Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To detect, with a simple configuration, that a support member is moved to a first position and that the support member is moved to a second position.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a rotary; toner cartridges; support members; a driving source; a detection mechanism including a moving member and a sensor unit; and a control unit. The detection mechanism is configured such that, when the support member is at a first position and when the support member is at a second position, the sensor unit enters a first detection state, and while the support member is moved from one of the first position and the second position toward the other, the sensor unit enters a second detection state. When the direction of the support member moved by the driving source is a first direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state, the control unit determines that the support member is moved to the second position, and when the direction of the support member moved by the driving source is a second direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state, determines that the support member is moved to the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus using a rotary development system that forms a color image by rotating a rotary equipped with multiple developing rollers. Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus using a rotary development system in which four toner cartridges containing toners of different colors can be attached and detached to the rotary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] It is conceivable to configure the rotary to have a support member that supports the toner cartridge and that moves between a first position and a second position. In this case, if a sensor that detects when the support member is at the first position and a sensor that detects when the support member is at the second position are separately arranged, this leads to increased costs.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is simple in configuration and can detect that a support member has been moved to a first position and that the support member has been moved to a second position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: a rotatable rotary having a developing roller and a storage section that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller; a toner cartridge that stores the toner and is detachably attached to the rotary; a support member attached to the rotary and supporting the toner cartridge, the support member being movable between a first position that allows toner to be replenished from the toner cartridge to the storage section and a second position that allows the toner cartridge to be attached and detached to the rotary; a drive source configured to move the support member in a first direction from the first position toward the second position and to move the support member in a second direction from the second position toward the first position; a moving member configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the support member by the drive source; and a sensor unit that outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the moving member. and a control unit that receives a signal from the sensor unit and controls the drive source, wherein the detection mechanism is configured such that when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, the sensor unit is in a first detection state, and while the support member is being moved from either the first position or the second position to the other, the sensor unit is in a second detection state different from the first detection state, and the control unit determines that the support member has been moved to the second position when the direction of movement of the support member by the drive source is the first direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state, and determines that the support member has been moved to the first position when the direction of movement of the support member by the drive source is the second direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect, with a simple configuration, whether the support member has been moved to the first position or the second position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a developing unit, a toner cartridge, and a tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are perspective views of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rotary body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a configuration for moving a tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a configuration for moving a tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 3A to 3C are explanatory views of a tray position detection mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a tray position detection mechanism according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a tray position detection mechanism according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A to 10D are explanatory diagrams of a tray position detection mechanism according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Example 1 An image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12(a to c). In the following description and in each drawing, the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the Z direction. The direction intersecting the Z direction and the direction of a rotation axis 90C of a rotary body 90 (described later, the direction of the rotary's rotation axis) is referred to as the Y direction. The direction intersecting both the Z direction and the Y direction is referred to as the X direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal. Furthermore, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, as necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing will be represented as the +X side, the +Y side, and the +Z side, respectively, and the opposite sides will be represented as the -X side, the -Y side, and the -Z side, respectively.

[0011] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) First, we will explain the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S by electrophotography. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color laser beam printer equipped with four development units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. As the sheet S, which is the recording material (recording medium), a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, surface-treated sheet materials such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and sheet materials of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0012] The schematic configuration and image forming operation of image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the drive source of image forming apparatus 1. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration for replenishing toner from toner cartridge 70 to developing unit 50.

[0013] 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body) 1A and toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k that are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1A. The apparatus main body 1A in this embodiment is the portion of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

[0014] An apparatus main body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 has a drum-shaped (cylindrical) electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drum) 2 as an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image. Around the photosensitive drum 2, a charging roller 3, a scanner 4 as an exposure device, and a cleaning unit 6 are arranged.

[0015] The charging roller 3 is an example of a charging means or charging unit for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The scanner 4 is an example of an exposure means or exposure unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light according to image information to expose it. By irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 2 with laser light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning unit 6 is an example of a cleaning means or cleaning section that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0016] Furthermore, the apparatus main body 1A has a sheet storage section 300, a pickup roller 310, a feed roller 311, a separation roller 312, a pair of conveying rollers 320, a secondary transfer roller 12, a fixing device 40, and an intermediate transfer unit 10. The pickup roller 310 is an example of a feeding means or a feeding unit that feeds the sheet S. The feed roller 311 and the separation roller 312 are examples of a separation conveying unit that separates and conveys the sheets S one by one by frictional force. The secondary transfer roller 12 is an example of a transfer means or a transfer unit that transfers an image from the intermediate transfer belt 10a to the sheet S.

[0017] The intermediate transfer unit 10 has an intermediate transfer belt 10a, a belt drive roller 10b, a tension roller 10c, a cleaning device 13, and a primary transfer roller 11. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is an example of an intermediate transfer body that carries an image transferred (primary transfer) from the photosensitive drum 2 and transports it to be transferred (secondary transfer) to a sheet S. The intermediate transfer belt 10a is stretched over the belt drive roller 10b and the tension roller 10c. The belt drive roller 10b is a drive member that is rotationally driven by a drive source to transport the intermediate transfer belt 10a.

[0018] The apparatus main body 1A also has a rotary main body (rotary, rotating body, developing device) 90 having developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. As will be described later, in this embodiment, trays (support members) 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are attached to the rotary main body 90. Toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are removably attached to the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

[0019] In the following description, multiple components with similar functions may be distinguished by numbers. For example, one of the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k may be referred to as the first toner cartridge, one of the remaining three as the second toner cartridge, one of the remaining two as the third toner cartridge, and the last one as the fourth toner cartridge. Similarly, one of the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k may be referred to as the first tray, one of the remaining three as the second tray, one of the remaining two as the third tray, and the last one as the fourth tray. In other words, one of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a first support member, another of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a second support member, yet another of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a third support member, and the last of the trays 80y to 80k is an example of a fourth support member. These numbering schemes are used merely for convenience and, in principle, can be interchanged as appropriate.

[0020] The developing units (first to fourth developing units) 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are examples of developing means or developing sections that develop (visualize) the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image using toner of the corresponding color. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 using yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, or black toner, respectively. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k may be arranged in an order different from that shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] The developing unit 50y has a developing roller 51y, a supply roller 52y, and a developing blade. The developing roller 51y is a developer carrier that carries toner as a developer and rotates to supply the toner to the photosensitive drum 2. The supply roller 52y is disposed in contact with the developing roller 51y and is a supply member that supplies toner to the developing roller 51y. The developing blade is a regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer carried by the developing roller 51y. The other developing units 50m, 50c, and 50k also have similar developing rollers 51m, 51c, and 51k, supply rollers 52m, 52c, and 52k, and developing blades.

[0022] Toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k are mounted on the rotary body 90, corresponding to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k contain yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively, to replenish the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. One of the four toner colors can be referred to as the first toner, one of the remaining three toner colors as the second toner, one of the remaining two toner colors as the third toner, and the last toner as the fourth toner. For example, black toner can be referred to as the first toner, and magenta toner as the second toner. These numbering schemes are used merely for convenience and can generally be interchanged as needed.

[0023] The rotary main body 90 has a rotary frame 90f that supports the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are supported by the rotary frame 90f, which is a rotatable support body.

[0024] Trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k are attached to the rotary body 90. The combination of the rotary body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k can be called the rotary unit 90U. In other words, the rotary unit 90U has the rotary body 90 and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k.

[0025] The toner cartridges 70y-70k are detachably held in the trays 80y-80k. As will be described later, the trays 80y-80k are supported so as to be slidable to the outside of the rotary main body 90. The combination of the rotary unit 90U and the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k can be called the rotary assembly 90A. In other words, The rotary assembly 90A includes a rotary unit 90U and toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k.

[0026] As will be described later, the rotary body 90 is rotatable around a rotation axis (rotation center) 90C. The rotation axis 90C coincides with the rotation axes of the rotary frame 90f, the rotary unit 90U, and the rotary assembly 90A. The rotation axis 90C is also substantially parallel to the rotation axis (rotation center) of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0027] The rotary body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C to assume a developing position in which any one of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2. The position in which the developing roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the yellow developing position. The position in which the developing roller 51m faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the magenta developing position. The position in which the developing roller 51c faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the cyan developing position. The position in which the developing roller 51k faces the photosensitive drum 2 is called the black developing position. In other words, the rotary body 90 can rotate around the rotation axis 90C so that the positions of the developing rollers 51y, 51m, 51c, and 51k relative to the photosensitive drum 2 change. The black developing position is an example of a first developing position in which the first developing roller (developing roller 51k) faces the photosensitive drum 2. The other developing positions are examples of the second developing position in which the second developing rollers (developing rollers 51y to 51c) face the photosensitive drum 2. The yellow / magenta / cyan / black developing positions can also be called the first to fourth developing positions. These numberings are used merely for convenience of explanation, and in principle can be interchanged as appropriate.

[0028] 2, the apparatus main body 1A has a control unit 17 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and motors M1, M2, and M3 as drive sources. The control unit 17 includes a CPU that executes a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and a storage device such as a ROM that stores the program and data.

[0029] As will be described later, the motor M1 supplies a driving force for rotating the rotary body 90 about the rotation axis 90C. In other words, the motor M1 rotates the rotary assembly 90A and the rotary unit 90U about the rotation axis 90C.

[0030] The apparatus main body 1A also has a drive device 98 including a motor M2 and a transmission device 99. The transmission device includes drive racks 15L and 15R and a transmission member 15t as drive gears, which will be described later. The driving force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the drive racks 15L and 15R. In other words, the motor M2 is configured to drive the drive racks 15L and 15R, and moves the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k relative to the rotary main body 90 via the drive racks 15L and 15R.

[0031] Motor M3 drives components other than those driven by motors M1 and M2, such as the photosensitive drum 2, developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, pickup roller 310, feed roller 311, conveying roller pair 320, secondary transfer roller 12, belt drive roller 10b, and fixing device 40.

[0032] The components driven by motors M1, M2, and M3 can be changed as needed. Also, the functions of any two or all three of motors M1, M2, and M3 can be combined into one motor. Alternatively, drive sources other than motors M1, M2, and M3 may be added.

[0033] Here, the suffixes y, m, c, and k attached to the developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k, the toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k, and the trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k indicate the toner colors. The developing units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k share the same basic configuration and function. The toner cartridges 70y, 70m, 70c, and 70k share the same basic configuration and function. The trays 80y, 80m, 80c, and 80k also share the same basic configuration and function. Therefore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, the suffixes y, m, c, and k are omitted, and the description will be given assuming that the unit is any one of the four units, cartridges, and trays.

[0034] 3, the toner cartridge 70 has a toner frame 71. The toner frame 71 has a toner storage section 71a that stores toner, and a discharge opening 71b that communicates with the toner storage section 71a.

[0035] The developing unit 50 has a developing frame (storage frame) 53. The developing frame 53 has a developing-side storage portion 53a and a receiving opening 53b that communicates with the developing-side storage portion (toner supply chamber) 53a. As mentioned above, the developing unit 50 has the developing roller 51, the supply roller 52, etc., but these members are omitted in Figure 3.

[0036] The developing roller 51k of the developing unit 50k is an example of a first developing roller. The developing roller 51m of the developing unit 50m is an example of a second developing roller. The developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(a)) of the developing unit 50k having the developing-side accommodating portion 53a is an example of a first accommodating frame having a first accommodating portion. The developing frame 53m (FIG. 4(a)) of the developing unit 50m having the developing-side accommodating portion 53a is an example of a second accommodating frame having a second accommodating portion. The rotary body 90 is an example of a rotatable rotary having a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a first accommodating frame having a first accommodating portion, and a second accommodating frame having a second accommodating portion. In this embodiment, the rotary body 90 has first to fourth developing rollers and first to fourth accommodating frames.

[0037] As will be described later, the toner cartridge 70 is movable between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position relative to the developing frame 53. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position relative to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b faces the receiving opening 53b. In other words, the toner storage portion 71a of the toner cartridge 70 and the developer-side storage portion 53a of the developing unit 50 communicate with each other via the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b. When toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 70 to the developing unit 50, at least a portion of the receiving opening 53b is positioned below at least a portion of the discharge opening 71b.

[0038] The toner contained in the toner container 71a is then discharged from the discharge opening 71b, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 71b is received in the developer-side container 53a through the receiving opening 53b. The toner contained in the developer-side container 53a is supplied to the developing roller 51 by the supply roller 52. The toner contained in the toner container 71a is supplied to the developing roller 51 through this route.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0050] On the other hand, when a monochrome image is formed on the sheet S, the rotary body 90 takes the black developing position. In this state, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by charging and exposing the photosensitive drum 2, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed with black toner by the developing roller 51k positioned at the developing position. The black toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10a, and then secondarily transferred to the sheet S. The subsequent steps are the same as those for color images.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0057] The opening 16a is disposed on a side surface 16b of the frame body 16. In this embodiment, the side surface 16b is a surface that is approximately parallel to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 70 is replaced, the toner cartridge 70 passes through the opening 16a in a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the rotation axis 90C.

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

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

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

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

[0062] The rotary body 90 can rotate around a rotation axis 90C to assume replacement positions that allow removal of any of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k from the rotary body 90. The position that allows removal of toner cartridge 70y is called the yellow replacement position. The position that allows removal of toner cartridge 70m is called the magenta replacement position. The position that allows removal of toner cartridge 70c is called the cyan replacement position. The position that allows removal of toner cartridge 70k is called the black replacement position. The black replacement position is an example of a first replacement position that allows removal of the first toner cartridge from the rotary body 90. The yellow / magenta / cyan replacement position is an example of a second replacement position that allows removal of the second toner cartridge from the rotary body 90. The yellow / magenta / cyan / black replacement positions can also be called the first to fourth replacement positions. These numberings are used merely for convenience of explanation and can, in principle, be interchanged as appropriate.

[0063] The rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C, and can sequentially assume yellow, magenta, cyan, and black replacement positions. In this embodiment, the rotary body 90 alternates between the development position and the replacement position by rotating clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C. For example, in FIG. 1, the rotary body 90 is in the black development position. From this state, by rotating the rotary body 90 clockwise, the rotary body 90 switches its position in the following order: cyan replacement position, yellow development position, black replacement position, magenta development position, yellow replacement position, cyan development position, and magenta replacement position. By rotating the rotary body 90 clockwise from the magenta replacement position, the rotary body 90 returns to the black development position. In other words, the rotary body 90 can rotate clockwise one revolution (360°) or more.

[0064] 4(a) shows a cross section of the rotary body 90 in a developing position (specifically, a yellow developing position), and FIG. 4(b) shows a cross section of the rotary body 90 in a replacement position (specifically, a black replacement position).

[0065] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), four trays 80y to 80k are attached to the rotary main body 90. The trays 80y to 80k hold the toner cartridges 70y to 70k, respectively. In Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the trays 80y to 80k are housed inside the rotary main body 90, which can be said to be the state in which the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are attached to the development units 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k.

[0066] As described above, the toner cartridge 70 is movable between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. That is, the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is movable between a first attached position and a first retracted position relative to the first accommodating frame (developing frame 53k). The second toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70m) is movable between a second attached position and a second retracted position relative to the second accommodating frame (developing frame 53m).

[0067] When the toner cartridge 70 is in the mounting position relative to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other, as shown in Fig. 3. In this state, the toner cartridge 70 is configured to supply toner to the developing-side accommodating portion 53a through the receiving opening 53b (the opening in the accommodating frame).

[0068] The apparatus main body 1A has a moving device 85 configured to move the toner cartridge 70 from an attached position to a retracted position relative to the rotary main body 90 (more specifically, relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50). The moving device 85 will be described later using FIG. 8 and other figures. In this embodiment, the rotary main body 90 is provided with a plurality of moving devices 85y-85k corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70y-70k. The trays 80y-80k can be said to be part of these moving devices 85y-85k.

[0069] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 70k containing black toner is larger in size and can contain more toner than the toner cartridges 70y to 70c containing yellow, magenta, and cyan toners. In other words, the first toner cartridge can contain a first amount of toner, and the second toner cartridge can contain a second amount of toner, with the first amount being greater than the second amount.

[0070] Specifically, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in a first radial direction relative to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 is longer than the length of the magenta toner cartridge 70m in a second radial direction. Here, the first radial direction is the rotation radius direction of the rotary body 90 (the radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis 90C), and is the direction in which the toner cartridge 70k extends relative to the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. The second radial direction is the rotation radius direction of the rotary body 90, and is the direction in which the toner cartridge 70m extends relative to the rotation axis 90C when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C. Similarly, the length of the black toner cartridge 70k in the first radial direction is longer than the lengths of the toner cartridges 70y and 70c in the radial directions corresponding to the other toner cartridges 70y and 70c.

[0071] Therefore, the tray 80k holding the black toner cartridge 70k is larger than the trays 80y-80c holding the other toner cartridges 70y, 70m, and 70c. That is, four toner cartridges 70y-70k and trays 80y-80k of different sizes are arranged inside the rotary body 90. In other words, the rotary body 90 is removably fitted with the toner cartridge 70k as an example of a first toner cartridge and the toner cartridge 70y as an example of a second toner cartridge that is smaller in size than the first toner cartridge. Accordingly, the rotary body 90 is provided with the tray 80k as an example of a first support member that supports the first toner cartridge and the tray 80y as an example of a second support member that is smaller in size than the first support member. The rotary body 90 is also removably fitted with the toner cartridges 70m and 70c as examples of third and fourth toner cartridges that are smaller in size than the first toner cartridge. Accordingly, the rotary body 90 is provided with trays 80m and 80c as examples of third and fourth support members that are smaller in size than the first support member.

[0072] Here, the rotational drive of the rotary body 90 will be described with reference to Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, disk gears 92L and 92R are formed at both ends of the rotary body 90. Furthermore, rotary drive gears 93L and 93R are connected to both ends of the oscillating shaft 91 so as to be capable of transmitting drive power. Here, the drive force of the motor M1 is transmitted to the rotary drive gear 93R by a drive transmission mechanism. Next, the drive force is transmitted to the disk gears 92L and 92R by the rotary drive gears 93L and 93R, thereby rotating the rotary body 90. The rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in Figure 1 around a rotation axis 90C.

[0073] The rotary body 90 is supported so as to be able to swing about a swing shaft 91. The rotary body 90 is urged by a biasing member (not shown) in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) about the swing shaft 91. This direction can be said to be the direction in which each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k approaches the photosensitive drum 2. As a result, when the rotary body 90 is in the developing position, each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 2.

[0074] 5, rotary cams 90eL and 90eR are provided at both ends of the rotary body 90. When the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) around the rotation axis 90C, the rotary cams 90eL and 90eR come into contact with a roller 96 (FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)) supported by the frame 16. Then, the rotary cams 90eL and 90eR move clockwise in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) around the swing shaft 91. This direction can be said to be the direction in which each of the developing rollers 51y to 51k moves away from the photosensitive drum 2. This direction can also be said to be the direction in which the rotary body 90 approaches the opening 16a of the frame 16 and the door 14.

[0075] As a result, when the rotary body 90 rotates and switches from the developing position to the replacement position, the rotary body 90 swings around the swing shaft 91. When the rotary body 90 is in the replacement position, the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 2.

[0076] 4(b), in the black replacement position, the toner cartridge 70k stops at a position facing the opening 16a provided in the side surface 16b of the apparatus main body 1A and the door 14. From this state, when the tray 80k is slid from the attachment position to the developing unit 50k to the outside of the rotary main body 90, the user can replace the toner cartridge 70k.

[0077] (Toner cartridge replacement operation) The toner cartridge replacement operation will be described using Figure 4(a), Figure 6(a-c), and Figure 7(a, b). Figure 6(a-c) is an external view of the device main body 1A. Figures 7(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the rotary body 90 and its surroundings when replacing the toner cartridge. Figures 7(a, b) are cross-sectional views of the device on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90.

[0078] Fig. 6(a) shows the appearance of the apparatus main body 1A during image forming operation and in standby state. During image forming operation, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a series of operations from feeding the sheet S, forming an image on the sheet S, to discharging the sheet S as a finished product. The standby state is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is ready to start image forming operation upon receiving an image formation instruction (print instruction), and is waiting for an image formation instruction from the user. As shown in Fig. 6(a), during image forming operation and in standby state, the door 14 is closed.

[0079] 6(b) shows the appearance of the apparatus main body 1A when replacing the toner cartridge. When replacing the toner cartridge, the door 14 is opened and the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 are moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0080] The toner cartridge 70 is movable between an attached position and a retracted position retracted from the attached position relative to the developing frame 53 of the developing unit 50. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position relative to the developing frame 53, the discharge opening 71b and the receiving opening 53b face each other, as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the rotary body 90 is configured to rotate about the rotation axis 90C when the toner cartridge 70 is in the attached position, and to assume a developing position or a replacement position.

[0081] The toner cartridge replacement operation will now be described. First, the user instructs the control unit of the apparatus main body 1A to perform the toner cartridge replacement operation. The instruction to perform the toner cartridge replacement operation is given, for example, by inputting via an operation panel (operation unit) provided on the apparatus main body 1A.

[0082] When the control unit receives an instruction to replace a toner cartridge, the rotary body 90 rotates to the replacement posture for the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced (the toner cartridge 70 that has run out of toner) and then stops. In other words, the control unit rotates the rotary body 90 to the replacement posture for the toner cartridge specified in the instruction to replace the toner cartridge (in FIG. 4(b) , the black replacement posture for replacing the black toner cartridge 70k). In the replacement posture, the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 instructed to be replaced faces the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the device main body 1A.

[0083] For example, the rotary body 90 in FIG. 4(a) is in a yellow developing position in which the yellow developing roller 51y faces the photosensitive drum 2. At this time, the black toner cartridge 70k and tray 80k do not have to face the opening 16a and the door 14. In other words, the toner cartridge 70 and tray 80 do not have to face the opening 16a and the door 14 when the rotary body 90 is in a replacement position other than the toner cartridge replacement position or a developing position. Therefore, the opening 16a only needs to be large enough to allow each toner cartridge 70 to pass through individually. When the rotary body 90 rotates a predetermined angle clockwise in the figure from the yellow developing position, the black toner cartridge 70k and tray 80k face the opening 16a and the door 14, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0084] Here, "the tray 80 faces the opening 16a" means that the tray 80 is positioned so that it can be moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A via the opening 16a. In other words, when the tray 80 faces the opening 16a, a moving mechanism (described later) moves the tray 80 outward in the radial direction of rotation of the rotary body 90, allowing the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 supported by the tray 80 to protrude to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A. In FIG. 4(a), none of the trays 80y to 80k faces the opening 16a. In FIG. 4(b), only the black tray 80k faces the opening 16a, and the other trays 80y to 80c do not face the opening 16a.

[0085] When the rotary body 90 is positioned in the replacement posture, the motor M2 moves the tray 80 supporting the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced toward the outside of the apparatus main body 1A. As a result, the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced moves from the mounted position to the retracted position relative to the rotary body 90. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(b, c) and 7(a, b), the tray 80 and the toner cartridge 70 to be replaced supported by the tray 80 protrude outside the apparatus main body 1A through the opening 16a.

[0086] More specifically, the tray 80 is movable between a storage position and an ejection position relative to the rotary body 90. The storage position is a position where the tray 80 is stored within the rotary body 90. The ejection position is a position where the tray 80 protrudes outside the rotary body 90, allowing the toner cartridge 70 to be ejected from the tray 80 (removal position, replaceable position). Examples of storage positions are the positions of the trays 80y to 80k in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Examples of ejection positions are the positions of the tray 80 in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), the tray 80k in Figure 7(a), and the tray 80m in Figure 7(b).

[0087] When the tray 80 is in the storage position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is located in the installation position. When the tray 80 is in the removal position, the toner cartridge 70 attached to the tray 80 is located in the retracted position.

[0088] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the rotary body 90 has a protrusion 95 for holding the tray 80 in the storage position and for holding the toner cartridge 70 in the installation position. As shown in Figure 8, the tray 80 is provided with a recess 87 that fits into the protrusion 95. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show protrusions 95k and 95m corresponding to trays 80k and 80m, and Figure 8 shows recesses 87y and 87m of trays 80y and 80m, but the protrusion 95 and recess 87 are provided for each of the trays 80y to 80k. It is preferable that the protrusion 95 is biased in a direction that engages with the recess 87.

[0089] The protrusion 95 fits into the recess 87 of the tray 80, thereby locking the tray 80 to the rotary frame body 90f. This ensures that the tray 80 remains in the storage position even when the rotary body 90 rotates, preventing the toner cartridge 70 from moving from the installation position. Note that when the tray 80 is moved between the storage position and the removal position by a moving device (described later), the protrusion 95 is moved by the tray 80, and the protrusion 95 can be configured to disengage from the recess 87.

[0090] In this embodiment, the door 14 is rotatably supported relative to the apparatus main body 1A. As shown in Fig. 7(a), the door 14 is biased from the open position toward the closed position by a spring 14s. The spring 14s is, for example, a tension spring, and biases the door 14 so as to generate a moment in the counterclockwise direction in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) about the support shaft 14c of the door 14.

[0091] The tray 80 pushes the door 14, causing the door 14 to enter an open state (the state shown in FIG. 6(b)). This state can also be said to be a state in which the tray 80 is supported by the door 14. The door 14 supports at least a portion of the tray 80 that protrudes outside the apparatus main body 1A, thereby more stably supporting the toner cartridge 70. In other words, when the first toner cartridge (toner cartridge 70k) is in the first retracted position, the opening / closing member (door 14) in the open position supports the first support member (tray 80k). Furthermore, when the second toner cartridge (toner cartridges 70y to 70c) is in the second retracted position, the opening / closing member (door 14) in the open position supports the second support member (tray 80y to 80c).

[0092] In addition, the door 14 is configured to abut against a part of the frame 16 of the device main body 1A (for example, the lower edge 16c of the opening 16a) in the open position, so as not to rotate downward beyond the open position. When the tray 80 is pulled back from the outside to the inside of the device main body 1A, the biasing force of the spring 14s causes the door 14 to return to the closed position.

[0093] The toner cartridge 70 is detachably held in the tray 80. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6(c), the user can remove the toner cartridge 70 from the tray 80 and install a new toner cartridge 70 (replacement work). When replacing multiple toner cartridges 70, the replacement work can be performed by repeating the above-described operation.

[0094] 7(a) and 7(b) show cross sections of the rotary body 90 and its surroundings when replacing the toner cartridge. Fig. 7(a) shows the state when replacing the black toner cartridge 70k. Fig. 7(b) shows the state when replacing the magenta toner cartridge 70m.

[0095] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a moving device 85 (FIG. 8) that moves the toner cartridge 70 from the mounting position to the retracted position. In this embodiment, the moving device 85 can be said to include a tray 80. The moving device 85k including the tray 80k can be said to be an example of a first moving device including a first support member. The moving device 85m including the tray 80m can be said to be an example of a second moving device including a second support member.

[0096] Even when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the tray 80 remains connected to the rotary body 90 (is supported by the rotary body 90). To easily remove the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, it is preferable that the toner cartridge 70 protrudes a long distance from the rotary body 90 when in the retracted position. Because the toner cartridge 70 is configured to be detachable from the rotary body 90 via the tray 80, the toner cartridge 70 can be stably supported by the tray 80 even when the toner cartridge 70 protrudes a long distance from the rotary body 90.

[0097] The direction in which the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounted position to the retracted position is referred to as the retraction direction. In this embodiment, the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that intersects with the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). Therefore, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction), the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70 is a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis 90C (Y direction). Furthermore, the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70 can be said to be a direction toward the outside in the rotation radius direction of the rotary body 90 (a direction away from the rotation axis 90C).

[0098] 7(a) and 7(b), since the user removes the toner cartridge 70 from the rotary body 90, it is preferable that at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90 when the toner cartridge 70 is removed. In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the entire toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the rotary body 90.

[0099] When the rotary body 90 rotates around the rotation axis 90C, the rotation locus of the rotary body 90 coincides with a circumscribing circle of the rotary body 90 (the imaginary circle 90V shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)) centered on the rotation axis 90C. When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retraction direction be outside the rotation locus of the rotary body 90. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis, it is preferable that, with the toner cartridge in the retracted position, more than half of the total length of the toner cartridge be outside the rotation locus of the rotary in the direction of movement of the toner cartridge from the mounted position toward the retracted position. This applies to each toner cartridge 70, including toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, the entire toner cartridge 70 is outside the rotation locus (imaginary circle 90V) of the rotary body 90.

[0100] Furthermore, in order to make it easier for the user to grasp the toner cartridge 70, it is preferable that at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus main body 1A) when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position. Here, "outside the apparatus" refers to the space outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus main body 1A) when the image forming apparatus 1 is being used, for example, for forming an image on a sheet S.

[0101] In this embodiment, the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A is formed by the exterior surface of the frame 16. In other words, the outside of the apparatus can also be referred to as the outside of the frame 16. Therefore, a state in which at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is outside the apparatus can also be referred to as a state in which at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes from the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus main body 1A toward the outside of the frame 16.

[0102] In this embodiment, when the door 14 is in the closed position, the opening 16a of the frame 16 of the apparatus main body 1A is covered by the door 14. The exterior surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position forms part of the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A. In this case, the outside of the apparatus refers to the area outside the exterior surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position. In other words, if the position of the exterior surface 14a of the door 14 in the closed position is defined as the exterior position, then when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a part of the toner cartridge 70 is located outside the apparatus main body 1A beyond this exterior position.

[0103] In other words, if the door 14 were in the closed position, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 would be located in the space outside the apparatus main body 1A. In addition, with respect to the retraction direction of the toner cartridge 70, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 is located downstream of the visible position.

[0104] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, with the side surface 16b on which the opening 16a is provided being the front surface of the apparatus main body 1A, at least a portion of the toner cartridge 70 protrudes forward beyond the exterior surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 1A. In this case, the user can easily access the toner cartridge 70 from the front side of the image forming apparatus and replace the toner cartridge 70.

[0105] When the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the toner cartridge 70 in the retracted direction is located outside the apparatus. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the rotary's rotation axis, when the toner cartridge is in the retracted position, it is preferable that more than half of the toner cartridge's overall length is located outside the main body frame in the direction of movement of the toner cartridge from the installed position toward the retracted position. This applies to each toner cartridge 70, including toner cartridge 70k as an example of the first cartridge and toner cartridge 70m as an example of the second cartridge. It is also preferable that the entire toner cartridge 70 is located outside the apparatus when the toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position. In this embodiment, the exterior surface 14a and side surface 16b of the door 14 form the front exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A, but the configuration of the door 14 is not limited to this. For example, the door 14 may be large enough to cover the entire side surface 16b. In this case, the exterior surface 14a of the door 14 forms the front exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0106] The tray 80 has a cartridge holding portion 81 (see Figures 3 and 6(c)) that holds the toner cartridge 70. The cartridge holding portion 81 is a receiving portion into which the toner cartridge 70 is attached. When the tray 80 is in the removal position, it is preferable that the entire cartridge holding portion 81 is outside the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 in the retraction direction. When the tray 80 is in the removal position, it is preferable that more than half of the length of the cartridge holding portion 81 is outside the machine in the retraction direction.

[0107] As described above, the toner cartridge 70k and the tray 80k are larger than the other toner cartridges 70y-70c and trays 80y-80c. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of movement of the tray 80 when replacing the toner cartridge is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

[0108] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the movement distance of tray 80k (first support member) when it moves from the storage position (first storage position) to the removal position (first removal position) is L1. The movement distance of tray 80m (second support member) when it moves from the storage position to the removal position (third removal position) is L2. FIG. 7(b) shows the state in which toner cartridge 70m and tray 80m have moved, but the movement distance of trays 80y and 80c when they move from the storage position to the removal position is also L2. In this case, L1 is greater than L2. In other words, the movement distance of the first support member when the first toner cartridge moves from the first mounting position to the first retracted position is longer than the movement distance of the second support member when the second toner cartridge moves from the second mounting position to the second retracted position.

[0109] 7(a), when the tray 80k is in the removal position and the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70k protrudes from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P1. In this embodiment, the tray 80k also protrudes from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A by a distance P1.

[0110] 7(b), when the tray 80m is in the removal position and the toner cartridge 70m is in the retracted position, the toner cartridge 70m protrudes a distance P2 from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside. In this embodiment, the tray 80m also protrudes a distance P2 from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside. The toner cartridges 70y and 70c also protrude a distance P2 from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside.

[0111] The distance P1 is greater than the distance P2. That is, the length by which the first toner cartridge in the first retracted position protrudes from the opening 16a of the apparatus main body 1A is defined as the first length (P1), and the length by which the second toner cartridge in the second retracted position protrudes from the opening 16a is defined as the second length (P2). In this case, the first length can be said to be longer than the second length.

[0112] For toner cartridges 70y-70c, which are smaller in size than toner cartridge 70k, it is preferable from the standpoint of strength to shorten the distance P2 by which they protrude outside the apparatus when in the retracted position compared to the distance P1 by which toner cartridge 70k protrudes outside the apparatus when in the retracted position. This is for the following reason: When toner cartridge 70 is in the retracted position, at least a portion of toner cartridge 70 protrudes outside the apparatus outside the rotation path of rotary body 90 or from the external surface of apparatus main body 1A. At this time, tray 80 supports the weight of toner cartridge 70 while being cantilevered by rotary body 90. Therefore, shortening the distance P2 by which toner cartridges 70y-70c protrude outside the apparatus when in the retracted position reduces the load on trays 80y-80c and the guide portion 97 of rotary body 90 that supports trays 80y-80k. Furthermore, since the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are smaller in size than the toner cartridge 70k, even if the distance P2 is made shorter than the distance P1, the workability of replacing cartridges for the trays 80y to 80c can be maintained.

[0113] (Tray arrangement in rotary) The arrangement of the trays 80y-80k inside the rotary body 90 will be described using Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the trays 80y-80k inside the rotary body 90. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the trays 80y-80k inside the rotary body 90. Note that Figure 9 shows a cross section of the rotary body 90 in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, the trays 80y to 80k are each provided with cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k and guided portions 82y to 82k.

[0115] The toner cartridges 70y to 70k are respectively attached to the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k, and each of the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k accommodates at least a portion of the toner cartridges 70y to 70k attached thereto.

[0116] The guided portions 82y to 82k are provided at both ends of the trays 80y to 80k, sandwiching the cartridge holding portions 81y to 81k in the Y direction. Each of the guided portions 82y to 82k is an elongated member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary body 90.

[0117] In this embodiment, a reinforcing rib 82k1 is formed on a portion of the guided portion 82k in the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k, and a reinforcing rib 82m1 is formed on a portion of the guided portion 82m in the movement direction Dm of the tray 80m (see also Figures 10(a) and 10(b)). The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 are rib-shaped (protruding stripes) that protrude outward in the Y direction from the guided portions 82k and 82m provided at both ends of the trays 80k and 80m in the Y direction and extend in the movement directions Dk and Dm of the trays 80k and 80m. The reinforcing ribs 82k1 and 82m1 improve the rigidity of the guided portions 82k and 82m.

[0118] In this embodiment, the lengths of the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 are limited to avoid the guided portions 82y and 82c, but the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may be provided over the entire length of the guided portions 82m and 82k if there is no interference with the guided portions 82y and 82c. Reinforcing ribs may also be added to the guided portions 82y and 82c. Furthermore, if the rigidity of the guided portions 82m and 82k is sufficient, the reinforcing ribs 82m1 and 82k1 may not be provided.

[0119] Rack portions 83y to 83k (rack gears) are formed on the guided portions 82y to 82k. Pinion gears 94y to 94k are rotatably held within the rotary body 90. The pinion gears 94y to 94k are engaged with the rack portions 83y to 83k so as to be capable of transmitting driving force, respectively.

[0120] The rack portions 83y-83k and pinion gears 94y-94k are part of moving devices 85y-85k configured to move the toner cartridges 70y-70k from the mounting position to the retracted position. The rack portions 83y-83k and pinion gears 94y-94k can be said to be part of a driven device that is driven by a drive device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A. The pinion gears 94y-94k can be said to be rotating bodies (rotating members) that rotate to move the trays 80y-80k relative to the rotary main body 90.

[0121] The pinion gears 94y-94k and the rack portions 83y-83k function as driven portions that allow the movement devices 85y-85k of the rotary body 90 to receive driving force from the drive device 98 of the device main body 1A. The pinion gear 94k and the rack portion 83k are an example of a first pinion gear and a first rack gear that constitute at least a part of a first driven portion provided in the first movement device. The pinion gear 94m and the rack portion 83m are an example of a second pinion gear and a second rack gear that constitute at least a part of a second driven portion provided in the second movement device.

[0122] The rotary body 90 has guide portions 97 (see FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)) that engage with each of the guided portions 82y to 82k. FIG. 7(a) shows a guide portion 97 (97k) that engages with the guided portion 82k of tray 80k, and FIG. 7(b) shows a guide portion 97 (97m) that engages with the guided portion 82m of tray 80m. The rotary body 90 is provided with similar guide portions that engage with the guided portions 82y and 82c of trays 80y and 80c. Also, while FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show a guide portion 97 provided on one side (+Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction, a similar guide portion 97 is also provided on the other side (-Y side) of the rotary body 90 in the Y direction.

[0123] When tray 80 moves between the storage position and the removal position, guide portion 97 maintains an engaged state with guided portion 82 over at least a portion of the movement range, guiding the movement direction of tray 80. In this embodiment, guide portion 97 maintains an engaged state with guided portion 82k over the entire movement range of tray 80k between the storage position and the removal position. Also, in this embodiment, guide portion 97 maintains an engaged state with guided portion 82m over the entire movement range of tray 80m between the storage position and the removal position.

[0124] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, four trays 80y to 80k are arranged inside the rotary body 90 so as to overlap one another, as will be described in detail below.

[0125] When the pinion gears 94y-94k rotate, the rack portions 83y-83k and the trays 80y-80k move relative to the rotary body 90. As shown in Fig. 9, the four trays 80y-80k are arranged so that their movement directions are rotated by 90 degrees relative to the rotary body 90. Therefore, the trays 80y and 80c, and the trays 80m and 80k are held so that they can slide in substantially the same direction (parallel directions). The movement direction of each of the trays 80y-80k during sliding movement is regulated by the engagement between the guided portions 82y-82k and the guide portion 97.

[0126] The trays 80y to 80k move to the outside of the apparatus through the opening 16a. When each of the trays 80y to 80k moves to the outside of the apparatus through the opening 16a, the movement directions of the respective trays are substantially the same direction (parallel).

[0127] (Tray movement configuration) 10(a, b) and 11(a, b) will be used to explain the configuration related to the movement of trays 80y to 80k arranged in the rotary body 90. Figures 10(a, b) are perspective views showing the configuration related to the movement of tray 80k. Figures 11(a, b) are cross-sectional views showing the configuration related to the movement of tray 80k.

[0128] In this embodiment, the trays 80y-80k are all driven by the driving force of a motor M2 transmitted to pinion gears 94y-94k of the rotary body 90 by drive racks 15L, 15R as drive members. Here, the configuration for moving the tray 80k relative to the rotary body 90 will be described, and the configuration for moving the trays 80y-80c relative to the rotary body 90 will not be described because it is substantially the same as the configuration for moving the tray 80k.

[0129] FIG. 10(a) shows a state in which the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90 (i.e., a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is attached to the developing unit 50k). That is, FIG. 10(a) shows a state in which the tray 80k is in the storage position, which corresponds to a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is in the attachment position relative to the developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(a)). FIG. 10(b) shows a state in which the tray 80k has been slid to the outside of the rotary body 90. That is, FIG. 10(b) shows a state in which the tray 80k is in the removal position, which corresponds to a state in which the toner cartridge 70k is in the retracted position relative to the developing frame 53k (FIG. 4(b)).

[0130] The apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment has drive racks 15L and 15R as drive gears that drive the pinion gear 94. Each drive rack 15L is driven by a motor M2 via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0131] As mentioned above, two rack portions 83k are formed at both ends of the tray 80k in the Y direction. Two pinion gears 94k and two drive racks 15L and 15R are arranged at positions corresponding to the rack portions 83k at both ends. In other words, the device main body 1A of this embodiment has drive racks 15L and 15R as the first and second drive gears. The drive rack 15L can be said to be an example of the first drive gear, and the drive rack 15R can be said to be an example of the second drive gear. However, these numberings are used merely for convenience of explanation and can, in principle, be interchanged as appropriate. When there is no need to distinguish between the drive racks 15L and 15R, they will be referred to as the "drive rack 15."

[0132] The rack portion 83 of this embodiment is configured as a rack gear pair, and the pinion gear 94 of this embodiment is configured as a pinion gear pair. In this embodiment, the rack gear pair and the pinion gear pair are arranged at one end and the other end of the support member (tray 80) in the Y direction, but they may be arranged at other positions. The rack portion 83k and the pinion gear 94k of the moving device 85k corresponding to the tray 80k can be said to be examples of the first rack gear pair and the first pinion gear pair, respectively. The rack portions 83y-83c and the pinion gears 94y-94c of the moving devices 85y-85c corresponding to any of the other trays 80y-80c can be said to be examples of the second rack gear pair and the second pinion gear pair, respectively.

[0133] One of the rack gear pair meshes with one of the pinion gear pair, and the other of the rack gear pair meshes with the other of the pinion gear pair. At least one of the pinion gear pair is driven by the drive rack 15L, which serves as the first drive rack. In this embodiment, both of the pinion gear pair are simultaneously driven by the drive racks 15L and 15R, which serve as the first and second drive racks. This makes it difficult for the tray 80 to rotate, allowing for stable movement of the toner cartridge 70.

[0134] Alternatively, the tray 80 may have one rack portion 83 and be moved by one drive rack 15 via one pinion gear 94 .

[0135] The tray 80k is held relative to the rotary body 90 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the guided portion 82k (i.e., the movement direction Dk). The drive rack 15 is held relative to the device body 1A so as to be slidable in a direction intersecting the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k. The drive rack 15 is configured to slide (reciprocate) relative to the device body 1A in a first direction (vertically upward in this embodiment) and a second direction opposite to the first direction (vertically downward in this embodiment). In other words, the movement direction of the drive rack 15 in this embodiment is a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) both the movement direction Dk of the tray 80k and the direction of the rotation axis 90C of the rotary body 90 (Y direction).

[0136] 10(a) and 10(b), the tray movement operation for sliding the tray 80k between the storage position and the removal position will be described. The tray movement operation of the tray 80k is performed by the motor M2 (FIG. 2), a drive transmission mechanism (not shown), the drive rack 15, the pinion gear 94k, and the rack portion 83k.

[0137] First, we will explain the tray movement operation (tray extraction operation) when removing the toner cartridge 70k from the rotary body 90. Before the tray extraction operation begins, the drive rack 15 is positioned below the position where it engages with the pinion gear 94k (FIG. 10(a)). Also, as mentioned above, when replacing the toner cartridge 70k, the rotary body 90 takes the replacement posture for the toner cartridge 70k (FIG. 4(b)).

[0138] When the tray extraction operation is started, the driving force of the motor M2 causes the drive rack 15 to slide upward in the apparatus main body 1A. As the drive rack 15 moves, it engages with the pinion gear 94k, and the pinion gear 94k is rotated.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 10(b), when the pinion gear 94k is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure, a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that meshes with the pinion gear 94k. As a result, the tray 80k is pushed out of the apparatus and moves from the storage position to the removal position relative to the rotary body 90. At this time, the movement direction of the tray 80k is guided in a predetermined movement direction Dk by the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k (FIG. 7(a)) of the rotary body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the storage position to the removal position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the installation position to the retracted position relative to the developing unit 50k.

[0140] With the tray 80k in the removal position and the toner cartridge 70k in the retracted position, the user can attach or detach the toner cartridge 70k to or from the tray 80k.

[0141] The tray movement operation (tray pull-in operation, tray insertion operation) when attaching the toner cartridge 70 to the rotary body 90 is performed in the reverse process of the tray pull-out operation. For example, the tray pull-in operation is started by the user operating a predetermined operation unit. When the tray pull-in operation is started, the driving force of the motor M2 causes the drive rack 15 to slide downward in the device body 1A. Here, the rotation direction of the motor M2 in the tray pull-in operation is opposite to the direction in which the tray pull-out operation is performed.

[0142] As the pinion gear 94k is driven to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 10(b), a driving force is input to the rack portion 83k that meshes with the pinion gear 94k. As a result, the tray 80k is pulled into the interior of the apparatus and moves from the removal position to the storage position relative to the rotary body 90. The movement direction of the tray 80k is guided in the movement direction Dk (the opposite direction to the arrow in FIG. 10(b)) by the engagement between the guided portion 82k and the guide portion 97k (FIG. 7(a)) of the rotary body 90. As a result of the tray 80k moving from the removal position to the storage position, the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the retracted position to the installation position relative to the developing unit 50k.

[0143] The movement of the black tray 80k and toner cartridge 70k has been described above, but the movement of the other trays 80y-80c and toner cartridges 70y-70c is also performed by a similar mechanism. That is, in the replacement posture of each toner cartridge, the drive rack 15 transmits drive to the pinion gears 94y-94c.

[0144] A drive device 98 for driving the moving device 85 provided on the rotary body 90 is configured by the motor M2 provided on the device body 1A, the drive racks 15 (15L, 15R), and a transmission device 99 including a drive transmission mechanism. Details of the transmission device 99 will be described later using Figures 12(a) to (c).

[0145] As described above, in this embodiment, the rotary body 90 is provided with a plurality of moving devices 85k-85y corresponding to the plurality of toner cartridges 70k-70y. The driving device 98 of the apparatus main body 1A is a common driving device that drives the plurality of moving devices 85k-85y (a plurality of driven devices) of the rotary body 90.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotation of the rotary body 90 switches the drive target of the drive device 98. In other words, the drive device of this embodiment includes a drive rack 15 as a drive member that transmits the drive force of the drive source. The drive device can be in a state where the drive member is engaged with the first driven part (pinion gear 94k) so as to be able to transmit drive, and a state where the drive member is engaged with the second driven part (pinion gear 94m) so as to be able to transmit drive. The drive device can also be in a state where the drive member is disengaged from the first driven part and the second driven part.

[0147] As described above, the pinion gears 94y to 94k are held by the rotary body 90. Therefore, when the rotary body 90 rotates, it is preferable that the meshing between the pinion gears 94y to 94k and the drive rack 15 is released.

[0148] Fig. 11(a) shows a state in which the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90 (in the storage position), and Fig. 11(b) shows a state in which the tray 80k has moved outside the rotary body 90 (in the removal position).

[0149] As shown in FIG. 11(a), when the tray 80k is inside the rotary body 90, the drive rack 15 is located at the bottom inside the device main body 1A. At this time, the drive rack 15 is retracted from the pinion gear 94k. Therefore, the drive rack 15 does not interfere with the rotation of the rotary body 90, allowing the rotary body 90 to rotate. More specifically, the drive rack 15 can be retracted outside the rotation trajectory of the rotary body 90 shown by the dotted line in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b).

[0150] As described above, by driving motor M2 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions, tray 80 attached to rotary body 90 can be moved from the storage position to the removal position and from the removal position to the storage position relative to rotary body 90. In other words, the drive device of this embodiment not only drives each moving device of the rotary so that the toner cartridge moves from the installation position to the retracted position, but also drives each moving device so that the toner cartridge moves from the retracted position to the installation position.

[0151] As described above, in this embodiment, the movement amount of the tray 80 when replacing the toner cartridge is changed according to the size of the toner cartridge 70. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the movement distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the removal position is longer than the movement distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the removal position.

[0152] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the toner cartridges 70y to 70k are moved from the mounting position to the retracted position, the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack section 83k by the speed of the driving rack 15 is greater than the value obtained by dividing the speed of the rack sections 83y to 83c by the speed of the driving rack 15.

[0153] For example, the pinion gear 94y may be a stepped gear, with the pitch radius of the small-diameter gear meshing with the rack portion 83y being smaller than the pitch radius of the large-diameter gear meshing with the drive rack 15. The pinion gears 94m and 94c may also be similarly stepped gears. Meanwhile, the pinion gear 94k may have the same pitch radius at the portion meshing with the drive rack 15 and the portion meshing with the rack portion 83k. In this case, the pitch radius of the pinion gear 94k may be the same as the pitch radius of the large-diameter gears of the pinion gears 94y to 94c. With this configuration, even if the movement distance of the drive rack 15 is the same, the movement distance of the rack portion 83k can be made longer than the movement distances of the other rack portions 83y to 83c. In other words, the movement distance L1 when the black tray 80k moves from the storage position to the removal position can be made longer than the movement distance L2 when the other trays 80y to 80c move from the storage position to the removal position.

[0154] Furthermore, by forming the pinion gears 94y to 94c as stepped gears, the pinion gears 94y to 94k are configured to receive driving force from the same drive rack 15, but the movement distance L1 of the tray 80k can be made greater than the movement distance L2 of the other trays 80y to 80c.

[0155] Note that instead of (or in combination with) the pinion gears 94y to 94c being stepped gears, the pinion gear 94k may be a stepped gear. In this case, the portion of the pinion gear 94k that meshes with the drive rack 15 may be a small-diameter gear, and the portion of the pinion gear 94k that meshes with the rack portion 83k may be a large-diameter gear with a larger pitch circle radius than the small-diameter gear. Also, the stepped gear is an example of a speed reduction mechanism, and may be replaced with a known speed reduction mechanism that reduces the amount of movement of a member on the input side (drive source side) compared to the amount of movement of a member on the output side (tray 80 side).

[0156] Furthermore, the movement amount of the drive rack 15 when the toner cartridge 70k is moved from the mounting position to the retracted position may be greater than the movement amount of the drive rack 15 when the toner cartridges 70y to 70c are moved from the mounting position to the retracted position.

[0157] Incidentally, the shorter the distance that the toner cartridge 70 moves from the mounted position to the retracted position, the shorter the time it takes for the toner cartridge 70 to move, and the shorter the time the user has to wait for the toner cartridge 70 to move. If the amount of movement of the drive rack 15 relative to the toner cartridge 70k is configured to be greater than the amount of movement of the drive rack 15 relative to the toner cartridges 70y-70c as described above, the time the user has to wait for the toner cartridges 70y-70c to move can be shortened.

[0158] The above-described configuration allows the movement distance L1 to be longer than the movement distance L2. These configurations can also be used in combination.

[0159] (Drive unit) As will be described later, the tray position detection mechanism 18 of this embodiment is configured to detect the position of a slider 25, which is part of the drive device 98. Therefore, first, the configuration of the drive device 98 will be explained using Figures 12(a) and (b), and then the tray position detection mechanism 18 will be explained. Figure 12(a) is a perspective view of the drive device 98 and the tray position detection mechanism 18. Figure 12(b) is a top view (viewed from the +Z side) of the drive device 98 and the tray position detection mechanism 18.

[0160] In the following description, one side in the Y direction (+Y side, the right side when viewing the device main body 1A from the front) will be referred to as the "right," and the other side in the Y direction (-Y side, the left side when viewing the device main body 1A from the front) will be referred to as the "left." For example, drive rack 15L is the left drive rack 15, and drive rack 15R is the right drive rack 15.

[0161] As described above, the drive device 98 includes the motor M2 as a drive source and a transmission device 99 that transmits the drive force of the motor M2 to the moving device 85 (FIG. 2). When the portion of the apparatus main body 1A excluding the rotary assembly 90A (the rotary body 90, the tray 80, and the toner cartridge 70) is the main body unit of the image forming apparatus 1, the drive device 98 is disposed in the main body unit.

[0162] 12(a) and 12(b), the transmission device 99 has a first gear train 99R, a second gear train 99L, a drive rack 15 (15L, 15R), and a slider 25. The transmission device 99 transmits the driving force of the motor M2 to the right drive rack 15R via the first gear train 99R, and also transmits the driving force of the motor M2 to the left drive rack 15L via the first gear train 99R, the slider 25, and the second gear train 99L.

[0163] The first gear train 99R is connected to the motor M2, the right drive rack 15R, and the slider 25, and is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor M2 to the right drive rack 15R and the slider 25. The gear train 99R of this embodiment includes a first gear 991 that meshes with the output gear of the motor M2, a second gear 992 that meshes with the first gear 991, a third gear 993 that meshes with the second gear 992, and a fourth gear 994 that meshes with the third gear 993 and the right drive rack 15R. The third gear 993 also meshes with a first rack portion provided on the slider 25.

[0164] The second gear train 99L is connected to the slider 25 and the left drive rack 15L, and is configured to transmit the driving force input from the slider 25 to the left drive rack 15L. In this embodiment, the second gear train 99L includes an input gear 995 that meshes with the second rack portion of the slider 25, and an output gear 996 that meshes with both the input gear 995 and the left drive rack 15L.

[0165] The slider 25 is connected to the first gear train 99R and the second gear train 99L. The slider 25 functions as a transmission member 15t that transmits the driving force of the motor M2 from the first gear train 99R, which is located on the right end side of the rotary body 90, to the second gear train 99L, which is located on the left end side of the rotary body 90.

[0166] The slider 25 of this embodiment is a long, thin member extending along the Y direction, and is configured to be reciprocally movable (linearly movable, slidable) along an imaginary line extending in the Y direction. Hereinafter, the movement direction of the slider 25 during the tray-extension operation will be referred to as the first movement direction D1, and the movement direction of the slider 25 during the tray-insertion operation will be referred to as the second movement direction D2. The second movement direction 25b is the opposite direction to the first movement direction D1.

[0167] The first movement direction D1 is the movement direction of the slider 25 when moving the tray 80 (support member) in the pull-out direction (first direction) from the storage position (first position) to the removal position (second position). The second movement direction D2 is the movement direction of the slider 25 when moving the tray 80 (support member) in the pull-in direction (second direction) from the removal position (second position) to the storage position (first position).

[0168] The slider 25 of this embodiment also has a first rack portion 25R that meshes with the third gear 993 of the first gear train 99R, and a second rack portion 25L that meshes with the input gear 995 of the second gear train 99L. The slider 25 receives the driving force of the motor M2 via the meshing of the first rack portion 25R and the third gear 993, and moves in the first movement direction D1 or the second movement direction D2. As the slider 25 moves in the first movement direction D1 or the second movement direction D2, the slider 25 outputs the driving force to the second gear train 99L via the meshing of the second rack portion 25L and the input gear 995.

[0169] The right drive rack 15R has an input rack portion that meshes with the fourth gear 994 of the first gear train 99R, and an output rack portion configured to mesh with the right pinion gear 94 (FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b)) of the rotary body 90. The left drive rack 15L has an input rack portion that meshes with the output gear 996 of the second gear train 99L, and an output rack portion configured to mesh with the left pinion gear 94 (FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b)) of the rotary body 90.

[0170] The right drive rack 15R is disposed at one end (right end) of the rotary body 90 in the direction of the rotary axis of the rotary body 90 and transmits driving force to the right pinion gear 94 as a driven part. The left drive rack 15L is disposed at the other end (left end) of the rotary body 90 in the direction of the rotary axis of the rotary body 90 and transmits driving force to the left pinion gear 94 as a driven part. When the right pinion gear 94 is defined as the first driven part and the right drive rack 15R as the first driving member, the left pinion gear 94 can be called the second driven part and the left drive rack 15L as the second driving member. In addition, the slider 25 reciprocates along the direction of the rotary axis of the rotary body 90 and can be said to be a transmission member that transmits driving force from the motor M2 (drive source) to the left drive rack 15L (second driving member).

[0171] During the tray-pulling operation, the motor M2 is controlled to rotate in a first rotation direction. When the motor M2 rotates in the first rotation direction, the left and right drive racks 15L, 15R are moved upward by drive transmission via the first gear train 99R, the slider 25, and the second gear train 99L. That is, as the motor M2 rotates, the gears of the first gear train 99R rotate, and the right drive rack 15R is moved upward by the fourth gear 994 of the first gear train 99R. Furthermore, the slider 25 is moved in the first movement direction D1 by the third gear 993 of the first gear train 99R. As the slider 25 moves in the first movement direction D1, the gears of the second gear train 99L rotate, and the left drive rack 15L is moved upward by the output gear 996 of the second gear train 99L. The left and right drive racks 15L, 15R then rotate the pinion gear 94 of the rotary body 90. As a result, as described above, the moving device 85 of the rotary body 90 moves the tray 80 from the storage position toward the removal position.

[0172] During the tray insertion operation, the motor M2 is controlled to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. When the motor M2 rotates in the second rotation direction, the left and right drive racks 15L, 15R are moved downward by drive transmission via the first gear train 99R, the slider 25, and the second gear train 99L. That is, as the motor M2 rotates, the gears of the first gear train 99R rotate, and the right drive rack 15R is moved downward by the fourth gear 994 of the first gear train 99R. Furthermore, the slider 25 is moved in the second movement direction D2 by the third gear 993 of the first gear train 99R. As the slider 25 moves in the second movement direction D2, the gears of the second gear train 99L rotate, and the left drive rack 15L is moved downward by the output gear 996 of the second gear train 99L. The left and right drive racks 15L, 15R then rotate the pinion gear 94 of the rotary body 90. As a result, as described above, the moving device 85 of the rotary body 90 moves the tray 80 from the removal position toward the storage position.

[0173] (Tray position detection mechanism) The following describes the tray position detection mechanism 18. As shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b), the tray position detection mechanism 18 of this embodiment has an encoder scale 28, a photointerrupter 30, and a connecting mechanism (26, 27) that connects the transmission device 99 and the encoder scale 28.

[0174] The encoder scale 28 is an example of a moving member configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the tray 80 (support member) by the motor M2 (drive source). The photointerrupter 30 is an example of a sensor unit that outputs a signal according to the position of the encoder scale 28 (moving member).

[0175] The photointerrupter 30 is an optical sensor (photoelectric sensor) having a light-emitting element 30a that emits light and a light-receiving element 30b that converts the light emitted by the light-emitting element 30a into an electrical signal. The photointerrupter 30 can output a LOW signal (first signal) and a HIGH signal (second signal) with a voltage value higher than that of the LOW signal. The photointerrupter 30 of this embodiment is configured to output a LOW signal when light is incident on the light-receiving element 30b, and to output a HIGH signal when no light is incident on the light-receiving element 30b.

[0176] The photointerrupter 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 17 (FIG. 2) of the device main body 1A via a cable. The control unit 17 can determine the position of the tray 80 based on the signal received from the photointerrupter 30, as will be described below.

[0177] The encoder scale 28 is connected to a transmission device 99 and configured to move by receiving the driving force of the motor M2 from the transmission device 99. More specifically, the encoder scale 28 in this embodiment is connected to the slider 25 (transmission member) via a connection mechanism (26, 27).

[0178] The encoder scale 28 is configured to move in a third movement direction D3 in conjunction with movement of the slider 25 in the first movement direction D1, and to move in a fourth movement direction D4 in conjunction with movement of the slider 25 in the second movement direction D2. The third movement direction D3 and the fourth movement direction D4 are collectively referred to as the movement direction D28 of the encoder scale 28. The encoder scale 28 moves in the third movement direction D3 and the fourth movement direction D4 by being guided by a guide member 28g.

[0179] The encoder scale 28 is configured to be linearly movable. In this embodiment, the encoder scale 28 reciprocates in directions (D3, D4) along the rotation axis direction (Y direction) of the rotary body 90. In other words, the movement direction of the encoder scale 28 is substantially parallel to the movement direction of the slider 25. This makes it possible to save space required to arrange the encoder scale 28 and the slider 25, compared to when the encoder scale 28 reciprocates, for example, in a transverse direction that intersects with the movement direction of the slider 25. However, the encoder scale 28 may also be configured to reciprocate in the transverse direction (for example, a direction along the Z direction). In this case, a cam mechanism or a bevel gear mechanism can be used to convert the movement of the slider 25 into the movement of the encoder scale 28 in the transverse direction.

[0180] The encoder scale 28 has a plurality of openings 29 formed therein and aligned in the movement direction D28. When facing the photointerrupter 30, each opening 29 forms an optical path that allows light from the light-emitting element 30a to travel toward the light-receiving element 30b. The encoder scale 28 also has a plurality of light-shielding portions 29e aligned in the movement direction D28. The light-shielding portions 29e are formed of a material that does not transmit the light of the photointerrupter 30. The light-shielding portions 29e are partitions (frames) that separate two adjacent openings in the movement direction D28. In other words, each of the plurality of openings 29 is a space formed between two adjacent light-shielding portions 29e in the movement direction D28.

[0181] Of the multiple openings 29, one opening that is located furthest in the third movement direction D3 is referred to as the first opening 29a. Of the multiple openings 29, one opening that is located furthest in the fourth movement direction D4 is referred to as the second opening 29b. Of the multiple openings 29, each opening other than the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b is referred to as an intermediate opening 29c. The width W1 of the first opening 29a in the movement direction D28 is larger than the width W3 of each intermediate opening 29c in the movement direction D28. Furthermore, the width W2 of the second opening 29b in the movement direction D28 is larger than the width W3 of each intermediate opening 29c in the movement direction D28. The setting of the widths W1 and W2 of the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b will be described later.

[0182] In this embodiment, the widths of the plurality of intermediate openings 29c are equal to one another, and the intervals between adjacent intermediate openings 29c (the widths of the light-shielding portions 29e) are constant.

[0183] When any of the openings 29 of the encoder scale 28 faces the photointerrupter 30, light from the light-emitting element 30a is incident on the light-receiving element 30b, and the output of the photointerrupter 30 becomes a LOW signal (first signal). When any of the light-shielding portions 29e of the encoder scale 28 blocks the optical path from the light-emitting element 30a to the light-receiving element 30b, the output of the photointerrupter 30 becomes a HIGH signal (second signal).

[0184] The coupling mechanism (26, 27) includes at least one gear and is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor M2 from the slider 25 to the encoder scale 28. The coupling mechanism (26, 27) includes a sector gear 26 engaged with the slider 25 and an idler gear 27 engaged with the sector gear 26 and the encoder scale 28. This coupling mechanism is configured so that the movement amount of the encoder scale 28 (moving member) is greater than the movement amount of the slider 25 (transmitting member). This makes it easier to detect the position of the tray 80 with high accuracy compared to when the movement amount of the encoder scale 28 is equal to or less than that of the slider 25. In other words, if high-accuracy tray position detection is attempted when the movement amount of the encoder scale 28 is small, it is necessary to use a photointerrupter 30 (sensor unit) with high position detection accuracy or to increase the dimensional accuracy of the encoder scale 28. In contrast, this embodiment enables high-accuracy tray position detection with a simple configuration.

[0185] The sector gear 26 of this embodiment has a pin 26b (engaged portion) engaged with a groove 25a (engaging portion) of the slider 25, and a gear portion 26c meshing with the idler gear 27, and rotates around a rotation axis 26a. The pitch circle radius of the gear portion 26c is greater than the distance from the rotation axis 26a to the pin 26b. Therefore, the sector gear 26 can transmit drive force such that the movement amount of the teeth of the gear portion 26c, which outputs drive force toward the encoder scale 28, is greater than the movement amount of the pin 26b, which receives drive force.

[0186] The idler gear 27 of this embodiment has a small-diameter gear portion 27a that meshes with the gear portion 26c of the sector gear 26, and a large-diameter gear portion 27b that meshes with the rack portion 28a of the encoder scale 28. The idler gear 27 is a stepped gear in which the pitch circle radius of the large-diameter gear portion 27b is larger than the pitch circle radius of the small-diameter gear portion 27a. Therefore, the idler gear 27 can transmit drive force such that the amount of movement of the teeth of the large-diameter gear portion 27b, which is the portion that outputs drive force to the encoder scale 28, is greater than the amount of movement of the teeth of the small-diameter gear portion 27a, which is the portion that receives drive force.

[0187] The mechanism consisting of the sector gear 26 and the idler gear 27 is merely one example of a coupling mechanism configured so that the movement amount of the encoder scale 28 (moving member) is greater than the movement amount of the slider 25 (transmission member). For example, a coupling mechanism in which the gear portion 26c of the sector gear 26 engages with the rack portion 28a of the encoder scale 28 may be used. Alternatively, a coupling mechanism in which a rack portion is provided on the slider 25 and the small-diameter gear portion 27a of the idler gear 27 engages with the rack portion of the slider 25 may be used.

[0188] (Operation of tray position detection mechanism and judgment of control unit) The following describes the operation of the tray position detection mechanism 18 in this embodiment and the method by which the control unit 17 determines the tray position using a signal from the photointerrupter 30. Figure 12(c) is a diagram showing an example of the output of the photointerrupter 30 of the tray position detection mechanism 18.

[0189] 12(a) and 12(b), when the tray 80 is positioned at the storage position, the first opening 29a of the encoder scale 28 faces the light-emitting element 30a and the light-receiving element 30b of the photointerrupter 30. In this case, the photointerrupter 30 continuously outputs a LOW signal.

[0190] When a tray-pulling operation is initiated to move the tray 80 from the storage position to the removal position, the driving force of the motor M2 moves the slider 25 in the first movement direction D1, and the tray 80 moves in the pull-out direction (first direction). In conjunction with the movement of the slider 25 in the first movement direction D1, the encoder scale 28 starts moving in the third movement direction D3. Then, the light-blocking portion 29e adjacent to the first opening 29a of the encoder scale 28 blocks the optical path of the photointerrupter 30, and the output of the photointerrupter 30 switches from LOW to HIGH. Thereafter, the intermediate opening 29c and the light-blocking portion 29e of the encoder scale 28 alternately pass through the photointerrupter 30, intermittently blocking the optical path of the photointerrupter 30. Therefore, the photointerrupter 30 repeatedly outputs a LOW signal (first signal) and a HIGH signal (second signal) alternately.

[0191] When the tray 80 reaches the removal position, the second opening 29b of the encoder scale 28 faces the light-emitting element 30a and the light-receiving element 30b of the photointerrupter 30. When the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has reached the removal position (the tray extraction operation has been completed), it stops the motor M2. In this case, the photointerrupter 30 continuously outputs a LOW signal.

[0192] Furthermore, when a tray insertion operation for moving the tray 80 from the removal position to the storage position is initiated, the slider 25 is moved in the second movement direction D2 by the driving force of the motor M2, and the tray 80 is moved in the insertion direction (second direction). In conjunction with the movement of the slider 25 in the second movement direction D2, the encoder scale 28 begins to move in the fourth movement direction D4. Then, the light path of the photointerrupter 30 is blocked by the light-blocking portion 29e adjacent to the second opening 29b of the encoder scale 28, and the output of the photointerrupter 30 switches from LOW to HIGH. Thereafter, the intermediate opening 29c of the encoder scale 28 and the light-blocking portion 29e alternately pass through the photointerrupter 30, intermittently blocking the light path of the photointerrupter 30. Therefore, the photointerrupter 30 repeatedly outputs a LOW signal (first signal) and a HIGH signal (second signal) alternately.

[0193] When the tray 80 reaches the storage position, the first opening 29a of the encoder scale 28 faces the light-emitting element 30a and the light-receiving element 30b of the photointerrupter 30. When the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has reached the storage position (the tray insertion operation has been completed), it stops the motor M2. In this case, the photointerrupter 30 continuously outputs a LOW signal.

[0194] In this way, when the tray 80 (support member) is in the storage position (first position), the photointerrupter 30 (sensor unit) is in a state (first detection state) in which it continuously outputs a LOW signal (first signal). Also, when the tray 80 (support member) is in the removal position (second position), the photointerrupter 30 (sensor unit) is in a state (first detection state) in which it continuously outputs a LOW signal (first signal).

[0195] Furthermore, while the tray 80 (support member) is being moved from either the storage position (first position) or the removal position (second position) to the other, the photointerrupter 30 (sensor unit) is in a second detection state different from the first detection state. In this embodiment, the second detection state is a state in which the photointerrupter 30 repeatedly outputs a LOW signal (first signal) and a HIGH signal (second signal) alternately.

[0196] Here, the control unit 17 of this embodiment detects that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position and that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position based on a combination of information on the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 and a signal from the photointerrupter 30. The information on the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is information that indicates whether the rotation direction of the motor M2 is set to the forward direction or the reverse direction.

[0197] That is, when the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is the pull-out direction (first direction) and the photointerrupter 30 is in the first detection state (LOW), the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position. Also, when the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is the pull-in direction (second direction) and the photointerrupter 30 is in the first detection state (LOW), the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position.

[0198] This allows the tray position detection mechanism 18 to have a simpler configuration than a configuration in which a sensor that detects that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position and a sensor that detects that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position are separately arranged. Furthermore, the tray position detection mechanism 18 with a simple configuration can detect that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position and that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position.

[0199] In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect, with a simple configuration, whether the support member has been moved to the first position or the second position.

[0200] More specifically, in this embodiment, the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position when the signal from the photointerrupter 30 changes from HIGH (second signal) to LOW (first signal) and the LOW signal continues for a predetermined time TO or more after the motor M2 starts moving the tray 80 in the pull-out direction. The predetermined time TO is set in advance as a threshold time for detecting the completion of movement of the tray 80, and is stored in the ROM of the control unit 17, for example.

[0201] When the moving speed of the encoder scale 28 during the tray pull-out operation is V0, the predetermined time T0 is greater than the value obtained by dividing the width W3 of the intermediate opening 29c by the speed V0 and is smaller than the value obtained by dividing the width W2 of the second opening 29b by the speed V0. In other words, the width W2 of the second opening 29b is set to be longer than the distance (T0 x V0) that the encoder scale 28 moves during the predetermined time T0, which is the threshold time for detecting the completion of movement of the tray 80. Furthermore, the width W3 of the intermediate opening 29c is set to be shorter than the distance (T0 x V0) that the encoder scale 28 moves during the predetermined time T0.

[0202] With the above configuration, if the signal from photointerrupter 30 switches from HIGH to LOW and then switches back to HIGH before the predetermined time T0 has elapsed, it is determined that one of the intermediate openings 29c has passed through photointerrupter 30. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12(c), if the signal from photointerrupter 30 does not switch back to HIGH even after the predetermined time T0 has elapsed since the signal switched from HIGH to LOW, it is determined that second opening 29b faces photointerrupter 30, i.e., that tray 80 has reached the removal position. This allows control unit 17 to accurately determine whether to end the tray extraction operation.

[0203] Similarly, in this embodiment, the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position when, after the motor M2 starts moving the tray 80 in the insertion direction, the signal from the photointerrupter 30 changes from HIGH (second signal) to LOW (first signal) and the LOW signal continues for a predetermined time T0 or more.

[0204] When the moving speed of the encoder scale 28 during the tray insertion operation is V0, the predetermined time T0 is greater than the value obtained by dividing the width W3 of the intermediate opening 29c by the speed V0 and is smaller than the value obtained by dividing the width W1 of the first opening 29a by the speed V0. In other words, the width W1 of the first opening 29a is set to be longer than the distance (T0 x V0) that the encoder scale 28 moves during the predetermined time T0.

[0205] With the above configuration, if the signal from photointerrupter 30 switches from HIGH to LOW and then switches back to HIGH before the predetermined time T0 has elapsed, it is determined that one of the intermediate openings 29c has passed through photointerrupter 30. On the other hand, if the signal from photointerrupter 30 does not switch back to HIGH even after the predetermined time T0 has elapsed since the signal switched from HIGH to LOW, it is determined that first opening 29a faces photointerrupter 30, that is, tray 80 has reached the storage position. This allows control unit 17 to accurately determine whether to end the tray insertion operation.

[0206] If the signal from the photointerrupter 30 does not change from HIGH for a certain period of time after the motor M2 starts moving the tray 80, the control unit 17 can determine that the tray 80 has stopped mid-movement.

[0207] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect the completion of movement of each of the multiple trays 80 from one of the storage position and the removal position to the other, depending on the posture of the rotary body 90. When the rotary body 90 is in the yellow replacement posture, the control unit 17 can detect that tray 80y has moved to the removal position and that tray 80y has moved to the storage position, based on the rotation direction of motor M2 and a signal from photointerrupter 30. When the rotary body 90 is in the black replacement posture, the control unit 17 can detect that tray 80k has moved to the removal position and that tray 80k has moved to the storage position, based on the rotation direction of motor M2 and a signal from photointerrupter 30. For example, if the yellow toner cartridge 70y and tray 80y are the first toner cartridge and first support member, the black toner cartridge 70k and tray 80k are an example of the second toner cartridge and second support member.

[0208] The tray 80k, serving as the second support member, is movable between a storage position (third position) and a removal position (fourth position). When the tray 80k is in the storage position and when the tray 80k is in the removal position, the photointerrupter 30 is in a first detection state in which it continuously outputs a LOW signal. While the tray 80k is being moved from either the storage position or the removal position to the other, the photointerrupter 30 is in a second detection state in which it alternately outputs a LOW signal and a HIGH signal. The control unit 17 determines that the tray 80k has been moved to the removal position when the direction of movement of the tray 80k by the motor M2 is the removal direction and the photointerrupter 30 is in the first detection state. The control unit 17 also determines that the tray 80k has been moved to the storage position when the direction of movement of the tray 80k by the motor M2 is the removal direction and the photointerrupter 30 is in the first detection state.

[0209] Thus, according to this embodiment, the positions of the plurality of trays 80 (plurality of support members) can be detected based on the detection result of one photointerrupter 30 (sensor unit). Also, according to this embodiment, the positions of the plurality of trays 80 (plurality of support members) can be detected by one tray position detection mechanism 18.

[0210] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the black toner cartridge 70k has a larger capacity than the toner cartridges 70y to 70c of the other colors. Also, the movement distance L1 (FIG. 7(a)) of the tray 80k corresponding to the toner cartridge 70k is longer than the movement distance L2 (FIG. 7(b)) of the other trays 80y to 80c. Meanwhile, the ratio of the movement distance of the tray 80 to the movement distance of the drive racks 15L and 15R can be adjusted, for example, by using a stepped gear for the pinion gear 94, as described above. Therefore, the movement distance of the slider 25 when moving the toner cartridge 70k from the storage position to the removal position is equal to the movement distance of the slider 25 when moving any of the toner cartridges 70y to 70c from the storage position to the removal position.

[0211] In other words, the capacity of toner cartridge 70k (second toner cartridge) is greater than the capacity of toner cartridge 70y. The movement distance L1 of toner cartridge 70k (second toner cartridge) from the storage position (third position) to the removal position (fourth position) is greater than the movement distance L2 of toner cartridge 70y from the storage position (first position) to the removal position (second position). On the other hand, the movement distance of encoder scale 28 (moving member) while toner cartridge 70k (second toner cartridge) moves from the storage position (third position) to the removal position (fourth position) is equal to the movement distance of encoder scale 28 (moving member) while toner cartridge 70k moves from the storage position (first position) to the removal position (second position).

[0212] With this configuration, even though the movement distances L1, L2 are different among the multiple trays 80 (multiple support members), the operation of the tray position detection mechanism 18 when each tray moves is the same. Therefore, while the tray position detection mechanism 18 has a simple configuration, it can detect that the tray 80 has moved to the removal position and that the tray 80 has moved to the storage position for each of the multiple trays 80 with different movement distances L1, L2.

[0213] (Variation) In the first embodiment, the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has moved to the storage position or the removal position based on the signal from the photointerrupter 30 changing from HIGH to LOW and the LOW signal continuing for a predetermined time or more. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 17 may count the number of times the signal from the photointerrupter 30 changes from HIGH to LOW, and determine that the tray 80 has moved to the storage position or the removal position based on the count value reaching a preset number (predetermined number).

[0214] Furthermore, the control unit 17 may determine the position of the tray 80 between the storage position and the removal position based on the count value of the number of times the signal from the photointerrupter 30 changes from HIGH to LOW. In other words, if the movement of the tray 80 stops for some reason, the signal from the photointerrupter 30 remains HIGH or LOW. When the signal from the photointerrupter 30 remains HIGH or LOW for a certain period of time, the control unit 17 can determine that the movement of the tray 80 has stopped. Then, the control unit 17 compares the count value when the movement of the tray 80 has stopped with a predetermined number of times, and can determine that the tray extension operation or tray insertion operation has been interrupted if the count value is less than the predetermined number of times.

[0215] If the control unit 17 determines that the tray pull-out operation or the tray pull-in operation has been interrupted, the control unit 17 may rotate the motor M2 in the reverse direction to return the tray 80 to its original position. The control unit 17 may also notify the user that the tray pull-out operation or the tray pull-in operation has been interrupted, such as by displaying a screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, when the tray 80 moves from one of the storage position and the removal position to the other, if the signal from the photointerrupter 30 remains HIGH or LOW for a certain period of time and the number of times the signal changes from HIGH to LOW is less than a predetermined number of times, the control unit 17 may perform an interruption operation. In the interruption operation, the control unit 17 may control the motor M2 so that the tray 80 moves from the other of the storage position and the removal position to the other. In the interruption operation, the control unit 17 may output a signal to cause a display unit, such as an operation panel, to display information that the tray pull-out operation or the tray pull-in operation has been interrupted. The control unit 17 may perform one of these operations or both.

[0216] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the photointerrupter 30 serving as a sensor unit is configured to emit a signal according to the position of the encoder scale 28 (moving member) connected to the transmission device 99. However, without being limited to this, the slider 25 may be provided with a plurality of openings 29, and the photointerrupter 30 may be configured to emit a signal according to the position of the slider 25 serving as a moving member.

[0217] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a LOW signal is output when the opening 29 passes through the photointerrupter 30, and a HIGH signal is output when the light-shielding portion 29e passes through the photointerrupter 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a HIGH signal is output when the opening 29 passes through the photointerrupter 30, and a LOW signal is output when the light-shielding portion 29e passes through the photointerrupter 30 may also be used.

[0218] Furthermore, the configuration of the transmission device 99 described in this embodiment is merely an example. The transmission device 99 may be configured to transmit the driving force of a driving source, such as the motor M2, to the moving device and cause the moving device to move the tray 80 (support member). For example, instead of the slider 25, a transmission member may be used in which rack portions that engage with the drive racks 15L, 15R are formed on both ends of a shaft member that rotates around an axis extending in the Y direction.

[0219] Example 2 As a second embodiment, another configuration of the tray position detection mechanism 118 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the drive device 98 and the tray position detection mechanism 118. Below, elements with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0220] The tray position detection mechanism 118 of this embodiment includes an encoder disk 33 and a photointerrupter 30. The encoder disk 33 has a gear portion that meshes with a third gear 993 of the first gear train 99R, and is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the third gear 993. That is, in this embodiment, the transmission device 99 has the third gear 993 as a gear that transmits the driving force of the motor M2, and the encoder disk 33 as a moving member is connected to the gear.

[0221] When the tray 80 is moved from the storage position toward the removal position, the encoder disc 33 is rotated in a first rotation direction about the rotation axis A33. When the tray 80 is moved from the removal position toward the storage position, the encoder disc 33 is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction about the rotation axis A33.

[0222] The encoder disk 33 has a plurality of openings 33a, 33b arranged along an arc centered on the rotation axis A33. The width of at least one opening 33b is wider than the width of the other openings 33a. When the tray 80 is in the storage position and when the tray 80 is in the removal position, the wider opening 33b faces the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photointerrupter 30. In this case, similar to the first embodiment, the photointerrupter 30 is in a state (first detection state) in which it continuously outputs a LOW signal as the first signal.

[0223] While the tray 80 is being moved from either the storage position or the removal position to the other, the multiple openings 33a pass through the photointerrupter 30 in sequence, intermittently blocking the light path of the photointerrupter 30. Therefore, while the tray 80 is being moved from either the storage position or the removal position to the other, the photointerrupter 30 is in a state (second detection state) in which it alternately outputs a LOW signal and a HIGH signal repeatedly.

[0224] It is desirable that the amount of rotation of the encoder disk 33 while the tray 80 moves from the storage position to the removal position, and the amount of rotation of the encoder disk 33 while the tray moves from the removal position to the storage position, is one rotation or less (360° or less). If the amount of rotation of the encoder disk 33 is one rotation or less, it is possible to configure the wide opening 33b not to pass the photointerrupter 30 two or more times in one tray pull-out operation or one tray pull-in operation. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position and that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position without counting the number of times the wide opening 33b has passed the photointerrupter 30.

[0225] In this embodiment as well, the control unit 17 can detect that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position and that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position based on a combination of information on the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 and a signal from the photointerrupter 30.

[0226] That is, when the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is the pull-out direction (first direction) and the photointerrupter 30 is in the first detection state (LOW), the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position (second position). Also, when the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is the pull-in direction (second direction) and the photointerrupter 30 is in the first detection state (LOW), the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position (first position).

[0227] This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect, with a simple configuration, whether the support member has been moved to the first position or the second position.

[0228] Example 3 As a third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the period at which the photointerrupter 30 repeatedly outputs a HIGH signal and a LOW signal when the tray 80 starts to move varies depending on the direction of movement of the tray 80. Below, elements with the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment have basically the same configuration and function as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0229] 14 is a diagram showing an example of output from the photointerrupter 30 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the width and spacing of the intermediate openings 29c (see FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b)) provided in the encoder scale 28 (moving member) are not constant. The width and spacing of several intermediate openings 29c adjacent to the first opening 29a are set narrower than the width and spacing of the other intermediate openings 29c.

[0230] With the above configuration, the period in which HIGH and LOW signals are alternately repeated when motor M2 starts to move tray 80 from the storage position toward the removal position is shorter than the period in which HIGH and LOW signals are alternately repeated when motor M2 starts to move tray 80 from the removal position toward the storage position. Based on the period of the HIGH and LOW signals when motor M2 starts to move tray 80, control unit 17 can determine whether tray 80 is near the storage position.

[0231] For example, when the position of tray 80 is unknown, such as immediately after power is turned on to device main body 1A, control unit 17 drives motor M2 to drive tray 80 in the pull-out direction (first direction) to determine the position of tray 80. When tray 80 is in the storage position, photointerrupter 30 outputs HIGH and LOW signals at short intervals. When tray 80 is in the removal position, the output of photointerrupter 30 is a constant LOW signal. Note that even if motor M2 attempts to move tray 80 further in the pull-out direction when tray 80 is in the removal position, tray 80 remains in the removal position due to restrictions such as the movement range of drive rack 15.

[0232] After the control unit 17 starts moving the tray 80 in the removal direction (first direction) using the motor M2, if it detects a short-period HIGH signal and a LOW signal, it immediately reverses the rotation of the motor M2 to return the tray 80 to its original position. At this time, it is preferable to reverse the rotation of the motor M2 before the tray 80 protrudes outside the frame 16 through the opening 16a. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the tray 80 in the removal position protrudes outside the frame 16 through the opening 16a (see FIG. 6(c)). When the portion of the tray 80 protruding outside the frame 16 in the removal position is defined as the protruding portion, it is preferable to reverse the rotation of the motor M2 before the protruding portion of the tray 80 begins to pass through the opening 16a. This allows the control unit 17 to determine the position of the tray 80 without the tray 80 protruding outside the frame 16.

[0233] In this embodiment, the output time of both the LOW signal and the HIGH signal are short while the tray 80 is moving near the storage position. However, the output time of only the LOW signal or only the HIGH signal may be short. The control unit 17 can determine whether the tray 80 is near the storage position based on the ratio of the output times of adjacent LOW and HIGH signals on the time axis. A determination method based on the cycles of the LOW and HIGH signals may result in a decrease in determination accuracy if the rotation speed of the motor M2 fluctuates for some reason. In contrast, a determination method based on the ratio of the output times of the LOW and HIGH signals has the advantage of being less susceptible to fluctuations in the speed of the motor M2.

[0234] In addition, in the encoder disk 33 of Example 2, the same advantages as in this example can be obtained by configuring the width and spacing of several openings 33a adjacent to one end of the opening 33b to be shorter than the width and spacing of the other openings 33a.

[0235] Example 4 In the first to third embodiments, the photointerrupter 30 repeatedly outputs a HIGH signal and a LOW signal alternately while the tray 80 moves from either the storage position or the removal position to the other. In the fourth embodiment, the output of the photointerrupter 30 is constant while the tray 80 moves from either the storage position or the removal position to the other.

[0236] Fig. 15(a) is a perspective view of the drive device 98 and the tray position detection mechanism 218. Figs. 15(b) and 15(c) are side views of the drive device 98 and the tray position detection mechanism 218 as viewed in the X direction. Fig. 15(d) is a diagram showing an example of a signal output from the switch 37 when the tray 80 is moved from the storage position toward the removal position.

[0237] 15(a) to 15(c), the tray position detection mechanism 218 in this embodiment includes a third gear 993 of the first gear train 99R and a switch 37. The third gear 993 is a part of the transmission device 99, and is a moving member that moves in conjunction with the movement of the tray 80. The switch 37 functions as a sensor unit that outputs a signal according to the position (rotation angle) of the third gear 993.

[0238] The switch 37 has a contact plate 37a as an abutted portion. The third gear 993 is provided with a protrusion 36 as an abutting portion that can abut against the contact plate 37a. The switch 37 is configured to output a LOW signal (OFF signal) when the protrusion 36 abuts against the contact plate 37a (FIG. 15(b)), and to output a HIGH signal (ON signal) when the protrusion 36 is not abutting against the contact plate 37a (FIG. 15(c)).

[0239] When the tray 80 is in the storage position and when the tray 80 is in the removal position, the protrusion 36 comes into contact with the contact plate 37a. That is, the switch 37 is in a state where it outputs a LOW signal as a first signal (first detection state).

[0240] While the tray 80 is moving from either the storage position or the removal position to the other, the protrusion 36 does not come into contact with the contact plate 37a, which means that the switch 37 is in a state where it outputs a HIGH signal as the second signal (second detection state).

[0241] While the tray 80 moves from the storage position to the removal position, the third gear 993 rotates approximately one time in the first rotation direction. Also, while the tray 80 moves from the removal position to the storage position, the third gear 993 rotates approximately one time in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0242] In this embodiment, too, the control unit 17 can detect that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position and that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position based on a combination of information on the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 and the signal from the switch 37.

[0243] That is, when the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is the pull-out direction (first direction) and the switch 37 is in the first detection state (LOW), the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position (second position). Also, when the direction of movement of the tray 80 by the motor M2 is the pull-in direction (second direction) and the switch 37 is in the second detection state (HIGH), the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position (first position).

[0244] Specifically, in this embodiment, the switch 37 remains at a constant HIGH signal while the tray 80 is moving from either the storage position or the removal position to the other. Therefore, the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the removal position when the signal of the switch 37 changes from a HIGH signal (second signal) to a LOW signal (first signal) after the motor M2 starts moving the tray 80 in the removal direction. Also, the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 has been moved to the storage position when the signal of the switch 37 changes from a HIGH signal (second signal) to a LOW signal (first signal) after the motor M2 starts moving the tray 80 in the insertion direction.

[0245] This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect, with a simple configuration, whether the support member has been moved to the first position or the second position.

[0246] In addition, when the position of the tray 80 is unknown, such as immediately after the power of the device main body 1A is turned on, if the switch 37 outputs a HIGH signal, the control unit 17 can determine that the tray 80 is between the storage position and the removal position.

[0247] Furthermore, when the position of the tray 80 is unknown and the switch 37 outputs a LOW signal, the control unit 17 drives the motor M2 to move the tray 80 in the pull-out direction. When the signal from the switch 37 changes from a LOW signal to a HIGH signal, the control unit 17 determines that the tray 80 is near the storage position, and when the signal from the switch 37 remains a LOW signal, it can determine that the tray 80 is in the removal position.

[0248] Conversely, if the position of tray 80 is unknown and switch 37 is outputting a LOW signal, control unit 17 may drive tray 80 in the pull-in direction using motor M2. When the signal from switch 37 changes from a LOW signal to a HIGH signal, control unit 17 can determine that tray 80 is near the removal position, and when the signal from switch 37 remains a LOW signal, it can determine that tray 80 is in the storage position.

[0249] In this embodiment, the switch 37 outputs a LOW signal as the first signal when the protrusion 36 abuts against the contact plate 37a. However, the switch 37 may also be configured to output a HIGH signal as the first signal when the protrusion 36 abuts against the contact plate 37a.

[0250] (Other variations) In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the light-shielding photointerrupter 30 of the movable member or the switch 37 that comes into contact with the movable member has been described as an example of the sensor unit. The sensor unit is not limited to this, and a reflective optical sensor (photoreflector), for example, may be used. In this case, the movable member may be provided with a reflective area that reflects light from the light-emitting element toward the light-receiving element, instead of the openings 29, 33a, and 33b that allow light to pass through in the first and second embodiments. Also, a magnetic encoder may be configured by using a magnetic sensor as the sensor unit and attaching a magnet to the movable member.

[0251] In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the rotary body 90 is equipped with four developing units 50y to 50k and is capable of forming color images using four colors of toner. However, the rotary body 90 may be equipped with three or fewer developing units, or five or more developing units. In these cases, the number and arrangement of trays and toner cartridges can be appropriately changed according to the number of developing units. For example, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, a configuration in which four toner cartridges 70y to 70k can be detachably attached to the rotary body 90 is illustrated. However, the rotary body 90 may be configured to have only one developing unit 50k, and only one toner cartridge 70k can be attached to the rotary body 90. In this case, the rotary body 90 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 around the rotation axis 90C, and can alternate between a black replacement position and a black development position.

[0252] In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the rotary body 90 is provided with four developing units 50y to 50k, and a configuration capable of forming a color image using four colors of toner has been described. However, the rotary body 90 may have multiple developing units capable of forming images using toner of the same color. For example, the rotary body 90 may be configured to have four black developing units 50k, and four toner cartridges 70k may be attached to the rotary body 90.

[0253] (Other embodiments) 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.

[0254] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following: (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus, a rotary having a developing roller and a container for containing toner to be supplied to the developing roller, the rotary being rotatable; a toner cartridge that contains the toner and is detachably attached to the rotary; a support member attached to the rotary and supporting the toner cartridge, the support member being movable between a first position that allows toner to be replenished from the toner cartridge to the accommodating portion and a second position that allows the toner cartridge to be attached to and detached from the rotary; a drive source configured to move the support member in a first direction from the first position toward the second position and to move the support member in a second direction from the second position toward the first position; a detection mechanism including a moving member configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the support member by the drive source, and a sensor unit that outputs a signal according to the position of the moving member; a control unit that receives a signal from the sensor unit and controls the drive source; Equipped with the detection mechanism is configured such that, when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, the sensor unit is in a first detection state, and while the support member is being moved from one of the first position and the second position to the other, the sensor unit is in a second detection state different from the first detection state; The control unit determining that the support member has been moved to the second position when the direction of movement of the support member by the drive source is the first direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; determining that the support member has been moved to the first position when the direction of movement of the support member by the drive source is the second direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 2) A transmission device; a moving device that moves the support member by the driving force of the driving source transmitted from the transmission device; Further provided with The moving member is connected to the transmission device and configured to move when receiving the driving force. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) the transmission device is configured to transmit the driving force to the rotary; The moving device is provided on the rotary. 3. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) the moving device has a first driven part and a second driven part, The transmission device is a first driving member disposed on one end side of the rotary in the direction of the rotary axis, the first driving member transmitting the driving force to the first driven part; a second driving member disposed on the other end side of the rotary in the direction of the rotation axis and configured to transmit the driving force to the second driven portion; a transmission member configured to reciprocate in a direction along the rotation axis direction and transmitting the driving force from the driving source to the second driving member, The moving member is connected to the transmission member. 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3. (Configuration 5) The moving member is configured to reciprocate in a direction along the rotation axis direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) a coupling mechanism that couples the transmission member and the moving member; The connecting mechanism is configured so that the movement amount of the moving member is larger than the movement amount of the transmission member. 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5. (Configuration 7) the transmission device has a gear that transmits the driving force, The moving member is connected to the gear. 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2 or 3. (Configuration 8) A transmission device; a moving device that moves the support member by the driving force of the driving source transmitted from the transmission device; Further provided with The moving member is a part of the transmission device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 9) a second toner cartridge; a second support member attached to the rotary, supporting the second toner cartridge, and configured to be moved between a third position and a fourth position by the driving source; Further provided with the moving member is configured to move in conjunction with the second support member when the second support member is moved between the third position and the fourth position; the detection mechanism is configured such that, when the second support member is in the third position and when the second support member is in the fourth position, the sensor unit is in a first detection state, and while the second support member is moving from either the third position or the fourth position to the other, the sensor unit is in the second detection state; The control unit determining that the second support member has been moved to the fourth position when the direction of movement of the second support member by the drive source is a direction from the third position toward the fourth position and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; determining that the second support member has been moved to the third position when the direction of movement of the second support member by the drive source is a direction from the fourth position toward the third position and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. (Configuration 10) The capacity of the second toner cartridge is larger than the capacity of the first toner cartridge, a moving distance of the second toner cartridge from the third position to the fourth position is greater than a moving distance of the second toner cartridge from the first position to the second position; a moving distance of the moving member while the second toner cartridge moves from the third position to the fourth position is equal to a moving distance of the moving member while the toner cartridge moves from the first position to the second position; 10. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, (Configuration 11) the first detection state is a state in which the sensor unit continuously outputs a first signal; The second detection state is a state in which the sensor unit alternately and repeatedly outputs the first signal and a second signal different from the first signal. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) The control unit determining that the support member is at the second position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal and the first signal continues for a predetermined time or longer after the drive source starts moving the support member in the first direction; determining that the support member is at the first position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal and the first signal continues for the predetermined time or longer after the drive source starts moving the support member in the second direction; 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, (Configuration 13) the control unit determines the position of the support member between the first position and the second position based on the number of times the signal from the sensor unit switches between the first signal and the second signal after the drive source starts moving the support member. 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 12. (Configuration 14) the detection mechanism is configured such that a cycle in which the first signal and the second signal are repeated when the support member starts to move from the first position toward the second position is different from a cycle in which the first signal and the second signal are repeated when the support member starts to move from the second position toward the first position, the control unit determines whether the support member is in the vicinity of the first position based on a cycle at which the first signal and the second signal are repeated when the movement of the support member is started by the driving source. 14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 13. (Configuration 15) The rotary further includes a main body frame that houses the rotary and has an opening. the entire support member in the state where it is positioned at the first position is inside the main body frame body with respect to the opening, and at least a part of the support member in the state where it is positioned at the second position is outside the main body frame body through the opening, the control unit causes the drive source to start moving the support member when the position of the support member is unknown, and when it determines that the support member is near the first position based on a cycle at which the first signal and the second signal are repeated, causes the drive source to move the support member in the second direction before the at least part of the support member starts to pass through the opening. 15. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 14. (Configuration 16) the sensor unit has a light-emitting element that emits light and a light-receiving element that converts the light into a signal, and is configured to output the first signal when the light is incident on the light-receiving element, and to output the second signal when the light is not incident on the light-receiving element; the movable member has a plurality of light-blocking portions arranged along the moving direction of the movable member, and when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, allows the light from the light-emitting element to reach the light-receiving element, and is configured so that the light is intermittently blocked by the plurality of light-blocking portions while the support member is moving from one of the first position and the second position to the other. 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 15. (Configuration 17) the first detection state is a state in which the sensor unit outputs a first signal, The second detection state is a state in which the sensor unit outputs a second signal different from the first signal. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 18) The control unit determining that the support member is at the second position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal after the drive source starts moving the support member in the first direction; determining that the support member is at the first position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal after the drive source starts moving the support member in the second direction; 18. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 17. (Configuration 19) the sensor unit has a contact portion, the moving member has an abutting portion that can abut against the abutted portion, and when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, the abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion, and while the support member is moving from one of the first position and the second position to the other, the abutting portion does not abut against the abutted portion, the sensor unit outputs the first signal when the contact portion is in contact with the contacted portion, and outputs the second signal when the contact portion is not in contact with the contacted portion. 19. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 17 or 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0255] 17...Control unit / 18...Detection mechanism (tray position detection mechanism) / 28, 33, 993...Moving member (encoder scale, encoder disk, third gear) / 51...Developing roller / 53a...Storage section (developing side storage section) / 70...Toner cartridge / 80...Support member (tray) / 85...Moving device / 90...Rotary (rotary main body) / 99...Transmission device / M2...Drive source (motor)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, a rotary having a developing roller and a container for containing toner to be supplied to the developing roller, the rotary being rotatable; a toner cartridge that contains the toner and is detachably attached to the rotary; a support member attached to the rotary and supporting the toner cartridge, the support member being movable between a first position that allows toner to be replenished from the toner cartridge to the accommodating portion and a second position that allows the toner cartridge to be attached to and detached from the rotary; a drive source configured to move the support member in a first direction from the first position toward the second position and to move the support member in a second direction from the second position toward the first position; a detection mechanism including a moving member configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the support member by the drive source, and a sensor unit that outputs a signal according to the position of the moving member; a control unit that receives a signal from the sensor unit and controls the drive source; Equipped with the detection mechanism is configured such that, when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, the sensor unit is in a first detection state, and while the support member is being moved from one of the first position and the second position to the other, the sensor unit is in a second detection state different from the first detection state; The control unit determining that the support member has been moved to the second position when the direction of movement of the support member by the drive source is the first direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; determining that the support member has been moved to the first position when the direction of movement of the support member by the drive source is the second direction and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. A transmission device; a moving device that moves the support member by the driving force of the driving source transmitted from the transmission device; Further provided with The moving member is connected to the transmission device and configured to move when receiving the driving force.

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

3. the transmission device is configured to transmit the driving force to the rotary; The moving device is provided on the rotary.

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

4. the moving device has a first driven part and a second driven part, The transmission device is a first driving member disposed on one end side of the rotary in the direction of the rotary axis, the first driving member transmitting the driving force to the first driven portion; a second driving member disposed on the other end side of the rotary in the direction of the rotation axis and configured to transmit the driving force to the second driven portion; a transmission member configured to reciprocate in a direction along the rotation axis direction and to transmit the driving force from the driving source to the second driving member, The moving member is connected to the transmission member.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The moving member is configured to reciprocate in a direction along the rotation axis direction.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. a coupling mechanism that couples the transmission member and the moving member; The connecting mechanism is configured so that the movement amount of the moving member is larger than the movement amount of the transmission member.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

7. the transmission device has a gear that transmits the driving force, The moving member is connected to the gear.

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

8. A transmission device; a moving device that moves the support member by the driving force of the driving source transmitted from the transmission device; Further provided with The moving member is a part of the transmission device.

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

9. a second toner cartridge; a second support member attached to the rotary, supporting the second toner cartridge, and configured to be moved between a third position and a fourth position by the driving source; Further provided with the moving member is configured to move in conjunction with the second support member when the second support member is moved between the third position and the fourth position; the detection mechanism is configured such that, when the second support member is in the third position and when the second support member is in the fourth position, the sensor unit is in a first detection state, and while the second support member is moving from either the third position or the fourth position to the other, the sensor unit is in the second detection state; The control unit determining that the second support member has been moved to the fourth position when the direction of movement of the second support member by the drive source is a direction from the third position toward the fourth position and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; determining that the second support member has been moved to the third position when the direction of movement of the second support member by the drive source is a direction from the fourth position toward the third position and the sensor unit is in the first detection state; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

10. The capacity of the second toner cartridge is larger than the capacity of the first toner cartridge, a moving distance of the second toner cartridge from the third position to the fourth position is greater than a moving distance of the second toner cartridge from the first position to the second position; a moving distance of the moving member while the second toner cartridge moves from the third position to the fourth position is equal to a moving distance of the moving member while the toner cartridge moves from the first position to the second position; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,

11. the first detection state is a state in which the sensor unit continuously outputs a first signal, The second detection state is a state in which the sensor unit alternately and repeatedly outputs the first signal and a second signal different from the first signal.

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

12. The control unit determining that the support member is at the second position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal and the first signal continues for a predetermined time or more after the drive source starts moving the support member in the first direction; and determining that the support member is at the first position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal and the first signal continues for the predetermined time or longer after the drive source starts moving the support member in the second direction.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

13. the control unit determines the position of the support member between the first position and the second position based on the number of times the signal from the sensor unit switches between the first signal and the second signal after the drive source starts moving the support member.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

14. the detection mechanism is configured such that a cycle in which the first signal and the second signal are repeated when the support member starts to move from the first position toward the second position is different from a cycle in which the first signal and the second signal are repeated when the support member starts to move from the second position toward the first position, the control unit determines whether the support member is in the vicinity of the first position based on a cycle at which the first signal and the second signal are repeated when the movement of the support member is started by the drive source.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

15. a main body frame that houses the rotary and has an opening; the entire support member in the state where it is positioned at the first position is inside the main body frame body with respect to the opening, and at least a part of the support member in the state where it is positioned at the second position is outside the main body frame body through the opening, the control unit causes the drive source to start moving the support member when the position of the support member is unknown, and when it determines that the support member is near the first position based on a cycle at which the first signal and the second signal are repeated, causes the drive source to move the support member in the second direction before the at least part of the support member starts to pass through the opening.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.

16. the sensor unit has a light-emitting element that emits light and a light-receiving element that converts the light into a signal, and is configured to output the first signal when the light is incident on the light-receiving element, and to output the second signal when the light is not incident on the light-receiving element; The movable member has a plurality of light-blocking portions arranged along the moving direction of the movable member, and is configured to allow the light from the light-emitting element to reach the light-receiving element when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, and to intermittently block the light by the plurality of light-blocking portions while the support member is moving from either the first position or the second position to the other.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

17. the first detection state is a state in which the sensor unit outputs a first signal, The second detection state is a state in which the sensor unit outputs a second signal different from the first signal.

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

18. The control unit determining that the support member is at the second position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal after the drive source starts moving the support member in the first direction; determining that the support member is at the first position when the signal from the sensor unit changes from the second signal to the first signal after the drive source starts moving the support member in the second direction; 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

19. the sensor unit has a contact portion, the moving member has an abutting portion that can abut against the abutted portion, and when the support member is at the first position and when the support member is at the second position, the abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion, and while the support member is moving from one of the first position and the second position to the other, the abutting portion does not abut against the abutted portion, the sensor unit outputs the first signal when the contact portion is in contact with the contacted portion, and outputs the second signal when the contact portion is not in contact with the contacted portion.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

Images