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: (i) a developing unit that has a developing roller; (ii) a rotary that supports the developing unit, and is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in an axial direction; and (iii) a toner cartridge that is removably attached to the rotary. The toner cartridge includes a storage chamber that stores toner, a guide part that guides the toner, and a discharge port that discharges the toner from the storage chamber to the developing unit. The guide part is configured to guide the toner moving by its own weight in a direction intersecting the axial direction, toward the discharge port in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a rotary development method is known in which a rotary member having a plurality of developing rollers is rotated to form a color image. Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe an image forming apparatus including a rotary member having a plurality of developing rollers and a plurality of toner cartridges (toner storage containers) that are each detachably attached to the rotary member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a new form of an image forming apparatus that develops conventional technology.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0006] A developing unit having a developing roller; A rotary member that supports the developing unit and is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the axial direction; A toner cartridge removably attached to the rotary member, (i) A housing chamber for accommodating toner, (ii) a guide portion for guiding the toner, and (iii) an outlet through which the toner supplied from the housing chamber to the developing unit passes, a frame body including these. A toner cartridge having and having The guide portion is configured to guide the toner that moves by its own weight in a direction intersecting the axial direction toward the outlet in the axial direction. The guide portion includes an inner end and an outer end. When viewed in the axial direction of the rotary body, the inner end is closer to the rotation axis than the outer end in the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary body. The length of the toner frame body in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the short-side direction, and the length of the toner frame body in the short-side direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the thickness direction. The toner frame body has a surface provided with the discharge opening and a surface to which the guide portion is connected. The surface provided with the discharge opening extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, and the surface to which the guide portion is connected extends so as to intersect the thickness direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by this.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0008] A developing unit having a developing roller, A rotary body that supports the developing unit and is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the axial direction, A toner cartridge removably attached to the rotary body, (i) A housing chamber for accommodating toner, (ii) a guide portion for guiding the toner, and (iii) an outlet through which the toner supplied from the housing chamber to the developing unit passes, a frame body including these. A toner cartridge having and having The guide portion is configured to guide the toner moved by the rotation of the rotary member toward the discharge port in the axial direction. The guide portion includes an inner end and an outer end, and when viewed in the axial direction of the rotary member, the inner end is closer to the rotation axis than the outer end in the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary member. The length of the toner frame body in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the short-side direction, and the length of the toner frame body in the short-side direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the thickness direction. The toner frame body has a surface provided with the discharge opening and a surface to which the guide portion is connected. The surface provided with the discharge opening extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, and the surface to which the guide portion is connected extends so as to intersect the thickness direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new form of image forming apparatus that develops conventional technology.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Example 1> The image forming apparatus 1 according to Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12 (a, b).

[0013] In the following description and each drawing, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. A direction intersecting the Z direction and being the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90 (the rotary axis direction) described later is defined as the Y direction. A direction intersecting both the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as the X direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal directions. Also, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably orthogonal to each other. Further, if necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing are represented as the +X side, the +Y side, and the +Z side, respectively, and the opposite sides are represented as the -X side, the -Y side, and the -Z side, respectively.

[0014] (Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus) First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is a laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S by an electrophotographic method. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color laser beam printer including four developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. As the sheet S (recording medium), various sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper such as plain paper and thick paper, plastic film, cloth, sheet materials having surface treatment such as coated paper, and special-shaped sheet materials such as envelopes and index paper.

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the schematic configuration and the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the drive source of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration for supplying toner from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the main body) 1A and toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k that are detachable from the main body 1A. The main body 1A of the present embodiment is the part of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

[0017] The main body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum) 2 having a drum shape (cylindrical shape) as an image carrier that holds 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.

[0018] The charging roller 3 is an example of a charging means or a charging unit for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The scanner 4 is an example of an exposure means or an exposure unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light according to image information to perform exposure. 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 is an example of a cleaning means or a cleaning portion that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0019] Furthermore, the apparatus main body 1A includes a sheet storage unit 300, a pickup roller 310, a feed roller 311, a separation roller 312, a pair of conveyance 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 for feeding the sheet S. The feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 are examples of a separation and conveyance unit for conveying the sheet S while separating it one by one by frictional force. The secondary transfer roller 12 is an example of a transfer means or a transfer unit for transferring an image from the intermediate transfer belt 10a to the sheet S.

[0020] The intermediate transfer unit 10 includes 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 conveys it for transfer (secondary transfer) to the sheet S. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is stretched between the belt drive roller 10b and the tension roller 10c. The belt drive roller 10b is a drive member that conveys the intermediate transfer belt 10a by being rotationally driven by a drive source.

[0021] Also, the apparatus main body 1A has a rotary main body (rotary, rotating body, developing device) 90 having developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k. As will be described later, in this embodiment, trays (supporting members) 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k are attached to the rotary main body 90. Toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k are detachably mounted on the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k.

[0022] In the following description, a plurality of members having similar functions can be distinguished by assigning numbers. For example, one of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, 70k can be called the first toner cartridge, one of the remaining three can be called the second toner cartridge, one of the remaining two can be called the third toner cartridge, and the last one can be called the fourth toner cartridge. Similarly, one of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, 80k can be called the first tray, one of the remaining three can be called the second tray, one of the remaining two can be called the third tray, and the last one can be called the fourth tray. That is, one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of the first support member, another one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of the second support member, still another one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of the third support member, and the last one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of the fourth support member. These numberings are only used for convenience in explanation and can be appropriately interchanged in principle.

[0023] The developing units (first to fourth developing units) 50y, 50m, 50c, 50k are examples of developing means or developing parts that develop (visualize) an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image using toner of a corresponding color. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, 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, 50k may be arranged in an order different from the order shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] The developing unit 50y includes a developing roller 51y, a supply roller 52y, and a developing blade. The developing roller 51y is a developer carrier that carries toner as a developer and rotates to supply it to the photosensitive drum 2. The supply roller 52y is arranged in contact with the developing roller 51y and is a supply member that supplies toner to the developing roller 51. The developing blade is a regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer carried on the developing roller 51y. The other developing units 50m, 50c, 50k also include similar developing rollers 51m, 51c, 51k, supply rollers 52m, 52c, 52k, and developing blades.

[0025] The rotary main body 90 is equipped with toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k corresponding to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. Inside the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k, yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner are respectively accommodated as toner for replenishing the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. One of the four-color toners can be referred to as the first toner, one of the remaining three-color toners can be referred to as the second toner, one of the remaining two-color toners can be referred to as the third toner, and the last toner can be referred to as the fourth toner. For example, the black toner can be an example of the first toner, and the magenta toner can be an example of the second toner. These numberings are only used for convenience in explanation and can be appropriately interchanged in principle.

[0026] Here, 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 rotary support.

[0027] In addition, trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are attached to the rotary main body 90. The part combining the rotary main 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 main body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

[0028] The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are detachably held on the trays 80y to 80k. As will be described later, the trays 80y to 80k are supported so as to be slidable to the outside of the rotary main body 90. The part combining the rotary unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k can be called 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.

[0029] As described below, the rotary main body 90 is rotatable around the rotation axis (rotation center) 90C. The rotation axis 90C coincides with the rotation axes of the rotary frame body 90f, the rotary unit 90U, and the rotary assembly 90A. Further, the rotation axis 90C is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (rotation center) of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0030] By rotating around the rotation axis 90C, the rotary main body 90 can take a developing posture in which any one of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2. The posture in which the developing roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the yellow developing posture. The posture in which the developing roller 51m faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the magenta developing posture. The posture in which the developing roller 51c faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the cyan developing posture. The posture in which the developing roller 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the black developing posture. That is, the rotary main body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C so that the positions of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k with respect to the photosensitive drum 2 change. The black developing posture is an example of the first developing posture in which the first developing roller (developing roller 51k) faces the photosensitive drum 2. The other developing postures are examples of the second developing postures in which the second developing rollers (developing rollers 51y to 51c) face the photosensitive drum 2. The yellow / magenta / cyan / black developing postures can also be called the first to fourth developing postures. These numberings are used only for convenience in explanation and can be changed as appropriate in principle.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 1A has motors M1, M2, and M3 as drive sources. As described below, the motor M1 supplies a driving force for rotating the rotary main body 90 around the rotation axis 90C. In other words, the motor M1 rotates the rotary assembly 90A and the rotary unit 90U around the rotation axis 90C.

[0032] 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 and 15R as drive gears to be described later, and a transmission section 15t. The driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the drive racks 15L and 15R by the transmission section 15t. In other words, the motor M2 is configured to drive the drive racks 15L and 15R, and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are moved relative to the rotary main body 90 via the drive racks 15L and 15R.

[0033] The motor M3 drives members other than the members driven by the motors M1 and M2. For example, the motor M3 drives the photosensitive drum 2, the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, the pickup roller 310, the feed roller 311, the pair of conveyance rollers 320, the secondary transfer roller 12, the belt drive roller 10b, and the fixing device 40.

[0034] Note that the members driven by the motors M1, M2, and M3 can be changed as appropriate. Also, the roles of any two or all three of the motors M1, M2, and M3 can be integrated into one motor. On the other hand, a drive source other than the motors M1, M2, and M3 may be added.

[0035] 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, the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k, etc. indicate the colors of the toner. The basic configurations and functions of the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are common. The basic configurations and functions of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are common. Also, the basic configurations and functions of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are common. Therefore, when there is no need to distinguish them, the subscripts y, m, c, and k are omitted, and they are described as any one of the four units, cartridges, and trays.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 70 has a toner frame 71. The toner frame 71 includes a toner storage portion 71a for storing toner, and a discharge opening 71b communicating with the toner storage portion 71a.

[0037] The developing unit 50 has a developing frame (accommodation frame) 53. The developing frame 53 includes a developing-side storage portion 53a, and a receiving opening 53b communicating with the developing-side storage portion (toner supply chamber) 53a. As described above, the developing unit 50 has a developing roller 51, a supply roller 52, etc., but these members are omitted in FIG. 3.

[0038] The developing roller 51k provided in the developing unit 50k is an example of a first developing roller. The developing roller 51m provided in the developing unit 50m is an example of a second developing roller. The developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(a)) of the developing unit 50k provided with the developing-side storage portion 53a is an example of a first accommodation frame provided with a first accommodation portion. The developing frame 53m (FIG. 4(a)) of the developing unit 50m provided with the developing-side storage portion 53a is an example of a second accommodation frame provided with a second accommodation portion. The rotary main body 90 is an example of a rotatable rotary having a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a first accommodation frame provided with a first accommodation portion, and a second accommodation frame provided with a second accommodation portion. In the present embodiment, the rotary main body 90 has first to fourth developing rollers and first to fourth accommodation frames.

[0039] As described later, the toner cartridge 70 is movable relative to the developing frame 53 between a mounting position and a retracted position retracted from the mounting position. In a state where the toner cartridge 70 is in the mounting position with respect to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b faces the receiving opening 53b. That is, the toner storage portion 71a of the toner cartridge 70 and the developing-side storage portion 53a of the developing unit 50 communicate with each other through the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b. When toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50, at least a part of the receiving opening 53b is positioned below at least a part of the discharge opening 71b.

[0040] Then, the toner stored in the toner storage section 71a is discharged from the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is stored in the developing side storage section 53a through the receiving opening 53b. The toner stored in the developing side storage section 53a is supplied to the developing roller 51 by the supply roller 52. Through such a path, the toner stored in the toner storage section 71a is supplied to the developing roller 51. That is, the discharge opening 71b is an opening through which the toner supplied from the toner storage section 71a to the developing unit 50 passes.

[0041] The toner cartridge 70 preferably has a sealing member (first sealing member) (not shown) that covers the discharge opening 71b. Also, the developing unit 50 preferably has a sealing member (second sealing member) (not shown) that covers the receiving opening 53b.

[0042] 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 suppress the outflow of toner from the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b.

[0043] (Image forming operation) The image forming operation in this embodiment will be described. First, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10a. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 3.

[0044] When forming a color image on the sheet S, as follows, the rotary main body 90 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 (clockwise) while supporting the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. Then, the electrophotographic process is repeatedly performed while moving the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k to the developing positions one by one.

[0045] First, the scanner 4 irradiates a laser beam based on the image data corresponding to the yellow image, and forms 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, and the rotary body 90 assumes a yellow developing posture. When the rotary body 90 assumes the yellow developing posture, the developing roller 51y is in the developing position, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 with yellow toner.

[0046] Here, in this embodiment, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k is an elastic roller with rubber coated around a metal shaft. At the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k develops the electrostatic latent image while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. That is, the contact development method is adopted in the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment. However, at the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k may develop the electrostatic latent image with a gap between them and the photosensitive drum 2. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 may adopt a non-contact development method.

[0047] When the yellow toner image is developed, the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10a by the primary transfer roller 11 disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0048] Thereafter, by rotating the rotary main body 90 to move the developing rollers 51m, 51c, and 51k to the developing positions in sequence, toner images of each color are formed. That is, after the yellow toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary main body 90 assumes the magenta developing posture, and the magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After the magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary main body 90 assumes the cyan developing posture, and the cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After the cyan toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary main body 90 assumes the black developing posture, and the black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a. After the black toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a, the rotary main body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 (clockwise) and returns to the yellow developing posture. Note that the color of the first image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is arbitrary, and for example, a black toner image may be formed first.

[0049] Then, primary transfer is repeated so as to overlap the four-color toner images 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.

[0050] On the other hand, the sheet S is fed from the sheet storage unit 300 provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body 1A by the pickup roller 310. The sheet S is separated one by one by the feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 and sent to the pair of conveyance rollers 320. The pair of conveyance rollers 320 sends the fed sheet S to the transfer portion (secondary transfer portion), which is the nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 10a and the secondary transfer roller 12. The color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10a is transferred (secondarily transferred) onto the surface of the conveyed sheet S.

[0051] 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 pressed, and the image is fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 40 is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 1 as a finished product.

[0052] On the other hand, when forming a monochrome image on the sheet S, the rotary main body 90 assumes a black developing posture. In this state, after an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by charging and exposure of the photosensitive drum 2, the electrostatic latent image is developed with black toner by the developing roller 51k located at the developing position. The black toner image is first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10a and then secondarily transferred to the sheet S. The subsequent steps are the same as those in the case of the color image.

[0053] (Rotary configuration) The configuration of the rotary main body 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4(a, b), and 5.

[0054] FIGS. 4(a, b) are cross-sectional views showing the rotary main body 90 of the image forming apparatus 1 and its surroundings. FIGS. 4(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the apparatus cut by a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotary main body 90.

[0055] As described above, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are detachable from the rotary main body 90. When the toner in the toner cartridges 70y to 70k runs out, the user can replenish the toner to the image forming apparatus 1 by replacing the toner cartridges 70y to 70k.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 1A has a frame 16 that houses the rotary main body 90.

[0057] The frame 16 is the main body frame of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The frame 16 is the housing (body) of the apparatus main body 1A constituted by a frame and exterior members, and is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape in the present embodiment.

[0058] The frame body 16 is provided with an opening 16a. More specifically, the frame body 16 is provided with side surfaces 16b that extend in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. The side surfaces 16b constitute at least a part of the outer surface on the +X side of the apparatus main body 1A. The opening 16a is disposed on this side surface 16b. The side surface 16b is a side surface disposed on the downstream side of the discharge port in the discharge direction in which the sheet S on which an image is formed is discharged from the discharge port of the apparatus main body 1A. The user can access the sheet storage unit 300 from the side of the side surface 16b of the image forming apparatus 1 to replenish the sheet S or acquire the sheet S discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, the side surface 16b can be referred to as the front (front surface) of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0059] The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are detachable from the rotary main body 90 through the opening 16a. That is, it can be said that the toner cartridge 70k is an example of a first toner cartridge that stores toner supplied to the first developing roller (developing roller 51k) and is detachable from the rotary (rotary main body 90) through the opening 16a of the frame body 16 of the apparatus main body 1A. The toner cartridge 70m can be said to be an example of a second toner cartridge that stores toner supplied to the second developing roller (developing roller 51m) and is detachable from the rotary (rotary main body 90) through the opening 16a of the frame body 16 of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0060] In this embodiment, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are detached from and attached to the rotary main body 90 through the opening 16a while being supported by the trays 80y to 80k. In other words, the user can detach and attach the toner cartridges 70y to 70k to and from the rotary main body 90 via the trays 80y to 80k.

[0061] The opening 16a is disposed on the side surface 16b of the frame body 16. In this embodiment, the side surface 16b is a surface substantially parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90. For this reason, when the toner cartridge 70 is replaced, the toner cartridge 70 passes through the opening 16a in a direction (preferably a direction perpendicular) intersecting the rotation axis 90C.

[0062] The image forming apparatus 1 has a door 14 that covers the opening 16a of the frame 16. The door 14 is an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position covering the opening 16a (see also Fig. 6(a)) and an open position where the opening 16a is exposed (see also Fig. 6(b, c)).

[0063] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be detachable from the rotary main body 90 via the tray 80. Therefore, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably attached to and detached from the rotary main body 90.

[0064] More specifically, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70 by performing an operation of attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 70 to and from the tray 80 that is configured to be movable with respect to the rotary main body 90 (that is, with respect to the apparatus main body 1A). In the case of a configuration in which the user directly inserts and removes the toner cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body, the user is required to insert the toner cartridge to a predetermined mounting position within the apparatus main body. In this embodiment, the tray 80 is movable so that the toner cartridge 70 moves to the mounting position while supporting the toner cartridge 70. Therefore, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70 by performing a simple operation of placing the toner cartridge 70 on the tray 80, and the operability is improved.

[0065] Note that the toner cartridge 70 has an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction being the Y direction parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90. That is, the dimension of the toner cartridge 70 in the longitudinal direction is larger than the height and width in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. When handling the toner cartridge 70 having such an elongated shape, by arranging the opening 16a on the side surface 16b of the frame 16 that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner cartridge 70, the toner cartridge 70 can pass through the opening 16a with a short moving distance. For example, compared with the case of inserting and removing the toner cartridge 70 through an opening provided on either one side (+Y side or -Y side) of the frame 16 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70, the replacement of the toner cartridge 70 becomes easier.

[0066] The rotary main body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C and take an exchange posture that allows the removal of any one of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the rotary main body 90. The posture that allows the removal of the toner cartridge 70y is called the yellow exchange posture. The posture that allows the removal of the toner cartridge 70m is called the magenta exchange posture. The posture that allows the removal of the toner cartridge 70c is called the cyan exchange posture.

[0067] The posture that allows the removal of the toner cartridge 70k is called the black exchange posture. The black exchange posture is an example of the first exchange posture that allows the removal of the first toner cartridge from the rotary main body 90. The yellow / magenta / cyan exchange postures are examples of the second exchange postures that allow the removal of the second toner cartridges from the rotary main body 90. The yellow / magenta / cyan / black exchange postures can also be called the first to fourth exchange postures. These numberings are only used for convenience in explanation and can be appropriately interchanged in principle.

[0068] The rotary main body 90 can rotate clockwise around the rotation axis 90C as shown in FIG. 1 and sequentially take the yellow / magenta / cyan / black exchange postures. In the present embodiment, the rotary main body 90 rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 90C as shown in FIG. 1, so that the developing posture and the exchange posture are alternately switched. For example, in FIG. 1, the rotary main body 90 is in the black developing posture. From this state, when the rotary main body 90 rotates clockwise, the posture of the rotary main body 90 is switched in the order of the cyan exchange posture, the yellow developing posture, the black exchange posture, the magenta developing posture, the yellow exchange posture, the cyan developing posture, and the magenta exchange posture. When the rotary main body 90 rotates clockwise from the magenta exchange posture, the rotary main body 90 returns to the black developing posture. That is, the rotary main body 90 can rotate more than one turn (360°) clockwise.

[0069] FIG. 4(a) shows a cross-section of the rotary body 90 in the developing posture (specifically, the yellow developing posture). FIG. 4(b) shows a cross-section of the rotary body 90 in the replacement posture (specifically, the black replacement posture).

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), four trays 80y to 80k are attached to the rotary body 90. Toner cartridges 70y to 70k are respectively held in the trays 80y to 80k. In FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the trays 80y to 80k are in a state of being housed inside the rotary body 90, and this state can be said to be a state where the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are attached to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k.

[0071] As described above, the toner cartridge 70 is movable with respect to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50 between a mounting position and a retracted position retracted from the mounting position. That is, the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is movable with respect to the first housing frame (developing frame 53k) between a first mounting position and a first retracted position. The second toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70m) is movable with respect to the second housing frame (developing frame 53m) between a second mounting position and a second retracted position.

[0072] When the toner cartridge 70 is in the mounting position with respect to the developing frame 53, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other. In this state, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to supply toner to the developing-side housing portion 53a through the receiving opening 53b (the opening of the housing frame).

[0073] The apparatus main body 1A has a moving device 85 configured to move the toner cartridge 70 from the mounting position to the retracted position with respect to the rotary main body 90 (more specifically, with respect to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50). The moving device 85 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8 and the like. In the present embodiment, a plurality of moving devices 85y to 85k corresponding to a plurality of toner cartridges 70y to 70k are arranged on the rotary main body 90. The trays 80y to 80k can be regarded as a part of the moving devices 85y to 85k.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 70k containing black toner is larger in size than the toner cartridges 70y to 70c containing yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner, and can accommodate more toner. In other words, the first toner cartridge can accommodate a first amount of toner, the second toner cartridge can accommodate a second amount of toner, and it can be said that the first amount is larger than the second amount.

[0075] Specifically, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in the first radial direction with respect to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90 is larger than the length of the magenta toner cartridge 70m in the second radial direction. Here, the first radial direction is the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary main body 90 (the radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis 90C), and is the direction in which the toner cartridge 70k extends with respect to the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. The second radial direction is the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary main body 90, and is the direction in which the toner cartridge 70m extends with respect 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 larger than the lengths of the toner cartridges 70y and 70c in the radial directions corresponding to the other toner cartridges 70y and 70c.

[0076] Therefore, the tray 80k that holds the black toner cartridge 70k is larger in size than the trays 80y to 80c that hold the other toner cartridges 70y, 70m, and 70c. That is, four toner cartridges 70y to 70k and trays 80y to 80k with different sizes are arranged within the rotary main body 90. In other words, the toner cartridge 70k, as an example of the first toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge 70y, as an example of the second toner cartridge that is smaller in size than the first toner cartridge, are detachable from the rotary main body 90. Accordingly, the rotary main body 90 is provided with a tray 80k, as an example of the first support member that supports the first toner cartridge, and a tray 80y, as an example of the second support member that is smaller in size than the first support member. Further, the toner cartridges 70m and 70c, as examples of the third toner cartridge and the fourth toner cartridge that are smaller in size than the first toner cartridge, are detachable from the rotary main body 90. Accordingly, the rotary main body 90 is provided with trays 80m and 80c, as examples of the third support member and the fourth support member that are smaller in size than the first support member.

[0077] Here, the rotational drive of the rotary main body 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, disk gears 92L and 92R are formed at both ends of the rotary main body 90. Further, rotary drive gears 93L and 93R are connected to both ends of the swing shaft 91 in a manner that allows drive transmission. Here, the driving force of the motor M1 is transmitted to the rotary drive gear 93R by the drive transmission mechanism. Next, when the driving force is transmitted to the disk gears 92L and 92R by the rotary drive gears 93L and 93R, the rotary main body 90 is rotationally driven. The rotary main body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1.

[0078] Further, the rotary main body 90 is supported so as to be swingable about the swing axis 91. The rotary main body 90 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) about the swing axis 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, in a state where the rotary main body 90 is in the developing posture, each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k abuts on the photosensitive drum 2.

[0079] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, rotary cams 90eL and 90eR are provided at both ends of the rotary main body 90. When the rotary main body 90 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) about the rotation axis line 90C, the rotary cams 90eL and 90eR abut on rollers 96 (FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)) supported by the frame body 16. Then, it moves in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) about the swing axis 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. Further, this direction can be said to be the direction in which the rotary main body 90 approaches the opening 16a of the frame body 16 and the door 14.

[0080] Thereby, when the rotary main body 90 rotates and switches from the developing posture to the replacement posture, the rotary main body 90 swings about the swing axis 91. In a state where the rotary main body 90 takes the replacement posture, the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 2.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4(b), in the black replacement posture, the toner cartridge 70k stops at a position facing the opening 16a and the door 14 provided on the side surface 16b of the apparatus main body 1A. From this state, when the tray 80k is slid from the mounting position to the developing unit 50k to the outside of the rotary main body 90, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70k.

[0082] (Toner Cartridge Replacement Operation) Using FIGS. 4(a), 6(a - c), and 7(a, b), the toner cartridge replacement operation will be described. FIGS. 6(a - c) are external views of the apparatus main body 1A. FIGS. 7(a, b) are cross-sectional views around the rotary main body 90 at the time of toner cartridge replacement. Note that FIGS. 7(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the apparatus in a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90.

[0083] FIG. 6(a) shows the external appearance of the apparatus main body 1A during the image forming operation and in the standby state. The image forming operation period is the period during which a series of operations are executed after the image forming apparatus 1 feeds the sheet S and forms an image on the sheet S and then discharges it as a product. The standby state is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 can start the image forming operation when it receives an image forming instruction (printing instruction) and is waiting for an image forming instruction from the user. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the door 14 is in the closed state during the image forming operation and in the standby state.

[0084] FIG. 6(b) shows the external appearance of the apparatus main body 1A at the time of toner cartridge replacement. At the time of toner cartridge replacement, the door 14 is in the open state, and the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 are moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0085] The toner cartridge 70 is movable with respect to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50 between a mounting position and a retracted position retracted from the mounting position. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the mounting position with respect to the developing frame 53, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other. As shown in FIGS. 4(a, b), the rotary main body 90 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis 90C in a state where the toner cartridge 70 is in the mounting position and take a developing posture and a replacement posture.

[0086] The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described. First, the user instructs the control unit of the apparatus main body 1A to perform the toner cartridge replacement operation. The instruction for the toner cartridge replacement operation is performed, for example, by an input via an operation panel (operation unit) provided on the apparatus main body 1A.

[0087] When the control unit receives an instruction for the toner cartridge replacement operation, the rotary main body 90 rotates to the replacement posture of the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced (the toner cartridge 70 that has run out of toner) and stops. That is, the control unit rotates the rotary main body 90 to the replacement posture of the toner cartridge specified in the instruction for the toner cartridge replacement operation (the black replacement posture for replacing the black toner cartridge 70k in FIG. 4(b)). In the replacement posture, the tray 80 that supports the toner cartridge 70 for which replacement has been instructed faces the opening 16a of the frame body 16 of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0088] For example, the rotary main body 90 in FIG. 4(a) is in the yellow development posture in which the yellow developing roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2. At this time, the black toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k do not necessarily face the opening 16a and the door 14. In other words, the toner cartridge 70 and the tray 80 do not necessarily face the opening 16a and the door 14 when the rotary main body 90 is in a replacement posture or a development posture other than the replacement posture of the toner cartridge. Therefore, the opening 16a only needs to be large enough for each toner cartridge 70 to pass through individually. When the rotary main body 90 rotates a predetermined angle clockwise in the drawing from the yellow development posture, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the black toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k face the opening 16a and the door 14.

[0089] Here, "the tray 80 faces the opening 16a" means that the tray 80 is positioned so as to be movable to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A through the opening 16a. That is, when the tray 80 faces the opening 16a, the tray 80 is moved to the outside in the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary main body 90 by a moving mechanism described later, so that the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 supported by the tray 80 can protrude outside the apparatus main body 1A. In FIG. 4(a), none of the trays 80y to 80k face 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.

[0090] When the rotary body 90 is positioned in the replacement posture, the motor M2 moves the tray 80 that supports the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced outward from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0091] As a result, the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced moves from the mounting position to the retracted position with respect to the rotary body 90. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6(b, c) and 7(a, b), the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced supported by the tray 80 project outside the apparatus main body 1A through the opening 16a.

[0092] More specifically, the tray 80 is movable with respect to the rotary body 90 between a storage position and a take-out position. The storage position is a position where the tray 80 is stored in the rotary body 90. The take-out position is a position where the tray 80 projects outside the rotary body 90 and the toner cartridge 70 can be taken out from the tray 80 (removal position, replaceable position). Examples of the storage position are the positions of the trays 80y to 80k in FIGS. 4(a, b). Examples of the take-out position are the positions of the tray 80 in FIGS. 6(b, c), the tray 80k in FIG. 7(a), and the tray 80m in FIG. 7(b).

[0093] When the tray 80 is in the storage position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is in the mounting position. When the tray 80 is in the take-out position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is in the retracted position.

[0094] Here, as shown in FIGS. 7(a, b), the rotary body 90 has a convex portion 95 for holding the tray 80 in the storage position and holding the toner cartridge 70 in the mounting position. As shown in FIG. 8, the tray 80 is provided with a concave portion 87 that fits into the convex portion 95. In FIGS. 7(a, b), the convex portions 95k and 95m corresponding to the trays 80k and 80m are shown, and in FIG. 8, the concave portions 87y and 87m of the trays 80y and 80m are shown, but the convex portion 95 and the concave portion 87 are provided for each of the trays 80y to 80k. The convex portion 95 is preferably biased in a direction to engage with the concave portion 87.

[0095] When the convex portion 95 fits into the concave portion 87 of the tray 80, the tray 80 is locked to the rotary frame body 90f. As a result, even when the rotary main body 90 rotates, the tray 80 stays at the storage position, preventing the toner cartridge 70 from moving from the mounting position. When the tray 80 is moved between the storage position and the take-out position by a moving device described later, the convex portion 95 can be moved by the tray 80 so that the convex portion 95 disengages from the concave portion 87.

[0096] In this embodiment, the door 14 is rotatably supported with respect to the apparatus main body 1A. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the door 14 is biased by a spring 14s from the open position toward the closed position. 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.

[0097] When the tray 80 pushes the door 14, the door 14 is in 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. By the door 14 supporting at least a part of the tray 80 protruding outside the apparatus main body 1A, the toner cartridge 70 can be supported more stably. In other words, when the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is at the first retracted position, the opening / closing member (door 14) at the open position supports the first support member (tray 80k). Also, when the second toner cartridge (toner cartridges 70y to 70c) is at the second retracted position, the opening / closing member (door 14) at the open position supports the second support members (trays 80y to 80c).

[0098] Note that the door 14 is configured to contact a part of the frame body 16 of the apparatus main body 1A (for example, the lower edge 16c of the opening 16a) at the open position and not to rotate downward beyond the open position. When the tray 80 is pulled back from the outside to the inside of the apparatus main body 1A, the door 14 returns to the closed position by the biasing force of the spring 14s.

[0099] 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 perform an operation of attaching a new toner cartridge 70 (replacement operation). When replacing a plurality of toner cartridges 70, the replacement operation can be performed by repeating the above operation.

[0100] FIGS. 7(a, b) show cross-sections around the rotary main body 90 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.

[0101] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a moving device 85 (FIG. 8) that moves the toner cartridge 70 from the mounting position to the retracted position. In this embodiment, it can be said that the moving device 85 includes 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.

[0102] Even when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the tray 80 is in a state of being connected to the rotary main body 90 (a state supported by the rotary main body 90). In order to easily perform the operation of removing the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary main body 90, it is preferable that the length by which the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary main body 90 is long in the retracted position. Since the toner cartridge 70 is detachably configured to the rotary main body 90 via the tray 80, even when the length by which the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary main body 90 is long, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably supported by the tray 80.

[0103] When the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounting position to the retracted position, the moving direction of the toner cartridge 70 is referred to as the retracting direction. In the present embodiment, the retracting direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that intersects 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 retracting direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). Also, it can be said that the retracting direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that goes outward in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 (a direction away from the rotation axis 90C).

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when the user performs an operation of removing the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, at the time of removing the toner cartridge 70, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 preferably protrudes from the rotary body 90. In the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the entire toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90.

[0105] When the rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C, it can be said that the rotation locus of the rotary body 90 coincides with the circumscribed circle of the rotary body 90 centered on the rotation axis 90C (the virtual circle 90V shown by the broken line in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)). When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is preferable that at least half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retracting direction is outside the rotation locus of the rotary body 90. That is, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary, when the toner cartridge is in the retracted position, regarding the moving direction of the toner cartridge from the mounting position to the retracted position, it is preferable that at least half of the total length of the toner cartridge is located outside the rotation locus of the rotary. This applies to each toner cartridge 70 including the toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and the toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. Also, in the present 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 (virtual circle 90V) of the rotary body 90.

[0106] Furthermore, in order for the user to easily grasp the toner cartridge 70, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is preferable that at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus main body 1A). Here, "outside the apparatus" refers to a space outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus main body 1A) when the image forming apparatus 1 is used, such as an image forming operation on the sheet S.

[0107] In this embodiment, the outer appearance surface of the apparatus main body 1A is formed by the outer appearance surface of the frame body 16. That is to say, "outside the apparatus" can also mean the outside of the frame body 16. Therefore, the state where at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the apparatus can also be said to be a state where at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the opening 16a of the frame body 16 of the apparatus main body 1A toward the outside of the frame body 16.

[0108] In this embodiment, when the door 14 is in the closed position, the opening 16a of the frame body 16 of the apparatus main body 1A is covered by the door 14. And a part of the outer appearance surface of the apparatus main body 1A is formed by the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position. In this case, "outside the apparatus" means the outside of the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position. That is, assuming the position of the outer appearance surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position as the appearance position, 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 rather than at this appearance position.

[0109] In other words, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is located in a space that would be outside the apparatus main body 1A if the door 14 were in the closed position. And regarding the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is located on the downstream side of the appearance position.

[0110] Also, when the side surface 16b provided with the opening 16a is regarded as the front of the apparatus main body 1A, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 can protrude to the front side more than the outer surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A. In this case, the user can access the toner cartridge 70 from the front side of the image forming apparatus and easily perform the replacement work of the toner cartridge 70.

[0111] In addition, 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 retracting direction is outside the apparatus. That is, when viewed in the direction of the rotary axis line, in a state where the toner cartridge is in the retracted position, with respect to the moving direction of the toner cartridge from the mounting position to the retracted position, it is preferable that more than half of the total length of the toner cartridge is located outside the main body frame. This applies to each toner cartridge 70 including the toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and the toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. Further, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is more preferable that the entire toner cartridge 70 is outside the apparatus. In the present embodiment, the outer surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A is formed by the outer surface 14a and the side surface 16b of the door 14, but the configuration of the door 14 is not limited to this. For example, the size of the door 14 may be such that it covers the entire side surface 16b. In this case, the outer surface 14a of the door 14 forms the outer surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0112] The tray 80 includes a cartridge holding portion 81 (see FIGS. 3 and 6(c)) that holds the toner cartridge 70. The cartridge holding portion 81 is a portion to which the toner cartridge 70 is attached. When the tray 80 is in the taken-out position, it is preferable that the entire cartridge holding portion 81 is outside the rotation locus of the rotary main body 90 in the retracting direction. When the tray 80 is in the taken-out position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the cartridge holding portion 81 is outside the apparatus in the retracting direction.

[0113] Here, as described above, the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k are larger in size than the other toner cartridges 70y - 70c and trays 80y - 80c. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), in this embodiment, in accordance with the size of the toner cartridge 70, the moving amount of the tray 80 when replacing the toner cartridge is changed.

[0114] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), when the tray 80k (the first support member) moves from the storage position (the first storage position) to the removal position (the first removal position), the moving distance is L1. When the tray 80m (the second support member) moves from the storage position to the removal position (the third removal position), the moving distance is L2. FIG. 7(b) shows the state where the toner cartridge 70m and the tray 80m have moved, and the moving distance when the trays 80y and 80c move from the storage position to the removal position is also L2. At this time, L1 is larger than L2. In other words, it can be said that the moving 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 moving distance of the second support member when the second toner cartridge moves from the second mounting position to the second retracted position.

[0115] Also, as shown in FIG. 7(a), in the state where the tray 80k is at the removal position and the toner cartridge 70k is at the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70k protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P1 outside the apparatus. In this embodiment, the tray 80k also protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P1 outside the apparatus.

[0116] Also, as shown in FIG. 7(b), in the state where the tray 80m is at the removal position and the toner cartridge 70m is at the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70m protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P2 outside the apparatus. In this embodiment, the tray 80m also protrudes from the outer surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P2 outside the apparatus. Note that the toner cartridges 70y and 70c also protrude from the outer surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P2 outside the apparatus.

[0117] The above distance P1 is greater than the distance P2. That is, the length by which the first toner cartridge at 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 at the second retracted position protrudes from the opening 16a is defined as the second length (P2). In this case, it can be said that the first length is longer than the second length.

[0118] For the toner cartridges 70y to 70c, which are smaller in size than the toner cartridge 70k, it is preferable in terms of strength to make the distance P2 by which they protrude outside the machine at the retracted position shorter than the distance P1 by which the toner cartridge 70k protrudes outside the machine at the retracted position. This is for the following reasons. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes outside the rotation locus of the rotary main body 90 or outside the appearance surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside of the machine. At this time, the tray 80 is in a state of being cantilever-supported by the rotary main body 90 and supports the weight of the toner cartridge 70. Therefore, making the distance P2 by which the toner cartridges 70y to 70c protrude outside the machine at the retracted position shorter can reduce the load applied to the trays 80y to 80c and the guide portion 97 of the rotary main body 90 that supports the trays 80y to 80k. Also, 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 the cartridges with respect to the trays 80y to 80c can be maintained.

[0119] (Tray Arrangement Inside the Rotary) Using FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the arrangement of trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of trays 80y to 80k in the rotary body 90. FIG. 10 is a view showing the member arrangement at one end side in the Y direction of trays 80y to 80k. Note that FIG. 9 shows a cut surface of the rotary body 90 in a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. Also, the upper half of FIG. 10 is a view of the rotary body 90 and trays 80m, 80k in FIG. 8 as seen from the upper right side (+Z side) of FIG. 8, and the lower half of FIG. 10 is a view of the rotary body 90 and trays 80c, 80y in FIG. 8 as seen from the left side (-X side) of FIG. 8.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 8, each of trays 80y to 80k is provided with cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k and guided portions 82y to 82k.

[0121] Toner cartridges 70y to 70k are respectively mounted on cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k. Each of cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k accommodates at least a part of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k mounted thereon.

[0122] Guided portions 82y to 82k are provided at both end portions of trays 80y to 80k sandwiching cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k in the Y direction. Each of guided portions 82y to 82k is a member elongated in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary body 90.

[0123] In this embodiment, a reinforcing rib 82k1 is formed on a part of the guided portion 82k in the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, and a reinforcing rib 82m1 is formed on a part of the guided portion 82m in the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m (see also FIGS. 11(a, b)). The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 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 have a rib shape (ridge) elongated in the moving 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.

[0124] Note that in this embodiment, the lengths of the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 are limited while avoiding the guided portions 82y and 82c. However, if there is no interference with the guided portions 82y and 82c, the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may be provided over the entire lengths of the guided portions 82m and 82k. Reinforcing ribs may be added to the guided portions 82y and 82c. Further, if the rigidity of the guided portions 82m and 82k is sufficient, the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may not be provided.

[0125] Rack portions 83y to 83k (rack gears) are formed on the guided portions 82y to 82k. Further, pinion gears 94y to 94k are rotatably held in the rotary main body 90. The pinion gears 94y to 94k are respectively meshed with the rack portions 83y to 83k in a drivable manner.

[0126] The rack portions 83y to 83k and the pinion gears 94y to 94k are part of a moving device 85y to 85k configured to move the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the mounting position to the retracted position. Also, it can be said that the rack portions 83y to 83k and the pinion gears 94y to 94k are part of a driven device driven by a driving device 98 of the device main body 1A. The pinion gears 94y to 94k can be said to be a rotating body (rotating member) that moves the trays 80y to 80k relative to the rotary main body 90 by rotating.

[0127] The pinion gears 94y to 94k and the rack portions 83y to 83k function as driven parts for the moving devices 85y to 85k of the rotary body 90 to receive driving force from the driving device 98 of the device main body 1A. The pinion gear 94k and the rack portion 83k are examples of a first pinion gear and a first rack gear that constitute at least a part of the first driven part provided in the first moving device. The pinion gear 94m and the rack portion 83m are examples of a second pinion gear and a second rack gear that constitute at least a part of the second driven part provided in the second moving device.

[0128] The rotary body 90 has guide portions 97 (see FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)) that engage with the respective guided portions 82y to 82k. FIG. 7(a) shows the guide portion 97 (97k) that engages with the guided portion 82k of the tray 80k, and FIG. 7(b) shows the guide portion 97 (97m) that engages with the guided portion 82m of the tray 80m. Similar guide portions are provided on the rotary body 90 to engage with the guided portions 82y and 82c of the trays 80y and 80c. Also, in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the guide portion 97 provided on one side (+Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction is shown, but similar guide portions 97 are also provided on the other side (-Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction.

[0129] When the tray 80 moves between the storage position and the take-out position, in at least a part of the moving range, the guide portion 97 maintains the engaged state with the guided portion 82 and guides the moving direction of the tray 80. In this embodiment, in the entire moving range between the storage position and the take-out position of the tray 80k, the guide portion 97 maintains the engaged state with the guided portion 82k. Also, in this embodiment, in the entire moving range between the storage position and the take-out position of the tray 80m, the guide portion 97 maintains the engaged state with the guided portion 82m.

[0130] Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, inside the rotary body 90, four trays 80y to 80k are arranged so as to overlap each other, as will be specifically described below.

[0131] When the pinion gears 94y to 94k rotate, the rack portions 83y to 83k and the trays 80y to 80k move with respect to the rotary body 90. As shown in FIG. 9, with respect to the rotary body 90, the moving directions of the four trays 80y to 80k are arranged so as to rotate by 90 degrees each. Therefore, the tray 80y and the tray 80c, and the tray 80m and the tray 80k are each held so as to be slidable in substantially the same direction (parallel direction). The moving directions of the respective trays 80y to 80k during such sliding movement are restricted by the engagement between the guided portions 82y to 82k and the guide portion 97 described above.

[0132] Note that the trays 80y to 80k move outside the machine through the opening 16a. When each of the trays 80y to 80k moves outside the machine from the opening 16a, the moving directions of the respective trays are substantially the same direction (parallel).

[0133] As shown in FIG. 9, with respect to the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, the range where the tray 80k is arranged is arranged so as to overlap the range where the tray 80y is arranged and the range where the tray 80c is arranged. Further, with respect to the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k, the range where the tray 80k is arranged overlaps the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. That is, it can be said that the toner cartridge 70k held by the cartridge holding portion 81k of the tray 80k overlaps the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (FIG. 4(b)).

[0134] On the other hand, with respect to the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m, the range where the tray 80m is arranged is arranged so as not to overlap the range where the tray 80y is arranged and the range where the tray 80c is arranged, and is shifted. Further, with respect to the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y, the range where the tray 80y is arranged is arranged so as not to overlap the range where the tray 80m is arranged and the range where the tray 80k is arranged, and is shifted. Similarly, with respect to the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c, the range where the tray 80c is arranged is arranged so as not to overlap the range where the tray 80m is arranged and the range where the tray 80k is arranged, and is shifted.

[0135] The positional relationship between the trays 80 can also be expressed as follows. When viewed in the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y, the tray 80y and the tray 80k overlap, but the tray 80y and the tray 80m do not overlap. When viewed in the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m, the tray 80m and the tray 80k overlap, but the tray 80m does not overlap with the trays 80y and 80c. When viewed in the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c, the tray 80c and the tray 80k overlap, but the tray 80c and the tray 80m do not overlap.

[0136] Here, when two elements (members, parts, units, etc.) overlap when viewed in a specific direction, it means that when each element is perpendicularly projected onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the said direction, the projection area of one element and the projection area of the other element at least partially overlap.

[0137] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the range where the rack portion 83m and the guided portion 82m are arranged and the range where the rack portion 83k and the guided portion 82k are arranged at least partially overlap. That is, in this embodiment, in the rotary axis direction (Y direction), it can be said that the range where the first rack gear (rack portion 83k) is arranged and the range where the second rack gear (rack portion 83m) is arranged at least partially overlap. Therefore, compared with the arrangement where the rack portion 83m and the guided portion 82m do not overlap with the rack portion 83k and the guided portion 82k, in the Y direction, the rack portions 83m, 83k and the guided portions 82m, 82k can be arranged in a space-saving manner.

[0138] In the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the range where the rack portion 83y and the guided portion 82y are arranged and the range where the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82c are arranged overlap at least partially. That is, in this embodiment, in the rotational axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary, the range where the third rack gear (rack portion 83y) is arranged and the range where the fourth rack gear (rack portion 83c) is arranged overlap at least partially. Therefore, compared with an arrangement where the rack portion 83y and the guided portion 82y do not overlap with the rack portion 83c and the guided portion 82c, in the Y direction, the rack portions 83y, 83c and the guided portions 82y, 82c can be arranged in a space-saving manner.

[0139] Here, the meshing position of the rack portion 83 with the pinion gear 94 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The upper half of FIG. 10 shows the meshing position of the rack portion 83k and the pinion gear 94k. The lower half of FIG. 10 shows the meshing position of the rack portion 83y and the pinion gear 94y.

[0140] In the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction) of the rotary body 90, in the region Y1 in the figure, the driving force transmitted from the motor M2 (FIG. 2) as a driving source to the transmission device described later is transmitted to the pinion gears 94y to 94k. In the region Y2 in the figure in the Y direction, the pinion gear 94k is meshed with the rack portion 83k so as to be capable of driving transmission. In the region Y3 in the figure in the Y direction, the pinion gear 94y is meshed with the rack portion 83y so as to be capable of driving transmission. Note that the rack portion 83m is meshed with the pinion gear 94m (FIG. 8) in the region Y2 in the same manner as the rack portion 83k so as to be capable of driving transmission. The rack portion 83c is meshed with the pinion gear 94c (FIG. 8) in the region Y3 in the same manner as the rack portion 83y so as to be capable of driving transmission.

[0141] Here, the region Y2 and the region 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. That is, the region Y1 is shifted in the Y direction with respect to the region Y2 and the region Y3.

[0142] Furthermore, with the toner cartridges 70y and 70c in the mounted positions, regarding the moving direction of the rack portion 83y (the moving direction Dy of the tray 80y), the range where the rack portion 83y is disposed and the range where the rack portion 83c is disposed overlap at least partially. In this embodiment, since the moving directions Dy and Dc of the trays 80y and 80c are substantially in the same direction (parallel), regarding the moving direction Dc of the tray 80c as well, the range where the rack portion 83y is disposed and the range where the rack portion 83c is disposed overlap at least partially. Therefore, with the toner cartridges 70y and 70c in the mounted positions, regarding the direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 8) orthogonal to the moving directions Dy and Dc of the rack portions 83y and 83c, the tooth surfaces of the rack portion 83y and the rack portion 83c face each other.

[0143] Furthermore, with the toner cartridges 70m and 70k in the mounted positions, regarding the moving direction of the rack portion 83m (the moving direction Dm of the tray 80m), the range where the rack portion 83m is disposed and the range where the rack portion 83k is disposed overlap at least partially. In this embodiment, since the moving directions Dm and Dk of the trays 80m and 80k are substantially in the same direction (parallel), regarding the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k as well, the range where the rack portion 83m is disposed and the range where the rack portion 83k is disposed overlap at least partially. Therefore, with the toner cartridges 70m and 70k in the mounted positions, regarding the direction (the up - down direction in FIG. 8) orthogonal to the moving directions Dm and Dk of the rack portions 83m and 83k, the tooth surfaces of the rack portion 83m and the rack portion 83k face each other.

[0144] Also, as shown in FIG. 12(a) described later, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83y overlaps with the rack portion 83m and the rack portion 83k. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83m overlaps with the rack portion 83y and the rack portion 83c. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83c overlaps with the rack portion 83m and the rack portion 83k. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the rack portion 83k overlaps with the rack portion 83y and the rack portion 83c. In other words, regarding the rotary rotation axis direction (Y direction), it can be said that the range where the first rack gear (rack portion 83k) is arranged and the range where the second rack gear (rack portion 83y) is arranged do not overlap. Also, when viewed in the rotary rotation axis direction (Y direction), with the first toner cartridge 70k in the first mounting position and the second toner cartridge 70y 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.

[0145] Thus, since the positions where the rack portions 83k and 83m are arranged are different from the positions where the rack portions 83y and 83c are arranged in the Y direction, the rack portions 83y and 83c and the rack portions 83m and 83k can be arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the Y direction.

[0146] Thereby, the space saving of the four tray arrangements in the rotary body 90 can be achieved, and the miniaturization in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 can be realized. That is, if we try to arrange the rack portions 83 so that they do not overlap when viewed in the Y direction while making the moving distances of the respective trays 80y to 80k equivalent to those in this embodiment, the area required for the arrangement of the four rack portions becomes wider when viewed in the Y direction. Compared with such a configuration, by arranging the plurality of rack portions 83 with their positions shifted in the Y direction and overlapping the rack portions 83 when viewed in the Y direction, the arrangement area of the rack portions 83 when viewed in the Y direction can be reduced.

[0147] In addition, in this embodiment, four rack portions 83y to 83k are divided into two sets of two, and are arranged with a shift in the Y direction. That is, in the direction of the rotary axis (Y direction), the ranges where the first rack gear and the second rack gear are arranged overlap, and it can be said that the ranges where the third rack gear and the fourth rack gear are arranged overlap. Also, in the Y direction, it can be said that the range where the first rack gear and the second rack gear are arranged and the range where the third rack gear and the fourth rack gear are arranged are arranged so as not to overlap. Thereby, compared with the case where each of the four rack portions 83y to 83k is shifted in the Y direction, miniaturization of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction is possible.

[0148] (Tray movement configuration) The configuration regarding the movement of the trays 80y to 80k arranged in the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11(a, b) and 12(a, b). FIGS. 11(a, b) are perspective views showing the configuration regarding the movement of the tray 80k. FIGS. 12(a, b) are cross-sectional views showing the configuration regarding the movement of the tray 80k.

[0149] In this embodiment, for the trays 80y to 80k, the driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the pinion gears 94y to 94k by the driving racks 15L and 15R as transmission devices and is driven. Here, the configuration in which the tray 80k moves with respect to the rotary body 90 will be described. The configurations in which the trays 80y to 80c move with respect to the rotary body 90 are substantially the same as the configuration in which the tray 80k moves, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0150] Fig. 11(a) shows the state where the tray 80k is inside the rotary main body 90 (i.e., the state where the toner cartridge 70k is attached to the developing unit 50k). That is, Fig. 11(a) shows the state where the tray 80k is in the storage position, corresponding to the state where the toner cartridge 70k is in the attached position with respect to the developing frame 53k (Fig. 4(a)). Fig. 11(b) shows the state where the tray 80k is slid and moved outside the rotary main body 90. That is, Fig. 11(b) shows the state where the tray 80k is in the take-out position, corresponding to the state where the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position with respect to the developing frame 53k (Fig. 4(b)).

[0151] The apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment has driving racks 15L and 15R as driving gears for driving the pinion gear 94. Each driving rack 15 is driven by a motor M2 via a driving transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0152] 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 driving racks 15L and 15R are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the rack portions 83k at both ends. That is, the apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment has driving racks 15L and 15R as the first driving gear and the second driving gear. It can be said that the driving rack 15L is an example of the first driving gear, and the driving rack 15R is an example of the second driving gear.

[0153] However, these numberings are only used for convenience in explanation and can be appropriately interchanged in principle. When there is no need to distinguish between the driving racks 15L and 15R, they are denoted as "driving rack 15".

[0154] The rack portion 83 of this embodiment is configured as a rack gear pair, and the pinion gear 94 of this embodiment is configured as a pinion gear pair. In this embodiment, the rack gear pair and the pinion gear pair are arranged on one end side and the other end side of the support member (tray 80) in the Y direction, but they may be arranged at 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 a first rack gear pair and a first pinion gear pair, respectively.

[0155] The rack portions 83y to 83c and the pinion gears 94y to 94c of the moving devices 85y to 85c corresponding to any one of the other trays 80y to 80c can be said to be examples of a second rack gear pair and a second pinion gear pair, respectively.

[0156] One of the rack gear pairs meshes with one of the pinion gear pairs, and the other of the rack gear pairs meshes with the other of the pinion gear pairs. At least one of the pinion gear pairs is driven by a drive rack 15L as a first drive rack. In this embodiment, both of the pinion gear pairs are simultaneously driven by the drive racks 15L and 15R as a first drive rack and a second drive rack. Thereby, the rotation of the tray 80 is less likely to occur, and stable movement of the toner cartridge 70 becomes possible.

[0157] Note that the tray 80 may have a configuration in which it has one rack portion 83 and is moved by one drive rack 15 via one pinion gear 94.

[0158] The tray 80k is held so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the guided portion 82k (i.e., the moving direction Dk) with respect to the rotary main body 90. The drive rack 15 is held so as to be slidable in a direction intersecting the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k with respect to the apparatus main body 1A. The drive rack 15 is configured to slide (reciprocate) with respect to the apparatus main 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). That is, the moving direction of the drive rack 15 in this embodiment is a direction (preferably perpendicular) intersecting both the moving direction Dk of the tray 80k and the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90.

[0159] Using FIGS. 11(a, b), the tray moving operation for sliding the tray 80k between the housing position and the take-out position will be described. The tray moving operation of the tray 80k is performed by a motor M2 (FIG. 2), a drive transmission mechanism (not shown), a drive rack 15, a pinion gear 94k, and a rack portion 83k.

[0160] First, the tray moving operation (tray pulling-out operation) when removing the toner cartridge 70k from the rotary main body 90 will be described. In a state before the tray pulling-out operation is started, the drive rack 15 is positioned below the position where it meshes with the pinion gear 94k (FIG. 11(a)). Also, as described above, in the replacement operation of the toner cartridge 70k, the rotary main body 90 takes the replacement posture of the toner cartridge 70k (FIG. 4(b)).

[0161] When the tray pulling-out operation is started, the drive rack 15 is slid upward on the apparatus main body 1A by the driving force of the motor M2. In the process of the drive rack 15 moving, it meshes with the pinion gear 94k, and the pinion gear 94k is rotationally driven.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 11(b), when the pinion gear 94k is rotationally driven 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 machine and moves from the storage position to the take-out position with respect to the rotary main body 90. The moving direction of the tray 80k at this time is guided in a predetermined moving direction Dk by the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k (FIG. 7(a)) of the rotary main body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the storage position to the take-out position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the mounting position to the retracted position with respect to the developing unit 50k.

[0163] With the tray 80k located at the take-out position and the toner cartridge 70k located at the retracted position, the user can attach and detach the toner cartridge 70k to and from the tray 80k.

[0164] The tray movement operations (tray introduction operation, tray insertion operation) when attaching the toner cartridge 70 to the rotary main body 90 are performed in a process reverse to the tray ejection operation. For example, when the user operates a predetermined operation unit, the tray introduction operation is started. When the tray introduction operation is started, the driving rack 15 is slid downward with respect to the apparatus main body 1A by the driving force of the motor M2. Here, the rotational direction of the motor M2 in the tray introduction operation is opposite to that in the tray ejection operation.

[0165] When the pinion gear 94k is rotationally driven in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 11(b), a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that meshes with the pinion gear 94k. As a result, the tray 80k is drawn into the machine and moves from the take-out position to the storage position with respect to the rotary main body 90.

[0166] The moving direction of the tray 80k is guided in the moving 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 main body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the take-out position to the storage position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the retracted position to the mounting position with respect to the developing unit 50k.

[0167] As described above, the movement of the black tray 80k and the toner cartridge 70k has been explained. However, the movement of the other trays 80y - 80c and toner cartridges 70y - 70c is also performed by the same mechanism. That is, in the replacement posture of each toner cartridge, the drive rack 15 transmits the drive to the pinion gears 94y - 94c.

[0168] A drive device 98 for driving the moving device 85 provided on the rotary body 90 is constituted by a motor M2 provided in the apparatus main body 1A, a drive rack 15 (15L, 15R), and a transmission device including a drive transmission mechanism.

[0169] As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of moving devices 85k - 85y corresponding to a plurality of toner cartridges 70k - 70y are arranged on the rotary body 90. The drive device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A is a common drive device for driving the plurality of moving devices 85k - 85y (a plurality of driven devices) of the rotary body 90.

[0170] Also, in this embodiment, due to the rotation of the rotary body 90, the drive target of the drive device 98 is switched. In other words, the drive device of this embodiment includes a drive rack 15 as a transmission member for transmitting the driving force of the drive source. The drive device can take a state in which the transmission member is in driving engagement with the first driven part (pinion gear 94k) and a state in which the transmission member is in driving engagement with the second driven part (pinion gear 94m). Further, the drive device can take a state in which the transmission member is disengaged from the first driven part and the second driven part.

[0171] As described above, the pinion gears 94y - 94k are held by the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the rotary body 90 rotates, it is preferable that the meshing between the pinion gears 94y - 94k and the drive rack 15 is released.

[0172] Fig. 12(a) shows the state where the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90 (in the storage position). Fig. 12(b) shows the state where the tray 80k has moved outside the rotary body 90 (moved to the take-out position).

[0173] As shown in Fig. 12(a), when the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90, the drive rack 15 is located at the lower part inside the apparatus main body 1A. At this time, the drive rack 15 has retreated from the pinion gear 94k. Therefore, the drive rack 15 does not interfere, and the rotary body 90 can be rotated. More specifically, the drive rack 15 can retreat outside the rotation locus of the rotary body 90 shown by the dotted line in Fig. 12(a) and Fig. 12(b).

[0174] As described above, by rotating the motor M2 in the forward and reverse directions, the tray 80 attached to the rotary body 90 can be moved relative to the rotary body 90 from the storage position to the take-out position and from the take-out position to the storage position. That is, the drive device of this embodiment can drive each moving device of the rotary so that the toner cartridge moves from the mounting position to the retracted position, and can also drive each moving device so that the toner cartridge moves from the retracted position to the mounting position.

[0175] Here, as described above, in this embodiment, the moving amount of the tray 80 during toner cartridge replacement is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(a, b), the moving distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the take-out position is longer than the moving distance L2 when the other trays 80y - 80c move from the storage position to the take-out position.

[0176] Therefore, in this embodiment, when moving the toner cartridges 70y - 70k from the mounting position to the retracted position, the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack portion 83k by the speed of the drive rack 15 is larger than the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack portions 83y - 83c by the speed of the drive rack 15.

[0177] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the pinion gear 94y is a stepped gear, and the pitch circle radius of the small-diameter gear 942 meshing with the rack portion 83y is made smaller than the pitch circle radius of the large-diameter gear 941 meshing with the drive rack 15. The pinion gears 94m and 94c are also similar stepped gears. On the other hand, the pinion gear 94k has the same pitch circle radius at the portion meshing with the drive rack 15 and the portion meshing with the rack portion 83k. At this time, the pitch circle radius of the pinion gear 94k can be made the same as the pitch circle radius of the large-diameter gear 941 of the pinion gears 94y to 94c. According to this configuration, even if the moving distance of the drive rack 15 is the same, the moving distance of the rack portion 83k can be made larger than the moving distances of the other rack portions 83y to 83c. That is, the moving distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the take-out position can be made longer than the moving distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the take-out position.

[0178] Also, by making the pinion gears 94y to 94c stepped gears, the moving distance L1 of the tray 80k can be made larger than the moving distances L2 of the other trays 80y to 80c while the pinion gears 94y to 94k receive driving force from the same drive rack 15.

[0179] Note that instead of (or in combination with) the configuration in which the pinion gears 94y to 94c are stepped gears, the pinion gear 94k may be a stepped gear. In this case, the portion of the pinion gear 94k meshing with the drive rack 15 may be a small-diameter gear, and the portion of the pinion gear 94k meshing with the rack portion 83k may be a large-diameter gear having a larger pitch circle radius than the small-diameter gear. Also, the stepped gear is an example of a speed reduction mechanism, and it may be replaced with a known speed reduction mechanism that makes the moving amount of the member on the output side (tray 80 side) smaller than the moving amount of the member on the input side (drive source side).

[0180] Also, the moving amount of the drive rack 15 when the toner cartridge 70k moves from the mounting position to the retracted position may be made larger than the moving amount of the drive rack 15 when the toner cartridges 70y to 70c move from the mounting position to the retracted position.

[0181] Incidentally, the shorter the distance the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounting position to the retracted position, the shorter the movement time of the toner cartridge 70 can be, and the shorter the time the user has to wait for the movement of the toner cartridge 70 can be. If the configuration is such that the amount of movement of the drive rack 15 with respect to the toner cartridge 70k is larger than the amount of movement of the drive rack 15 with respect to the toner cartridges 70y to 70c as described above, the time the user has to wait for the movement of the toner cartridges 70y to 70c can be shortened.

[0182] With the configuration shown above, the movement distance L1 can be made longer than the movement distance L2. These configurations can also be used in combination.

[0183] Although the configuration in which the driven part has the pinion gear 94 that meshes with both the drive rack 15 and the rack part 83 has been described, the driven part may have a gear that meshes with the drive rack 15 and a gear that meshes with the rack part 83.

[0184] Also, the configuration of the moving device 85 that moves the tray 80 is not limited to the so-called rack and pinion configuration. For example, a member corresponding to the pinion gear 94 may be replaced with a roller that rotates under the drive of the motor M2, and the tray 80 may be moved by the friction between the roller and the tray 80.

[0185] Also, when using a roller that rotates under the drive of the motor M2, the roller may be brought into contact with the toner cartridge 70. In this case, the toner cartridges 70y to 70k can be made directly detachable from the rotary body 90 without passing through the trays 80y to 80k. In this case, the moving device 85 is constituted by the roller. Furthermore, the rotary assembly 90A can be said to have the rotary body 90 and the toner cartridges 70y to 70k.

[0186] <Guiding of Toner to the Discharge Opening> As described above, the toner stored in the toner storage section 71a is discharged from the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is stored in the developing side storage section 53a through the receiving opening 53b.

[0187] In the following description, it is assumed that a toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary main body 90. Hereinafter, a configuration for efficiently discharging the toner stored in the toner storage section 71a from the discharge opening 71b will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 29.

[0188] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 70. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 70, specifically, a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 70 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C as viewed in the Y direction.

[0189] FIGS. 29(a) and (b) are perspective views showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 70.

[0190] Here, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 70 is projected in the first projection direction with respect to the first virtual plane orthogonal to the first projection direction. At this time, the first projection direction in which the projected area on the first virtual plane becomes the minimum can be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70. Further, as described above, in a state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the rotary main body 90, the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 70 is parallel to the direction (Y direction) of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90.

[0191] Furthermore, assume that a direction orthogonal to the first projection direction is defined as the second projection direction, and the toner cartridge 70 is projected in the second projection direction onto a second virtual plane orthogonal to the second projection direction. At this time, the second projection direction in which the projected area on the second virtual plane is minimized can be referred to as the short side direction of the toner cartridge 70. That is, the short side direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction orthogonal to the long side direction of the toner cartridge 70. Furthermore, a direction orthogonal to both the long side direction and the short side direction of the toner cartridge 70 is referred to as the thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70.

[0192] In the present embodiment, the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction of the toner frame 71 can be defined in the same manner as the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70. That is, the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction of the toner frame 71 are the same as the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70. Therefore, the length in the long side direction of the toner cartridge 70 and the toner frame 71 is longer than the length in the short side direction and the length in the thickness direction. Also, the length in the short side direction of the toner cartridge 70 and the toner frame 71 is longer than the length in the thickness direction.

[0193] In the following description, the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction of the toner frame 71 and the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction of the toner cartridge 70 are not distinguished, and are simply referred to as the long side direction, short side direction, and thickness direction, respectively.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 13, the toner frame body 71 has a toner storage portion 71a and left and right side surfaces 71eL and 71eR that face each other. The left and right side surfaces 71eL and 71eR are surfaces that extend in a direction (preferably a direction perpendicular) intersecting the longitudinal direction, and face each other in the longitudinal direction. Also, it can be said that the normal directions of the left side surface 71eL and the right side surface 71eR include components in the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the left side surface 71eL is located on one end side with respect to the central portion 71c of the toner frame body 71, and the right side surface 71eR is located on the other end side with respect to the central portion 71c of the toner frame body 71. In the longitudinal direction, the left side surface 71eL is located at one end of the toner storage portion 71a, and the right side surface 71eR is located at the other end of the toner storage portion 71a.

[0195] The left side surface 71eL does not necessarily have to be a single surface. That is, the toner frame body 71 may have a plurality of surfaces having the characteristics of the left side surface 71eL described above. In other words, the toner frame body 71 has a plurality of surfaces, and each of the plurality of surfaces may be the left side surface 71eL. In this case, each of the plurality of surfaces does not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the longitudinal direction may be different.

[0196] Similarly, the right side surface 71eR does not necessarily have to be a single surface. That is, the toner frame body 71 may have a plurality of surfaces having the characteristics of the right side surface 71eR described above. In other words, the toner frame body 71 has a plurality of surfaces, and each of the plurality of surfaces may be the right side surface 71eR. In this case, each of the plurality of surfaces does not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the longitudinal direction may be different.

[0197] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the toner frame body 71 has a toner storage portion 71a and outer surfaces 71o and inner surfaces 71i that face each other. The outer surfaces 71o and the inner surfaces 71i are surfaces that extend in a direction (preferably a direction perpendicular) intersecting the short side direction, and face each other in the short side direction. In other words, it can be said that the outer surfaces 71o and the inner surfaces 71i are surfaces that extend along the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction. Also, it can be said that the normal direction of the outer surface 71o and the normal direction of the inner surface 71i include components in the short side direction. In the radial direction of the rotation of the rotary body 90, the inner surface 71i is closer to the rotation axis 90c than the outer surface 71o. In the short side direction, the outer surface 71o is located at one end of the toner storage portion 71a, and the inner surface 71i is located at the other end of the toner storage portion 71a.

[0198] The outer surface 71o does not necessarily have to be a single surface. That is, the toner frame body 71 may have a plurality of surfaces having the characteristics of the outer surface 71o described above. In other words, the toner frame body 71 has a plurality of surfaces, and each of the plurality of surfaces may be the outer surface 71o. In this case, each of the plurality of surfaces does not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the short side direction may be different.

[0199] Similarly, the inner surface 71i does not necessarily have to be a single surface. That is, the toner frame body 71 may have a plurality of surfaces having the characteristics of the inner surface 71i described above. In other words, the toner frame body 71 has a plurality of surfaces, and each of the plurality of surfaces may be the inner surface 71i. In this case, each of the plurality of surfaces does not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the short side direction may be different.

[0200] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the toner frame body 71 has a toner storage portion 71a and first receiving surfaces 71d1 and second receiving surfaces 71d2 that face each other. The first receiving surfaces 71d1 and the second receiving surfaces 71d2 are surfaces that extend in a direction (preferably a perpendicular direction) intersecting the thickness direction and face each other in the thickness direction. In other words, it can be said that the first receiving surfaces 71d1 and the second receiving surfaces 71d2 are surfaces that extend along the short side direction and the long side direction. Also, it can be said that the normal direction of the first receiving surfaces 71d1 and the normal direction of the second receiving surfaces 71d2 include components in the thickness direction. In the thickness direction, the first receiving surfaces 71d1 are located at one end of the toner storage portion 71a, and the second receiving surfaces 71d2 are located at the other end of the toner storage portion 71a.

[0201] The first receiving surfaces 71d1 do not necessarily have to be a single surface. That is, the toner frame body 71 may have a plurality of surfaces having the characteristics of the first receiving surfaces 71d1 described above. In other words, the toner frame body 71 has a plurality of surfaces, and each of the plurality of surfaces may be the first receiving surfaces 71d1. In this case, each of the plurality of surfaces does not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the thickness direction may be different.

[0202] Similarly, the second receiving surfaces 71d2 do not necessarily have to be a single surface. That is, the toner frame body 71 may have a plurality of surfaces having the characteristics of the second receiving surfaces 71d2 described above. In other words, the toner frame body 71 has a plurality of surfaces, and each of the plurality of surfaces may be the second receiving surfaces 71d2. In this case, each of the plurality of surfaces does not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the thickness direction may be different.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 13, the toner frame 71 of this embodiment includes a plurality of discharge openings including a discharge opening (first opening) 71bL and a discharge opening (second opening) 71bR. Each of the discharge openings 71bL and 71bR functions as a discharge opening 71b communicating with the toner storage portion 71a. In the longitudinal direction, the discharge opening 71bL is located on one end side with respect to the central portion 71c of the toner frame 71 and is positioned between the central portion 71c and the left side surface 71eL. In the longitudinal direction, the discharge opening 71bR is located on the other end side with respect to the central portion 71c of the toner frame 71 and is positioned between the central portion 71c and the right side surface 71eR. In this embodiment, in the longitudinal direction, the discharge opening 71bL is closer to the left side surface 71eL than the central portion 71c, and the discharge opening 71bR is closer to the right side surface 71eR than the central portion 71c.

[0204] In this embodiment, the discharge opening 71bL is arranged such that when projected in the thickness direction with respect to a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, its projected area is maximized. Also, the discharge opening 71bR is arranged such that when projected in the thickness direction with respect to a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, its projected area is maximized.

[0205] Also, in this embodiment, the discharge openings 71bL and 71bR are formed on the first receiving surface 71d1 of the toner frame 71. Therefore, the discharge openings 71bL and 71bR face the second receiving surface 71d2 of the toner frame 71. In this embodiment, the first receiving surface 71d1 on which the discharge opening 71bL is formed and the first receiving surface 71d1 on which the discharge opening 71bR is formed are continuous. However, the first receiving surface 71d1 on which the discharge opening 71bL is formed and the first receiving surface 71d1 on which the discharge opening 71bR is formed may be discontinuous.

[0206] The toner frame 71 has at least one guide portion 71g for guiding the toner stored in the toner storage portion 71a. The toner frame 71 of this embodiment includes a plurality of guide portions 71g. Each guide portion 71g is configured to guide the toner that moves by its own weight in a direction intersecting the Y direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the Y direction.

[0207] In this embodiment, the intervals between the plurality of guide portions 71g are constant, and the inclination angles of the respective guide portions 71g are the same. However, the intervals between the plurality of guide portions 71g may not be constant. Also, the inclination angles of the respective guide portions 71g may be different from each other.

[0208] In this embodiment, the toner frame 71 includes at least one left guide 71gL and at least one right guide 71gR. Also, in this embodiment, the toner frame 71 includes a plurality of left guides 71gL and a plurality of right guides 71gR. The left guide 71gL guides the toner in the Y direction toward the discharge opening 71bL, and the right guide 71gR guides the toner in the Y direction toward the discharge opening 71bR. In other words, the toner frame 71 includes a plurality of toner guides, and the plurality of toner guides include the right guide 71gR and the left guide 71gL.

[0209] In the longitudinal direction, the left guide 71gL is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame 71 and the discharge opening 71bL, and the right guide 71gR is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame 71 and the discharge opening 71bR. The left guide 71gL and the discharge opening 71bL have a symmetrical shape in the longitudinal direction with respect to the right guide 71gR and the discharge opening 71bR, but they do not have to be a perfect symmetrical shape. Also, the number of left guides 71gL and the number of the plurality of right guides 71gR may be different.

[0210] Although the left guide 71gL and the right guide 71gR have different directions for guiding the toner, their basic configurations and functions are generally common. Therefore, hereinafter, the left guide 71gL and the right guide 71gR will be collectively referred to as the guide portion 71g, and the discharge opening 71bL and the discharge opening 71bR will be referred to as the discharge opening 71b and described together.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion 71g is closer to the first receiving surface 71d1 than to the second receiving surface 71d2. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 71g is disposed on the first receiving surface 71d1. That is, the base of the guide portion 71g is connected to the first receiving surface 71d1. Note that the first receiving surface 71d1 in which the discharge opening 71bL is formed, the first receiving surface 71d1 in which the discharge opening 71bR is formed, and the first receiving surface 71d1 to which the guide portion 71g is connected may be discontinuous. For example, the first receiving surface 71d1 in which the discharge opening 71bL is formed, the first receiving surface 71d1 in which the discharge opening 71bR is formed, and the first receiving surface 71d1 to which the guide portion 71g is connected do not have to be parallel to each other, and their positions in the thickness direction may be different. On the other hand, a gap is formed between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0212] When the toner cartridge 70 is attached to and detached from the developing device 50, the first receiving surface 71d1 in which the discharge opening 71bL is formed, the first receiving surface 71d1 in which the discharge opening 71bR is formed, and the first receiving surface 71d1 to which the guide portion 71g is connected are all located on the upper end side of the toner storage chamber 71a. Further, the tip of the guide portion 71g is located below the discharge opening 71bL and the discharge opening 71bR. As a result, when the toner cartridge 70 is in a posture of being attached to and detached from the developing device 50, excessive concentration of toner below the discharge opening 71bR and the discharge opening 71bL is suppressed.

[0213] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the guide portion 71g has an outer end 71go and an inner end 71gi. In the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary main body 90, the inner end 71gi is closer to the rotation axis 90c than the outer end 71go. Also, in the longitudinal direction, the inner end 71gi is closer to the discharge opening 71b than the outer end 71go. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first receiving surface 71d1, the angle formed by the straight line passing through the inner end 71gi and the outer end 71go and the longitudinal direction is preferably larger than the angle of repose of the toner.

[0214] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the short side direction, the distance between the outer end 71go and the inner end 71gi is shorter than the distance between the outer surface 71o and the inner surface 71i. Further, in the short side direction, the outer surface 71o faces the outer end 71go, and a gap is formed between the outer surface 71o and the outer end 71go. The inner surface 71i faces the inner end 71gi, and a gap is formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 71gi.

[0215] The guide portion 71g guides the toner moving from the outer end 71go toward the inner end 71gi in the short side direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0216] The first receiving surface (first surface) 71d1 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. When the inclination angle of the first receiving surface 71d1 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves along the first receiving surface 71d1 on the first receiving surface 71d1. At this time, the guide portion 71g guides the toner moving along the first receiving surface 71d1 toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0217] More specifically, assuming that the first receiving surface 71d1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the outer end of the first receiving surface 71d1 in the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary body 90 is higher than the inner end of the first receiving surface 71d1 in a state where the first receiving surface 71d1 is located below the second receiving surface 71d2. When the inclination angle of the first receiving surface 71d1 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, in the direction intersecting the rotation axis 90c of the rotary body 90, the toner moves along the first receiving surface 71d1 from the outer end of the first receiving surface 71d1 toward the inner end of the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0218] When the toner moving on the first receiving surface 71d1 comes into contact with the surface of the guide portion 71g facing the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction, the guide portion 71g guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71 in the longitudinal direction.

[0219] On one hand, when the second receiving surface (second surface) 71d2 receives the self-weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves along the second receiving surface 71d2 on the second receiving surface 71d2. At this time, the toner moves from one of the outer end 71go and the inner end 71gi toward the other of the outer end 71go and the inner end 71gi in the radial direction of the rotation of the rotary body 90 through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2 can move without being guided by the guide portion 71g.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 13, in the short-side direction, the discharge openings 71 (discharge openings 71bL, 71bR) are arranged between the outer end 71go and the inner end gi. Further, in the short-side direction, the discharge openings 71 (discharge openings 71bL, 71bR) are closer to the outer surface 71o than to the inner surface 71i. However, the arrangement of the discharge openings 71 (discharge openings 71bL, 71bR) is not limited to this. In the short-side direction, the discharge openings 71 (discharge openings 71bL, 71bR) may be closer to the inner surface 71i than to the outer surface 71o.

[0221] Also, in the present embodiment, the toner can move in the longitudinal direction through the gap formed between the outer surface 71o and the outer end 71go and the gap formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 71gi. Also, the toner can move in the longitudinal direction through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2. Therefore, the guide portion 71g can be arranged so that at least one of the gap formed between the outer surface 71o and the outer end 71go and the gap formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 71gi disappears. That is, the guide portion 71g may be connected to at least one of the outer surface 71o and the inner surface 71i.

[0222] As will be described later, as the rotary assembly 90 rotates, the toner moves along the first receiving surface 71d1 and the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner that has moved along the first receiving surface 71d1 and the second receiving surface 71d2 collides with the inner surface 71i and the outer surface 71o and spreads in the longitudinal direction.

[0223] <Rotation of Rotary Assembly and Movement of Toner> Using FIG. 15, the movement of the toner as the rotary assembly 90A rotates will be described. FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) are schematic views seen in the Y direction showing the toner cartridge 70 that rotates around the rotation axis 90C. In FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), the dotted line drawn inside the toner storage chamber 71a indicates the agent surface (upper surface of the toner) of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 71a.

[0224] The toner cartridge 70 is attached to and detached from the rotary main body 90 at the position Tp2. Also, when the toner cartridge 70 is at the position Tp0, the first receiving surface 71d1 and the second receiving surface 71d2 are parallel to the Z direction, and the toner cartridge 70 is above the rotation axis 90c. When the toner cartridge 70 is at the position Tp4, the first receiving surface 71d1 and the second receiving surface 71d2 are parallel to the Z direction, and the toner cartridge 70 is below the rotation axis 90c.

[0225] In FIG. 15(a), the rotary assembly 90A rotates clockwise as viewed in the Y direction. When the toner cartridge 70 makes one rotation from the position Tp0, the toner cartridge 70 moves in the order of positions Tp0, Tp1, Tp2, Tp3, Tp4, Tp5, Tp6, Tp7 and returns to the position Tp0.

[0226] At the position Tp0, the toner is supported by the inner surface 71i, and the weight of the toner is received by the inner surface 71i. When the toner cartridge 70 rotates clockwise from the position Tp0, the weight of the toner is received by the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner supported by the inner surface 71i at the position Tp0 spontaneously collapses as the toner cartridge 70 rotates and spreads onto the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0227] When the toner cartridge 70 rotates from the position Tp2 to the position Tp4, due to the gravitational force acting on the toner, the toner moves under its own weight from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o on the second receiving surface 71d2. At the position Tp2, since the toner is biased toward the inner surface 71i side, when the toner cartridge 70 moves from the position Tp2 to the position Tp4, a large amount of toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o on the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0228] The toner that has moved on the second receiving surface 71d2 toward the outer surface 71o collides with the outer surface 71o and spreads in the longitudinal direction. The angle between the second receiving surface 71d2 and the outer surface 71o is preferably close to a right angle.

[0229] More specifically, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the ratio of the portion of the outer surface 71o where the angle with the second receiving surface 71d2 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less exceeds 50% of the entire outer surface 71o, and more preferably exceeds 80%. As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and (b), the outer surface 71o is a flat surface, but it may also be a curved surface.

[0230] Also, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the region where the angle between the outer surface 71o and the second receiving surface 71d2 satisfies the above conditions preferably exceeds 50% of the length of the toner storage chamber 71a, and more preferably exceeds 80%.

[0231] At the position Tp4, the toner is supported by the outer surface 71o, and the weight of the toner is received by the outer surface 71o. When the toner cartridge 70 rotates clockwise from the position Tp4, the weight of the toner is received by the first receiving surface 71d1. The toner supported by the outer surface 71o at the position Tp4 spontaneously collapses as the toner cartridge 70 rotates and spreads onto the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0232] When the toner cartridge 70 rotates from the position Tp6 to the position Tp0, due to the gravitational force acting on the toner, the toner moves by its own weight on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the outer surface 71o toward the inner surface 71i. At the position Tp6, since the toner is biased toward the outer surface 71o side, when the toner cartridge 70 moves from the position Tp6 to the position Tp0, a large amount of toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the outer surface 71o toward the inner surface 71i.

[0233] The toner that has moved on the first receiving surface 71d1 toward the inner surface 71i collides with the inner surface 71i and spreads in the longitudinal direction. The angle between the first receiving surface 71d1 and the inner surface 71i is preferably close to a right angle.

[0234] More specifically, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the ratio of the portion of the inner surface 71i where the angle with the first receiving surface 71d1 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less exceeds 50% of the entire inner surface 71i, and more preferably exceeds 80%. As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and (b), the inner surface 71i may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0235] Also, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the region where the angle between the inner surface 71i and the first receiving surface 71d1 satisfies the above conditions preferably exceeds 50% of the length of the toner storage chamber 71a, and more preferably exceeds 80%.

[0236] In this embodiment, the rotary assembly 90A rotates clockwise when viewed in the Y direction (FIG. 15(a)). However, even when the rotary assembly 90A rotates counterclockwise when viewed in the Y direction, the toner inside the toner cartridge 70 moves as the rotary assembly 90A rotates. In FIG. 15(b), the rotary assembly 90A rotates counterclockwise when viewed in the Y direction. When the toner cartridge 70 makes one rotation from the position Tp0, the toner cartridge 70 moves in the order of positions Tp0, Tp7, Tp6, Tp5, Tp4, Tp3, Tp2, Tp1 and returns to the position Tp0.

[0237] At position Tp0, the toner is supported on the inner surface 71i, and the weight of the toner is received by the inner surface 71i. When the toner cartridge 70 rotates counterclockwise from position Tp0, the weight of the toner is received by the first receiving surface 71d1. The toner supported on the inner surface 71i at position Tp0 spontaneously collapses as the toner cartridge 70 rotates and spreads over the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0238] When the toner cartridge 70 rotates from position Tp6 to position Tp4, due to the gravity acting on the toner, the toner moves under its own weight on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o. At position Tp6, since the toner is biased toward the inner surface 71i side, when the toner cartridge 70 moves from position Tp6 to position Tp4, a large amount of toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o.

[0239] The toner that has moved on the first receiving surface 71d1 toward the outer surface 71o collides with the outer surface 71o and spreads in the longitudinal direction. The angle between the first receiving surface 71d1 and the outer surface 71o is preferably close to a right angle.

[0240] More specifically, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the ratio of the portion of the outer surface 71o where the angle with the first receiving surface 71d1 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less exceeds 50% of the entire outer surface 71o, and more preferably exceeds 80%. As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and (b), the outer surface 71o may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0241] Also, regarding the longitudinal direction, the length of the region where the angle between the outer surface 71o and the first receiving surface 71d1 satisfies the above conditions preferably exceeds 50% of the length of the toner storage chamber 71a, and more preferably exceeds 80%.

[0242] At position Tp4, the toner is supported on the outer surface 71o, and the weight of the toner is received by the outer surface 71o. When the toner cartridge 70 rotates counterclockwise from position Tp4, the weight of the toner is received by the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner supported on the outer surface 71o at position Tp4 spontaneously collapses as the toner cartridge 70 rotates and spreads over the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0243] When the toner cartridge 70 rotates from position Tp2 to position Tp0, due to the gravity acting on the toner, the toner moves by its own weight on the second receiving surface 71d2 from the outer surface 71o towards the inner surface 71i. At position Tp2, since the toner is biased towards the outer surface 71o side, when the toner cartridge 70 moves from position Tp6 to position Tp0, a large amount of toner moves on the second receiving surface 71d2 from the outer surface 71o towards the inner surface 71i.

[0244] The toner that has moved on the second receiving surface 71d2 towards the inner surface 71i collides with the inner surface 71i and spreads in the longitudinal direction. The angle between the second receiving surface 71d2 and the inner surface 71i is preferably close to a right angle.

[0245] More specifically, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the ratio of the portion of the inner surface 71i where the angle with the second receiving surface 71d2 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less exceeds 50% of the entire inner surface 71i, and more preferably exceeds 80%. As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and (b), the inner surface 71i may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0246] Also, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the region where the angle between the inner surface 71i and the second receiving surface 71d2 satisfies the above conditions preferably exceeds 50% of the length of the toner storage chamber 71a, and more preferably exceeds 80%.

[0247] That is, as the rotary assembly 90A rotates, the toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1. Of the inner surface 71i or the outer surface 71o, with respect to the moving direction of the toner, the angle between the surface located on the downstream side of the first receiving surface 71d1 and the first receiving surface 71d1 preferably satisfies the above relationship. That is, it is preferable that the ratio of the portion where the angle between the surface and the first receiving surface 71d1 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less exceeds 50% of the entire surface. Also, in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the length of the region satisfying this condition exceeds 50% of the length of the toner storage chamber 71a, and more preferably exceeds 80%.

[0248] Also, as the rotary assembly 90A rotates, the toner moves on the second receiving surface 71d2. Of the inner surface 71i or the outer surface 71o, with respect to the moving direction of the toner, the angle between the surface located on the downstream side of the second receiving surface 71d2 and the second receiving surface 71d2 preferably satisfies the above relationship. That is, it is preferable that the ratio of the portion where the angle between the surface and the second receiving surface 71d2 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less exceeds 50% of the entire surface. Also, in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the length of the region satisfying this condition exceeds 50% of the length of the toner storage chamber 71a, and more preferably exceeds 80%.

[0249] In this embodiment, both the inner surface 71i and the outer surface 71o satisfy the above conditions, but even if only one of the inner surface 71i and the outer surface 71o satisfies the above conditions, it may be acceptable. That is, at least one of the inner surface 71i and the outer surface 71o only needs to satisfy the above conditions.

[0250] <Guiding and Discharging of Toner by Rotation of Rotary Assembly> Using FIGS. 13, 14, 15(a), (b), 16, 17, and 30, the guiding of the toner and the discharging from the discharging opening 71b when the rotary assembly 90A rotates will be described.

[0251] Figures 16, 17, and 30 are schematic views showing a rotary assembly 90A that rotates around a rotation axis 90C as viewed in the Y direction. Figures 16 and 17 show a toner cartridge 70 and a corresponding developing unit 50. Figure 16 shows the toner cartridges 70 at positions Tp0, TP2, Tp4, and Tp6 respectively, and the corresponding developing units 50. In Figure 17, the upper left developing unit 50 is in the developing position.

[0252] In this embodiment, the rotary assembly 90A rotates clockwise in Figures 16 and 17. Therefore, with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary assembly 90A (the rotation direction of the rotary main body 90), the first receiving surface 71d1 is arranged on the upstream side of the second receiving surface 71d2. In Figure 17, the upper left toner cartridge 70 corresponds to the developing unit 50 in the developing position and is located between position Tp6 and position Tp0.

[0253] As described above, the guide portion 71g in this embodiment guides the toner moving on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the outer end 71go to the inner end 71gi in the short side direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the long side direction. As described above, when the toner cartridge 70 rotates from position Tp4 to position Tp0, with the weight of the toner received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i in the short side direction (see Figure 30). In other words, with the weight of the toner received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the outer end 71go to the inner end 71gi in the short side direction. As a result, the toner is guided by the guide portion 71g toward the discharge opening 71b in the long side direction.

[0254] Also, in this embodiment, the discharge opening 71b is provided in the first receiving surface 71d1, and when the toner cartridge 70 rotates from position Tp4 to position Tp0, the discharge opening 71b is located above the receiving opening 53b. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 70 rotates from position Tp4 to position Tp0, the toner is discharged from the discharge opening 71b and supplied to the developing unit 50.

[0255] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 70 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, with the weight of the toner received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves in the short side direction from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o (see Fig. 30). In other words, with the weight of the toner received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves in the short side direction from the inner end 71gi toward the outer end 71go. At this time, the toner moves from the inner end 71gi toward the outer end 71go through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0256] If the toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1 in the short side direction from the inner end 71gi toward the outer end 71go, the toner is guided by the guide portion 71g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates and the toner moves from the inner end 71gi toward the outer end 71go, the toner moves through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 71g and the second receiving surface 71d2 is not guided by the guide portion 71g. Therefore, it is suppressed that the toner is guided by the guide portion 71g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0257] Thus, in this embodiment, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, in the short side direction, the movement of the toner from the outer surface 71o toward the inner surface 71i and the movement of the toner from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o occur. When the toner moves from the outer surface 71o toward the inner surface 71i, the toner is guided by the guide portion 71g toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o, it is suppressed that the toner is guided in the direction away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0258] Therefore, when the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) with the toner cartridge 70 attached rotates, the amount of toner moving in the longitudinal direction toward the discharge opening 71b is greater than the amount of toner moving in the longitudinal direction away from the discharge opening 71b. Note that the amount of toner moving in the longitudinal direction away from the discharge opening 71b may be zero. Also, the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) may rotate multiple times.

[0259] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner is guided in the longitudinal direction toward the discharge opening 71b and discharged from the discharge opening 71b. Therefore, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 71a can be efficiently discharged from the discharge opening 71b.

[0260] <Example 2> The toner cartridge 170 according to Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 18. In Example 2, the same components as those described in Example 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted in principle. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 170 according to Example 2.

[0261] The toner cartridge 170 according to Example 2 is different from the toner cartridge 70 of Example 1 in the arrangement of the guide portion 70g and the discharge opening 71b.

[0262] That is, the toner frame 71 of the toner cartridge 70 of Example 1 had the discharge openings 71bL and 71bR. On the other hand, the toner frame 171 of the toner cartridge 170 of this embodiment has one discharge opening 71b. The shape and arrangement of the discharge opening 71b of this embodiment are the same as the shape and arrangement of the discharge opening 71bL of Example 1.

[0263] Further, the toner frame 171 has at least one guide portion 71g. The toner frame 171 of this embodiment has a plurality of guide portions 71g. In this embodiment, the guide portion 71g has the same shape as the left guide 71gL of the first embodiment. In the longitudinal direction, the guide portion 71g is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame 171 and the discharge opening 71b, and between the central portion 71c and the right side surface 71eR. Similar to the first embodiment, there is a gap between the second receiving surface 71d2 and the guide portion 71g (see FIG. 14).

[0264] Also in this embodiment, the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, and in the short direction, the movement of the toner from the outer surface 71o toward the inner surface 71i and the movement of the toner from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o occur. When the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i, in the longitudinal direction, the toner is guided by the guide portion 71g toward the discharge opening 71b. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o, it is suppressed that the toner is guided in a direction away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0265] Note that the shape and arrangement of the discharge opening 71b may be the same as the shape and arrangement of the discharge opening 71bR of the first embodiment. In this case, it has the same shape as the right guide 71gL of the first embodiment. And the guide portion 71g can be disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame 171 and the discharge opening 71b, and between the central portion 71c and the left side surface 71eL.

[0266] <Embodiment 3> With reference to FIG. 19, the toner cartridge 270 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted in principle. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 270 according to the third embodiment.

[0267] The toner cartridge 270 according to the third embodiment is different from the toner cartridge 70 of the first embodiment in the arrangement of the guide portion 70g and the discharge opening 71b.

[0268] That is, the toner container 71 of the toner cartridge 70 in Example 1 had discharge openings 71bL and 71bR. On the other hand, the toner container 271 of the toner cartridge 270 in this example has one discharge opening 71b. The shape of the discharge opening 71b in this example is the same as the shape of the discharge opening 71b in Example 1. Further, the discharge opening 71b in this example is disposed at a position overlapping the central portion 71c of the toner container 271 in the longitudinal direction.

[0269] Further, the toner container 271 has at least one guide portion 71g. The toner container 271 in this example has a plurality of guide portions 71g. More specifically, the toner container 271 in this example includes at least one left guide 271gL and at least one right guide 271gR. Also, in this example, the toner container 271 includes a plurality of left guides 271gL and a plurality of right guides 271gR. The left guide 271gL and the right guide 271gR guide the toner toward the discharge opening 71bR in the Y direction.

[0270] In this example, the right guide 271gR has the same shape as the left guide 71gL in Example 1, and the left guide 271gL has the same shape as the right guide 71gR in Example 1. In the longitudinal direction, the left guide 271gL is disposed between the left side surface 71eL of the toner container 271 and the discharge opening 71b, and the right guide 271gR is disposed between the right side surface 71eR and the discharge opening 71b. Similar to Example 1, there is a gap between the second receiving surface 71d2 and the guide portion 71g (see FIG. 14).

[0271] The left guide 271gL has a symmetrical shape with respect to the right guide 271gR in the longitudinal direction, but it does not have to be a perfect symmetrical shape. Also, the number of left guides 271gL and the number of a plurality of right guides 271gR may be different.

[0272] Also in this embodiment, the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, and in the short side direction, the movement of the toner from the outer surface 71o toward the inner surface 71i and the movement of the toner from the inner surface 71i toward the outer surface 71o occur. When the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i, in the longitudinal direction, the toner is guided by the guide portion 71g toward the discharge opening 71b. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o, it is suppressed that the toner is guided in a direction away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0273] <Modification Example> In the above-described first to third embodiments, the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates clockwise as viewed in the Y direction (see Fig. 15(a)). Further, the guide portion 71g is disposed on the first receiving surface 71d1, and when the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i, it guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Hereinafter, a toner cartridge according to a modification example will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those described in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted in principle.

[0274] Figs. 20, 21, and 22 are views showing a toner cartridge 370 according to Modification Example 1. Fig. 20 is a schematic view as viewed in the Y direction showing the toner cartridge 370 rotating around the rotation axis 90C. Fig. 21 is a view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 370. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 370, specifically, a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 370 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C as viewed in the Y direction.

[0275] As shown in Fig. 20, the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) according to Modification Example 1 rotates clockwise as viewed in the Y direction. Therefore, with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary assembly 90A (the rotation direction of the rotary main body 90), the first receiving surface 71d1 is disposed on the upstream side of the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0276] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the toner frame body 371 has at least one guide portion 371g for guiding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 71a. The toner frame body 371 of Modification 1 includes a plurality of guide portions 371g. Each guide portion 371g is configured to guide the toner that moves by its own weight in a direction intersecting the Y direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the Y direction.

[0277] In Modification 1, the toner frame body 371 includes at least one left guide 371gL and at least one right guide 371gR. The left guide 371gL guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71bL in the Y direction, and the right guide 371gR guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71bR in the Y direction.

[0278] In the longitudinal direction, the left guide 371gL is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame body 371 and the discharge opening 71bL, and the right guide 371gR is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame body 371 and the discharge opening 71bR. The left guide 371gL and the discharge opening 71bL have a symmetrical shape in the longitudinal direction with respect to the right guide 371gR and the discharge opening 71bR, but they do not have to be a perfect symmetrical shape. Also, the number of left guides 371gL and the number of a plurality of right guides 371gR may be different.

[0279] Although the left guide 371gL and the right guide 371gR have different directions for guiding the toner, their basic configurations and functions are generally common. Therefore, hereinafter, the left guide 371gL and the right guide 371gR will be collectively referred to as the guide portion 371g, and the discharge opening 71bL and the discharge opening 71bR will be collectively referred to as the discharge opening 71b and described together.

[0280] As shown in FIG. 22, the guide portion 371g is closer to the second receiving surface 71d2 than to the first receiving surface 71d1. In Modification 1, the guide portion 371g is disposed on the second receiving surface 71d2. That is, the base of the guide portion 371g is connected to the second receiving surface 71d2. On the other hand, a gap is formed between the guide portion 371g and the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0281] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the guide portion 371g has an inner end 371gi and an outer end 371go. In the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary body 90, the inner end 371gi is closer to the rotation axis 90c than the outer end 371go. Also, in the longitudinal direction, the outer end 371go is closer to the discharge opening 71b than the inner end 371gi. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second receiving surface 71d2, the angle formed by the straight line passing through the outer end 371go and the inner end 371gi and the longitudinal direction is preferably larger than the angle of repose of the toner.

[0282] Also, in the present embodiment, in the short-side direction, the distance between the inner end 371gi and the outer end 371go is shorter than the distance between the outer surface 71o and the inner surface 71i. Also, in the short-side direction, the outer surface 71o faces the outer end 371go, and a gap is formed between the outer surface 71o and the outer end 371go. The inner surface 71i faces the inner end 371gi, and a gap is formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 371gi.

[0283] The guide portion 371g guides the toner moving from the inner end 371gi toward the outer end 371go in the short-side direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0284] When the second receiving surface (first surface) 71d2 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and when the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves along the second receiving surface 71d2 on the second receiving surface 71d2. At this time, the guide portion 371g guides the toner moving along the second receiving surface 71d2 toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0285] More specifically, assuming that the second receiving surface 71d2 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that, with the second receiving surface 71d2 positioned below the first receiving surface 71d1, the inner end of the second receiving surface 71d2 in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 is higher than the outer end of the second receiving surface 71d2. When the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, with respect to the direction intersecting the rotation axis 90c of the rotary body 90, the toner moves along the second receiving surface 71d2 from the inner end of the second receiving surface 71d2 toward the outer end of the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0286] When the toner moving on the second receiving surface 71d2 comes into contact with the surface of the guide portion 371g facing the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction, the guide portion 371g guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71 in the longitudinal direction.

[0287] On the other hand, when the first receiving surface (second surface) 71d1 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle of the first receiving surface 71d1 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1 along the first receiving surface 71d1. At this time, the toner moves from one of the inner end 371gi and the outer end 371go toward the other of the inner end 371gi and the outer end 371go in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 through the gap between the guide portion 371g and the first receiving surface 71d1. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 371g and the first receiving surface 71d1 can move without being guided by the guide portion 371g.

[0288] As described above, the guide portion 371g in the first modification guides the toner moving on the second receiving surface 71d2 from the inner end 371gi to the outer end 371go in the short side direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. As described above, when the toner cartridge 370 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, with the weight of the toner received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o in the short side direction (see FIG. 20). In other words, with the weight of the toner received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves from the inner end 371gi to the outer end 371go in the short side direction. As a result, the toner is guided by the guide portion 371g toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0289] Also, in the first modification, the discharge opening 71b is provided in the first receiving surface 71d1, and when the toner cartridge 370 rotates from the position Tp4 to the position Tp0, the discharge opening 71b is positioned above the receiving opening 53b. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 370 rotates from the position Tp4 to the position Tp0, the toner is discharged from the discharge opening 71b and supplied to the developing unit 50.

[0290] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 370 rotates from the position Tp4 to the position Tp0, with the weight of the toner received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i in the short side direction (see FIG. 20). In other words, with the weight of the toner received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the outer end 371go to the inner end 371gi in the short side direction. At this time, the toner moves from the outer end 371go to the inner end 371gi through the gap between the guide portion 371g and the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0291] If the toner moves on the second receiving surface 71d2 from the outer end 371go to the inner end 371gi in the short direction, the toner is guided by the guide portion 371g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. In the first modification, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates and the toner moves from the outer end 371go to the inner end 371gi, the toner moves through the gap between the guide portion 371g and the first receiving surface 71d1. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 371g and the first receiving surface 71d1 is not guided by the guide portion 371g. Therefore, it is suppressed that the toner is guided by the guide portion 371g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0292] Thus, in the first modification, the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, and in the short direction, the movement of the toner from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o and the movement of the toner from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i occur. When the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o, in the longitudinal direction, the toner is guided by the guide portion 371g toward the discharge opening 71b. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i, it is suppressed that the toner is guided in a direction away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0293] FIGS. 23, 24, and 25 are views showing the toner cartridge 470 according to the second modification. FIG. 23 is a schematic view seen in the Y direction showing the toner cartridge 470 that rotates around the rotation axis 90C. FIG. 24 is a view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 470. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 470, specifically, a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 470 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C, seen in the Y direction.

[0294] As shown in Fig. 23, the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) according to Modification 2 rotates counterclockwise when viewed in the Y direction. Therefore, with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary assembly 90A (the rotation direction of the rotary main body 90), the second receiving surface 71d2 is disposed upstream of the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0295] As shown in Figs. 24 and 25, the toner frame 471 has at least one guide portion 471g for guiding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 71a. The toner frame 471 of Modification 2 includes a plurality of guide portions 471g. Each guide portion 471g is configured to guide the toner that moves by its own weight in a direction intersecting the Y direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the Y direction.

[0296] In Modification 2, the toner frame 471 includes at least one left guide 471gL and at least one right guide 471gR. The left guide 471gL guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71bL in the Y direction, and the right guide 471gR guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71bR in the Y direction.

[0297] In the longitudinal direction, the left guide 471gL is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame 471 and the discharge opening 71bL, and the right guide 471gR is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame 471 and the discharge opening 71bR. The left guide 471gL and the discharge opening 71bL have a symmetrical shape in the longitudinal direction with respect to the right guide 471gR and the discharge opening 71bR, but they do not have to be a perfect symmetrical shape. Also, the number of the left guides 471gL and the number of the plurality of right guides 471gR may be different.

[0298] Although the left guide 471gL and the right guide 471gR have different directions for guiding the toner, their basic configurations and functions are generally common. Therefore, hereinafter, the left guide 471gL and the right guide 471gR will be collectively referred to as the guide portion 471g, and the discharge opening 71bL and the discharge opening 71bR will be collectively referred to as the discharge opening 71b and described together.

[0299] As shown in FIG. 25, the guide portion 471g is closer to the first receiving surface 71d1 than to the second receiving surface 71d2. In Modification 2, the guide portion 471g is disposed on the first receiving surface 71d1. That is, the base of the guide portion 471g is connected to the first receiving surface 71d1. On the other hand, a gap is formed between the guide portion 471g and the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0300] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the guide portion 471g has an inner end 471gi and an outer end 471go. In the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary body 90, the inner end 471gi is closer to the rotation axis 90c than the outer end 471go. Also, in the longitudinal direction, the outer end 471go is closer to the discharge opening 71b than the inner end 471gi. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first receiving surface 71d1, the angle formed by the straight line passing through the outer end 471go and the inner end 471gi and the longitudinal direction is preferably larger than the angle of repose of the toner.

[0301] Also, in the present embodiment, in the short side direction, the distance between the inner end 471gi and the outer end 471go is shorter than the distance between the outer surface 71o and the inner surface 71i. Also, in the short side direction, the outer surface 71o faces the outer end 471go, and a gap is formed between the outer surface 71o and the outer end 471go. The inner surface 71i faces the inner end 471gi, and a gap is formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 471gi.

[0302] The guide portion 471g guides the toner moving from the inner end 471gi toward the outer end 471go in the short side direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0303] When the first receiving surface (first surface) 71d1 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle of the first receiving surface 71d1 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves along the first receiving surface 71d1 on the first receiving surface 71d1. At this time, the guide portion 471g guides the toner moving along the first receiving surface 71d1 toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0304] More specifically, assuming that the first receiving surface 71d1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that, in a state where the first receiving surface 71d1 is positioned below the second receiving surface 71d2, the inner end of the first receiving surface 71d1 in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 is higher than the outer end of the first receiving surface 71d1. When the inclination angle of the first receiving surface 71d1 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves along the first receiving surface 71d1 from the inner end of the first receiving surface 71d1 toward the outer end of the first receiving surface 71d1 in a direction intersecting the rotation axis 90c of the rotary body 90.

[0305] When the toner moving on the first receiving surface 71d1 abuts against the surface of the guide portion 471g facing the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction, the guide portion 471g guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71 in the longitudinal direction.

[0306] On the other hand, when the second receiving surface (second surface) 71d2 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves on the second receiving surface 71d2 along the second receiving surface 71d2. At this time, the toner moves from one of the inner end 471gi and the outer end 471go toward the other of the inner end 471gi and the outer end 471go in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 through the gap between the guide portion 471g and the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 471g and the second receiving surface 71d2 can move without being guided by the guide portion 471g.

[0307] As described above, the guide portion 471g in the second modification guides the toner moving on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the inner end 471gi to the outer end 471go in the short direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the long direction. As described above, when the toner cartridge 470 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o in the short direction while the weight of the toner is received by the first receiving surface 71d1 (see FIG. 23). In other words, in a state where the weight of the toner is received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the inner end 471gi to the outer end 471go in the short direction. As a result, the toner is guided by the guide portion 471g toward the discharge opening 71b in the long direction.

[0308] Also, in the second modification, the discharge opening 71b is provided in the first receiving surface 71d1, and when the toner cartridge 470 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, the discharge opening 71b is positioned above the receiving opening 53b. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 470 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, the toner is discharged from the discharge opening 71b and supplied to the developing unit 50.

[0309] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 470 rotates from the position Tp4 to the position Tp0, the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i in the short direction while the weight of the toner is received by the second receiving surface 71d2 (see FIG. 23). In other words, in a state where the weight of the toner is received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves from the outer end 471go to the inner end 471gi in the short direction. At this time, the toner moves from the outer end 471go to the inner end 471gi through the gap between the guide portion 471g and the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0310] If the toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1 from the outer end 471go to the inner end 471gi in the short direction, the toner is guided by the guide portion 471g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. In the second modification, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates and the toner moves from the outer end 471go to the inner end 471gi, the toner moves through the gap between the guide portion 471g and the second receiving surface 71d2. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 471g and the second receiving surface 71d2 is not guided by the guide portion 471g. Therefore, it is suppressed that the toner is guided by the guide portion 471g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0311] Thus, in the second modification, the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, and in the short direction, the movement of the toner from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o and the movement of the toner from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i occur. When the toner moves from the inner surface 71i to the outer surface 71o, the toner is guided by the guide portion 471g toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the outer surface 71o to the inner surface 71i, it is suppressed that the toner is guided in a direction away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0312] FIGS. 26, 27, and 28 are views showing the toner cartridge 570 according to the third modification. FIG. 26 is a schematic view seen in the Y direction showing the toner cartridge 570 rotating around the rotation axis 90C. FIG. 27 is a view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 570. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 570, specifically, a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 570 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 90C, seen in the Y direction.

[0313] As shown in FIG. 26, the rotary main body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) according to Modification 3 rotates counterclockwise when viewed in the Y direction. Therefore, with respect to the rotation direction of the rotary assembly 90A (the rotation direction of the rotary main body 90), the second receiving surface 71d2 is disposed upstream of the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0314] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the toner frame body 571 has at least one guide portion 571g for guiding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 71a. The toner frame body 571 of Modification 3 includes a plurality of guide portions 571g. Each guide portion 571g is configured to guide the toner that moves by its own weight in a direction intersecting the Y direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the Y direction.

[0315] In Modification 3, the toner frame body 571 includes at least one left guide 571gL and at least one right guide 571gR. The left guide 571gL guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71bL in the Y direction, and the right guide 571gR guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71bR in the Y direction.

[0316] In the longitudinal direction, the left guide 571gL is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame body 571 and the discharge opening 71bL, and the right guide 571gR is disposed between the central portion 71c of the toner frame body 571 and the discharge opening 71bR. The left guide 571gL and the discharge opening 71bL have a symmetrical shape in the longitudinal direction with respect to the right guide 571gR and the discharge opening 71bR, but they do not have to be a perfect symmetrical shape. Also, the number of the left guides 571gL and the number of the plurality of right guides 571gR may be different.

[0317] Although the left guide 571gL and the right guide 571gR have different directions for guiding the toner, their basic configurations and functions are generally common. Therefore, hereinafter, the left guide 571gL and the right guide 571gR will be collectively referred to as the guide portion 571g, and the discharge opening 71bL and the discharge opening 71bR will be collectively referred to as the discharge opening 71b and described together.

[0318] As shown in FIG. 28, the guide portion 571g is closer to the second receiving surface 71d2 than to the first receiving surface 71d1. In Modification 3, the guide portion 571g is disposed on the second receiving surface 71d2. That is, the base of the guide portion 571g is connected to the second receiving surface 71d2. On the other hand, a gap is formed between the guide portion 571g and the first receiving surface 71d1.

[0319] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the guide portion 571g has an inner end 571gi and an outer end 571go. In the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary body 90, the inner end 571gi is closer to the rotation axis 90c than the outer end 571go. Also, in the longitudinal direction, the inner end 571gi is closer to the discharge opening 71b than the outer end 571go. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first receiving surface 71d1, the angle formed by the straight line passing through the inner end 571gi and the outer end 571go and the longitudinal direction is preferably larger than the angle of repose of the toner.

[0320] Also, in the present embodiment, in the short side direction, the distance between the inner end 571gi and the outer end 571go is shorter than the distance between the outer surface 71o and the inner surface 71i. Also, in the short side direction, the outer surface 71o faces the outer end 571go, and a gap is formed between the outer surface 71o and the outer end 571go. The inner surface 71i faces the inner end 571gi, and a gap is formed between the inner surface 71i and the inner end 571gi.

[0321] The guide portion 571g guides the toner moving from the outer end 571go toward the inner end 571gi in the short side direction toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0322] When the second receiving surface (first surface) 71d2 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and when the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves along the second receiving surface 71d2 on the second receiving surface 71d2. At this time, the guide portion 571g guides the toner moving along the second receiving surface 71d2 toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0323] More specifically, assuming that the second receiving surface 71d2 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that, with the second receiving surface 71d2 positioned below the first receiving surface 71d1, the outer end of the second receiving surface 71d2 in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 is higher than the inner end of the second receiving surface 71d2. When the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 71d2 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, with respect to the direction intersecting the rotation axis 90c of the rotary body 90, the toner moves along the second receiving surface 71d2 from the outer end of the second receiving surface 71d2 toward the inner end of the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0324] When the toner moving on the second receiving surface 71d2 comes into contact with the surface of the guide portion 571g facing the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction, the guide portion 571g guides the toner toward the discharge opening 71 in the longitudinal direction.

[0325] On the other hand, when the first receiving surface (second surface) 71d1 receives the weight of the toner and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle of the first receiving surface 71d1 with respect to the horizontal direction exceeds a predetermined angle, the toner moves on the first receiving surface 71d1 along the first receiving surface 71d1. At this time, the toner moves from one of the inner end 571gi and the outer end 571go toward the other of the inner end 571gi and the outer end 571go in the radial direction of the rotary body 90 through the gap between the guide portion 571g and the first receiving surface 71d1. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 571g and the first receiving surface 71d1 can move without being guided by the guide portion 571g.

[0326] As described above, the guide portion 571g in Modification 3 guides the toner that moves on the second receiving surface 71d2 from the outer end 571gi toward the inner end 571go in the short-side direction, toward the discharge opening 71b in the long-side direction. As described above, when the toner cartridge 570 rotates from the position Tp4 to the position Tp0, with the weight of the toner received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves from the outer surface 71i toward the inner surface 71o in the short-side direction (see FIG. 26). In other words, with the weight of the toner received by the second receiving surface 71d2, the toner moves from the outer end 571gi toward the inner end 571go in the short-side direction. As a result, the toner is guided by the guide portion 571g toward the discharge opening 71b in the long-side direction.

[0327] Also, in Modification 3, the discharge opening 71b is provided in the first receiving surface 71d1, and when the toner cartridge 570 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, the discharge opening 71b is positioned above the receiving opening 53b. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 570 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, the toner is discharged from the discharge opening 71b and supplied to the developing unit 50.

[0328] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 570 rotates from the position Tp0 to the position Tp4, with the weight of the toner received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the inner surface 71o toward the outer surface 71i in the short-side direction (see FIG. 26). In other words, with the weight of the toner received by the first receiving surface 71d1, the toner moves from the inner end 571go toward the outer end 571gi in the short-side direction. At this time, the toner moves from the inner end 571go toward the outer end 571gi through the gap between the guide portion 571g and the second receiving surface 71d2.

[0329] If the toner moves on the second receiving surface 71d2 in the short direction from the inner end 571go to the outer end 571gi, the toner is guided by the guide portion 571g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction. In Modification 3, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates and the toner moves from the inner end 571go to the outer end 571gi, the toner moves through the gap between the guide portion 571g and the first receiving surface 71d1. The toner moving through the gap between the guide portion 571g and the first receiving surface 71d1 is not guided by the guide portion 571g. Therefore, the toner is suppressed from being guided by the guide portion 571g so as to move away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0330] As described above, in Modification 3, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, in the short direction, the movement of the toner from the outer surface 71i to the inner surface 71o and the movement of the toner from the inner surface 71o to the outer surface 71i occur. When the toner moves from the outer surface 71i to the inner surface 71o, in the longitudinal direction, the toner is guided by the guide portion 571g toward the discharge opening 71b. On the other hand, when the toner moves from the inner surface 71o to the outer surface 71i, the toner is suppressed from being guided in a direction away from the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0331] Also in Modifications 1 to 3, when the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) rotates, the amount of toner moving in the longitudinal direction toward the discharge opening 71b is larger than the amount of toner moving in the longitudinal direction away from the discharge opening 71b. Note that the amount of toner moving in the longitudinal direction away from the discharge opening 71b may be zero. Further, the rotary body 90 (rotary assembly 90A) may rotate a plurality of times.

[0332] As described above, in Modifications 1 to 3, the toner is guided toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction and discharged from the discharge opening 71b. Therefore, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 71a can be efficiently discharged from the discharge opening 71b.

[0333] In Modifications 1 to 3 as well, the guide portions 371g, 471g, and 571g may be connected to at least one of the outer surface 71o and the inner surface 71i. Further, even when the discharge opening 71b is arranged at the positions shown in Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3, the arrangement and shape of the guide portions 371g, 471g, and 571g in Modifications 1 to 3 may be appropriately changed so that the toner is guided to the discharge opening 71b.

[0334] As described above, in Embodiments 1 to 3 and Modifications 1 to 3, regarding the direction of the rotation axis 90C, one of the inner end and the outer end of the guide portion is closer to the discharge opening 71b than the other of the inner end and the outer end. And the guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving from the other of the inner end and the outer end to the one of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of the rotation radius toward the discharge opening 71b in the direction of the rotation axis 90C.

[0335] The guide portions (70g, 371g, 471g, 571g) are configured to guide the toner moved by the change in the posture of the toner cartridge toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis 90C). In the present embodiment, the posture of the toner cartridge changes as the rotary assembly 90A (the rotary main body 90 to which the toner cartridge is attached) rotates. That is, the guide portions (70g to 571g) guide the toner moved by the rotation of the rotary assembly 90A (more specifically, the toner moved in the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotary assembly 90) toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis 90C).

[0336] Further, as described above, the toner cartridge has a plurality of guide portions (70g, 371g, 471g, 571g). At least a part of the toner guided by one guide portion is guided by the guide portion adjacent to the said guide portion when the rotary assembly 90A rotates further. By repeating the rotation of the rotary assembly 90A, the transfer of the toner between the plurality of guide portions is repeated. As a result, the toner is guided toward the discharge opening 71b in the longitudinal direction.

[0337] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, a configuration has been described in which the rotary main body 90 includes four developing units 50y to 50k and can form a color image using four colors of toner. However, the rotary main body 90 may include three or less developing units or five or more developing units. For example, the rotary main body 90 may have only one developing unit 50k, and may be configured such that only one toner cartridge 70k is attached to the rotary main body 90. In this case, the rotary main body 90 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C, and can alternately take a black replacement posture and a black developing posture.

[0338] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, a configuration has been described in which the rotary main body 90 includes four developing units 50y to 50k and can form a color image using four colors of toner. However, the rotary main body 90 may have a plurality of developing units capable of performing image formation using toner of the same color. For example, the rotary main body 90 may have four black developing units 50k, and may be configured such that four toner cartridges 70k are attached to the rotary main body 90.

[0339] In each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the toner cartridge is attached to the rotary main body 90 such that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridge is attached to the rotary main body 90 such that the short side direction thereof is along the radial direction of the rotation of the rotary main body 90 and the thickness direction thereof is along the rotation direction of the rotary main body 90. That is, the angle (narrow angle) formed by the radial direction and the short side direction of the rotary main body 90 is smaller than the angle (narrow angle) formed by the rotation direction and the short side direction of the rotary main body 90. Further, the angle (narrow angle) formed by the rotation direction and the thickness direction of the rotary main body 90 is smaller than the angle (narrow angle) formed by the radial direction and the thickness direction of the rotary main body 90.

[0340] Also, when the toner cartridge is attached to the rotary main body 90, it can be said that the length of the toner cartridge in the rotational direction of the rotary main body 90 is shorter than the length of the toner cartridge in the radial direction of the rotary radius of the rotary main body 90.

[0341] In the present embodiment, the length of the toner cartridge in the rotational direction of the rotary main body 90 is defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 15(a), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C, among the virtual circles centered on the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90 and overlapping the toner cartridge, the circle with the longest arc length overlapping the toner cartridge is called the length defining circle LDC. The length of the toner cartridge in the rotational direction of the rotary main body 90 refers to the arc length of the portion LPC overlapping the toner cartridge in the length defining circle LDC.

[0342] In the present embodiment, the length of the toner cartridge in the radial direction of the rotary radius of the rotary main body 90 is defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 15(a), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C, among the straight lines passing through the rotation axis 90C of the rotary main body 90 and overlapping the toner cartridge, the straight line with the longest length overlapping the toner cartridge is called the length defining line LDL. The length of the toner cartridge in the radial direction of the rotary radius of the rotary main body 90 refers to the length of the portion LPL overlapping the toner cartridge in the length defining line LDL.

[0343] As a result of the toner cartridge being arranged with respect to the rotary main body 90 as described above, the length of the arrangement space of the toner cartridge in the rotational direction of the rotary main body 90 is shortened, so that the toner cartridge can be efficiently arranged while miniaturizing the rotary main body 90. More specifically, the developing units 50y to 50k and the corresponding toner cartridges y to k can be arranged in a small space in the rotational direction of the rotary main body 90.

[0344] Furthermore, as described above, in each of the embodiments and modifications, the surface provided with the discharge opening 71b extends so as to intersect (preferably perpendicular) in the thickness direction. As a result, toner can be easily supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing unit 50. Also, the surface to which the guide portions (71g, 171g, 271g, 371g, 471g, 571g) are connected extends so as to intersect (preferably perpendicular) in the thickness direction. When the rotary assembly 90A rotates, the amount of movement of the toner moving on the surface extending so as to intersect in the thickness direction is larger than the amount of movement of the toner moving on the surface extending so as to intersect in the short side direction. Therefore, by connecting the guide portion to the surface extending so as to intersect in the thickness direction, the toner can be moved significantly along the guide portion.

[0345] Also, in each of the embodiments and modifications, the guide portions (71g, 171g, 271g, 371g, 471g, 571g) are connected to the surface on the back side of the outer surface of the toner frame body 71. In other words, the guide portion 71g is connected to the outer wall of the toner frame body 71. As the rotary assembly 90A rotates, the toner accommodated in the toner storage chamber 71a moves along the surface on the back side of the outer surface. By connecting the guide portion to the surface on the back side of the outer surface of the toner frame body 71, the toner can be moved significantly along the guide portion.

[0346] Also, in each of the embodiments and modifications, the toner is guided by the guide portions (71g, 171g, 271g, 371g, 471g, 571g) adjacent to the discharge opening 71b and is received by at least one of the outer surface 71o or the inner surface 71i before reaching the discharge opening 71b. Thereby, in the longitudinal direction, the toner is likely to spread in the longitudinal direction so that the position of the toner overlaps the position of the discharge opening 71b.

[0347] (Summary) The present disclosure discloses at least the following configurations.

[0348] (Configuration 1) A developing unit having a developing roller, A rotary that supports the developing unit and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the axial direction, A toner cartridge removably attached to the rotary, (i) A storage chamber for storing toner, (ii) A guide portion for guiding the toner, and (iii) A discharge port through which the toner supplied from the storage chamber to the developing unit passes, and a frame body including the same, A toner cartridge having the same, Having the same, The guide portion is configured to guide the toner that moves by its own weight in a direction intersecting the axial direction toward the discharge port in the axial direction, The guide portion includes an inner end and an outer end, and in the axial direction of the rotary, the inner end is closer to the rotation axis than the outer end in the radial direction of the rotary's rotation radius, The length of the toner frame body in the longitudinal direction of the toner frame body is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the short direction of the toner frame body, and the length of the toner frame body in the short direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the thickness direction of the toner frame body, The toner frame body has a surface provided with the discharge opening and a surface to which the guide portion is connected. The surface provided with the discharge opening extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, and the surface to which the guide portion is connected extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

[0349] (Configuration 2) In the axial direction, one of the inner end and the outer end is closer to the discharge port than the other of the inner end and the outer end, The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein the guide portion is configured to guide the toner that moves from the other of the inner end and the outer end to the one of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation toward the discharge port in the axial direction.

[0350] (Configuration 3) The frame body has a first surface facing the housing portion and a second surface facing the housing chamber and the first surface. With the first surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving along the first surface toward the discharge port in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized in that.

[0351] (Configuration 4) The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized in that a gap is formed between the second surface and the guide portion.

[0352] (Configuration 5) With the second surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the toner moves from one of the inner end and the outer end toward the other of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation through the gap. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 4, characterized in that.

[0353] (Configuration 6) The frame body has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end. In the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface. Gaps are formed between the inner surface and the inner end and between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 4 or 5, characterized in that.

[0354] (Configuration 7) The frame body has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end. In the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface. Gaps are formed between the inner surface and the inner end and between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized in that.

[0355] (Configuration 8) The discharge port faces the second surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 3 to 7, characterized in that.

[0356] (Configuration 9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 3 to 7, wherein the discharge port faces the first surface.

[0357] (Configuration 10) A developing unit having a developing roller, A rotary member that supports the developing unit and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the axial direction, A toner cartridge removably attached to the rotary member, (i) A storage chamber for storing toner, (ii) A guide portion for guiding the toner, and (iii) A discharge port through which the toner supplied from the storage chamber to the developing unit passes, and a frame body including the same, A toner cartridge having the same, Having the same, The guide portion is configured to guide the toner moved by the rotation of the rotary member toward the discharge port in the axial direction, The guide portion includes an inner end and an outer end, and in the axial direction of the rotary member, the inner end is closer to the rotation axis than the outer end in the radial direction of the rotation of the rotary member, The length of the toner frame body in the longitudinal direction of the toner frame body is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the short direction of the toner frame body, and the length of the toner frame body in the short direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the thickness direction of the toner frame body, The toner frame body has a surface provided with the discharge opening and a surface to which the guide portion is connected. The surface provided with the discharge opening extends so as to intersect in the thickness direction, and the surface to which the guide portion is connected extends so as to intersect in the thickness direction, An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

[0358] (Configuration 11) In the axial direction, one of the inner end and the outer end is closer to the discharge port than the other of the inner end and the outer end, The guide portion is configured to guide the toner that moves from the other of the inner end and the outer end toward the one of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation toward the discharge port in the axial direction, according to Configuration 10 of the image forming apparatus.

[0359] (Configuration 12) The frame body has a first surface facing the accommodating portion and a second surface facing the accommodating chamber and the first surface. With the first surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving along the first surface toward the discharge port in the axial direction. This is the image forming apparatus according to Configuration 11, characterized by the above.

[0360] (Configuration 13) The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 12, characterized in that a gap is formed between the second surface and the guide portion.

[0361] (Configuration 14) With the second surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the toner moves from one of the inner end and the outer end toward the other of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation through the gap, according to the image forming apparatus of Configuration 13.

[0362] (Configuration 15) The frame body has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end. In the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface, and gaps are formed between the inner surface and the inner end and between the outer surface and the outer end. This is the image forming apparatus according to Configuration 13 or 14.

[0363] (Configuration 16) The frame has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end, and in the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface, and gaps are formed between the inner surface and the inner end and between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 12, characterized by this.

[0364] (Configuration 17) The discharge port faces the second surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 12 to 16, characterized by this.

[0365] (Configuration 18) The discharge port faces the first surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 12 to 16, characterized by this.

[0366] (Configuration 19) The frame includes a plurality of toner guides, and each of the plurality of toner guides is the guide portion. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 18, characterized by this.

[0367] (Configuration 20) The frame includes a first opening and a second opening, and each of the first opening and the second opening is the discharge port. The frame includes a plurality of toner guides, and the plurality of toner guides include a guide portion that guides the toner toward the first opening in the axial direction and a guide portion that guides the toner toward the second opening in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 19, characterized by this.

[0368] (Configuration 21) The toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary so that the length of the toner cartridge in the radial direction of rotation is longer than the length of the toner cartridge in the rotational direction of the rotary. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 20, characterized by this.

Explanation of Signs

[0369] 16 Main body frame (frame) 16a Opening 51 Developing roller 51k Developing roller, first developing roller 51y, 51m, 51c Developing roller, second developing roller 53a Storage part, first storage part, second storage part (developing side storage part) 53k Storage frame, first storage frame (developing frame) 53y, 53m, 53c Storage frame, second storage frame (developing frame) 70k Toner cartridge, first toner cartridge 70y, 70m, 70c Toner cartridge, second toner cartridge 71g, 371g, 471g, 571g Guide part

Claims

1. A developing unit having a developing roller, A rotary member that supports the developing unit and is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the axial direction, A toner cartridge removably attached to the rotary member, The toner cartridge having a frame body including: (i) a storage chamber for storing toner; (ii) a guide portion for guiding the toner; and (iii) a discharge port through which the toner supplied from the storage chamber to the developing unit passes, And a toner cartridge having the same, Having, The guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving by its own weight in a direction intersecting the axial direction toward the discharge port in the axial direction, The guide portion includes an inner end and an outer end, and when viewed in the axial direction of the rotary member, the inner end is closer to the rotational axis than the outer end in the radial direction of rotation of the rotary member, The length of the toner frame body in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the short-side direction, and the length of the toner frame body in the short-side direction is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the thickness direction, The toner frame body has a surface provided with the discharge opening and a surface to which the guide portion is connected. The surface provided with the discharge opening extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, and the surface to which the guide portion is connected extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

2. In the axial direction, one of the inner end and the outer end is closer to the discharge port than the other of the inner end and the outer end, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving from the other of the inner end and the outer end toward the one of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation toward the discharge port in the axial direction.

3. The frame body has a first surface facing the storage portion and a second surface facing the storage chamber and the first surface, With the first surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving along the first surface toward the discharge port in the axial direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that a gap is formed between the second surface and the guide portion.

5. The second surface receives the self-weight of the toner, and in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, through the gap, the toner moves in the radial direction of rotation from one of the inner end and the outer end toward the other of the inner end and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The frame body has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end, and in the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface, and between the inner surface and the inner end, And a gap is formed between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that.

7. The frame body has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end, and in the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface, and between the inner surface and the inner end, And a gap is formed between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

8. The discharge port faces the second surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

9. The discharge port faces the first surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

10. A developing unit having a developing roller; A rotary member that supports the developing unit and is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the axial direction; A toner cartridge removably attached to the rotary member, (i) A storage chamber for storing toner, (ii) A guide portion for guiding the toner, and (iii) A discharge port through which the toner supplied from the storage chamber to the developing unit passes, including a frame body. A toner cartridge having Having The guide portion is configured to guide the toner moved by the rotation of the rotary member toward the discharge port in the axial direction. The guide portion includes an inner end and an outer end, and when viewed in the axial direction of the rotary member, the inner end is closer to the rotation axis than the outer end in the radial direction of rotation of the rotary member. The length of the toner frame body in the longitudinal direction of the toner frame body is longer than the length of the toner frame body in the short direction of the toner frame body, and the length of the toner frame body in the short direction is the toner frame body in the thickness direction. Longer than the length of The toner frame has a surface provided with the discharge opening and a surface to which the guide portion is connected. The surface provided with the discharge opening extends so as to intersect the thickness direction, and the surface to which the guide portion is connected extends so as to intersect the thickness direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

11. In the axial direction, one of the inner end and the outer end is closer to the discharge port than the other of the inner end and the outer end. The guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving from the other of the inner end and the outer end to the one of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation toward the discharge port in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The frame has a first surface facing the accommodating portion and a second surface facing the accommodating chamber and the first surface. With the first surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the guide portion is configured to guide the toner moving along the first surface toward the discharge port in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by the above.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that a gap is formed between the second surface and the guide portion.

14. With the second surface receiving the self-weight of the toner and being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the toner moves from the one of the inner end and the outer end to the other of the inner end and the outer end in the radial direction of rotation through the gap. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The frame has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end. In the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface, and gaps are formed between the inner surface and the inner end and between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

16. The frame has an inner surface facing the inner end and an outer surface facing the outer end. In the radial direction of rotation, the inner surface is closer to the rotation axis than the outer surface, and gaps are formed between the inner surface and the inner end and between the outer surface and the outer end. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the discharge port faces the second surface.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the discharge port faces the first surface.

19. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the frame body includes a plurality of toner guides, and each of the plurality of toner guides is the guide portion.

20. The frame body includes a first opening and a second opening, and each of the first opening and the second opening is the discharge port. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the frame body includes a plurality of toner guides, and the plurality of toner guides include the guide portion that guides the toner toward the first opening in the axial direction and the guide portion that guides the toner toward the second opening in the axial direction.

21. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary so that the length of the toner cartridge in the radial direction of rotation is longer than the length of the toner cartridge in the rotational direction of the rotary.

Images