Image Forming Apparatus Having Developer Cartridges and Cartridge Supporting Member

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes process units and developer cartridges; a process unit supporting member; a cartridge supporting member; and a moving mechanism. Each developer cartridge includes a transporting member configured to transport developer to a corresponding process unit. The moving mechanism is configured to move each transporting member between a communicated position, in which developer is transported to the corresponding process unit, and an interrupted position, in which transporting of developer to the corresponding process unit is interrupted. The transporting member positioned in the interrupted position allows the cartridge supporting member to move from an attached position to a withdrawn position and allows the process unit supporting member to be withdrawn, and the transporting member positioned in the communicated position prevents the cartridge supporting member from moving from the attached position to the withdrawn position and prevents the process unit supporting member from being withdrawn.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a main casing; a plurality of process units, each of the plurality of process units comprising:
a photosensitive drum; anda developer carrying member disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum; a plurality of developer cartridges, each of the plurality of developer cartridges configured to be provided for each of the plurality of process units, each of the plurality of developer cartridges comprising a developer accommodating section configured to accommodate developer; a process unit supporting member configured to hold the plurality of process units together therein and to be withdrawn in a predetermined direction; a cartridge supporting member including a plurality of transporting members, each of the plurality of transporting members being configured to transport developer in a corresponding one of the plurality of developer accommodating sections to a corresponding one of the plurality of process units, the cartridge supporting member being configured to hold the plurality of developer cartridges together therein and to move between an attached position, in which the cartridge supporting member is attached to the main casing, and a withdrawn position, in which the cartridge supporting member is withdrawn from the main casing, wherein when the cartridge supporting member is positioned in the attached position, each of the plurality of transporting members is positioned in a communicated position, in which developer is transported to the corresponding one of the plurality of process units, such that each of the plurality of developer accommodating sections is not detachable from the cartridge supporting member; and when the cartridge supporting member is positioned in the withdrawn position, each of the plurality of transporting members is positioned in an interrupted position, in which transporting of developer to the corresponding one of the plurality of process units is interrupted, such that each of the plurality of developer accommodating sections is detachable from the cartridge supporting member; and a moving mechanism configured to move each of the plurality of transporting members between the communicated position and the interrupted position.