack 15L. During the process in which the drive rack 15L moves from the lower position toward the upper position, the position of the drive rack 15L when the output rack portion 152L of the drive rack 15L first contacts the teeth of the pinion 94k is referred to as a meshing start position. During the process in which the drive rack 15L moves from the lower position to the upper position, the position of the drive rack 15L when the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L starts engaging with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90 is referred to as an engagement start position.

[0368] FIG. 22A shows the state of the drive rack 15L in the case where the tray 80k is at the storage position. In this case, the drive rack 15L is at the lower position. The output rack portion 152L is not in mesh with the pinion 94kL. In other words, the lower position of the drive rack 15L is a position (disengaged position) at which the output rack portion 152L (force transmitting portion) of the drive rack 15L is away from the pinion 94kL (driven unit). The engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L is not engaged with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90.

[0369] When the drive rack 15L is at the lower position, the drive rack 15L is positioned in the front and rear direction (X direction) of the apparatus body 1A at two locations, that is, a support portion H1 (first support portion) and a support portion H2 (second support portion). In other words, the support portions H1, H2 restrict the movement of the drive rack 15L (drive member) in a direction to separate from the rotary body 90 (rotary). The support portions H1, H2 are provided on the frame 16 of the apparatus body 1A (main body frame) to support the drive rack 15L (drive member). The support portions H1, H2 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in the moving direction of the drive rack 15L. Because the movement of the drive rack 15L in the front and rear direction (X direction) of the apparatus body 1A is restricted at least at two locations spaced apart in the up and down direction, the tilting of the drive rack 15L is also suppressed.

[0370] In the present embodiment, the support portions H1, H2 are provided on the lower guide portion 341L of the lower holding member 34L (FIG. 20A). Alternatively, the support portions H1, H2 may be provided on another member. The support portions H1, H2, as in the case of the engaged portions 99bkL (FIG. 23), have a shape (hook shape) that engages with the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L.

[0371] Subsequently, when the tray ejection operation is started, the drive rack 15L moves upward (in the +Z direction) of the apparatus body 1A. Then, in the state shown in FIG. 22B, the rotation of the rotary body 90 is restricted by the lock mechanism 90L. At this time, the output rack portion 152L of the drive rack 15L has not yet meshed with the pinion 94kL. The drive rack 15L is positioned in the front and rear direction (X direction) of the apparatus body 1A at two locations, that is, the support portions H1, H2.

[0372] As the tray ejection operation progresses further, the drive rack 15L reaches the engagement start position at which the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L engages with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90 as shown in FIG. 22C. After that, the meshing of the output rack portion 152L of the drive rack 15L with the pinion 94kL starts.

[0373] In other words, by the time the output rack portion 152L meshes with the pinion 94kL, the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L is engaged with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90. In other words, the drive rack 15L (drive member) moves from the lower position (disengaged position) at which the output rack portion 152L (force transmitting portion) is away from the pinion 94kL (driven unit), in the direction in which the output rack portion 152L approaches the pinion 94kL. Then, after the drive rack 15L starts moving from the lower position, the engagement portion 153L engages with the rotary body 90 (rotary) before the output rack portion 152L engages with the pinion 94kL.

[0374] FIG. 23 is a view of the configuration related to the regulation of the gear clearance between the pinion 94kL and the drive rack 15L when viewed from the upper side (+Z side) of the apparatus body 1A. As shown in FIG. 23, when the output rack portion 152L meshes with the pinion 94kL, the tooth surface of the output rack portion 152L receives the force Fg including the component in the direction of the arrow in the drawing (+X direction, the direction in which the gear tooth surfaces move away from each other) from the tooth surface of the pinion 94kL. In other words, when viewed in the sliding direction of the drive rack 15L, the drive rack 15L receives the force including the component in the direction (+X direction) to move away from the rotation axis of the pinion 94kL.

[0375] Here, as shown in FIG. 23, the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L has a contact surface cs1 (first surface) facing in the direction away from the rotation axis of the pinion 94kL (+X direction). The engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90 has a contacted surface cs2 (second surface) configured to face in the X direction when the rotary body 90 is in the black replacement posture. As a result, when the engagement portion 153L engages with the engaged portion 99bkL, the drive rack 15L is restricted from moving in the +X direction relative to the rotary body 90. When the engagement portion 153L engages with the engaged portion 99bkL, the rotary body 90 is restricted from moving in the X direction relative to the drive rack 15L.

[0376] When the contact surface cs1 contacts the contacted surface cs2, the relative movement between the drive rack 15L and the pinion 94kL to cause the drive rack 15L to move away from the rotation axis of the pinion 94kL in the orthogonal direction is restricted.

[0377] FIG. 22D shows the state of the drive rack 15L in the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position (the state after completion of the tray ejection operation). At this time, the drive rack 15L is at the upper position. The engagement of the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90 is maintained. In other words, during the period from when the drive rack 15L passes through the engagement start position (FIG. 22C) to when the tray 80k reaches the eject position (FIG. 22D), the engagement of the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90 is maintained.

[0378] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the engagement of the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L with the engaged portion 99bkL of the rotary body 90 is maintained throughout the entire period of time during which the output rack portion 152L of the drive rack 15L is in mesh with the pinion 94kL in the tray ejection operation. It is possible to further suppress variation in gear clearance between the pinion 94kL and the drive rack 15L.

[0379] In the present embodiment, the lower end of the drive rack 15L is configured to pass through the lower-side support portion H2 before the drive rack 15L reaches the engagement start position with the engaged portion 99bkL (FIG. 22C). In other words, after the drive rack 15L starts moving from the lower position (disengaged position), the drive rack 15L disconnects from any one of the first support portion (H1) and the second support portion (H2) before the engagement portion 153L engages with the rotary body 90. The timing at which the lower end of the drive rack 15L passes through the lower-side support portion H2 may be just before the drive rack 15L reaches the engagement start position with the engaged portion 99bkL.

[0380] A tapered or other guiding portion (entry guide) can be provided at at least one of the upper end of the engagement portion 153L of the drive rack 15L and the entrance-side end (lower end in the posture of FIG. 21A) of the engaged portion 99bkL. In the present embodiment, a tapered guiding portion tp is provided at the upper end of the engagement portion 153L (FIG. 19B). By the time the lower end of the drive rack 15L passes through the lower-side support portion H2, the guiding portion tp can have entered the engaged portion 99bkL (the tip of the guiding portion tp can be above the lower end of the engaged portion 99bkL).

[0381] In the above description, the benefits of suppressing variation in gear clearance in the operation to move the tray 80k from the storage position to the eject position (tray ejection operation) have been described. However, there are similar benefits also in the operation to move the tray 80k from the eject position to the storage position (tray insertion operation).

Automatic Insertion Function when Tray Pushing Action Is Detected

[0382] When the tray 80k is at the eject position, a user is able to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to perform the tray insertion operation by operating the operating unit (for example, buttons on the operating panel) of the apparatus body 1A. However, with the configuration that the tray 80k at the eject position is automatically pulled in to the storage position when the user pushes the tray 80k in, further intuitive operation is possible, so the operability improves.

[0383] Hereinafter, the function (automatic tray insertion function) to automatically start tray insertion operation by detecting that the user pushes the tray 80k in will be described with reference to FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 25A to 25E. Automatically means that the control unit 30 determines to execute the tray insertion operation in the state where the user has not explicitly provided an instruction to execute the tray insertion operation through the operating unit or the like. In the following description, the configuration to detect pushing action and the automatic insertion function for the tray 80k will be described; however, the image forming apparatus 1 also has substantially the same configuration to detect pushing action and automatic insertion function for the trays 80y to 80c.

[0384] To enable the control unit 30 to detect that the user pushes the tray 80k in, it is sufficient to provide a configuration that detects the movement of the tray 80k itself or the movement of a component that operates in conjunction with the tray 80k. In the present embodiment, as will be described below in detail, a sensor (tray eject sensor 135) that detects the rotation of the idle gear 63 serving as a member that operates in conjunction with the tray 80k is provided. The tray eject sensor 135 is an example of a detector configured such that a signal changes when the tray 80k (support member) supporting the toner cartridge 70k (cartridge) is moved from the eject position (second position) toward the storage position (first position). The signal output from the tray eject sensor 135 varies between the state where the tray 80k is at the eject position and the state where the tray 80k is at the storage position. The signal output from tray eject sensor 135 varies between the state where the toner cartridge 70k (cartridge) is at the mounting position and the state where the toner cartridge 70k (cartridge) is at the retreat position.

[0385] Incidentally, as described earlier, the drive system 100 of the tray 80k includes the motor M2 that is the drive source, and the drive transmission mechanism 101 that transmits the driving force of the motor M2 to the tray 80k (FIGS. 13A and 13B). The drive transmission mechanism 101 includes the worm gear 60 and the gears 61, 62, 65R, 65L as a speed reduction mechanism that can reduce and transmit the rotation speed (angular velocity) of the output shaft of the motor M2 to downstream drive transmission elements. With the speed reduction mechanism, the motor M2 with a small output power can be used to perform the tray insertion operation. In other words, with the speed reduction mechanism, a small-size motor can be used as the drive source, with the result that it is possible to achieve downsizing and cost reduction of the apparatus body 1A.

[0386] Here, when the user attempts to push the tray 80k in at the eject position, the user's pushing force is transmitted toward the upstream side (the motor M2 side) through the drive transmission elements of the drive transmission mechanism 101. If the motor M2 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the pushing-in of the tray 80k, pushing force used to move the tray 80k increases due to the load to rotate the motor M2 in a stopped state. Particularly, in the case of the configuration that the force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the tray 80k through the speed reduction mechanism, the force for pushing the tray 80k in to rotate the motor M2 further increases. When the speed reduction mechanism includes a worm gear like the present embodiment, the worm gear self-locks even when the user attempts to push the tray 80k in, so the motor M2 cannot be reversed. In this case, the user cannot basically push the tray 80k in.

[0387] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the idle gear 63 is disposed in the drive transmission path from the worm gear 60 to the tray 80k, and the idle gear 63 is configured to rotate freely in conjunction with the pushing-in of the tray 80k. Due to the free rotation of the idle gear 63, the drive transmission element (stepped gear 62) does not operate in conjunction with the pushing-in of the tray 80k compared to the idle gear 63, so the user is able to push the tray 80k in with light pushing force. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the sensor (tray eject sensor 135) capable of detecting the rotation of the idle gear 63 serving as a transmission unit is used to detect pushing-in of the tray 80k and automatically execute the tray insertion operation.

[0388] Hereinafter, a push-in detection mechanism for detecting the pushing-in of the tray 80k will be described. FIGS. 24A and 24B are exploded views of the idle gear 63 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 24A is a perspective view of the idle gear 63 when viewed from one side in the direction along the rotation axis 63C of the idle gear 63. FIG. 24B is a perspective view of the idle gear 63 when viewed from the other side in the direction along the rotation axis 63C.

[0389] As shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the idle gear 63 is a gear unit including two gears, that is, an input gear 631 and an output gear 632. The input gear 631 and the output gear 632 are arranged in the direction of the rotation axis 63C. The input gear 631 and the output gear 632 each are rotatable around the rotation axis 63C.

[0390] The input gear 631 has a gear portion that meshes with the stepped gear 62 (FIG. 13A), and the driving force of the motor M2 is input to the input gear 631. In other words, the input gear 631 is drivably connected to the motor M2 via the stepped gear 62 and the like. The output gear 632 has a gear portion (tooth portion) that meshes with the drive rack input gear 64L and the stepped gear 65L (see FIG. 13A), and outputs driving force toward the tray 80k. In other words, the output gear 632 is configured to be drivably connected to the tray 80k via the drive rack input gear 64L, the stepped gear 65L, and the like.

[0391] The idle gear 63 is an example of a transmission unit configured to transmit the driving force of the motor M2 to the tray 80k. In the present embodiment, the idle gear 63 functions as a transmission unit capable of taking an interrupted state in which the transmission of force from the tray 80k to the motor M2 is interrupted. The input gear 631 is an example of an input portion of the transmission unit. The output gear 632 is an example of an output portion of the transmission unit.

[0392] Hereinafter, the rotation direction of the input gear 631 when the motor M2 rotates in the forward direction is referred to as the forward rotation direction R1 of the idle gear 63. The rotation direction of the input gear 631 when the motor M2 rotates in the reverse direction is referred to as the reverse rotation direction R2 of the idle gear 63.

[0393] As shown in FIG. 24A, the input gear 631 has a protrusion 631a. The protrusion 631a protrudes toward the output gear 632 in the direction along the rotation axis 63C.

[0394] A forward rotation contact portion 631b is provided at one end (the end in the forward rotation direction R1) of the protrusion 631a. A reverse rotation contact portion 631c is provided at the other end (the end in the reverse rotation direction R2) of the protrusion 631a. In the present embodiment, two protrusions 631a are disposed at positions 180 apart from each other around the rotation axis 63C.

[0395] As shown in FIG. 24B, a groove 632a is provided on the output gear 632. The groove 632a is a recess recessed from the input gear 631 side toward the output gear 632 in the direction along the rotation axis 63C. A forward rotation contacted portion 632b is provided at one end (the end in the forward rotation direction R1) of the groove 632a. A reverse rotation contacted portion 632c is formed at the other end (the end in the reverse rotation direction R2) of the groove 632a. In the present embodiment, two grooves 632a are provided at positions 180 apart from each other around the rotation axis 63C.

[0396] The output gear 632 has a substantially cylindrical (arc-shaped) outer peripheral surface 632e centered on the rotation axis 63C, and an outer peripheral recess 632f recessed toward the side closer to the rotation axis 63C relative to the outer peripheral surface 632e. The outer peripheral recess 632f is continuously connected to one of the grooves 632a.

[0397] The protrusion 631a of the input gear 631 is formed within the range of angle 1 in the forward rotation direction R1. The groove 632a of the output gear 632 is formed within the range of angle 2 in the forward rotation direction R1. The range in which the protrusion 631a is formed is narrower than the range in which the groove 632a is formed. In other words, 1<2.

[0398] A cylindrical shaft portion 631d is formed at the center of the input gear 631 (FIG. 24A). A hole 632d is formed at the center of the output gear 632 (FIG. 24B). When the shaft portion 631d of the input gear 631 engages with the hole 632d of the output gear 632, the input gear 631 and the output gear 632 are connected so as to be rotatable around the common rotation axis 63C and relatively rotatable. The input gear 631 is rotatably supported by fitting the shaft portion 631d into a support shaft provided on the upper holding member 33L (see FIG. 20A).

[0399] The protrusion 631a is accommodated within the space inside the groove 632a in the state where the input gear 631 and the output gear 632 are connected. At this time, since 1<2, the protrusion 631a and the groove 632a allow the input gear 631 and the output gear 632 to rotate relative to each other within an angle of 3=21. In other words, the input gear 631 and the output gear 632 can rotate (freely rotate) relative to each other within the range of angle 3.

[0400] FIGS. 25A to 25E are views for illustrating the push-in detection mechanism for the tray 80k. The right-side views of FIGS. 25A to 25E show the positions of the tray 80k. The left-side views of FIGS. 25A to 25E are views showing the states of the idle gear 63 and the tray eject sensor 135, corresponding to the right-side views.

[0401] As shown in FIGS. 25A to 25E, the tray eject sensor 135 is disposed so that the tray eject sensor 135 can contact the outer peripheral surface 632e of the output gear 632. The tray eject sensor 135 is configured to switch a detection signal between the state where the tray eject sensor 135 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 632e of the output gear 632 and the state where the tray eject sensor 135 is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface 632e (that is, the state where the tray eject sensor 135 faces the outer peripheral recess 632f).

[0402] In other words, the tray eject sensor 135 can detect whether the output gear 632 is within a predetermined rotation range (the range in which the tray eject sensor 135 faces the outer peripheral recess 632f).

[0403] The output gear 632 is an example of a rotating member rotatable around the rotation axis. The signal output by the tray eject sensor 135 serving as the detector of the present embodiment changes according to the rotation of the output gear 632. In the present embodiment, the rotation angle of the output gear 632 (rotating member) during the period when the tray 80k (support member) moves from the storage position (first position) to the eject position (second position) is smaller than 360. In other words, because the position of the tray 80k when the signal of the tray eject sensor 135 changes is uniquely determined, accurate control according to the position of the tray 80k can be achieved.

[0404] The operations from when the tray ejection operation for the tray 80k is performed to when the tray insertion operation is automatically performed as a result of user's pushing-in of the tray 80k will be described with reference to FIGS. 25A to 25E.

[0405] FIG. 25A shows the state of the idle gear 63 and the tray eject sensor 135 when the tray 80k is at the storage position Q1. At this time, the tray eject sensor 135 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 632e of the output gear 632. FIGS. 25A to 25E show the positions of the tray 80k with reference to the tip of the tray 80k in the ejection direction Dk1.

[0406] When the user provides an instruction for the tray ejection operation by operating the buttons and the like on the control panel, the control unit 30 rotates the motor M2 in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the tray 80k, with the result that the tray 80k moves in the ejection direction Dk1. At this time, the input gear 631 of the idle gear 63 rotates in the forward rotation direction R1 under the driving force from the motor M2. The forward rotation contact portion 631b (first engagement portion) of the input gear 631 contacts the forward rotation contacted portion 632b (first contacted portion) of the output gear 632, the driving force is transmitted from the input gear 631 to the output gear 632, and the output gear 632 also rotates in the forward rotation direction R1.

[0407] FIG. 25B shows the state of the idle gear 63 and the tray eject sensor 135 when the tray 80k is ejected to a predetermined position Q2 between the storage position and the eject position. When the tray 80k reaches the predetermined position Q2, the tray eject sensor 135 switches from the state where the tray eject sensor 135 faces the outer peripheral surface 632e of the output gear 632 to the state where the tray eject sensor 135 faces the outer peripheral recess 632f of the output gear 632. The control unit 30 detects that the tray 80k has reached the predetermined position Q2 based on the change in the detection signal of the tray eject sensor 135.

[0408] The control unit 30 stops the motor M2 after the forward rotation of the motor M2 is continued for a predetermined time T4 even after the tray 80k has reached the predetermined position Q2. As a result, the tray 80k moves to the eject position Q3 as shown in FIG. 25C. At this time, the input gear 631 rotates clockwise in the drawing by an angle of 4. In other words, the angle 4 is the amount of rotation of the input gear 631 during the period when the tray 80k moves from the predetermined position Q2 to the eject position Q3.

[0409] FIG. 25C shows the state of the idle gear 63 and the tray eject sensor 135 when the tray 80k is ejected to the eject position Q3. In this state, the forward rotation contact portion 631b of the input gear 631 is in contact with the forward rotation contacted portion 632b of the output gear 632. The tray eject sensor 135 is in the state of facing the outer peripheral recess 632f of the output gear 632.

[0410] In the state where the tray 80k is ejected to the eject position Q3, the control unit 30 rotates the motor M2 in the reverse direction for a certain period of time, and then the motor M2 is stopped.

[0411] As shown in FIG. 25D, the input gear 631 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R2 under the driving force from the motor M2 due to the reverse rotation of the motor M2. As a result, the forward rotation contact portion 631b of the input gear 631 separates from the forward rotation contacted portion 632b of the output gear 632.

[0412] The angle by which the input gear 631 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R2 during the period when the motor M2 reverses for a predetermined time is denoted as 5. The angle 5 is smaller than the angle 3 by which the input gear 631 and the output gear 632 can freely rotate (5>3). Therefore, the reverse rotation contact portion 631c of the input gear 631 does not contact the reverse rotation contacted portion 632c of the output gear 632 while the motor M2 reverses. In other words, the driving force of the motor M2 is not transmitted to the output gear 632, and the tray 80k does not move in the insertion direction Dk2 from the eject position Q3. Thus, the tray ejection operation from the storage position to the eject position of the tray 80k is completed.

[0413] FIG. 25D shows the state of the idle gear 63 and the tray eject sensor 135 when the tray ejection operation for the tray 80k completes. In this state, the forward rotation contact portion 631b of the input gear 631 is spaced apart from the forward rotation contacted portion 632b of the output gear 632. The reverse rotation contact portion 631c of the input gear 631 is also spaced apart from the reverse rotation contacted portion 632c of the output gear 632. The tray eject sensor 135 is in the state of facing the outer peripheral recess 632f of the output gear 632.

[0414] Here, considering the case where the user pushes in the tray 80k in the insertion direction Dk2 as shown in FIG. 25E. In this case, the pushing force that the user pushes the tray 80k in is transmitted to the output gear 632 in the reverse direction along the drive transmission path from the motor M2 to the tray 80k. As a result, the output gear 632 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R2.

[0415] On the other hand, because of the reverse rotation of the motor M2 during the tray ejection operation, there is the above-described gap of angle 5 between the forward rotation contact portion 631b and the forward rotation contacted portion 632b. Therefore, even when the output gear 632 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R2, the input gear 631 does not rotate in the reverse rotation direction R2. In other words, the input gear 631 and the drive transmission elements on the upstream side (motor M2 side) of the input gear 631 do not operate in conjunction with the pushing-in of the tray 80k. Therefore, the user can push the tray 80k in with light pushing force.

[0416] The angle by which the output gear 632 rotates during the period when the tray 80k is pushed in from the eject position Q3 to the predetermined position Q2 is denoted as 4. The angle 4 can be smaller than the angle 5 of the gap present between the forward rotation contact portion 631b and the forward rotation contacted portion 632b at the completion of the tray ejection operation (4<5). The angle 5 is the angle by which the output gear 632 can rotate in the reverse rotation direction R2 in the state where the input gear 631 is stopped. Therefore, where the relationship 4<5 holds, the user is able to push the tray 80k in with light pushing force until at least the tray 80k reaches the predetermined position Q2.

[0417] When the tray 80k is pushed in to the predetermined position Q2 as shown in FIG. 25E, the tray eject sensor 135 switches from the state where the tray eject sensor 135 faces the outer peripheral recess 632f of the output gear 632 to the state where the tray eject sensor 135 faces the outer peripheral surface 632e of the output gear 632. The control unit 30 detects that the tray 80k has been pushed into the predetermined position Q2 based on the change in detection signal from the tray eject sensor 135.

[0418] When the control unit 30 detects the pushing-in of the tray 80k, the control unit 30 rotates the motor M2 in the reverse direction and starts the tray insertion operation. When the motor M2 is reversed, the input gear 631 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R2, and the reverse rotation contact portion 631c (second engagement portion) of the input gear 631 engages with the reverse rotation contacted portion 632c (second engaged portion) of the output gear 632. As a result, the output gear 632 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R2, and the tray 80k moves toward the storage position. Then, when the control unit 30 detects that the tray 80k has reached the storage position Q1, the control unit 30 stops the motor M2 and completes the tray insertion operation.

[0419] As shown in FIG. 22A, a tray insertion sensor 134 capable of detecting that the tray 80k has reached the storage position is disposed in the apparatus body 1A.

[0420] The tray insertion sensor 134 is disposed so as to contact the drive rack 15L when the tray 80k is at the storage position Q1. In other words, the tray insertion sensor 134 is configured to change the detection signal in accordance with whether the drive rack 15L is at the lower position.

[0421] The control unit 30 can detect that the drive rack 15L has reached the lower position, that is, the tray 80k has reached the storage position Q1, based on the change in the detection signal of the tray insertion sensor 134.

[0422] As described above, the control unit 30 is configured to automatically execute the tray insertion operation when the control unit 30 detects that the tray 80k has been pushed in from the eject position Q3 to the predetermined position Q2.

[0423] In the present embodiment, the tray eject sensor 135 is used as a detector of which the signal changes when the tray 80k moves from the eject position toward the storage position. Alternatively, a detector that detects that the tray 80k receives a force in the direction from the eject position toward the storage position may be used. For example, a force/torque sensor, such as a load cell, is used as the detector. In this case, the control unit 30 just needs to reverse the motor M2 to execute the tray insertion operation based on the change in force/torque sensor signal when the user attempts to push the tray 80k in after the tray 80k has been ejected to the eject position and the motor M2 is not being driven.

[0424] In the present embodiment, an example in which the tray insertion operation is started due to the start of the motor M2 in a stopped state when the movement of the tray 80k is detected by the detector. Not limited to this, when the movement of the tray 80k is detected by the detector, the tray insertion operation may be started by connecting a clutch interposed between the motor M2 and the tray 80k in the state where the motor M2 is rotating.

Automatic Ejection Function in Case of Tray Insertion Abnormality

[0425] If an abnormality occurs in the tray insertion operation, the tray 80 can possibly stop at a position (abnormal position) that is neither the storage position nor the eject position. An abnormality occurs when, for example, foreign matter is caught between the tray 80 and another member to hinder the movement of the tray 80 in the insertion direction Dk2.

[0426] At this time, it is desirable to perform restoration work to return the apparatus to the state where the tray insertion operation can be executed by eliminating the cause of the abnormality (such as removing foreign matter).

[0427] When the tray 80 is at the eject position, the user is able to provide an instruction to start the tray insertion operation with a method of operating the operating unit (for example, buttons on the operating panel) provided on the apparatus body 1A or the above-described method of pushing the tray 80 in. When the control unit 30 detects a tray insertion operation instruction (insertion instruction) or pushing-in of the tray 80, the control unit 30 rotates the motor M2 in the reverse rotation direction. As a result, the tray insertion operation is started, and the tray 80 starts moving from the eject position toward the storage position under the driving force of the motor M2.

[0428] Here, assuming that an abnormality has occurred in the tray insertion operation and the movement of the tray 80 is hindered. In this case, the drive rack 15 cannot move to the lower position, and the tray insertion sensor 134 does not detect the drive rack 15. In other words, the control unit 30 determines that the tray insertion operation is not complete.

[0429] In the present embodiment, when the tray insertion sensor 134 does not detect the drive rack 15 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reverse rotation of the motor M2, the control unit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the tray insertion operation.

[0430] When the control unit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the tray insertion operation, the control unit 30 temporarily stops the motor M2 and then rotates the motor M2 in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the tray 80 starts moving from the abnormal position toward the eject position under the driving force of the motor M2. The control unit 30 determines that the tray 80 has reached the eject position, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of forward rotation of the motor M2, stops the motor M2, and ends the automatic ejection operation. The tray 80 may be configured to be moved to the eject position by using the tray eject sensor 135 through control similar to the normal tray ejection operation.

Automatic Tray Insertion Function in Case of Tray Ejection Abnormality

[0431] If an abnormality occurs in the tray ejection operation, the tray 80 can possibly stop at a position (abnormal position) that is neither the storage position nor the eject position.

[0432] For example, there may be a case where an obstacle is present at a position overlapping the movement trajectory of the tray 80 (for example, near the opening 16a of the apparatus body 1A) in the tray ejection operation, and the movement of the tray 80 is restricted when the tray 80 (or the door 14) in move contacts the obstacle. In this case, the tray 80 stops at the abnormal position.

[0433] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a function (tray automatic insertion function) to automatically move the tray 80 to the storage position if an abnormality occurs while the tray 80 is moving from the storage position to the eject position (during the tray ejection operation). Hereinafter, the tray automatic insertion function will be described.

[0434] When the tray 80 is at the storage position, a user is able to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to start the tray ejection operation with a method of operating the operating unit (for example, buttons on the operating panel) provided on the apparatus body 1A.

[0435] Here, assuming that an abnormality has occurred in the tray ejection operation and the movement of the tray 80 is hindered. In this case, the tray eject sensor 135 does not detect that the tray 80 has reached the predetermined position Q2. In other words, the control unit 30 determines that the tray ejection operation is not complete.

[0436] In the present embodiment, when the tray eject sensor 135 does not detect that the tray 80 has reached the predetermined position Q2 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the tray ejection operation, the control unit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the tray ejection operation.

[0437] When the control unit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the tray ejection operation, the control unit 30 temporarily stops the motor M2 and then rotates the motor M2 in the reverse rotation direction. As a result, the tray 80 starts moving from the abnormal position toward the storage position under the driving force of the motor M2. The control unit 30 determines that the tray 80 has reached the storage position, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of reverse rotation of the motor M2, stops the motor M2, and ends the automatic insertion operation. The tray 80 may be configured to be moved to the storage position by using the tray insertion sensor 134 through control similar to the normal tray insertion operation.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0438] The present invention can be implemented by processing of supplying a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and causing one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus to read and run the program. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Guide for Toner to Discharge Opening

[0439] As described above, toner contained in the toner storage chamber 71a is discharged from the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is put into the developing-side storage chamber 53a through the receiving opening 53b.

[0440] In the following description, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary body 90. A configuration for efficiently discharging toner contained in the toner storage chamber 71a through the discharge opening 71b will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.

[0441] FIG. 26 is a view that shows the internal structure of the toner cartridge 70. FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 70 and, specifically, a sectional view of the toner cartridge 70, taken in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C, when viewed in the Y direction.

[0442] Here, assuming that the toner cartridge 70 is projected in a first projection direction onto a first imaginary plane orthogonal to the first projection direction. At this time, the first projection direction that minimizes the projected area on the first imaginary plane can be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70.

[0443] As described above, in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is mounted to the rotary body 90, the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70 is parallel to the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90.

[0444] Furthermore, assuming that a direction orthogonal to the first projection direction is a second projection direction and the toner cartridge 70 is projected in the second projection direction onto a second imaginary plane orthogonal to the second projection direction. At this time, the second projection direction that minimizes the projected area on the second imaginary plane can be referred to as the transverse direction of the toner cartridge 70. In other words, the transverse direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70. Furthermore, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the toner cartridge 70 is referred to as the thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70.

[0445] In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, and thickness direction of the toner frame 71 can be defined in the same manner as the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, and thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70. In other words, the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, and thickness direction of the toner frame 71 are the same as the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, and thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70. Therefore, the length of each of the toner cartridge 70 and the toner frame 71 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the transverse direction and the length in the thickness direction.

[0446] The length in the transverse direction of each of the toner cartridge 70 and the toner frame 71 is longer than the length in the thickness direction.

[0447] In the following description, the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, and thickness direction of the toner frame 71 and the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, and thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70 are not distinguished from each other and are simply referred to as the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction, and the thickness direction.

[0448] As shown in FIG. 26, the toner frame 71 has the toner storage chamber 71a, and a right side surface 71eR and a left side surface 71eL facing each other. The right side surface 71eR and the left side surface 71eL are surfaces that expand in a direction that crosses (which can be a direction orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction, and face each other in the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the left side surface 71eL is located on one end side relative to the center 71c of the toner frame 71, and the right side surface 71eR is located on the other end side relative to the center 71c of the toner frame 71. In the longitudinal direction, the left side surface 71eL is located at one end of the toner storage chamber 71a, while the right side surface 71eR is located at the other end of the toner storage chamber 71a.

[0449] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the toner frame 71 has the toner storage chamber 71a, and an outer surface 710 and an inner surface 71i facing each other. The outer surface 710 and the inner surface 71i are surfaces that expand in a direction that crosses (which can be a direction orthogonal to) the transverse direction and that face each other in the transverse direction. In the radial direction of the rotary body 90, the inner surface 71i is closer to the rotation axis 90C than the outer surface 710 is to the rotation axis 90C. In the transverse direction, the outer surface 710 is located at one end of the toner storage chamber 71a, and the inner surface 71i is located at the other end of the toner storage chamber 71a.

[0450] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the toner frame 71 has the toner storage chamber 71a, and a first receiving surface 71dl and a second receiving surface 71d2 facing each other. The first receiving surface 71dl and the second receiving surface 71d2 are surfaces that expand in a direction that crosses (which can be a direction orthogonal to) the thickness direction and that face each other in the thickness direction. In the thickness direction, the first receiving surface 71dl is located at one end of the toner storage chamber 71a, and the second receiving surface 71d2 is located at the other end of the toner storage chamber 71a.

[0451] As shown in FIG. 26, the toner frame 71 of the present embodiment has the plurality of discharge openings including discharge openings (second openings) 71bR and discharge openings (first openings) 71bL. Each of the discharge openings 71bR, 71bL has a function as a discharge opening communicating with the toner storage chamber 71a. In the longitudinal direction, the discharge opening 71bL is located on one end side relative to the center 71c of the toner frame 71, and is located between the center 71c and the left side surface 71eL. In the longitudinal direction, the discharge opening 71bR is located on the other end side relative to the center 71c of the toner frame 71, and is located between the center 71c and the right side surface 71eR. In the present embodiment, in the longitudinal direction, the discharge opening 71bL is closer to the left side surface 71eL than the center 71c, and the discharge opening 71bR is closer to the right side surface 71eR than the center 71c.

[0452] In the present embodiment, the discharge opening 71bL is disposed such that, when the discharge opening 71bL is projected in the thickness direction onto a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, the projected area is maximum. The discharge opening 71bR is disposed such that, when the discharge opening 71bR is projected in the thickness direction onto a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, the projected area is maximum.

[0453] In the present embodiment, the discharge openings 71bR, 71bL are provided at the first receiving surface 71dl of the toner frame 71. Therefore, the discharge openings 71bR, 71bL face the second receiving surface 71d2 of the toner frame 71. In the present embodiment, the first receiving surface 71dl having the discharge opening 71bL and the first receiving surface 71dl having the discharge opening 71bR are continuous. However, the first receiving surface 71dl having the discharge opening 71bL and the first receiving surface 71dl having the discharge opening 71bR may be discontinuous.

[0454] The toner frame 71 has at least one guide portion 71g for guiding toner contained in the toner storage chamber 71a. The toner frame 71 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of the guide portions 71g. Each of the guide portions 71g is configured to guide toner moving by its own weight in a direction that crosses the Y direction toward the discharge openings 71b in the Y direction.

[0455] In the present embodiment, the spacing between the plurality of guide portions 71g is constant, and the inclination angle of each of the plurality of guide portions 71g is the same. However, the spacing between the plurality of guide portions 71g does not need to be constant. The inclination angles of the plurality of guide portions 71g may be different from each other.

[0456] In the present embodiment, the toner frame 71 includes at least one right-side guide 71gR and at least one left-side guide 71gL. In the present embodiment, the toner frame 71 includes a plurality of the right-side guides 71gR and a plurality of the left-side guides 71gL. The left-side guide 71gL guides toner toward the discharge opening 71bL in the Y direction, and the right-side guide 71gR guides toner toward the discharge opening 71bR in the Y direction. In other words, the toner frame 71 includes a plurality of toner guides, and the plurality of toner guides includes the right-side guides 71gR and the left-side guides 71gL.

[0457] In the longitudinal direction, the left-side guides 71gL are located between the center 71c of the toner frame 71 and the discharge opening 71bL, and the right-side guides 71gR are located between the center 71c of the toner frame 71 and the discharge opening 71bR. The left-side guides 71gL and the discharge opening 71bL and the right-side guides 71gR and the discharge opening 71bR have a symmetric shape in the longitudinal direction; however, the left-side guides 71gL and the discharge opening 71bL and the right-side guides 71gR and the discharge opening 71bR do not need to have a perfect symmetric shape. The number of the left-side guides 71gL may be different from the number of the right-side guides 71gR.

[0458] The right-side guide 71gR and the left-side guide 71gL guide toner in different directions; however, the right-side guide 71gR and the left-side guide 71gL generally have substantially a common basic configuration and function. Therefore, in the following description, the right-side guide 71gR and the left-side guide 71gL are referred to as the guide portions 71g, the discharge opening 71bR and the discharge opening 71bL are referred to as the discharge openings 71b, and they will be collectively described.

[0459] As shown in FIG. 27, the guide portions 71g are closer to the first receiving surface 71dl than to the second receiving surface 71d2. In the present embodiment, the guide portions 71g are disposed on the first receiving surface 71d1. In other words, the base of each of the guide portions 71g is connected to the first receiving surface 71d1. The first receiving surface 71dl having the discharge opening 71bL, the first receiving surface 71dl having the discharge opening 71bR, and the first receiving surface 71dl connected with the guide portions 71g may be discontinuous. On the other hand, there is a gap formed between the guide portions 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0460] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, each of the guide portions 71g has an outer end 71go and an inner end 71gi. In the radial direction of the rotary body 90, the inner end 71gi is closer to the rotation axis 90C than the outer end 71go is to the rotation axis 90C. In the longitudinal direction, the inner end 71gi is closer to the discharge opening 71b than the outer end 71go is to the discharge opening 71b. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first receiving surface 71d1, the angle formed by the straight line passing through the inner end 71gi and the outer end 71go and the longitudinal direction can be larger than the angle of repose of toner.

[0461] In the present embodiment, in the transverse direction, the distance between the outer end 71go and the inner end 71gi is shorter than the distance between the outer surface 710 and the inner surface 71i. In the transverse direction, the outer surface 710 faces the outer end 71go, and a gap is formed between the outer surface 710 and the outer end 71go. The inner surface 71i faces the inner end 71gi, and a gap is formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 71gi.

[0462] The guide portions 71g guide toner moving from the outer ends 71go toward the inner ends 71gi in the transverse direction, toward the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0463] When the first receiving surface (first surface) 71dl receives the weight of toner and tilts relative to the horizontal direction and the tilting angle of the first receiving surface 71dl relative to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves on the first receiving surface 71dl along the first receiving surface 71d1. At this time, the guide portions 71g guide the toner moving along the first receiving surface 71dl, toward the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0464] More specifically, assuming that, in the state where the first receiving surface 71dl is positioned below the second receiving surface 71d2, the first receiving surface 71dl tilts relative to the horizontal direction such that the outer end of the first receiving surface 71dl in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 is higher in level than the inner end of the first receiving surface 71d1. When the tilting angle of the first receiving surface 71dl relative to the horizontal direction exceeds the predetermined angle, toner moves along the first receiving surface 71dl from the outer end of the first receiving surface 71dl toward the inner end of the first receiving surface 71dl in a direction that crosses the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90.

[0465] When the toner moving on the first receiving surface 71dl contacts the surfaces of the guide portions 71g facing the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction, the toner is guided by the guide portions 71g toward the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0466] On the other hand, when the second receiving surface (second face) 71d2 receives the weight of toner and tilts relative to the horizontal direction and the tilting angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 relative to the horizontal direction exceeds the predetermined angle, the toner moves on the second receiving surface 71d2 along the second receiving surface 71d2. At this time, the toner moves from one of the outer end 71go and the inner end 71gi toward the other one of the outer end 71go and the inner end 71gi in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 through a gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner that moves through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2 can move without being guided by the guide portion 71g.

[0467] In the present embodiment, the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, and toner moves from the outer surface 710 toward the inner surface 71i in the transverse direction, and toner also moves from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 710. When toner moves from the outer surface 710 to the inner surface 71i, the toner is guided by the guide portions 71g toward the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 710, guiding of toner in the direction away from the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction is suppressed.

[0468] Therefore, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) with the toner cartridge 70 attached rotates, the amount of toner moving in the direction to approach the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction becomes greater than the amount of toner moving in the direction away from the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0469] In this way, in the present embodiment, toner is guided toward the discharge openings 71b in the longitudinal direction, and discharged from the discharge openings 71b. Therefore, toner contained in the toner storage chamber 71a can be efficiently discharged from the discharge openings 71b.

Suppression of Toner Backflow from Developing Unit to Toner Cartridge.

[0470] With the rotation of the rotary assembly 90A, the receiving opening (development opening) 53b can be positioned above the discharge opening 71b. For example, when the rotary body 90 takes the replacement posture (attaching/detaching posture) in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary body 90, the receiving opening 53b is positioned above the discharge opening 71b. When the receiving opening 53b is positioned above the discharge opening 71b, the backflow of toner from the developing unit 50 to the toner cartridge 70 can be suppressed.

[0471] Hereinafter, a configuration for suppressing toner backflow from the developing unit 50 to the toner cartridge 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29. In the following description, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary body 90.

[0472] FIGS. 28A and 28B are sectional views of the toner cartridge 70 and the developing unit 50 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 28A and 28B are sectional views taken in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction when viewed in the Y direction.

[0473] As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the developing unit 50 includes a cover (restricting portion, toner restricting portion) 54. The cover 54 is accommodated in the developing-side storage portion (receiving-side storage chamber, developing-side storage chamber) 53a. The cover 54 is movable relative to the receiving opening 53b, and is movable between a cover position at which the receiving opening 53b is covered by the cover 54 and a retracted position (cover retracted position) at which the cover 54 is retracted from the cover position.

[0474] In the present embodiment, the developing unit 50 has a connecting portion 55 that supports the cover 54.

[0475] The connecting portion 55 is connected to the cover 54 and is movable relative to the receiving opening 53b. The connecting portion 55 and the cover 54 are configured to move integrally. When the connecting portion 55 is moved, the cover 54 is moved between the cover position and the cover retracted position. The connecting portion 55 includes a shaft (transmitting portion) 55a, and the cover 54 is secured to the shaft 55a.

[0476] The shaft 55a can pivot about a cover pivot axis 55c. When the shaft 55a pivots, the cover 54 also pivots around the cover pivot axis 55c to move between the cover position and the cover retracted position. The details of the configuration for moving the cover 54 will be described later.

[0477] As shown in FIG. 28B, in the state where the receiving opening 53b is positioned above the discharge opening (outlet) 71b, the cover 54 is at the cover position. At this time, the cover 54 covers the receiving opening 53b, and discharge of toner contained in the developing-side storage chamber 53a to outside the developing unit 50 through the receiving opening 53b is restricted. The posture of the rotary body 90, in which the receiving opening 53b is positioned above the discharge opening 71b and the cover 54 is at the cover position, can be referred to as a cover posture (first posture).

[0478] FIG. 28B is a view that shows the state where the rotary body 90 is in the first posture in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary body 90. In other words, FIG. 28B may be regarded as a view showing the state where the rotary assembly 90A is in the first posture.

[0479] As shown in FIG. 28A, in the state where the receiving opening 53b is positioned below the discharge opening 71b, the cover 54 is positioned at the cover retracted position at which the cover 54 is retracted from the cover position. At this time, a gap through which toner can pass is formed between the cover 54 and the receiving opening 53b. When the cover 54 is at the cover retracted position, toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is allowed to pass between the cover 54 and the receiving opening 53b and enter the developing-side storage chamber 53a. The posture of the rotary body 90, in which the receiving opening 53b is positioned below the discharge opening 71b and the cover 54 is at the cover retracted position, can be referred to as a cover retracted posture (second posture).

[0480] FIG. 28A is a view that shows the state where the rotary body 90 is in the second posture in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary body 90. In other words, FIG. 28A may be regarded as a view showing the state where the rotary assembly 90A is in the second posture.

[0481] The receiving opening 53b does not need to be completely closed by the cover 54 in the state where the cover 54 is at the cover position. In other words, the discharge of toner from the receiving opening 53b does not need to be completely restricted by the cover 54. For example, a gap may be formed between the cover 54 and the receiving opening 53b in the state where cover 54 is at the cover position. In this case, the size of the gap formed between the cover 54 and the receiving opening 53b is smaller when the cover 54 is at the cover position than when the cover 54 is at the cover retracted position.

[0482] The cover 54 may close the receiving opening 53b so that no gap is formed between the cover 54 and the receiving opening 53b in the state where the cover 54 is at the cover position. In other words, the discharge of toner from the receiving opening 53b may be completely restricted.

[0483] FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the rotary assembly 90A according to the present embodiment. FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction when viewed in the Y direction. FIG. 29 shows the state where the developing units 50 and the corresponding toner cartridges 70 are respectively positioned at positions TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4.

[0484] When the rotary body 90 to which the toner cartridge 70 is attached is in the replacement posture, the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 are positioned at the position TP1. At this time, the receiving opening 53b is positioned above the discharge opening 71b, and the cover 54 is at the cover position. In this state, backflow of toner from the developing unit 50 to the toner cartridge 70 is suppressed.

[0485] In the present embodiment, the rotary body 90 to which the toner cartridge 70 is attached rotates clockwise when viewed in the Y direction, rotates from the position TP1 in order of the positions TP2, TP3, TP4, and returns to the position TP1 again. When the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 are at the position TP2, the receiving opening 53b and the discharge opening 71b are positioned below the rotation axis 90C, and the receiving opening 53b and the discharge opening 71b are arranged in the horizontal direction. When the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 are at the position TP3, the receiving opening 53b is positioned below the discharge opening 71b. When the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 are at the position TP4, the receiving opening 53b and the discharge opening 71b are positioned above the rotation axis 90C, and the receiving opening 53b and the discharge opening 71b are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0486] In the present embodiment, when the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 are at the position TP4 and at position TP2, the cover 54 is at the cover position. When the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 move from the position TP4 to the position TP2 via the position TP1, at least part of the receiving opening 53b is positioned above the discharge opening 71b. In the present embodiment, while the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 move from the position TP4 to the position TP2 via the position TP1 with the rotation of the rotary assembly 90A, the cover 54 is positioned at the cover position.

[0487] On the other hand, when the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 are at the position TP3, the cover 54 is positioned at the cover retracted position. In the present embodiment, the position at which the developing roller 51 of the developing unit 50 faces the photoconductor drum 2 is downstream of the position TP3 and upstream of the position TP4. In other words, while the posture of the rotary body 90 changes from the replacement posture to the development posture, the rotary body 90 takes the cover retracted posture, and the cover 54 is positioned at the cover retracted position. In the present embodiment, when the developing unit 50 is at the developing position, the receiving opening 53b is positioned below the discharge opening 71b, and the cover 54 is at the cover retracted position.

[0488] When the rotary body 90 rotates, the cover 54 moves to the cover retracted position after the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 pass through the position TP2, and moves to the cover position before the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 reach the position TP4.

Movement of Cover

[0489] The configuration of the covers 54 and the configuration for moving the covers 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 33C, 34A, 34B, and 34C.

[0490] FIGS. 30A, 30B, 31A, and 31B are views that show the configuration of the covers 54 and the connecting portion 55 according to the present embodiment. In FIGS. 30A and 30B, the covers 54 are positioned at the cover retracted position. In FIGS. 31A and 31B, the covers 54 are positioned at the cover position. FIGS. 30A and 31A are views that show the inside of the developing unit 50. FIGS. 30B and 31B are perspective views of the rotary unit 90U when viewed from the outside of the developing unit 50. FIGS. 32A and 32B are sectional views of the developing unit 50.

[0491] As shown in FIGS. 30A and 31A, in the present embodiment, the developing frame 53 has the plurality of receiving openings 53b. Furthermore, the developing unit 50 includes the plurality of covers 54. In other words, the developing openings include the plurality of receiving openings 53b, and the restricting portion (toner restricting portion) includes the plurality of covers 54. When the plurality of covers 54 is at the cover position, the plurality of covers 54 covers the plurality of receiving openings 53b; whereas, when the plurality of covers 54 is at the cover retracted position, toner discharged from the toner cartridge 70 is allowed to pass between the plurality of covers 54 and the plurality of receiving openings 53b and enter the developing-side storage chamber 53a.

[0492] As described above, the developing unit 50 includes the connecting portion 55. The connecting portion 55 includes the shaft 55a pivotable around the cover pivot axis 55c, and the cover 54 is secured to the shaft 55a. Hereinafter, the direction in which the cover pivot axis 55c extends is referred to as the pivot axis direction. In the present embodiment, the pivot axis direction is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis 90C.

[0493] In the direction orthogonal to the pivot axis direction, the cover 54 is disposed at a location away from the cover pivot axis 55c. More specifically, the shaft 55a is bent and is made up of portions that overlap the cover pivot axis 55c and portions away from the cover pivot axis 55c. The covers 54 are secured to the parts away from the cover pivot axis 55c.

[0494] The connecting portion 55 includes a receiving portion (held portion) 55b secured to the shaft 55a. When the receiving portion 55b is moved, the cover 54 moves through the shaft 55a between the cover position and the cover retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, the receiving portion 55b is secured to one end of the shaft 55a, and the other end of the shaft 55a is supported by the developing frame 53.

[0495] The receiving portion 55b is rotatably supported by the developing frame 53c and includes a protrusion (contact portion, restricted portion) 55b1. The cover 54 is accommodated in the developing-side storage chamber 53a, while the protrusion 55b1 is located outside the developing-side storage chamber 53a. In the direction orthogonal to the pivot axis direction, the protrusion 55b1 is disposed at a location away from the cover pivot axis 55c. When the protrusion 55bl is moved, the cover 54 is moved between the cover position and the cover retracted position. In the present embodiment, the rotary body 90 has a movement restricting portion 56r facing the receiving portion 55b.

[0496] As understood from FIGS. 30B and 31B, the position of the protrusion 55b1, when the cover 54 is at the cover retracted position, is farther from the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 than the position of the protrusion 55b1, when the cover 54 is at the cover position, is from the rotation axis 90C. In other words, when the protrusion 55b1 moves in the direction away from the rotation axis 90C in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C, the cover 54 moves from the cover position toward the cover retracted position. When the protrusion 55bl moves in the direction to approach the rotation axis 90C in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C, the cover 54 moves from the cover retracted position toward the cover position.

[0497] The protrusion 55b1 is moved as the rotary body 90 rotates. Hereinafter, the rotation of the rotary body 90 and the movement of the protrusion 55bl will be described.

[0498] FIGS. 33A, 33B, and 33C are views that show a rotary holder 99 supporting the rotary body 90. FIG. 33A is a view of the rotary holder 99 when viewed in the Y direction. FIG. 33B is a view of the rotary holder 99 from the other side in the Y direction. FIG. 33C is a perspective view of the rotary holder 99.

[0499] FIGS. 34A, 34B, and 34C are views that show the relationship between the rotation of the rotary body 90 and the movement of the projection 55b1 relative to the rotary holder 99. FIG. 34A is a perspective view of the rotary holder 99 and the protrusion 55b1. FIGS. 34B and 34C are side views of the rotary holder 99 and the rotary body 90. FIGS. 34B and 34C are views of the rotary holder 99 and the rotary body 90 when viewed in the Y direction.

[0500] The apparatus body 1A includes the rotary holder (rotary connecting member, rotary support member) 99. The rotary holder 99 has a rotary connecting portion (rotary support portion) 99h. The rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) is supported by the rotary connecting portion 99h so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 90C. The rotary holder 99 has a connecting hole 99r.

[0501] The pivot shaft 91 (FIG. 5) is inserted into the connecting hole 99r. Thus, the rotary holder 99 is pivotably supported about the pivot shaft 91. When the rotary cams 90eR, 90eL (FIG. 5) contact the roller 96, the rotary holder 99 pivots about the pivot shaft 91. As a result, the rotary body 90 pivots about the pivot shaft 91. In FIG. 34B, the rotary body 90 is in the development posture, and the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 is at a position close to the photoconductor drum 2. In FIG. 34C, the rotary body 90 is in the replacement posture, and the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 is at a position away from the photoconductor drum 2.

[0502] The rotary holder 99 has a surface 99sr, a surface 99sc1, and a surface 99sc2. In the present embodiment, the surface 99sr, the surface 99sc1, and the surface 99sc2 have a circular arc shape centered on the rotation axis 90C. The surface 99sr, the surface 99sc1, and the surface 99sc2 make up a guide portion that guides the connecting portion 55.

[0503] The protrusion 55b1 passes through the portion indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 34B when the rotary body 90 rotates relative to the rotary holder 99. The position of the protrusion 55b1 that is in contact with the surface 99sr is farther from the rotation axis 90C than the position of the protrusion 55b1 that is in contact with the surface 99sc1 is from the rotation axis 90C. The position of the protrusion 55b1 that is in contact with the surface 99sr is farther from the rotation axis 90C than the position of the protrusion 55b1 that is in contact with the surface 99sc2.

[0504] Each of the surface 99sr, the surface 99sc1, and the surface 99sc2 functions as a holding portion for holding the cover 54 at the cover position or at the cover retracted position. When the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates relative to the rotary holder 99, the connecting portion 55 contacts each of the surface 99sr, the surface 99sc1, and the surface 99sc2 to cause the cover 54 to be positioned at the cover position or at the cover retracted position.

[0505] The cover 54 is positioned at the cover retracted position in the state where the protrusion 55b1 serving as part of the connecting portion 55 is in contact with the surface 99sr. The surface 99sr restricts the movement of the cover 54 from the cover retracted position toward the cover position.

[0506] When the connecting portion 55 moves in a direction in which the protrusion 55bl moves away from the rotation axis 90C in the state where the protrusion 55b1 of the connecting portion 55 is in contact with the surface 99sr, the receiving portion 55b contacts the movement restricting portion 56r.

[0507] The cover 54 is positioned at the cover position in the state where the protrusion 55b1 is in contact with the surface 99sc1. The surface 99sc1 restricts the movement of the cover 54 from the cover position toward the cover retracted position.

[0508] The cover 54 is positioned at the cover position in the state where the protrusion 55b1 is in contact with the surface 99sc2. When the size of the protrusion 55b1 is smaller than the distance between the surface 99sc1 and the surface 99sc2, the position of the cover 54 when the protrusion 55bl contacts the surface 99sc1 is not completely the same as the position of the cover 54 when the protrusion 55b1 contacts the surface 99sc2. Even in any one of the case where the protrusion 55bl contacts the surface 99sc1 and the case where the protrusion 55bl contacts the surface 99sc2, the discharge of toner through the receiving opening 53b is suppressed by the cover 54. Therefore, the position of the cover 54 when the protrusion 55b1 contacts the surface 99sc1, and the position of the cover 54 when the protrusion 55b1 contacts the surface 99sc2 both can be referred to as the cover position.

[0509] In this way, the surface (first restricting portion) 99sc1 is configured to restrict the movement of the cover 54 from the cover position toward the cover retracted position when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) is in the cover posture. The surface (second restricting portion) 99sr is configured to restrict the movement of the cover 54 from the cover retracted position toward the cover position when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) is in the cover retracted posture.

[0510] After the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates relative to the rotary holder 99 and the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 pass through the position TP2 (see FIG. 29), the protrusion 55b1 contacts the surface 99sr. As a result, the cover 54 is positioned at the cover retracted position. In the present embodiment, when the developing unit 50 is at the developing position, the protrusion 55b1 is in contact with the surface 99sr. In the state where the cover 54 is at the cover retracted position, toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b of the toner cartridge 70 is allowed to be supplied to the developing unit 50.

[0511] When the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) further rotates relative to the rotary holder 99 in the state where the developing unit 50 is at the developing position, the protrusion 55b1 separates from the surface 99sr before the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 reach the position TP4 (see FIG. 29).

[0512] After the protrusion 55b1 separates from the surface 99sr, the protrusion 55bl enters a guide groove defined by the surface 99sc1 and the surface 99sc2 before the developing unit 50 and the toner cartridge 70 reach the position TP4. In the present embodiment, the width of the guide groove is larger than the protrusion 55b1. The protrusion 55b1 in the guide groove can contact at least one of the surface 99sc1 and the surface 99sc2. The cover 54 is positioned at the cover position when the protrusion 55b1 is in the guide groove.

Overall Configuration of Toner Cartridge

[0513] The overall configuration of the toner cartridge 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 35A, 35B, 36, 37A, 37B, 38A, 38B, 38C, 39A, 39B, 39C, and 39D.

[0514] FIGS. 35A and 35B are perspective views of the toner cartridge 70. FIG. 35A shows the toner cartridge 70 of which a toner shutter 76 (described later) is at a closed position. FIG. 35B shows the toner cartridge 70 of which the toner shutter 76 is at an open position.

[0515] FIG. 36 is a view that shows the toner cartridge 70 when viewed in the transverse direction. More specifically, FIG. 36 shows the toner cartridge 70 when viewed in the transverse direction such that a memory 74 (described later) is located at the front. In FIG. 36, the toner shutter 76 is at the closed position.

[0516] As shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B, the toner cartridge 70 includes a toner lid 72 and a toner container 73. The toner lid 72 and the toner container 73 are fixed to each other to form the toner frame 71. In other words, the toner lid 72 and the toner container 73 are parts of the toner frame 71. The toner storage chamber 71a is defined between the toner lid 72 and the toner container 73.

[0517] In the state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the tray 80 at the eject position, the toner lid 72 is positioned above the toner container 73, and the toner container 73 faces the tray 80. In the state where the toner cartridge 70 is at the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53, the toner lid 72 faces the developing frame 53.

[0518] The surface facing upward in the vertical direction V in the state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the tray 80 at the eject position is referred to as the upper surface 71u of the toner frame 71. In the present embodiment, the upper surface 71u of the toner frame 71 is the same as the upper surface of the toner lid 72. A grip portion 72g having at least one protrusion is provided on the upper surface 71u of the toner frame 71. The shape of the grip portion 72g may be at least one recess or may include at least one protrusion and at least one recess. The position of the grip portion 72g may be determined as needed in consideration of the positional relationship with other members and the ease of holding the toner cartridge 70 by a user.

[0519] The toner lid 72 has the discharge openings 71b (71bR, 71bL). The toner lid 72 is an example of a first toner frame having the discharge openings 71b (71bR, 71bL). The toner lid 72 has a positioning groove 72pC and supported grooves 72pR, 72pL.

[0520] In the longitudinal direction, the positioning groove 72pC is located between the supported grooves 72pR, 72pL, and the supported grooves 72pR, 72pL are located between the discharge openings 71bR, 71bL. In the present embodiment, in the longitudinal direction, the positioning groove 72pC is located at the center of the toner frame 71.

[0521] In the longitudinal direction, the toner frame 71 has one end (first end) 71fR and the other end (second end) 71fL opposite to the one end 71fR. In the transverse direction, the toner frame 71 has one end (front end, first end) 71fO and the other end (rear end, second end) 71fI opposite to the one end 71fO. In the following description, in order to distinguish one end 71fR, the other end 71fL, one end 71fO, and the other end 71fI from one another, one end 71fR is referred to as the right end 71fR, the other end 71fL is referred to as the left end 71fL, one end 71fO is referred to as the outer end 71fO, and the other end 71fI is referred to as the inner end 71fI.

[0522] When the tray 80 moves from the eject position to the storage position and the toner cartridge 70 moves from the retreat position to the mounting position, the toner cartridge 70 moves from the outer end 71fO toward the inner end 71fI. In the state where the toner cartridge 70 is at the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53, the outer end 71fO is farther from the rotation center (rotation axis 90C) of the rotary body 90 than the inner end 71fI is from the rotation center.

[0523] The moving direction of the toner cartridge 70 in which the toner cartridge 70 moves from the retreat position to the mounting position is referred to as an insertion direction DtI. The moving direction of the toner cartridge 70 in which the toner cartridge 70 is moved from the mounting position to the retreat position is referred to as an eject direction DtO. The insertion direction DtI is a direction from the outer end 71f0 toward the inner end 71fI, and the eject direction DtO is a direction opposite to the insertion direction DtI and is a direction from the inner end 71fI toward the outer end 71fO. In other words, in the insertion direction DtI, the inner end 71fI is located downstream of the outer end 71fO. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction DtI and the eject direction DtO are parallel to the transverse direction.

[0524] Here, FIG. 36 may also be regarded as a view of the toner cartridge 70 when viewed in the insertion direction DtI.