Image forming apparatus including a preventing mechanism for preventing a developing unit from rotating
US6122469A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0177
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus including a development unit rotatably supported by a body of the apparatus and including a plurality of developing subunits and a plurality of replaceable developer containers each storing a developer to be replenished to a particular one of the developing subunits. Also included is a stepping motor configured to cause the developing unit to rotate in order to bring any one of the developing subunits to a developing position, a preventing mechanism configured to prevent the developing unit from rotating at a time of replacement of any one of the developer containers due to an unexpected change in a voltage or a current driving the stepping motor, and a locking portion included in either one of the developing unit and the body and an engaging portion included in the other of the developing unit and the body, in which the locking portion and the engaging portion selectively engaging with each other for preventing the developing unit from rotating. Further included is a door member opened when any one of the developer containers is to be removed from the apparatus or closed when development is under way. The locking portion and the engaging portion engaging…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.