Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in a new form developed from a conventional technique.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has: a photoconductor drum; an exposure device that exposes a surface of the photoconductor drum to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a rotatable rotary having a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, and a storage frame body that includes a storage unit storing a toner supplied to the developing roller; and a toner cartridge that stores the toner and is removably attached to the rotary. The exposure device includes a housing, and a passage part that is provided on the housing and allows passage of light radiated toward the photoconductor drum. The toner cartridge includes a toner discharge port for supplying the toner to the storage unit of the rotary. When a direction directed from one side to the other side in a rotation axis direction of the rotary is defined as a predetermined direction, a downstream end of the toner discharge port is located downstream of a downstream end of the passage part in the predetermined direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a rotary development system is known in which a color image is formed by rotating a rotary equipped with multiple developing members. Patent documents 1 and 2 describe image forming apparatuses equipped with a rotary equipped with multiple developing rollers and multiple toner cartridges (toner storage containers) that are detachably attached to the rotary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-183305 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-096852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus of a new type that is an improvement over conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: a rotatable rotary having a photosensitive drum; an exposure device that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image; and a storage frame body having a storage section that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller; and a toner cartridge that stores toner and is detachable from the rotary, the toner cartridge being movable with respect to the storage frame body between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position, and configured to supply toner to the storage section when in the attached position; the exposure device comprising: a housing; and a passing section provided in the housing through which light irradiated toward the photosensitive drum passes, the passing section being positioned below the rotational axis of the rotary; the toner cartridge having a toner discharge port for supplying toner to the storage section of the rotary; and when the direction from one side to the other in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotary is defined as a predetermined direction, the downstream end of the toner discharge port is located downstream of the downstream end of the passing section in the predetermined direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus of a new type that is an improvement over conventional technology. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a developing unit, a toner cartridge, and a tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are perspective views of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7]1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a configuration for moving a tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a configuration for moving a tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing the cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an intermediate transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a scanner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cleaning unit and the scanner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams showing a support configuration of the scanner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing image forming apparatuses according to first and second modified examples. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a scanner and a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a passing portion of the scanner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the scanner and the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] 21A is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section 21A-21A of FIG. 20 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section 21A-21A of FIG. 20 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Example 1 An image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12(a, b). In the following description and in each drawing, the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the Z direction. The direction of a rotation axis 90C of a rotary body 90 (described later) (rotary axis direction) that intersects with the Z direction is referred to as the Y direction. The direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 2 (photosensitive drum rotation axis direction) is also parallel to the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90, which is the Y direction. The direction that intersects with both the Z direction and the Y direction is referred to as the X direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are preferably perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, as necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing will be represented as the +X side, +Y side, and +Z side, respectively, and the opposite sides will be represented as the -X side, -Y side, and -Z side, respectively.

[0010] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) First, we will explain the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S by electrophotography. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color laser beam printer equipped with four development units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. As the sheet S, which is the recording material (recording medium), a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, surface-treated sheet materials such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and sheet materials of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0011] The schematic configuration and image forming operation of image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the drive source of image forming apparatus 1. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration for replenishing toner from toner cartridge 70 to developing unit 50.

[0012] 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body) 1A and toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k that are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1A. The apparatus main body 1A in this embodiment is the portion of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

[0013] An apparatus main body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 has a drum-shaped (cylindrical) electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drum) 2 as an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image. Around the photosensitive drum 2, a charging roller 3, a scanner 4 as an exposure device, and a cleaning unit 6 are arranged.

[0014] The charging roller 3 is an example of a charging means or charging unit for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The scanner 4 is an example of an exposure means or exposure unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light according to image information to expose it. By irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 2 with laser light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning unit 6 has a cleaning blade 61 that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and a waste toner storage section 62 that stores waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 61. The positional relationship between the cleaning unit 6 and the scanner 4 will be described later.

[0015] Furthermore, the apparatus main body 1A has a sheet storage section 300, a pickup roller 310, a feed roller 311, a separation roller 312, a pair of conveying rollers 320, a secondary transfer roller 12, a fixing device 40, and an intermediate transfer unit 10. The pickup roller 310 is an example of a feeding means or a feeding unit that feeds the sheet S. The feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 are examples of a separation conveying unit that separates and conveys the sheets S one by one by frictional force. The secondary transfer roller 12 is an example of a transfer means or a transfer unit that transfers an image from the intermediate transfer belt 10a to the sheet S.

[0016] The intermediate transfer unit 10 has an 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 body that carries an image transferred (primary transfer) from the photosensitive drum 2 and transports it to be transferred (secondary transfer) to a sheet S. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is stretched over the belt drive roller 10b and the tension roller 10c. The belt drive roller 10b is a drive member that is rotationally driven by a drive source to transport the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0017] The apparatus main body 1A also has a rotary main body (rotary, rotating body, developing device) 90 having developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. As will be described later, in this embodiment, trays (support members) 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are attached to the rotary main body 90. Toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are removably attached to the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

[0018] In the following description, multiple components with similar functions may be distinguished by numbers. For example, one of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k may be referred to as the first toner cartridge, one of the remaining three as the second toner cartridge, one of the remaining two as the third toner cartridge, and the last one as the fourth toner cartridge. Similarly, one of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k may be referred to as the first tray, one of the remaining three as the second tray, one of the remaining two as the third tray, and the last one as the fourth tray. In other words, one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a first support member, another of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a second support member, yet another of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a third support member, and the last of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a fourth support member. These numbering schemes are used merely for convenience and, in principle, can be interchanged as appropriate.

[0019] The developing units (first to fourth developing units) 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are examples of developing means or developing sections that develop (visualize) the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image using toner of the corresponding color. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 using yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, or black toner, respectively. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k may be arranged in an order different from that shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] The developing unit 50y has a developing roller 51y, a supply roller 52y, and a developing blade. The developing roller 51y is a developer carrier that carries toner as a developer and rotates to supply the toner to the photosensitive drum 2. The supply roller 52y is disposed in contact with the developing roller 51y and is a supply member that supplies toner to the developing roller 51y. The developing blade is a regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer carried by the developing roller 51y. The other developing units 50m, 50c, and 50k also have similar developing rollers 51m, 51c, and 51k, supply rollers 52m, 52c, and 52k, and developing blades.

[0021] Toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are mounted on the rotary body 90, corresponding to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k contain yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively, to replenish the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. One of the four toner colors can be referred to as the first toner, one of the remaining three toner colors as the second toner, one of the remaining two toner colors as the third toner, and the last toner as the fourth toner. For example, black toner can be referred to as the first toner, and magenta toner as the second toner. These numbering schemes are used merely for convenience and can generally be interchanged as needed.

[0022] The rotary main body 90 has a rotary frame 90f that supports the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are supported by the rotary frame 90f, which is a rotatable support body.

[0023] Trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are attached to the rotary body 90. The combination of the rotary body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k can be called the rotary unit 90U. In other words, the rotary unit 90U has the rotary body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

[0024] The toner cartridges 70y-70k are detachably held in the trays 80y-80k. As will be described later, the trays 80y-80k are supported so as to be slidable to the outside of the rotary main body 90. The combination of the rotary unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k can be referred to as the rotary assembly 90A. In other words, the rotary assembly 90A has the rotary unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

[0025] As will be described later, the rotary body 90 is rotatable around a 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 also substantially parallel to the rotation axis (rotation center) of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0026] The rotary body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C to assume a developing position in which any one of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2. The position in which the developing roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the yellow developing position. The position in which the developing roller 51m faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the magenta developing position. The position in which the developing roller 51c faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the cyan developing position. The position in which the developing roller 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the black developing position. 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, and 51k relative to the photosensitive drum 2 change. The black developing position is an example of the first developing position in which the first developing roller (developing roller 51k) faces the photosensitive drum 2. The other developing positions are examples of the second developing position in which the second developing rollers (developing rollers 51y to 51c) face the photosensitive drum 2. The yellow / magenta / cyan / black developing positions can also be called the first to fourth developing positions. These numberings are used merely for convenience of explanation, and in principle can be interchanged as appropriate.

[0027] 2, the device main body 1A has motors M1, M2, and M3 as drive sources. As will be described later, the motor M1 supplies a drive force for rotating the rotary main body 90 about the rotation axis 90C. In other words, the motor M1 rotates the rotary assembly 90A and the rotary unit 90U about the rotation axis 90C.

[0028] The apparatus main body 1A also has a drive device 98 including a motor M2 and a transmission device. The transmission device includes drive racks 15L, 15R as drive gears, and a transmission unit 15t, which will be described later. The driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the drive racks 15L, 15R by the transmission unit 15t. In other words, the motor M2 is configured to drive the drive racks 15L, 15R, and moves the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k relative to the rotary main body 90 via the drive racks 15L, 15R.

[0029] Motor M3 drives components other than those driven by motors M1 and M2, such as the photosensitive drum 2, developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, pickup roller 310, feed roller 311, conveying roller pair 320, secondary transfer roller 12, belt drive roller 10b, and fixing device 40.

[0030] The components driven by motors M1, M2, and M3 can be changed as needed. Also, the functions of any two or all three of motors M1, M2, and M3 can be combined into one motor. Alternatively, drive sources other than motors M1, M2, and M3 may be added.

[0031] Furthermore, the apparatus main body 1A has a control unit 30 as a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 30 has a CPU that executes programs and a storage unit such as a ROM or RAM. The CPU reads and executes programs stored in the storage unit and controls the operation of actuators such as motors M1, M2, and M3 provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit includes non-volatile and volatile storage media, and serves as a storage location for programs and data, as well as a workspace for the CPU when executing the programs. Note that each function 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.

[0032] Here, the subscripts y, m, c, and k attached to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k, and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k indicate the toner color. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k share the same basic configuration and function. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k also share the same basic configuration and function. The trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k also share the same basic configuration and function. Therefore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, the subscripts y, m, c, and k are omitted and the unit is described as any one of the four units, cartridges, and trays. Furthermore, when it is necessary to distinguish between the four units, cartridges, and trays, the subscripts y, m, c, and k are added and the unit is described as one of the four units, cartridges, and trays corresponding to the subscript.

[0033] 3, the toner cartridge 70 has a toner frame 71. The toner frame 71 has a toner storage section 71a that stores toner, and a discharge opening 71b that communicates with the toner storage section 71a.

[0034] The developing unit 50 has a developing frame (storage frame) 53. The developing frame 53 has a developing-side storage portion 53a (storage portion) and a receiving opening 53b that communicates with the developing-side storage portion (toner supply chamber) 53a. That is, the rotary body 90 has a developing frame 53y, a developing frame 53m, a developing frame 53c, and a developing frame 53k. That is, the rotary body 90 has a first developing chamber, a second developing chamber, a third developing chamber, and a fourth developing chamber. As mentioned above, the developing unit 50 has a developing roller 51, a supply roller 52, etc., but these members are omitted in FIG. 3.

[0035] The developing roller 51k of the developing unit 50k is an example of a first developing roller. The developing roller 51m of the developing unit 50m is an example of a second developing roller. The developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(a)) of the developing unit 50k having the developing-side accommodating portion 53a is an example of a first accommodating frame having a first accommodating portion. The developing frame 53m (FIG. 4(a)) of the developing unit 50m having the developing-side accommodating portion 53a is an example of a second accommodating frame having a second accommodating portion. The rotary body 90 is an example of a rotatable rotary having a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a first accommodating frame having a first accommodating portion, and a second accommodating frame having a second accommodating portion. In this embodiment, the rotary body 90 has first to fourth developing rollers and first to fourth accommodating frames.

[0036] As will be described later, the toner cartridge 70 is movable between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position relative to the developing frame 53. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position relative to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b faces the receiving opening 53b. In other words, the toner storage portion 71a of the toner cartridge 70 and the developer-side storage portion 53a of the developing unit 50 communicate with each other via the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b. When toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50, at least a portion of the receiving opening 53b is positioned below at least a portion of the discharge opening 71b.

[0037] The toner contained in the toner container 71a is discharged from the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is received in the developer container 53a through the receiving opening 53b. That is, the first developer is supplied to the first developing chamber of the rotary body 90, the second developer is supplied to the second developing chamber, the third developer is supplied to the third developing chamber, and the fourth developer is supplied to the fourth developing chamber.

[0038] The toner contained in the developer-side container 53a is supplied to the developing roller 51 by the supply roller 52. The toner contained in the toner container 71a is supplied to the developing roller 51 through this route.

[0039] The toner cartridge 70 preferably has a sealing member (first sealing member) (not shown) that covers the discharge opening 71b, and the developing unit 50 preferably has a sealing member (second sealing member) (not shown) that covers the receiving opening 53b.

[0040] When the toner cartridge 70 is not attached to the developing unit 50, it is desirable that the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b are each covered with a sealing member so as to prevent toner from leaking out from the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b.

[0041] (Image formation operation) The image forming operation in this embodiment will be described. First, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in Fig. 1 in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10a. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 3.

[0042] When a color image is formed on the sheet S, the rotary body 90 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 (clockwise) while supporting the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, as follows: Then, the electrophotographic process is repeatedly performed while the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k are moved one by one to the developing position.

[0043] First, the scanner 4 irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light based on image data corresponding to a yellow image, forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. In parallel with the formation of this electrostatic latent image, the motor M1 rotates the rotary body 90, causing the rotary body 90 to assume a yellow developing position. When the rotary body 90 is in the yellow developing position, the developing roller 51y is in the developing position, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 with yellow toner.

[0044] In this embodiment, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k is an elastic roller with a metal shaft covered with rubber. At the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k develops an electrostatic latent image while in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment employs a contact development system. However, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k may also develop an electrostatic latent image while a gap is provided between the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k and the photosensitive drum 2 at the developing position. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 may employ a non-contact development system.

[0045] When the yellow toner image is developed, the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10a by the primary transfer roller 11 arranged inside the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0046] Thereafter, the rotary body 90 is rotated to move the developing rollers 51m, 51c, and 51k to the developing positions in order, thereby forming toner images of each color. That is, after a yellow toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 assumes a magenta developing position, and a magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After a magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 assumes a cyan developing position, and a cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After a cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary body 90 assumes a black developing position, and a black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After a 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 (clockwise) shown in FIG. 1 and returns to the yellow developing position. The color of the image formed first on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is arbitrary; for example, a black toner image may be formed first.

[0047] Then, the primary transfer is repeated so that the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, thereby forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. Note that, until the color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the secondary transfer roller 12 and the cleaning device 13 are not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0048] Meanwhile, sheets S are fed by a pickup roller 310 from a sheet storage unit 300 provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1A. The sheets S are separated into individual sheets by a feed roller 311 and a separation roller 312 and then fed to a pair of conveying rollers 320. The pair of conveying rollers 320 sends the fed sheets S to a transfer unit (secondary transfer unit), which is a nip between the intermediate transfer belt 10a and the secondary transfer roller 12. The color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is transferred (secondary transfer) onto the surface of the conveyed sheet S.

[0049] The sheet S onto which the color image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 40. In the fixing device 40, the sheet S is heated and pressurized, and the image is fixed onto the sheet S. After passing through the fixing device 40, the sheet S is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 1 as a finished product.

[0050] On the other hand, when a monochrome image is formed on the sheet S, the rotary body 90 takes the black developing position. In this state, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by charging and exposing the photosensitive drum 2, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed with 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 the sheet S. The subsequent steps are the same as those for color images.

[0051] (Rotary configuration) The configuration of the rotary body 90 will be described using Figures 1, 4(a, b), and 5. Figures 4(a, b) are cross-sectional views showing the rotary body 90 and its surroundings of the image forming apparatus 1. Figures 4(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the apparatus cut along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rotary body 90.

[0052] As described above, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are detachable from the rotary body 90. When the toner in the toner cartridges 70y to 70k runs out, the user can replenish toner in the image forming apparatus 1 by replacing the toner cartridges 70y to 70k with new ones.

[0053] 1, the apparatus main body 1A has a frame 16 that houses the rotary main body 90. The frame 16 is the main body frame of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment. The frame 16 is the housing (skeleton) of the apparatus main body 1A that is composed of a frame and exterior members, and is approximately rectangular in shape in this embodiment.

[0054] The frame 16 has an opening 16a. More specifically, the frame 16 has a side surface 16b that extends in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. The side surface 16b constitutes at least a part of the exterior surface on the +X side of the device main body 1A. The opening 16a is located on this side surface 16b. The side surface 16b is located downstream of the discharge port in the discharge direction in which the sheets S on which images are formed are discharged from the discharge port of the device main body 1A. A user can access the sheet storage unit 300 from the side surface 16b of the image forming apparatus 1 to refill the sheets S or retrieve the sheets S discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, the side surface 16b can be said to be the front surface (front face) of the device main body 1A.

[0055] Toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are detachably attached to the rotary body 90 through the opening 16a. In other words, toner cartridge 70k is an example of a first toner cartridge that contains toner to be supplied to the first developing roller (developing roller 51k) and is detachably attached to the rotary (rotary body 90) through the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus main body 1A. Toner cartridge 70m is an example of a second toner cartridge that contains toner to be supplied to the second developing roller (developing roller 51m) and is detachably attached to the rotary (rotary body 90) through the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0056] In this embodiment, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are supported by the trays 80y to 80k and are attached to and detached from the rotary body 90 through the opening 16a. In other words, the user can attach and detach the toner cartridges 70y to 70k to and from the rotary body 90 via the trays 80y to 80k.

[0057] The opening 16a is disposed on a side surface 16b of the frame body 16. In this embodiment, the side surface 16b is a surface that is approximately 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 intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the rotation axis 90C.

[0058] The image forming apparatus 1 has a door 14 that covers the opening 16a of the frame body 16. The door 14 is an openable / closable member that can be moved between a closed position where the opening 16a is covered (see also FIG. 6(a)), and an open position where the opening 16a is exposed (see also FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c)).

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be detachable from the rotary body 90 via the tray 80. Therefore, the toner cartridge 70 can be detachable from the rotary body 90 in a stable manner.

[0060] More specifically, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70 by inserting or removing the toner cartridge 70 into or from the tray 80, which is configured to be movable relative to the rotary body 90 (i.e., relative to the device main body 1A). In a configuration in which the user replaces the toner cartridge by directly inserting or removing the toner cartridge into or from the device main body, the user is required to insert the toner cartridge to a predetermined installation position within the device main body. In this embodiment, the tray 80 is movable so that the toner cartridge 70 moves to the installation position while supporting the toner cartridge 70. Therefore, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70 by simply placing the toner cartridge 70 on the tray 80, improving operability.

[0061] The toner cartridge 70 has an elongated shape with its longitudinal direction being the Y direction parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. In other words, the longitudinal dimension of the toner cartridge 70 is greater than the height and width of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. When handling such an elongated toner cartridge 70, by locating the opening 16a on the side surface 16b of the frame 16 that is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner cartridge 70, the toner cartridge 70 can pass through the opening 16a with a short movement distance. For example, this makes it easier to replace the toner cartridge 70 than when inserting or removing the toner cartridge 70 through an opening provided on the side surface of either side (+Y side or −Y side) of the frame 16 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70.

[0062] The rotary body 90 can rotate about a rotation axis 90C and assume replacement positions that allow removal of any of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the rotary body 90. The position that allows removal of the toner cartridge 70y is called the yellow replacement position. The position that allows removal of the toner cartridge 70m is called the magenta replacement position. The position that allows removal of the toner cartridge 70c is called the cyan replacement position.

[0063] The position in which removal of the toner cartridge 70k is permitted is called the black replacement position. The black replacement position is an example of a first replacement position in which removal of the first toner cartridge from the rotary body 90 is permitted. The yellow / magenta / cyan replacement position is an example of a second replacement position in which removal of the second toner cartridge from the rotary body 90 is permitted. The yellow / magenta / cyan / black replacement positions can also be called the first to fourth replacement positions. These numberings are used merely for convenience of explanation and can, in principle, be interchanged as appropriate.

[0064] The rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C, and can sequentially assume yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement positions. In this embodiment, the rotary body 90 alternates between the development position and the replacement position 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 position. From this state, by rotating the rotary body 90 clockwise, the rotary body 90 switches its position in the following order: cyan replacement position, yellow development position, black replacement position, magenta development position, yellow replacement position, cyan development position, and magenta replacement position. By rotating the rotary body 90 clockwise from the magenta replacement position, the rotary body 90 returns to the black development position. In other words, the rotary body 90 can rotate clockwise one revolution (360°) or more.

[0065] 4(a) shows a cross section of the rotary body 90 in a developing position (specifically, a yellow developing position), and FIG. 4(b) shows a cross section of the rotary body 90 in a replacement position (specifically, a black replacement position).

[0066] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), four trays 80y to 80k are attached to the rotary main body 90. The trays 80y to 80k hold the toner cartridges 70y to 70k, respectively. In Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the trays 80y to 80k are housed inside the rotary main body 90, which can be said to be the state in which the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are attached to the development units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k.

[0067] As described above, the toner cartridge 70 is movable between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. That is, the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is movable between a first attached position and a first retracted position relative to the first accommodating frame (developing frame 53k). The second toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70m) is movable between a second attached position and a second retracted position relative to the second accommodating frame (developing frame 53m).

[0068] When the toner cartridge 70 is in the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other, as shown in Fig. 3. In this state, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to supply toner to the developing-side accommodating portion 53a through the receiving opening 53b (the opening in the accommodating frame).

[0069] The apparatus main body 1A has a moving device 85 configured to move the toner cartridge 70 from an attached position to a retracted position relative to the rotary main body 90 (more specifically, relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50). The moving device 85 will be described later using FIG. 8 and other figures. In this embodiment, the rotary main body 90 is provided with a plurality of moving devices 85y-85k corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70y-70k. The trays 80y-80k can be said to be part of these moving devices 85y-85k.

[0070] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 70k containing black toner is larger in size and can contain more toner than the toner cartridges 70y to 70c containing yellow, magenta, and cyan toners. 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, with the first amount being greater than the second amount.

[0071] 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 is the rotation radius direction of the rotary body 90 (the radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis 90C), and is the 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 rotation radius direction of the rotary body 90, and is the 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 lengths of the toner cartridges 70y and 70c in the radial directions corresponding to the other toner cartridges 70y and 70c.

[0072] Therefore, the tray 80k holding the black toner cartridge 70k is larger than the trays 80y-80c holding the other toner cartridges 70y, 70m, and 70c. That is, four toner cartridges 70y-70k and trays 80y-80k of different sizes are arranged inside the rotary body 90. In other words, the rotary body 90 is removably fitted with the toner cartridge 70k as an example of a first toner cartridge and the toner cartridge 70y as an example of a second toner cartridge that is smaller in size than the first toner cartridge. Accordingly, the rotary body 90 is provided with the tray 80k as an example of a first support member that supports the first toner cartridge and the tray 80y as an example of a second support member that is smaller in size than the first support member. The rotary body 90 is also removably fitted with the toner cartridges 70m and 70c as examples of third and fourth toner cartridges that are smaller in size than the first toner cartridge. Accordingly, the rotary body 90 is provided with trays 80m and 80c as examples of third and fourth support members that are smaller in size than the first support member.

[0073] Here, the rotational drive of the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, disk gears 92L and 92R are formed at both ends of the rotary body 90. Furthermore, rotary drive gears 93L and 93R are connected to both ends of the oscillating shaft 91 so as to be capable of transmitting drive power. Here, the drive force of the motor M1 is transmitted to the rotary drive gear 93R by a drive transmission mechanism. Next, the drive force is transmitted to the disk gears 92L and 92R by the rotary drive gears 93L and 93R, thereby rotating the rotary body 90. The rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in Figure 1 around a rotation axis 90C.

[0074] The rotary body 90 is supported so as to be able to swing about a swing shaft 91. The rotary body 90 is urged by a biasing member (not shown) in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) about the swing shaft 91. This direction can be said to be the direction in which each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k approaches the photosensitive drum 2. As a result, when the rotary body 90 is in the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 2.

[0075] 5, rotary cams 90eL and 90eR are provided at both ends of the rotary body 90. When the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) around the rotation axis 90C, the rotary cams 90eL and 90eR come into contact with a roller 96 (FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)) supported by the frame 16. Then, the rotary cams 90eL and 90eR move clockwise in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) around the swing shaft 91. This direction can be said to be the direction in which each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k moves away from the photosensitive drum 2. This direction can also be said to be the direction in which the rotary body 90 approaches the opening 16a of the frame 16 and the door 14.

[0076] As a result, when the rotary body 90 rotates and switches from the developing position to the replacement position, the rotary body 90 swings around the swing shaft 91. When the rotary body 90 is in the replacement position, the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 2.

[0077] 4(b), in the black replacement position, the toner cartridge 70k stops at a position facing the opening 16a provided in the side surface 16b of the apparatus main body 1A and the door 14. From this state, when the tray 80k is slid from the attachment position to the developing unit 50k to the outside of the rotary main body 90, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70k.

[0078] (Toner cartridge replacement operation) The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described using Figure 4(a), Figure 6(a-c), and Figure 7(a, b). Figure 6(a-c) is an external view of the device main body 1A. Figures 7(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the rotary main body 90 and its surroundings when replacing the toner cartridge. Figures 7(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the device on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90.

[0079] Fig. 6(a) shows the appearance of the apparatus main body 1A during image forming operation and in standby state. During image forming operation, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a series of operations from feeding the sheet S, forming an image on the sheet S, to discharging the sheet S as a finished product. The standby state is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is ready to start image forming operation upon receiving an image formation instruction (print instruction), and is waiting for an image formation instruction from the user. As shown in Fig. 6(a), during image forming operation and in standby state, the door 14 is closed.

[0080] 6(b) shows the appearance of the apparatus main body 1A when replacing the toner cartridge. When replacing the toner cartridge, the door 14 is opened and the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 are moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0081] The toner cartridge 70 is movable between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position relative to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other, as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the rotary body 90 is configured to rotate about the rotation axis 90C when the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position, and to assume a developing position or a replacement position.

[0082] The toner cartridge replacement operation will now be described. First, the user instructs the control unit 30 (FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body 1A to perform the toner cartridge replacement operation. The instruction to perform the toner cartridge replacement operation is given, for example, by inputting via an operation panel (operation unit) provided on the apparatus main body 1A.

[0083] When the control unit 30 receives an instruction to replace a toner cartridge, the rotary body 90 rotates to the replacement posture for the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced (the toner cartridge 70 that has run out of toner) and then stops. In other words, the control unit 30 rotates the rotary body 90 to the replacement posture for the toner cartridge specified in the instruction to replace the toner cartridge (in FIG. 4(b) , the black replacement posture for replacing the black toner cartridge 70k). In the replacement posture, the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 instructed to be replaced faces the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the device main body 1A.

[0084] For example, the rotary body 90 in FIG. 4(a) is in a yellow developing position in which the yellow developing roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2. At this time, the black toner cartridge 70k and tray 80k do not have to face the opening 16a and the door 14. In other words, the toner cartridge 70 and tray 80 do not have to face the opening 16a and the door 14 when the rotary body 90 is in a replacement position other than the toner cartridge replacement position or a developing position. Therefore, the opening 16a only needs to be large enough to allow each toner cartridge 70 to pass through individually. When the rotary body 90 rotates a predetermined angle clockwise in the figure from the yellow developing position, the black toner cartridge 70k and tray 80k face the opening 16a and the door 14, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0085] Here, "the tray 80 faces the opening 16a" means that the tray 80 is positioned so that it can be moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A via the opening 16a. In other words, when the tray 80 faces the opening 16a, a moving mechanism (described later) moves the tray 80 outward in the radial direction of rotation of the rotary body 90, allowing the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 supported by the tray 80 to protrude to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A. In FIG. 4(a), none of the trays 80y to 80k faces the opening 16a. In FIG. 4(b), only the black tray 80k faces the opening 16a, and the other trays 80y to 80c do not face the opening 16a.

[0086] When the rotary body 90 is positioned in the replacement posture, the motor M2 moves the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced toward the outside of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0087] As a result, the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced moves from the mounted position to the retracted position relative to the rotary body 90. Also, as shown in Figures 6(b, c) and 7(a, b), the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced supported by the tray 80 protrude to the outside of the device body 1A through the opening 16a.

[0088] More specifically, the tray 80 is movable between a storage position and a removal position relative to the rotary body 90. That is, the first tray is movable between a storage position (first position) and a removal position (second position) relative to the rotary body 90. The second tray is movable between a storage position (third position) and a removal position (fourth position) relative to the rotary body 90. The storage position is a position where the tray 80 is stored within the rotary body 90. The removal position is a position where the tray 80 protrudes outside the rotary body 90, allowing the toner cartridge 70 to be removed from the tray 80 (removal position, replaceable position). Examples of storage positions are the positions of the trays 80y to 80k in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Examples of removal positions are the positions of the tray 80 in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), the tray 80k in Figure 7(a), and the tray 80m in Figure 7(b).

[0089] When the tray 80 is in the storage position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is located inside the rotary body 90 and is located at the installation position. When the tray 80 is in the removal position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is located outside the rotary body 90 and is located at the retracted position.

[0090] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the rotary body 90 has a protrusion 95 for holding the tray 80 in the storage position and for holding the toner cartridge 70 in the installation position. As shown in Figure 8, the tray 80 is provided with a recess 87 that fits into the protrusion 95. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show protrusions 95k and 95m corresponding to trays 80k and 80m, and Figure 8 shows recesses 87y and 87m of trays 80y and 80m, but the protrusion 95 and recess 87 are provided for each of the trays 80y to 80k. It is preferable that the protrusion 95 is biased in a direction that engages with the recess 87.

[0091] The protrusion 95 fits into the recess 87 of the tray 80, thereby locking the tray 80 to the rotary frame body 90f. This ensures that the tray 80 remains in the storage position even when the rotary body 90 rotates, preventing the toner cartridge 70 from moving from the installation position. Note that when the tray 80 is moved between the storage position and the removal position by a moving device (described later), the protrusion 95 is moved by the tray 80, and the protrusion 95 can be configured to disengage from the recess 87.

[0092] In this embodiment, the door 14 is rotatably supported relative to the apparatus main body 1A. As shown in Fig. 7(a), the door 14 is biased from the open position toward the closed position by a spring 14s. The spring 14s is, for example, a tension spring, and biases the door 14 so as to generate a moment in the counterclockwise direction in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) about the support shaft 14c of the door 14.

[0093] The tray 80 pushes the door 14, causing the door 14 to enter an open state (the state shown in FIG. 6(b)). This state can also be said to be a state in which the tray 80 is supported by the door 14. The door 14 supports at least a portion of the tray 80 that protrudes outside the apparatus main body 1A, thereby more stably supporting the toner cartridge 70. In other words, when the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is in the first retracted position, the opening / closing member (door 14) in the open position supports the first support member (tray 80k). Furthermore, when the second toner cartridge (toner cartridges 70y to 70c) is in the second retracted position, the opening / closing member (door 14) in the open position supports the second support member (tray 80y to 80c).

[0094] In addition, the door 14 is configured to abut against a part of the frame 16 of the device main body 1A (for example, the lower edge 16c of the opening 16a) in the open position, so as not to rotate downward beyond the open position. When the tray 80 is pulled back from the outside to the inside of the device main body 1A, the biasing force of the spring 14s causes the door 14 to return to the closed position.

[0095] The toner cartridge 70 is detachably held in the tray 80. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6(c), the user can remove the toner cartridge 70 from the tray 80 and install a new toner cartridge 70 (replacement work). When replacing multiple toner cartridges 70, the replacement work can be performed by repeating the above operation.

[0096] 7(a) and 7(b) show cross sections of the rotary body 90 and its surroundings when replacing the toner cartridge. Fig. 7(a) shows the state when replacing the black toner cartridge 70k. Fig. 7(b) shows the state when replacing the magenta toner cartridge 70m.

[0097] The image forming apparatus 1 includes moving devices 85y, 85m, 85c, and 85k (FIG. 8) that move the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k from their respective mounting positions to their respective retracted positions. When the term "moving device 85" is used without the subscript, it generally refers to any one of the moving devices 85y, 85m, 85c, and 85k. In this embodiment, the moving device 85 can be said to include the tray 80. The moving device 85k including the tray 80k can be said to be an example of a first moving device including a first support member. The moving device 85m including the tray 80m can be said to be an example of a second moving device including a second support member.

[0098] Even when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the tray 80 remains connected to the rotary body 90 (is supported by the rotary body 90). To easily remove the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, it is preferable that the toner cartridge 70 protrudes a long distance from the rotary body 90 when in the retracted position. Because the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be detachable from the rotary body 90 via the tray 80, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably supported by the tray 80 even when the toner cartridge 70 protrudes a long distance from the rotary body 90.

[0099] The direction in which the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounted position to the retracted position is referred to as the retraction direction. In this embodiment, the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that intersects with the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). In addition, the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70 can be said to be a direction toward the outside in the rotation radius direction of the rotary body 90 (a direction away from the rotation axis 90C).

[0100] 7(a) and 7(b), since the user removes the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, it is preferable that at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90 when removing the toner cartridge 70. In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the entire toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90.

[0101] When the rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C, the rotation locus of the rotary body 90 coincides with a circumscribing circle of the rotary body 90 (the imaginary circle 90V shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)) centered on the rotation axis 90C. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retraction direction be outside the rotation locus of the rotary body 90. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis, it is preferable that, with the toner cartridge in the retracted position, more than half of the total length of the toner cartridge be outside the rotation locus of the rotary in the direction of movement of the toner cartridge from the mounted position toward the retracted position. This applies to each toner cartridge 70, including toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the entire toner cartridge 70 is outside the rotation locus (imaginary circle 90V) of the rotary body 90.

[0102] Furthermore, in order to make it easier for the user to grasp the toner cartridge 70, it is preferable that at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus main body 1A) when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position. Here, "outside the apparatus" refers to the space outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus main body 1A) when the image forming apparatus 1 is being used, for example, for forming an image on a sheet S.

[0103] In this embodiment, the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A is formed by the exterior surface of the frame 16. In other words, the outside of the apparatus can also be referred to as the outside of the frame 16. Therefore, a state in which at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the apparatus can also be referred to as a state in which at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus main body 1A toward the outside of the frame 16.

[0104] In this embodiment, when the door 14 is in the closed position, the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus main body 1A is covered by the door 14. The exterior surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position forms part of the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A. In this case, the outside of the apparatus refers to the area outside the exterior surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position. In other words, if the position of the exterior surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position is defined as the exterior position, then when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is located outside the apparatus main body 1A beyond this exterior position.

[0105] In other words, if the door 14 were in the closed position, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 would be located in the space outside the apparatus main body 1A. In addition, with respect to the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 is located downstream of the visible position.

[0106] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, with the side surface 16b on which the opening 16a is provided being the front surface of the apparatus main body 1A, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes forward beyond the exterior surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A. In this case, the user can easily access the toner cartridge 70 from the front side of the image forming apparatus and replace the toner cartridge 70.

[0107] When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retracted direction is located outside the apparatus. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis, it is preferable that more than half of the toner cartridge's overall length is located outside the main body frame in the direction of movement of the toner cartridge from the installed position to the retracted position. This applies to each toner cartridge 70, including toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. It is also preferable that the entire toner cartridge 70 is located outside the apparatus when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position. In this embodiment, the exterior surface 14a and side surface 16b of the door 14 form the exterior surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A, but the configuration of the door 14 is not limited to this. For example, the door 14 may be large enough to cover the entire side surface 16b. In this case, the exterior surface 14a of the door 14 forms the exterior surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0108] The tray 80 has a cartridge holding portion 81 (see Figures 3 and 6(c)) that holds the toner cartridge 70. The cartridge holding portion 81 is a receiving portion into which the toner cartridge 70 is attached. When the tray 80 is in the removal position, it is preferable that the entire cartridge holding portion 81 is outside the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 in the retraction direction. When the tray 80 is in the removal position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the cartridge holding portion 81 is outside the machine in the retraction direction.

[0109] As described above, the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k are larger than the other toner cartridges 70y-70c and trays 80y-80c. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of movement of the tray 80 when replacing the toner cartridge is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

[0110] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the movement distance of tray 80k (first support member) when it moves from the storage position (first storage position) to the removal position (first removal position) is L1. The movement distance of tray 80m (second support member) when it moves from the storage position to the removal position (third removal position) is L2. FIG. 7(b) shows the state in which toner cartridge 70m and tray 80m have moved, but the movement distance of trays 80y and 80c when they move from the storage position to the removal position is also L2. In this case, L1 is greater than L2. In other words, the movement distance of the first support member when the first toner cartridge moves from the first mounting position to the first retracted position is longer than the movement distance of the second support member when the second toner cartridge moves from the second mounting position to the second retracted position.

[0111] 7(a), when the tray 80k is in the removal position and the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70k protrudes from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P1. In this embodiment, the tray 80k also protrudes from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P1.

[0112] 7(b), when the tray 80m is in the removal position and the toner cartridge 70m is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70m protrudes a distance P2 from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside. In this embodiment, the tray 80m also protrudes a distance P2 from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside. The toner cartridges 70y and 70c also protrude a distance P2 from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside.

[0113] The distance P1 is greater than the distance P2. That is, the length by which the first toner cartridge in the first retracted position protrudes from the opening 16a of the apparatus main body 1A is defined as the first length (P1), and the length by which the second toner cartridge in the second retracted position protrudes from the opening 16a is defined as the second length (P2). In this case, the first length can be said to be longer than the second length.

[0114] For toner cartridges 70y-70c, which are smaller in size than toner cartridge 70k, it is preferable from the standpoint of strength to shorten the distance P2 by which they protrude outside the apparatus when in the retracted position compared to the distance P1 by which toner cartridge 70k protrudes outside the apparatus when in the retracted position. This is for the following reason: When toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a portion of toner cartridge 70 protrudes outside the apparatus outside the rotation path of rotary body 90 or from the external surface of apparatus main body 1A. At this time, tray 80 supports the weight of toner cartridge 70 while being cantilevered by rotary body 90. Therefore, shortening the distance P2 by which toner cartridges 70y-70c protrude outside the apparatus when in the retracted position reduces the load on trays 80y-80c and the guide portion 97 of rotary body 90 that supports trays 80y-80k. Furthermore, since the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are smaller in size than the toner cartridge 70k, even if the distance P2 is made shorter than the distance P1, the workability of replacing cartridges for the trays 80y to 80c can be maintained.

[0115] (Tray arrangement in rotary) The arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90 will be described using Figures 8, 9, and 10. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90. Figure 10 is a view showing the arrangement of components at one end of the trays 80y to 80k in the Y direction. Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the rotary body 90 in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. The upper half of Figure 10 is a view of the rotary body 90 and trays 80m and 80k in Figure 8 as seen from the upper right side (+Z side) of Figure 8, and the lower half of Figure 10 is a view of the rotary body 90 and trays 80c and 80y in Figure 8 as seen from the left side (-X side) of Figure 8.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 8, the trays 80y to 80k are each provided with cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k and guided portions 82y to 82k.

[0117] The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are respectively attached to the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k, and each of the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k accommodates at least a portion of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k attached thereto.

[0118] The guided portions 82y to 82k are provided at both ends of the trays 80y to 80k, sandwiching the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k in the Y direction. Each of the guided portions 82y to 82k is an elongated member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary body 90.

[0119] In this embodiment, a reinforcing rib 82k1 is formed on a portion of the guided portion 82k in the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k, and a reinforcing rib 82m1 is formed on a portion of the guided portion 82m in the movement direction Dm of the tray 80m (see also Figures 11(a) and 11(b)). The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 are rib-shaped (protruding stripes) that protrude outward in the Y direction from the guided portions 82k and 82m provided at both ends of the trays 80k and 80m in the Y direction and extend in the movement directions Dk and Dm of the trays 80k and 80m. The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 improve the rigidity of the guided portions 82k and 82m.

[0120] In this embodiment, the lengths of the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 are limited to avoid the guided portions 82y and 82c, but the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may be provided over the entire length of the guided portions 82m and 82k if there is no interference with the guided portions 82y and 82c. Reinforcing ribs may also be added to the guided portions 82y and 82c. Furthermore, if the rigidity of the guided portions 82m and 82k is sufficient, the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may not be provided.

[0121] Rack portions 83y to 83k (rack gears) are formed on the guided portions 82y to 82k. Pinion gears 94y to 94k are rotatably held within the rotary body 90. The pinion gears 94y to 94k are engaged with the rack portions 83y to 83k, respectively, so as to be capable of transmitting driving force.

[0122] Tray 80y is provided with one or more rack portions 83y. Rotary body 90 is provided with one or more pinion gears 94y corresponding to the one or more rack portions 83y. Similarly, trays 80m, 80c, and 80k are provided with one or more rack portions 83m, one or more rack portions 83c, and one or more rack portions 83k, respectively. Rotary body 90 is provided with one or more pinion gears 94m, one or more pinion gears 94c, and one or more pinion gears 94k corresponding to the one or more rack portions 83m, one or more rack portions 83c, and one or more rack portions 83k, respectively.

[0123] The rack portions 83y-83k and pinion gears 94y-94k are part of moving devices 85y-85k configured to move the toner cartridges 70y-70k from the mounting position to the retracted position. The rack portions 83y-83k and pinion gears 94y-94k can also be said to be part of a driven device driven by a driving device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A. The pinion gears 94y to 94k can be said to be rotating bodies (rotating members) that move the trays 80y to 80k relative to the rotary body 90 by rotating.

[0124] The movement devices 85y-85k are driven by a drive device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A. The pinion gears 94y-94k and the rack portions 83y-83k function as driven portions that allow the movement devices 85y-85k of the rotary body 90 to receive a driving force from the drive device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A. The pinion gear 94k and the rack portion 83k are an example of a first pinion gear and a first rack gear that constitute at least a part of a first driven portion provided in the first movement device. The pinion gear 94m and the rack portion 83m are an example of a second pinion gear and a second rack gear that constitute at least a part of a second driven portion provided in the second movement device.

[0125] The rotary body 90 has guide portions 97 (see FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)) that engage with each of the guided portions 82y to 82k. FIG. 7(a) shows a guide portion 97 (97k) that engages with the guided portion 82k of tray 80k, and FIG. 7(b) shows a guide portion 97 (97m) that engages with the guided portion 82m of tray 80m. The rotary body 90 is provided with similar guide portions that engage with the guided portions 82y and 82c of trays 80y and 80c. Also, while FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show a guide portion 97 provided on one side (+Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction, a similar guide portion 97 is also provided on the other side (-Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction.

[0126] When tray 80 moves between the storage position and the removal position, guide portion 97 maintains an engaged state with guided portion 82 over at least a portion of the movement range, guiding the movement direction of tray 80. In this embodiment, guide portion 97 maintains an engaged state with guided portion 82k over the entire movement range of tray 80k between the storage position and the removal position. Also, in this embodiment, guide portion 97 maintains an engaged state with guided portion 82m over the entire movement range of tray 80m between the storage position and the removal position.

[0127] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, four trays 80y to 80k are arranged inside the rotary body 90 so as to overlap one another, as will be described in detail below.

[0128] When the pinion gears 94y-94k rotate, the rack portions 83y-83k and the trays 80y-80k move relative to the rotary body 90. As shown in Fig. 9, the four trays 80y-80k are arranged so that their movement directions are rotated by 90 degrees relative to the rotary body 90. Therefore, the trays 80y and 80c, and the trays 80m and 80k are held so that they can slide in substantially the same direction (parallel directions). The movement direction of each of the trays 80y-80k during sliding movement is regulated by the engagement between the guided portions 82y-82k and the guide portion 97.

[0129] The trays 80y to 80k move to the outside of the apparatus through the opening 16a. When each of the trays 80y to 80k moves to the outside of the apparatus through the opening 16a, the movement directions of the respective trays are substantially the same direction (parallel).

[0130] 9, in the movement direction Dk of tray 80k, the range in which tray 80k is disposed overlaps with the range in which tray 80y and tray 80c are disposed. Furthermore, in the movement direction Dk of tray 80k, the range in which tray 80k is disposed overlaps with the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. In other words, it can be said that the toner cartridge 70k held in the cartridge holding portion 81k of tray 80k overlaps with the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (FIG. 4(b)).

[0131] On the other hand, in the direction Dm of movement of tray 80m, the range in which tray 80m is arranged is shifted so as not to overlap with the range in which tray 80y is arranged and the range in which tray 80c is arranged. Furthermore, in the direction Dy of movement of tray 80y, the range in which tray 80y is arranged is shifted so as not to overlap with the range in which tray 80m is arranged and the range in which tray 80k is arranged. Similarly, in the direction Dc of movement of tray 80c, the range in which tray 80c is arranged is shifted so as not to overlap with the range in which tray 80m is arranged and the range in which tray 80k is arranged.

[0132] The positional relationship between the trays 80 can also be expressed as follows: When viewed in the movement direction Dy of tray 80y, tray 80y and tray 80k overlap, but tray 80y and tray 80m do not overlap. When viewed in the movement direction Dm of tray 80m, tray 80m and tray 80k overlap, but tray 80m does not overlap with trays 80y and 80c. When viewed in the movement direction Dc of tray 80c, tray 80c and tray 80k overlap, but tray 80c and tray 80m do not overlap.

[0133] Here, when two elements (components, parts, units, etc.) overlap when viewed in a particular direction, this means that when each element is vertically projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to that direction, the projection area of ​​one element at least partially overlaps with the projection area of ​​the other element.

[0134] 8 and 10, in the direction of rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the range in which rack portion 83m and guided portion 82m are arranged at least partially overlaps with the range in which rack portion 83k and guided portion 82k are arranged. That is, in this embodiment, in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis (Y direction), the range in which the first rack gear (rack portion 83k) is arranged and the range in which the second rack gear (rack portion 83m) is arranged at least partially overlap. Therefore, compared to an arrangement in which rack portion 83m and guided portion 82m do not overlap with rack portion 83k and guided portion 82k, rack portions 83m, 83k and guided portions 82m, 82k can be arranged in a more space-saving manner in the Y direction.

[0135] In the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the range in which the rack portion 83y and the guided portion 82y are arranged at least partially overlaps with the range in which the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82c are arranged. That is, in this embodiment, in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary (Y direction), the range in which the third rack gear (rack portion 83y) is arranged at least partially overlaps with the range in which the fourth rack gear (rack portion 83c) is arranged. Therefore, compared to an arrangement in which the rack portion 83y and the guided portion 82y do not overlap with the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82c, it is possible to arrange the rack portions 83y, 83c and the guided portions 82y, 82c in a more space-saving manner in the Y direction.

[0136] Here, the meshing position between the rack portion (rack gear) 83 and the pinion gear 94 will be described with reference to Figure 10. The upper half of Figure 10 shows the meshing position between the rack portion 83k and the pinion gear 94k. The lower half of Figure 10 shows the meshing position between the rack portion 83y and the pinion gear 94y.

[0137] In the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (Y direction), in an area Y1 in the figure, a driving force transmitted from a motor M2 (FIG. 2) serving as a driving source via a transmission device (described later) is transmitted to the pinion gears 94y to 94k. In an area Y2 in the Y direction, the pinion gear 94k meshes with the rack portion 83k so as to be able to transmit driving force. In an area Y3 in the Y direction, the pinion gear 94y meshes with the rack portion 83y so as to be able to transmit driving force. Note that the rack portion 83m, like the rack portion 83k, meshes with the pinion gear 94m (FIG. 8) so as to be able to transmit driving force in the area Y2. The rack portion 83c, like the rack portion 83y, meshes with the pinion gear 94c (FIG. 8) so as to be able to transmit driving force in the area Y3.

[0138] Here, the regions Y2 and Y3 are at different positions in the Y direction (shifted in the Y direction). Also, the region Y1 is at a different position in the Y direction from both the region Y2 and the region Y3. In other words, the region Y1 is shifted in the Y direction with respect to the region Y2 and the region Y3.

[0139] Furthermore, when the toner cartridges 70y and 70c are in the installation position, the range in which the rack portion 83y is disposed at least partially overlaps with the range in which the rack portion 83c is disposed in the movement direction of the rack portion 83y (the movement direction Dy of the tray 80y). In this embodiment, the movement directions Dy and Dc of the trays 80y and 80c are substantially the same direction (parallel), so the range in which the rack portion 83y is disposed at least partially overlaps with the range in which the rack portion 83c is disposed in the movement direction Dc of the tray 80c. Therefore, when the toner cartridges 70y and 70c are in the installation position, the toothed surface of the rack portion 83y and the toothed surface of the rack portion 83c face each other in the direction perpendicular to the movement directions Dy and Dc of the rack portions 83y and 83c (the left-right direction in FIG. 8).

[0140] Furthermore, when the toner cartridges 70m and 70k are in the installation position, the range in which the rack portion 83m is disposed at least partially overlaps with the range in which the rack portion 83k is disposed in the movement direction of the rack portion 83m (the movement direction Dm of the tray 80m). In this embodiment, since the movement directions Dm and Dk of the trays 80m and 80k are substantially the same direction (parallel), the range in which the rack portion 83m is disposed at least partially overlaps with the range in which the rack portion 83k is disposed in the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k. Therefore, when the toner cartridges 70m and 70k are in the installation position, the toothed surfaces of the rack portions 83m and 83k face each other in the direction perpendicular to the movement directions Dm and Dk of the rack portions 83m and 83k (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 8).

[0141] 12(a), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), rack portion 83y overlaps with rack portion 83m and rack portion 83k. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), rack portion 83m overlaps with rack portion 83y and rack portion 83c. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), rack portion 83c overlaps with rack portion 83m and rack portion 83k. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), rack portion 83k overlaps with rack portion 83y and rack portion 83c. In other words, in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary (Y direction), the range in which the first rack gear (rack portion 83k) is arranged and the range in which the second rack gear (rack portion 83y) is arranged do not overlap. Furthermore, when viewed in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis (Y direction), when the first toner cartridge 70k is in the first mounting position and the second toner cartridge 70y is in the second mounting position, it can be said that the first rack gear (rack portion 83k) and the second rack gear (rack portion 83y) overlap.

[0142] In this way, since the positions at which rack sections 83k and 83m are arranged in the Y direction are different from the positions at which rack sections 83y and 83c are arranged, rack sections 83y and 83c can be arranged so that they overlap with rack sections 83m and 83k when viewed in the Y direction.

[0143] This saves space for arranging the four trays inside the rotary body 90, making it possible to reduce the size of the rotary body 90 in the direction of its rotation radius. In other words, if the rack units 83 are arranged so as not to overlap each other as viewed in the Y direction while maintaining the movement distance of each tray 80y to 80k the same as in this embodiment, the area required for arranging the four rack units as viewed in the Y direction will be larger. Compared to this configuration, by arranging the multiple rack units 83 with their positions shifted in the Y direction and making the rack units 83 overlap each other as viewed in the Y direction, it is possible to reduce the area required for arranging the rack units 83 as viewed in the Y direction.

[0144] In this embodiment, the four rack portions 83y-83k are arranged in two pairs of two, with their positions shifted in the Y direction. In other words, in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis (Y direction), the ranges in which the first rack gear and the second rack gear are arranged overlap, and the ranges in which the third rack gear and the fourth rack gear are arranged overlap. Furthermore, in the Y direction, the ranges in which the first rack gear and the second rack gear are arranged and the ranges in which the third rack gear and the fourth rack gear are arranged do not overlap. This allows the rotary body 90 to be more compact in the Y direction than if each of the four rack portions 83y-83k were shifted in the Y direction.

[0145] (Tray movement configuration) 11(a, b) and 12(a, b) will be used to explain the configuration related to the movement of trays 80y to 80k arranged in the rotary body 90. Figures 11(a, b) are perspective views showing the configuration related to the movement of tray 80k. Figures 12(a, b) are cross-sectional views showing the configuration related to the movement of tray 80k.

[0146] In this embodiment, the trays 80y-80k are all driven by the driving force of the motor M2 transmitted to pinion gears 94y-94k by drive racks 15L, 15R serving as transmission devices. Here, a configuration for moving the tray 80k relative to the rotary body 90 will be described, and a configuration for moving the trays 80y-80c relative to the rotary body 90 will not be described because it is substantially the same as the configuration for moving the tray 80k.

[0147] FIG. 11(a) shows a state in which the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90 (i.e., a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is attached to the developing unit 50k). That is, FIG. 11(a) shows a state in which the tray 80k is in the storage position, which corresponds to a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is in the attachment position relative to the developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(a)). FIG. 11(b) shows a state in which the tray 80k has been slid to the outside of the rotary body 90. That is, FIG. 11(b) shows a state in which the tray 80k is in the removal position, which corresponds to a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position relative to the developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(a)).

[0148] The apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment has drive racks 15L and 15R as drive gears that drive the pinion gear 94. Each drive rack 15 is driven by a motor M2 via a transmission unit 15t. As shown in FIG. 11(a), when the tray 80k is inside the rotary main body 90 (i.e., when the toner cartridge 70k is attached to the developing unit 50k), the drive racks 15L and 15R are in a disengagement position away from the pinion gear 94k. The drive racks 15L and 15R move from the disengagement position to engage with the pinion gear 94k so that the tray 80k moves from the storage position to the removal position and the toner cartridge 70k moves from the attachment position to the retracted position.

[0149] As described above, two rack portions 83k are formed at both ends of the tray 80k in the Y direction. Two pinion gears 94k and two drive racks 15L and 15R are disposed at positions corresponding to the rack portions 83k at both ends. In other words, the apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment has drive racks 15L and 15R as a first drive gear and a second drive gear. The drive rack 15L is an example of a first drive gear, and the drive rack 15R is an example of a second drive gear.

[0150] However, these numbering schemes are merely used for convenience in explanation, and in principle can be interchanged as appropriate. When there is no need to distinguish between the drive racks 15L and 15R, they will be referred to as "drive rack 15."

[0151] The rack portion 83 in this embodiment is configured as a rack gear pair, and the pinion gear 94 in this embodiment is configured as a pinion gear pair. In this embodiment, the rack gear pair and the pinion gear pair are arranged at one end and the other end of the support member (tray 80) in the Y direction, but they may be arranged in other positions. The rack portion 83k and the pinion gear 94k of the moving device 85k corresponding to the tray 80k can be said to be examples of the first rack gear pair and the first pinion gear pair, respectively.

[0152] The rack portions 83y to 83c and pinion gears 94y to 94c of the moving devices 85y to 85c corresponding to any of the other trays 80y to 80c can be said to be examples of the second rack gear pair and the second pinion gear pair, respectively.

[0153] One of the rack gear pair meshes with one of the pinion gear pair, and the other of the rack gear pair meshes with the other of the pinion gear pair. At least one of the pinion gear pair is driven by the drive rack 15L, which serves as the first drive rack. In this embodiment, both of the pinion gear pair are simultaneously driven by the drive racks 15L and 15R, which serve as the first and second drive racks. This makes it difficult for the tray 80 to rotate, allowing for stable movement of the toner cartridge 70. Note that the tray 80 may also have one rack portion 83 and be moved by one drive rack 15 via one pinion gear 94.

[0154] The tray 80k is held relative to the rotary body 90 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the guided portion 82k (i.e., the movement direction Dk). The drive rack 15 is held relative to the device body 1A so as to be slidable in a direction intersecting the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k. The drive rack 15 is configured to slide (reciprocate) relative to the device body 1A in a first direction (vertically upward in this embodiment) and a second direction opposite to the first direction (vertically downward in this embodiment). In other words, the movement direction of the drive rack 15 in this embodiment is a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) both the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k and the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (Y direction).

[0155] 11(a) and 11(b), a tray movement operation for sliding the tray 80k between the storage position and the removal position will be described. The tray movement operation of the tray 80k is performed by the motor M2 (FIG. 2), the transmission unit 15t, the drive rack 15, the pinion gear 94k, and the rack unit 83k.

[0156] First, we will explain the tray movement operation (tray extraction operation) when removing the toner cartridge 70k from the rotary body 90. Before the tray extraction operation begins, the drive rack 15 is positioned below the position where it engages with the pinion gear 94k (FIG. 11(a)). Also, as mentioned above, when replacing the toner cartridge 70k, the rotary body 90 takes the replacement posture for the toner cartridge 70k (FIG. 4(b)).

[0157] When the tray extraction operation is started, the driving force of the motor M2 causes the drive rack 15 to slide upward in the apparatus main body 1A. As the drive rack 15 moves, it meshes with the pinion gear 94k, and the pinion gear 94k is rotated.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 11(b), when the pinion gear 94k is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure, a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that meshes with the pinion gear 94k. As a result, the tray 80k is pushed out of the apparatus and moves from the storage position to the removal position relative to the rotary body 90. At this time, the movement direction of the tray 80k is guided in a predetermined movement direction Dk by the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k (FIG. 7(a)) of the rotary body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the storage position to the removal position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the installation position to the retracted position relative to the developing unit 50k.

[0159] With the tray 80k in the removal position and the toner cartridge 70k in the retracted position, the user can attach or detach the toner cartridge 70k to or from the tray 80k.

[0160] The tray movement operation (tray pull-in operation, tray insertion operation) when attaching the toner cartridge 70 to the rotary body 90 is performed in the reverse order of the tray pull-out operation. Before the tray pull-in operation is started, the drive rack 15 is positioned above the position where it engages with the pinion gear 94k. For example, the tray pull-in operation is started by the user operating a specified operation unit. When the tray pull-in operation is started, the drive force of the motor M2 causes the drive rack 15 to slide downward in the device main body 1A. Here, the rotation direction of the motor M2 during the tray pull-in operation is the opposite direction to the tray pull-out operation. As the drive rack 15 moves, it engages with the pinion gear 94k, and the pinion gear 94k is driven to rotate.

[0161] 11(b), a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that meshes with the pinion gear 94k, so that the tray 80k is pulled into the apparatus and moves from the removal position to the storage position relative to the rotary body 90.

[0162] The tray 80k is guided in the movement direction Dk (opposite to the arrow in FIG. 11(b)) by the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k (FIG. 7(a)) of the rotary body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the removal position to the storage position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the retracted position to the installation position relative to the developing unit 50k.

[0163] The movement of the black tray 80k and toner cartridge 70k has been described above, but the movement of the other trays 80y-80c and toner cartridges 70y-70c is also performed by a similar mechanism. That is, in the replacement posture of each toner cartridge, the drive rack 15 transmits drive to the pinion gears 94y-94c.

[0164] A drive device 98 for driving the moving device 85 provided on the rotary body 90 is constituted by a motor M2 provided on the device body 1A, a drive rack 15 (15L, 15R) and a transmission device including a transmission section 15t.

[0165] As described above, in this embodiment, the rotary body 90 is provided with a plurality of moving devices 85y-85k corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70y-70k. The driving device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A is a common driving device that drives the plurality of moving devices 85y-85k (a plurality of driven devices) of the rotary body 90.

[0166] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotation of the rotary body 90 switches the drive target of the drive device 98. In other words, the drive device of this embodiment includes a drive rack 15 as a transmission member that transmits the driving force of the drive source. The drive device can be in a state where the transmission member is engaged with the first driven part (pinion gear 94k) so as to be able to transmit driving force, and a state where the transmission member is engaged with the second driven part (pinion gear 94m) so as to be able to transmit driving force. The drive device can also be in a state where the transmission member is disengaged from the first driven part and the second driven part.

[0167] As described above, the pinion gears 94y to 94k are held by the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the rotary body 90 rotates, it is preferable that the engagement between the pinion gears 94y to 94k and the drive rack 15 is released.

[0168] Fig. 12(a) shows a state in which the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90 (in the storage position), and Fig. 12(b) shows a state in which the tray 80k has moved outside the rotary body 90 (in the removal position).

[0169] As shown in FIG. 12(a), when the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90, the drive rack 15 is located at the bottom inside the device main body 1A. At this time, the drive rack 15 is retracted from the pinion gear 94k. Therefore, the drive rack 15 does not interfere with the rotation of the rotary body 90, allowing the rotary body 90 to rotate. More specifically, the drive rack 15 can be retracted outside the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 shown by the dotted line in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b).

[0170] As described above, by driving motor M2 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions, tray 80 attached to rotary body 90 can be moved from the storage position to the removal position and from the removal position to the storage position relative to rotary body 90. In other words, the drive device of this embodiment not only drives each moving device of the rotary so that the toner cartridge moves from the installation position to the retracted position, but also drives each moving device so that the toner cartridge moves from the retracted position to the installation position.

[0171] As described above, in this embodiment, the movement amount of the tray 80 when replacing the toner cartridge is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the movement distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the removal position is longer than the movement distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the removal position.

[0172] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are moved from the mounting position to the retracted position, the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack section 83k by the speed of the driving rack 15 is greater than the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack sections 83y to 83c by the speed of the driving rack 15.

[0173] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the pinion gear 94y is a stepped gear, and the pitch radius of the small-diameter gear 942 that meshes with the rack portion 83y is smaller than the pitch radius of the large-diameter gear 941 that meshes with the drive rack 15. The pinion gears 94m and 94c are also stepped gears. Meanwhile, the pinion gear 94k has the same pitch radius at the portion that meshes with the drive rack 15 and the portion that meshes with the rack portion 83k. In this case, the pitch radius of the pinion gear 94k can be the same as the pitch radius of the large-diameter gear 941 of the pinion gears 94y to 94c. With this configuration, even if the movement distance of the drive rack 15 is the same, the movement distance of the rack portion 83k can be made longer than the movement distances of the other rack portions 83y to 83c. In other words, the movement distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the removal position can be made longer than the movement distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the removal position.

[0174] Furthermore, by forming the pinion gears 94y to 94c as stepped gears, the pinion gears 94y to 94k are configured to receive driving force from the same drive rack 15, but the movement distance L1 of the tray 80k can be made greater than the movement distance L2 of the other trays 80y to 80c.

[0175] Note that instead of (or in combination with) the pinion gears 94y to 94c being stepped gears, the pinion gear 94k may be a stepped gear. In this case, the portion of the pinion gear 94k that meshes with the drive rack 15 may be a small-diameter gear, and the portion of the pinion gear 94k that meshes with the rack portion 83k may be a large-diameter gear with a larger pitch circle radius than the small-diameter gear. Also, the stepped gear is an example of a speed reduction mechanism, and may be replaced with a known speed reduction mechanism that reduces the amount of movement of a member on the input side (drive source side) compared to the amount of movement of a member on the output side (tray 80 side).

[0176] Furthermore, the movement amount of the drive rack 15 when the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the mounting position to the retracted position may be greater than the movement amount of the drive rack 15 when the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are moved from the mounting position to the retracted position.

[0177] Incidentally, the shorter the distance that the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounted position to the retracted position, the shorter the time it takes for the toner cartridge 70 to move, and the shorter the time the user has to wait for the toner cartridge 70 to move. If the amount of movement of the drive rack 15 relative to the toner cartridge 70k is configured to be greater than the amount of movement of the drive rack 15 relative to the toner cartridges 70y-70c as described above, the time the user has to wait for the toner cartridges 70y-70c to move can be shortened.

[0178] The above-described configuration allows the movement distance L1 to be longer than the movement distance L2. These configurations can also be used in combination.

[0179] (Positional relationship between the scanner, intermediate transfer unit, cleaning unit and rotary unit) Next, the positional relationship between the scanner 4, the intermediate transfer unit 10, the cleaning unit 6, and the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to Figures 13(a) and 13(b). Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are cross-sectional views showing the cross-sectional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0180] As shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b), the cleaning unit 6 has a cleaning blade 61 as a collection member that collects waste toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 2 after a toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 2, and a waste toner storage section 62. The waste toner storage section 62 stores the waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 61. The cleaning blade 61 is made of, for example, urethane rubber, and the edge of the cleaning blade 61 scrapes off the waste toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The material and shape of the cleaning blade 61 are not particularly limited, and it may be made of a sponge, a brush, or the like.

[0181] The rotary body 90, photosensitive drum 2, charging roller 3, and cleaning blade 61 are arranged in a space SP between the intermediate transfer unit 10 and the scanner 4 in the direction of gravity, i.e., the direction opposite to the Z direction (-Z direction). As shown in the dashed line area PE1 in Figure 13(a), when viewed in the -Z direction, the intermediate transfer unit, rotary body 90, and scanner 4 partially overlap, and are arranged in the order of intermediate transfer unit 10, rotary body 90, and scanner 4 in the -Z direction.

[0182] 13(b), when viewed in the -X direction, the rotary body 90, scanner 4, and intermediate transfer unit 10 partially overlap each other, and are arranged in the order of rotary body 90, scanner 4, and intermediate transfer unit 10 in the -X direction. By arranging the scanner 4, intermediate transfer unit 10, cleaning unit 6, and rotary body 90 in this manner, the image forming apparatus 1 can be made more compact. Furthermore, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the rotary body 90 can be easily replaced from the front (front face) side of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0183] (Positional relationship between the scanner and the waste toner container) Next, the positional relationship between the scanner 4 and the waste toner storage unit 62 will be described with reference to Figures 13(a) to 16(b). Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the intermediate transfer unit 10, the cleaning unit 6, and the scanner 4. Figure 15 is a front view showing the cleaning unit 6 and the scanner 4. Figure 16(a) is a front view showing the support structure for the scanner 4, and Figure 16(b) is a perspective view showing the support structure for the scanner 4.

[0184] 13(a) to 15, the cleaning unit 6 is disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 2. The waste toner storage section 62 of the cleaning unit 6 has a first waste toner storage chamber 62a and a second waste toner storage chamber 62b disposed at a position different from the first waste toner storage chamber 62a in the Y direction. The waste toner storage section 62 also has a connecting chamber 62c connecting the first waste toner storage chamber 62a and the second waste toner storage chamber 62b, and any of the first waste toner storage chamber 62a, the second waste toner storage chamber 62b, and the connecting chamber 62c can store waste toner.

[0185] The toner removed from the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 61 is transported from the vicinity of the cleaning blade 61 to the waste toner storage unit 62 by gravity or the action of a transport screw (not shown). The waste toner storage unit 62 is disposed so as to overlap at least a portion with the scanner 4 when viewed in the -Z direction. The waste toner storage unit 62 is also disposed so as to overlap at least a portion with the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction.

[0186] More specifically, the first waste toner storage chamber 62a and the second waste toner storage chamber 62b are each arranged so as to at least partially overlap the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction. The connecting chamber 62c is arranged so as to overlap the scanner 4 in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the connecting chamber 62c is arranged so as not to overlap the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the connecting chamber 62c may be arranged so as to partially overlap the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction.

[0187] 15, the length 4Y of the scanner 4 in the Y direction is shorter than the length 6Y of the waste toner storage chamber 62 in the Y direction. The scanner 4 is disposed in a recess 63 formed by the first waste toner storage chamber 62a, the second waste toner storage chamber 62b, and the connecting chamber 62c.

[0188] As shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b), the apparatus main body 1A (FIG. 1) has side plates 163 and 164 that are part of the frame of the apparatus main body 1A. The side plates 163 and 164 each extend along the XZ plane and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The side plates 163 and 164 rotatably support the photosensitive drum 2. The side plates 163 and 164 are also connected by support stays 161 and 162 that extend in the Y direction. The scanner 4 is supported by the support stays 161 and 162.

[0189] As described above, by arranging the waste toner storage unit 62 so that it at least partially overlaps the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 1 in the Z direction and the X direction. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the volume of the waste toner storage unit 62 while keeping the size of the image forming apparatus 1 small.

[0190] For example, if the waste toner storage compartment 62 becomes filled with toner, there is a risk that the toner removed from the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 61 will scatter inside the apparatus main body 1A. For this reason, the user needs to replace the cleaning unit 6 or discharge the toner in the waste toner storage compartment 62 to the outside before the waste toner storage compartment 62 becomes filled with toner. However, in the present embodiment, the volume of the waste toner storage compartment 62 can be increased while keeping the size of the image forming apparatus 1 small, so that the frequency of maintenance of the waste toner storage compartment 62 can be reduced.

[0191] Variation 1 FIG. 17(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 101 according to a first modification of the present embodiment. In the first modification, components similar to those of the present embodiment are either not shown or are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings. The image forming apparatus 101 according to the first modification is a tandem laser beam printer, not a rotary printer. That is, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the image forming apparatus 101 has four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK instead of the rotary unit 90U, photosensitive drum 2, and cleaning unit 6 of the above-described embodiment. These process cartridges form toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Each process cartridge has a photosensitive drum 2, a developing unit 50, and a cleaning unit 6, and the toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 2 of each process cartridge are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 10a in a superimposed manner.

[0192] For example, the process cartridge PY as a first process unit has the photosensitive drum 2 as a first photosensitive drum, a first developing unit 50y that develops the first electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 as a first toner image, and a cleaning unit 6. The cleaning unit 6 has a cleaning blade 61 as a first collecting member that collects waste toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 2 after the first toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 2, and a waste toner storage unit 62 as a first waste toner storage unit that stores the waste toner collected by the cleaning blade 61. Furthermore, the process cartridge PM as a second process unit has the photosensitive drum 2 as a second photosensitive drum, a second developing unit 50m that develops the second electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 as a second toner image, and the cleaning unit 6. The cleaning unit 6 has a cleaning blade 61 as a second collection member that collects waste toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 2 after the second toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 2, and a waste toner storage section 62 as a second waste toner storage section that stores the waste toner collected by the cleaning blade 61. The intermediate transfer unit 10 also has an intermediate transfer belt 10a and four primary transfer rollers 11 corresponding to the photosensitive drums 2 of each process cartridge. For example, the intermediate transfer unit 10 has the primary transfer roller 11 as a first transfer roller that transfers the first toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 of the process cartridge PY to the intermediate transfer belt 10a. The intermediate transfer unit 10 also has the primary transfer roller 11 as a second transfer roller that transfers the second toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 of the process cartridge PM to the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0193] The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are detachably supported on side plates 163 and 164 (see FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b)), and are configured to be insertable and removable through openings provided in the side plate 163 located on the -Y side. Note that the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k may be inserted and removed integrally with the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK.

[0194] In this first modified example, the intermediate transfer unit 10 is disposed above the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK and the scanner 4. The waste toner storage compartments (62) of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK are disposed so as to at least partially overlap with the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction. This provides the same effects as the present embodiment.

[0195] Variation 2 FIG. 17(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 102 according to a second modification of the present embodiment. In the second modification, the same components as those in the first modification will be omitted from the illustration or will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings. The image forming apparatus 102 according to the second modification is a tandem laser beam printer, similar to the first modification. That is, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the image forming apparatus 102 has four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. In the second modification, the intermediate transfer unit 10 is disposed below the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK and the scanner 4.

[0196] The process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are supported by a drawer unit 400, which is supported so as to be drawable in the -X direction relative to a device main body 102A of the image forming apparatus 102. The device main body 102A has an openable and closable door 140 provided on the side surface on the -X side, and with the door 140 open, the drawer unit 400 can be drawn out from the device main body 102A in the -X direction. Then, with the drawer unit 400 drawn out to the outside of the device main body 102A, the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK can be attached to and detached from the drawer unit 400.

[0197] In this modification, the waste toner storage compartments (62) of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are also disposed so as to at least partially overlap the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction. This provides the same effects as the present embodiment.

[0198] (Positional relationship between the scanner passage and the toner cartridge ejection opening) Next, the positional relationship between the passage portion 42 of the scanner 4 and the discharge opening 71b of the toner cartridge 70 will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 21. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the scanner 4 and the toner cartridge 70. Figure 19 is a plan view showing the passage portion 42 of the scanner 4. Figure 20 is a side view showing the scanner 4 and the toner cartridge 70. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the 21A-21A cross section of Figure 20.

[0199] As shown in Figures 3 and 18, a discharge opening 71b is formed in the toner frame 71 of the toner cartridge 70. Furthermore, a receiving opening 53b facing the discharge opening 71b is formed in the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. The discharge opening 71b is an example of a toner discharge port for supplying toner to the developing-side accommodating portion 53a in the developing frame 53. In this embodiment, two discharge openings 71b are provided at different positions in the Y direction of the toner cartridge 70. Hereinafter, the discharge opening 71b on the +Y side will be referred to as discharge opening 71Rb, and the discharge opening 71b on the -Y side will be referred to as discharge opening 71Lb.

[0200] 18 to 20, the scanner 4 includes a scanner housing 4a as a housing and a passage 42 provided in the scanner housing 4a through which the laser light LS passes as light irradiated toward the photosensitive drum 2. The scanner 4 also includes a laser oscillation unit (not shown) provided within the scanner housing 4a and emitting the laser light LS. The passage 42 is located below the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. In this embodiment, the passage 42 is configured as an opening provided in the scanner housing 4a, but is not limited thereto. For example, the passage 42 may be configured as a transparent part that can transmit the laser light LS. The scanner housing 4a other than the passage 42 is configured from a material that does not transmit the laser light.

[0201] 19, the passing portion 42 extends in the Y direction. The passing portion 42 has a downstream end 42Ra and an upstream end 42La in the Y direction. The Y direction as a predetermined direction can also be said to be a direction from one side (-Y side) to the other side (+Y side) in the rotational axis direction of the rotary body 90.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 21, the discharge openings 71Rb and 71Lb extend in the Y direction. The discharge opening 71Rb, which serves as a first toner discharge opening, has a downstream end 71Rb3 and an upstream end 71Rb2 in the Y direction. The downstream end 71Rb3 is located farther from the center of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 in the Y direction than the upstream end 71R2. Similarly, the discharge opening 71Lb, which serves as a second toner discharge opening, has a downstream end 71Lb3 and an upstream end 71Lb2 in the Y direction. The upstream end 71Lb2 is located farther from the center of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 in the Y direction than the downstream end 71Lb3.

[0203] In the Y direction, the downstream end 71Rb3 of the discharge opening 71Rb is located downstream of the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42. In addition, in this embodiment, the upstream end 71Rb2 of the discharge opening 71Rb is located upstream of the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42 in the Y direction. In addition, in the Y direction, the upstream end 71Lb2 of the discharge opening 71Lb is located upstream of the upstream end 42La of the passing portion 42. In this embodiment, the downstream end 71Lb3 of the discharge opening 71Lb is located downstream of the upstream end 42La of the passing portion 42 in the Y direction. Furthermore, in the Y direction, the distance D1 between the downstream end 71Rb3 of the discharge opening 71Rb and the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42 is longer than the distance D2 between the upstream end 71Rb2 of the discharge opening 71Rb and the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42.

[0204] As described above, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the discharge openings 71Rb and 71Lb is positioned so as not to overlap with the passing section 42 of the scanner 4 in the Y direction. More specifically, in the Y direction, the downstream end 71Rb3 of the discharge opening 71Rb is located downstream of the downstream end 42Ra of the passing section 42, and the upstream end 71Lb2 of the discharge opening 71Lb is located upstream of the upstream end 42La of the passing section 42. Therefore, even if toner falls downward between the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b, the amount of toner falling into the passing section 42 of the scanner 4 can be reduced. Therefore, when the passing section 42 is an opening, the amount of toner entering the scanner housing 4a of the scanner 4 can be reduced, thereby preventing a deterioration in the performance of the scanner 4. Furthermore, when the passing section 42 is transparent, the amount of toner adhering to the passing section 42 can be reduced, thereby preventing a deterioration in the performance of the scanner 4.

[0205] Example 2 Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the positional relationship between the passage portion 42 of the scanner 4 and the discharge opening 71b of the toner cartridge 70 in the first embodiment is changed. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will not be shown or will be described by using the same reference numerals in the drawings. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the 21A-21A cross section of Figure 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0206] 22 , in the second embodiment, the downstream end 71Rb3 and the upstream end 71Rb2 of the discharge opening 71Rb are located downstream of the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42. Furthermore, the downstream end 71Lb3 and the upstream end 71Lb2 of the discharge opening 71Lb are located upstream of the upstream end 42La of the passing portion 42. That is, in the present embodiment, the entire discharge opening 71Rb is located downstream of the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42, and the entire discharge opening 71Lb is located upstream of the upstream end 42La of the passing portion 42. Furthermore, in the present embodiment as well, the distance D1 between the downstream end 71Rb3 of the discharge opening 71Rb and the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42 is longer in the Y direction than the distance D2 between the upstream end 71Rb2 of the discharge opening 71Rb and the downstream end 42Ra of the passing portion 42.

[0207] As described above, in this embodiment, all of the discharge openings 71Rb, 71Lb are positioned so as not to overlap with the passage section 42 of the scanner 4 in the Y direction. Therefore, even if toner falls downward between the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b, the amount of toner that falls into the passage section 42 of the scanner 4 can be reduced. Therefore, the deterioration of the performance of the scanner 4 can be further reduced.

[0208] (Other Examples) In addition, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the waste toner storage unit 62 has the first waste toner storage chamber 62a, the second waste toner storage chamber 62b, and the connecting chamber 62c, and the scanner 4 is disposed in the recess 63 of the waste toner storage unit 62. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the waste toner storage unit 62 does not have to have the recess 63. In this case, for example, the waste toner storage unit 62 may be disposed so that at least a portion of the waste toner storage unit 62 overlaps with the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction, and may be disposed so that it is offset from the scanner 4 in the Y direction. In this way, as long as the waste toner storage unit 62 is disposed so that at least a portion of the waste toner storage unit 62 overlaps with the scanner 4 when viewed in the Y direction, the shape and material of the waste toner storage unit 62 are not limited.

[0209] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 has two discharge openings 71Rb and 71Lb, but is not limited to this. For example, the number of discharge openings (71b) provided in the toner cartridge 70 may be one, or three or more.

[0210] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the rotary body 90 includes four developing units 50y-50k and is capable of forming color images using four colors of toner. However, the rotary body 90 may include three or fewer developing units, or five or more developing units. In these cases, the number and arrangement of trays and toner cartridges can be appropriately changed according to the number of developing units. For example, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, a configuration in which four toner cartridges 70y-70k can be detachably attached to the rotary body 90 was illustrated. However, the rotary body 90 may include only one developing unit 50k, and only one toner cartridge 70k may be attached to the rotary body 90. In this case, the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C, and can alternate between a black replacement position and a black development position.

[0211] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the rotary body 90 is provided with four developing units 50y-50k, and a configuration capable of forming a color image using toner of four colors has been described. However, the rotary body 90 may have multiple developing units capable of forming images using toner of the same color. For example, the rotary body 90 may be configured to have four black developing units 50k, and four toner cartridges 70k may be attached to the rotary body 90.

[0212] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following: (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus, A photosensitive drum; an exposure device that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a rotatable rotary having a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image and a containing frame that has a containing portion that contains toner to be supplied to the developing roller; a toner cartridge that contains toner and is detachable from the rotary, the toner cartridge being movable with respect to the container frame between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position, and configured to supply toner to the container when in the attached position; and the exposure device includes a housing and a passage portion provided in the housing through which light irradiated toward the photosensitive drum passes, the passage portion being disposed below a rotation axis of the rotary; the toner cartridge has a toner discharge port for supplying toner to the storage portion of the rotary; a downstream end of the toner discharge port is located downstream of a downstream end of the passage portion in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being a direction from one side to the other in a rotation axis direction of the rotary; An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 2) a distance between the downstream end of the toner discharge port and the downstream end of the passing portion in the predetermined direction is longer than a distance between the upstream end of the toner discharge port and the downstream end of the passing portion; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) an upstream end of the toner discharge port is located upstream of the downstream end of the passage portion in the predetermined direction; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: (Configuration 4) an upstream end of the toner discharge port is located downstream of the downstream end of the passage portion in the predetermined direction; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: (Configuration 5) the toner outlet is a first toner outlet, the toner cartridge is disposed upstream of the first toner outlet in the predetermined direction and includes a second toner outlet for supplying toner to the storage portion of the rotary; In the predetermined direction, an upstream end of the second toner discharge port is located upstream of an upstream end of the passage portion. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. (Configuration 6) The passage portion is an opening portion provided in the housing. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) the passing portion is a transparent portion that can transmit light irradiated toward the photosensitive drum. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 8) a support member movably supported by the accommodating frame so that the toner cartridge can move from the mounting position to the retracted position; 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) A driving source; a pinion gear driven by a driving force from the driving source; a rack gear provided on the support member and meshing with the pinion gear to move integrally with the support member; 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, [Explanation of symbols]

[0213] 1: Image forming apparatus / 2: Photosensitive drum / 4: Exposure device (scanner) / 4: Housing (scanner housing) / 42: Passage portion, opening, transparent portion / 42La: Upstream end / 42Ra: Downstream end / 53: Storage frame (developing frame) / 53a: Storage portion (developing side storage portion) / 61: Recovery member (cleaning blade) / 62: Waste toner storage portion / 70: Toner cartridge / 71Lb: Second toner discharge port / 71Lb2: Upstream end / 71Lb3: Downstream end / 71Rb: Toner discharge port, first toner discharge port / 71Rb2: Upstream end / 71Rb3: Downstream end / 80: Support member (tray) / 83: Rack gear (rack portion) / 90: Rotary / 90C: Rotation axis / 94: Pinion gear / D1, D2: Distance / M2: Drive source (motor) / Y: Rotation axis direction, predetermined direction (direction)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, A photosensitive drum; an exposure device that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a rotatable rotary having a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image and a containing frame that has a containing portion that contains toner to be supplied to the developing roller; a toner cartridge that contains toner and is detachable from the rotary, the toner cartridge being movable with respect to the container frame between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position, and configured to supply toner to the container when in the attached position; and the exposure device includes a housing and a passage portion provided in the housing through which light irradiated toward the photosensitive drum passes, the passage portion being positioned below a rotation axis of the rotary; the toner cartridge has a toner discharge port for supplying toner to the storage portion of the rotary; a downstream end of the toner discharge port is located downstream of a downstream end of the passage portion in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being a direction from one side to the other in a rotation axis direction of the rotary; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. a distance between the downstream end of the toner discharge port and the downstream end of the passing portion in the predetermined direction is longer than a distance between the upstream end of the toner discharge port and the downstream end of the passing portion; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. an upstream end of the toner discharge port is located upstream of the downstream end of the passage portion in the predetermined direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. an upstream end of the toner discharge port is located downstream of the downstream end of the passage portion in the predetermined direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. the toner outlet is a first toner outlet, the toner cartridge is disposed upstream of the first toner outlet in the predetermined direction and includes a second toner outlet for supplying toner to the container of the rotary; an upstream end of the second toner discharge port is located upstream of an upstream end of the passage portion in the predetermined direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. The passage portion is an opening portion provided in the housing.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. the passing portion is a transparent portion that can transmit light irradiated toward the photosensitive drum; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. a support member movably supported by the accommodating frame so that the toner cartridge can move from the mounting position to the retracted position; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

9. A driving source; a pinion gear driven by a driving force from the driving source; a rack gear provided on the support member and meshing with the pinion gear to move integrally with the support member; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

Images