JP2004069943A - Electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out stable communication terminating process by maintaining the time from the detection of a door opening by door switch till separation of the contact of a memory tag equal to or longer than a fixed period, no matter at what speed the opening and closing of the door is carried out, in an image forming apparatus in which a memory tag connecter mechanism is moved between an operation position and a retracted position linking with the opening and closing of a cartridge door. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a process cartridge 1 having a memory means 2 with the electrical contact part, an opening and closing cover, the door switch 15 detecting the opening and closing state of the opening and closing cover, the connector member provided with the contact part with the memory means, a connector operation mechanism moving the connector between the acting position and the evading position linking with the opening and closing cover, and a damper mechanism to restrict the operation speed of the connector operation mechanism. The time from the detection by the door switch of the door opening or closing till the release of the connection of the memory means and the connector member is set to equal to or longer than the fixed period, no matter at what speed the opening and closing of the door is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0002]
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 printer, an LED printer, and the like), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and a multifunction machine (such as a multifunction printer). .
[0003]
[Prior art]
Examples of a conventional image forming apparatus are shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C.
[0004]
Conventionally, some electrophotographic image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic image forming process are equipped with a mechanism for managing a process cartridge and extracting optimal performance using a memory tag which is a memory base mounted on the cartridge. Exists.
[0005]
In addition, the communication between the memory tag and the printer uses a non-contact communication method and a contact-type communication method, but the contact-type communication contact is adopted because the contact-type communication contact is cheaper. Often done.
[0006]
This contact-type contact is generally connected to a communication control circuit of the main body, and the contact comes into contact with a contact surface of the memory means to communicate with a memory tag attached to the process cartridge.
[0007]
Further, in this case, if the contact is left at the contact position when the process cartridge is attached or detached, the contact or the contact surface of the memory may be damaged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. In many cases, a configuration in which the contact is retracted at the process cartridge attaching / detaching position is adopted.
[0008]
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show the configuration of the connector retracting mechanism.
[0009]
In the contact type contact method, if the connector and the memory tag are separated during communication, data loss will occur.Therefore, after the door switch detects the opening and closing of the door, the data communication end processing is performed and then the contact The configuration is such that they are separated from each other so that data loss does not occur.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method in which the connector contact portion is moved in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door, the time from when the door switch detects the opening and closing of the door to when the connector contact is separated from the memory tag is determined by the door opening and closing speed. However, the time required for the termination process is determined by the user.
[0011]
In addition, the time for performing the termination process must be estimated very short, and the cost of the electric circuit is increased because the termination process is performed at high speed.
[0012]
In addition, if the door switch mechanism is configured to prioritize the detection of door opening and closing in order to detect door detection as soon as possible, there is a possibility of false detection that the door is open even though the door is not open. There was a problem of increasing.
[0013]
There are also configurations that increase the opening / closing force of the door so that the door cannot be opened at high speed, or that allow the door to open and close in multiple steps to slow down the opening / closing speed. In such a configuration, usability has been reduced.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A typical configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
A process cartridge, a contact-type memory tag attached to the process cartridge, a tag connector which is an electrical contact with the memory tag, a connector holder for holding the tag connector, and a connector spring for applying a force for pressing the connector to the memory tag; A cam plate that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover, a push arm that pushes the process cartridge to the operating position in conjunction with the operation of the cam plate, and a connector that contacts the memory means in conjunction with the operation of the push arm A connector operating mechanism for moving the connector to a possible position and a retractable position where contact is impossible, damper means for limiting the operating speed of the connector operating mechanism, a push-up spring for applying an operating force of the connector operating mechanism, and a door for detecting the operation of the door Switch and door operation are transmitted to the door switch. And an interlock lever that,
When the door shifts from the open state to the closed state, the connector operating mechanism operates according to the operating speed of the door, but when the door shifts from the closed state to the open state, the damper means operates the connector operating mechanism. The speed is limited, and the operating speed of the connector operating mechanism is determined regardless of the opening / closing speed of the door.
[0015]
By adopting the above configuration, the contact type memory tag is adopted, and in the image forming apparatus in which the connector is moved to the communicable position and the retracted position according to the opening and closing of the door, even if the door is moved at any operation force or operation speed. Further, the time from when the door switch detects the opening of the door to when the connection between the memory means and the connector is separated from each other can be maintained for a predetermined time or more.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
[First embodiment example]
A specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the memory tag, the connector operation mechanism, and the door switch are at the communicable position, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the door switch is opened.
[0019]
FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a state in which a push arm for pushing a cartridge into an operation position is in an open state, and FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrating a state in which a memory tag mechanism is moved to a retreat position.
[0020]
In FIG. 1-A, 1 is a process cartridge, 2 is a memory tag attached to the process cartridge, 3 is a connector, 4 is a connector contact, 5 is a connector holder for holding the connector, and 6 is a pressurization for applying a contact pressure to the connector. The spring 7 is a holder housing for supporting the connector holder.
[0021]
8 is a frame member that supports the optical scanner and the holder housing, 9 is a cam plate that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door, and 10 is a pivot that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover, and pushes the cartridge to the proper position. An arm, 11 is a link rod for moving the connector holder to a communication position and a retreat position in conjunction with the movement of the push arm, 12 is a link rod spring that overcomes the force of the pressure spring 6 and pulls up the connector operation mechanism and the link rod, 13 is An oil damper that regulates the operation speed of the link rod. Reference numeral 14 denotes a switch lever that is linked to a cam plate that moves in conjunction with the operation of the door, and transmits opening and closing of the door to a door switch. Reference numeral 15 denotes a door switch.
[0022]
The operation of the present invention will be described below.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1A, when the process cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body and the opening / closing cover is closed, the cam plate 9 that moves in conjunction with the door is at the door closed position.
[0024]
At this time, since the push arm 10 is connected to the cam groove of the cam plate 9, the push arm 10 overcomes the force of the link rod spring 12 and is located at the mounting position.
[0025]
Further, since the push arm 10 is at the mounting position, the process cartridge 1 is pushed into the mounting position by the push arm 10.
[0026]
The connector holder 5 is located at a position where the connector contact 4 can come into contact with the memory tag 2 attached to the process cartridge 1 when the push arm 10 is in the mounting position and the link rod 11 is lowered to the operating position accordingly. Has moved up.
[0027]
Further, since the joint between the link rod 11 and the connector holder 5 is connected in an elongated hole shape, the connector holder 5 transmits the pressing force of the pressure spring 6 to the connector 3 without being obstructed by the link arm 11. Is made possible.
[0028]
The switch lever 14 is pushed downward by the cam plate 9 to push the door switch 15 to the closed position, and the switch 15 detects that the door is closed.
[0029]
Here, when the open / close cover of the main body is opened, the cam plate 9 operates in conjunction with the opening / closing of the cover, and the mechanism operates in the state shown in FIG. 1-B.
[0030]
At this time, since the push arm 10 is joined to the cam plate 9 before the cam groove of the cam plate 9 is bent, the position of the door is not changed from the door closed state.
[0031]
However, the switch lever 14 pressing the door switch 15 is pushed up by the spring of the door switch 15 with the rise of the cam plate 9 which moves in conjunction with the opening of the door, and the door switch 15 is opened and the door is opened. Detect that it is.
[0032]
After detecting the door opening, the memory tag communication control unit of the main body starts processing for terminating the communication.
[0033]
From here, when the door is further opened at high speed, the mechanism changes to the state shown in FIG. 1-C.
[0034]
When the door is opened at a high speed, the cam plate 9 completely pushes the push arm 10 to the process cartridge attaching / detaching position, but the connecting portion between the push arm 10 and the link rod 11 is formed by an elongated hole, and Since the oil damper 13 is connected to the link rod 11 via a gear, the link rod 11 cannot rise at the same speed, and remains at a position delayed in phase from the push arm 10.
[0035]
Thereafter, the link rod 11 and the connector operating mechanism connected to the link rod 11 rise with time while rotating the oil damper 13 and move to the retreat position shown in FIG. 1-D.
[0036]
Therefore, the time from when the door switch 15 is opened to when the connector 3 and the memory tag 2 are separated from each other is guaranteed to be equal to or longer than a predetermined time required for performing the communication end process regardless of the door opening / closing speed. You.
[0037]
Since the time required for the termination process differs depending on the electric circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus, the operation speed of the control circuit, the content of the termination process, and the like, the operating characteristics of the damper 13 depend on the load of the pressure spring 6 and the link rod spring 12. The resultant force of the load determines the condition that the moving time until the contact is separated from the operating position is equal to or longer than the time required for the communication end processing.
[0038]
Also, if the door is opened for a time sufficient to complete the communication termination process of the memory tag, the mechanism does not cause the phase shift shown in FIG. To work.
[0039]
As described above, by using the above configuration,
When the memory tag connector mechanism moves to the operating position and the retract position in conjunction with the main unit opening and closing door, even if the user opens and closes the main unit opening and closing door at high speed, the door switch detects the door opening and closing, and then the memory tag It is possible to keep the time required for the connection between the connector and the connector to be longer than the time required for the termination processing, and to ensure the safety of communication with the memory tag without sacrificing usability. Become.
[0040]
[Second embodiment example]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0041]
A specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.
[0042]
FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the memory tag, the connector operation mechanism, and the door switch are at the communicable position, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the door switch is opened.
[0043]
FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a state in which a push arm that pushes the cartridge to the operating position is in an open state, and FIG. 2D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the memory tag mechanism is moved to a retracted position.
In FIG. 2A, 1 is a process cartridge, 2 is a memory tag attached to the process cartridge, 3 is a connector, 4 is a connector contact, 5 is a connector holder for holding the connector, and 6 is pressurization for applying a contact pressure to the connector. The spring 7 is a holder housing for supporting the connector holder.
[0044]
8 is a frame member that supports the optical scanner and the holder housing, 92 is a cam plate that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door, and 102 is a pivot that rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover, and pushes the cartridge to the proper position. The arm 112 is a link rod that moves the connector holder to the communication position and the retracted position in conjunction with the movement of the push arm, 122 is a push arm spring that overcomes the force of the pressure spring 6 and pushes up the connector operation mechanism and the link rod, 132 is An oil damper that regulates the operating speed of the push arm. Reference numeral 14 denotes a switch lever that is linked to a cam plate that moves in conjunction with the operation of the door, and transmits opening and closing of the door to a door switch. Reference numeral 15 denotes a door switch.
[0045]
The operation of the present invention will be described below.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the process cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body and the opening / closing cover is closed, the cam plate 92 that moves in conjunction with the door is at the door closed position.
[0047]
At this time, since the push arm 102 is connected to the cam groove of the cam plate 92, the push arm 102 overcomes the force of the push arm spring 122 and is located at the mounting position.
[0048]
Further, since the push arm 102 is at the mounting position, the process cartridge 1 is pushed into the mounting position by the push arm 102.
[0049]
The connector holder 5 is in a position where the connector contact 4 can come into contact with the memory tag 2 attached to the process cartridge 1 when the push arm 102 is in the mounting position and the link rod 112 is pulled down to the operating position accordingly. Has moved up.
[0050]
Further, since the joint between the link rod 112 and the connector holder 5 is connected in an elongated hole shape, the connector holder 5 transmits the pressing force of the pressurizing spring 6 to the connector 3 without being disturbed by the link arm 112. Is made possible.
[0051]
When the switch lever 14 is pressed downward by the cam plate 92, the door switch 15 is pushed to the closed position, and the switch 15 detects that the door is closed.
[0052]
Here, when the open / close cover of the main body is opened, the cam plate 92 operates in conjunction with the opening / closing of the cover, and the mechanism operates in the state shown in FIG.
[0053]
At this time, since the push arm 102 is joined to the cam plate 92 before the cam groove inflection point of the cam plate 92, the door closed state and the position are not changed.
[0054]
However, the switch lever 14 pressing the door switch 15 is pushed up by the spring of the door switch 15 with the rise of the cam plate 92 which moves in conjunction with the opening of the door, and the door switch 15 is opened and the door is opened. Detect that it is.
[0055]
After detecting the door opening, the memory tag communication control unit of the main body starts processing for terminating the communication.
[0056]
From here, when the door is further opened at high speed, the mechanism changes to the state shown in FIG. 2-C.
[0057]
When the door is opened at a high speed, the cam plate 92 has moved to the door open position, but the push arm 102 moves up at the same speed because the oil damper 132 is connected via a gear. Therefore, the phase remains behind the cam plate 92.
[0058]
Thereafter, the push arm 102, the link rod 11, and the connector operating mechanism connected to the link rod 11 rise with time while rotating the oil damper 132, and move to the retreat position shown in FIG. 2-D.
[0059]
Therefore, the time from when the door switch 15 is opened to when the connector 3 and the memory tag 2 are separated from each other is guaranteed to be equal to or longer than a predetermined time required for performing the communication end process regardless of the door opening / closing speed. You.
[0060]
Since the time required for the termination process differs depending on the electric circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus, the operation speed of the control circuit, the content of the termination process, and the like, the operating characteristics of the damper 13 depend on the load of the pressure spring 6 and the link rod spring 12. The resultant force of the load determines the condition that the moving time until the contact is separated from the operating position is equal to or longer than the time required for the communication end processing.
[0061]
If the door is opened for a time sufficient to complete the communication termination processing of the memory tag, the mechanism does not cause the phase shift shown in FIG. To work. Further, in this configuration, the push arm pushes the cartridge into the operating position until the connection between the memory tag and the connector is separated, that is, until the communication end processing of the memory tag ends, so that the door is opened and closed at a high speed. Even if the user tries to remove the cartridge immediately thereafter, the cartridge cannot be removed until the communication is normally completed.
[0062]
As described above, by using the above configuration,
When the memory tag connector mechanism moves to the operating position and the retract position in conjunction with the main unit opening and closing door, even if the user opens and closes the main unit opening and closing door at high speed, the door switch detects the door opening and closing, and then the memory tag It is possible to keep the time required for the connection between the connector and the connector to be longer than the time required for the termination processing, and to ensure the safety of communication with the memory tag without sacrificing usability. Become.
[0063]
In addition, since the cartridge cannot be removed until the communication of the memory tag ends normally, the security of the communication can be further improved.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
The memory tag connector mechanism moves to the operating position and the retract position in conjunction with the main unit opening and closing door. It is possible to keep the time until the connection between the connector and the connector separates longer than the time required for the termination processing, and to ensure the safety of communication with the memory tag without sacrificing usability. Become.
[0065]
Further, since the process cartridge cannot be removed until the communication is normally completed, even if the door is opened at a high speed and the cartridge is to be quickly attached / detached, safety of the communication can be ensured. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1-A is a side view of a memory tag mechanism showing a first embodiment of the present invention in a closed state of a door; FIG. 1-B is a memory tag mechanism showing a first embodiment of the present invention immediately after door opening detection; FIG. 1-C is a side view of the memory tag mechanism when the door is opened at high speed in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1-D is a memory tag mechanism in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2-A is a side view of a memory tag mechanism showing a second embodiment according to the present invention in a door closed state. FIG. 2-B is a memory tag showing a second embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 2C is a side view of the mechanism immediately after the door opening detection. FIG. 2C is a side view of the memory tag mechanism when the door is opened at a high speed in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the retracted state of the memory tag mechanism in the embodiment. FIG. 4-A is a side view of a memory tag mechanism in a conventional configuration in a door closed state. FIG. 4-B is a side view of a memory tag mechanism in a conventional example immediately after door opening detection. Side view of state [FIG. 4-C] Side view of retracted state of memory tag mechanism in conventional configuration [Description of reference numerals]
1: Process cartridge 2: Memory tag 3: Connector 4: Connector contact 5: Connector holder 6: Pressure spring 7: Holder housing 8: Body frame member 9: Cam plate 10: Push arm 11: Link rod 12: Link rod spring 13: Oil damper 14: Door switch lever 15: Door switch

Claims (2)

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably mounting a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least one process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a memory means having an electrical contact portion, and forming an image on a recording medium At
An opening and closing cover for opening and closing an opening for attaching and detaching the process cartridge,
A door switch that detects the open / close state of the open / close cover,
A connector member having a contact portion that makes electrical contact with the memory means,
A connector operation mechanism that operates the connector in a communicable position where the connector can contact the memory means and a retractable position where the connector cannot contact, in conjunction with the opening / closing cover;
A damper mechanism for limiting the operation speed of the connector operation mechanism,
Has,
Whatever the opening / closing speed of the door, the time from when the door switch detects the opening / closing of the door to when the connection between the memory means and the connector member is released is a fixed time or more. Forming equipment. In addition to the above configuration, a connector operating mechanism for operating the connector means in conjunction with the opening / closing cover operates using a common part with a mechanism for pushing and fixing the process cartridge to a predetermined position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1.

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