JP2016099365A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Even when a motor of a driving mechanism is turned on when rotation of a plurality of developer supply containers (30a, 30b) is restricted by a container lock member (122), a large load is applied to the developer supply containers (30a, 30b). The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that does not need to act. A link member 120 moves according to the opening / closing operation of the front door. In a state where the front door is open, the container lock member 122 fixed to the link member 120 regulates the rotation of the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b. At this time, the drive lock member 123 fixed to the link member 120 is inserted into the reduction gear 124 that transmits the rotation of the motor 101 to restrict the rotation of the reduction gear 124. For this reason, even when the motor 101 is erroneously operated, an excessive force is not applied to the drive mechanism 50 and the container lock member 122 on the downstream side of the reduction gear 124. [Selection] Figure 14

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a first storage portion and a second storage portion, from which replenishment developer is taken out by rotation, are arranged inside a door member provided in a housing.

  An image forming apparatus that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier into a toner image by a developing device is widely used. In order to replenish the toner taken out from the developing device during image formation, the image forming device includes a developer replenishing device that replenishes toner to the developing device (Patent Document 1).

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical developer supply container is rotated to convey toner to the outlet side of the developer supply container. Conventionally, a motor and a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotation of the motor are provided for each developer supply container, and toner supply and supply stop are controlled by turning on and off the motor.

JP 2010-256893 A

  In an image forming apparatus using a plurality of developer replenishing containers, two developer replenishing containers are provided by providing a switching mechanism on the downstream side of the speed reducing mechanism in transmission of rotation driving of the motor and switching the transmission destination of the decelerated rotation. Proposed to share the motor and the speed reduction mechanism. This is to reduce the number of motors and mechanisms. Further, when the speed reduction mechanism is provided on the downstream side of the switching mechanism, two speed reduction mechanisms are required, and therefore the number of mechanisms is not reduced.

  However, when the switching mechanism is provided on the downstream side of the speed reduction mechanism, the developer supply container separated from the drive by the switching mechanism becomes rotatable. Therefore, there is a possibility that the operator manually rotates the developer supply container from the outside and unnecessarily takes out the toner from the developer supply container.

  Therefore, by providing a first regulating member that regulates the rotation of the plurality of developer supply containers in conjunction with the operation of opening the housing door, the operator cannot manually rotate the developer supply container from the outside. It was proposed.

  However, when the motor of the drive mechanism is erroneously turned on in a state where the rotation of the plurality of developer supply containers is restricted by the first restricting member, the developer supply container whose drive is connected by the switching mechanism or the switching mechanism. It turned out that a big load acts on. Since the rotation of the motor is decelerated to rotate the developer supply container, a large torque acts on the mechanism downstream of the switching mechanism.

  In the present invention, even if the motor is erroneously turned on in a state where the rotation of the developer supply container is regulated by the first regulating member, a large load acts on the switching mechanism, the first accommodating unit, and the second accommodating unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be omitted.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention stores a replenishment developer and rotates to supply a replenishment developer, and a first storage unit that houses the replenishment developer. , A motor for driving the first housing part and the second housing part, a reduction gear for reducing the rotation of the motor, and transmission of rotation decelerated by the reduction gear A switching mechanism capable of switching the tip between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, a door member provided to be openable and closable to access the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and the door In a state where the member is open, the rotation of the first storage portion and the second storage portion is regulated downstream of the switching mechanism in transmission of the driving force of the motor, and in a state where the door member is closed, Of the first storage part and the second storage part In a state where the first restriction member that releases the restriction of rotation and the door member is open, the rotation of the reduction gear or the member that transmits the rotation of the motor on the upstream side of the reduction gear is executed, And a second regulating member for releasing the regulation when the door member is closed.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the door member is open, the second restricting member restricts the rotation of the reduction gear or the member that transmits the rotation of the motor upstream of the reduction gear. Load torque is reduced. Therefore, even if the motor is erroneously turned on in a state where the rotation of the developer supply container is regulated by the first regulating member, a large load does not act on the switching mechanism, the first housing unit, and the second housing unit. That's it.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a developing device. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a developer supply system. It is explanatory drawing of the state which removed the developer supply container. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a drive mechanism. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the drive mechanism is rotatingly driving one developer supply container. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the drive mechanism is rotatingly driving the other developer supply container. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment state of a moving gear. It is explanatory drawing of the C surface formed in the rocking | fluctuation gear and the movement gear. It is explanatory drawing of the state which closed the front door in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which opened the front door in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the drive lock member in the state which closed the front door. It is explanatory drawing of the drive lock member in the state which opened the front door. It is explanatory drawing of the assembly structure of a drive lock member. It is explanatory drawing of the state which opened the front door in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which closed the front door in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the structure which cancels | releases the drive transmission in a drive mechanism. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of switching of driving of a developer supply container.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
(Image forming device)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is a tandem type full color printer in which image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged along an intermediate transfer body belt 8. In the image forming apparatus 100, an image reading apparatus 100B that reads an image of a document G is disposed on an apparatus main body 100A that forms an image on a sheet.

  The image forming unit Pa forms a yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 a and transfers it to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The image forming unit Pb forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 b and transfers it to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The image forming units Pc and Pd form a cyan toner image and a black toner image on the photosensitive drums 1 c and 1 d and transfer them to the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The four-color toner images transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred to the secondary transfer portion T2 and transferred to the recording material P. The recording material P is taken out from the recording material cassette 12, separated one by one by the separating device 13, and waits at the registration roller 15. The registration roller 15 sends the recording material P to the secondary transfer portion T2 in time with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The recording material P passes through the secondary transfer portion T2 and is transferred with a four-color toner image, and then is heated and pressed by the fixing device 19 to fix the image on the surface. The sheet on which the image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 21 by a discharge roller 20. On the other hand, the untransferred toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 8 after passing through the secondary transfer portion T2 is collected by the belt cleaning device 14.

(Image forming part)
The image forming Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured the same except that the color of toner used in each of the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d is different from yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Therefore, in the following, the image forming unit Pa will be described, and a duplicate description regarding the other image forming units Pa, Pb, and Pd will be omitted.

  In the image forming section Pa, a charging device 2a, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4a, a transfer roller 5a, and a drum cleaning device 6a are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1a. The photosensitive drum 1a, the charging device 2a, the developing device 4a, and the drum cleaning device 6a constitute a process cartridge that can be detached and replaced integrally.

  The photosensitive drum 1a is composed of a metal cylinder having a photosensitive layer formed on the surface thereof, and rotates at a predetermined process speed. The charging device 2a rotates the charging roller driven on the photosensitive drum 1a and applies an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage on the DC voltage to the charging roller to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 1a. The exposure device 3 scans the scanning line image data obtained by developing the cyan separation color image with a polyhedral mirror, and writes a cyan image electrostatic image on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1a.

  The developing device 4a supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 1a to develop the electrostatic image into a toner image. The transfer roller 5 a contacts the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to form a toner image transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 1 a and the intermediate transfer belt 8. A power source (not shown) applies a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to the transfer roller 5a, whereby the charged toner image on the photosensitive drum 1a is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The drum cleaning device 6a collects residual toner by sliding the cleaning blade against the photosensitive drum 1a.

(Developer)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the developing device. In FIG. 2, the developing device is a plan view, but for convenience of explanation, the developer supply container is shown in an elevational view. Since the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are configured in the same manner in the first embodiment, the developing device 4a will be described below, and redundant descriptions regarding the developing devices 4b, 4c, and 4d are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the developing device 4a, a developing sleeve 42 having a magnet built in the opening of the developing container 41 is rotatably arranged. The developing container 41 is divided into a developing chamber 45 and a stirring chamber 46 by a partition wall 47, a developing screw 43 is disposed in the developing chamber 45, and a stirring screw 44 is disposed in the stirring chamber 46.

  The developing container 41 is filled with a two-component developer in which a toner having a negative charging polarity and a magnetic carrier having a positive charging polarity are mixed. The two-component developer is circulated and stirred in the direction of the arrow as the developing screw 43 and the agitating screw 44 rotate, whereby the toner is charged to a negative polarity and the carrier is charged to a positive polarity.

  The charged two-component developer is magnetically carried on the developing sleeve 42, and is conveyed to a portion facing the photosensitive drum 1a as the developing sleeve 42 rotates. A power source (not shown) applies an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage to a negative DC voltage to the developing sleeve 42, so that only the negatively charged toner of the two-component developer carried on the developing sleeve 42 is photosensitive. The toner image is developed by moving to the drum 1a.

  When the toner is taken out from the developing container 41 along with the development of the toner image, the replenishment developer is replenished to the developing container 41 from the developer replenishing container 30a through the replenishment path 25 so as to compensate for it. The replenishment developer contains 90% toner and 10% carrier by weight. With the replenishment of the replenishment developer, the excess two-component developer in the developing container 41 overflows into the discharge pipe 48 and is collected in the container 49.

(Developer supply device)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the developer supply system. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state where the developer supply container is removed. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are replenished with the replenishment developer from the developer replenishing containers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d through the replenishment paths 25, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the developer supply containers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have the same developer input portions 115a, 115b, 115c, and 115d and drive input gears 113a, 113b, 113c, and 113d. The mechanism for replenishing the replenishment developer has the same configuration with respect to the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d. Therefore, in the following, the configuration and operation of supplying the developer for replenishment to the developing devices 4a and 4b will be described, and redundant description regarding the developing devices 4c and 4d will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are detachably mounted on the mounting portions 22a and 22b. The developer supply containers 30a and 30b can be attached and detached in the direction of arrow A along the guide shapes of the mounting portions 22a and 22b by opening the front door 126 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The developer supply container 30a, which is an example of a first storage unit, stores the supply developer and rotates to transport the supply developer to the outlet side. The developer supply container 30b, which is an example of the second storage unit, stores the supply developer and rotates to transport the supply developer to the outlet side. In the developer supply containers 30a and 30b, toner storage portions 116a and 116b to which drive input gears 113a and 113b are fixed are rotatably connected to the developer take-out portions 115a and 115b. The developer take-out portions 115a and 115b are attached to the hopper (23a and 23b: FIG. 4), and the drive input gears 113a and 113b are rotated to rotate the toner storage portions 116a and 116b. : FIG. 4), the replenishment developer is taken out.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hoppers 23a and 23b temporarily store the developer discharged from the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. When the supply developer in the hoppers 23a and 23b decreases, the drive mechanism 50 rotates the drive input gears 113a and 113b to rotate the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. When the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are rotated, the developer for supply is moved to the exit side in the developer supply container 30a by the spiral conveying member provided in the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. The replenishment developer is discharged from the hoppers 23a and 23b. Since the developer supply containers 30a and 30b may be rotated intermittently at different times, the drive mechanism 50 is provided in common with the developer supply containers 30a and 30b.

(Drive mechanism)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the drive mechanism. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the driving mechanism rotationally drives one developer supply container. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the drive mechanism is rotating the other developer supply container.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drive mechanism 50 decelerates the rotation of the motor 101 by the speed reducer 102, and drives the decelerated drive force to one of the developer supply container 30 a and the developer supply container 30 b by the drive switching mechanism 103. introduce. The rotational speed of the output shaft 105 of the speed reducer 102 is 40 to 60 rpm while the rotational speed of the motor 101 is 1500 rpm to 3000 rpm. The drive switching mechanism 103 can switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 101 between the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b by swinging the swing arm 108. The drive mechanism 50, which is an example of a drive transmission mechanism, has gears (109, 111, 113), can transmit the rotation of the motor 101 at a reduced speed, and transmits the drive force to the developer supply container 30a. Switching to the developer supply container 30b is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an output gear 104 e that drives and transmits the reduction gear 102 is attached to the output shaft 101 e of the motor 101. The reduction gear 102 has a plurality of gears disposed therein. The speed reducer 102 has a swing sleeve 106 rotatably disposed outside an output shaft 105 that outputs a reduced speed rotation. An output gear 107 is fixed to the output shaft 105 of the speed reducer 102.

  The swing gear 109 of the drive switching mechanism 103 is rotatably attached to the swing arm 108. The output gear 107 meshes with the swing gear 109 to transmit rotation. The swing gear 109 is biased by the brake spring 110 held by the swing arm 108 and generates a slight frictional force with the rotating shaft 131.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the moving gear 111 is rotatably attached to the moving gear frame 112. The moving gear 111 transmits the rotation of the swing gear 109 to the developer supply container 30b by reversing the rotation direction.

  The swing arm 108 has the swing sleeve 106 as the center of swing. The swing gear 109 is a position that contacts the moving gear 111 from a position that contacts the drive input gear 113a of the developer supply container 30a when the swing arm 108 swings according to the rotation direction of the swing gear 109. Can be moved back and forth.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the swing gear 109 rotates in the arrow B direction, the swing arm 108 swings in the arrow B direction, and the swing gear 109 meshes with the drive input gear 113a of the developer supply container 30a. . At this time, the driving force of the output gear 107 urges the swing arm 108 toward the drive input gear 113a, so that the swing gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a maintain meshing and transmit the drive force.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the swing gear 109 rotates in the arrow C direction, the swing arm 108 swings in the arrow C direction, and the swing gear 109 meshes with the moving gear 111. At this time, the driving force of the output gear 107 urges the swing arm 108 toward the moving gear 111, so that the swinging gear 109 and the moving gear 111 maintain meshing and transmit the driving force. The rotation of the moving gear 111 is transmitted to the drive input gear 113b of the developer supply container 30b.

  In the drive switching mechanism 103, the drive input gear 113a and the drive input gear 113b are different in the number of gears from the output gear 107, so that the rotation direction of the output shaft 105 is the developer supply container 30a with respect to the B direction and the C direction. 30b rotate in the same direction. Therefore, the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b can use the same container, which contributes to a reduction in manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus 100. Since the drive transmission system from the output gear 107 to the drive input gear 113a or the drive input gear 113b is realized with a minimum gear configuration, the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced in size and cost.

(Yellow replenishment developer replenishment control)
As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 117 operates the motor 101 so that the rotation direction of the output shaft 105 becomes the B direction when it is necessary to replenish the developer for replenishment by the developer replenishment container 30a during image formation. Let The speed reducer 102 converts the driving force generated by the motor 101 into an appropriate rotation speed and torque and outputs the converted torque to the output shaft 105. The driving force transmitted to the output shaft 105 is transmitted from the output gear 107 to the swing gear 109.

  When the oscillating gear 109 is engaged with the drive input gear 113a, the driving force is transmitted from the oscillating gear 109 to the drive input gear 113a. As a result, the developer supply container 30a rotates to supply the supply developer. While the driving force is transmitted, the swinging gear 109 is urged toward the driving input gear 113 a by the driving force of the output gear 107 in the swinging direction of the swinging arm 108. For this reason, the meshing between the swing gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a does not become shallow and no noise is generated.

  The sliding resistance caused by the brake spring 110 generated in the swing gear 109 is a value sufficient to connect the swing gear 109 to the drive input gear 113a. Therefore, when the swing gear 109 is not connected to the drive input gear 113a of the developer supply container 30a, the swing gear 109 does not rotate and swings until the swing gear 109 is connected to the drive input gear 113a. The arm 108 swings. Even when connected to the drive input gear 113b of the developer supply container 30b via the moving gear 111, the swing arm 109 does not rotate and the swing arm 108 is connected until the swing gear 109 is connected to the drive input gear 113a. Swings. Even when the drive input gear 113a and the drive input gear 113b are not sufficiently connected, the swing arm 109 does not rotate and the swing arm 108 swings until the swing gear 109 is connected to the drive input gear 113a. Move.

  The sliding resistance caused by the brake spring 110 generated in the swing gear 109 is sufficiently smaller than the driving resistance for driving the developer supply container 30a. Has little effect.

(Magenta replenishment developer replenishment control)
As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit (117: FIG. 1) causes the rotation direction of the output shaft 105 to be the C direction when the developer supply by the developer supply container 30b is required during image formation. The motor 101 is operated. The speed reducer 102 converts the driving force generated by the motor 101 into an appropriate rotation speed and torque and outputs the converted torque to the output shaft 105. The driving force transmitted to the output shaft 105 is transmitted from the output gear 107 to the swing gear 109.

  In the region where the moving gear 111 is in contact with the drive input gear 113b, the slit 114 is such that the angle formed by the line of the movement locus of the moving gear 111 and the tangent to the gear pitch circle is close to the pressure angle of the gear or from the pressure angle. It is formed to have a small value. For this reason, when the moving gear 111 meshes with the drive input gear 113b, the moving gear 111 and the drive input gear 113b are smoothly connected. When the connection is completed, the driving force is transmitted from the swing gear 109 to the driving input gear 113b via the moving gear 111, and the replenishment developer is replenished from the developer replenishing container 30b. While the driving force is transmitted, the swinging gear 109 is biased toward the drive input gear 113b by the driving force in the swinging direction of the swinging arm 108. The drive connection to the drive input gear 113b is not released.

  The sliding resistance caused by the brake spring 110 generated in the swing gear 109 is a value sufficient to connect the swing gear 109 to the drive input gear 113a. Therefore, when the swing gear 109 is not sufficiently connected to the drive input gear 113 b via the moving gear 111, the swing gear 109 does not rotate and swings until the swing gear 109 is connected to the moving gear 111. The arm 108 swings. Even when the swinging gear 109 is connected to the drive input gear 113a of the developer supply container 30a, the swinging arm 108 does not rotate and the swinging arm 108 does not rotate until the swinging gear 109 is connected to the moving gear 111. Swing. Even when the swing gear 109 is not sufficiently connected to the drive input gear 113a and the drive input gear 113b, the swing gear 109 does not rotate and swings until the swing gear 109 is connected to the moving gear 111. The arm 108 swings. In any case, when the oscillating gear 109 comes into contact with the moving gear 111, the moving gear 111 is pushed and moved by the oscillating gear 109, and finally the oscillating gear 109, the moving gear 111, and the drive input gear 113b are connected. It becomes a state.

  The sliding resistance caused by the brake spring 110 generated in the swing gear 109 is sufficiently smaller than the driving resistance for driving the developer supply container 30b. Has little effect.

(Removal of developer supply container)
As shown in FIG. 2, the operator can access the developer supply container 30 a from the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 by opening the front door 126 to the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. The front door 126, which is an example of a door member, is provided to be openable and closable in order to access the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b. As shown in FIG. 3, the operator closes the front door 126 after inserting and mounting the developer supply container 30a into the mounting portion 22a, thereby completing the mounting operation of the developer supply container 30a.

  When the developer for replenishment in the developer supply container 30a becomes empty, the operator opens the front door 126 and takes out the empty developer supply container 30a from the mounting portion 22a. Then, a new developer supply container 30a prepared in advance is mounted on the mounting portion 22a, and the front door 126 is closed to complete the replacement operation of the developer supply container 30a.

(Other configurations)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the moving gear is attached. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the C surface formed on the swing gear and the moving gear.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the moving gear frame 112 is provided with a slit 114 for moving the moving gear 111, and the moving gear 111 is movably attached along the slit 114. Both ends of the slit 114 have an arc shape so as not to hinder the rotation of the gear.

  As shown in FIG. 9, C surfaces 118 are provided over the entire circumference at both ends of the rocking gear 109 and the moving gear 111 in the thickness direction. When the developer supply container 30a is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, if the phase relationship between the gears is not in meshing relationship, the drive input gear 113a hits the swinging gear 109 and the attachment of the developer supply container 30a is prevented.

  However, as shown in FIG. 9, since the C surface 118 is formed at the end of the tooth of the swing gear 109, the developer supply container 30 a is smoothly attached to the image forming apparatus 100. Further, since the C surface 118 is formed at the end of the tooth over the entire circumference of the moving gear 111, the developer supply container 30b is smoothly mounted on the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the swing gear 109, the moving gear 111, the drive input gear 113a, and the drive input gear 113b are constituted by spur gears. When the developer supply container 30a is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 5, the swing gear 109 of the drive mechanism 50 may be engaged with the drive input gear 113a of the developer supply container 30a. However, since the oscillating gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a are spur gears, smooth sliding movement between the gears becomes possible, the gears are smoothly disconnected, and the developer supply container 30a can be moved without any problem. It can be removed.

  Further, when the developer supply container 30b is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the swing gear 109, the moving gear 111, and the drive input gear 113b of the developer supply container 30b may be engaged with each other. However, since the gear is a spur gear, the gears slide smoothly and the connection between the moving gear 111 and the drive input gear 113b is released, and the developer supply container 30b can be removed without any problem.

  Even when the swing gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a are helical gears, the connection between the swing gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a is smoothly released, and the developer supply container 30a can be removed without any problem. ing. When the drive input gear 113a moves in the removal direction of the developer supply container 30a, the swing arm 108 swings in a direction to retract from the drive input gear 113a, and the connection between the swing gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a is released. This is because that.

  Similarly, even when the swing gear 109 and the drive input gear 113b are helical gears, the connection between the moving gear 111 and the drive input gear 113b is released smoothly, and the developer supply container 30b can be removed without any problem. ing. When the drive input gear 113b moves in the direction of removing the developer supply container 30b, the swing arm 108 swings in a direction to retract the moving gear 111 from the drive input gear 113b, and the swing gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are connected. Because is released.

  With such a configuration, the developer supply containers 30 a and 30 b can be smoothly attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 with almost no influence from the drive switching mechanism 103.

(Developer supply container locking mechanism)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the link member in a state where the front door is closed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the link member in a state where the front door is opened. As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a front door 126 that is opened and closed when the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are replaced. As shown in FIG. 11, the developer supply containers 30a and 30b can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 along the guide shape of the mounting portions 22a and 22b by opening the front door 126.

  Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus 100, since the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are rotationally driven by the common drive mechanism 50, at least one of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b is in an idling state. It is possible to manually rotate one of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b by opening the front door 126. However, if the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are manually rotated, unnecessary supply developer is supplied from the developer supply containers 30a and 30b to the hoppers 23a and 23b. Therefore, a lock mechanism 119 is provided that automatically brakes and locks the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b when the front door 126 is opened. The lock mechanism 119 brakes / releases the braking of the drive mechanism 50 according to the opening / closing of the front door 126.

  A container lock member 122, which is an example of a first engagement member and a second engagement member, engages with the developer supply containers 30a and 30b and restricts both rotations. A container lock member 122, which is an example of a second engagement member, engages with the developer supply container 30b and restricts rotation. The container lock member 122 is fixed to the link member 120. As the link member 120 moves when the front door 126 opens, the container lock member 122 engages with the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b. With the movement of the link member 120 when the front door 126 is closed, the container lock member 122 is disengaged from the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the link member 120 and the return spring 121 actuate the container lock member 122 and the drive lock member (123: FIG. 12) as the front door 126 opens / closes. The container lock member 122 switches between braking / releasing of braking for the drive input gears 113a and 113b of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. The drive lock member 123 switches between braking / braking release with respect to the reduction gear 124 by engaging / disengaging the gear lock portion 125 provided in the reduction gear 124.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the front door 126 is closed, the link member 120 is pressed by the front door 126 and moves in the insertion direction of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. As shown in FIG. 11, when the front door 126 is opened, the link member 120 is pressed by the link member return spring 121 and moves in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b.

  As shown in FIG. 10, since the container lock member 122 is fixed to the link member 120, the container lock member 122 moves integrally with the link member 120 as the front door 126 opens / closes. When the front door 126 is closed, the container lock member 122 moves to a position where the engagement with the drive input gears 113a and 113b is released, and releases the restriction on the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. However, as shown in FIG. 11, when the front door 126 is opened, the container lock member 122 engages with the drive input gears 113a and 113b of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b, and the developer supply container 30a. , 30b is restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, since the drive lock member 123 is fixed to the link member 120, the drive lock member 123 moves integrally with the link member 120 as the front door (126: FIG. 12) opens / closes. When the front door (126) is closed, the drive lock member 123 moves to a position where the engagement of the reduction gear 124 with the gear lock portion 125 is released, and releases the restriction on the rotation of the motor 101. However, as shown in FIG. 13, when the front door (126) is opened, the rotation of the motor 101 is restricted by engaging with the gear lock portion 125 of the reduction gear 124.

  In this state, when the developer supply containers 30a and 30b slide and move in the direction of the front door 126, the drive input gears 113a and 113b are released from the container lock member 122, and the engagement between the two is released. When the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are pushed into the opposite side of the front door 126, the container lock member 122 enters the drive input gears 113a and 113b, and the engagement between the two is restored.

(Possibility of rotation drive in the locked state)
As shown in FIG. 10, in the normal state where the front door 126 is closed, the container lock member 122 does not regulate the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b, so that the development is performed with the rotation / stop of the motor 101. One of the agent supply containers 30a and 30b rotates / stops. As shown in FIG. 1, when the developer supply container 30a is driven, supply developer is supplied to the developing device 4a, and when the developer supply container 30b is driven, supply developer is supplied to the developing device 4b. The The transmission destination of the driving force of the moving gear 111 can be changed in the driving input gears 113a and 113b according to the rotation direction of the motor 101.

  In addition, when the front door 126 is opened, the power supply circuit is designed so that the motor 101 cannot be operated by a door switch (not shown) so that the replenishment developer is not unnecessarily discharged from the developer replenishment containers 30a and 30b. I am doing so.

  However, for the purpose of checking the operation after repair work, it is confirmed that the replenishment developer is normally discharged from the developer replenishing containers 30a and 30b by operating the motor 101 with the front door 126 opened. There is a case. Alternatively, a situation may be assumed in which the operator operates the image forming apparatus 100 due to an operation mistake or the like with the front door 126 opened.

  At this time, if the container lock member 122 is engaged with the drive input gears 113a and 113b, a large load is applied to the container lock member 122. Since the rotation of the motor 101 at 1500 rpm is reduced to the rotation of the developer supply containers 30 a and 30 b at 30 rpm, a torque 50 times the output torque of the motor 101 is generated around the drive input gears 113 a and 113 b or the container lock member 122. Will work. When the motor 101 is turned on while the rotations of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are locked, a large pressure is generated on the torque transmission surfaces of the speed reducer 102 and the drive switching mechanism 103, and the torque decreases in the downstream in inverse proportion to the deceleration. The load increases.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the drive lock member (123) also brakes the drive switching mechanism of the drive mechanism 50 in conjunction with the operation of the container lock member 122 to reduce the load on the container lock member 122. Since the drive lock member (123) applies braking at the first stage of deceleration in the drive mechanism 50, the torque acting on the drive lock member (123) is kept small.

(Brake by drive lock member)
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the drive lock member in a state where the front door is closed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the drive lock member in a state where the front door is opened. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the assembly structure of the drive lock member.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the operator opens the front door 126 after the image forming apparatus 100 is stopped, the link spring 120 is biased by the return spring 121 and the link member 120 is opposite to the insertion direction of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. Move to. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the container lock member 122 fixed to the link member 120 engages with the drive input gears 113a and 113b, and at the same time, the drive lock member 123 fixed to the link member 120 is reduced gear 124. The gear lock 125 is engaged. As a result, the developer supply containers 30a and 30b cannot be rotated from the developer supply containers 30a and 30b, and the torque of the motor 101 is further downstream than the reduction gear 124 even if the motor 101 is turned on. Will not be transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the drive lock member 123 restricts the rotation of the reduction gear 124 in conjunction with the operation in which the container lock member 122 restricts the rotation of both the drive input gears 113 a and 113 b. Since the driving force of the motor 101 is received by the reduction gear 124 having a small torque before deceleration, it is excessive in gears such as the output gear 107, the oscillating gear 109 and the moving gear 111 on the downstream side and the mechanical parts such as the oscillating arm 108. To prevent excessive load.

  Without the drive lock member 123, the driving force of the motor 101 is received by the drive input gears 113a and 113b that increase the torque. Then, an excessive load is applied to the drive parts (the gears such as the output gear 107, the swinging gear 109, the moving gear 111, and the gear holding part such as the swinging arm 108) leading to the drive input gears 113a and 113b. End up.

  In the first embodiment, when the front door 126 is closed, the lock mechanism 119 does not restrict the rotation of the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b, and the lock mechanism 119 restricts the rotation of the reduction gear 124. do not do. The drive lock member 123 moves away from the reduction gear 124 with the movement of the link member 120 when the front door 126 is closed. For this reason, the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b can be rotated to supply the developer for supply to the developing devices 4a and 4b.

  However, the lock mechanism 119, which is an example of the first regulating member, regulates the rotation of the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b when the front door 126 is open. For this reason, the situation where the developer supply container 30a or the developer supply container 30b is rotated from the outside through the front door 126 can be avoided.

  The drive lock member 123, which is an example of a second restricting member, restricts the rotation of the reduction gear 124, which is an example of a predetermined rotating body of the drive mechanism 50, when the front door 126 is open. The drive lock member 123 contacts the reduction gear 124 as the link member 120 moves when the front door 126 opens. For this reason, even when the motor 101 is erroneously operated with the front door 126 opened, an excessive force is not applied to the drive mechanism 50 and the lock mechanism 119.

(Operation check method after repair work)
By pushing the link member 120 by hand instead of the front door 126, as shown in FIG. 13, the engagement between the container lock member 122 and the drive input gears 113a and 113b is released, and the drive lock member 123 and the reduction gear 124 are released. Can be disengaged. In this state, for the purpose of checking the operation after repair work, as shown in FIG. 10, the motor 101 is turned on, and one of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b is selectively rotated to develop the developing device (4a 4b: The replenishment developer can be replenished to FIG. 1).

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment, the link member 120, which is an example of a moving member, moves mechanically in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the front door 126. Therefore, the lock mechanism 119 can be normally operated even when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off.

  In the first embodiment, the drive lock member 123, which is an example of a restricting member, comes into contact with a reduction gear 124, which is an example of a second gear that meshes with the output gear 104e, which is an example of a first gear, and restricts rotation. . For this reason, when the motor 101 is operated by mistake, the torque of the motor 101 does not act on all the mechanical components downstream of the reduction gear 124.

  In the first embodiment, a speed reducer 102 that is an example of a speed reduction mechanism decelerates the rotation of the motor 101. The drive switching mechanism 103, which is an example of a switching mechanism, can switch the transmission destination of the rotation decelerated by the speed reducer 102 between the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b. For this reason, when the motor 101 is operated by mistake, the torque of the motor 101 does not act on the drive switching mechanism 103 that is relatively more fragile than the speed reducer 102.

  In the first embodiment, the drive lock member 123 is fixed to the link member 120. For this reason, a mechanism component for interlocking the drive lock member 123 with the link member 120 is unnecessary.

<Embodiment 2>
(Drive switching mechanism)
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the lock mechanism in a state where the front door is opened. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the lock mechanism in a state where the front door is closed. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration for canceling drive transmission in the drive mechanism. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of switching of driving of the developer supply container.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the first embodiment, the rotation of the reduction gear 124 is locked in order to reduce the load on the drive mechanism 50 when the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b is locked. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, in the second embodiment, the swing gear 109 and the moving gear are used to reduce the load on the drive mechanism 50 when the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b is locked. 111 is idle. Thereby, the drive transmission to both the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b is released. Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a part of the lock mechanism 127 and the drive mechanism 50B, the configurations common to the first embodiment in FIGS. The same reference numerals are assigned and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the drive mechanism 50 </ b> B is configured by connecting a drive switching mechanism 103 </ b> B to the motor 101 and the speed reducer 102. The drive switching mechanism 103B can switch the transmission destination of the rotation decelerated by the speed reducer 102 between the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b. In the drive switching mechanism 103 </ b> B, a swinging gear 109 and a moving gear 111 are rotatably provided on a swinging arm 108 </ b> B that can swing around the output shaft 105. The rocking gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are always meshed on the rocking arm 108B. The swing gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are two rotating bodies of the drive switching mechanism 103B.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the output gear 107 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the swing arm 108B swings in the direction of arrow B, the swing gear 109 meshes with the drive input gear 113a, and the developer supply container 30a. Rotates in the direction of arrow D. On the other hand, when the output gear 107 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the swing arm 108B swings in the direction of arrow C, the moving gear 111 meshes with the drive input gear 113b, and the developer supply container 30b rotates in the direction of arrow E. To do. A drive input gear 113a, which is an example of a first gear, rotates together with the developer supply container 30a. The drive input gear 113b, which is an example of the second gear, rotates together with the developer supply container 30b. A swing gear 109, which is an example of a third gear, has a first position for transmitting a driving force to the driving input gear 113a and a second position for transmitting the driving force to the driving input gear 113b via the moving gear 111. It is possible to move between.

  A swing lock portion 129 is fixed to the swing arm 108B. The swing lock portion 129 swings integrally with the swing gear 109 and the moving gear 111. The rocking lock member 128, which is a part of the free mechanism, positions the rocking lock portion 129 at a vertical rocking position so that the rocking gear 109 and the moving gear 111 can be driven by the drive input gear 113a and the drive input gear 113b. In addition, it is idled at a third position where it does not mesh.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the link member 120, which is another part of the free mechanism, is supported by the slide receiver 133 so as to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis of the developer supply containers 30 a and 30 b. The return spring 121 urges the link member 120 toward the front door (126: FIG. 10). Since the container lock member 122 and the rocking lock member 128 are fixed to the link member 120, the container lock member 122 and the rocking lock member 128 are synchronized with the slide of the link member 120 when the front door (126) is opened and closed. Works.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the rocking lock member 128 engages with the rocking lock portion 129, and the rocking gear 109 and the drive input gear 113a are not drivingly connected to the position of the rocking arm 108B. The drive input gear 113b can also be held at a position where it is not drive-coupled. As a result, the state where the drive is not transmitted from the swing gear 109 and the moving gear 111 to the drive input gears 113a and 113b is maintained.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the front door 126 is opened, the link member 120 is pressed by the return spring 121 and moves to a position where the container lock member 122 engages with the drive input gears 113a and 113b. As a result, the drive input gears 113a and 113b are restrained and the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b is restricted. The container lock member 122 is engaged with the drive input gears 113a and 113b to lock the rotation of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, the rocking lock member 128 holds the rocking lock portion 129 vertically. Accordingly, the swing arm 108B is positioned at a rotation position where the swing gear 109 does not contact the drive input gear 113a and the moving gear 111 does not contact the drive input gear 113b. As a result, the driving force of the motor 101 transmitted to the developer supply containers 30a and 30b is cut off, the swinging gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are idled, and the driving mechanism 50B is almost unloaded.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the front door 126 is closed, the link member 120 is pressed by the front door 126, and as shown in FIG. 16, the container lock member 122 and the drive input gears 113a and 113b are engaged. Is released. Accordingly, the restriction on the rotation of the drive input gears 113a and 113b is released, and the developer supply containers 30a and 30b can be rotated. The swing lock member 128 is moved to a position where the engagement with the swing lock portion 129 is released, and the swing arm 108B is swingable.

(Normal operation)
As shown in FIG. 10, during normal operation, the front door 126 is closed and the image forming apparatus 100 operates. At this time, the link member 120 is pressed against the front door 126 against the return spring 121, and the rotation of the drive input gears 113a and 113b is not restricted as shown in FIG. Therefore, the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are rotated in accordance with the operation of the drive mechanism 50B, and the supply developer is supplied to the developing devices (4a and 4b).

(When the front door is open)
As shown in FIG. 11, when the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are replaced, the front door 126 is opened with the image forming apparatus 100 stopped. At this time, the link member 120 pressed against the front door 126 is biased by the return spring 121 and moves to the opposite side to the insertion direction of the developer supply containers 30a and 30b. As the link member 120 moves, the container lock member 122 connected to the link member 120 engages with the drive input gears 113a and 113b as shown in FIG. As a result, the developer supply containers 30a and 30b cannot rotate. It can be avoided that the operator accidentally manually rotates the developer supply containers 30a and 30b and the supply developer is taken out to the hoppers (23a and 23b).

  The rocking lock member 128 holds the rocking gear 109 and the moving gear 111 in a non-transmission position that is an example of a third position of the driving force as the link member 120 moves when the front door 126 opens. . The non-transmission position is a position where the swing gear 109 and the moving gear 111 do not mesh with the drive input gear 113a or the drive input gear 113b. The rocking lock member 128 releases the holding of the rocking gear 109 and the moving gear 111 with the movement of the link member 120 when the front door 126 is closed. A swing lock member 128, which is an example of a holding member, is fixed to the link member 120.

(Effect of Embodiment 2)
The image forming apparatus 100 cannot be powered on unless the front door 126 is closed due to an electrical interlock. However, it is assumed that the drive mechanism 50B is operated with the front door 126 opened due to an operation error or the like in a state where the interlock is manually released. At this time, as in the normal operation, the developer supply containers 30a and 30b try to rotate according to the operation of the drive mechanism 50B, while the developer supply containers 30a and 30b are restricted in rotation by the container lock member 122. Yes. If the rocking lock member 128 is not provided, the driving force of the motor 101 is decelerated and received by the drive input gears 113a and 113b in a state where the torque is increased. As a result, an excessive load may be applied to the rotating body such as the output gear 107, the swing gear 109, and the moving gear 111 that reach the drive input gears 113a and 113b and the mechanical parts such as the swing arm 108B. There is a possibility that an excessive current flows through the motor 101 and the fuse is blown.

  However, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the rocking gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are held at the third position where they do not mesh with the developer supply container 30a and the developer supply container 30b. The moving gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are idled.

  In the state where the front door 126 is open, the swinging gear 109 and the moving gear 111 are idle, so that the driving force of the motor 101 does not reach the driving input gears 113a and 113b. Then, an excessive load is not applied to the mechanical components such as the output gear 107, the swing gear 109, the moving gear 111, and the swing arm 108B. Even if the motor 101 is erroneously operated with the front door 126 open, an excessive force is not applied to the drive mechanism 50B and the lock mechanism 119.

<Other embodiments>
In the first and second embodiments, various configurations can be replaced with other known configurations having similar functions within the scope of the idea of the invention. That is, the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the first and second embodiments unless otherwise specified.

  In the first embodiment, the restriction position that restricts drive transmission is a reduction gear 124 that is an example of a reduction gear. However, the drive transmission may be restricted in another reduction gear of the drive mechanism 50 or a member that transmits the rotation of the motor 101 on the upstream side of the reduction gear.

  In the second embodiment, the release position where the drive transmission is released is between the drive input gears 113 a and 113 b, the swing gear 109, and the moving gear 111. However, in the other rotating body of the drive mechanism 50B, the drive transmission to the downstream rotating body that transmits the driving force may be canceled. The configuration for releasing the drive transmission is not limited to the rocking gear, but may be a shift gear that shifts in the direction of the rotation axis to release the engagement or a clutch mechanism that electrically engages / releases.

  The developing device is not limited to one using a two-component developer. In another embodiment, magnetic toner is supplied from a developer supply container using a one-component developer. In the case of a two-component developer, only non-magnetic toner that does not contain a carrier may be supplied from the developer supply container. The recording material is not limited to paper, and can be selected as appropriate, such as an OHP sheet. The moving gear includes one case and two cases as in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, when the drive switching mechanism 103 is disposed on the downstream side of the motor 101, it is not practical because the speed reducer 102 needs to be disposed at each of the two switching destinations of the drive switching mechanism 103.

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Charging device, 3 Exposure devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Developing devices 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Transfer rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Drum cleaning device 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Developer supply device 12 Recording material cassette, 13 Separating device, 15 Registration roller 19 Fixing device, 20 Discharge roller 21 Discharge tray, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d Hopper 25 Replenishment path, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Developer supply container 50, 50B Drive mechanism 101 Motor, 102 Reducer, 103, 103B Drive switching mechanism 105 Output shaft, 106 Oscillating sleeve, 107 Output gear 108 Oscillating arm, 109 Oscillating gear, 110 Brake spring 111 Moving gear, 112 Moving gear frame, 113 Drive input gear 117 control unit, 119,127 locking mechanism 120 link member 121 return spring 122 container locking member 123 driving the lock member 124 reduction gear, 125 gear lock portion, 126 front door 128 swings the locking member 129 swing locking portion

Claims (11)

A first storage unit that stores the developer for supply and that transports the developer for supply by rotating;
A second storage unit for storing the developer for supply and transporting the developer for supply by rotating;
A motor for driving the first housing part and the second housing part;
A reduction gear for reducing the rotation of the motor;
A switching mechanism capable of switching the transmission destination of rotation decelerated by the reduction gear between the first housing portion and the second housing portion;
A door member provided to be openable and closable to access the first housing part and the second housing part;
In a state where the door member is opened, the rotation of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is restricted downstream of the switching mechanism in transmission of the driving force of the motor, and in a state where the door member is closed A first regulating member for releasing the regulation of the rotation of the first housing part and the second housing part;
When the door member is open, the reduction gear or the member that transmits the rotation of the motor on the upstream side of the reduction gear is restricted, and when the door member is closed, the restriction is released. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second restricting member that performs:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second restricting member restricts rotation of a second gear that meshes with a first gear provided on an output shaft of the motor. A moving member that moves in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the door member;
The second restriction member executes the restriction along with the movement of the moving member when the door member opens, and the second restriction along with the movement of the movement member when the door member closes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a member releases the restriction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second regulating member is fixed to the moving member. The first restricting member engages with the first accommodating portion to restrict rotation of the first accommodating portion, and engages with the second accommodating portion to engage the second accommodating portion. A second engagement portion that regulates rotation,
With the movement of the moving member when the door member opens, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with the first accommodation portion and the second accommodation portion, and the door member The engagement of the first engagement member and the second engagement member with respect to the first storage portion and the second storage portion is released along with the movement of the moving member when the closing operation is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first regulating member is fixed to the moving member. A first storage unit that stores the developer for supply and that transports the developer for supply by rotating;
A second storage unit for storing the developer for supply and transporting the developer for supply by rotating;
A motor for driving the first housing part and the second housing part;
A speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the motor;
A switching mechanism capable of switching the transmission destination of rotation decelerated by the reduction gear between the first housing portion and the second housing portion;
A door member provided to be openable and closable to access the first housing part and the second housing part;
In a state where the door member is opened, the rotation of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is restricted downstream of the switching mechanism in transmission of the driving force of the motor, and in a state where the door member is closed A regulating member for releasing the regulation of the rotation of the first housing part and the second housing part;
Rotation of a member that transmits rotation by the switching mechanism or the speed reduction mechanism so that the driving force of the motor is not transmitted to either the first housing portion or the second housing portion when the door member is open. An image forming apparatus comprising: a free mechanism that freely transmits the image to the downstream side. The switching mechanism is provided movably and includes a first gear that transmits rotation to the first housing portion, a second gear that transmits rotation to the second housing portion, and moves to a first position. A third gear that transmits the driving force to the first gear and moves to the second position to transmit the driving force to the second gear,
The free mechanism can hold the moving member that moves in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the door member, and the third gear at a third position that does not mesh with both the first gear and the second gear. A holding member,
As the moving member moves when the door member opens, the holding member holds the third gear in the third position, and the moving member moves when the door member closes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the holding of the third gear by the holding member is released accordingly.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the holding member is fixed to the moving member. The restricting member engages with the first accommodating portion to restrict rotation of the first accommodating portion, and engages with the second accommodating portion to rotate the second accommodating portion. A second engaging portion for regulating,
With the movement of the moving member when the door member opens, the first engaging member and the second engaging member engage with the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion, and the door member The engagement of the first engagement member and the second engagement member with respect to the first storage portion and the second storage portion is released along with the movement of the moving member when the closing operation is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the regulating member is fixed to the moving member.

Images