JP5250139B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a detachable exchange member such as a developing unit.

  Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic printers, copiers, and facsimiles, the surface of the photoconductor is uniformly and uniformly charged, and the charged surface is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, a toner as a developer is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, and the image is formed by fixing the toner image after transferring it to a sheet. Some image forming apparatuses include a memory serving as a storage unit that can read and write information about itself with respect to a detachable exchange member (for example, a developer cartridge or a development unit).

  There are two types of data exchange methods between the memory and the image forming apparatus: a contact method and a non-contact method. In particular, in the case of the contact method, the storage element contact portion connected to the memory and the corresponding image. Contact is made with the contact portion on the forming apparatus side while maintaining a contact pressure required to obtain predetermined electrical conduction. It is also known that the contact portion of each contact is mainly plated with gold on the contact surface as an antioxidant (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-271895 A (paragraphs 0022 to 0023, FIG. 8)

However, due to the service life or the like, the contact portion of the image forming apparatus rubs a portion other than the contact portion of the replacement member during the insertion / extraction operation from the image forming apparatus for replacing the replacement member, and the contact generated by the rubbing. There is a problem that contact failure occurs due to wear, scraping, breakage, etc. of the gold plating of the portion, and it becomes impossible to exchange information between the memory member and the image forming apparatus.
When the replacement member is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and can move relative to the image forming apparatus main body, the contact between the contact portion of the replacement member and the contact portion of the image forming apparatus according to the movement. Due to the change of state, it was difficult to reliably maintain the electrical connection.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an exchange member detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body,
The exchange member is movable in the attaching / detaching direction of the exchange member in a state in which the exchange member is electrically connected and the exchange member is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. And a biasing member that biases the first joining portion in a direction away from the replacement member,
The image forming apparatus main body includes a second joint that is electrically connectable to the first joint, a moving mechanism that moves the replacement member between a first position and a second position , A drive unit for driving the moving mechanism ;
Image formation characterized in that when the driving unit drives the moving mechanism to move the replacement member from the first position to the second position, movement of the first joint is suppressed. apparatus.

An image forming apparatus as a reference example is an image forming apparatus having a detachable exchange member that moves in the attaching / detaching direction and attaches / detaches to / from the image forming apparatus main body.
The replacement member includes a storage unit including a memory that stores information on the replacement member and / or the image forming apparatus main body, and a first joint that is electrically connected to the memory.
The image forming apparatus main body includes a second joint that is electrically joined to the first joint.
The first joining portion may be provided with a predetermined angle with respect to the attaching / detaching direction.

Another image forming apparatus as a reference example is an image forming apparatus having a detachable replacement member that moves in the attaching / detaching direction and attaches / detaches to / from the image forming apparatus main body.
The exchange member includes a storage unit including a memory for storing information on the exchange member and / or the image forming apparatus main body, and a first joint unit electrically connected to the memory, and the first joint unit. And a third joint portion to be joined,
The image forming apparatus main body includes an inclined surface that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the attaching / detaching direction, and a second joint portion that partially protrudes from the inclined surface and is electrically joined to the third joint portion. It is characterized by having.

Still another image forming apparatus as a reference example is an image forming apparatus having a detachable exchange member that moves in the attaching / detaching direction and attaches / detaches to / from the image forming apparatus main body.
The replacement member includes a storage unit including a memory that stores information on the replacement member and / or the image forming apparatus main body, and a first joint that is electrically connected to the memory, and the image forming apparatus main body. A first structure having a holding portion that holds the storage portion in a slidable manner in the attaching / detaching direction, and a biasing member that biases the storage portion in the removing direction; A second structure for mounting the first structure, and the first joint is provided with a predetermined angle with respect to the attachment / detachment direction;
The image forming apparatus main body includes a second joint that is electrically joined to the first joint,
The image forming apparatus includes a moving mechanism that moves the first structure between an image forming position where an image can be formed and a non-image forming position where an image cannot be formed. It has a deterring member that inhibits the movement of the storage section in the unremoved direction when moving between the image forming position and the non-image forming position.

According to the present invention, when the replacement member including the replacement member and / or the memory for storing information on the image forming apparatus main body is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, the electrical connection between the memory and the image forming apparatus main body is achieved. Each joint part to be connected can be made difficult to contact a part other than the joint part to be connected.
Further, when the replacement member is moved with respect to the image forming apparatus main body while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the contact state of the contact portion of the replacement member and the contact portion of the image forming apparatus changes according to the movement. Therefore, the electrical connection can be reliably maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment that employs the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically illustrating a black (K) developing unit, a transfer member, an exposure device, and printed recording paper. In Embodiment 1, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the image development unit as an exchange member from one direction. In Embodiment 1, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the image development unit as an exchange member from the other direction. In Embodiment 1, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the developing unit main body from one direction. In Embodiment 1, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the image development unit main body from the other direction. 3 is an external perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed from one direction in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed from the other direction in the first embodiment. (A) is the figure which looked at the memory | storage part from the plus direction of the Y-axis in Embodiment 1, (b) is A of angle (alpha) with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane shown to (a). It is the side view seen from the arrow D direction orthogonal to the B direction. 6 is a diagram for describing an operation of mounting a developing unit on the image forming apparatus main body in Embodiment 1. FIG. In Embodiment 1, the memory member provided in the memory portion of the toner cartridge of the developing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the contact member provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and the periphery thereof are shown in FIG. It is the block diagram seen from the arrow D direction shown in FIG. (A), (b), (c) is operation | movement explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement which mounts a toner cartridge in the image development unit main body in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A), (b), and (c) are operations for explaining an operation of separating the memory portion formed in the toner cartridge and the electrical connection portion formed in the image forming apparatus main body in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing. (A) and (b) show the structure of the memory holding member and its peripheral part of the developing unit employed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment based on the present invention, and explain their operation during up-down. FIG. (A), (b) is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating operation | movement when the up-down bar shown in FIG. 1 functions in Embodiment 2. FIG. In Embodiment 3, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the developing unit aggregate as an exchange member from one direction. In Embodiment 3, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the image development unit aggregate | assembly as an exchange member from the other direction. In Embodiment 3, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the image development unit assembly main body from one direction. In Embodiment 3, it is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the image development unit assembly main body from the other direction. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a toner cartridge viewed from one direction in Embodiment 3. FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of a toner cartridge as viewed from the other direction in the third embodiment. In Embodiment 3, it is the figure which looked at the memory part from the plus direction of the Y-axis. In Embodiment 3, it is a figure which shows the operation | movement which mounts | wears with the image development apparatus main body which shows the upper opening part of the image forming apparatus main body which mounts | wears with Embodiment 3. FIG. In Embodiment 3, the memory member provided in the memory portion of the toner cartridge of the developing unit mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the contact member provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the contact relay portion of the main body of the developing unit assembly It is the block diagram which looked at the contact point member for relay comprised in FIG. 9, and its periphery from the arrow D direction shown to Fig.9 (a). (A), (b) is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating operation | movement when the up-down bar shown in FIG. 1 functions in Embodiment 3. FIG. (A), (b), and (c) are operations in which the contact relay portion formed in the developing unit assembly main body and the electrical connection portion formed in the image forming apparatus main body are separated from each other in the third embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing with which it uses for description. (A), (b) is the figure which shows the operation | movement description at the time of up-down while showing the structure of the memory holding member of a developing unit and its peripheral part in Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connection portion formed in an image forming apparatus main body employed in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a structure of a peripheral portion thereof, and a diagram for explaining an operation thereof. The memory unit formed in the toner cartridge, the contact relay unit formed on one side wall of the developing unit assembly main body, and the image forming apparatus main body employed in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electrical connection portion and the peripheral portion of the electrical connection portion. (A), (b) is the figure which shows the structure of the memory holding member of a developing unit and its peripheral part in Embodiment 5, and uses for those operation | movement at the time of up-down. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a memory holding member of a developing unit employed in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention and its peripheral portion, and a diagram for explaining its operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a memory holding member of a developing unit employed in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention and the structure of its peripheral portion, and a diagram for explaining its operation.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment employing the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is configured as a color electrophotographic printer capable of printing four colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). The lower frame 28 is formed with a substantially S-shaped sheet conveying path 15 having sheet conveying rollers 16 to 19, and a sheet feeding cassette for storing recording sheets at the upstream end of the sheet conveying path 15. 20 is disposed, and a stacker 21 is provided at the downstream end.

  In the paper conveyance path 15, a paper feeding unit 22 that feeds recording paper from the paper feed cassette 20, a detection unit 26 that detects the paper thickness of the recording paper, and the fed recording paper is attached to the transfer belt 11 by an electrostatic effect. A transfer belt unit 24 that conveys the toner image and a fixing device 25 that fixes the toner image onto the recording paper are provided.

  Black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper, in a position sandwiching the recording paper that is adhered to the transfer belt 11 and conveyed by the transfer belt unit 24. C) developing units 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (collectively referred to as developing units 23) are arranged in a row so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Note that, as in the developing unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 100, for each of the detachable or movable constituent elements, a portion excluding the constituent elements may be referred to as an image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  By opening the top cover 30 of the image forming apparatus 100, the developing unit 23, the fixing device 25, and the transfer belt unit 24 can be replaced. Further, the up / down bar 29 is a member for separating the developing unit 23 that is not required at the time of monochromatic printing from the transfer belt unit 24 as will be described later. When performing duplex printing, the duplex printing unit 52 reverses the recording sheet and sends it to the sheet conveyance path 15 again.

  In the present embodiment, these developing units 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C have the same configuration and differ only in the color of the contained toner. Therefore, here, a black (K) developing unit K is taken as an example. The internal structure will be described below.

  Note that the X, Y, and Z axes in FIG. 1 take the X axis in the transport direction when the recording paper 13 (FIG. 2) passes through the developing unit 23, and in the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor 1 to be described later. The Y axis is taken, and the Z axis is taken in a direction perpendicular to both the axes. Moreover, when each axis | shaft of X, Y, and Z is shown in the other figure mentioned later, these axial directions shall show a common direction. That is, the XYZ axes in each drawing indicate the arrangement direction when the depicted portion of each drawing constitutes the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the Z-axis is arranged in a substantially vertical direction.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a black (K) developing unit 23K, a transfer member, an exposure device, and printed recording paper.

  As shown in the figure, in the developing unit 23K, a photoconductor 1 as an image carrier is rotatably arranged in the direction of the arrow, and around the photoconductor 1 is a photoconductor in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating light from a light source such as an LED head onto the surface of the charging roller 2 that charges the surface of the photosensitive member 1 by charging the surface of the photosensitive member 1 with a certain pressure. An exposure device 3 is disposed. The exposure apparatus 3 is disposed on the top cover 30 (FIG. 1) on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, a developing unit 91 that generates toner by attaching toner of a predetermined color (here, black) to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and toner development on the photoreceptor 1 is applied to the recording paper 13. A cleaning blade 9 is provided that removes transfer residual toner remaining at the time of transfer and drops the toner onto a waste toner collecting unit 92. For this reason, the cleaning blade 9 is formed of an elastic body, and is arranged so that the edge portion thereof is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 1 with a constant pressure. Note that the rotating body used in each of these devices rotates by receiving power from a drive source (not shown) via a gear or the like.

  The developing unit 91 stores the toner 4, the toner cartridge 5 that supplies the toner 4 from the toner supply port 41 formed in the lower portion thereof, the toner storage unit 93 that stores the toner 4 supplied from the toner cartridge 5, and the developing roller 6. A toner supply roller 8 for supplying the toner 4 to the developing roller 6 and a developing blade 7 for thinning the toner 4 on the developing roller 6, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 The toner 4 is visualized, that is, developed. The developing unit 23K is configured to detachably dispose the toner cartridge 5 above the toner supply roller 8 as will be described later. Thereafter, the detachable toner of the developing unit 23 will be described. A portion excluding the cartridge 5 is referred to as a developing unit main body 23a (for example, FIG. 5). The developing unit main body 23 a is configured by the mold 10 on the outside.

  The developing roller 6 and the toner supply roller 8 are arranged in parallel with each other so as to be in contact with each other with a constant pressure, and rotate in the directions of the arrows (same direction) shown in the figure. Further, as shown in the figure, the developing blade 7 and the developing roller 6 are arranged in parallel to each other such that, for example, a bent portion of the developing blade 7 contacts the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6 with a constant pressure. Note that the rotating body used in each of these devices rotates by receiving power from a drive source (not shown) via a gear or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, transfer rollers 12 formed of conductive rubber or the like are placed on the recording paper 13 (FIG. 2) at positions facing the respective photoreceptors 1 of the four developing units 23 described above. They are arranged in pressure contact via a transfer belt 11 that is electroabsorbed and conveyed. These transfer rollers 12 transfer the toner development on the photoreceptor 1 to the recording paper 13 (FIG. 2). At the time of this transfer, the surface potential of each photoreceptor 1 and the respective photoreceptors are arranged opposite to each other. A potential for applying a potential difference to the surface potential of each transfer roller 12 is applied.

  The fixing device 25 includes a heating roller and a backup roller inside, and fixes the transferred toner 14 transferred onto the recording paper 13 (FIG. 2) by applying pressure and heating. The recording sheet 13 fixed here is conveyed to the recording sheet stacker 21 by the sheet conveying rollers 18 and 19 at the subsequent stage.

  Next, a mechanism for attaching and detaching the developing unit 23 with the toner cartridge 5 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 main body will be described.

  3 and 4 are external perspective views of the developing unit 23 as an exchange member as seen from different directions, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are external perspective views of the developing unit main body 23a as seen from different directions. 7 and 8 are external perspective views of the toner cartridge 5 as seen from different directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the toner cartridge 5 includes a toner storage portion 34 and a memory portion 35. The toner supply port 41 (FIG. 7) supplies toner by sliding in the longitudinal direction. 2) A shutter 39 that opens and closes, and a stirring member (not shown) that is coaxial with the gear 40 that receives driving force from the developing unit main body 23a and rotates inside the toner accommodating portion 34 are provided. The memory portion 35 is formed so as to protrude from one side surface portion of the toner cartridge 5, and the memory portion 35 is provided with a memory member 35a having a surface portion 35b (see FIG. 9).

FIG. 9A is a diagram of the memory unit 35 viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating the angle α with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane shown in FIG. It is the side view seen from the arrow D direction orthogonal to the A and B directions.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the surface portion 35b has an angle β with respect to the XZ plane in the A and B directions inclined at an angle α with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane. It has an inclined surface. A pair of conductive contact plates 36 extending in the directions of arrows A and B along the surface are formed on the surface portion 35b.

  The toner cartridge 5 is mounted on the developing unit main body 23a shown in FIGS. An opening 23c is formed in one side wall 23b of the developing unit main body 23a, and when the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the developing unit main body 23a, as shown in FIGS. Is projected from the opening 23c of the side wall portion 23b and appears outside as a projecting portion of the developing unit 23. A pair of guide posts 48a and 48b are formed at opposite positions on both side walls 23b of the developing unit main body 23a.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of attaching the developing unit 23 to the image forming apparatus 100 main body. As shown in the figure, on both inner side surfaces 31a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, a guide groove 50a that engages with and guides a guide post 48a of the developing unit 23 with respect to each developing unit 23, and the developing unit. A guide groove 50b that engages and guides the guide post 48b of the 23 is formed. In FIG. 10, the area surrounded by a circle in the vicinity of the guide grooves 50 a and 50 b that guide and correspond to one developing unit 23 is enlarged from the angle at which the guide grooves 50 a and 50 b can be seen. .

  When the user attaches the developing unit 23 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the user holds the developing unit 23 as shown in FIG. 10, and first, a pair of guide posts 48 a on both sides of the developing unit 23 are provided. The guide post 48b is inserted so as to be guided by engaging with the pair of guide grooves 50a of the main body, and further inserted so that the guide post 48b is engaged with and guided by the pair of guide grooves 50b of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. And put on.

  Here, the developing unit 23 is guided at four positions when the pair of guide posts 48b are guided by being engaged with the pair of guide grooves 50b of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. While maintaining, it moves parallel to the mounting direction guided by the guide grooves 50a, 50b. The directions of the guide grooves 50a and 50b that determine the mounting direction at this time are configured to coincide with the directions of arrows A and B described in FIG. 9 at least in a predetermined movement region that reaches the mounting position. Therefore, hereinafter, the direction of the arrow A is sometimes referred to as a removal direction, the direction of the arrow B is referred to as a wearing direction, and the directions of the arrows A and B are sometimes referred to as attachment / detachment directions.

  FIG. 11 shows a memory member 35a provided in the memory unit 35 of the toner cartridge 5 of the developing unit 23 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, a contact member 37 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and their periphery. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram seen from the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the toner cartridge 5 is mounted on the developing unit main body 23a, the memory portion 35 has at least a surface portion 35b of the memory member 35a and an opening 23c (FIG. 11) of the side wall portion 23b of the developing unit main body 23a. 6)). The memory member 35a is electrically joined to a nonvolatile memory 47 such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and the nonvolatile memory 47, and the attaching / detaching direction (here, arrow A) of the developing unit 23 along the surface portion 35b of the memory member 35a. , Extending in the direction B), and a conductive contact plate 36 for connecting to an external communication means is provided.

  As described above, the surface portion 35b is inclined by an angle β (about 15 ° in this case) with respect to the XZ plane in the directions of arrows A and B corresponding to the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit 23 with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The surface of the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a is visible from the outside. That is, the memory member 35 a is provided in the developing unit 23 so as to protrude toward the inner side surface 31 a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. On the outer side surface 23d of the side wall portion 23b where the opening 23c of the developing unit 23 is formed, the arrow B direction (landing direction) side of the opening 23c is formed in a substantially flat shape without a protruding portion, and the image forming apparatus A space is formed between the inner surface 31a of the 100 main body.

  Here, the contact plate 36 is a first joint that electrically joins the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and the memory member 35a, and the surface thereof is coated with gold plating.

  The nonvolatile memory 47 of the memory member 35a stores unique information such as usage information and manufacturing information of the toner cartridge 5. Alternatively, the number of printed sheets of the image forming apparatus 100 and information specific to the unit mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 such as the developing unit 23 may be written through the connection substrate 59 disposed on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, when the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory 47 is large, all unique information may be stored.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is electrically connected to the contact plate 36 of the memory unit 35 of the toner cartridge 5 by mounting the developing unit 23, and the communication unit of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and the nonvolatile memory 47 of the memory unit 35 are connected. The electrical connection part 32 which enables the communication of this is provided. The electrical connection portion 32 is a fulcrum that loosely fits and supports the contact member 37 as a second joint portion formed by a torsion spring whose surface is coated with gold plating, and the winding portion 37c of the contact member 37. The connection board 59 which fixes and electrically connects the one end side of the part 42 and the contact member 37, and the both ends side via the winding part 37c of the contact member 37 are bent so that it may mention later. .

  The fulcrum part 42 is disposed near the outside of the side member 31 in the image forming apparatus 100, and the connection substrate 59 is disposed on the opposite side of the side member 31 via the fulcrum part 42 and in the vicinity of the fulcrum part 42. ing. One end side of the contact member 37 is formed in a U-shape through two holes 59a and 59b formed in the connection substrate 59, and the distal end portion 37e is further bent outward to be fixed to the connection substrate 59. Has been. At this time, the U-shaped middle portion 37 d of the contact member 37 is in contact with and electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 59 c formed in the corresponding portion of the connection substrate 59.

  On the other hand, the other end side of the contact member 37 via the winding portion 37 c is formed in a deformed crank shape, and the contact portion 37 b is connected to the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35 from the opening 31 b formed in the side member 31. It protrudes inward of the side member 31 to a position where it can come into contact. The contact member 37 is set so that an inward biasing force is generated in the contact portion 37b by the characteristics of a torsion spring in which the surface of a steel wire (SW-C material) is gold-plated, for example. The tip portion 37a limits the movement due to the urging force. In the initial state where the developing unit 23 is not mounted (see FIG. 13C), the tip portion 37a is in pressure contact with the restricting portion 31c of the side member 31 and beyond. The inward movement of the contact portion 37b is restricted.

  In addition, from the position in the initial state of the contact portion 37b in the direction orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction (here, the direction of arrows A and B), the contact in the state where the developing unit 23 is mounted as shown in FIG. The amount of movement to the position of the part 37b is set to be about 2 mm, for example. By setting the amount of movement at this time with a certain margin, even when there is a slight displacement during mounting, the electrical connection between the contact plate 36 and the contact portion 37b can be maintained in a good state.

  Further, the side member 31 and the fulcrum portion 42 in the image forming apparatus 100 are integrally formed of a nonconductive member such as ABS resin (molding material), and the connection substrate 59 is nonconductive except for the electrical connection portion 59c. It is assumed that it is formed of a sex member.

  In the above configuration, first, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When printing is started, the image forming apparatus 100 feeds the recording paper from the paper feed cassette 20 by the paper feeding unit 22 shown in FIG. 1 and transports the recording paper downstream along the paper transport path 15. Then, in the middle of the paper conveyance path, the paper thickness of the recording paper is detected by the detection unit 26 that detects the paper thickness, and is conveyed by the transfer belt unit 24. In this conveyance process, the toner images individually formed by the developing units 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C are sequentially transferred onto the recording sheet recording surface by the transfer roller 12, and further, the toner image on the recording surface is further transferred by the fixing unit 25. After fixing, the printed recording paper is conveyed to the stacker 21.

  Next, the operation of the developing unit 23 at this time will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In the developing unit 23, the toner 4 supplied from the toner cartridge 5 is supplied to the developing roller 6 by the toner supply roller 8, and the toner 4 supplied to the developing roller 6 is leveled to a uniform thickness by the developing blade 7. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1 by the exposure device 3 is visualized, that is, developed with the uniformized toner 4. The developed toner 4 is electrically transferred to the recording paper 13 by the transfer roller 12. Residual toner 4 that is not transferred onto the recording sheet 13 and remains on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 9 and accumulated in the waste toner collecting unit 92.

  Next, the attaching / detaching operation of the toner cartridge 5 will be described.

  12A, 12B, and 12C are operation explanatory views for explaining the operation of mounting the toner cartridge 5 to the developing unit main body 23a. As shown in the figure, a shutter 39 and a guide rib 44 (see FIG. 8) are formed on the bottom of the toner cartridge 5, and shutter receivers 45a and 45b and a guide rib 43 are formed on the upper surface of the mold 10 of the developing unit main body 23a. (See FIGS. 5 and 6). FIG. 9A is a diagram of a stage where the toner cartridge 5 is placed on the developing unit main body 23a. FIG. 10B is a diagram where the guide rib 44 of the toner cartridge 205 and the guide rib 43 of the developing unit main body 23a are engaged. (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. (B).

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the guide rib 44 and the guide rib 43 are formed in an L-shaped cross section, and are configured to engage with each other. Accordingly, the guide rib 44 of the toner cartridge 205 is guided by the guide rib 43 of the developing unit main body 23a without being separated from each other, and can move in a predetermined direction (here, the Y-axis direction).

  When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the developing unit main body 23a, first, as shown in FIG. 12A, the shutter 39 of the toner cartridge 5 is fitted between the shutter receiving portions 45a and 45b of the developing unit main body 23a. The toner cartridge 5 is placed on the developing unit main body 23a at a position where the guide rib 44 of the toner cartridge 205 and the guide rib 43 of the developing unit main body 23a face each other.

  Thereafter, the toner cartridge 5 is slid in the positive direction of the Y axis. At this time, the toner cartridge 5 is guided and moved in the Y-axis direction by the engagement of the guide rib 43 and the guide rib 44, but the shutter 39 is blocked by the shutter 39 because the movement is prevented by the shutter receiving portion 45b that abuts. The toner supply port 41 (see FIG. 2) appears along with this movement, and eventually the movement is restricted at a position facing the toner receiving port 45c (FIG. 6) formed on the upper surface of the mold 10, and is fixed by positioning means (not shown). The As a result, the toner in the toner cartridge 5 can be supplied to the toner storage section 93 (FIG. 2) of the developing unit main body 23a.

  On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 5 placed on the developing unit main body 23a is moved in the positive direction along the Y axis, the memory unit 35 of the toner cartridge 5 opens the side wall 23b of the developing unit main body 23a as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11, the surface portion 35b of the memory member 35a protrudes from at least the opening 23c of the side wall portion 23b of the developing unit main body 23a at the time when the movement is finished and fixed. Each positional relationship is set in.

  Next, an operation when the developing unit 23 equipped with the toner cartridge 5 is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.

  The top cover 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 100a (FIG. 1). When the top cover 30 is moved upward by this rotation, the top cover 30 is shown in FIG. As described above, the developing unit 23 appears and can be detached. At this time, the exposure apparatus 3 held by the holding member disposed on the top cover 30 also moves upward simultaneously. In this state, the user can take out the desired developing unit 23 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by lifting it up.

  At this time, the guide grooves 50a formed on both inner side surfaces 31a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 guide the guide posts 48a of the engaging developing unit 23, and the guide grooves 50b are engaged with the developing units engaged. 23 guide posts 48b are guided. Accordingly, while the developing unit 23 is being guided at at least four locations, the developing unit 23 is translated in the disengagement direction guided by the respective guide grooves while maintaining the posture at the time of mounting, and the guide grooves 50a and the guide posts 48a are moved. While engaged, movement in the Y-axis direction is restricted.

  At this time, an operation of separating the memory unit 35 formed in the toner cartridge 5 from the electrical connection unit 32 formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory view as seen from the direction of arrow D shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in a state where the developing unit 23 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 is in the attachment / detachment direction (here, coincides with the directions of arrows A and B). The wearing direction side is in pressure contact with a contact plate 36 extending in the attaching / detaching direction along a surface portion 35b inclined by a predetermined angle β (about 15 ° in this case) toward the inner side surface 31a. Printing is executed in a state where the developing unit 23 is in this mounting position.

  In order to take out the developing unit 23 from this state, when the user pulls the developing unit 23 upward, as described above, the developing unit 23 remains in the mounted posture while being guided at at least four locations. Then, the parallel movement is started in the detachment direction (arrow A direction) guided by the guide groove. At this time, the contact plate 36 of the memory unit 35 moves in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction), and along with this movement, the contact point portion 37b of the contact member 37 moves the fulcrum portion 42 by the inward biasing force. It continues to press contact with the contact plate 36 while rotating in the same direction as the center.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, when the developing unit 23 moves in parallel to a position where the tip end portion 37a of the contact member 37 abuts on the regulating portion 31c of the side member 31 and the rotational movement of the contact portion 37b is regulated. Thereafter, as the developing unit 23 moves away from the contact unit 37b, the contact part 37b and the contact plate 36 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. Since the gap γ is formed between the outer surface 23d of the unit 23, the developing unit 23 can be taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without the contact portion 37b coming into contact with other portions of the developing unit 23.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus, the contact point 37b of the contact member 37 is moved from the position in the state where the developing unit 23 shown in FIG. 13A is mounted to the position in the initial state shown in FIG. And the positional relationship between the members so that a gap γ is formed with the outer surface 23d of the developing unit 23 at the initial position shown in FIG. 13C. Is set. Also, at least in the moving region of the developing unit 23 where the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 and the contact plate 36 of the memory portion 35 abut, the above-described arrows A and B coincide with the attaching / detaching directions, and the posture at the time of attachment. Guide grooves 50a and 50b are formed on both inner side surfaces 31a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so that parallel movement can be performed while maintaining the above.

  On the other hand, when the developing unit 23 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the developing unit 23 is mounted at the mounting position shown in FIG. At this time, when the guide groove 50a and the guide post 48a are engaged, the movement of the developing unit 23 in the Y-axis direction is restricted. For this reason, the developing unit 23 can be mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without any portion other than the contact plate 36 being in contact with the contact portion 37b in the mounting process due to the gap γ.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 13B, the contact portion 37 b of the contact member 37 and the contact plate 36 of the memory portion 35 come into contact with each other, and the tip end portion 37 a of the contact member 37 is separated from the regulating portion 31 c of the side member 31. As a result, the urging force of the tip end portion 37 a is applied to the contact plate 36, so that the contact portion 37 b continues to press against the contact plate 36 thereafter. As a result, when the developing unit 23 is mounted, the electrical connection between the tip portion 37a and the contact plate 36 can be reliably maintained even if a slight displacement occurs in the mounting direction.

  In the present embodiment, the fulcrum portion 42 is integrally formed with the side member 31 in the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The side member 31, the fulcrum part 42, and the connection substrate 59 may be integrally formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, one end side of the contact member 37 is formed in a U-shape through two holes 59a and 59b formed in the connection substrate 59, and the tip portion 37e is further bent outward. Although the example fixed to the connection board 59 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and one end side of the contact member 37 extends along the facing surface of the connection board 59 (the surface facing the fulcrum portion 42). It may be configured to be directly abutted and fixed, and to be electrically connected to the substrate at the abutting portion. In this case, since the contact member 37 and the contact portion of the connection substrate are pressed against each other by the urging force of the torsion spring, the electrical connection can be more reliably maintained.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a is formed along the surface portion 35b inclined with respect to the attaching / detaching direction, the apparatus size is increased. Therefore, when the developing unit 23 is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the contact member 37 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus is prevented from coming into contact with components other than the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a. It becomes possible. Further, the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 is configured to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction while being in pressure contact with the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a during the attaching / detaching operation. Even when it is mounted with a slight shift in the attaching / detaching direction, the electrical connection between the contact portion and the contact plate can be reliably maintained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 14 shows the structure of the memory holding member 154 and its peripheral part of the developing unit 123 employed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment based on the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining its operation.

  The image forming apparatus adopting the developing unit 123 is mainly different from the developing unit 23 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above. A memory holding member 154 that holds the memory member 35 is provided. It is a point. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus employing the developing unit 123, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment described above, or the description is omitted with the drawing omitted. And focus on the differences. The configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the main part of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except for the developing unit. To do.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an operation when the up / down bar 29 shown in FIG. 1 functions. In the following description, it is assumed that the developing unit 123 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the up / down mechanism having the up / down bar 29 includes an up / down bar 29, a pinion gear 143, and an up / down motor 115. The up / down bar 29 extends in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the developing units 123 and is held by the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be slidable in the arrow F and G directions in the same direction.

  The up / down bar 29 is engaged with each positioning cam 165 formed in the developing unit 123, and the corresponding developing unit 123 is separated from the photosensitive member 1 (see FIG. 2) and the transfer belt 11 to prevent image formation. An up position restricting portion 29a that restricts the position to a possible non-image forming position (up position), and similarly, each developing unit 123 is in an image forming position (down position) where the photosensitive member 1 and the transfer belt 11 can contact to form an image. And a rack gear 29c that meshes with the pinion gear 143. The pinion gear 143 meshes with the rotation shaft of the up / down motor 115, obtains rotational force, and slides the up / down bar 29 in the directions of arrows F and G.

  Here, the positioning cam 165 formed in the developing unit 123 has been described as a member provided separately from the guide post 48 a described above, but the guide post 48 a may also serve as the positioning cam 165.

  During color printing, the up / down bar 29 is driven by the up / down motor 115 to move in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. 4A, and the four developing units 123 form an image by the image forming position guide 29b. In the case of monochrome printing (here black printing), the yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) developing units 123Y, 123M, 123C is restricted to the non-image forming position (up position) by the up position restricting portion 29a, and only the black (K) developing unit 123 (K) is kept at the image forming position (down position). In this way, development units 123 other than black (K) are prevented from being consumed during monochrome printing.

  Further, since the up / down movement of the developing unit 123 at this time is guided by the guide grooves 50a and 50b (FIG. 10), in the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit 123 (for example, the directions of arrows A and B in FIG. 11), Move while maintaining the posture at the time of wearing. At this time, the exposure apparatus 3 is also up and down at the same time, but the exposure apparatus 3 is held by the holding member held by the top cover 30 (FIG. 1) so that the movement at this time is allowed.

  FIG. 14 illustrates the memory member 35 a provided in the memory holding member 154 of the toner cartridge 105 of the developing unit 123 mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and the electrical connection portion 32 in the image forming apparatus 100. The contact member 37 and the peripheral members thereof are shown as viewed from the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the toner cartridge 105 holds the memory holding member 154 so as to be slidable in parallel with the attaching / detaching direction (here, coincides with the directions of arrows A and B), and the biasing member 155 applies the memory holding member 154 in the removal direction. Further, the movement range is regulated by the regulation unit 105a. The toner cartridge 105 is configured so that at least the surface portion 35b of the memory member 35a protrudes from the outer surface 123d of the developing unit main body 123a when the toner cartridge 105 is attached to the developing unit main body 123a. In the directions of arrows A and B corresponding to the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit 123 with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 is inclined by an angle β (about 15 ° in this case) with respect to the XZ plane (see FIG. 9).

  FIG. 14A shows a state when the developing unit 123 is at the image forming position (down position). At this time, the memory holding member 154 is moved by the stopper member 157 provided on the top cover 30. The forward movement is restricted before coming into contact with the restricting portion 105a. Further, in this state, the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 is pressed against the conductive contact plate 36 extending in the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit 123 along the surface portion 35b of the memory member 35a, and electrical connection is ensured. ing.

  The operation when the developing unit 123 is up-down by the up-down mechanism with the above configuration will be described below.

  As described above, in FIG. 14A, as in the color printing shown in FIG. 15A, for example, the four developing units 123 are guided to the image forming position (down position) by the image forming position guide unit 29b. The state of the memory holding member 154 of each developing unit 123 is shown. From this state, the three developing units 123 other than black (K), for example, at the time of single color printing (here black printing) shown in FIG. 15B are moved to the non-image forming position (up position) by the up position restricting portion 29a. ), The three developing units 123 are moved to the non-image forming position (up position) while compressing the urging member 155 toward the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) as shown in FIG. Position).

  At this time, since the movement of the memory holding member 154 in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) is restricted by the stopper member 157 provided on the top cover 30, the memory holding member 154 is kept in pressure contact with the stopper member 157. The developing units 123 other than the memory holding member 154 move in the detaching direction (arrow A direction) while compressing the urging member 155 and move to the non-image forming position (up position). Accordingly, during this time, the pressure contact state between the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a and the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 does not change, and electrical connection is ensured. A space is provided between the top cover 30 and the developing unit 123 to allow the movement of the developing unit 123 at this time.

  Similarly, when the developing unit 123 is led again to the image forming position (down position) from the state where the developing unit 123 is restricted to the non-image forming position (up position) shown in FIG. 14A, the developing unit 123 other than the memory holding member 154 extends toward the wearing direction (arrow B direction) while being in pressure contact with the stopper member 157 provided in FIG. Move to the image forming position (down position). Accordingly, during this time, the pressure contact state between the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a and the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 does not change, and electrical connection is ensured.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, even when the image forming apparatus can move a developing unit that is not used to a non-image forming position (up position) during single-color printing, Since the pressure contact state between the contact plate 36 of the memory member 35a and the contact portion 37b of the contact member 37 can be maintained without change, the electrical connection between the contact portion and the contact plate is ensured in both color printing and monochrome printing. And can be prevented from being worn by rubbing.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
16 to 27 are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The main difference between the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment and the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment is as follows.
(1) The developing unit assembly 250 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 has each of the four colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) described in the first embodiment. Four developing units 223 (corresponding to the first structure) corresponding to the developing unit 23, and developing units that hold these four developing units 223 in series with a degree of freedom that allows up-down movement described later. The assembly body 250a (corresponding to the second structure) is included.
(2) The development unit assembly main body 250a holds the development unit main body 223a of each development unit 223, and the toner cartridge 205 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is shown in FIGS. Thus, it is configured to be detachable from the developing unit main body 223a.
(3) The developing unit assembly 250 as an exchange member shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The relationship between each developing unit 223 and the image forming apparatus 100 body when the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 body is the relationship between each developing unit 23 and the image forming apparatus 100 body described above with reference to FIG. Same as relationship.
(4) Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the developing unit assembly main body 250a is added to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG.
(5) A relay contact member 261 described later (see FIG. 24) between the memory member 35a provided in the memory unit 35 of the toner cartridge 205 and the contact member 37 in the image forming apparatus 100 due to the difference in the configuration. ) Is provided.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment that employs the developing unit assembly 250, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment described above, or the drawings. Omitted, the explanation is omitted, and different points are explained mainly. The main configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except for the developing unit assembly 250. 1 is referred to.

  16 and 17 are external perspective views of the developing unit assembly 250 as seen from different directions. FIGS. 18 and 19 show the developing unit assembly body 250a holding the four developing unit bodies 223a from different directions. FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are external perspective views of the toner cartridge 205 viewed from different directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the toner cartridge 205 includes a toner storage portion 234 and a memory portion 235, and the toner supply port 41 (see FIG. 2), and a stirring member (not shown) that is coaxial with the gear 40 that receives driving force from the developing unit main body 223a and rotates inside the toner accommodating portion 234. In the memory portion 235, a memory holding member 254 that is formed so as to protrude from one side surface portion of the toner cartridge 205 and holds the memory member 235 a on which the contact plate 236 and the nonvolatile memory 47 are arranged has a predetermined direction to be described later. Is slidably held.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram of the memory unit 235 viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis. As shown in the figure, on the surface of the memory member 235a, a pair of conductive contact plates extending in the directions of arrows A and B inclined by an angle α with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane shown in the figure. The memory holding member 254 that holds the memory member 235a on the surface is held to be slidable in the directions of arrows A and B by a U-shaped guide member 235b, and further, the biasing member 255 The state of being biased in the A direction and contacting the bottom of the U-shaped guide member 235b is maintained.

  The toner cartridge 205 is attached to the developing unit main body 223a shown in FIGS. A contact relay portion 242 is formed on one side wall 250b of the developing unit assembly main body 250a that holds the developing unit main body 223a, and will be described later when the toner cartridge 205 is attached to the developing unit main body 223a. As described above, a part of the memory portion 235 is configured to enter the opening portion 242a (FIG. 24) formed in the contact relay portion 242. Further, guide posts 48 are formed at opposite positions on both side walls 223b of each developing unit main body 223a.

  FIG. 23 is a view showing an upper opening of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to which the developing unit assembly 250 is attached. As shown in the drawing, on both inner side surfaces 231a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, guides that engage and guide the guide posts 48 (FIG. 16) of each developing unit 223 with respect to each developing unit 223. A groove 50 is formed. In FIG. 23, the area surrounded by a circle in the vicinity of the guide groove 50 that guides the developing unit 223 corresponding to one developing unit 223 is shown enlarged from an angle at which the guide groove 50 can be seen.

  When the user attaches the developing unit assembly 250 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, each of the developing units 223 projecting from the both sides of the developing unit assembly 250 by four. The guide posts 48 are aligned, inserted, and mounted so as to be engaged and guided by the guide grooves 50 formed respectively corresponding to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Here, the developing unit assembly 250 is guided while all the guide posts 48 are guided by being engaged with the opposing guide grooves 50 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 while maintaining the posture at the time of mounting. Move in parallel in the mounting direction guided by. The direction of the guide groove 50 that determines the mounting direction at this time is configured to coincide with the directions of arrows A and B described with reference to FIG. 22 at least in a predetermined moving region that reaches the mounting position. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, the direction of arrow A may be referred to as a removal direction, the direction of arrow B may be referred to as a wearing direction, and the directions of arrows A and B may be referred to as attachment / detachment directions.

  FIG. 24 shows a memory holding member 254 that is slidably held in the attaching / detaching direction (here, coincides with the directions of arrows A and B) by the memory unit 235 of the toner cartridge 205 of the developing unit 223 mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The provided memory member 235a, the contact member 237 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and the relay provided in the contact relay portion 242 of the developing unit assembly main body 250a for relaying between the memory member 235a and the contact member 237. FIG. 23 is a side view of the contact member 261 when viewed from an arrow D direction orthogonal to the A and B directions inclined at an angle α with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane shown in FIG. 22.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the memory holding member 254 has a protrusion 254a surrounding the periphery of the memory member 235a held on the surface of the memory holding member 254 when the toner cartridge 205 is attached to the developing unit main body 223a. The opening 242a of the contact relay portion 242 of the developing unit assembly main body 250a enters the opening 242a, and the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) is in pressure contact with the edge of the opening 242a. The memory member 235a is joined to a non-volatile memory 47 (see FIG. 22) such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and the non-volatile memory 47, and the development unit along the surface (parallel to the XZ plane) of the memory member 35a. A conductive contact plate 236 that extends in the attaching / detaching direction and is connected to an external communication means is provided. Here, the description will be made assuming that the sliding direction of the memory holding member 254 and the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit assembly 250 coincide with each other, but these do not necessarily coincide with each other.

  A relay contact member 261 formed of a wire that is in electrical contact with the contact plate 236 is disposed in the opening 242a of the contact relay unit 242. The relay contact member 261 is formed of a torsion spring whose surface is coated with gold plating, and is rotatably supported by a fulcrum portion 242b that is provided in the opening portion 242a and loosely fits in the winding portion 261a. Yes.

  On one side of the relay contact member 261 via the winding portion 261a, a memory side contact portion 261b that is electrically contacted with the contact plate 236 of the memory member 235a is formed by bending, and further at the tip thereof, An abutting portion 261d is formed which abuts against a stopper member 242c formed in the opening portion 242a and restricts the amount of clockwise rotation. On the other side of the relay contact member 261 via the winding portion 261a, a contact-side contact portion 261c that is in electrical contact with a curved contact portion 237b of a contact member 237, which will be described later, is formed by bending. A contact portion 261e is formed in the portion, which abuts against a stopper member 242d formed on the edge of the opening portion 242a and restricts the amount of counterclockwise rotation.

  An opening surface 242e facing the contact member 237 of the opening portion 242a of the contact relay portion 242 is an XZ plane in the directions of arrows A and B corresponding to the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit assembly 250 with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. It is inclined with respect to (see FIG. 22) by an angle β (here, about 15 °). In the relay contact member 261, in the initial state where no load is applied to the contact side contact portion 261c, the memory side contact portion 261b contacts the contact plate 236, and the contact side contact portion 261c protrudes from the opening surface 242e as described later. The contact portion 261e at the tip is formed so as to contact the stopper member 242d (see FIG. 26C).

  In the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the development unit assembly 250 is attached to be electrically connected to the contact side contact portion 261 c of the relay contact member 261 provided in the development unit assembly main body 250 a. An electrical connection unit 232 that enables communication between the communication means of the main body and the nonvolatile memory 47 of the memory unit 235 is provided. The electrical connection portion 232 is disposed on the outer side of the side member 231 in the image forming apparatus 100 main body and substantially parallel to the attaching / detaching direction so that one end side of the contact member 237 is connected to the contact member 237 formed of a plate-like conductive member. A connection board 259 that is fixed and electrically connected is provided.

  The contact member 237 includes a contact portion extending in contact with the surface of the connection substrate 259, an inclination portion 237a inclined in a direction away from the connection substrate 259 following the contact portion, and a curve curved in an arc shape following the inclination portion 237a. A contact portion 237c is provided at an end portion following the contact portion 237b and the curved contact portion 237b. The side member 231 has an inclined portion 231b formed in parallel to the opening surface 242e at a portion facing the opening portion 242a of the contact relay portion 242, and the inclined contact portion 231b has a curved contact portion of the contact member 237. An opening 231c is formed so that 237b faces from the outside to the inside. As shown in FIG. 24, the curved contact portion 237b is formed so that at least the front end side half protrudes from the opening 231c, and the contact portion 237c is fixed to the edge of the opening 231c.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, when the developing unit assembly 250 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the memory side contact portion 261b of the relay contact member 261 contacts the contact plate 236 of the memory member 235a, Since the contact side contact portion 261c of the contact member 261 contacts the curved contact portion 237b of the contact member 237, and the contact side contact portion 261c is moved in a clockwise direction by a predetermined amount, each contact portion is a torsion spring. A pressure contact state is established by the restoring force, and electrical conduction at each contact portion is ensured.

  The developing unit assembly 250 is mounted from the position in the initial state of the contact-side contact portion 261c in the direction perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction (here, coincident with the directions of arrows A and B) as shown in FIG. The amount of movement to the position of the contact side contact part 261c in the state is set to be about 2 mm. By setting the amount of movement at this time with a certain margin, even when a positional deviation occurs at the time of mounting, the electrical connection between the relay contact member 261 and the curved contact portion 237b can be maintained in a good state. .

  FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an operation when the up / down bar 29 shown in FIG. 1 functions. In the following description, it is assumed that the developing unit assembly 250 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the up / down mechanism having the up / down bar 29 includes an up / down bar 29, a pinion gear 143, and an up / down motor 115. The up / down bar 29 extends in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the developing units 223, and is held by the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be slidable in the directions F and G in the same direction.

  The up / down bar 29 engages with each positioning cam 265 formed on the developing unit 223, and the corresponding developing unit 223 is moved away from the photosensitive member 1 (see FIG. 2) and the transfer belt 11. An image forming position guide unit that guides each developing unit 223 to an image forming position (down position) where the photoconductor 1 and the transfer belt 11 come into contact with each other, and the image forming position (down position) can be controlled. 29b, and a rack gear 29c that meshes with the pinion gear 143. The pinion gear 143 meshes with the rotation shaft of the up / down motor 115, obtains rotational force, and slides the up / down bar 29 in the directions of arrows F and G.

  Here, the positioning cam 265 formed in the developing unit 223 has been described as a member provided separately from the guide post 48 described above, but the guide post 48 may also serve as the positioning cam 265.

  During color printing, the up / down bar 115 is driven by the up / down motor 115 to move in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. 4A, and the four developing units 223 form an image by the image forming position guide 29b. In the case of single color printing (here black printing), the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) developing units 123Y, 123M, and 123C are not moved by the up position restricting portion 29a. The image forming position (up position) is restricted, and only the black (K) developing unit 123 (K) is kept at the image forming position (down position). In this way, development units 223 other than black (K) are prevented from being consumed during monochrome printing.

  Further, since the up / down movement of the developing unit 223 at this time is performed by the guide by the guide groove 50 (FIG. 23), the developing unit 223 moves in the attaching / detaching direction (for example, the directions of arrows A and B in FIG. 24). . At this time, the exposure apparatus 3 is also up and down at the same time, but the exposure apparatus 3 is held by the holding member held by the top cover 30 (FIG. 1) so that the movement at this time is allowed. Further, the developing unit assembly main body 250a guides the individual developing units 223 so that they can move up and down while maintaining the posture when mounted, and the developing unit main bodies 223a of the developing units 223 allow the movement. Is held.

  Here, the up / down mechanism is described as being provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration provided in the developing unit assembly main body 250a may be employed.

  Next, an attaching / detaching operation related to the toner cartridge 205 will be described.

  When the toner cartridge 205 is attached to the developing unit main body 223a, the guide rib 244 formed on the bottom of the toner cartridge 205 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and the mold 210 of the developing unit main body 223a shown in FIGS. A shutter receiving portion 245 formed on the upper surface of the mold 210 of the developing unit main body 223a is engaged with the engaging portion 239a of the shutter 239 formed on the bottom portion of the toner cartridge 205 so as to face the guide rib 243 formed on the upper surface. The toner cartridge 205 is placed on the developing unit main body 223a at the position where the images are to be combined.

  Thereafter, the toner cartridge 205 is slid in the positive direction of the Y axis. At this time, the toner cartridge 205 is guided and moved in the Y-axis direction by the engagement of the guide rib 243 and the guide rib 244, but the shutter 239 is blocked by the shutter 239 because the movement is blocked by the engaging shutter receiving portion 245. The removed toner supply port 41 (see FIG. 2) appears along with this movement, and eventually the movement is restricted at a position facing a toner receiving port (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the mold 210 and fixed by a positioning means (not shown). Is done. As a result, the toner in the toner cartridge 205 can be supplied to the toner storage section 93 (FIG. 2) of the developing unit main body 223a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 24, when the toner cartridge 205 mounted on the developing unit main body 223a is fixed after the movement in the positive direction of the Y-axis, the memory holding member 254 for holding the memory member 235a on the surface is shown. The protruding portion 254a enters the opening portion 242a of the contact relay portion 242 of the developing unit assembly main body 250a, and the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) is in pressure contact with the locking portion 242f corresponding to the edge of the opening portion 242a. Become.

  Next, an operation when the developing unit assembly 250 with the toner cartridge 205 mounted thereon is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.

  The top cover 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 100a (FIG. 1). When the top cover 30 is moved upward by this rotation, the top cover 30 is shown in FIG. As described above, the developing unit assembly 250 appears and is detachable. At this time, the exposure apparatus 3 held by the holding member disposed on the top cover also moves upward simultaneously. The user can take out the developing unit assembly 250 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by lifting the developing unit assembly 250 in this state.

  At this time, the guide grooves 50 formed on both inner side surfaces 231a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 respectively guide the guide posts 48 of the developing unit 223 engaged. Accordingly, the developing unit assembly 250 is translated in the direction of being guided by the guide grooves while maintaining the posture at the time of mounting, while each guide groove 50 and the corresponding guide post 48 are engaged. The movement in the Y-axis direction is restricted.

  At this time, the operation of separating the contact relay portion 242 formed on the developing unit assembly main body 250a and the electrical connection portion 232 formed on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. To do. FIG. 26 is a view seen from the arrow D direction orthogonal to the A and B directions inclined at an angle α with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 26A, when the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the relay contact member 261 is in a compressed state, so that the memory side contact portion 261b is a memory member. The contact plate 236 of 235a is in pressure contact, and the contact side contact portion 261c is in pressure contact with the curved contact portion 237b of the contact member 237, so that electrical conduction at each contact portion is ensured. Printing is performed in a state where the developing unit assembly main body 250a is in this mounting position.

  In order to take out the developing unit assembly 250 from this state, when the user pulls the developing unit assembly 250 upward, as described above, the developing unit assembly 250 is guided by the guide groove while maintaining the posture at the time of mounting. The parallel movement is started in the removal direction (arrow A direction). At this time, the contact-side contact portion 261c of the relay contact member 261 rotates in the counterclockwise direction while moving in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) along the curved contact portion 237b of the contact member 237. As shown in b), the contact portion 261e at the tip of the relay contact member 261 contacts the stopper member 242d, and the movement in the same direction is restricted.

  Therefore, thereafter, as the developing unit assembly 250 moves in the de-direction, the contact-side contact portion 261c and the curved contact portion 237b are separated from each other as shown in FIG. In addition, since the contact side contact portion 261c and the inclined portion 231b of the side member 231 and the curved contact portion 237b and the side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body 250a are widened, the contact side contact portion 261c is the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The developing unit assembly 250 can be removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without coming into contact with other portions and without the curved contact portion 237b coming into contact with other portions of the developing unit assembly main body 250a.

  As described above, at least in the moving region of the developing unit assembly 250 where the curved contact portion 237b of the contact member 237 and the contact-side contact portion 261c of the relay contact member 261 contact each other, the attachment and detachment in the directions of the arrows A and B described above are performed. Guide grooves 50 are formed on both inner side surfaces 231a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so that the directions coincide with each other and the parallel movement can be performed while maintaining the mounting posture.

  On the other hand, when the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted at the mounting position shown in FIG. However, also at this time, before the contact-side contact portion 261c and the curved contact portion 237b come into contact with each other, the developing unit assembly 250 can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without making contact with each other.

  The contact member 261 for relay of the contact relay portion 242 is a wire, and the contact side contact portion 261c is always in contact at the same point, whereas the contact member 237 of the electrical connection portion 232 is a plate material, and is a contact portion during attachment / detachment operation. Spreads linearly. Therefore, the wear of the gold plating is larger in the relay contact member 261 belonging to the developing unit assembly 250 that is a replacement member, and less in the contact member 237, so that it is difficult to replace it because it belongs to the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The service life of the contact member 237 can be made longer than the relay contact member 261 of the replacement member.

  Next, the operation when the developing unit 223 is up / down by the up / down mechanism will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 27A shows each of the four developing units 223 being guided to the image forming position (down position) by the image forming position guide portion 29b as in the color printing shown in FIG. 25A, for example. The state of the memory holding member 254 of the developing unit 223 is shown. From this state, the three developing units 223 other than black (K), for example, at the time of monochrome printing (here black printing) shown in FIG. ), The three developing units 223 are arranged in the non-image forming position (up position) while compressing the urging member 255 toward the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) as shown in FIG. Position).

  At this time, since the movement of the memory holding member 254 is restricted by the locking portion 242f of the contact relay portion 242 of the developing unit assembly main body 250a, the memory holding member 254 is locked to the locking portion 242f. The developing units 223 other than the memory holding member 254 are moved in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) while compressing the urging member 255 and are moved to the non-image forming position (up position). Accordingly, during this time, the pressure contact state between the contact plate 236 of the memory member 235a and the memory side contact portion 261b of the relay contact member 261 of the contact relay portion 242 does not change, and electrical connection is ensured. A space is provided between the top cover 30 and the developing unit 223 to allow the movement of the developing unit 223 at this time.

  Similarly, when the developing unit 223 is guided to the image forming position (down position) again from the state where it is regulated to the non-image forming position (up position) shown in FIG. 27B, the memory holding member 254 is locked. The developing unit 223 other than the memory holding member 254 is in the image forming position (down position) shown in FIG. 27A toward the wearing direction (arrow B direction) while extending the urging member 255 while being pressed against the portion 242f. ) Accordingly, during this time, the pressure contact state between the contact plate 236 of the memory member 235a and the memory side contact portion 261b of the relay contact member 261 of the contact relay portion 242 does not change, and electrical connection is ensured.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the curved contact portion 237b of the contact member 237 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 protrudes from the inclined surface of the inclined portion 231b inclined with respect to the mounting direction. Further, the contact-side contact portion 261c of the relay contact member 261 of the contact relay portion 242 is formed so as to protrude from the opening surface 242e facing in parallel to the inclined portion. Without increasing the size, when the developing unit assembly 250 is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the contact side contact portion 261c does not come into contact with any part other than the curved contact portion 237b of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The curved contact portion 237b does not come into contact with any portion other than the contact side contact portion 261c of the developing unit assembly main body 250a. Damage or of each contact portion can suppress unwanted rubbing and wear.

  Furthermore, even when the developing unit 223 is raised or lowered with respect to the developing unit assembly main body 250, the positional relationship between the contact-side contact portion 261c of the relay contact member 261 and the curved contact portion 237b of the contact member 237 does not change. In both color printing and monochromatic printing, the electrical connection between the contact portion and the contact plate can be reliably maintained, and wear due to rubbing can be prevented.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electrical connection portion formed in the image forming apparatus main body employed in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and the structure of the peripheral portion thereof. . FIG. 28 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow D shown in FIG.

  The main difference between the image forming apparatus of this embodiment and the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 3 is that the contact member 337 of the electrical connection portion 332 is formed of a leaf spring. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus employing the electrical connection portion 332 is different from the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment described above by assigning the same reference numerals or omitting the drawings and omitting the description. Explain the point with emphasis.

  The contact member 337 according to the present embodiment is formed of a leaf spring material coated with gold plating, and inclines in a direction extending in contact with the surface of the connection substrate 59 and in a direction away from the connection substrate 59 following the contact portion. An inclined portion 337a, a curved contact portion 337b curved in an arc shape following the inclined portion 337a, and an abutting portion 337c are provided at an end portion following the curved contact portion 337b. As shown in FIG. 24, the side member 231 has an inclined portion 231b formed in parallel to the aperture surface 242e at a portion facing the aperture portion 242a of the contact relay portion 242, and the inclined portion 231b includes An opening 231c is formed so that the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 337 faces from the outside to the inside.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the contact member 337 is formed such that the curved contact portion 337b protrudes from the opening 231c at least at the tip half, and in the initial state shown in FIG. 28 (c), the contact portion 337c. Is set so as to generate a biasing force that presses against the locking portion 371 that is the edge of the opening 231c. That is, the contact member 337 is restricted from moving in the direction protruding from the opening 231 c by the locking portion 371.

  In the above configuration, the operation of separating the contact relay portion 242 formed in the developing unit assembly main body 250a and the electrical connection portion 332 formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. While explaining.

  As shown in FIG. 28A, in the state where the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the relay contact member 261 is in a compressed state, so that the memory side contact portion 261b is connected to the memory member. The contact plate 236 (FIG. 24) of the 235a is in pressure contact, and the contact side contact portion 261c is in pressure contact with the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 337, so that electrical conduction at each contact portion is ensured. At this time, the contact member 337 is set so that the contact portion 337c is balanced at a position where the contact portion 337c is separated from the locking portion 371 by a predetermined amount, and a desired contact pressure is obtained at each press contact portion. Thereby, since the separation amount of the contact member 337 changes according to the strength of the contact pressure, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure at each pressure contact portion from becoming larger than necessary.

  In order to take out the developing unit assembly 250 from this state, when the user pulls the developing unit assembly 250 upward, as described above, the developing unit assembly 250 is guided by the guide groove while maintaining the posture at the time of mounting. The parallel movement is started in the removal direction (arrow A direction). At this time, the contact-side contact portion 261c of the relay contact member 261 moves in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) along the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 337. Accordingly, the relay contact member 261 and the contact are moved along with this movement. The member 337 eventually returns to the initial state as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, thereafter, as the developing unit assembly 250 moves in the de-direction, the contact-side contact portion 261c and the curved contact portion 337b are separated from each other as shown in FIG. In addition, since the contact side contact portion 261c and the inclined portion 231b of the side member 231 and the curved contact portion 337b and the side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body are widened, the contact side contact portion 261c is formed on the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The developing unit assembly 250 can be taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without coming into contact with other portions and without the curved contact portion 337b coming into contact with other portions of the developing unit assembly main body 250a.

  On the other hand, when the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted at the mounting position shown in FIG. However, also at this time, before the contact-side contact portion 261c and the curved contact portion 337b come into contact with each other, the developing unit assembly 250 can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without making contact with each other.

  In this embodiment, the operation when the developing unit 223 is up-down by the up-down mechanism is exactly the same as the operation described in the above-described third embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the contact member 337 of the electrical connection portion 332 is formed of a leaf spring material, the contact pressure between the contacts is larger than necessary during the attachment / detachment operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of overload on the gold plating used for the contact portion and to improve the reliability of the electrical connection.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 29 shows a memory portion formed in the toner cartridge, a contact relay portion formed on one side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body, and an image, which are employed in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which uses for the operation | movement description while showing the structure of the electrical connection part formed in the forming apparatus main body, and its peripheral part. Note that FIG. 29 is a view as seen from the direction of the arrow D perpendicular to the A and B directions inclined at an angle α with respect to the Z direction of the XZ plane shown in FIG.

  The main difference between the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment and the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment is the configuration of the memory unit 435 and the contact relay unit 442. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus employing the memory unit 435 and the contact relay unit 442, parts common to the image forming apparatuses of the third and fourth embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals or omitted from the drawings. Is omitted and the differences will be explained with emphasis.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the memory holding member 454 of the memory unit 435 according to the present embodiment opens the contact relay unit 442 of the developing unit assembly main body 250a when the toner cartridge 205 is attached to the developing unit main body 223a. The hole 442a enters, and the escape direction (arrow A direction) side is in pressure contact with the edge of the opening 442a. A memory member 235a is held on the surface of the memory holding member 454, and an overhanging portion 454a having an L-shaped cross section is formed so as to surround the memory member 235a. The memory member 235a is joined to a non-volatile memory 47 (see FIG. 22) such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and the non-volatile memory 47, and the development unit along the surface (parallel to the XZ plane) of the memory member 235a. A conductive contact plate 236 that extends in the attaching / detaching direction and is connected to an external communication means is provided.

  A contact member 461 made of a wire that is in electrical contact with the contact plate 236 is disposed in the overhang portion 454a. The contact member 461 is formed of a torsion spring whose surface is coated with gold plating, and is supported by a fulcrum portion 454b that is provided in the overhang portion 454a and fits into the winding portion 461a. Note that the contact member 461 may be configured by a leaf spring.

  One side of the contact member 461 via the winding part 461a is in contact with the surface of the contact plate 236 substantially in parallel, and the other side of the contact member 461 via the winding part 461a is bent to be a contact member. A contact portion 461c that is in electrical contact with the curved contact portion 337b of 337 is formed, and a contact portion 461e that contacts the edge of the overhang portion 454a and restricts the amount of counterclockwise rotation is formed at the distal end portion thereof. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the contact member 461 is formed such that the contact portion 461c protrudes from the opening of the overhanging portion 454a and further from the opening surface 442e of the contact relay portion 442, as shown in FIG. In the initial state, the contact portion 461e is set so as to generate a biasing force that presses against the engaging portion of the edge of the overhang portion 454a. That is, the contact member 461 is restricted from moving in a direction protruding from the opening of the overhanging portion 454a. The contact relay portion 442 is formed in the same shape as the contact relay portion 242 (FIG. 24) described in the third embodiment, and the external shape such as the opening surface 442e is shown in FIG. 24 in the opening portion 442a. The relay contact member 261, the fulcrum part 242b and the like are removed.

  The operation of separating the memory unit 435 of the toner cartridge 205 and the electrical connection unit 332 formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 in the above configuration will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 29A, when the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the contact portion 461e of the contact member 461 and the contact portion 337c of the contact member 337 are both locking portions. Accordingly, the contact portion 461c of the contact member 461 and the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 337 are in pressure contact with each other, and electrical conduction at the contact portion is ensured. At this time, the contact member 337 is set so that the contact portion 337c is balanced at a position where the contact portion 337c is separated from the locking portion 371 by a predetermined amount, and a desired contact pressure is obtained at the press contact portion. Thereby, since the separation amount of the contact member 337 changes according to the strength of the contact pressure, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure at the press contact portion from becoming larger than necessary.

  In order to take out the developing unit assembly 250 from this state, when the user pulls the developing unit assembly 250 upward, as described above, the developing unit assembly 250 is guided by the guide groove while maintaining the posture at the time of mounting. The parallel movement is started in the removal direction (arrow A direction). At this time, since the contact portion 261c of the contact member 461 moves in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) along the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 237, the contact member 461 and the contact member 337 eventually become the same. As shown in FIG. 5B, the initial state is restored.

  Therefore, thereafter, as the developing unit assembly 250 moves in the de-direction, as shown in FIG. 29 (c), the contact-side contact portion 461c and the curved contact portion 337b are separated and the electrical connection state is released. In addition, since the contact side contact portion 461c and the inclined portion 231b of the side member 231 and the curved contact portion 337b and the side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body are widened, the contact portion 461c is the other part of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The developing unit assembly 250 can be taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without coming into contact with the location and without further contacting the curved contact portion 337b with another location in the developing unit assembly main body 250a.

  On the other hand, when the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the developing unit assembly 250 is mounted at the mounting position shown in FIG. However, also at this time, before the contact portion 461c and the curved contact portion 337b come into contact with each other, the developing unit assembly 250 can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 without making contact with each other.

  Next, the operation when the developing unit 223 is up / down by the up / down mechanism will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 30A shows each of the four developing units 223 being guided to the image forming position (down position) by the image forming position guide portion 29b as in the color printing shown in FIG. 25A, for example. The state of the memory holding member 454 of the developing unit 223 is shown. From this state, the three developing units 223 other than black (K), for example, at the time of monochrome printing (here black printing) shown in FIG. ), The three developing units 223 are arranged in the non-image forming position (up position) while compressing the urging member 255 toward the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) as shown in FIG. Position).

  At this time, the movement of the memory holding member 454 is restricted by the locking portion 442f of the contact relay portion 442 of the developing unit assembly main body 250a, so that the memory holding member 454 is locked to the locking portion 442f. The developing unit 223 other than the memory holding member 454 is moved in the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) while being compressed, and moved to the non-image forming position (up position). Accordingly, during this time, the pressure contact state between the contact portion 461c of the contact member 461 and the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 337 does not change, and electrical connection is ensured.

  Similarly, when the developing unit 223 is guided to the image forming position (down position) again from the state where it is regulated to the non-image forming position (up position) shown in FIG. 30B, the memory holding member 454 is locked. The developing unit 223 other than the memory holding member 454 is in the image forming position (down position) shown in FIG. 30A toward the wearing direction (arrow B direction) while extending the urging member 255 while being pressed against the portion 442f. ) Accordingly, during this time, the pressure contact state between the contact portion 461c of the contact member 461 and the curved contact portion 337b of the contact member 337 does not change, and electrical connection is ensured.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the contact member 461 is provided in the memory holding member 454, the configuration of the contact relay unit 442 formed in the developing unit assembly main body 250a. This can be simplified and is advantageous in manufacturing. Further, since the memory member 235a is surrounded by the overhanging portion, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the memory member 235a comes into contact with the outside and is damaged.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 31 shows the structure of the memory holding member 154 and its peripheral part of the developing unit 123 employed in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining its operation.

  In the second embodiment, four developing units 123 having the memory holding member 154 having the configuration described with reference to FIG. 14 are separately mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and the up-down mechanism described with reference to FIG. Although the operation has been described, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the developing unit main bodies 123a of the four developing units 123 having the memory holding member 154 having the configuration described in FIG. The developing unit assembly 250 is held in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 as a developing unit assembly 250 held by the developing unit assembly main body 250a (for example, FIG. 18), and is configured to be up-down by the up-down mechanism described in FIG. .

  FIG. 31 illustrates a memory member 35a provided in the memory holding member 154 of the toner cartridge 105 of the developing unit 123 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and held in the developing unit assembly main body 250a. A configuration in which the contact member 37 is viewed from the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body 250a is positioned on the side of the developing unit main body 123a, but the up / down mechanism performed by the up / down mechanism shown in FIG. Since the operation of the developing unit 123 at that time is exactly the same as the operation described in the second embodiment with reference to FIG. 14, the description thereof is omitted here.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained with a simpler configuration with fewer parts compared to the image forming apparatuses of the fourth and fifth embodiments.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
FIG. 32 shows the structure of the memory holding member 154 and its peripheral portion of the developing unit 123 employed in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining its operation.

  The configuration of the present embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 31 in that the member that restricts the movement of the memory holding member 154 biased in the direction of arrow A in the same direction is the top cover 30. The stopper member 157 is formed to be a locking portion 250c formed on the side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body 250a. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 105 is mounted on the developing unit main body 123a, as shown in FIG. 32, when the movement of the toner cartridge 105 placed on the developing unit main body 123a is finished and fixed in the Y-axis plus direction. Further, the memory holding member 154 enters the opening portion 250d formed in the side wall portion 250b of the developing unit assembly main body 250a, and the disengagement direction (arrow A direction) side corresponds to the edge of the opening portion 250d. It will be in the state of pressure contact.

  The other configuration and the operation of the developing unit 123 at the time of up / down performed by the up / down mechanism shown in FIG. 25 are the same as those of the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. To do.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained with a simpler configuration with fewer parts compared to the image forming apparatuses of the fourth and fifth embodiments. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide the stopper member 157 on the top cover 30 as in the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment, and the configuration can be simplified.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the replacement member is a development unit or a development unit assembly, and the toner cartridge of the development unit includes a memory for storing information on the replacement member and the image forming apparatus main body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For the image forming apparatus main body provided with the contact member, the detachable replacement member provided with the memory includes, for example, the fixing device 25 and the paper feed cassette. 20, the paper feeding roller 51, the transfer belt unit 24, the toner cartridge 5, the double-sided printing unit 52, etc.

  In the claims and the description of the embodiments, the words “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back” are used for convenience. However, the absolute positional relationship in the state where the image forming apparatus is arranged is not limited.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to a facsimile machine, a copier, a multi-function machine having them in combination. Is possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor, 2 Charging roller, 3 Exposure apparatus, 4 Toner, 5 Toner cartridge, 6 Developing roller, 7 Developing blade, 8 Toner supply roller, 9 Cleaning blade, 10 Mold, 11 Transfer belt, 12 Transfer roller, 13 Recording paper , 14 transferred toner, 15 paper transport path, 16 paper transport roller, 17 paper transport roller, 18 paper transport roller, 19 paper transport roller, 20 paper feed cassette, 21 stacker, 23 developing unit, 23a developing unit main body, 23b side wall Part, 23c opening, 23d outer surface, 24 transfer belt unit, 25 fixing device, 26 detecting part, 28 lower frame, 29 up / down bar, 29a up position regulating part, 29b image forming position guiding part, 29c Rack gear, 30 top cover, 31 side member, 31a inner surface, 31b opening, 31c regulating portion, 32 electrical connection portion, 34 toner storage portion, 35 memory portion, 35a memory member, 35b surface portion, 36 contact plate, 37 Contact member 37a tip part 37b contact part 37c winding part 39 shutter 39a edge part 40 gear 41 toner supply port 42 fulcrum part 43 guide rib 43b guide groove 44 guide rib 45a shutter receiving part 45b Shutter receiver, 45c Toner receptacle, 47 Non-volatile memory, 48 Guide post, 48a Guide post, 48b Guide post, 50 Guide groove, 50a Guide groove, 50b Guide groove, 52 Duplex printing unit 59 connection board, 59a hole, 59b hole, 59c electrical connection part, 91 developing part, 92 waste toner collecting part, 93 toner storage part, 100 image forming apparatus, 100a rotating shaft, 105 toner cartridge, 105a regulating part, 115 up / down motor, 123 developing unit, 123a developing unit main body, 123d outer surface, 143 pinion gear, 154 memory holding member, 155 biasing member, 157 stopper member, 165 positioning cam, 205 toner cartridge, 210 mold, 223 developing unit , 223a development unit main body, 223b side wall, 231 side member, 231a inner surface, 231b inclined part, 231c opening, 232 electrical connection part, 234 toner storage part, 2 5 Memory part, 235a Memory member, 235b Guide member, 236 Contact plate, 237 Contact member, 237a Inclined part, 237b Curved contact part, 237c Contact part, 239 Shutter, 242 Contact relay part, 242a Opening part, 242b Support point part , 242c Stopper member, 242d Stopper member, 242e Opening surface, 242f Locking portion, 243 Guide rib, 244 Guide rib, 245 Shutter receiving portion, 250 Developing unit assembly, 250a Developing unit assembly main body, 250b Side wall portion, 250c Locking Part, 250d opening part, 254 memory holding member, 254a protrusion part, 255 biasing member, 259 connection board, 261 relay contact member, 261a winding part, 261b memory Side contact portion, 261c Contact side contact portion, 261d Contact portion, 261e Contact portion, 265 Positioning cam, 332 Electrical connection portion, 337 Contact member, 337a Inclined portion, 337b Curved contact portion, 337c Contact portion, 371 Stop part, 435 Memory part, 442 Contact relay part, 442a Opening part, 442e Opening surface, 442f Locking part, 454 Memory holding member, 454a Overhang part, 454b Support point part, 461 Contact member, 461a Winding part, 461c Contact part, 461e Contact part.

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus having an exchange member detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
The replacement member is
A first junction that is electrically conductive;
A holding portion that holds the first joining portion movably in the attaching / detaching direction of the replacement member in a state where the replacement member is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
An urging member that urges the first joint portion in a direction away from the replacement member,
The image forming apparatus main body includes:
A second joint that is electrically connectable to the first joint;
A moving mechanism for moving the exchange member between a first position and a second position ;
A drive unit for driving the moving mechanism ;
When the drive unit drives the moving mechanism to move the replacement member from the first position to the second position, movement of the first joint is suppressed. apparatus. When the driving unit drives the moving mechanism to move the replacement member from the first position to the second position, the driving unit engages with the holding unit to suppress the movement of the first joint portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a suppressing member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suppressing member is disposed on a top cover of the image forming apparatus. The replacement member is
A plurality of first structures having the first joining portion, the holding portion, and the biasing member, and a plurality of the first structures between the first position and the second position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second structure that is movably held by the second structure. The deterrent member, an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it is arranged on the second structure.   A third joint that can be electrically connected to the first joint and the second joint is further provided between the first joint and the second joint. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the third joint is disposed in the second structure.   The first structure is a developing unit including a toner cartridge and a developing unit main body on which the toner cartridge is mounted, and the second structure is a developing unit assembly main body that holds a plurality of the developing units. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The exchange member further includes a memory for storing information on the exchange member and / or the image forming apparatus main body, and the first joint portion is electrically connectable to the memory. Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.   10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first position is an image forming position where an image can be formed, and the second position is a non-image forming apparatus incapable of forming an image. The image forming apparatus described.

Images