JP2000132052A - Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an engagement of respective connector between each other possible to be smoothly performed by reducing such as hook of the connector at the time of replacing parts of a process cartridge or the like. SOLUTION: In this image forming device A with a process cartridge B provided in freely attachably and detachably, the device is constituted so as to fit a movable connector 41 on the image forming device A side performing a signal transfer in engaging with a fixed connector 23 on the process cartridge B side, to a fitting member 42 with the play, and at the same time, to hold the movable connector 41 in a neutral position resisting to the force applied to the connector 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which parts such as a process cartridge and a fixing device can be replaced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as printers are configured so that a user can easily replace components such as a process cartridge and a fixing device. When the components such as the process cartridge and the fixing device need to exchange signals with the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a connector is provided which is fitted with a connector of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. I have.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a movable connector 91 on the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is connected to a bundled wire 93 (signal line), and a foot portion 91 a moves within a hole 92 a of a mounting member 92. Mounted as possible, ie with some play. On the other hand, a fixed connector 94 on the process cartridge (or fixing device) side is connected to a bundled wire or a storage element (not shown) and is fixed to a frame 95 of the process cartridge. When the process cartridge (or the fixing device) is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the movable connector 91 is adjusted within the above-mentioned play range (alignment) while being in contact with the guide portion 94a of the fixed connector 94. ) To fit.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, the rigidity and bending habit (or the weight of the connector) of the bundled wire 93 connected to the movable connector 91 and the like cause the movable connector 91 to have the configuration shown in FIG. The force F1 shown in FIG. 14) is applied to move the movable connector 91 to the full movable range (within the hole 92a of the mounting member 92) as shown in FIG.
This often causes the connector to be caught or resisted at the time of fitting with the fixed connector 94, or causes the connector to be damaged or damaged.

Further, there is a problem that the resistance and frictional force of the guide portion 94a at the time of the alignment of the movable connector 91 are large, and it is difficult to fit both connectors as compared with a case where the fitting direction is a linear direction. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the likelihood of a connector being caught during replacement of a component such as a process cartridge or the like, so that the connectors can be smoothly fitted.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachably mounted. At least one of the connectors on the process cartridge side, which engages with the connector and exchanges signals with the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, is mounted on the mounting member with play and the force acting on the connector is reduced. The connector is characterized in that it is configured to hold the connector in the neutral position.

According to the above construction, the connector having play between the mounting member is held at the neutral position, and the connector can be moved by the force acting on the connector before the two connectors are fitted. Since the connectors are not brought to the full extent, guide resistance and frictional force during alignment during the mating of the connectors can be reduced, and the mating of the two connectors can be performed smoothly without being caught.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable will be described as an example.

First Embodiment A first embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge to which the present invention is applied is detachable will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the schematic structure of the entire electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the structure of the process cartridge, the attachment / detachment of the process cartridge to / from the image forming apparatus, and the image forming operation will be described in order. The configuration around the connector, which is a connection portion with the photographic image forming apparatus main body, will be described in detail.

In the following description, the short direction of the process cartridge is the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and coincides with the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. Further, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction that intersects (substantially orthogonal direction) the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, is parallel to the surface of the recording medium, and intersects the transport direction of the recording medium ( (Substantially orthogonal). Further, the left and right with respect to the process cartridge are the left and right when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the transport direction of the recording medium.

<< Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus >> FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an entire electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "image forming apparatus") according to the present invention.

First, an outline of the entire image forming apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 is a four-color full-color laser beam printer.

The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 includes a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a "photosensitive drum") 1 as a first image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1
It is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the figure by a driving means (not shown). A charging device 2 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in order according to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 irradiates a laser beam based on image information, and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is formed. , A developing device 4 for attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image and developing it as a toner image, and a transfer device 5 as a second image carrier on which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred Further, a cleaning device 6 for removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer is provided.

Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, and the cleaning device 6 for removing toner are integrally formed as a cartridge to form a process cartridge B, which is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus A.

In addition, a recording medium (third image carrier) S
And a fixing device 8 for fixing the toner image on the recording medium S after the secondary transfer, while supplying the recording medium S to the transfer device 5 and conveying the recording medium S. Less than,
Details will be described in order from the photosensitive drum 1.

The photosensitive drum 1 is formed by applying an organic photoconductor layer (OPC photosensitive member) to the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of about 47 mm. Photoconductor drum 1
Is rotatably supported at both ends by a support member, and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by transmitting a driving force from a driving means (not shown) to one end.

The charging device 2 is described in, for example,
A so-called contact charging type as shown in JP-A-149669 can be used. The charging member is a conductive roller formed in the shape of a roller. The roller is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a charging bias voltage is applied to the roller by a power supply (not shown). This is for uniformly charging the surface of the drum 1.

The exposure device 3 has a polygon mirror 3a, and the polygon mirror 3a is irradiated with image light corresponding to an image signal by a laser diode (not shown). The polygon mirror 3a is rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor (not shown), and selectively exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 to the reflected image light via the imaging lens 3b, the reflection mirror 3c, and the like. It is configured to form an electrostatic latent image.

The developing device 4 accommodates a rotating member 4e rotatable around a shaft 4d and four developing devices mounted thereon, ie, toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C,
It has 4Bk. When the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed, a predetermined developing device of a color to be attached to the electrostatic latent image is arranged at a developing position. That is, the predetermined developing device is stopped at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1 by the indexing rotation of the rotating body 4e, and the developing sleeve 4b of the developing device is further stopped.
Is positioned so as to face the photosensitive drum 1 with a small gap (about 300 μm), and then the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed. This development is performed as follows.

The toner in the container of the developing device corresponding to the color to be developed is sent to the coating roller 4a by a feeding mechanism, and the toner is thinly applied to the outer periphery of the rotating developing sleeve 4b by the rotating coating roller 4a and the toner regulating blade 4c. Apply and charge (frictional) the toner. By applying a developing bias between the developing sleeve 4b and the photosensitive drum 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, a toner image is attached to the electrostatic latent image and developed as a toner image.

The developing sleeve 4b of each of the developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk is connected to a high-voltage power supply for developing each color provided in the image forming apparatus A when each developing unit is located at the developing position. The voltage is selectively applied for each color development. In addition, each developing unit 4Y, 4M, 4
C and 4Bk are individually provided to the rotating body 4e,
e is detachable from the image forming apparatus A.

The transfer device 5 serving as a second image carrier transfers a plurality of toner images, which are sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed sequentially from the photosensitive drum 1, to the recording medium S in a batch. The transfer device 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 5a that runs in the direction of arrow R5 in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 5a of the present embodiment is a belt having a circumference of about 440 mm, and is stretched around three rollers: a driving roller 5b, a secondary transfer facing roller 5c, and a driven roller 5d. Driven roller 5d
And a pressing roller 5g that retreats so as to take a position where the intermediate transfer belt 5a is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 in close proximity to the photosensitive drum 1 and a position where the intermediate transfer belt 5a is separated from the photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer belt 5a travels in the direction of arrow R5 due to the rotation of the drive roller 5b.

Further, at a predetermined position outside the intermediate transfer belt 5a, there is provided a cleaning unit 5e which can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5a, and remains on the recording medium S after the secondary transfer. The transfer residual toner is removed.
The cleaning unit 5e brings the charging roller 5f into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5a to give the toner a charge opposite to that at the time of transfer. The toner having the opposite charge is electrostatically attached to the photosensitive drum 1 and then collected by the cleaning device 6 for the photosensitive drum 1.

The method of cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 5a is not limited to the above-described electrostatic cleaning, but may be a mechanical method such as a blade or a fur brush, or a method using both of them.

Next, after the toner developed on the photosensitive drum 1 by the developing device 4 is primary-transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5a, the cleaning device 6 does not perform primary transfer, and the so-called transfer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 This is to remove the residual toner. In the cleaning device 6 of the present embodiment, the transfer residual toner removed is sent into the container by the rotatable feed blade member 25 shown in FIG.

The feeding / conveying device 7 sends the recording medium S to the image forming section.
The sheet cassette 7 in which a plurality of recording media S are stored and which is loaded below the image forming apparatus A
a. Pickup member 7 during image formation
e, the conveying roller 7b is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and separates and feeds the recording medium S in the sheet feeding cassette 7a one by one, while being guided by the guide plate 7c and passing through the registration roller 7d to the intermediate transfer belt 5a.

The fixing device 8 fixes a plurality of toner images secondary-transferred onto the recording medium S. this is,
As shown in FIG. 1, the driving roller 8a is driven and rotated, and a fixing roller 8b is pressed against the driving roller 8a to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium S. That is, the recording medium S that has passed through the secondary transfer roller 5 h that collectively transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 5 a is
a, and heat and pressure are applied by the fixing roller 8b. As a result, the toner images of a plurality of colors are fixed on the surface of the recording medium S. Further, the recording medium S is discharged to the outside by a paper discharge device.

{Structure of Process Cartridge} The structure of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. The process cartridge B is, as shown in FIG.
A charging device (charging roller) 2 and a cleaning device 6 are provided around the photosensitive drum 1, and these are integrated by a frame so as to be detachably attached to a movable body 50 (see FIG. 1) described later. .

The frame of the process cartridge B is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, a cleaning container 11 having a drum supporting portion 11e, a cleaning blade supporting portion 11d, and a charging roller supporting portion 11f extending to both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging device 2 in the longitudinal direction; A rear container 12 which is joined to the rear end of the container 11 by ultrasonic waves is provided. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a gear cover (one side cover) 13 is fixed on the driving side in the longitudinal direction across the cleaning container 11 and the rear container 12, and on the opposite side in the longitudinal direction. The side cover 14 is fixed.
Further, a charging device cover 15 that covers the longitudinal direction of the charging device 2 and both ends thereof is attached.

Further, a drum shutter 18 is provided to protect the photosensitive drum 1 from outside light and human contact when the photosensitive drum 1 is taken out of the image forming apparatus A.

{Mounting and Demounting of Process Cartridge from Image Forming Apparatus} Next, the structure of the mounting means for mounting and removing the process cartridge B from the image forming apparatus A will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, a drum coupling 19 concentric with the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 1 is provided on one side surface of the process cartridge B to transmit a driving force to the photosensitive drum 1. Yes, this drum coupling
A cylindrical positioning boss 13a is provided in parallel with 19 in the axial direction. Further, at a predetermined position of the gear cover 13, a rotation determining dowel 11a is formed so as to protrude. On the other hand, on the other side surface of the process cartridge B, as shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical portion 14b is provided at a position facing the drum coupling 19, and a positioning boss is provided at a position facing the positioning boss 13a.
14a is provided. Further, a rotation determining dowel 11b is formed at a position facing the rotation determining dowel 11a.

In the image forming apparatus A in which the process cartridge B is mounted, as shown in FIG. 7, a movable body 50 for guiding the process cartridge B into the image forming apparatus A is movable in the image forming apparatus A. Configuration. As shown in FIG. 8, the movable body 50 has a first guide surface 50a and a second guide surface 50b.
The process cartridge B has a first guide surface 50a.
The drum coupling 19 and the cylindrical portion 14b of the side cover 14 on the opposite side are guided with respect to the second guide surface 50b of the movable body 50.
11a and 11b are led.

As shown in FIG. 7, the positioning bosses 13a and 14a of the process cartridge B enter the temporary receiving portion 50f at the front end of the first guide surface, and the process cartridge B rotates clockwise around the temporary receiving portion 50f. And the rotation determining dowels 11a and 11b are rotated by the rotation determining portions 50e of the movable body 50 shown in FIG.
Hit. At this time, the dowels 11a and 11b are pressurized by the upper cartridge pressurizing member 54, whereby the mounting of the process cartridge B to the movable body 50 is completed.

When the process cartridge B is mounted, the ROM connector 23 (see FIG. 4) of the cartridge B is connected to a connector (not shown) arranged on the movable body 50. The configuration around the connector 23 of the process cartridge B and the connector (not shown) of the image forming apparatus A will be described later in detail. Also,
The drum shutter 18 is provided at the cam receiving portion 50 of the movable body 50 shown in FIG.
Opened halfway by g.

Further, the movable body 50 is moved in the direction of the image forming apparatus A, and the positioning boss 13a of the process cartridge B is fitted into the cartridge receiving member 55 (see FIG. 1) in the apparatus main body, and the back of the movable body is pressed. The catching portion 51b of the portion 51 hangs on the side surface of the apparatus main body and presses the movable body 50 against the back plate 51a, so that the butting portion 50d of the movable body 50 is pressed against the cylindrical positioning dowel 12a of the process cartridge. The position of the process cartridge B is determined with respect to the apparatus main body, and an image can be formed as shown in FIG.

By the mounting, the drum drive coupling 52 and the waste toner transport drive coupling 53 of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 7 move in the thrust direction. The drum drive coupling 52 is connected to the drum coupling 19 of the process cartridge and becomes drivable. The waste toner transport drive coupling 53 passes through the notch 50c (see FIG. 8) of the movable body 50, and
Feed blade member 25 for feeding waste toner into 11 (see FIG. 2)
Waste toner coupling 20 for transmitting the driving force to the
(See FIG. 5) to be driven.

The process cartridge B shown in FIG.
The laser shutter opening / closing rib 11c opens the laser shutter 3d of the exposure device 3. Further, a drum ground contact 21 (see FIG. 4) for grounding the photosensitive drum 1 and a primary bias contact 22 for applying a charging bias voltage to the charging device 2
(See FIG. 3) is electrically connected to a high-voltage contact (not shown) of the apparatus main body. Further, the drum shutter 18 is completely opened by a shutter opening / closing rib (not shown) of the apparatus main body.

{Image Forming Operation} Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 5a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging device 2; The exposure device 3 irradiates a yellow image with light to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. At the same time as the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the developing device 4
To place the yellow developing device 4Y at the developing position,
Applying a voltage of the same polarity and substantially the same potential as the charging polarity of the photoconductor drum 1 so that yellow toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 1 to cause yellow toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image. develop. Then, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller (driven roller) 5d, and the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5a.

When the primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed as described above, the next developing unit is rotated and positioned at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1, and the magenta and cyan colors are set in the same manner as in the case of yellow. Then, formation, development, and primary transfer of an electrostatic latent image are sequentially performed for each color of black, and four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5a. These toner images are collectively and secondarily transferred to the recording medium S supplied from the feeding / conveying device 7.

Then, the recording medium S after the secondary transfer is conveyed to a fixing device 8, where the toner image is fixed, and then driven by a belt 9a wound around a discharge belt 9a moving in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. The image is discharged onto the discharge tray 10 outside the image forming apparatus A by the discharge roller 9b, and the image formation is completed.

{Configuration around Connector Portion} Next, FIGS.
The configuration around the connector, which is a connecting portion between the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus, will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), a fixed connector 23 for a ROM for exchanging signals with the connector of the image forming apparatus A is fixed to the process cartridge B. A movable connector 41 is mounted in the movable body 50 serving as a cartridge mounting portion on the image forming apparatus A side so as to face the fixed connector 23. This movable connector 41 is, as shown in FIG.
It is attached with play to the attachment member 42, and the force acting on the movable connector 41 (the force F1 due to the rigidity and bending habit of the bundled wire connected to the movable connector 41 shown in FIG. 9A) is reduced. In order to hold the movable connector 41 at a neutral position (position shown in FIG. 9B) in which the movable connector 41 is easily fitted, a free foot portion 41a of the movable connector 41 and a free hole of the mounting member 42 thereof.
An elastic member 43 is provided between the elastic member 43 and 42a. In the present embodiment, as the elastic member 43, as shown in a side view of FIG. 9C and a top view of FIG. 9D, a band-like member made of porous or sponge-like rubber or plastic is used. I have.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, the movable connector is attached to a mounting member 42 which is inclined with respect to the apparatus installation surface.
41 is attached. Therefore, the movable connector
As the force acting on 41, a sliding force F2 due to the weight of the movable connector 41 is applied. Then, the force acting on the movable connector 41 (the force F1 + F2 in the present embodiment).
The hardness of the elastic member 43 may be appropriately selected such that the movable connector 41 is maintained at a neutral position (position shown in FIG. 10B) where the movable connector 41 is easily fitted.

With the above configuration, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the movable body 50 of the image forming apparatus A as shown in FIG. 11, the movable connector 41 is adjusted (aligned) within the above-mentioned play range. As shown in FIG. 12, the connectors 41 and 23 are fitted together. That is, at the time of the alignment before the mating of the connectors, for example, the movable connector 41 holds the neutral position shown in FIG. 9A and does not contact the guide portion 23a of the fixed connector 23. After fitting as shown in FIG. 12, the elastic member 43 is deformed or crushed by the amount of misalignment between the two connectors 41 and 23, so that contact, sliding and misalignment stress between the two connectors can be avoided.

As described above, the optimal fitting position (neutral position) of the movable connector 41 within the movable range of the movable connector 41 without impairing the movable range (play range) of the movable connector 41 beyond its own thickness. ), The elastic member 43 held in the
a, the guide resistance and frictional force at the time of alignment before mating of the connectors can be reduced, and the mating of both connectors can be performed smoothly without being caught.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge to which the present invention is applied is detachable will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Since the schematic configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge is detachable is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the detailed description is omitted here.

Hereinafter, the configuration around the connector portion, which is a connection portion between the process cartridge and the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is a characteristic portion of this embodiment, will be described in detail. Note that members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a thin metal having spring elasticity is used as an elastic member provided between the loose foot 41a of the movable connector 41 and the loose hole 42a of the mounting member 42. Alternatively, a continuous elastic member 44 made of plastic is used. The elastic member 44 is the mounting member
A spring portion 44a of the elastic member 44 having a spring elasticity is fitted in the play hole 42a of the movable connector 41.
Is in contact with This elastic member 44 holds the movable connector 41 at a neutral position as shown in FIG. 13B against the force (force F1 + F2 in the present embodiment) acting on the movable connector, similar to the first embodiment. The effect is produced.

In the present embodiment, the four spring portions 44a of the elastic member 44 which are in contact with the loose feet 41a of the movable connector 41 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number thereof is If there are three or more at equal intervals in the circumference, neutrality can be maintained against external stress in two directions on the same plane.

As in the first embodiment, the spring force of the spring portion 44a of the elastic member 44 is appropriately selected according to the total force acting on the movable connector 41 (the force F1 + F2 in this embodiment). Thereby, the movable connector 41 can be held at the neutral position against the force acting on the movable connector 41.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment,
Although the process cartridge side is a fixed connector, the image forming apparatus side is a movable connector having play, and the case where the present invention is applied to the movable connector section on the image forming apparatus side is exemplified, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the process cartridge side is a movable connector, or when both connectors are movable connectors, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge is detachable,
Although the case where the present invention is applied to the connector connecting portion between the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. In an image forming apparatus, the same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to a connector connecting portion between the fixing device and the image forming apparatus.

In the above-described embodiment, the printer is exemplified as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applicable to other electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile machine. A similar effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the image forming apparatus or a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a printer capable of forming a full-color image of four colors has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer capable of forming a monochromatic monochrome color image may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electrophotographic method is exemplified as the recording method, but the recording method is not limited to this, and another recording method such as an ink jet method may be used.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
At least one of the connector on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the connector on the process cartridge side which engages with the connector and exchanges signals with the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a play on its mounting member. Since it is configured to hold and attach the connector in a neutral position against the force acting on the connector,
The connector having play between the mounting member and the connector is held in the neutral position, and the connector is not brought to the full movable range by the force acting on the connector before the two connectors are fitted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce guide resistance, frictional force, sliding scratches and sliding noise at the time of alignment at the time of fitting of the connectors, and the fitting of both connectors can be performed smoothly without being caught. Further, damage to the connector can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a longitudinal section of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the process cartridge viewed from the upper right rear.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of the process cartridge viewed from the left rear with the top and bottom inverted.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the right side of the process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a left side surface of the process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a mounting guide for a process cartridge.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around a connector which is a connecting portion between the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around a connector which is a connecting portion between the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a process cartridge is attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a process cartridge is attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around a connector which is a connecting portion between a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around a connector which is a connecting portion between a conventional process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Image forming apparatus B: Process cartridge S: Recording medium 1: Photoreceptor drum 2: Charging device 3: Exposure device 3a: Polygon mirror 3b: Imaging lens 3c: Reflection mirror 3d: Laser shutter 4: Development device 4Y, 4M , 4C, 4Bk developing device 4a coating roller 4b developing sleeve 4c toner regulating blade 4d shaft 4e rotating body 5 transfer device 5a intermediate transfer belt 5b driving roller 5c secondary transfer facing roller 5d driven Roller 5e Cleaning unit 5f Charging roller 5g Pressing roller 5h Secondary transfer roller 6 Cleaning device 7 Feeding / conveying device 7a Feeding cassette 7b Transporting roller 7c Guide plate 7d Registration roller 7e Pickup member 8 ... fixing device 8a ... driving roller 8b ... fixing roller 9 a ... discharge belt 9b ... discharge roller 10 ... discharge tray 11 ... cleaning container 11a, 11b ... rotation determining dowel 11c ... laser shutter opening and closing rib 11d ... cleaning blade support 11e ... drum support 11f ... charging roller support 12 ... rear. Container 13 ... Gear cover 13a ... Positioning boss 14 ... Side cover 14a ... Positioning boss 14b ... Cylindrical part 15 ... Charging device cover 18 ... Drum shutter 19 ... Drum coupling 21 ... Drum ground contact 22 ... Primary bias contact 23 ... Fixed connector 23a … Guide part 25… Blade member 41… Moveable connector 41a… Material foot part 42… Mounting member 42a… Material holes 43,44… Elastic member 44a… Spring part 50… Moveable body 50a… First guide surface 50b… Second Guide surface 50c: Notch portion 50d: Butt portion 50e: Rotation determining portion 50f: Temporary receiving portion 50g: Cam receiving portion 51: Pressing portion 51a: Back 51b ... hook portion 52 ... drum driving coupling 53 ... waste toner transporting drive coupling 54 ... cartridge pressing member 55 ... cartridge receiving member

Claims (4)

[Claims] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable, wherein a connector on a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process of mating with the connector to exchange signals with the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. At least one of the connectors on the cartridge side is attached to the attachment member with play, and the connector is held in a neutral position against a force acting on the connector. Electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the foot of the connector of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the connector of the connector of the process cartridge is attached with a play to a hole of the mounting member. 2. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member for holding said connector at a neutral position against a force acting on said connector. 3. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein a process cartridge which exchanges signals with the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body by mating with a connector of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A process cartridge wherein a connector is mounted with play on an attachment member thereof, and the connector is held at a neutral position against a force acting on the connector. 4. A process according to claim 1, wherein the leg of the connector on the process cartridge side is attached to the hole of the mounting member with a play, and the connector acts between the leg and the hole against a force acting on the connector. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising an elastic member for holding the cartridge at a neutral position.