JP2002072784A - Memory member, unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory member which can protect a storage element against the influence of an external load and static electricity, a unit which has the memory member, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. SOLUTION: The memory member 44 is constituted by covering the storage element 44b1, a transmission member, and a base 44b3 provided with a memory antenna 44b2 with exterior members 44a1 and 44a2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory member, a unit, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, and the like), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

A process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as a process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Is what you do. And at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as a process unit.
The electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.
Further, at least a developing means as a process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

A unit is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Examples of the unit include, for example, a fixing unit for fixing a toner image transferred to a recording medium to the recording medium, a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, There is a feeding unit for storing the recording medium.

[0005] The memory member is attached to the process cartridge or unit, and stores information on the process cartridge or unit. As a memory member, for example,
A non-volatile memory such as an FERAM or a ferromagnetic memory is used.

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a cartridge is integrally formed with an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the cartridge is used for image forming. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the forming apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the following method is employed as a method for facilitating maintenance of the image forming apparatus main body or the process cartridge. A storage element (storage means) is built in the process cartridge, and service information is registered in this storage element. Then, when the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the connector provided on the apparatus main body side and the connector provided on the process cartridge side are connected.
Then, the information of the storage element is taken into the apparatus main body via the connector. Based on the information, the main body of the apparatus determines the time for replacing the process cartridge and displays the fact. This encourages the user to maintain the apparatus body or the process cartridge.

[0008]

When a connector is used for electrical connection between the storage element provided in the process cartridge and the apparatus main body, the shape of the process cartridge is complicated because the connector is attached. For this reason, the process cartridge tends to be large.

The present invention is a further development of the above prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a memory member having a storage element for storing information, capable of transmitting the information stored in the storage element to an apparatus main body via an antenna, and a unit having the memory member. And a process cartridge having the memory member, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to have a storage element for storing information, and to transmit the information stored in the storage element to the apparatus main body in an electrically non-contact state with the apparatus main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a memory member capable of performing the above, a unit having the memory member, a process cartridge having the memory member, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a memory member having a storage element for storing information, capable of transmitting the information stored in the storage element to the apparatus main body by wireless communication, and the memory. It is an object to provide a unit having a member, a process cartridge having the memory member, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a memory member having a storage element for storing information, which can be applied to a unit or a process cartridge without increasing the size of the unit or the process cartridge.
An object is to provide a unit having the memory member, a process cartridge having the memory member, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a memory member having a storage element for storing information, capable of protecting the storage element from an external load or the influence of static electricity, a unit having the memory member, An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge having the memory member and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0015]

A typical configuration of a memory member according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a memory member used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a base member and a base member provided on the base member are provided. A storage element for storing information, and when the memory member is attached to the apparatus main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the information stored in the storage element is transmitted to a main body antenna provided in the apparatus main body. For transmitting, a memory antenna provided on the base, a transmission member provided on the base, for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna, the storage element, a transmission member, And an exterior member that covers the base on which the memory antenna is provided.

A typical configuration of a unit according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a unit which is detachably attached to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium. A frame, (b) a base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and information stored in the storage element when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. For transmitting to the main unit antenna provided in the main unit,
A memory antenna provided on the base, a transmission member provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna, the storage element, the transmission member, and the memory antenna And a memory member provided on the unit frame, comprising: an exterior member covering the base provided with the above.

A typical configuration of a process cartridge according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording medium. A photographic photoreceptor, (b) process means for acting on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, (c) a base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and the process cartridge, wherein the process cartridge is the apparatus main body. A memory antenna provided on the base, for transmitting information stored in the storage element to a main body antenna provided on the apparatus main body, and the storage provided on the base, A transmission member for transmitting information stored in an element to the memory antenna, and the storage element, the transmission member, and the memory antenna are provided. Having, and the package member covering the substrate, a process cartridge comprising: the memory member.

A typical configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the unit is detachable. (A) a main body antenna;
(B) a unit frame, a base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and the storage element when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A memory antenna provided on the base for transmitting stored information to the main body antenna, and a transmitting member provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna And a memory member provided on the unit frame, comprising: a memory element provided on the unit frame; and an exterior member covering the base provided with the memory element, the transmitting member, and the memory antenna. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a mounting unit; and (c) a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

A typical configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a detachable process cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium. (A) a main body antenna, (b) an electrophotographic photoreceptor, process means acting on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and A memory antenna provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the main body antenna when mounted on the main body of the photographic image forming apparatus; and the storage element provided on the base. A transmitting member for transmitting the information stored in the memory antenna to the memory element, the storage element, the transmitting member, and an exterior member that covers a base provided with the memory antenna. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge having a memory member; and (c) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium. It is.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the short direction of the cartridge B means that the process cartridge B is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus A.
And the direction in which the recording medium is transported. The longitudinal direction of the cartridge B is a direction (direction substantially orthogonal) that intersects with the direction in which the cartridge B is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 14, is parallel to the surface of the recording medium, and is a conveying direction of the recording medium. The direction intersects (substantially orthogonal). The left and right of the cartridge are right and left when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the transport direction of the recording medium. In addition, cartridge B
The upper surface is a surface located above when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 2 to 4 are drawings relating to a cartridge to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the cartridge, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of the cartridge, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from above (upper surface).

Here, as a sequence of the description, the overall configuration of the cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same will be described, and then the configuration of the cartridge will be described.

[Overall Configuration] First, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the cartridge B.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus A forms an image on a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) 2 by an electrophotographic image forming process. Then, a toner (developer) image is formed on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum). Specifically, the photosensitive drum is charged by the charging unit. Then, the photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light according to the image information from the optical unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum according to the image information. The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit to form a toner image.
Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 set in the paper feed cassette 3a as a feeding unit is reversely conveyed by the pickup roller 3b, the conveyance path 3c, and the registration roller pair 3e. Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the cartridge B is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit. Thereafter, the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 5 by the transport guide 3f. The fixing unit 5 has a driving roller (pressure roller) 5c and a fixing roller 5b having a built-in heater 5a. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image. The recording medium 2 is conveyed by a discharge roller pair 3 i and discharged to a discharge tray 6. Here, the feeding cassette 3a is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 14. The feed cassette 3a has a cassette frame 3b as a unit frame, and stores the recording medium 2 in the cassette frame 3b. The fixing unit 5 has a unit frame 5d as a unit frame. A drive roller 5c and a fixing roller 5b are rotatably held on the unit frame 5d. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 48 denotes a control unit. The control unit 48 controls the entire electrophotographic image forming apparatus A.

In this embodiment, the developing means 9 is provided in the process cartridge B. However, the developing means 9 is independently provided as a developing unit,
It may be removable.

[Process Cartridge] On the other hand, the cartridge B has an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
There are developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and cleaning means for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cartridge B of the present embodiment rotates a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer and uniformly charges the surface thereof by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 serving as a charging unit. I do.
Next, a laser beam corresponding to image information from the exposure device 1 as an optical unit is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 1e to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed by developing means 9 using toner. The charging roller 8 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and charges the photosensitive drum 7. The charging roller 8 is driven to rotate by the photosensitive drum 7. The developing unit 9 supplies toner to a developing area of the photosensitive drum 7 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7.

Here, the developing means 9 includes the toner container 1
The toner in 1A is rotated by rotation of the toner feeding member 9b.
It is sent to the developing roller 9c. Then, the developing roller 9c containing the fixed magnet is rotated and the developing blade 9c is rotated.
The toner layer provided with the triboelectric charge by d is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c. Then, the toner is supplied to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 7. By transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed and is visualized. Here, the developing blade 9
“d” defines the amount of toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c and imparts a triboelectric charge. A toner agitating member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c.

Next, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4. Thereby, the photosensitive drum 7
Is transferred to the recording medium 2. After that, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning unit 10. Here, the cleaning means 10
The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by an elastic cleaning blade 10a provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and collected in a removed toner reservoir 10b.

The cartridge B has a toner frame 11 having a toner container (toner storage section) 11A for storing toner and a developing frame 12 for holding developing members such as a developing roller 9c and a developing blade 9d. Then, the cleaning means 10 such as the photosensitive drum 7, the cleaning blade 10a, and the like, and the cleaning frame 13 to which the charging roller 8 is attached are connected to the connected frames 11 and 12. The cartridge B is detachable from the apparatus main body 14 by an operator.

The cartridge B has an exposure opening 1e for irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 with light corresponding to image information.
Further, a transfer opening 13o for facing the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2 is provided. Specifically, the exposure opening 1
e is provided on the cleaning frame 13. The transfer opening 13o is formed between the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13.

Next, the configuration of a housing as a cartridge frame of the cartridge B according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the cartridge B shown in this embodiment, a toner frame 11 and a developing frame 12 are connected. The cleaning frame 13 is rotatably connected to the connected frames 11 and 12 to form a housing. In the housing, the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the developing unit 9, and the cleaning unit 10 are provided.
Etc. are stored in a cartridge. The cartridge B is removably mounted by an operator in a direction indicated by an arrow X (see FIG. 1) on a cartridge mounting means provided on the apparatus main body 14.

(Structure of Cartridge Housing) In the cartridge B according to the present embodiment, the housing is formed by combining the toner frame 11, the developing frame 12, and the cleaning frame 13 as described above.
Next, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, a toner feeding member 9b is rotatably attached to the toner frame 11. Further, a developing roller 9c and a developing blade 9d are attached to the developing frame 12. Further, a toner stirring member 9e for circulating the toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c. As shown in FIG. 2, an antenna rod 9h is attached to the developing frame 12 so as to face the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c and to be substantially parallel to the developing roller 9c. Then, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded (in this embodiment, ultrasonic welding) to form an integrated developing unit D.

When the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body 14, a drum shutter member 18 for covering the photosensitive drum 7 is attached to the developing unit D. The shutter member 18 protects the photosensitive drum 7 from being exposed to light for a long time or from coming into contact with foreign matter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 13 is constituted by attaching the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the cleaning means 10 to the cleaning frame 13.

The developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member (pin) 22. Thus, the cartridge B is configured. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, arm portions 19 are provided on both sides of the developing frame 12 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the developing roller 9c). On the other hand, concave portions 21 for entering the arm portion 19 are provided at two places on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 13. The arm 19 is inserted into the recess 21, and the coupling member 22 is provided with the holes 13 provided in the cleaning frame 13 and the arm 19, respectively.
e, Press-fit into 20 and attach. Thus, the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatably connected around the connecting member 22. At this time, the compression coil spring 22 a attached to a dowel (not shown) provided at the root of the arm 19 hits the upper wall of the concave portion 21 of the cleaning frame 13. Thus, the developing frame 12 is urged downward by the elastic force of the spring 22a. As a result, the developing roller 9c is reliably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 via the spacer roller (not shown).

(Structure of Cartridge Guide Means) Next, the guide means for attaching and detaching the cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body 14 will be described. This guide means is shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a left perspective view when the cartridge B is viewed in the direction (arrow X) to be mounted on the apparatus main body 14 (when viewed from the developing unit D side). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the right side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, guide means are provided on both outer side surfaces of the cleaning frame 13 as guides for attaching and detaching the cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body 14. The guide means has cylindrical guides 13aR and 13aL as guide members for determining a position of the cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body, and a detent guide 13bR as a guide member for holding a posture when the cartridge is attached and detached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the guide 13aR is a hollow cylindrical member. The guide 13bR is formed integrally with the guide 13aR, and projects substantially radially integrally from the circumference of the guide 13aR. Guide 13a
R is integrally provided with a flange 13aR1. As described above, the right guide member 13R having the guide 13aR, the guide 13bR, and the flange 13aR1 is inserted into the screw hole of the flange 13aR1 and is screwed (not shown).
Is fixed by screwing it into the cleaning frame 13. The guide 13bR of the right guide member 13R fixed to the cleaning frame 13 is disposed on the side surface of the developing frame 12 so as to extend to the side of the developing holder 40 fixed to the developing frame 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, a flat flange 29 is provided on the side surface of the cleaning frame 13 with the positioning pin 1.
3c, is stopped from rotating, and is fixed to the cleaning frame 13 by screws (not shown). The flange 29 is positioned outward (in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7).
A cylindrical guide 13aL is protruded toward the head.

Next, the upper surface 13i of the cleaning unit C
Will be described. Here, the upper surface is a surface located above when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper surface 13i of the cleaning unit C
Right end 1 in the direction perpendicular to the cartridge mounting direction
A regulating contact portion 13j is provided at each of 3p and the left end 13q. The contact portion 13j defines the position of the cartridge B when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14. That is, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the regulating contact portion 13j comes into contact with the fixed member 25 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) provided on the apparatus main body 14.
As a result, the cartridge B is connected to the guides 13aR and 13aR.
A rotation position about aL is defined.

Next, guide means (mounting means) provided on the apparatus main body 14 will be described. When the opening / closing member 35 of the apparatus main body 14 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 around the fulcrum 35a, the upper part of the apparatus main body 14 is opened. This allows the mounting portion of the cartridge B to be seen (FIGS. 5 and 6). Guide members 16 are provided on inner walls on both left and right sides of the apparatus main body 14.
L, 16R are provided.

The guide members 16R and 16L are provided with guide portions 16a and 16c which are obliquely arranged so as to descend forward as viewed from the arrow X in the insertion direction of the cartridge B.
a, 16c and guides 13aR of the cartridge B,
13aL is a semi-circular positioning groove 16b, 1 into which just fits.
6d. The peripheral walls of the grooves 16b and 16d have a cylindrical shape. The centers of the grooves 16b and 16d coincide with the centers of the guides 13aR and 13aL of the cartridge B when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14. Therefore, it also coincides with the center line of the photosensitive drum 7.

The width of the guide portions 16a and 16c is such that the guides 13aR and 13aL are loosely fitted when viewed from the mounting / removing direction of the cartridge B. Here, the guides 13bR each having a narrower width than the diameter of the guide 13aR are naturally loosely fitted. However, the guides 13aR, 13aL,
The rotation of the guide 13bR is restricted by the guide 16a. As a result, the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14 while maintaining a certain range of posture. Then, in a state where the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14,
The guides 13aR and 13aL of the cartridge B are in the groove 1 respectively.
6b, 16d. Then, the contact portion 13j contacts the fixed member 25 of the apparatus main body 14.

The above-described cartridge B includes a guide 13a
If the center line is kept horizontal with respect to the center line connecting the centers of R and 13aL, the weight distribution is such that the developing unit D side generates a larger first moment than the cleaning unit C side.

When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the operator grasps the concave portion 17 of the toner frame 11 and the lower rib 11c shown in FIG. 2 with one hand. Then, the guides 13aR and 13aL are connected to the guide portions 16a,
16c, and then the guide 13bR is
Into the guide portion 16c. Finally, a drum gear (not shown) fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7
When the drive transmission member 36 (see FIG. 3) provided integrally with the drive transmission member 39 (see FIG. 6) provided in the groove 16b is coupled, the position of the photosensitive drum 7 with respect to the apparatus main body 14 is determined. .

The step of removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body 14 is the reverse of the above. That is, the operator opens the opening / closing member 35 and lifts the upper and lower ribs 11c, which form the handle of the cartridge B, by putting his / her hand on the upper and lower ribs 11c. Then, the cartridge B is pulled out from the guide portions 16a and 16b.

The photosensitive drum 7 of the cartridge B is provided with a spur gear (not shown) at a side end opposite to the drive transmitting member 36. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the spur gear meshes with a gear (not shown) coaxial with the transfer roller 4 provided on the apparatus main body 14 to drive the transfer roller 4 to rotate. The force is transmitted from the cartridge B to the transfer roller 4.

[Information Wireless Communication System] Next, an information wireless communication system between the apparatus main body 14 and the cartridge B will be described.

The radio communication system according to the present embodiment
The cartridge B is provided with a magnetic core and is used as a communication antenna. In addition, an inductor is provided in the device main body 14, and this is used as a communication antenna. Then, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, information communication between the apparatus main body 14 and the cartridge B is performed wirelessly by electromagnetic induction of inductor induction via a magnetic core. That is, in the present embodiment, information communication between the apparatus main body 14 and the cartridge B is performed between antennas using electromagnetic energy. Thus, the information communication is performed wirelessly. As a result, an increase in the size of the cartridge B and a problem of communication due to poor mechanical contact between the apparatus main body 14 and a connector for information transmission provided in the cartridge B are avoided.

The configuration of the radio communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 7, and FIG.

In FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 7, the cartridge 2 has a memory unit 44 as a memory member.
Is provided. Further, the apparatus main body 14 is provided with a communication unit 47 as main body communication means. The communication unit 47 includes a communication control unit 45 fixed to the device main body 14, an equalizer mechanism 70 provided on the device main body 14, and an antenna unit 41 as a main body antenna connected to the communication control unit 45. .
The memory unit 4 provided in the cartridge B
4 and a communication unit 47 provided in the apparatus main body 14 constitute a non-contact communication mechanism for performing communication in an electrically non-contact state. That is, a mechanism for performing information communication wirelessly is configured. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication antenna 44b2 of the unit 44 as a memory antenna and the communication antenna 41c of the antenna unit 41 as a main body antenna are formed. They face each other while being positioned by the equalizer mechanism 70. That is, the frame member 44 as the exterior member
When a contacts the antenna cover 41a, the gap between the communication antenna 44b2 as the memory antenna and the communication antenna 41c as the main body antenna is defined. Then, the storage element 44b1 of the unit 44
And the unit 45 and the storage element 44b1 can wirelessly communicate with each other. Then, it becomes possible to read and write information from and to the storage element 44b1.

The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment will be described below in the order of the memory unit, the arrangement of the memory unit, the abutting configuration of the memory unit and the antenna unit, and the configuration of the wireless communication mechanism.

I. [Memory Unit] [Memory Unit Configuration (1)] (First Embodiment) The configuration of the memory unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the memory unit.

The unit 44 includes a board unit 44b,
It has a tag-like shape including a frame member 44a as an exterior member that covers the board unit 44b. Board unit 44b
Is a storage element 44b1 for storing information, and a communication antenna 44 as a magnetic core as a memory antenna.
b2, the storage element 44b1, and the communication antenna 44
This is a unit formed integrally with a substrate 44b3 as a base on which b2 is mounted. The storage element 44b1 is provided on a rectangular substrate 44b3 made of epoxy resin. Specifically, the storage element 44b1 is provided on the back surface 44b31 of the substrate 44b3 (the surface opposite to the side facing the antenna unit 41 provided on the device main body 14) 44b31, and is provided outside the conductive pattern 44b21 constituting the antenna 44b2. Are located. FERAM is stored in the storage element 44b1.
Is used. The storage element 44b1 is formed integrally with a transmission circuit 44b11 as a transmission member shown in FIG. This transmission circuit 44b11 includes a storage element 44b1
Is transmitted to the antenna 44b2. The transmission circuit 44b11 will be described later. The antenna 44b2 has a spiral conductive pattern 44b21 on the substrate 44b3 along the rectangle of the substrate 44b3. This pattern 44b21 is formed on the back surface 44b31 of the substrate 44b3 and the front surface 44b
32. The pattern 44b21 is stored in the storage element 44b1 (for example, FERA
M).

In summary, the back surface 4 of the substrate 44b3
4b31 includes a storage element 44b1, a transmission circuit 44b1
1. and conductive pattern 44 as a memory antenna
b21 is provided. One end and the other end of the memory antenna are electrically connected to the transmission circuit 44b11.

The substrate unit 44b thus configured
Are arranged inside a frame member 44a as an exterior member. The frame member 44a includes an upper frame 44a1 as an upper exterior portion made of polystyrene resin, and a lower frame 44a as a lower exterior portion.
And 2. The upper frame 44a1 and the lower frame 44a2 are provided with protrusions 44a11, 44a21 around the upper frame 44a1 and the lower frame 44a2. Then, the upper frame 44a1 and the lower frame 44a2 come into contact with the respective projecting portions 44a11 and 44a21, and
a. Projection 4 of upper frame 44a1 and lower frame 44a2
4a11 and 44a21 are joined by an adhesive, welding, ultrasonic welding or the like after inserting the board unit 44b. As the material of the frame member 44a, a material having physical strength enough to withstand the abutment with the unit 41 forming a part of the unit 47 on the apparatus main body 14 side and having electrostatic shielding properties is used. ing. Specifically, the frame member 44a
Is formed of a member having a dielectric constant of 2 to 5. Here, the above dielectric constant is a measured value in the ASTM test method (D150). As the material of the exterior member (frame member 44a), for example, an acrylonitrile-butadiene resin, a polycarbonate resin, or the like is appropriately used in addition to the polystyrene resin described above.

In the unit 44 having such a configuration, a frame unit 44a covers a substrate unit 44b having a substrate 44b3 on which a storage element 44b1, a communication antenna 44b2, and a transmission circuit 44b11 are mounted. Therefore, the storage element 44b1 can be protected from an external load and an electric influence. In addition, since the board unit 44b is enclosed by the frame member 44a to form a tag-like member, the mounting space for the apparatus main body 14 and the cartridge B can be efficiently arranged. Further, the board unit 44b, the upper frame 44a
1. Since the lower frame 44a2 is composed of three parts, assembly can be easily performed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a memory unit showing a second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the frame member 44a covering the unit 44b is formed by injection molding of a resin.
That is, the memory unit 44 of this embodiment is formed by insert molding in which the substrate unit 44b is inserted into a resin mold and the resin is injected in this state.

With the unit 44 having such a configuration, the same effect as that of the unit 44 shown in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a memory unit showing a third embodiment.

In this embodiment, the frame member (exterior member) 44a covering the unit 44b is made of a resin case 44a3,
It is composed of resin or elastomer 44a4 injected into this resin case 44a3. That is, the unit 44 of the present embodiment is configured such that the resin case 44a3
Is inserted, and the elastomer 44a4 is injected and filled into the case 44a3 in this state.

In the unit 44 having such a configuration, the same effect as that of the memory unit 44 shown in the first embodiment can be obtained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the unit 44b is provided on the epoxy resin substrate 44b3.
The storage element 44b1 provided with 4b11 and the communication antenna 44b2 were arranged. However, they may be arranged on separate substrates and connected between them by metal contacts or lead wires.

Although not shown, the memory unit 44 according to each of the above-described embodiments has a chamfer 44a to be described later.
5, and a step portion 44a6 are appropriately provided.

The information stored in the storage element 44b1 is information on the process cartridge (unit). For example, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum, the charging time of the charging unit, the remaining amount of the developer, and the like.

[Memory Unit Configuration (2)] (First Embodiment) In each of the above embodiments, the storage element 44
a unit 44 in which b1 is arranged outside the antenna 44b2
b has been described. In this embodiment, a memory unit having a substrate unit in which a storage element is arranged inside an antenna will be described. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the memory unit according to the present embodiment. 13 is an external view of the memory unit shown in FIG. 12, wherein (a) is a plan view of the memory unit, (b) is a front view of the memory unit, and (c) is a bottom view of the memory unit. FIG.
13 is a cross-sectional view of the memory unit shown in FIG. In addition,
Members common to the memory units described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the unit 44 according to the present embodiment includes a substrate unit 44b and a frame member 44a as an exterior member covering the substrate unit 44b.
And a bill-like shape consisting of The board unit 44b includes a storage element 44b1 for storing information and a communication antenna 44b2 which is a magnetic core as a memory antenna.
And the storage element 44b1 and the communication antenna 44b2
And a substrate 44b3 as a base on which the is mounted. The storage element 44b1 is provided on a rectangular substrate 44b3 made of epoxy resin.
Specifically, the back surface of the substrate 44b3 (the surface opposite to the side facing the antenna unit 41 provided on the apparatus main body 14) 4
4b32, and is disposed inside a conductive pattern 44b21 of the antenna 44b2, which will be described later. More specifically, the pattern 44 is formed substantially at the center of the back surface of the substrate 44b3.
It is provided inside b21. FERAM is used for the storage element 44b1. The storage element 44b1 is configured as shown in FIG.
And a transmission circuit 44b11 as a transmission member shown in FIG. The antenna 44b2 is provided on a surface 44b31 of the substrate 44b3 (a surface facing the antenna unit 41 provided on the apparatus main body 14). The antenna 44b2 has a spiral pattern 44b21 along the rectangle of the substrate 44b3. This pattern 44b2
1 is formed on the substrate 44b3 by pattern printing. The pattern 44b21 is connected to the storage element 44b1 (FERAM). The unit 44b thus configured is arranged inside the frame member 44a. The frame member 44a is composed of an upper frame 44a1 as an upper exterior portion made of a polystyrene resin and a lower frame 44a2 as a lower exterior portion. Upper frame 44a1 and lower frame 4
4a2 is provided with protrusions 44a11 and 44a21 around it. Then, the upper frame 44a1 and the lower frame 44a2
The projections 44a11 and 44a21 are in contact with each other to form a frame member 44a. The protrusions 44a11 and 44a21 of the upper frame 44a1 and the lower frame 44a2 are joined by an adhesive, welding, ultrasonic welding or the like after the unit 44b is inserted.
The frame member 44a is formed of a member having a dielectric constant of 2 to 5. As the material of the non-conductive member, for example, acrylonitrile-butadiene resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like is appropriately used in addition to polystyrene resin.

Here, the internal structure of the storage element 44b1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the storage element. As shown in FIG. 15, the storage element 44b1 is integrally formed with a transmission circuit 44b11 provided on a substrate 44b3. The circuit 44b11 transmits the information stored in the storage element 44b1 to the antenna 44b2. Antenna 44b
2 includes a coil 44b22, a capacitor 44b23, and a spiral conductive pattern 44b21. This antenna 44b2 includes a rectifier circuit 8 of the transmission circuit 44b11.
1. The transmission modulation circuit 82 and the demodulator 82 are connected. The output of the rectifier circuit 81 is connected to the power supply circuit 81 and supplies power to the nonvolatile memory 88. Further, it comprises a decoder 84, a protocol controller 85, an encoder 86, a memory interface circuit 87, and a nonvolatile memory 88 such as an EEPROM or a ferroelectric memory.
When demodulated by the demodulator 83 from a high frequency to a baseband signal, the signal is converted by the decoder 84 into a signal suitable for transmission to the memory 88 under the control of the protocol controller 85. The circuit 87 divides the data into addresses and data, and executes a read / write operation with the memory 88 in accordance with a read / write command. The data read from the memory 88 is stored in the circuit 87
Is transmitted to the encoder 86 to be converted into a protocol suitable for communication, and is transmitted from the transmission modulation circuit 8252 to the antenna 44b.
Sent to 2.

According to the memory unit 44 having such a configuration, the antenna 44b2 of the unit 44b can be opposed to the unit 41 when the unit 44 abuts against the antenna unit 41 provided on the apparatus main body 14. Therefore, the antenna 41c and the antenna 44
The distance to b2 can be reduced. by this,
The output of the antenna unit 41 provided in the device main body 14 can be reduced. Further, the wireless communication distance between the antenna 41c and the antenna 44b2 can be reduced. Therefore, disturbance such as noise in wireless communication is less likely to occur, and communication reliability can be improved.

Incidentally, according to the present embodiment, the antenna 41
The distance between c (main body antenna) and antenna 44b2 (memory antenna) can be maintained at 1.75 mm to 3.25 mm. It is to be noted that the present embodiment is not limited to this, but is practical if the distance between the antennas 41c and 44b2 can be maintained at 1 mm to 10 mm.

The storage element 44b1 is connected to the antenna 44b.
2 are arranged inside. Therefore, the unit 44b
Area can be reduced. Thus, the memory unit 44 can be reduced in size.

The unit 44b is covered by a frame member 44a. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the same effects as those of the memory unit 44 having the above-described configuration can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a memory unit showing a second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the board unit 44b
Is formed by resin injection molding. That is, the unit 44 of the present embodiment is formed by insert molding in which the unit 44b is inserted into a resin mold and the resin is injected in this state.

The same effects as those of the unit 44 shown in the first embodiment can be obtained in the unit 44 having such a configuration.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a memory unit showing a third embodiment.

In this embodiment, the board unit 44b
The frame member 44a covering the resin case 44a3 and the resin or elastomer 44 injected into the resin case 44a3.
a4. That is, in the unit 44 of this embodiment, the unit 44b is inserted into the resin case 44a3, and in this state, the elastomer 44 is inserted into the case 44a3.
It is constituted by injecting and filling a4.

The same effects as those of the unit 44 shown in the first embodiment can be obtained in the unit 44 having such a configuration.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the board unit 44b includes the storage element 44b1 having the circuit 44b11 on the epoxy resin board 44b3 and the antenna 44b.
b2. However, they may be arranged on separate substrates and connected between them by metal contacts or lead wires.

(Fourth Embodiment) In each of the above-described embodiments, the communication antenna 44b2 is connected to the back surface 44b31 of the substrate 44b3.
Only provided. In this embodiment, a memory unit (memory member) having a substrate unit provided with a communication antenna over the front surface and the back surface of a substrate will be described in more detail. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the memory unit according to the present embodiment. Note that members common to those of the memory unit of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is used.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the memory unit 44 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
It is provided on the back surface opposite to the front surface (the surface opposite to the side facing the antenna unit 41, that is, the surface on which the storage element 44b1 is provided) 44b31. Specifically, the conductive pattern 44b21 of the antenna 44b2 passes through the front surface 44b32 of the substrate 44b3, and then penetrates the substrate 44b3, and the back surface 44b3 of the base 44b3.
Leads to 1. Next, it is provided so as to have a path that passes through the back surface 44b31 of the substrate 44b3 and then passes through the substrate 44b3 again to reach the front surface 44b32 of the substrate 44b3. 44b4 is a hole penetrating the substrate 44b3. The conductive patterns 44b21 provided over the front surface 44b32 and the back surface 44b31 of the substrate 44b3 are electrically connected by the holes 44b4. One end and the other end of the conduction pattern 44b21 are electrically connected to the transmission circuit 44b11 of the storage element 44b1. The shape of the pattern 44b21 is a spiral shape along the rectangle of the substrate 44b3, as in the first embodiment. The storage element 44b1 is covered and protected by a resin bonding 44c provided on the substrate 44b3. Accordingly, in the manufacturing process of the board unit 44b or the memory unit assembling process of assembling the upper frame 44a1, the lower frame 44a2, and the board unit 44b, the storage element 44b1 can be protected from an external load applied to the storage element 44b1.

According to the unit 44 having such a configuration,
As with the unit 44 of the first embodiment, the unit 4
The antenna 44b2 provided on the substrate unit 44b can be opposed to the antenna unit 41 when the device 4 is brought into contact with the antenna unit 41 provided on the apparatus body 14. For this reason, the distance between the antenna 41c as the main body antenna and the antenna 44b2 as the memory antenna can be reduced. According to this embodiment, the distance between the antennas 41c and 44b2 is 1.75.
mm to 3.25 mm. Thereby, the antenna unit 41 provided on the device main body 14 for wireless communication is provided.
Can be reduced. Also, the antenna 41
Since the communication distance between the antenna c and the antenna 44b2 can be reduced, the communication becomes less susceptible to disturbance such as noise. As a result, the reliability of wireless communication can be improved. Also, the surface 44b32 of the substrate 44b3, and
Since wireless communication between the antenna 41b2 provided on the back surface 44b31 and the antenna 41c becomes possible, the reliability of wireless communication can be further improved. In addition, the antenna 44b2
Provided on both the front and back surfaces of the substrate 44b3, the number of turns of the antenna 44b2 could be increased.
As a result, the output of the antenna 44b2, that is, the strength of the electromagnetic field could be increased.

The storage element 44b1 is arranged inside the antenna 44b2 on the substrate 44b3. Therefore, the area of the board unit 44b can be reduced. Thus, the memory unit 44 can be reduced in size.

The board unit 44b is connected to the frame member 44a.
Covered by Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the same effects as those of the memory unit 44 having the above-described configuration can be obtained.

[Memory Unit Mounting Configuration] Next, the memory unit mounting configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a memory unit having chamfers and steps. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the memory unit mounting portion on the cartridge side.

When the memory unit 41 is mounted on the frame at a factory or the like, it is necessary to prevent the memory unit 41 from being mounted upside down or the memory unit 44 from being mounted in the wrong direction. When the memory unit 41 is mounted upside down, the distance between the antenna 41c and the antenna 44b2 is deviated from a predetermined distance, and the reliability of communication is impaired. If the memory unit 44 is mounted in the wrong mounting direction, the facing positions of the antenna 41c and the antenna 44b2 are shifted, and the reliability of communication is also impaired.

In order to ensure the reliability of communication between the antenna 41c and the antenna 44b2, it is necessary to define the front and back or the facing position of the memory unit 44 facing the antenna 41c.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the antenna 41
The front and back of the memory unit 44 facing c, or the facing position is defined. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, when a memory member is mounted, as shown in FIG. 19, one of the plurality of corners 44a7 on the outer periphery of the frame member 44a of the memory unit 44 is provided with a defining portion. As a chamfer 44a5. The memory unit 44
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, it is attached to the cleaning unit C. As shown in FIG. 20, a unit 44 is provided on the cleaning frame 13 of the cleaning unit C.
Is provided with a memory unit attaching portion 13k for detachably attaching the memory unit. Memory unit mounting part 13
k is provided at a position where the memory unit 44 faces the antenna unit 41 in the insertion direction of the cartridge B. That is, the memory unit mounting portion 13k is located at the front end in the cartridge mounting direction,
3 is attached. The mounting portion 13k is provided at one of a plurality of corners on the inner circumference with a chamfer 1 as a main body defining portion.
3k1. That is, the memory unit 44 is formed in substantially the same shape as the planar shape. The chamfer 13k1 provided on the memory unit mounting portion 13k is formed in a shape along the chamfer 44a5 provided at one corner of the memory unit 44.

When the memory unit 44 is mounted on the memory unit mounting portion 13k, the memory unit 44 is mounted on the memory unit mounting portion 13k with the chamfers 44a5 and 13k1 aligned in the mounting direction of the memory unit 44. . Thereby, the front and back of the memory unit 44 with respect to the communication antenna 41c, or the opposing position can be defined. by this,
It is possible to prevent the memory unit 44 from being mounted upside down. Further, it is possible to prevent the memory unit 44 from being mounted in a wrong direction. In addition, mounting part 1
The depth d of 3k is substantially the same as the thickness t of the unit 44.

[Method of Assembling Memory Unit and Configuration of Transfer Guide] A case where the memory unit 44 is mounted on the cleaning unit C by using an automatic assembling apparatus (not shown) will be described. In this case, unit 4
In some cases, a parts feeder for aligning the 4 is used. This parts feeder moves a large number of units 44 by applying vibration to the mounting table or the like.
The front and back and orientation of the unit 44 are fixed by a guide or the like, and the unit 4 is attached to the finger of the automatic assembling apparatus.
4 is a device for supplying. In the present embodiment, the unit 44 can be supplied to an automatic assembling apparatus using a parts feeder. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 19, a step portion 44a6 as a guide portion serving as a transport guide is provided on the back surface of the unit 44. Here, the back surface of the memory unit 44 refers to a surface opposite to the surface facing the antenna unit 41 provided on the device main body 14 when the unit 44 is mounted on the device main body 14. The step portion 44a6 is provided on one side of the frame member 44a in the lateral direction of the unit 44, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the unit 44. That is, they are provided along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped unit 44 (FIGS. 13, 14, 16 to 19, 21, and 2).
2).

FIG. 21 shows an example of a parts feeder for transporting a memory unit. FIG. 22 shows a sectional view of the feed guide of the parts feeder. Parts feeder 4
6, a large number of memory units 44, as shown in FIG.
Has a feed guide 46a as a mounting table on which is mounted and moved by applying vibration or the like. The feed guide 46a is formed in a concave guide shape for guiding the outer surface in the longitudinal direction of the unit 44 (see FIG. 22). Feed guide 46
A guide step 46a1 corresponding to the step 44a6 of the unit 44 is provided in the longitudinal direction on the bottom surface side of the unit a.
The guide step 46a1 is shaped to hold the step 44a6 of the unit 44 when the unit 44 enters the feed guide 46a with its back face down.

When the unit 44 is supplied to the automatic assembling apparatus by the feeder 46, the unit 44
The step 44a6 is held by the guide step 46a1 by entering the guide 46a of No. 6 with the back surface facing downward (see FIG. 22). Thus, the alignment direction and the front and back directions of the memory unit 44 become constant. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of units 44 can be supplied to an automatic assembling apparatus along a guide 46a. By providing the step portion 44a6 on one side of the unit 44 in this manner, the alignment direction of the unit 44 and the front and back directions can be made constant. Therefore, automatic assembly by the automatic assembly device becomes possible.

II. [Arrangement Configuration of Memory Unit] The memory unit 44 is attached to the cleaning unit C as shown in FIGS. And
Wireless communication is performed with the antenna unit 41 provided on the apparatus main body 14 in contact with the antenna unit 41. And the unit 44
Is attached using a method such as double-sided tape, adhesive, thermal caulking, ultrasonic welding, or snap fitting so that it can be easily removed from the cartridge B. As a matter of course, when the user touches the unit 44 or when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the cartridge 44 is attached with strength so as not to come off with contact with the unit 41 described later.

[Memory Unit Mounting Configuration (Center Arrangement of Memory Units)] When wireless communication is performed with the memory unit 44 abutting against the antenna unit 41 provided on the apparatus main body 14, other electronic devices near the image forming apparatus A are used. It is desirable to perform wireless communication at a position that is not easily affected by radio waves of a device (for example, a CRT or the like).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, FIGS.
As shown in (1), the memory unit 44 is disposed at substantially the center of the cleaning unit C as a cartridge frame in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7). When the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus body 14, the unit 44
1 and near the center of the apparatus body 14 to communicate with each other (see FIG. 1). That is, by mounting the unit 44 at the approximate center of the unit C in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B, the unit 44 is located farthest from the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 14. As a result, even if another electronic device is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus A, it is hardly affected by the radio wave of the electronic device, and the influence of the radio wave can be minimized.

The unit 44 is disposed substantially at the center of the unit C in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B. Therefore,
When the unit 44 abuts against the unit 41, the cartridge B can be inserted smoothly. That is, the unit 41
When the cartridge 44 is inserted into the apparatus main body 14 when the unit 44 comes into contact with the unit 44, there is no deviation in the insertion resistance in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B. Therefore, the cartridge B can be mounted smoothly.

[Structure of Memory Unit Attachment Portion] Next, the structure of the memory unit 44 attachment portion will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

Cleaning Frame 1 of Cartridge B
In order to recycle (recycle containers or recycle materials) 3, it is desirable to remove the unit 44 without damaging the cleaning frame 13. This is because it is difficult to recycle the cleaning frame 13 made of a resin material into a container or a material while the memory unit 44 including the board unit 44b made of an electric component is still attached.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the structure of the memory unit mounting portion 13k described above is changed to the memory unit 44.
Has a structure that can be easily removed. In addition, the unit 44 is configured to be easily detachable from the mounting portion 13k. Also,
The unit 44 is configured to be removably attached to the cleaning frame 13 using snap fit. These embodiments are described in detail below.

(First Embodiment) The mounting portion 13k is provided as shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), one inner surface facing the side surface of the unit 44 has a slope 131 (tool insertion portion) for inserting a tool. The slope 131 is formed in a tapered shape that extends from the bottom surface of the mounting portion 13k toward the entrance of the mounting portion 13k. With such a structure, the slope 13l
The unit 44 can be easily removed from the unit. The unit 44 is mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 13k with a double-sided tape as an adhesive member. As a tool for removing the memory unit 44, for example, a flathead screwdriver or the like is used.
As for the removal method, the tip of a flathead screwdriver is inserted between the bottom surface of the mounting portion 13k and the back surface of the unit 44 along the slope 13l of the mounting portion 13k, and the unit 44 is lifted from the mounting portion 13k. By this, unit 4
4 is removed from the cleaning frame 13. Further, in order to prevent an object from directly contacting the unit 44 when the cartridge B is attached or detached or when the cartridge B is transported, the surface of the unit 44 is at a position one step lower than the surface of the cleaning frame 13, or The cleaning frame 13 covers a part of the surface of the unit 44.

(Second Embodiment) (1) The concave portion as the mounting portion 13k is formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is configured to be slightly larger than the unit 44. Thereby, there is a gap between the inner surface of the mounting portion 13k and the outer surface of the unit 44. Then, the width 13 m of the bottom surface for fixing the memory unit 44 is
It is shorter than the width 13n of the memory unit 44.
Thus, a hook portion (tool insertion portion) 13u, which is a groove for inserting a tool, is formed around the bottom surface. The unit 44 is attached to the bottom surface of the attachment portion 13k with double-sided tape. The detaching method is as follows. The tip of a flathead screwdriver (tool) is inserted into the hook 13u of the attaching portion 13k, and the unit 44 is attached using the principle of leverage.
Float from the bottom of 3k. Thus, the unit 44 is removed from the cleaning frame 13.

(2) The mounting portion 13k is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the recess 13 is a stepped portion for inserting a tool into a part of the inner surface facing both ends of the unit 44.
v (tool insertion part) is provided. The recess 13v is formed so as to be recessed toward the cleaning frame 13. The unit 44 is attached to the bottom surface of the attachment portion 13k with double-sided tape. As for the removal method, the tip of a flathead screwdriver (tool) is inserted into the recess 13v, and the unit 44 is lifted up from the bottom surface of the mounting portion 13k using the principle of leverage. Thus, the unit 44 is removed from the cleaning frame 13.

(3) As shown in FIG. 26, the mounting portion 13k is provided with a rib 13r (tool insertion portion) for inserting a tool on the bottom surface facing the back surface of the unit 44. The ribs 13r protrude from the bottom surface of the mounting portion 13k, and are provided in a lattice shape so as to cross vertically and horizontally. Thus, the rib 13r
Are provided in a lattice shape, so that the bonding area with the unit 44 can be reduced, and therefore, the unit 44 can be easily removed. The unit 44 is attached to the lattice-shaped rib 13r of the attachment portion 13k with double-sided tape. To remove the unit 44, insert a flathead screwdriver (tool) into the space between the ribs 13r to which the unit 44 is attached, and
Using the principle of leverage, the mounting portion 13k is lifted from the bottom surface. Thus, the unit 44 is removed from the cleaning frame 13.

(Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, a memory unit is processed. FIG. 27 shows a memory unit according to this embodiment. The memory unit 44 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the mounting portion 13k provided on the cleaning frame 13 has an inclined portion 13s (tool insertion portion) for inserting a tool at a corner on the bottom side. This inclined portion 13s is formed in a chamfered shape. The unit 44 includes the mounting portion 13
It is attached to the bottom of k with double-sided tape. The detaching method is as follows. The tip of a flathead screwdriver (tool) is inserted into the inclined portion 13s, and the unit 44 is lifted from the bottom surface of the mounting portion 13k using the principle of leverage. Thus, the unit 44 is removed from the cleaning frame 13.

(Fourth Embodiment) This embodiment is an example in which the memory unit 44 is detachably attached to the cleaning frame 13 using snap fit. FIG.
Is used to show the configuration of the memory unit mounting portion using snap fit. The memory unit 44 is provided with a snap 13t1 as an elastic piece constituting a part of the snap fit 13t. The cleaning frame 13 has an attachment portion 13k and a snap fit 13
a locking hole 13t2 as a locking portion that constitutes a part of t;
An insertion groove (tool insertion portion) 13t3 into which a driver (tool) is inserted for releasing the engagement between the engagement hole 13t2 and the snap 13t1 is provided. When attaching the unit 44 to the cleaning frame 13, the unit 44 is fitted into the attachment portion 13k and the snap 13t1 is locked in the locking hole 13t2. When removing the unit 44 from the cleaning frame 13, the insertion groove 13t
3. The tip of the driver is inserted into 3, and the tip of the driver presses the snap 13t1 locked in the locking hole 13t2 to release the locking with the locking hole 13t2. Thus, the unit 44 can be removed from the cleaning frame 13.

(Fifth Embodiment) Another method of attaching the memory unit 44 to the cleaning frame 13 is not limited to the double-sided tape. For example, an adhesive, thermal caulking, ultrasonic welding, or the like may be used. In other words, the unit 4
Any method may be used as long as it can be easily removed by using a tool or another method.

By using the configuration shown in FIGS. 23 to 28, the cleaning frame 13 is not damaged,
The memory unit 44 can be removed. Therefore,
Recycling, such as container regeneration of the cleaning frame 13 or material regeneration, becomes possible.

[Protection Configuration of Memory Unit] Next, the protection configuration of the memory unit 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 is a perspective view of a cartridge having a concave portion for protecting the memory unit, FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 29, FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reason why the memory unit is protected, and FIG. Is a perspective view of a cartridge having a protrusion for protecting the memory unit, and FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG.

Information necessary for forming an image by the image forming apparatus A is input to the storage element 44b1 of the unit 44. Therefore, in order for the image forming apparatus A to operate normally, the unit 44 must not be faulty. One of the causes of the failure of the unit 44 is that the unit 44 receives an impact. In order to prevent the unit 44 from receiving an impact, a configuration for protecting the unit 44 is required.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, a protection recess 13f for protecting the memory member is provided at a position where the cleaning frame 13 of the cleaning unit C faces the antenna unit 41.
More specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the concave portion 13f is provided at a substantially central portion of the cleaning frame 13 facing the antenna unit 41. The depth of the concave portion 13f is larger than the thickness of the unit 44. The memory unit 44 is mounted inside the recess 13f. That is, the mounting portion 13k described above is provided on the bottom surface of the concave portion 13f, and the unit 44 is mounted on the mounting portion 13k using an appropriate mounting method such as a double-sided tape. The range in which the concave portion 13f is provided (the range in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B) is the antenna unit 41.
Greater than. Therefore, the cartridge B is
When the antenna unit 4 is attached to the
One can invade. Therefore, a part of the front end surface 41d of the antenna unit 41 contacts the entire front end surface 44a7 of the memory unit 44 attached to the recess 13f. That is, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the memory unit 44 abuts on the antenna unit 41 on the tip side in the mounting direction X1. The distance between the antennas 41c and 44b2 is maintained between the memory unit 44 and the antenna unit 41 by the abutting end surfaces 41d and 44a7, and by the equalizer mechanism 70 described later. here,
The distal end surface 41d of the unit 41 is a surface provided on the side where the cartridge B is mounted in the mounting direction X1 of the cartridge B. That is, the tip surface 41d is a surface located on the downstream side (rearward side) in the mounting direction X1. The distal end surface 44a7 of the memory unit 44 is a surface provided at the distal end in the mounting direction X1 in which the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14. That is, the distal end surface 44a7 of the memory unit 44 is
1 is a surface located on the upstream side (front side).

When the distal end surface 44a7 is not flat as in this embodiment, for example, when the distal end surface has an uneven shape, the convex portion of the distal end surface 44a7 contacts the distal end surface 41d.

Thus, the distance between antenna 41c and antenna 44b2 is determined.

By arranging the unit 44 inside the concave portion 13f provided in the cleaning frame 13 in this manner, the unit 44 is prevented from directly receiving an impact.
4 can be protected. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, the cleaning unit C of the cartridge B
The unit 44 is provided in the recess 13f of the cleaning frame 13 even if it comes into contact with a corner of the cleaning frame 13, so that the unit 44 does not receive a direct impact. Therefore, the frame member 44a of the unit 44 is damaged,
The information written in b1 is not destroyed.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, a rib 13g is provided at a position where the cleaning frame 13 faces the unit 41 so as to protect the memory member so as to surround the outer periphery of the unit 44. You may. The height of the rib 13g is larger than the thickness of the memory unit 44. As described above, by providing the rib 13g so as to surround the outer periphery of the unit 44 and attaching the unit 44 inside the rib 13g, the above-described effect can be obtained.

In the case of this embodiment, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the antenna unit 41 enters the space surrounded by the rib 13g. Thereby, the memory unit 44 and the antenna unit 41 abut.

Further, as described above, the unit 44 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 13k provided on the cleaning frame 13 by using an appropriate attachment method such as a double-sided tape. Therefore, the unit 44 does not come off the cleaning unit C due to the contact with the unit 41.

III. [Abutting Configuration of Memory Unit and Antenna Unit] In order to perform wireless communication by abutting the memory unit 44 on the antenna unit 41, the antenna 41c and the antenna 44b2 need to be accurately opposed to each other.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34, an equalizer mechanism 70 as positioning means is provided in the apparatus main body 14. And the equalizer mechanism 7
The unit 41 is rotatably held by the 0 antenna unit support member 42.

As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the unit 41 has an antenna 41c and an antenna cover 41a as an exterior member for covering the antenna 41c. The support member 42 includes an antenna cover 41a and a support shaft 41.
It is attached to be rotatable about b. The support member 42 is attached to the apparatus main body 14 so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 42a. Further, the support member 42
Is held by a spring (conductive member) 43 having conductivity, the other end of which is locked to the apparatus main body 14. And
The support member 42 is urged by the elastic force (tensile force) of the spring 43 in the direction of the insertion path 55 of the cartridge B (the direction of arrow F) about the support shaft 42a. Accordingly, the support member 42 allows the unit 41 to enter the insertion path of the cartridge B when the cartridge B is not mounted on the apparatus main body 14. Thus, in a state where the cartridge B is not present, the memory unit 44 is located when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14 (when the cartridge B is completely inserted into the apparatus main body 14, (The area where the unit 44 is located).

As shown in FIG. 34, when the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the unit 41 enters into the recess 13f of the cartridge B. Then, when the cartridge B is further inserted, according to the insertion of the cartridge B,
The support member 42 is supported by the support shaft 4
It rotates around 2a. Then, the unit 41 is retracted from the insertion path of the cartridge B. Then, with the cartridge B completely inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the unit 41 abuts against the unit 44 as described in detail (FIG. 3).
5). At this time, as described above, since the unit 41 is rotatably attached to the support member 42 about the support shaft 41b, the abutting surfaces (the end surfaces 41d and 44a7) of the unit 41 and the unit 44 are changed. Equalize so that they are parallel to each other. Thereby, the unit 41
The position facing the unit 44 is determined according to the position of the unit 44. That is, the entire abutting surface (tip surface 44a7) of the memory unit 44 is
Abuts on a part of the abutting surface (tip surface 41d).

With the above configuration, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the units 41 and 44 are accurately positioned. Therefore, the antenna 41c and the antenna 44b2 face each other with high accuracy.

As described above, the positioning of the cartridge B with respect to the apparatus main body 14 is performed by regulating the contact portion 13j provided on the upper surface 13i of the cleaning unit C and the cylindrical guides 13aR, 13a provided in the cleaning unit C.
aL. Accordingly, by attaching the memory unit 44 to the cleaning unit C, the unit 44 can accurately position the antenna unit 41 provided in the apparatus main body 14 in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

In the present embodiment, the antenna unit 41 is provided rotatably. However, the memory unit 44 may be rotatably provided. Specifically, by providing an elastic body such as a spring, sponge, or rubber between the memory unit 44 and the cleaning unit C, the memory unit 44 can be rotatably provided.

IV. [Configuration of Wireless Communication Mechanism] Next, the configuration of the wireless communication mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 36, and 37.

(Overall Configuration of Wireless Communication Mechanism) The wireless communication mechanism includes a communication unit 47 and a memory unit 41. As described above, the unit 47 includes the antenna unit 41, the unit 45 for controlling the unit 41, and the equalizer mechanism 70 (FIGS. 7 and 8).
reference). The unit 41 and the unit 45 are electrically connected by a signal line 45a. The unit 41 has an antenna substrate 41c and an antenna cover 41a as an exterior member that covers the antenna substrate 41c. As the material of the antenna cover 41a, a material having physical strength enough to withstand the contact with the memory unit 44 and having an electrostatic shielding property is used (desirably,
Dielectric constant 2-5). That is, the same material as that of the frame member 44a of the memory unit 44 is used. Unit 41
The insertion path 5 of the cartridge B is
5 and is positioned by hitting the unit 44. Then, the memory unit 44
The communication control unit 45 writes information to the antenna unit 41 and reads information from the memory unit 44 according to an instruction from the control unit 48 (see FIG. 1).
Through the memory unit 44.

(Electric unit urging mechanism and positioning mechanism) Here, the antenna unit urging mechanism and positioning mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37.

In FIG. 36, reference numeral 50 denotes a main body frame provided on the apparatus main body 14. The main body frame 50 includes a main body support member 50 that faces the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction.
a, 50b. The support members 50a, 50b
, The support shaft 42a of the support member 42 is rotatably supported. The support member 42 includes support portions 42b and 42c that support the unit 41, and these support portions 42b and 42c.
And a connecting portion 42d that connects the connecting portions 42c. And it is comprised in substantially U-shape. The support portion 42b,
42c are holes 50c, 5 provided in the main body frame 50.
0d penetrates. The support member 42 is positioned so that one support portion 42c does not move in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B by a gap 50f between a pair of convex portions 50e provided substantially in the center of the hole 50d. A hook 43a provided at one end of a spring 43 is locked to a locking piece 42d1 at the connecting portion 42d of the support member 42. The other end 43b of the spring 43 is
It is fixed to the main body frame 50 by being sunk under the lower surface of the “0”. The other end 43b of the spring 43 is connected to a grounding portion of the apparatus main body 14 using a conductive wire 49. As described above, by connecting both ends of the spring 43 to the support member 42 and the main body frame 50, an elastic force (tensile force) for urging the support member 42 in the direction of the insertion path 55 of the cartridge B is obtained. Here, the spring 43 has conductivity and is grounded via a conductive wire 49. Therefore, it functions as a lightning rod for static electricity.

The support portions 42a of the support member 42,
42b, the antenna unit 4 as shown in FIG.
1 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 41b. The unit 41 is supported by the support member 42 urged by the spring 43, and thus enters the insertion path 55 of the cartridge B when the cartridge B is not present. Further, the unit 41 is provided with an insertion path 5 for the cartridge B.
5 has a pair of hooks 41b. These hooks 41b are provided on the antenna cover 41a. These hooks 41b are connected to the antenna unit 41 by the support members 42 so that the insertion path 5
While invading the inside 5, it engages with a pair of projections 51 of the main body frame 50. That is, the hook 41b serves as a stopper in the rotation direction of the support member 42 (the direction of the arrow F shown in FIG. 8). The antenna cover 41a is
It is configured in a substantially box shape and covers and protects the antenna substrate 41c (see FIG. 8). A signal line 45a connecting the antenna board 41c of the unit 41 and the control unit 45 is
The two are electrically connected to each other through a window 41a2 of a tubular portion 41a1 which forms a part of the antenna cover 41a of the unit 41.

In the communication unit 47 having the equalizer mechanism 70 having such a configuration, when the cartridge B is not inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the antenna unit 41 enters the insertion path 55 of the cartridge B. When the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the unit 41 hits the unit 44 as described in detail. At this time, the support member 42 of the unit 44 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 41a. Therefore, as the cartridge B is further inserted, it retreats from the insertion path 55. Then, in a state where the cartridge B is completely inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the unit 41 follows the position of the unit 44 and rotates about the support shaft 42b. by this,
The antenna unit 41 abuts on the surface of the memory unit 44 in parallel. Therefore, the facing position between the antenna unit 41 and the memory unit 44 is determined.

(Another Example of Energizing Mechanism and Positioning Mechanism of Antenna Unit (1)) FIG. 38 shows another energizing mechanism and positioning mechanism of the antenna unit of this embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a contact portion between a memory unit 44 and an antenna unit 41.

In this embodiment, an elastic body 60 is provided between the main body frame 50 and the antenna unit 41 in place of the equalizer mechanism 70. One surface of the elastic body 60 is bonded to the main body frame 50, and the other surface is bonded to the antenna cover 41a. The elastic body 60 is in a free state when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body 14. Thereby, when the cartridge B is not mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the antenna unit 4
1 is held by the elastic body 60 in a state of invading the insertion path of the cartridge B. The cartridge B is the main assembly 14 of the apparatus.
When the unit 41 is inserted into the unit 44, the unit 41 abuts on the unit 44 to compress the elastic body 60, and the unit 41 is held in a state of being in contact with the unit 44 in parallel. That is, when the cartridge B is completely inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the position of the antenna unit 41 facing the memory unit 44 is determined according to the position of the memory unit 44.

(Another Example of Biasing Mechanism and Positioning Mechanism of Antenna Unit (2)) FIG. 39 shows another biasing mechanism and positioning mechanism of the antenna unit. FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of a contact portion between the memory unit 44 and the antenna unit 41.

In the present embodiment, the antenna unit 4 can be mounted without applying any extra force to the positioning of the cartridge B.
This is an example in which abutment between the memory unit 1 and the memory unit 44 is possible.

As described above, the main assembly 1 of the cartridge B
Positioning to the position 4 is performed by the regulating contact portion 13j and the cylindrical guides 13aR and 13aL. That is, the cartridge B is held by the cylindrical guides 13aR and 13aL provided coaxially with the photosensitive drum 7 as one of the positioning to the apparatus main body 14. A torque is applied to the photosensitive drum 7 from the apparatus main body 14 in the T direction. Thus, the vicinity of the memory unit 44 provided on the upper surface of the cleaning unit C is urged in the M direction. Therefore, the position of the cartridge B in the plane direction of the drawing is determined by the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7. Further, in the rotation direction (M direction) of the cartridge B, the cleaning unit C is positioned by abutting against the rotation stopper 53 of the main body frame 50. In this example, the antenna unit 41 is installed on the rotation stopper 53. As a result, the antenna unit 41 and the memory unit 44 abut against each other without applying any extra force to the positioning of the cartridge B.

In the present embodiment, the equalizer mechanism 70 is provided on the apparatus main body 14, but an equalizer mechanism having such a function may be provided on the cartridge B side. For example, when the antenna unit 41 is fixed to the apparatus main body 14, the unit 44 may be attached to the cleaning unit C via an equalizer mechanism configured to determine the position of the memory unit 44 following the antenna unit 41. . Thus, when the cartridge B is completely inserted into the apparatus main body 14, the position of the unit 44 facing the unit 41 is determined according to the position of the unit 41.

By using the wireless communication mechanism having the above configuration, the antenna unit 41 and the memory unit 44
The antenna cover 41a, which is a minimum necessary protective layer that satisfies the physical strength and resists electrostatic breakdown, and the frame member 44
a. Thereby, the power required for wireless communication can be minimized, and reliable wireless communication can be performed with a weak output. This eliminates the need for a shield for preventing leaked radio waves. Thus, the output for wireless communication can be minimized. Further, since the output is weak, power consumption is suppressed, and the electric circuit is small and inexpensive.

Further, in applying the wireless communication mechanism to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A, the memory unit 44 having the wireless communication mechanism attached to the cartridge B,
Is provided in an abutting portion with a part of the communication unit 47 (the antenna unit 41 in the present embodiment).
The contact between the communication unit 47 and the memory unit 44 is ensured without hindering the positioning of the cartridge B. Therefore, reading and writing of necessary information is realized with high accuracy. Further, by holding the antenna unit 41 so as to be able to swing and equalize, the contact with the memory unit 44 can be ensured and the contact pressure can be minimized. Therefore, reliable communication can be established without obstructing the positioning of the cartridge B.

The communication unit 47 is divided into the antenna unit 41 and the control unit 45.
Therefore, the antenna unit 41 can be brought into close contact with the memory unit 44 with a small force. by this,
The relative positioning of the memory unit 44 and the antenna unit 41 could be realized without lowering the detachability of the cartridge B and the positioning accuracy. As described above, since the accuracy of the relative position between the memory unit 44 and the antenna unit 41 can be kept high, the output for communication (the strength of the electromagnetic field) can be minimized. This enables wireless communication with weak output that does not require a magnetic shield or the like. If the antenna unit 41 is exposed at a location in contact with the removable cartridge B, it is necessary to take measures against static electricity. However, it is sufficient to cover only the antenna unit 41 by integrating the cartridge unit B. This is economical.

The antenna unit 41 is encapsulated in an electrostatically safe box shape. As a result, the degree of freedom in arrangement within the apparatus main body 14 was increased, and it was possible to expose the antenna as a unitized antenna at a place where the user can touch it. For this reason, the memory unit 44 and the antenna unit 41 could be brought into contact. Since the antenna unit 41 can be brought into contact, the output for communication can be minimized, and communication can be performed with a weak output that does not require a magnetic shield or the like. If a shield is required, the use of the wireless communication mechanism is extremely limited. However, since the shield is not required, the cost of the shield can be reduced. In addition, the use of the wireless communication mechanism can be realized in the device main body 14 having a limited space. In addition, since the output can be weak, the power consumption can be suppressed and the electric circuit can be minimized. In addition, since it is only necessary to make contact instead of a plug-in type like a connector, the detachability of the cartridge B is not impaired.

In this embodiment, the antenna unit 41
Is described in the form of an electrostatically safe box, but the same effect as described above can be obtained by encapsulating the entire communication unit 47 in an electrostatically safe box.

The spring 43 disposed around the antenna unit 41 has conductivity, and the other end 43 b is grounded via a conductive wire 49. Therefore, the spring 43 functions as a lightning rod. Therefore, even if the withstand voltage of the antenna cover 41 a for protecting the antenna unit 41 is low, the discharge from the user's body does not directly hit the unit 41. Therefore, it becomes strong against electrostatic breakdown. Therefore, when the detachable cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body 14, the antenna unit 41 can be provided at a position where it can be touched by the hand, that is, it can be arranged as close as possible to the cartridge B. Become. The lower dielectric strength of the antenna cover 41a can be achieved by making the antenna cover 41a thinner or by joining or fitting. Therefore, the assemblability of the antenna unit 41 was improved, and the cost was able to be suppressed. The antenna unit 41 is abutted against the cartridge B by a grounded spring 43 (conductive member). for that reason,
No extra force is applied to the antenna unit 41, and the cartridge B can be inserted smoothly. In addition, there is no need to provide a special spring for biasing around the antenna unit 41. Therefore, problems such as electrical interference by the biasing spring are less likely to occur.

The following is a summary of the above-described embodiments.

In the memory member (memory unit 44) used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A, a base (substrate 44b3), a storage element 44b1 provided on the base for storing information, and the memory member When attached to the apparatus main body 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
The information stored in the storage element 44b1 is stored in a main body antenna (communication antenna 41) provided in the main body 14.
c) a memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2) provided on the base, a memory element 44b1, a transmission member (communication circuit 44b11), and the memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2) provided for transmission to the base. (Frame member 44) covering the base (substrate 44b3)
a).

A unit (the feeding cassette 3a, the fixing unit 5, the fixing unit 5, and the like) detachably attached to the main body 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
Developing unit), (a) a unit frame;
(B) The base (substrate 44b3), the storage element 44b1 provided on the base for storing information, and the storage element 44b1 stored in the storage element 44b1 when the unit is mounted on the apparatus body 14. A memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2) provided on the base for transmitting information to a main body antenna (communication antenna 41c) provided on the device main body 14, and the storage element provided on the base A transmitting member (communication circuit 44) for transmitting the information stored in 44b1 to the memory antenna;
b11) and an exterior member (frame member 44a) covering the base provided with the storage element 44b1, a transmission member (communication circuit 44b11), and the memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2). A memory member (memory unit 44) provided in
Having.

In the process cartridge B detachable from the main body 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive drum 7); Process means (charging means 8, developing means 9, cleaning means 10) acting on the photoconductor, (c) a base (substrate 44b3), and a storage element 44b1 provided on the base for storing information.
For transmitting information stored in the storage element 44b1 to a main body antenna (communication antenna 41c) provided in the main body 14 when the process cartridge B is mounted in the main body 14. Memory antenna provided on the base (communication antenna 44b2)
A transmitting member (communication circuit 44b11) provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna, and the storage element 44b1,
An exterior member (frame member 44a) covering a transmission member (communication circuit 44b11) and a base (substrate 44b3) provided with the memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2).
And a memory member (memory unit 44) having
And

Here, when the memory member (memory unit 44) is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2) is in a non-contact state with the main body antenna (communication antenna 41c). so,
The information stored in the storage element 44b1 is transmitted to the main body antenna provided in the apparatus main body 14.

Further, the storage element 44b1 and the transmitting member (communication circuit 44b11) are integrally formed.

The outer member (frame member 44a)
The upper exterior part (upper frame 44a1) and the lower exterior part (lower frame 44a2) are separately combined, and the base (substrate 44b3) is formed of the memory member (memory unit 44). When the memory antenna (the communication antenna 44b) is mounted on the device body 14,
2) such that the main body antenna (communication antenna 41c) faces the main body antenna (communication antenna 41c).
It is attached to the upper exterior part (upper frame 44a1) facing c).

The upper exterior part (upper frame 44a1) and the lower exterior part (lower frame 44a2) have protrusions 44a11, 44a.
21 are provided, and the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part are in contact with each other to form an exterior member.

The projecting portions of the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part are joined by any of an adhesive, welding, and ultrasonic welding.

The exterior member is made of a resin.

Further, the exterior member is formed of a member having a dielectric constant of 2 to 5.

The materials of the above members are polystyrene resin, acrylonitrile butadiene resin, and polycarbonate resin.

Further, the exterior member is provided with a defining portion (chamfer 44a5) for defining an attachment state when attaching the memory member (memory unit 44).

The exterior member has a plurality of corners (44a
7), and one of the plurality of corners is defined as the defining part.

Here, the defining portion is a chamfer.

When the memory member (memory unit 44) is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the exterior member (frame member 44a) comes into contact with the antenna cover 41a provided on the apparatus main body. The gap between the memory antenna (communication antenna 44b2) and the main body antenna (communication antenna 41c) is defined.

The memory member (memory unit 44) is a unit (feed cassette 3a, fixing unit 5,
Developing unit) or attached to a process cartridge B detachable from the apparatus main body, and by attaching the unit or the process cartridge B to the apparatus main body,
The memory member is mounted on the device main body.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, a case is described in which a wireless communication mechanism including a communication unit and a memory unit is applied to a cartridge. However, this wireless communication mechanism is detachable from the apparatus main body. Thus, the present invention can be suitably applied to a feeding cassette in which a recording medium is stored in a cassette body (unit frame). Further, the present invention can be suitably applied to a fixing unit which is detachable from the apparatus main body and holds a pressure roller and a fixing roller in a unit frame to fix a toner image on a recording medium.
Further, it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, has a developer container and a developing means in a unit frame, and is suitably applied to a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer. can do. That is, the units include a feeding cassette, a fixing unit, and a developing unit.

Although the cartridge shown in the above-mentioned embodiment has exemplified a case where a single color image is formed, the cartridge according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing means and a plurality of color images (for example, a two-color image, a three-color image). Image or full color)
The present invention can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. Examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP).
C) and the like. For example, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used as the shape on which the photosensitive member is mounted. It was done.

As the developing method, various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method, and a cloud developing method can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, a so-called contact charging method is used for the structure of the charging means. However, as another structure, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of a conventionally used tongue wire. It is a matter of course that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tongue wire are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum to uniformly charge the surface of the drum.

The charging means may be of a blade type (charging blade), pad type, block type, rod type, wire type, or the like, in addition to the roller type.

As a method of cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning means may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

The above-mentioned process cartridge is
For example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of the process means
It has one. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the above-described embodiment, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a charging unit are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus body. The electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means are integrally formed into a cartridge,
A device that can be attached to and detached from the device body. An electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning means are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is a type in which an electrophotographic photoreceptor and two or more of the above-mentioned process means are combined into a cartridge to be integrally detachable from the apparatus main body.

That is, the above-described process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to the apparatus main body. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body. The process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user himself. Therefore, the maintenance of the apparatus main body can be performed by the user himself.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a laser beam printer is exemplified as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, a word processor, etc. Of course, it is also possible to use it for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0175]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The provision of a memory member that enables wireless communication was realized.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a unit having a memory member that enables wireless communication.

Further, according to the present invention, a process cartridge having a memory member enabling wireless communication can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a unit having a memory member for enabling wireless communication can be detachably mounted.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge having a memory member for enabling wireless communication can be detachably mounted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a process cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a process cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a memory unit and a communication unit in a process of inserting a process cartridge into an apparatus main body.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which an antenna unit of a communication unit is in contact with a memory unit.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a memory unit in which a storage element is arranged outside a communication antenna.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view after the memory unit shown in FIG. 9 is assembled.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the memory unit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a memory unit in which a storage element is disposed substantially at the center of a communication antenna on the back surface of a substrate.

FIG. 13A is a plan view of a memory unit, and FIG.
Is a front view of the memory unit, and (c) is a bottom view of the memory unit.

14 is a cross-sectional view of the memory unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an electric circuit diagram of a storage element.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the memory unit shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the memory unit shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a memory unit having chamfers and steps.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a mounting portion on the process cartridge side.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a transport guide of the memory unit. It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a mode of transporting a memory unit by a parts feeder.

22 is a sectional view of the parts feeder and the memory unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of a memory unit mounting portion having a tool insertion portion.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the memory unit mounting portion having the tool insertion portion.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the memory unit mounting portion having the tool insertion portion.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a fourth embodiment of the memory unit mounting portion having the tool insertion portion.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a memory unit having a tool insertion portion.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a snap fit for attaching a memory unit to a cleaning frame.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process cartridge having a concave portion for protecting a memory unit.

30 is a sectional view of the process cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of protection of a memory unit.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process cartridge having a protrusion for protecting a memory unit.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which a memory unit and an antenna unit abut.

35 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion where the memory unit and the antenna unit shown in FIG. 34 abut against each other.

FIG. 36 is a detailed view of a main part of the equalizer mechanism.

FIG. 37 is an exploded view in a state where the antenna unit and the memory unit are in contact with each other.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the urging mechanism and the positioning mechanism of the antenna unit.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory view showing still another example of the urging mechanism and the positioning mechanism of the antenna unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: electrophotographic image forming apparatus, B: process cartridge, C: cleaning unit (cartridge frame), D: developing unit 2, recording medium, 3a: paper cassette, 5: fixing unit, 7: photosensitive drum, 8 ... Charging roller, 9 developing means, 10 cleaning means 14 image forming apparatus body, 41 antenna unit, 4
1a: antenna cover, 41b: support shaft, 41c: communication antenna (main body antenna) 43: spring, 44: memory unit (memory member),
44a ... frame member (exterior member), 44a1 ... upper frame, 44a
2, lower frame, 44a5, chamfer, 44a6, step, 4
4a7: Tip surface, 44b1: Storage element, 44b11: Transmission circuit (communication member), 44b2: Communication antenna (memory antenna), 44b3: Substrate (base), 44b31
... Back side of the board, 44b32 Front side of the board, 45 Communication control unit 46 Parts feeder 46a Guide section 46a1
... Guide step part 47 ... Communication unit, 70 ... Equalizer mechanism

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H01Q 1/40 G06K 19/00 H 7/00 K (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Ito 3-chome Maruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 30 No. 2 F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H027 DA27 DA38 DA45 DD02 EE08 EJ08 GB11 HB02 HB05 HB13 HB15 HB16 HB17 ZA07 ZA09 2H071 AA31 BA03 BA04 BA13 BA16 BA20 BA22 BA23 BA24 BA27 BA29 BA33 DA34 DA05 DA06 DA08 DA22 DA34 EA04 EA06 5B035 BA01 BA05 BB09 BC00 CA23 5J046 AA00 AB11 QA00

Claims (44)

[Claims] 1. A memory member used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a base; a storage element provided on the base for storing information; and the memory member being a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A memory antenna provided on the base, for transmitting information stored in the storage element to a main body antenna provided on the device main body, when mounted on the base; A memory, comprising: a transmission member for transmitting information stored in an element to the memory antenna; and an exterior member that covers a base provided with the storage element, the transmission member, and the memory antenna. Element. 2. When the memory member is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the memory antenna is in a non-contact state with the main body antenna, and the information stored in the storage element is provided on the main body of the apparatus. 2. The memory member according to claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted to a main body antenna. 3. The memory member according to claim 1, wherein the storage element and the transmission member are integrally formed. 4. The exterior member is configured by combining an upper exterior portion and a lower exterior portion separately from each other, and
The base is attached to an upper exterior part facing the main body antenna such that the memory antenna faces the main body antenna when the memory member is mounted on the main body of the device. The memory member according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. An upper exterior part and a lower exterior part are provided with a projection, and the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part are in contact with each other to form an exterior member. The memory member according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The memory member according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portions of the upper and lower exterior parts are joined by any of an adhesive, welding, and ultrasonic welding. 7. The memory member according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member is made of a resin. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member is formed of a member having a dielectric constant of 2 to 5. The memory member according to claim 6 or 7. 9. The material of the member is a polystyrene resin,
The memory member according to claim 8, wherein the memory member is an acrylonitrile butadiene resin or a polycarbonate resin. 10. The mounting member according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member is provided with a defining portion for defining an attachment state when the memory member is attached. Memory members. 11. The memory member according to claim 10, wherein the exterior member has a plurality of corners, and one corner of the plurality of corners is the defining part. 12. The memory member according to claim 10, wherein the defining portion is a chamfer. 13. A gap between the memory antenna and the main body antenna is defined by contacting the exterior member with an antenna cover provided on the main body when the memory member is mounted on the main body. The memory member according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: 14. The memory member is attached to a unit detachably attached to the apparatus main body, or is attached to a process cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body, and the unit or the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. The memory member according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the memory member is attached to the apparatus main body by being attached to the memory member. 15. A unit detachably attached to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) a unit frame; and (b) a unit frame.
A base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and a main body provided on the device main body with the information stored on the storage element when the unit is mounted on the device main body. A memory antenna provided on the base for transmitting to an antenna; a transmitting member provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna; A unit comprising: a member; and an exterior member that covers a base on which the memory antenna is provided, and a memory member provided on the unit frame. 16. When the unit is mounted on the main body of the forming apparatus, the memory antenna is in a non-contact state with the main body antenna, and the information stored in the storage element is provided on the main body of the apparatus. The unit according to claim 15, wherein the signal is transmitted to a main body antenna. 17. The unit according to claim 15, wherein the storage element and the transmitting member are integrally formed. 18. The exterior member is formed by combining an upper exterior portion and a lower exterior portion separately from each other, and the base is provided when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. The unit according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the memory antenna is attached to an upper exterior part facing the main body antenna so as to face the main body antenna. 19. The upper exterior part and the lower exterior part are provided with a projection, and the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part are in contact with each other to form an exterior member. The unit according to claim 18, characterized in that: 20. The protrusion of the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part,
The unit according to claim 19, wherein the unit is connected by any one of an adhesive, welding, and ultrasonic welding. 21. The unit according to claim 15, wherein the exterior member is made of a resin. 22. The exterior member according to claim 15, wherein the exterior member is formed of a member having a dielectric constant of 2 to 5.
A unit according to any one of claims 21 to 21. 23. The unit according to claim 22, wherein a material of the member is a polystyrene resin, an acrylonitrile-butadiene resin, or a polycarbonate resin. 24. The mounting member according to claim 15, wherein the exterior member is provided with a defining portion for defining an attachment state when attaching the memory member.
4. The unit according to any one of 3. 25. The unit according to claim 24, wherein the exterior member has a plurality of corners, and one corner of the plurality of corners is the defining part. 26. The unit according to claim 24, wherein the defining portion is a chamfer. 27. A gap between the memory antenna and the main body antenna is defined by contacting the exterior member with an antenna cover provided on the main body when the memory member is mounted on the main body. The unit according to any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein: 28. A fixing unit for fixing a toner image transferred on the recording medium to the recording medium, a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, The unit according to any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein the unit is any one of a feeding unit storing the recording medium. 29. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and (b) a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. (C) a base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and information stored in the storage element when the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. A memory antenna provided on the base for transmitting to a main body antenna provided on the main body; and a transmitting member provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna. A memory member, comprising: a storage member, a transmission member, and an exterior member that covers a base provided with the memory antenna. Process cartridge. 30. When the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the memory antenna is in a non-contact state with the main body antenna, and the information stored in the storage element is provided on the main body of the apparatus. 30. The process cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the process cartridge is transmitted to a main body antenna. 31. The process cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the storage element and the transmitting member are integrally formed. 32. The exterior member is formed by combining an upper exterior portion and a lower exterior portion separately from each other, and the base is provided when the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the memory antenna is attached to an upper exterior part facing the main body antenna so as to face the main body antenna. . 33. A projection is provided on the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part, and each of the upper exterior part and the lower exterior part is in contact with each other to form an exterior member. 33. The process cartridge according to claim 32, wherein: 34. The projecting portions of the upper exterior portion and the lower exterior portion,
The process cartridge according to claim 33, wherein the process cartridge is joined by any one of an adhesive, welding, and ultrasonic welding. 35. The process cartridge according to claim 29, wherein said exterior member is made of resin. 36. The exterior member is formed of a member having a dielectric constant of 2 to 5.
36. The process cartridge according to claim 35. 37. The process cartridge according to claim 36, wherein the material of the member is a polystyrene resin, an acrylonitrile-butadiene resin, or a polycarbonate resin. 38. The exterior member is provided with a defining portion for defining an attachment state when attaching the memory member.
8. The process cartridge according to any one of items 7 to 7. 39. The process cartridge according to claim 38, wherein the exterior member has a plurality of corners, and one corner of the plurality of corners is the defining part. 40. The process cartridge according to claim 38, wherein said defining portion is a chamfer. 41. A gap between the memory antenna and the main body antenna is defined by contacting the exterior member with an antenna cover provided on the main body of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 40, characterized in that: 42. The process unit includes at least a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 42. The process cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the process cartridge is one of cleaning means for removing the developer remaining on the body. 43. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably mounting a unit and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) a main body antenna, (b) a unit frame, a base, and provided on the base. A storage element for storing information, and, when the unit is mounted on an apparatus main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the main body antenna, A memory antenna provided on the base, a transmission member provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna, the storage element, a transmission member, and the memory antenna An exterior member covering the base provided with: a memory member provided on the unit frame, comprising: And because of the mounting means, (c) the conveying means for conveying the recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by having a. 44. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably attaching a process cartridge and for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) a main body antenna; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; A process means acting on a body, a base, a storage element provided on the base for storing information, and information stored in the storage element when mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A memory antenna provided on the base for transmitting to the main body antenna; a transmission member provided on the base for transmitting information stored in the storage element to the memory antenna; and the storage element. , A transmission member, and an exterior member that covers the base on which the memory antenna is provided. And mounting means for mounting the capacity, (c) the conveying means for conveying the recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by having a.