Patent ID: 6122469
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a developing unit rotatably supported by a body of said image forming 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 said plurality of developing subunits;a stepping motor configured to cause said developing unit to rotate in order to bring any one of said plurality of developing subunits to a developing position;a preventing mechanism configured to prevent said developing unit from rotating at a time of replacement of any one of said plurality of developer containers due to an unexpected change in a voltage or a current driving said stepping motor;a locking portion included in either one of said developing unit and said body and an engaging portion included in the other of said developing unit and said body, said locking portion and said engaging portion selectively engaging with each other for preventing said developing unit from rotating;a door member opened when any one of said developer containers is to be removed from said apparatus or closed when development is under way, said locking portion and said engaging portion engaging with each other in mechanically interlocked relation to an opening movement of said door member; anda moving device configured to cause said locking portion to engage with said engaging portion by mechanically interlocking the opening movement of said door member to a movement of said locking portion.