JP2003243070A - Connector, cartridge for development, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange so that a memory IC is installed in a hidden position, preclude a poor contacting performance owing to contamination of toner and also a destruction of the data due to influence of the static electricity, and enable recycling by mounting the base board of memory IC removably. <P>SOLUTION: The connector according to the invention is equipped with the base board of memory IC covered with a casing 45 and conductive members 43 and 44 having a connecting terminal for connection with the body device side connector and connecting terminals 43b and 44b for connections with the base board of memory IC, wherein a resilience is given to the connecting terminals for connection with the base board of memory IC of the conductive members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector incorporating a memory IC for reading / writing data such as toner consumption, a developing cartridge to which the connector is attached, and an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a printer,
A memory IC is attached to the developing cartridge and connected to the connector of the main body of the apparatus, the remaining amount information of each color toner, the old and new discrimination information as to whether or not the cartridge has been exchanged, and the mounting for notifying the main body whether or not the cartridge has been mounted. Information, image forming conditions such as developing bias, recycling information about how many times the cartridge has been exchanged and used, etc. are written so that when the developing cartridge is mounted, the history information can be recognized on the apparatus main body side.

In this case, in a cartridge of an ink jet printer or the like, a memory IC substrate on which history information is written is connected to a connector by caulking an electric wire, or the memory IC substrate is soldered to a connector terminal.

[0004]

In the conventional memory IC mounted on the developing cartridge, the contact life of the memory IC is shortened because mechanical force is directly applied to the memory IC by contact with the connector of the apparatus main body when reading / writing data. It is short, and it is placed in a position where it can be seen directly, and malfunctions due to static electricity, toner contamination, etc. occur, so that it cannot be said that the protection of the memory IC and the stability of the contacts are always sufficient.

Further, in the method of crimping the wire of the terminal of the memory IC board and connecting it to the connector, contact failure such as occurrence of caulking failure and disconnection of the wire occurs, and in the method of soldering the memory IC board to the connector terminal, There is a problem such as contact failure due to defective soldering, and even if the memory IC is to be reused, it must be removed by applying heat. In that case, even if removed, the written information is destroyed by the heat. There is a problem that it will end up.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the memory IC can be arranged at a hidden position, contact failure due to toner stains, data destruction due to the influence of static electricity, etc. can be prevented, and the memory IC substrate can be detached and reused. The purpose is to enable. Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 has a memory IC substrate covered with a housing, and a connector provided with a conductive member having a connection terminal with a main device side connector and a connection terminal with a memory IC substrate, It is characterized in that the connection terminal of the conductive member with the memory IC substrate is provided with a spring property. The invention of claim 2 provides the memory IC
The memory IC board is mounted on the connector body by inserting the front end of the board into the mounting portion of the connector body and hooking the rear end of the memory IC board on the hook portion of the connector body by using elasticity. Further, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the memory IC substrate is formed with a notch for positioning which is displaced from the center of the tip inserted into the attachment portion of the connector body. Further, the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the connection terminal array of the conductive member with the memory IC board is aligned with the terminal array of the memory IC board. Further, the invention of claim 5 is characterized by a developing cartridge having the connector fixed to an end thereof. The invention of claim 6 is characterized by an image forming apparatus having the developing cartridge.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. After the photoconductor 1 is charged by a charging unit (not shown), an electrostatic latent image is formed by image exposure by the exposure unit 2. This electrostatic latent image is developed by sequentially supplying four colors of toner one by one from the developing rollers of the developing cartridges 31 to 34 mounted on the rotary frame 30 of the rotary developing unit 3. The photoconductor 1 has
The transfer belt 4 driven by the transfer belt driving roller 5 is 1
The toner images of the respective colors face each other at the next transfer position and are primarily transferred to the transfer belt 4 so that the colors are superposed on the belt.

On the other hand, the paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 6 passes through the conveyance path 7, and the four-color toner images on the transfer belt are collectively transferred at the secondary transfer position of the transfer roller 8 facing the transfer belt driving roller 5. It At this time, the leading edge of the image on the transfer belt 4 is detected by the belt position detection sensor 9,
It is controlled so that the leading edge of the image and the leading edge of the paper match. The sheet that has been secondarily transferred is fixed by the fixing unit 10, and in the case of double-sided printing, returns to the transport path 7 again, and the image is transferred to the back side. The sheet after transfer and fixing is discharged outside the apparatus.

The four-color developing cartridges 31 to 34 of the rotary type developing unit 3 are provided with a memory IC built-in connector 40.
(Details will be described later) are attached respectively, and data can be read / written from the connector 50 on the apparatus main body side. The device main body side connector 50 is driven by a drive unit 51 with a built-in motor to move forward / backward, and when the cartridge is replaced, moves forward to electrically connect to the connector 40 to read / write data in the memory IC.
It is usually retreating. Each developing cartridge can be removed and replaced at the position of the developing cartridge replacement opening 11 provided in the main body of the apparatus. Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with an exhaust duct 12, which sucks scattered toner and the like from a suction port 14 near a developing nip portion where a developing roller and a photoconductor contact each other, and exhausts the toner through a filter 13. In this case, the position where the memory IC built-in connector 40 and the main body apparatus side connector 50 are connected is arranged on the upstream side of the developing nip portion in the rotation direction of the developing unit so that the connector connecting portion is not affected by the scattered toner. To do.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining each position of the rotary type developing unit for replacement of the developing cartridge, reading / writing of data in the memory IC, and developing standby. The home position of the rotary developing unit is detected by detecting the notch position of the position detection plate 37 with the position detection sensor 36.

FIG. 2A is a view for explaining the developing device replacement position. As described above, the developing device exchange port 11 is provided on the apparatus main body side, and each of the developing rollers of the rotary developing unit 3 is connected to the developing device exchange port 1.
It is replaceable in position 1. In this position, the connector 40 of each developing cartridge does not face the main assembly side connector 50, and the photoconductor 1 also does not face the developing roller.

FIG. 2B shows a position (position) where the developing roller faces the photoconductor and develops, as well as reading / writing to the memory IC. When a read / write command is issued from the apparatus body side, the apparatus body side connector 50 operates in a positional relationship, and the apparatus body side connector 50 is connected to read / write data.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a position (position) in the middle of when the development by the rotary developing unit is switched from one color to another color, and the photosensitive member and the developing roller are not opposed to each other.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the time of connecting the connector and the time of separating. As shown in FIG. 3A, at the time of connection, the device main body side connector 50 is driven forward by a motor, and is guided and fitted by a guide member on the side of the memory IC built-in connector 40 as described later, and the terminals slide with each other. And connect electrically,
At the time of separation, the connector 50 retreats toward the main body of the apparatus and the two are separated. The connector 40 has a connector fixing screw 48.
The connector 50 is fixed to the developing device unit, and the connector 50 is fixed to the apparatus main body by connector fixing pins 53.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the rotary developing unit. The rotary developing unit 3 is attached to the side plates 20 and 21 made of sheet metal, and the memory IC built-in connector 40 is fixed to the ends of the developing cartridges 31 to 34 attached to the rotary frame 30. In the present embodiment, the side plate 21 is gear-driven, the side plate 20 is the non-driving side, and the connector provided in the housing 22 formed by squeezing the side plate 20 on the non-driving side so as not to be affected by the heat of the driving unit. The memory IC built-in connector 40 is fixed to the cover 39. The accommodating portion 22 surrounds the connector 40 except for the surface on which the apparatus main body side connector 50 separates and abuts, and serves to shield the connector from being affected by the voltage applied to the developing roller. The memory IC built-in connector 40 itself is covered with a connector cover 39, and a memory IC is formed from a metal plate forming a storage portion.
An IC protection member 38 made of a resin ring is provided on the inner surface of the storage unit so as not to be affected by static electricity.

5A and 5B are views for explaining the memory IC built-in connector of the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a plan view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a view of FIG. 5A. It is an AA sectional view. In the connector 40 with a built-in memory IC, two guide members 42 are provided upright on both side portions near the outer edge of one surface of the substrate 41 (a surface to be connected to the main body apparatus side connector) which is a member for receiving an impact at the time of connection. On the other surface (rear surface) of the board 41, a contact protection member 45 including a memory IC board 46 is provided, and these are integrally formed as a housing 47. Further, the contact members 43 and 44 are provided inside the guide member 42 integrally with the guide member 42, respectively.
It is installed upright in parallel with 2. The guide member 42 is arranged outside the contact member in order to stabilize the contact state of the contact by surrounding the guide member and ensuring insertion stability when the main body side connector is fitted.

In this embodiment, four contact members 43 are arranged on the front side (the side far from the developing roller end) of the housing 47, and three contact members 44 are arranged in two rows on the back side (the side closer to the developing roller end). It is provided as a whole and is designed to be compact as a whole. Of course, the contact members are not limited to two rows, one row or three rows.
You can make a line. As shown in FIG. 6, for each terminal of these contact members, four terminals on the front side are a data terminal, a mounting detection terminal, a ground (GND) terminal, a data read / write terminal, and three terminals on the back side are clock terminals. These are terminals, power supply terminals, and chip select (CS) terminals.

These contact members 43 and 44 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, contact terminals 43a and 44a which the main body side connector terminal slides into contact with at the time of connection are configured. The contact members 43 and 44 are provided with spring-like contact terminals 43b and 44b which extend through the through holes of the substrate 41 to the back side thereof and elastically contact with the terminals of the memory IC substrate 46. Then, when the memory IC substrate 46 is attached to the contact protection member 45, the spring-shaped contact terminals 43b and 44b are connected to the memory I.
The memory IC substrate 4 is elastically contacted with the terminals of the C substrate 46,
6 is pressed against the mounting surface of the contact protection member 45 by the spring force from the contact terminals 43b and 44b, and is held in a floating state separated from the substrate 41. Therefore, even if the main body side connector 50 moves forward and comes into contact with the connector 40 by the motor drive, the terminals 43a and 44a of the contact members 43 and 44 only slide and come into contact with the main body side connector terminal, and the impact of the contact is generated. Is received by the substrate 41, and the memory IC substrate 46 is the substrate 4
The memory IC substrate 4 is supported separately from the memory IC substrate 1.
No impact is directly transmitted to the contact portion between the terminal 6 and the contacts 43b and 44b.

As described above, the connector 40 has a sliding contact with the connector on the main body side on one surface of the substrate 41 which is an impact receiving member, and a memory IC substrate which is supported by being floated from the substrate on the back side of the substrate 41. Since the fixed contact is provided, the impact at the time of connection with the main body side connector is not received by the substrate 41 and transmitted to the memory IC substrate side, and the contact with the memory IC substrate is stably formed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the mounting of the memory IC board on the connector body. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a mounted state of the memory IC substrate as viewed from the back surface side of the connector. The memory IC substrate 46 is provided with a notch 46a at a position displaced from the center thereof, and the substrate tip is provided on both sides of the notch. The lengths are different. A mounting portion 60 having a recess is formed on the connector body side so as to match the tip of the board, and the depth of the recess is different on both sides of the notch. Therefore, even if the left and right sides are reversed and the tip end of the substrate is inserted into the mounting portion 60, it is not successful and erroneous insertion can be prevented. On the other hand, the rear end of the board is configured to be hooked on the hook 61 of the connector body.

FIG. 7B is a sectional view for explaining the mounting of the memory IC substrate. The memory IC substrate 46 of this embodiment is made of a resin having elasticity (spring property), and the front end of the substrate is inserted into the mounting portion 60, and the rear end of the substrate is pressed while being rotated toward the connector main body side so that the elasticity of the substrate is increased. Use it to bend and insert it, and hook it on the hook 61 to stop it. At this time, the terminals of the memory IC board elastically contact the spring-like contact terminals 43b and 44b, and the spring force of the contacts presses the memory IC board toward the mounting portion 60 and the hook 61 side. , The contact condition is stabilized.

In this way, the memory IC substrate 46 is connected to the substrate 41.
Since the contact protection member 45 integrated with the housing 47 covers the back side of the memory IC and the memory IC substrate is elastically detachably attached to the connector body, the memory IC can be arranged in a hidden position and directly exposed. Since there is a contact point of the memory IC in a place where
It is possible to prevent data destruction due to the influence of static electricity,
The reliability of the contact can be improved. Further, in the case of soldering or the like, heat must be applied to remove the memory IC substrate, whereas the memory IC can be easily collected and reused by removing the connector body from the apparatus body. .

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the memory IC substrate is covered with the housing, so that the memory IC
Can be placed in a hidden position, and because the contact of the memory IC is not directly exposed, contact failure due to toner stains and data destruction due to the influence of static electricity can be prevented, improving contact reliability. Can be made. Further, since the memory IC substrate is made of an elastic material and is elastically detachably attached to the connector main body, the assembling property is improved and the reusing can be promoted. Further, by forming the terminal row in a plurality of rows, the connector can be made compact, and the memory IC
By providing a notch for positioning on the board, it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion of the board.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating each position of replacement of a developing cartridge, reading / writing of data from / in a memory IC, and development standby.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating connector connection to and separation from a memory IC.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a rotary developing device unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a connector with a built-in memory IC.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connector terminal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating how the memory IC board is attached to the connector body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Photosensitive member, 2 ... Exposure unit, 3 ... Rotary developing unit, 4 ... Transfer belt, 5 ... Transfer belt drive roller,
6 ... Paper feed cassette, 7 ... Paper transport path, 8 ... Transfer roller,
9 ... Position detection sensor, 10 ... Fixing unit, 11 ... Development cartridge replacement opening, 12 ... Exhaust duct, 13 ... Filter, 14 ... Suction port, 20, 21 ... Side plate, 30 ... Rotary frame, 31-34 ... Development cartridge , 36 ...
Position detection sensor, 37 ... Position detection plate, 38
... IC protection member, 39 ... Connector cover, 40, 50 ...
Connector, 41 ... Board, 42 ... Guide member, 43, 44
... contact member, 45 ... contact protection member, 46 ... memory IC substrate, 46a ... notch, 60 ... positioning portion, 61 ... hook.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeshi Aoki             Seiko, 3-3-3 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture             -In Epson Corporation F-term (reference) 2C061 CG02 CG03 CG12 CG13                 2H171 FA02 FA05 FA13 GA09 GA11                       GA16 GA19 GA20 GA29 JA06                       JA45 JA50 JA51 MA02 MA07                       MA11 MA20 QA02 QA06 QA08                       QA24 QB15 QB34 QC03 QC36                       SA11 SA14 SA19 SA22 SA26                 5E021 FA05 FB01 FB14 FB18 FC32                       FC40 JA05 KA05 MA08 MA31                       MA32                 5E023 AA04 AA18 AA21 BB02 BB19                       BB22 CC22 DD18 DD28 EE07                       FF07 GG01 GG15 HH01 HH05                       HH18 HH30

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connector comprising a conductive member having a memory IC substrate covered with a housing and having a connection terminal with a main body apparatus side connector and a connection terminal with a memory IC substrate. A connector characterized in that a connection terminal with a memory IC substrate is provided with a spring property. 2. The memory IC board is attached to the connector main body by inserting the front end of the memory IC board into the mounting portion of the connector main body and hooking the rear end of the memory IC board to the hook portion of the connector main body by using elasticity. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the memory IC substrate is formed with a notch for positioning which is displaced from the center of the tip inserted into the mounting portion of the connector body. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a connection terminal row of the conductive member and the memory IC board is aligned with a terminal row of the memory IC board. 5. A developing cartridge, wherein the connector according to claim 1 is fixed to an end portion. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing cartridge according to claim 5.