Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: when a developer container filled with a wrong color toner is attached to a developing unit, the wrong color toner is mixed in the developing unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus forming color images is provided. The apparatus has: developing units for respective colors that include trays for housing developer containers storing developer of respective color components; an image forming unit that transfers images developed by the developing units with the developer of respective components to a sheet material to form a color image; and a detection unit that detects the color components corresponding to the developer containers attached to the trays. The detection unit detects the color components corresponding to the developer containers from feature parts indicating the color components provided on the developer containers, according to the movement of housing the trays to which the developer containers are attached to the developing units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are color image forming apparatuses in which a replaceable developer container containing a developer such as toner and a developing unit are separate entities. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-61706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described above, if a developer container of the wrong color is attached to a developing unit, developer of the wrong color will be supplied to the developing unit. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the attachment of an incorrect developer container to a developing unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which a first cartridge containing a first developer and a second cartridge containing a second developer are detachably mountable, the image forming apparatus comprising: a rotary including a first developing chamber configured to accommodate the first developer supplied from the first cartridge and a second developing chamber configured to accommodate the second developer supplied from the second cartridge; a first tray that detachably supports the first cartridge and is displaceable relative to the rotary between a first position where the first cartridge is positioned outside the rotary and a second position where the first cartridge is positioned inside the rotary; a second tray that detachably supports the second cartridge and is displaceable relative to the rotary between a third position where the second cartridge is positioned outside the rotary and a fourth position where the first cartridge is positioned inside the rotary; a detection unit connected to a circuit having a contacted portion; Equipped with after the first cartridge supported by the first tray starts to move from the first position to the second position, a first contact portion of the first cartridge comes into contact with the contacted portion; When the first contact portion and the contacted portion come into contact with each other, a first current is generated in the circuit, and the detection portion detects a signal based on the first current; after the second cartridge supported by the first tray starts to move from the first position to the second position, a second contact portion of the second cartridge comes into contact with the contacted portion; When the second contact portion and the contacted portion come into contact with each other, a second current is generated in the circuit, and the detection portion detects a signal based on the second current. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above features is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer container from being mounted in the wrong position while suppressing an increase in the cost of the developer container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration for supplying toner from a toner cartridge to a developing unit in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the rotary and its surroundings provided in the image forming apparatus [Figure 4] An external view of a rotary provided in an image forming apparatus [Figure 5] External view of image forming apparatus [Figure 6]Cross-sectional view of the rotary and its surroundings in the image forming device (when replacing the toner cartridge) [Figure 7] Contact configuration diagram of the toner cartridge and image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram showing the flow of contacts between the toner cartridge and the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the tray in the rotary when the toner cartridge is inserted according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing voltage values ​​of an A / D port according to the first embodiment; [Figure 11] Flowchart showing embodiment 1 [Figure 12] Contact configuration diagram of a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact portion of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing the shape of a leaf spring in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 15] Top view showing the state of the contacts in embodiment 2 [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of an I / O port according to the second embodiment; [Figure 17] Flowchart showing embodiment 2 [Figure 18] Contact configuration diagram of a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment [Figure 19] Top view showing the state of the contacts in embodiment 3 [Figure 20] State diagram showing the state of the switch in embodiment 3 [Figure 21] Flowchart showing embodiment 3 [Figure 22] A perspective view showing the arrangement of trays in the rotary [Figure 23] Cross-sectional view showing tray arrangement inside the rotary [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing the tray. [Figure 25] Cross-sectional view showing the drive structure for inserting and removing trays [Figure 26]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a contact configuration between the image forming apparatus main body and the toner cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] <Embodiment 1> An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) An image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below, in which a color laser beam printer equipped with four developing units is exemplified as an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of developing units.

[0010] The general configuration and image forming operation of a color laser beam printer will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic cross section of a color laser beam printer.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus main body 1 has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member 2 (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 2). Arranged around the photosensitive drum 2 are a charging roller 3, an exposure unit 4, four developing units 5a to 5d, and a cleaning unit 6. The charging roller 3 is a charging unit for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The exposure unit 4 is an exposure unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light according to image information. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 2 with laser light. The developing units 5a to 5d are developing units that develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 with toner of the corresponding color to make it visible. The cleaning unit 6 is a cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0012] The developing units 5a-5b, which are the developing sections, are equipped with developing rollers 51a-51d, respectively. The developing units 5a-5d are equipped with toner cartridges 7a-7d, which are developer containers containing developers (or colorants) for the respective color components, i.e., toner in this example. The toner cartridges 7a-7d contain yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively. That is, the developing units 5a-5d develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 with yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively. The toner cartridges 7a-7d are consumables that are replaced when the toner contained therein is used up. Here, the four developing units 5a-5d are mounted on a rotary 9, which is a rotatable or rotatable support, i.e., a rotary support. The rotary 9 is equipped with trays 8a-8d, and the toner cartridges 7a-7d are detachably held in the trays 8a-8d. As will be described later, the trays 8a to 8d are supported so that they can slide out of the rotary 9. In other words, the rotary 9 can also be said to be a storage section for the trays 8a to 8d. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridges 7a to 7d held in the trays 8a to 8d can be attached and detached from the rotary 9 by sliding the trays 8a to 8d out of the rotary 9 using a drive source M2 (not shown) and a drive transmission mechanism. [o1][O02052] When the trays 8a to 8d are pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1 through the opening in the door 14, the operator can replace the toner cartridges in that position.

[0013] Note that a toner cartridge is associated with each toner color in the tray 8. Therefore, the color of the toner contained in a toner cartridge is sometimes referred to as the color (or color component) of the toner cartridge, and the color of the toner cartridge contained in each tray is sometimes referred to as the color (or color component) of the tray. Developers of specific colors are sometimes distinguished by being called the first developer or the second developer, etc. A toner cartridge containing the first developer is sometimes distinguished by being called the first cartridge, and a toner cartridge containing the second developer is sometimes distinguished by being called the second cartridge, etc.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration for replenishing toner from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5. Because FIG. 2 shows the configuration for one toner cartridge regardless of color, the reference numerals a through d indicating color-specific components are omitted even for components provided for each color. This applies to other figures as well. The toner frame 71 of the toner cartridge 7 held in the tray 8 includes a toner storage compartment 710 and a discharge opening 711 communicating with the toner storage compartment 710. The toner cartridge 7 also includes a toner replenishing valve 200 for supplying toner to the developing device 53. This toner replenishing valve 200 connects (or engages) with a toner replenishing valve opening / closing unit 201 (described later) when the toner cartridge 7 is attached to the tray 8. While not shown in FIG. 2, the toner replenishing valve opening / closing unit 201 is shown in FIG. 9. The toner replenishing valve can be opened and closed by operating the toner replenishing valve opening / closing unit 201. To replenishing toner, the toner replenishing valve opening / closing unit 201 is operated to open the toner replenishing valve 200. In this embodiment, the toner supply valve is opened by the toner supply valve opening / closing portion, and therefore the toner supply valve opening / closing portion is also called a valve opening portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 5 is provided with a developing-side accommodating portion 530 (also referred to as a developing chamber 530) and a receiving opening 531 that communicates with the developing-side accommodating portion. As will be described later, when the toner cartridge 7 is moved to the mounted position, the discharge opening 711 faces the receiving opening 531. When toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5, the toner replenishing valve 200 is opened so that at least a portion of the receiving opening 531 is positioned below at least a portion of the discharge opening 711. Then, the toner contained in the toner accommodating portion 710 is discharged through the discharge opening 711, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 711 enters the developing-side accommodating portion 530 through the receiving opening 531. On the other hand, if the toner replenishing valve 200 is closed, the toner contained in the toner accommodating portion 710 will not enter the developing-side accommodating portion 530.

[0016] Toner supply valve 200 and toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 An example of the configuration of toner supply valve 200 and toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 will be described below. Toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 opens toner supply valve 200 using an electric drive source. The drive source may be, for example, a motor, a linear motor, or a solenoid. Toner supply valve 200 is a sliding lid that slides along the case of toner cartridge 7. Toner supply valve 200 remains closed unless opened by toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201, and remains open once opened.

[0017] Toner supply valve 200 has a protrusion that faces the outside of toner cartridge 7, for example. When toner cartridge 7 is installed in tray 8, the protrusion of toner supply valve 200 in the closed state is positioned at a distance that roughly contacts the engagement portion of toner supply valve opening / closing portion 201. When toner supply valve opening / closing portion 201 is driven in the opening direction, the engagement portion pushes the protrusion of toner supply valve 200 in the closed state in the opening direction, thereby opening toner supply valve 200. While toner cartridge 7 is being used for image formation, toner supply valve 200 remains open. When replacing toner cartridge 7, toner supply valve 200 should be oriented so that it faces the top of toner cartridge 7, preventing toner from scattering outside the toner cartridge during replacement. In this case, the worker performing the replacement should close toner supply valve 200 before performing the replacement.

[0018] Of course, this configuration is merely one example, and other configurations for opening and closing toner replenishing valve 200 with toner replenishing valve opening / closing unit 201 may be employed. For example, toner replenishing valve 200 may be biased in the closed state by an elastic body such as a spring. This allows it to maintain the closed state unless it is opened by toner replenishing valve opening / closing unit 201. In this configuration, for example, when toner replenishing valve 200 is pushed in the opening direction, toner replenishing valve 200 is locked in the open state, and when it is pushed in the opening direction again in this state, the lock is released and toner replenishing valve 200, biased by the spring, closes.

[0019] The toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 may be provided for each tray, or a single unit may be used commonly for toner cartridges of each color. If provided for each tray, it may be provided in a position where it can drive the engaging portion of the toner supply valve 200 when the toner cartridge 7 is attached to the tray 8 and stored in the rotary 9, for example, directly above the toner cartridge 7. In this case, electrodes (contacts) described below may also be provided for each tray. Furthermore, the necessary electrical wiring may be passed through the shaft of the rotary 9 and led to the outside of the rotary 9 via electrodes that slide as the rotary 9 rotates. The led wiring is input to the control unit described below.

[0020] On the other hand, if a common toner replenishing valve opening / closing portion 201 is provided for each color toner cartridge, the toner replenishing valve 200 of the toner cartridge 7 for each color component is opened and closed by that single toner replenishing valve opening / closing portion 201. For this reason, the toner replenishing valve opening / closing portion 201 is located in a position independent of the rotation of the rotary 9. For example, when the rotary 9 is in the replacement position, the toner replenishing valve 200 may be positioned so that it can be moved from the end face of the toner cartridge 7 to be replaced. This position may be, for example, the end face of the toner cartridge 7, i.e., the end face of the rotary 9. For this purpose, the end face of the rotary 9 may be provided with a notch that exposes the electrodes (described below) provided on the toner cartridge 7 and that allows the protrusion for opening and closing the toner replenishing valve 200 to be driven by the toner replenishing valve opening / closing portion 201. The notch that exposes the electrodes to the outside of the rotary 9 and the notch that exposes the protrusion of the toner replenishing valve 200 to the outside of the rotary 9 may be located on different end faces of the rotary 9. Furthermore, the toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 may be provided on both end surfaces of the rotary 9. With this configuration, the toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 shared by each tray can control the opening and closing of the toner supply valves 200 for the toner cartridges of all colors.

[0021] (Image forming operation by image forming device) The image forming operation in this embodiment will be described. In Fig. 1, 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 10. The surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is then uniformly charged by the charging roller 3. At the same time, the exposure device 4 irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light for a yellow image, forming a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2.

[0022] Simultaneously with the formation of this electrostatic latent image, the rotary 9, which is a rotatable support, rotates to stop the yellow developing unit 5a at a developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2. The rotary 9 is rotated by a drive source (not shown). At the developing position, the developing roller 51a provided in the yellow developing unit 5a contacts the photosensitive drum 2 and develops the electrostatic latent image with yellow toner. That is, the rotary 9 supports the developing units 5a-5d and rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) in FIG. 1, thereby sequentially moving the four developing units 5a-5d it supports one by one to the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2. The developing units positioned at the developing position develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 according to the color of the toner they contain. The RS rollers 52a-52d rotate in the same direction as the developing rollers 51a-51d or in the opposite direction, scraping off the toner remaining on the developing rollers 51a-51d and supplying new toner.

[0023] After the electrostatic latent image is developed, the yellow toner formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10 by a primary transfer roller 11 disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 10 .

[0024] The primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed as described above. Then, the developing units 5a to 5d of each color, magenta, cyan, and black, are sequentially rotated by the rotation of the rotary 9 and stop at the developing position 9X (see FIG. 3(a)) facing the photosensitive drum 2. Then, in the same manner as for yellow, electrostatic latent images are formed, developed, and primarily transferred sequentially for each color, magenta, cyan, and black. As a result, toner images of the four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10.

[0025] During this time, the secondary transfer roller 12 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10. At this time, the cleaning device 13 that removes residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is also not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10.

[0026] Meanwhile, sheets S as recording media are stacked and stored in a sheet storage unit 300 provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The sheets S are, for example, sheet-like media (sheet material or cut sheets) obtained by cutting paper or the like to a predetermined size, and are fed by a pick roller 310. After being separated into individual sheets by a feed roller 311 and a separation roller 312, the sheets are fed to a pair of conveying rollers 320. The pair of conveying rollers 320 sends the fed sheets S to a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the secondary transfer roller 12. The four-color toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 are transferred (secondary transfer) all at once onto the surface of the conveyed sheet S.

[0027] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 40. In the fixing device 40, the sheet S is heated and pressurized, and the toner image is fixed onto the sheet S. As a result, a color image is formed on the sheet S. Then, the sheet S is discharged from the fixing device 40.

[0028] As described above, in the image forming operation of this embodiment, the image forming units such as the photosensitive drum 2, the developing rollers 51a to 51d, and the intermediate transfer belt 10 are rotated by a drive source (not shown). In addition, the paper feed and conveyance units such as the pick roller 310, the feed roller 311, and the conveyance roller pair 320, and the fixing device 40 are also rotated by a drive source (not shown).

[0029] (Rotary configuration) The configuration of the rotary 9 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary 9 and its surroundings. Figure 4 is an external view of the rotary 9.

[0030] As described above, the toner cartridges 7a to 7d are detachable from the rotary 9, and when the toner in the toner cartridges 7a to 7b runs out, the user can replace the toner cartridges 7a to 7d. When replacing the toner cartridges, the rotary 9 is stopped at the toner cartridge replacement position 9Y (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0031] FIG. 3(a) shows a cross section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when it is stopped at the developing position 9X. FIG. 3(b) shows a cross section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when it is stopped at the toner cartridge replacement position 9Y. As shown in FIG. 3(a), four trays 8a to 8d are arranged within the rotary 9, and toner cartridges 7a to 7d are held in the trays 8a to 8d, respectively. At this time, the toner cartridges 7a to 7d are attached to the developing units 5a to 5d. In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 7d containing black toner (hereinafter referred to as the black toner cartridge 7d) is larger in size than the toner cartridges of other colors and can hold more toner. The toner cartridges of other colors are toner cartridges 7a to 7c containing yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner (hereinafter referred to as the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the magenta toner cartridge 7b, and the cyan toner cartridge 7c). Therefore, tray 8d holding black toner cartridge 7d is larger than trays 8a-8c holding yellow toner cartridge 7a, magenta toner cartridge 7b, and cyan toner cartridge 7c. In other words, four toner cartridges 7a-7d and trays 8a-8d of different sizes are arranged inside rotary 9. Toner from each of toner cartridges 7a-7d is supplied to developing frames 53a-53d of developing unit 5 and used for development by developing rollers 51a-51d.

[0032] Here, the rotary 9 is supported so as to be able to swing about a swing shaft 91. At the development position 9X, the developing roller 51a is biased by a biasing member (not shown) to contact the photosensitive drum 2. As the rotary 9 rotates clockwise in the figure and moves to the toner cartridge replacement position 9Y, a separation mechanism (not shown) causes the rotary 9 to swing about the swing shaft 91, separating the developing roller 51a from the photosensitive drum 2. At the toner cartridge replacement position 9Y, the black toner cartridge 7d is stopped in a position facing the door 14 provided on the front of the image forming apparatus main body 1. In this state, the user can replace the black toner cartridge 7d by sliding the tray 8d from its attachment position in the development unit 5d to the outside of the rotary 9. The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described later.

[0033] The rotational drive of the rotary 9 will be described with reference to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, disk gears 92a and 92b are formed on both ends of the rotary 9. Furthermore, rotary drive gears 93a and 93b are connected to both ends of the swing shaft 91 so as to be capable of transmitting drive force. Here, a drive source (not shown) is transmitted to the rotary drive gear 93b, and the drive force is transmitted to the disk gears 92a and 92b by the rotary drive gears 93a and 93b, thereby rotating the rotary 9.

[0034] (Toner cartridge replacement operation) The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an external view of the image forming apparatus main body 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary and its surroundings when replacing the toner cartridge.

[0035] Fig. 5(a) shows the appearance of the image forming apparatus main body 1 during image forming operation and in standby mode. At this time, the door 14 is closed. Fig. 5(b) shows the appearance of the image forming apparatus main body 1 when the toner cartridge is being replaced. At this time, the door 14 is open, and the tray 8 and toner cartridge 7 have moved to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0036] The toner cartridge replacement operation will now be described. First, when a user instructs the image forming apparatus main body 1 to replace a toner cartridge (for example, by pressing the replacement button), the rotary 9 rotates to the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7 to be replaced (the toner cartridge 7 that has run out of toner) and stops. Next, a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) slides the tray 8 and toner cartridge 7 from their attachment positions in the development unit 5 to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1. At this time, the door 14 is rotatably supported relative to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the sliding movement of the tray 8 opens the door 14 (the state shown in FIG. 5(b)). Here, because the toner cartridge 7 is detachably held in the tray 8, the user can perform the replacement by removing the toner cartridge 7 from the tray 8 and installing a new one, as shown in FIG. 5(c). Note that if multiple toner cartridges 7 are to be replaced, the replacement process can be performed by repeating the above steps.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a cross section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when replacing the toner cartridge. As shown in Figure 6, when replacing the toner cartridge, the user installs or removes the toner cartridge 7d from the tray 8d, so the entire toner cartridge 7d protrudes from the front of the image forming apparatus main body 1. This is the state shown in Figure 5(b). In addition, a toner tray storage detection sensor 99 is provided, which makes it possible to determine whether the tray 8 has been inserted and stored.

[0038] An example of a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) is a configuration in which a rack is arranged along the sliding direction of the tray 8, and a gear meshed with the rack is driven to rotate, thereby moving the tray in the replacement position in and out of the rotary. This configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 22 to 25.

[0039] (Tray arrangement in the rotary) 22 and 23, the arrangement of the trays 8a to 8d in the rotary 9 will be described. Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the trays 8a to 8d in the rotary 9. Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the trays 8a to 8d in the rotary 9.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 22, trays 8a to 8d are provided with toner cartridge holding portions 81a to 81d and tray rails 82a to 82d, respectively (toner cartridge holding portions 81a to 81b are not shown). Tray rails 82a to 82d are provided at both ends of the toner cartridge holding portions 81a to 81d. Rack portions 821a to 821d are formed on tray rails 82a to 82d. Rack gears 94a to 94d are rotatably held within the rotary 9, and the rack gears 94a to 94d are engaged with the rack portions 821a to 821d, respectively, so as to transmit driving force.

[0041] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, four trays 8a to 8d are arranged in a stacked manner inside the rotary 9. The tray insertion and removal directions are rotated by 90 degrees (in the direction of the arrows in the figures). Therefore, the yellow tray 8a and cyan tray 8c, and the magenta tray 8b and black tray 8d are each held so that they can slide in the same direction. Each tray is displaced between a position housed inside the rotary 9 and a position ejected outside the rotary 9. (Tray Insertion and Removal Drive Structure) 24 and 25, a drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8a to 8d arranged in rotary 9 will be described. Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays.

[0042] FIG. 24(a) shows a state in which tray 8d is inside rotary 9 (i.e., a state in which toner cartridge 7d is attached to developing unit 5d). This position of the tray or cartridge is also referred to as the second position. FIG. 24(b) shows a state in which tray 8d has slid outside rotary 9. This position of the tray or cartridge is also referred to as the first position. As mentioned above, two rack portions 821d are formed at both ends. Two rack gears 94d and two drive racks 15 are also disposed at positions corresponding to the rack portions 821d at both ends. Tray 8d is held relative to rotary 9 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to tray rail 82d. Drive rack 15 is held relative to image forming apparatus main body 1 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. Here, only tray 8d of the four trays 8a to 8d is shown, but the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8a to 8c is similar.

[0043] 25(a) and (b), a tray insertion / removal operation for sliding the tray 8d from inside the rotary 9 (the position where the toner cartridge 7d is attached to the development unit 5d) to the outside will be described. The tray 8d insertion / removal operation is performed by a drive source (not shown), drive rack 15, rack gear 94d, and rack portion 821d. First, the drive force transmitted by the drive source causes the drive rack 15 to slide upward in the image forming apparatus main body 1 and transmits the drive force to the rack gear 94. The rack gear 94 rotates counterclockwise and transmits the drive force to the rack portion 821d, causing the tray 8d to slide from the position where the toner cartridge 7d is attached to the development unit 5d toward the outside of the rotary 9.

[0044] Furthermore, after replacing the toner cartridge, the tray 8d can be slid into the rotary 9 by rotating the drive source in the opposite direction to the direction used to slide the tray 8d out of the rotary 9. In this case, the drive rack slides downward in the image forming apparatus main body 1, thereby drawing the tray 8d into the rotary 9. Note that "inside the rotary 9" refers to the position where the toner cartridge 7d is attached to the development unit 5d.

[0045] Furthermore, the position where the toner cartridge 7 is outside the rotary 9 may be referred to as the first position of the toner cartridge 7 or tray 8, and the position where the toner cartridge 7 is inside the rotary 9 may be referred to as the second position of the toner cartridge 7 or tray 8. The first and second positions are the positions of the tray 8 or toner cartridge 7 shown in Figures 25(b) and 25(a), respectively. Furthermore, when focusing on multiple toner cartridges, the position where the toner cartridge 7 is outside the rotary 9 may be referred to as the third position of the toner cartridge 7 or tray 8. In this case, the position where the toner cartridge 7 is inside the rotary 9 may be referred to as the fourth position of the toner cartridge 7 or tray 8.

[0046] (Contact configuration between tray and toner cartridge) The contact configuration between the main body frame 100 and the toner cartridges 7a to 7d will be described using Figure 26. Figure 26 is a perspective view showing the connection between the main body and a contact portion 102 provided on the tray. The contact portion 102 is connected via a conductive member 261 to an electric board (not shown) provided on the main body frame 100 and including a control portion, a toner cartridge detection portion, a drive control portion, etc., which will be described later. The conductive member 261 is a metal spring or the like, which is fixed and insulated from the main body frame 100, holds the contact portion 102 in a fixed position relative to the tray 8, and has elasticity to ensure reliable contact with the contact 101 of the toner cartridge.

[0047] After toner cartridge 7d is installed in tray 8d and tray 8d begins to move from a first position where it is ejected from rotary 9 to a second position where it is housed in rotary 9, contact 101 abuts contact portion 102 either midway through or after the tray 8d has moved. Specifically, contact portions 101A and 101B of contact 101 connect to contact members 102A and 102B of contact portion 102, respectively. This generates a current corresponding to the resistance value of resistor 1021 in the circuit shown in FIG. 7(a), and the input potential to A / D 109C drops according to the resistance value of resistor 1021. It becomes possible to detect that toner cartridge 7d has been installed in tray 8d. While only tray 8d out of four trays 8a-8d and toner cartridge 7d out of four toner cartridges 7a-d are shown here, the contact configurations of trays 8a-8c and toner cartridges 7a-c are similar.

[0048] The contact 101 on the toner cartridge is sometimes referred to as the contact portion, and the contact portion on the tray of the main body is sometimes referred to as the contacted portion. The contact 101 on the toner cartridge 7 and the contact portion 102 on the main body side do not need to be in direct contact. Since the toner cartridge 7 is placed on the tray 8, an intermediate contact that contacts the contact 101 may be provided on the tray 8, and this intermediate contact may be exposed to the outside of the tray 8 so that the intermediate contact comes into contact with the contact portion 102 on the main body side. The contact portions may be distinguished depending on the cartridge, with the contact portion on the first cartridge being referred to as the first contact portion, the contact portion on the second cartridge being referred to as the second contact portion, etc. Furthermore, the current value depending on the cartridge may be distinguished by being referred to as the first current, the second current, etc.

[0049] (Toner cartridge identification configuration) A method for identifying a toner cartridge will be described using Figures 7 to 11. Figure 7 shows the configuration of a discrimination unit provided in a toner cartridge and the configuration of a detection unit for discriminating toner cartridges within image forming apparatus 1. Figure 9 shows the flow from when toner cartridge 7 is inserted during replacement, through discrimination by the discrimination unit, to the completion of the insertion operation. Figure 10 shows the detected voltage value of the A / D port in CPU 110 when identifying toner cartridge 7, from when toner cartridge 7 is inserted until insertion is complete. Note that in this embodiment, black toner cartridge 7d will be described as an example, but the other toner cartridges 7a to 7c can also be identified using a similar configuration.

[0050] In FIG. 7(a), a contact 101 having two contact portions 101A and 101B is provided on the end surface of toner cartridge 7d, and a resistive element 1021 is provided inside toner cartridge 7d for identification purposes. One terminal of resistive element 1021 is connected to contact portion 101A, and the other is connected to contact portion 101B. This connection may be by soldering, for example, or may be configured so as to be sandwiched between metal plates or the like for contact. The resistance value of resistive element 1021 is set to a different value for each of toner cartridges 7a to 7d so that each of toner cartridges 7a to 7d can be identified by an A / D port, which will be described later.

[0051] Furthermore, inside the image forming apparatus 1, there is a contact portion 102 provided with contact members 102A and 102B such as leaf springs, which are configured to come into contact with the contact points 101A and 101B described above when the toner cartridge 7d is inserted. The contact portion 102 may be provided on the tray 8 as described above, or may be provided outside the rotary 9.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7B, the contact members 102A and 102B are, for example, leaf springs and are connected as follows. Although leaf springs are used in this embodiment, other contact methods may be used. Furthermore, the contact member 102B is connected to GND (i.e., grounded), and the contact member 102A is connected via a resistor 103 and a series resistor 131 to an A / D port 109C of the CPU 110, which controls the image forming apparatus 1. The other side of the resistor 103 is connected to a power supply Vref. When the contact members 102A and 102B come into contact with the contact portions 101A and 101B, the input voltage to the A / D port 109C changes depending on the resistance value of the resistor 102. While the A / D port 109C may be a port of the CPU 110, FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration in which the A / D port 109C is an input port of an A / D converter, and a digitized value is input to the CPU 110 via the resistor 103.

[0053] The input voltage is converted by A / D port 109C into a digital value corresponding to the voltage and input to CPU 110. CPU 110 executes a program stored in memory 111 to store the input digital value in memory 111, for example, and controls toner supply valve control unit 112 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 11 (to be described later) to open or not open toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201.

[0054] FIG. 8 shows the contact state between contact 101 of toner cartridge 7d and contact member 102 of the image forming apparatus after toner cartridge 7d is inserted and before the insertion is complete. FIG. 8(a) shows the state before contact members 101A and 101B come into contact with contact members 102A and 102B, and this is the state before tray 8 with toner cartridge 7 attached is housed in rotary 9. FIG. 8(b) shows the state when contact members 101A and 101B come into contact with contact members 102A and 102B, and this state occurs temporarily while tray 8 with toner cartridge 7 attached is being housed in rotary 9. FIG. 8(c) shows the state after contact between contact members 101A and 101B and contact members 102A and 102B is complete, and this state occurs when tray 8 is further inserted into rotary 9 from the state shown in FIG. 8(b). That is, when the tray 8 with the toner cartridge 7 attached is stored in the rotary 9, it goes through the states shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c). Of these, in Figure 8(b), the contact portions 101A, 101B come into contact with the contact members 102A, 102B, forming a closed circuit including the resistor 102, causing current to flow through the resistor 102 inside the toner cartridge 7, and the voltage of the A / D 109c changes depending on the resistance value. The resistance value differs depending on the color of toner contained in the toner cartridge, so it is possible to detect which color toner cartridge has been inserted based on this voltage value.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows the positions of contacts 101 in toner cartridge 7 and contact portion 102 in image forming apparatus 1, as well as the flow from insertion to completion when replacing toner cartridge 7. As shown in FIG. 9, contact portion 102 is located midway between when toner cartridge 7d is inserted and when the door 14 is closed after the insertion is complete. A toner supply valve 200 with a sliding mechanism for replenishing toner is provided on the top of toner cartridge 7. This toner supply valve 200 is normally closed, but when replenishing toner, the toner supply valve 200 can be slid open to allow toner replenishment. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a toner supply valve opening / closing portion 201 for opening and closing this toner supply valve 200. For example, the toner supply valve 200 has a hook portion that is hooked by a mechanical component and slid using an electrical component such as a solenoid or motor as a driving source. The solenoid is driven to open the toner supply valve 200. This is merely an example, and other configurations are also possible.

[0056] If it is determined that the toner cartridge 7d is the specified toner cartridge, the toner supply valve is slid by the toner supply valve opening / closing part 201 to enable toner supply. On the other hand, if it is determined that the toner cartridge is not the specified toner cartridge, the toner supply valve 200 is not slid and the opening is kept closed.

[0057] Fig. 9(a) shows the state before the toner cartridge 7d is placed on the tray and the contact 101 and the contact member 102 of the image forming apparatus come into contact, Fig. 9(b) shows the state when the contact 101 and the contact member 102 are in contact, and Fig. 9(c) shows the state of the contact portion when insertion is complete. In each state, the contact portion 101 and the contact member 102 are in the states shown in Fig. 8(a), Fig. 8(b), and Fig. 8(c).

[0058] FIG. 10 shows the detected voltage values ​​of A / D port 109C from the time of toner cartridge 7 insertion to its completion when identifying a toner cartridge 7. The vertical axis represents voltage, and the horizontal axis represents time from the time of toner cartridge 7 insertion to its completion. In FIG. 10, before contact, i.e., in FIG. 9(a) shown in FIG. 9, contact portions 101A and 101B of toner cartridge 7d are not in contact with contact members 102A and 102B of the image forming apparatus, so a voltage of Vref (V) is input to the A / D port. When toner cartridge 7d is inserted and contact portions 101A and 101B come into contact with contact members 102A and 102B during insertion, i.e., in FIG. 9(b), the A / D port input voltage is the divided voltage of resistor 102 and resistor 103. Therefore, the voltage value is Vref × resistance value of resistor 102 / (resistance value of resistor 103 + resistance value of resistor 102). In the case of toner cartridge 7d, the divided voltage at the time of contact is Vd (V). Furthermore, when the cartridge 7d is further inserted inside, that is, in the state shown in FIG. 9(c) in FIG. 9, 101A, 101B and 102A, 102B are again in a non-contact state, and the voltage Vref is input.

[0059] If the resistance value of resistor 103 is R and the resistance values ​​of resistor 102 are Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd for YMCK, respectively, Va to Vd in Fig. 10 are as follows. Va to Vd are sometimes called the reference voltages for each color. Va=Vref×Ra / (R+Ra) Vb = Vref × Rb / (R + Rb) Vc=Vref×Rc / (R+Rc) Vd=Vref×Rd / (R+Rd). These voltage values ​​are converted into digital values ​​by an A / D converter and input to the CPU 110, where the voltage values ​​are detected.

[0060] As mentioned above, resistor 102 has different resistance values ​​Ra through Rd for each color of toner cartridge 7, i.e., 7a through 7d. Therefore, the divided voltage when 101A, 101B and 102A, 102B come into contact differs for each cartridge. This makes it possible to determine which toner cartridge is inserted. In this example, the resistance values ​​are set so that toner cartridges 7a > 7b > 7c > 7d, so the divided voltages are Va > Vb > Vc > Vd, but this is not necessarily the case. Furthermore, because the detected voltage varies for each individual toner cartridge, it is desirable to compare the voltage to a certain range (for example, within ±5%).

[0061] In this way, by determining in advance which toner cartridge tray the toner cartridge to be replaced is, and comparing the detected voltage with the preset voltage value of each toner cartridge, it is possible to determine whether or not it is the specified toner cartridge. The toner cartridge to be replaced may be specified from an operation unit such as an operation panel provided on the image forming apparatus, for example.

[0062] Next, the flow of determining whether or not a toner cartridge is specified will be explained using a flowchart. This flowchart is shown in Figure 11. The flowchart in Figure 11 shows the steps of a program that is read from memory 111 and executed by CPU 110. In other words, each step in Figure 11 is executed by CPU 111.

[0063] First, it is determined whether to replace a toner cartridge (S100), and if so, which toner cartridge to replace (S101). These determinations and determinations can be made based on instructions from the user via the operation unit. For example, if an instruction to replace the black toner cartridge is given via the operation unit, it can be determined that a toner cartridge replacement is required, and that the toner cartridge to be replaced is the black toner cartridge 7d.

[0064] First, the CPU 110 determines whether the toner cartridge to be replaced based on the instruction is the yellow toner cartridge 7a (S102). If it is the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the CPU 110 rotates the rotary 9 to move the yellow tray 8a to the replacement position (also called the cartridge replacement opening 14) (S103). If the image forming apparatus 1 has a function (called a tray movement function) for moving the tray 8 at the replacement position between a state where it is stored in the rotary 9 and a state where it is exposed from the door 14, the tray 8a may be moved to the outside of the door 14 in S103. Otherwise, the operator may manually pull out the tray 8a from the door 14.

[0065] In this state, the worker removes toner cartridge 7b from tray 8a and replaces it with a new toner cartridge. If the image forming apparatus has a tray movement function, for example, after replacement, the worker performs an operation indicating that the toner cartridge has been replaced, and in response, CPU 110 moves tray 8a into rotary 9. If the image forming apparatus does not have a tray movement function, the worker manually pushes tray 8a into rotary 9.

[0066] After S103, the CPU 110 monitors whether the voltage value Vad input to the A / D port has changed (S104). In the state of S103, the detected voltage value is Vref, so fluctuations from that value are monitored. However, a certain degree of fluctuation is allowed, so if the voltage changes beyond a predetermined value, it may be determined that a change has occurred. The predetermined value may be set as a percentage (e.g., 10 percent), or it may be determined that a change has occurred if the voltage changes beyond an intermediate value (e.g., (Vref-Va) / 2) between the voltage value and the expected voltage value after the change.

[0067] If it is determined that a change has occurred, the CPU 110 determines whether the voltage Vad detected after the change is equal to the reference voltage for the color of the lamp to be replaced (S105). In this case, since the lamp to be replaced is yellow, it determines whether Vad and Va are equal. Note that, taking into account errors such as individual differences, the allowable range of agreement is set to 5% above or below the reference value.

[0068] If it is determined in S105 that there is a match, the CPU 110 determines whether the toner cartridge 7 to be replaced has been completely accommodated in the rotary 9 (S106). This determination may be made, for example, based on a signal detected by the tray accommodation detection sensor 99. Alternatively, the positional relationship between the contact portion 101 and the contact member may be determined so that accommodation of the tray 8 is complete when the detected voltage Vad returns from a voltage corresponding to a color component to Vfd. In this way, it can be determined that accommodation of the tray 8 and toner cartridge 7 in the rotary 9 is complete when the detected voltage Vad returns from a voltage corresponding to a color component to Vfd.

[0069] When the installation of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, the CPU 110 controls the toner supply valve open / close control unit 112 to drive the toner supply valve open / close unit 201 and open the toner supply valve 200 of the yellow toner cartridge 7a (S107).

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined in S105 that there is no match, the CPU 110 leaves the toner supply valve 200 closed and outputs a warning, for example, by display or sound, indicating that the color of the cartridge 7 is a cartridge of a color that does not correspond to the tray 8 (S109). At this time, if the image forming apparatus has a tray movement function, the yellow tray 8a may be ejected outside the rotary 9. This operation may be performed in accordance with the level of the warning output.

[0071] If the toner cartridge to be replaced is not yellow, CPU 110 determines whether it is magenta (S110), and if not, determines whether it is cyan (S114). If it is magenta, CPU 110 performs the same processes as S103 to S105 in S111 to S113. However, because the color to be replaced is magenta, the tray and reference voltage are those for magenta, i.e., tray 8b, and reference voltage Vb, which differs from S103 to S105. If it is cyan, CPU 110 performs the same processes as S103 to S105 in S115 to S117. However, because the color to be replaced is cyan, the tray and reference voltage are those for cyan, i.e., tray 8c, and reference voltage Vc, which differs from S103 to S105. If it is neither of these colors, the replacement is a block, and CPU 110 performs the same processes as S103 to S105 in S119 to S121. However, since the color to be replaced is black, the tray and reference voltage are those for black, that is, tray 8d and reference voltage Vd, which is different from S103 to S105.

[0072] This operation determines whether the developer container, i.e., toner cartridge, has been replaced and whether the replaced developer container, i.e., toner cartridge, is compatible with the tray. If the result of the determination is that the wrong color toner cartridge has been inserted, the toner opening / closing part, i.e., the lid, will not be opened, thereby preventing toner of different colors from being mixed together in the developing unit.

[0073] <Embodiment 2> A method for identifying a toner cartridge according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0074] In the first embodiment, a resistor and a contact portion are provided in the toner cartridge 7 to distinguish the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge is distinguished by the resistance value. In contrast, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge is provided with multiple contacts, and the inserted toner cartridge 7 is distinguished by the state between the contacts (open or short-circuited). Therefore, the configuration in which the toner cartridge 7 is provided with the toner supply valve 200 and the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with the toner supply valve opening / closing portion 201 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0075] 12 to 16 show the configuration of a discrimination unit provided in the toner cartridge and the configuration of a detection unit for discriminating the toner cartridge in the image forming apparatus 1. FIG.

[0076] 12, the end surface of the toner cartridge 7 is provided with a contact 104 having four contact portions 104A1, 104A2, 104B1, and 104B2, which will be described later in FIG. 13. These contact portions are made up of two pairs of contact portions (or electrodes): contact portion 104A1 and contact portion 104A2, and contact portion 104B1 and contact portion 104B2.

[0077] Figure 13 is a detailed view of this contact portion 104. As shown in Figure 13, the state between contact portions 104A1 and 104A2 and between contact portions 104B1 and 104B2, whether open or shorted, differs for each color of toner cartridge 7, and the toner cartridge 7 can be identified by detecting this state.

[0078] For example, in the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 and the contacts 104B1 and 104B2 are both open. In the magenta toner cartridge 7b, the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 are connected by conductor 1041 and shorted, and the contacts 104B1 and 104B2 are open. In the cyan toner cartridge 7c, the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 are open and the contacts 104B1 and 104B2 are shorted. In the black toner cartridge 7c, the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 are shorted, and the contacts 104B1 and 104B2 are also shorted.

[0079] 12, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a contact unit 105 having contact members 105A1, 105A2, 105B1, 105B2 such as leaf springs. The contact members 105A1, 105A2, 105B1, 105B2 are positioned corresponding to the contact points 104A1, 104A2, 104B1, 104B2, respectively, when the toner cartridge 7 is inserted. The contact members 105A1, 105A2, 105B1, 105B2 are, for example, leaf springs, as shown in FIG. 14. While leaf springs are used in this embodiment, other contact methods may be used. Similar to the first embodiment, the contact member 105 is positioned midway between the insertion of the toner cartridge 7 and the completion of the insertion and the closing of the door 14. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 7 is placed on the tray 8 and housed in the rotary 9, the corresponding contact points and the contact members come into contact with each other during the insertion.

[0080] 12, contact members 105A2 and 105B2 are connected to GND (ground), and contact member 105A2 is connected via resistor 106 and series resistor 107 to I / O port 110A of CPU 110, which controls image forming apparatus 1. The other side of resistor 106 is connected to power supply Vref. Contact member 105B2 has a similar configuration, and is connected via resistor 108 and series resistor 109 to I / O port 110B of CPU 110, which controls image forming apparatus 1. The other side of resistor 108 is connected to power supply Vref. The resistance values ​​of each resistor in FIG. 12 may be adjusted so that the input voltage to I / O ports 110A and 110B is the same as the signal level of CPU 110. Therefore, the signal level of I / O port 110A (and I / O port 110B) is low when contact A shown in FIG. 13 is shorted, and high when it is open. However, instead of inputting the signal directly to the IO port of the CPU 110, the signal may be digitized through A / D conversion and input to the CPU 110 as in the first embodiment. In this case, the input signal may also indicate either a high level or a low level. In either case, it is sufficient if the CPU 110 can obtain information indicating whether the contacts 104A and 104B are shorted or open.

[0081] FIG. 15 is a top view of the toner cartridge 7, showing the transition of the contact state between the contact portions 104A1 and 104A2 of the toner cartridge 7 and the contact members 105A1 and 105A2 of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 15(a) shows the state before contact, FIG. 15(b) shows the state during contact, and FIG. 15(c) shows the state of the contact portions after contact and when the toner cartridge is completely inserted. In the contact state of FIG. 15(b), if the contact portions 104A1 and 104A2 are short-circuited, the contact members 105A1 and 105A2 are connected. On the other hand, if the contact portions 104A1 and 104A2 are open, the contact members 105A1 and 105A2 are not connected. Furthermore, during the process from FIG. 15(a) to FIG. 15(b) and the process from FIG. 15(b) to FIG. 15(c), it is possible that only one of the contact portions comes into contact with the contact members. In this case, however, even if the contact portion 104A1 and the contact portion 104A2 are short-circuited, the contact members 105A1 and 105A2 will not be connected to each other.

[0082] Therefore, the CPU 110 distinguishes between toner cartridges by detecting the signal values ​​of the I / O ports 110A and 110B. Due to this configuration, the states of the I / O ports 110A and 110B change depending on whether the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 and the contacts 104B1 and 104B2 of the toner cartridge 7d are open or shorted, respectively. The states are H level when open and L level when shorted, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0083] 16, the leftmost column shows the names of the colors of the toner cartridges 7: yellow 7a, magenta 7b, cyan 7c, and black 7d. The two columns to the right of this column show the contact states, and in parentheses show the high (H level) and low (L level) voltage levels input to I / O 110A and 110B.

[0084] In the case of yellow 7a, both 104A1-104A2 and 104B1-104B2 are open, and in this case both are at the H level. In the case of magenta 7b, 104A1-104A2 are shorted, so they are at the L level, and 104B1-104B2 are open, so they are at the H level. In the case of cyan 7c, 104A1-104A2 are open, so they are at the H level, and 104B1-104B2 are shorted, so they are at the L level. In the case of black 7d, both 104A1-104A2 and 104B1-104B2 are shorted, so both are at the L level. This makes it possible to determine which color toner cartridge 7 has been inserted. However, for the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the values ​​of IO ports 110A and 110B remain at the H level until the toner cartridge 7a is replaced and placed in the rotary 9. Therefore, if the yellow toner cartridge 7a is the one to be replaced, the tray storage detection sensor 99 determines that the replaced toner cartridge is the yellow toner cartridge 7a when it detects that the tray has been stored. The tray storage detection sensor 99 detects the toner cartridge 7 attached to the tray 8, not the tray 8. With this configuration, even if the tray 8 is stored in the rotary 9 without a toner cartridge attached, the toner cartridge 7 will not be detected as having been stored.

[0085] Next, the flow of determining whether or not the toner cartridge is the specified one will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 17. The procedure of Fig. 17 is also realized by the CPU 110 executing a program stored in the memory 111.

[0086] First, it is determined whether to replace a toner cartridge (S200), and if so, which toner cartridge to replace (S201). These determinations and distinctions can be made based on instructions from the user via the operation unit. For example, if an instruction to replace the black toner cartridge is given via the operation unit, it can be determined that a toner cartridge replacement is required, and that the toner cartridge to be replaced is the black toner cartridge 7d.

[0087] First, the CPU 110 determines whether the toner cartridge to be replaced based on the instruction is the yellow toner cartridge 7a (S202). If it is the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the CPU 110 rotates the rotary 9 to move the yellow tray 8a to the replacement position (also called the cartridge replacement opening 14) (S203). If the image forming apparatus 1 has a function (called a tray movement function) for moving the tray 8 at the replacement position between a state where it is stored in the rotary 9 and a state where it is exposed from the door 14, the tray 8a may be moved to the outside of the door 14 in S203. Otherwise, the operator may manually pull out the tray 8a from the door 14.

[0088] In this state, the worker removes toner cartridge 7b from tray 8a and replaces it with a new toner cartridge. If the image forming apparatus has a tray movement function, for example, after replacement, the worker performs an operation indicating that the toner cartridge has been replaced, and in response, CPU 110 moves tray 8a into rotary 9. If the image forming apparatus does not have a tray movement function, the worker manually pushes tray 8a into rotary 9.

[0089] After S203, the CPU 110 monitors the signal levels of the detectors, i.e., the signal levels of the I / O ports 110A and 110B, and determines whether at least one of them has changed from the H level (S204). In this embodiment, the contacts 104 of the yellow toner cartridge 7a are open between the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 and between the contacts 104B1 and 104B2. Therefore, even if the contact 105 contacts the contact 104 of the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the signal level of the I / O port 110A or 110B remains at the H level. If this signal level changes, it means that a toner cartridge that is incompatible with tray 8a has been installed. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 110 keeps the toner supply valve 200 closed and outputs a warning, for example, visual or audio, indicating that the color of cartridge 7 is incompatible with tray 8 (S206). At this time, if the image forming apparatus has a tray movement function, the yellow tray 8a may be ejected from the rotary 9. This operation may be performed according to the degree of warning output.

[0090] On the other hand, if there is no change in the signal level of either I / O port 110A or 110B, it is possible that the yellow toner cartridge 7a has been installed in tray 8a. In this case, the CPU 110 determines whether the toner cartridge 7 installed in tray 8a has been completely stored in the rotary 9 (S207). This determination may be made, for example, based on a signal detected by the tray storage detection sensor 99. Here, the tray storage detection sensor 99 detects that the tray has been stored by detecting the toner cartridge 7 installed in tray 8. This prevents the storage of an empty tray in the rotary 9 from being mistaken for a replacement of the yellow toner cartridge 7a.

[0091] If it is determined in S207 that the toner cartridge 7 has been completely stored in the rotary 9, this means that the toner cartridge 7 has been stored without any change in the signal level of the detection unit. Such a toner cartridge 7 can be determined to be the yellow toner cartridge 7a. Therefore, the CPU 110 controls the toner supply valve opening / closing control unit 112 to drive the toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 and open the toner supply valve 200 of the yellow toner cartridge 7a (S209).

[0092] If it is determined in S202 that the toner cartridge to be replaced is not yellow, it is then determined whether the toner cartridge to be replaced is magenta (S210). If the toner cartridge to be replaced is magenta toner cartridge 7b, CPU 110 moves magenta tray 8b to the replacement position (S211). The replacement procedure thereafter is the same as S203, except for the difference in toner cartridge color.

[0093] After S211, the CPU 110 monitors the signal levels of the detection units, i.e., the signal levels of the I / O ports 110A and 110B, and determines whether at least one of them has changed from the H level (S212). In this embodiment, the contacts 104 of the magenta toner cartridge 7b are shorted between the contacts 104A1 and 104A2 and open between the contacts 104B1 and 104B2. Therefore, when the detection units detect a change in the signal levels, the CPU 110 determines whether the signal levels after the change are LH, i.e., whether the I / O port 110A is at the L level and the I / O port 110B is at the H level (S213). Note that in the following description, the signal levels detected by the detection units are represented in the order of I / O port 110A, then I / O port 110B.

[0094] If the changed signal level is determined to be LH in S213, it can be determined that the replaced toner cartridge 7 is magenta toner cartridge 7b, and so CPU 110 waits for the toner cartridge to be stored in rotary 9 (S208). Once the toner cartridge has been stored, CPU 110 drives toner supply valve opening / closing unit 201 using toner supply valve control unit 112 to open toner supply valve 200 in S209.

[0095] On the other hand, if it is determined in S213 that the changed signal level is not LH, it can be determined that the replaced toner cartridge 7 is a toner cartridge of a color other than the magenta toner cartridge 7b. Therefore, the CPU 110 outputs a message indicating that the toner cartridge is incorrect in S206, or, if the necessary mechanism is provided, ejects the tray 8 containing the toner cartridge to be replaced.

[0096] If the replacement target is not determined to be a magenta toner cartridge in S210, CPU 110 determines whether it is a cyan toner cartridge (S214). If it is cyan, CPU 110 performs the same processes as S2111 to S213 in S215 to S217. However, because the color of the replacement target is cyan, the tray moved in S215 and the signal level of the I / O port determined in S217 are for cyan, i.e., tray 8c, signal level HL, which is different from S211 to S213. If the replacement target is neither of these colors, the replacement target is a block, so CPU 110 performs the same processes as S211 to S213 in S219 to S221. However, because the color of the replacement target is black, the tray moved in S219 and the signal level of the I / O port determined in S221 are for black, i.e., tray 8d, signal level LL, which is different from S211 to S213.

[0097] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge is provided with a different combination of conductive parts for each corresponding color component, and in response to the replacement operation, the detection unit of the image forming device passes electricity through the conductive parts and detects the conduction state (conduction or insulation). This makes it possible to identify the color component corresponding to the toner cartridge based on the fact that the toner cartridge has been replaced and the combination of the detected conduction states of the conductive parts.

[0098] The above-described configuration and operation enable the user to determine whether the replaced toner cartridge is the toner cartridge of the color to be replaced. Therefore, in this embodiment, a common toner cartridge, which is a developer container, can be used for each color. In this embodiment, the black toner cartridge is a separate container to increase capacity, but it may be common for the other colors.

[0099] <Embodiment 3> 18 to 21, a method for identifying a toner cartridge in this embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the toner cartridge was identified by changing the state (open, short) of the contacts of the toner cartridge 7 and detecting this state. In contrast, in this embodiment, a protrusion for identifying the toner cartridge is provided inside the toner cartridge 7, and a switch is provided inside the image forming device 1 and the state of the protrusion is detected by the switch, thereby identifying which toner cartridge 7 has been inserted.

[0100] 18 to 20 show the configuration of a discrimination unit provided in the toner cartridge and the configuration of a detection unit for discriminating the toner cartridge in the image forming apparatus 1. FIG.

[0101] As shown in Figure 18(a), the toner cartridge 7 is configured to have protrusions 120 having protrusions 120A-120D, which will be described later, with the number of protrusions varying for each color of toner cartridge 7. The protrusions of protrusions 120 come into contact with leaf springs 122 provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and press switch 121 via leaf spring 122, turning switch 121 from off to on. In this way, the color of toner cartridge 7 can be determined by the number of protrusions on the toner cartridge 7. For this reason, protrusions 120A-120D are provided at intervals such that switch 121 is off when leaf spring 122 is in the gap between each protrusion.

[0102] For example, as shown in Figure 18(b), the yellow toner cartridge 7a has one protrusion 120A, the magenta toner cartridge 7b has two protrusions 120A and 120B, the cyan toner cartridge 7c has three protrusions 120A, 120B, and 120C, and the black toner cartridge 7d has four protrusions 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D.

[0103] This state is shown in Figure 19. Figure 19(a) shows the state before the protrusion 120 comes into contact with the leaf spring 122. Figure 19(b) shows the state when the protrusion 120 is in contact with the leaf spring 122. Figure 19(c) shows the state when the protrusion 120 has come into contact with the leaf spring 122 and the cartridge 7 has been further inserted into the rotary 9. In Figures 19(a) and 19(c), the switch 121 is not pressed and is off. In contrast, in Figure 19(b), when the protrusion 120 is in contact with the leaf spring 122, the switch 121 is pressed via the leaf spring 122 and the switch 121 is turned on.

[0104] As in the first embodiment, the switch 121 and leaf spring 122 are positioned so that the state changes from the state shown in FIG. 19(a) to the state shown in FIG. 19(b) via the state shown in FIG. 19(c) when the toner cartridge 7 is inserted and the door 14 is closed after the insertion is complete. While a leaf spring is used in this embodiment, other means for pressing the switch may be used. As shown in FIG. 18(a), one side of the switch 121 is connected to GND, and the other side of the switch 121 is connected via a resistor 123 and a series resistor 124 to the I / O port 110 of the CPU 110, which controls the image forming apparatus 1. The other side of the resistor 123 is connected to a power supply Vref. With this configuration, in this embodiment, the signal input to the I / O port 110 becomes the input / output signal level (high level H or low level L) of the CPU 110.

[0105] Figure 20 shows the switch status of each color of toner cartridge 7. The leftmost column in this diagram shows the name of each color of toner cartridge 7: yellow toner cartridge 7a, magenta toner cartridge 7b, cyan toner cartridge 7c, and black toner cartridge 7d. The column to the right of this column shows the flow of time from when the toner cartridge 7 is attached to the tray until it is inserted. Going to the right, the flow of time is T1 → T2 → T3 → ... → T8.

[0106] The input signal to I / O port 110 changes depending on whether or not protrusions 120A to 120D are present on toner cartridge 7. When there are no protrusions, switch 121 is OFF and at H level, and when there are protrusions, switch 121 is ON and at L level. It is possible to determine which toner cartridge 7 has been inserted by how many times switch 121 changes to L level until the toner cartridge 7 is completely inserted.

[0107] Next, the flow of determining whether or not the toner cartridge is the specified one will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 21. The procedure of Fig. 21 is also realized by the CPU 110 executing a program stored in the memory 111.

[0108] First, it is determined whether to replace a toner cartridge (S300), and if so, which toner cartridge to replace (S301). These determinations and distinctions can be made based on instructions from the user via the operation unit. For example, if an instruction to replace the black toner cartridge is given via the operation unit, it can be determined that a toner cartridge replacement is required, and that the toner cartridge to be replaced is the black toner cartridge 7d.

[0109] First, the CPU 110 determines whether the toner cartridge to be replaced based on the instruction is the yellow toner cartridge 7a (S302). If it is the yellow toner cartridge 7a, the CPU 110 rotates the rotary 9 to move the yellow tray 8a to the replacement position (also called the cartridge replacement opening 14) (S303). If the image forming apparatus 1 has a function (called a tray movement function) for moving the tray 8 at the replacement position between a state where it is stored in the rotary 9 and a state where it is exposed from the door 14, the tray 8a may be moved to the outside of the door 14 in S303. Otherwise, the operator may manually pull out the tray 8a from the door 14.

[0110] In this state, the worker removes toner cartridge 7b from tray 8a and replaces it with a new toner cartridge. If the image forming apparatus has a tray movement function, for example, after replacement, the worker performs an operation indicating that the toner cartridge has been replaced, and in response, CPU 110 moves tray 8a into rotary 9. If the image forming apparatus does not have a tray movement function, the worker manually pushes tray 8a into rotary 9.

[0111] After S303, the CPU 110 stores the change in the signal level of the I / O port 110C in the memory 111 or the like (S304). Then, the CPU 110 waits until the toner cartridge 7 attached to the tray 8a has been completely stored in the rotary 9 (S305). This determination may be made, for example, based on a signal detected by the tray storage detection sensor 99. Unlike the second embodiment, the present embodiment can detect that the toner cartridge 7 is not attached to the tray 8 based on a change in the signal level of the I / O port 110C. Therefore, the tray storage detection sensor 99 of the present embodiment is only required to detect the storage of the tray 9, and does not necessarily need to detect that the toner cartridge 7 is attached thereto. Furthermore, during the standby loop of S304-S305, the CPU 110 acquires the signal of the I / O port 110C and continuously stores the change in the signal level.

[0112] If it is determined in S305 that the toner cartridge 7 has been completely stored, the CPU 110 determines whether the stored number of changes in the signal level of the detection unit is one (S306). The number of changes in the signal level here is the number of changes from H level to L level, with H level as the reference. The signal level of the detection unit, i.e., I / O port 110C, is H level when the tray 8 is outside the door 14, and since the yellow toner cartridge 7a has one protrusion, the signal level changes from H → L → H. Of these, the number of changes from H → L is determined in S306. Note that if changes from L → H are also included in the number of changes, instead of determining whether the number of changes is one, it is sufficient to determine whether the number of changes is twice as many, i.e., whether it is two.

[0113] If it is determined in S306 that the number of changes in the signal level is one, CPU 110 controls toner supply valve control unit 112 to open toner supply valve 200 (S307).

[0114] On the other hand, if it is determined in S306 that the number of changes in the signal level is not one, the CPU 110 determines whether there has been a change in the signal level of the detection unit (S308). If it is determined that there has been no change, then no toner cartridge 7 is installed in the tray 8. The CPU 110 then outputs a message indicating that no toner cartridge 7 is installed, or moves the empty tray 8 from the rotary 9 and ejects it outside the machine (S309). On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been a change, then it can be determined that a toner cartridge 7 that is not to be replaced is installed in the tray 8. The CPU 110 then outputs a message indicating that a toner cartridge 7 that is not to be replaced is installed, or moves the tray 8 with the replaced toner cartridge 7 from the rotary 9 and ejects it outside the machine (S310).

[0115] If it is determined in S302 that the toner cartridge to be replaced is not for yellow, then it is determined whether the toner cartridge to be replaced is for magenta (S311). If the toner cartridge to be replaced is not the magenta toner cartridge 7b, then the CPU 110 determines whether the toner cartridge to be replaced is for cyan (S316). If the toner cartridge to be replaced is not for cyan, then it can be determined that the toner cartridge to be replaced is for black.

[0116] If it is determined in S311 that the toner cartridge to be replaced is for magenta, CPU 110 executes S312-315, which are processes equivalent to S303-S306. S312-315 differ from S303-S306 in that the tray 8b for magenta is the one that is moved in S312 and for which completion of insertion is determined in S314, and the number of times the signal level of the detection unit has changed as determined in S315 is two.

[0117] If it is determined in S316 that the toner cartridge to be replaced is for cyan, CPU 110 executes S317-S320, which are processes equivalent to S303-S306. S317-S320 differ from S303-S306 in that the tray 8c for cyan is moved in S317 and the completion of insertion is determined in S319, and the number of times the signal level of the detection unit has changed is three.

[0118] If it is determined in S316 that the toner cartridge to be replaced is not for cyan, the CPU 110 executes S321-324, which are processes equivalent to S303-S306. S321-324 differ from S303-S306 in that the tray 8d for black is moved in S321 and the completion of insertion is determined in S323, and the number of times the signal level of the detection unit has changed as determined in S324 is four.

[0119] In this embodiment, a different number of protrusions are provided on the toner cartridge for each color component. Then, in response to the toner cartridge replacement operation, the detection unit of the image forming apparatus 1 identifies the number of protrusions and detects the color component of the corresponding toner cartridge. This makes it possible to detect (or identify) that a toner cartridge has been replaced and the color of the replaced toner cartridge.

[0120] The above-described configuration and operation enable the user to determine whether the replaced toner cartridge is the toner cartridge of the color to be replaced. Therefore, in this embodiment, a common toner cartridge, which is a developer container, can be used for each color. In this embodiment, the black toner cartridge is a separate container to increase capacity, but it may be common for the other colors.

[0121] As explained in the three embodiments above, even if the shape of the toner cartridge does not change for each color, the toner cartridge is provided with a characteristic part for identifying each color, and a detection part for detecting that characteristic part is provided in the image forming device main body. In this way, toner cartridges of each color can be identified. In particular, in all embodiments, the movement of the toner cartridge 7 when it is inserted into the rotary 9 is utilized, and in response to that movement, the circuit provided in the toner cartridge and the detection part of the image forming device cooperate to generate and detect a characteristic signal corresponding to each color. This makes it possible to determine whether the replaced toner cartridge is the expected toner cartridge.

[0122] Furthermore, instead of the resistors provided in the toner cartridges, coils or capacitors may be used. In such cases, an AC signal may be used as the detection signal. This makes it possible to detect the type (color component) of the toner cartridge according to the impedance of the toner cartridge circuit.

[0123] [Other Examples] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0124] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) An image forming apparatus in which a first cartridge containing a first developer and a second cartridge containing a second developer are detachably mountable, a rotary including a first developing chamber configured to accommodate the first developer supplied from the first cartridge and a second developing chamber configured to accommodate the second developer supplied from the second cartridge; a first tray that detachably supports the first cartridge and is displaceable relative to the rotary between a first position where the first cartridge is positioned outside the rotary and a second position where the first cartridge is positioned inside the rotary; a second tray that detachably supports the second cartridge and is displaceable relative to the rotary between a third position where the second cartridge is positioned outside the rotary and a fourth position where the first cartridge is positioned inside the rotary; a detection unit connected to a circuit having a contacted portion; Equipped with after the first cartridge supported by the first tray starts to move from the first position to the second position, a first contact portion of the first cartridge comes into contact with the contacted portion; When the first contact portion and the contacted portion come into contact with each other, a first current is generated in the circuit, and the detection portion detects a signal based on the first current; after the second cartridge supported by the first tray starts to move from the first position to the second position, a second contact portion of the second cartridge comes into contact with the contacted portion; When the second contact portion and the contacted portion come into contact with each other, a second current is generated in the circuit, and the detection portion detects a signal based on the second current. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 2) Item 1, the image forming apparatus according to item 1, the first cartridge has a first circuit including the first contact portion, the second cartridge has a second circuit including the second contact portion, the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be electrically connected to the contacted portion, and the first circuit and the second circuit have different resistance values ​​from each other; The first current is a current that corresponds to the resistance value of the first circuit, and the second current is a current that corresponds to the resistance value of the second circuit. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 3) Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, The first contact portion includes two electrodes, the first circuit includes a first resistor having terminals connected to the two electrodes, respectively, the second contact portion includes two electrodes, and the second circuit includes a second resistor having a resistance value different from that of the first resistor and having terminals connected to the two electrodes, respectively. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 4) Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 3, The detection unit detects that the contacted portion comes into contact with the first contact portion of the first cartridge or the second contact portion of the second cartridge and then separates from the first contact portion or the second contact portion in accordance with the movement of storing the first tray, thereby detecting completion of storing the first tray or the second tray in the rotary. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 5) Item 1, the image forming apparatus according to item 1, the first contact portion and the second contact portion include a combination of different conductive portions; The detection unit identifies a combination of the conductive portions in response to a movement of storing the first tray and detects that the cartridge corresponds to the first tray. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 6) Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to item 5, the combination of the conductive portions is configured by the presence or absence of electrical connection between at least two pairs of electrodes provided on the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and The detection unit identifies a combination of the conductive parts via the contacted parts that contact the at least two pairs of electrodes, and detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 7) Item 1, the image forming apparatus according to item 1, the first contact portion and the second contact portion include different numbers of protrusions; The detection unit identifies the number of the protrusions in response to the movement of storing the first tray and detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 8) Item 7. The image forming apparatus according to item 7, The protrusion is provided along the direction of movement for storing the first tray, The detection unit identifies the number of the protrusions using a switch that is turned on by the protrusions, and detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 9) Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8, a valve opening means for opening an open / close valve for supplying the developer contained in a cartridge attached to the first tray to the first developing chamber; a control means; and The control means opens the valve by the valve opening means when the detection unit detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 10) Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 9, further comprising a means for detecting that the first cartridge or the second cartridge has been housed in the rotary; The control means opens the valve by the valve opening means when the detection unit detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge and the first cartridge is stored in the rotary. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

[0125] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1 image forming apparatus main body, 5a to 5d developing units, 7a to 7d toner cartridges, 8a to 8d trays, 81a to 81d toner cartridge holders, 9 rotary, 14 door, 101A to 101B toner cartridge contact parts, 104A1, 104A2, 104B1, 104B2 toner cartridge contact parts, 105A1, 105A2, 105B1, 105B2 image forming apparatus contact members, 110 CPU, 120A to 120D toner cartridge protrusions

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus in which a first cartridge containing a first developer and a second cartridge containing a second developer are detachably mountable, a rotary including a first developing chamber configured to accommodate the first developer supplied from the first cartridge and a second developing chamber configured to accommodate the second developer supplied from the second cartridge; a first tray that detachably supports the first cartridge and is displaceable relative to the rotary between a first position where the first cartridge is positioned outside the rotary and a second position where the first cartridge is positioned inside the rotary; a second tray that detachably supports the second cartridge and is displaceable relative to the rotary between a third position where the second cartridge is positioned outside the rotary and a fourth position where the first cartridge is positioned inside the rotary; a detection unit connected to a circuit having a contacted portion; Equipped with after the first cartridge supported by the first tray starts to move from the first position to the second position, a first contact portion of the first cartridge comes into contact with the contacted portion; When the first contact portion and the contacted portion come into contact with each other, a first current is generated in the circuit, and the detection portion detects a signal based on the first current; after the second cartridge supported by the first tray starts to move from the first position to the second position, a second contact portion of the second cartridge comes into contact with the contacted portion; When the second contact portion and the contacted portion come into contact with each other, a second current is generated in the circuit, and the detection portion detects a signal based on the second current. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the first cartridge has a first circuit including the first contact portion, the second cartridge has a second circuit including the second contact portion, the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be electrically connected to the contacted portion, and the first circuit and the second circuit have different resistance values ​​from each other; The first current is a current that corresponds to the resistance value of the first circuit, and the second current is a current that corresponds to the resistance value of the second circuit. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, The first contact portion includes two electrodes, the first circuit includes a first resistor having terminals connected to the two electrodes, respectively, the second contact portion includes two electrodes, and the second circuit includes a second resistor having a resistance value different from that of the first resistor and having terminals connected to the two electrodes, respectively. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The detection unit detects that the contacted portion comes into contact with the first contact portion of the first cartridge or the second contact portion of the second cartridge and then separates from the first contact portion or the second contact portion in accordance with the movement of storing the first tray, thereby detecting completion of storing the first tray or the second tray in the rotary. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the first contact portion and the second contact portion include a combination of different conductive portions; The detection unit identifies a combination of the conductive portions in response to a movement of storing the first tray and detects that the cartridge corresponds to the first tray. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, the combination of the conductive portions is configured by the presence or absence of electrical connection between at least two pairs of electrodes provided on the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and The detection unit identifies a combination of the conductive portions via the contacted portions that contact the at least two pairs of electrodes, and detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the first contact portion and the second contact portion include different numbers of protrusions; The detection unit identifies the number of the protrusions in response to the movement of storing the first tray and detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, The protrusion is provided along the direction of movement for storing the first tray, The detection unit identifies the number of protrusions using a switch that is turned on by the protrusions, and detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a valve opening means for opening an open / close valve for supplying the developer contained in a cartridge attached to the first tray to the first developing chamber; a control means; and The control means opens the valve by the valve opening means when the detection unit detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a means for detecting that the first cartridge or the second cartridge has been housed in the rotary; The control means opens the valve by the valve opening means when the detection unit detects that the cartridge attached to the first tray is the first cartridge and the first cartridge is housed in the rotary. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

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