Rotary developing device

Abstract

A rotary developing device 30 is provided in an image forming device that is rotated by an input gear 46. The rotary developing device 30 has a plurality of developing units 13, a frame 28, and a rotation stop mechanism 50. Each of the plurality of developing units 13 house toner of one of the colors, and develops at a predetermined developing position. The frame 28 includes a support portion 36 that supports the plurality of developing units 13 and has a rotation shaft, and a ring shaped gear 29 that is rotated by the input gear 46. The rotation stop mechanism 50 stops the rotation of the frame 28 at the developing position. Also, the number of gear teeth in the ring shaped gear 29 is the number of gear teeth in the input gear 46 multiplied by the number of developers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic cross-sectional view of a color printer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an overall isometric view of a rotary developing device of the color printer;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical elevational view showing a frame, a third ring shaped member, and an input gear of the rotary developing device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagrammatical view showing the frame and the input gear of the rotary developing device;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical elevational view showing a rotation stop mechanism of the rotary developing device;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical elevational view showing a drive unit and the rotary developing device; and

FIG. 7 is perspective view of a part of the support portion and the input gear and shaft of the color printer of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A rotary developing device provided in an image forming device that is rotated by an input gear member to which motive force is input from a drive source, comprising: a plurality of containers being configured to house individually a color developer configured to develop at a plurality of respective developing positions;a support portion having a rotation shaft being configured to support said plurality of containers;a support member having a ring shaped gear being configured to be rotated by the input gear member, a number of gear teeth in said ring shaped gear being a number of gear teeth in the input gear multiplied by the number of said plurality of containers; anda rotation stop mechanism being configured to stop the rotation of said support member at each of said plurality of developing positions.

2. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein said rotation stop mechanism has a first latching member fitted to said input gear member,a second latching member configured to latch with said first latching member, anda second latching member drive mechanism connected to said second latching member that drives said second latching member to latch and to unlatch said second latching member and said first latching member.

3. The rotary developing device according to claim 2, wherein said first latching member is a cam having a latching portion, and said second latching member drive mechanism is a solenoid.

4. The rotary developing device according to claim 2, further comprising a ring shaped plate arranged inside an inner periphery of the ring shaped gear that supports said ring shaped gear from an inner periphery side.

5. The rotary developing device according to claim 2, wherein said ring shaped gear has a ring shaped rib to the outside in the direction of a rotation shaft extending as far as the outer periphery of said gear teeth of said ring shaped gear.

6. The rotary developing device according to claim 2, wherein said first latching member has a first latching portion and a second latching portion that configured to latch with said second latching member.

7. The rotary developing device according to claim 6, wherein when said first latching portion is latched with said second latching member, one of said plurality of containers is positioned in its respective developing position.

8. The rotary developing device according to claim 3, wherein said solenoid has a main body and a projecting portion configured to be projected from said main body, and when said solenoid is activated the projecting portion moves into said main body.

9. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image support member having a surface, an electrostatic latent image being configured to be formed thereon;a gear train;an input gear member having a plurality of teeth being configured to be rotated by said gear train; androtary type developing device being configured to receive a force from said input gear and being arranged to supply toner to said photosensitive drum, said rotary type developing device having a plurality of containers being configured to house individually a color developer configured to develop at a plurality of respective developing positions,a support portion having a rotation shaft being configured to support said plurality of containers,a support member having a ring shaped gear being configured to be rotated by the input gear member, a number of gear teeth in said ring shaped gear being a number of gear teeth in the input gear multiplied by the number of said plurality of containers, anda rotation stop mechanism being configured to stop the rotation of said support member at each of said plurality of developing positions.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said rotation stop mechanism has a first latching member fitted to said input gear member,a second latching member configured to latch with said first latching member, anda second latching member drive mechanism connected to said second latching member that drives said second latching member to latch and to unlatch said second latching member and said first latching member.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first latching member is a cam having a latching portion, and said second latching member drive mechanism is a solenoid.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a ring shaped plate arranged inside an inner periphery of the ring shaped gear that supports said ring shaped gear from an inner periphery side.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said ring shaped gear has a ring shaped rib to the outside in the direction of a rotation shaft extending as far as the outer periphery of said gear teeth of said ring shaped gear.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first latching member has a first latching portion and a second latching portion that configured to latch with said second latching member.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when said first latching portion is latched with said second latching member, one of said plurality of containers is positioned in its respective developing position.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said solenoid has a main body and a projecting portion configured to be projected from said main body, and when said solenoid is activated the projecting portion moves into said main body.