JP2006259065A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To materialize an image forming apparatus which can satisfactorily communicates with a cartridge regardless of the temperature rise in the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A second antenna for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge through a first antenna provided in the cartridge is provided in a duct being a flow passage of an airflow in the apparatus having a loading part to which the cartridge is loaded freely detachably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

As a cartridge mounted on a laser beam printer or the like as an image forming apparatus, for example, a process cartridge provided with a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and the like is known. The process cartridge is provided with a memory unit for storing the usage time of the photosensitive drum, for example. This memory unit has an antenna and an element for performing communication in a non-contact state at a position facing a communication antenna provided on the printer side when the process cartridge is mounted in the printer. (See Patent Document 1).
JP 11-348375 A

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, the outer peripheral portion is covered with a cover or the like, and the temperature in the apparatus rises due to the heat generated by the electrical components and the like accompanying the image forming operation. At this time, the temperature of the communication antenna provided on the printer side may also rise. When the memory unit as described above communicates with the printer in a non-contact state, if the temperature of the antenna provided on the printer rises, the memory unit and the printer may not be able to communicate well due to the characteristics of the antenna. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to enable good communication between the image forming apparatus and the cartridge even when the temperature in the apparatus rises. An image forming apparatus is realized.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main present invention includes: (a) a mounting portion on which a cartridge is detachably mounted; (b) a duct serving as an air flow path in the apparatus having the mounting portion; c) a second antenna provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge via a first antenna provided in the cartridge; and Device.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  (A) a mounting portion on which the cartridge is detachably mounted; (b) a duct serving as a flow path of airflow in the apparatus having the mounting portion; and (c) a first antenna provided on the cartridge. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second antenna provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge; and (d).

  According to such an image forming apparatus, since the duct provided in the apparatus is a flow path of the air current, the duct and the duct are cooled by the air current. And the 2nd antenna provided in the duct is also cooled and the temperature rise of a 2nd antenna is suppressed. In other words, the second antenna is cooled by being provided in the duct, and the temperature rise is suppressed, and good communication can be performed between the image forming apparatus and the cartridge.

  In such an image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the second antenna is provided in the duct. According to such an image forming apparatus, since the second antenna is provided in the duct, the second antenna is directly cooled by the airflow in the duct, so that the second antenna can be efficiently cooled. is there.

  In the image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the second antenna is provided on an inner wall surface of the duct. According to such an image forming apparatus, since the second antenna is provided on the inner wall surface of the duct, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for fixing the second antenna. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently cool the second antenna by directly exposing it to the airflow while reducing the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

  In the image forming apparatus, the second antenna may be provided on an outer wall surface of the duct. According to such an image forming apparatus, since the duct is cooled by the airflow in the duct, it is possible to cool the second antenna provided on the outer wall surface of the duct via the duct. Further, since the second antenna is provided on the outer wall surface of the duct, the wall portion that forms the duct between the second antenna and the first antenna is compared with the case where the second antenna is provided in the duct. Does not exist. For this reason, the second antenna is cooled through the duct while the second antenna is placed close to the first antenna and disposed at a distance that allows good communication, compared to the case where the second antenna is provided in the duct. It is possible to make communication better.

In such an image forming apparatus, the duct has a portion having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area in a direction intersecting the direction of the airflow in the antenna installation portion where the second antenna is provided, from the antenna installation portion. It is desirable to have it on the upstream side in the direction of the airflow.
According to such an image forming apparatus, there is a portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area in the direction intersecting the direction of the airflow at the antenna installation site on the upstream side of the antenna installation site. The flow becomes faster at the antenna installation site. For this reason, it is possible to cool the 2nd antenna provided in the antenna installation site more efficiently by the airflow having a fast flow.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the duct is preferably made of resin. According to such an image forming apparatus, even if the second antenna is provided in the duct, since the duct is formed of resin, that is, a non-conductive member, the second antenna is not shielded. Good communication with one antenna is possible.

In such an image forming apparatus, it is desirable that the duct is an exhaust duct for discharging air inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus.
According to such an image forming apparatus, by providing the second antenna in the exhaust duct, it is possible to cool the second antenna using an air flow for discharging the air inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus.

In such an image forming apparatus, it is preferable that a filter is provided on the upstream side of the second antenna in the direction of the airflow in the duct.
According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent dust, dust, and the like in the apparatus from adhering to the second antenna. At this time, if a conductive member such as iron powder is contained in the dust or dirt in the apparatus, the first antenna and the second antenna may not be able to communicate well. Since the filter is provided on the upstream side, it is possible to prevent iron powder or the like from adhering to the second antenna and maintain a good communication state.

In such an image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the latent image carried by the image carrier is developed using a developer, and the filter is provided for collecting the developer.
According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the developer from scattering in the apparatus, cool the second antenna, and perform good communication between the image forming apparatus and the cartridge. .

  In such an image forming apparatus, the developer is toner. According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the toner from scattering in the apparatus and cool the second antenna so that good communication can be performed between the image forming apparatus and the cartridge.

In the image forming apparatus, the antenna driving circuit is connected to the second antenna and communicates between the first antenna and the second antenna, and the antenna driving circuit is provided in the duct. Is desirable.
According to such an image forming apparatus, the antenna drive circuit can also be cooled by the airflow in the duct.

(A) a mounting portion on which the cartridge is detachably mounted; (b) a duct serving as an air flow path in the apparatus having the mounting portion; and (c) a first antenna provided on the cartridge. A second antenna provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge via, and (d), the second antenna is provided in the duct, A portion having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area in a direction intersecting the direction of the airflow in the antenna installation portion where the second antenna is provided is located upstream of the antenna installation portion in the airflow direction. The duct is made of resin, and the duct is an exhaust duct for discharging the air in the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, and is upstream of the second antenna in the direction of the airflow in the duct. Is provided with a filter, and a latent image carried by the image carrier is developed using a developer, the upstream opening is provided on the image carrier side, and the filter removes the developer. The developer is toner, and is connected to the second antenna, and has an antenna drive circuit for communication between the first antenna and the second antenna, and the antenna The drive circuit is an image forming apparatus provided in the duct.
According to such an image forming apparatus, since all the effects described above are exhibited, the object of the present invention is achieved most effectively.

  (A) a computer; and (B) an image forming apparatus having the following (a) to (c); (a) a mounting portion in which a cartridge is detachably mounted; and (b) the mounting portion. A duct serving as a flow path of the air flow in the apparatus having, and (c) a second provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge via a first antenna provided in the cartridge. An image forming system having an antenna and (C) can also be realized.

=== Overview of Image Forming Apparatus ===
An outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as “printer”) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of the printer 10 to which the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 can be attached and detached. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing main components constituting the printer 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing device holding unit 50. FIG. 5 is a view showing the developing device holding unit 50 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the detachable portion 50d. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the mounted developing device and the developing device holding unit. 2 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the mounting direction of the developing device in FIG. 1 and 2 indicate the vertical direction with arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10. ing.

<Removable configuration>
A printer 10 that is an example of an image forming apparatus includes a developing unit 51, 52, 53, and 54 that is an example of a developing device and a photosensitive unit 75 that is an example of an image carrier unit. Is possible.

  The printer 10 includes a first openable / closable cover 10b, a second openable / closable cover 10c provided inside the first openable / closable cover 10b, a photoconductor unit attaching / detaching opening 10d for attaching / detaching the photoconductor unit 75, and A developing device attaching / detaching opening 10e is provided as an opening for attaching / detaching the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54.

  Here, when the user opens the first opening / closing cover 10b, the photosensitive unit 75 configured as a cartridge can be attached to and detached from the printer 10 through the photosensitive unit attaching / detaching opening 10d. Furthermore, when the user opens the second opening / closing cover 10c, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 configured as cartridges can be attached to and detached from the printer 10 through the developing device attaching / detaching opening 10e.

<Configuration of Printer 10>
A configuration of the printer 10 in a state where the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 and the photosensitive unit 75 are mounted on the printer 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a developing device holding unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier that carries a latent image. 50, a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, a cleaning blade 76, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a notification unit for a user, a display unit 95 formed of a liquid crystal panel, and the like. And a power supply unit 98 covered with a power supply shield member 98a.

  These photoconductor 20, charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, developing device holding unit 50, primary transfer unit 60, intermediate transfer body 70, cleaning blade 76, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, control unit 100, and The power supply unit 98 and the like are disposed between a metal frame 10f that is disposed at an interval between the upstream side and the downstream side in the mounting direction and that forms a casing of the printer 10. Further, a metal stay 10g is provided between the frames 10f at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction.

  Further, the printer 10 is provided with an apparatus shield member for blocking electromagnetic waves entering from the outside, and almost the entire circumference of the printer 10 is covered with the shield member. That is, the frame 10f and the stay 10g that form the housing also function as shield members.

  Further, around the developing device holding unit 50, an exhaust duct 66 is provided as a flow path of an air flow for sucking air inside the printer 10, that is, the image forming apparatus, and discharging the air outside the apparatus. The exhaust duct 66 will be described later.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise. The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20. In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the photoconductor 20, the cleaning blade 76, and the charging unit 30 are configured as one photoconductor unit 75 including a waste toner storage unit.

  The exposure unit 40 is an apparatus for forming a latent image on the photosensitive member 20 charged by irradiating the photosensitive member 20 with a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

  The developing device holding unit 50 stores the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20 in the toner T as an example of the developer stored in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54, that is, in the black developing device 51. Black (K) toner, magenta (M) toner contained in the magenta developing unit 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing unit 53, and yellow (Y) toner contained in the yellow developing unit 54 are used. It is an apparatus for developing.

  The developing device holding unit 50 includes a rotating shaft 50e. Around the rotating shaft 50e, four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d to which the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 can be attached / detached are 90 ° in the circumferential direction. Prepared at intervals. Each of the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d is adjacent to one of the four wall portions 50f formed at intervals of 90 ° in four radial directions from the rotation shaft 50e provided at the center of the developing device holding unit 50. Are provided in the same space partitioned by two wall portions 50f. That is, the developing device holding unit 50 has a detachable portion 50a to which the black developing device 51 can be attached and detached, and a detachable portion 50b to which the magenta developer device 52 can be attached and detached at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 50e. An attaching / detaching portion 50c to which the cyan developing device 53 can be attached and detached and an attaching / detaching portion 50d to which the yellow developing device 54 can be attached and detached are provided.

  Then, the developing device holding unit 50 rotates around the rotation shaft 50e and the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d move, so that the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 held are moved. It is possible to move. That is, the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are rotatable around the rotation shaft 50e while maintaining their relative positions. When the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d and moved to the developing position along with the movement of the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, The latent image carried on the photoconductor 20 is developed with the toner accommodated in each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. Details of each developing device will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are respectively connected to connecting holes 59 that can be fitted to connecting protrusions provided on the connecting member 590 (FIG. 7) of each developing device, and development. A guide portion 56 for guiding the developing device by engaging with a guided portion 549 provided in the developing device inserted from the device attaching / detaching opening 10e, and each developing device are attached in the outer peripheral direction of the developing device holding unit 50. A spring 576 for biasing. For example, the connecting hole 59 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d is fitted with connecting pins 595a and 595b (FIG. 11) which are examples of connecting convex portions provided in the connecting member 590 of the yellow developing device 54 as shown in FIG. Match.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide part 56 is each provided in each two wall part 50f which comprises an attaching / detaching part, and protrudes in the same space side divided by two adjacent wall parts 50f. Each wall 50f has a vertical surface formed thereon and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54. That is, as for the guide part 56 provided in the adjacent wall part 50f so that it may go to the same space side, those surfaces are all turned to the rotating shaft 50e side, and the angle which those surfaces make becomes about 90 degrees. It is formed as follows. In the yellow developing device 54, the guided portion 549 of the yellow developing device 54 is arranged on the rotation shaft 50 e side of the two vertical surfaces of the guide portion 56, so that the guided portion 549 follows the guide portion 56. It is inserted and installed.

  A spring 576 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50 d biases the yellow developing device 54 toward the outer peripheral direction of the developing device holding unit 50. As a result, when the yellow developing device 54 is inserted from the developing device attaching / detaching opening 10e so that the guided portion 549 is inserted along the rotation shaft 50e side of the vertical surface of the guide portion 56, the yellow developing device 54 has the spring 576. Is biased in the outer circumferential direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d includes a positioning hole 58 that can be fitted to a positioning pin 588 (FIG. 7) provided in each developing device. That is, when the positioning pin 588 provided in the yellow developing device 54 is fitted into the positioning hole 58 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the yellow developing device 54 is positioned and attached at a predetermined position.

  The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed. The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt, and is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20.

  The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a recording medium such as paper, film, or cloth. The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single color toner image or a full color toner image transferred onto a recording medium onto a recording medium such as paper to form a permanent image.

  The cleaning blade 76 is made of rubber and is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 20. The cleaning blade 76 scrapes and removes the toner remaining on the photoconductor 20 after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60.

  The photoconductor unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the exposure unit 40, and stores the photoconductor 20, the charging unit 30, the cleaning blade 76, and the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 (not shown). A waste toner container is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal is input to the main controller 101, and the unit controller 102 responds to a command based on the image signal. The unit is controlled to form an image.

<Operation of Printer 10>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal from a host computer (not shown) is input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the photosensitive device is controlled by the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The developing roller 510 and the intermediate transfer member 70 provided on the body 20, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 rotate. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . Further, the developing device holding unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

  The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.

  The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 in an overlapping manner. . As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

  The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to a recording medium such as paper by the secondary transfer unit 80. The recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.

  The full color toner image transferred to the recording medium is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording medium. On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has elapsed, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 to prepare for charging for forming the next latent image. The toner scraped off is collected in a waste toner container.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 100 has a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102.

  The main controller 101 includes a CPU 111, an interface 112 for connecting to a computer (not shown), an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the computer, an electrically rewritable EEPROM 114a, a RAM 114b, and various controls. And a main controller side memory 114 composed of a program ROM or the like having a program for the above.

  The CPU 111 of the main controller 101 controls the reading and reading of the image data input through the interface to the image memory 113 and synchronizes with the CPU 120 of the unit controller 102 based on the control signal input from the computer. I am in charge of control.

  The unit controller 102 includes a CPU 120, an electrically rewritable EEPROM 116a, RAM, a unit controller side memory 116 including a program ROM having various control programs, and each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit) of the apparatus main body. 40, a developing device holding unit 50, a primary transfer unit 60, a photosensitive unit 75, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, and a display unit 95).

  The CPU 120 of the unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each drive control circuit, and controls each drive control circuit based on a control signal from the CPU 111 of the main controller 101. That is, each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting a state of each unit by receiving a signal from a sensor or the like included in each unit.

  The CPU 120 included in the unit controller 102 is connected to a non-volatile storage element (hereinafter, also referred to as “main body side memory”) 122 such as a serial EEPROM via a serial interface (I / F) 121. The main body side memory 122 stores data necessary for device control.

  The CPU 120 also includes a communication unit 51a provided in each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 via a serial interface 121, a communication control module 123 as an antenna drive circuit, and an antenna unit 124 as an apparatus-side antenna. , 52a, 53a, 54a can be communicated wirelessly. By communication between the antenna unit 124 and the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a, the control unit 100 writes information to the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54a. Also, it is possible to read information from the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54. The communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a and the antenna unit 124 will be described later.

=== Overview of Developer ===
Next, the configuration and operation of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the yellow developing device 54. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the yellow developing device 54. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the developing roller 510 provided with a roller 574. FIG. 10 is a front view of the connecting member 590. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the connecting member 590. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 8 represents a cross section of the yellow developing unit 54 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is lower than the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 8, the yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at a developing position facing the photoreceptor 20.

  The developing device holding unit 50 includes a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and yellow. (Y) Although the yellow developing unit 54 containing toner can be mounted, the configuration and operation of each developing unit are the same, so the yellow developing unit 54 will be described below.

<Internal Configuration of Yellow Developer 54>
First, the configuration of the yellow developing device 54 will be described. The yellow developing unit 54 is an example of a developer carrying member, a developing roller 510, a toner storage unit 530, a housing 540 that stores toner T, a toner supply roller 550, a regulating blade 560, a seal member 520, and a positioning member. A positioning shaft (also called a positioning pin in this embodiment) 588 and a connecting member 590 are provided.

  The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and transports it to the developing position facing the photoconductor 20, and develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20 by the toner T transported to the developing position. The developing roller 510 is made of metal and is made of an aluminum alloy such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 6063 aluminum alloy, or an iron alloy such as STKM, and is subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like as necessary. Yes. As shown in FIG. 9, the developing roller 510 has a large diameter portion 510a and a shaft portion 510b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing roller 510 is supported by the housing 540 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, that is, the shaft portion 510b, and is rotatable about the central axis. As shown in FIG. 8, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 8) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 8). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, there is a gap between the developing roller 510 and the photosensitive member 20 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 faces the photosensitive member 20. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

  As shown in FIG. 9, rollers 574 as an example of a spacing member are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 510. When the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are located at the development position, the roller 574 abuts on the photoconductor 20 to maintain a constant distance between the photoconductor 20 and the developing roller 510. It has the function of. The roller 574 is rotatably inserted into the shaft portion 510b. The outer diameter of the roller 574 is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 510a. Therefore, the roller 574 can keep a constant distance between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20 by rotating while being in contact with the photoconductor 20.

  The seal member 520 prevents the toner T in the yellow developing device 54 from leaking out of the device, and collects the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed through the developing position into the developing device without being scraped off. The seal member 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The seal member 520 is supported by a seal support sheet metal 522 and is attached to the housing 540 via the seal support sheet metal 522. Further, a seal urging member 524 made of malt plain or the like is provided on the opposite side of the seal member 520 from the developing roller 510 side. The seal member 520 is developed by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524. 510 is pressed. Note that the contact position where the seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally molded housing parts, that is, the upper housing part 542 and the lower housing part 544, and the inside thereof is inward from the inner wall (see FIG. 8). A partition wall 545 for partitioning the inside of the projecting housing (in the vertical direction) is divided into two toner accommodating portions 530, that is, a first toner accommodating portion 530a and a second toner accommodating portion 530b. The housing 540 has a housing opening 572 in the lower portion, and the developing roller 510 is disposed in the housing opening 572 with a part thereof exposed. The communication unit 54 a is attached to the housing 540. The configuration of the communication unit 54a and the mounting position with respect to the housing 540 will be described later.

  Mounting convex portions 581a and 581b (see FIG. 10) are provided on the second side wall 547 disposed on the front side of the printer 10 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. The mounting convex portion 581a can be fitted with a mounting hole 593a of the connecting member 590 described later, and the mounting convex portion 581b can be fitted with a mounting hole 593b of the connecting member 590. Further, the mounting convex portions 581a and 581b have a circular cross section.

  Further, an agitating member for agitating the toner T may be provided in the toner accommodating portion 530. In the present embodiment, each developing device (the black developing device 51, the magenta developing device) is rotated with the rotation of the developing device holding unit 50. The toner 52, the cyan developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54) rotate, whereby the toner T in each developing device is agitated. Therefore, the toner accommodating portion 530 is not provided with an agitating member.

  The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 530a described above, supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a to the development roller 510, and remains on the development roller 510 after development. The toner T is peeled off from the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the toner storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 is supplied to the developing roller 510 by the toner supply roller 550 below the toner storage unit 530. The The toner supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 8) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 8). The central axis is below the rotational central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The regulating blade 560 applies a charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 and regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 560a and a rubber support part 560b. The rubber part 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like, and the rubber support part 560b is a thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The rubber portion 560a is supported by the rubber support portion 560b, and the rubber support portion 560b is attached to the housing 540 via the blade support metal plate 562 with one end thereof supported by the blade support metal plate 562. . Further, a blade back member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the regulating blade 560.

  Here, the rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force caused by the bending of the rubber support portion 560 b. Further, the blade back member 570 prevents the toner T from entering between the rubber support portion 560b and the housing 540, stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560b, and provides rubber from the back of the rubber portion 560a. The rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by urging the portion 560 a toward the developing roller 510. Therefore, the blade back member 570 improves the uniform contact property of the rubber portion 560a to the developing roller 510.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade support metal plate 562, that is, the tip is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion away from the tip by a predetermined distance is the developing roller. 510 is in contact with a width. That is, the regulating blade 560 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the belly. The regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in a so-called counter contact. The contact position where the regulating blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

<Configuration of positioning member>
Next, the configuration of the positioning pin 588 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the positioning pin 588 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device main body which is an example of the developing device main body, that is, on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the developing device.
The positioning pin 588 is engaged with the attaching / detaching portion 50d when the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, and more specifically, provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d as shown in FIG. The yellow developing device main body is positioned with respect to the attaching / detaching portion 50d by being fitted into the positioning hole 58.
The positioning pin 588 is made of metal and is provided so that its axial direction is along the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body. The base end of the positioning pin 588 is fixed to the first side wall 546 of the housing 540 on the downstream side in the mounting direction. The tip end of the positioning pin 588 is tapered so as to be easily fitted into the positioning hole 58 of the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

<Configuration of connecting member>
Next, the configuration of the connecting member 590 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting member 590 is attached to the upstream side in the mounting direction of the yellow developing device main body.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the connecting member 590 includes connecting pins 595a and 595b as an example of connecting convex portions that can be fitted into the connecting holes 59 of the attaching / detaching portion 50d. When the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the connecting pins 595a, 595b are fitted into the connecting holes 59 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d. As a result, when the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the connecting member 590 is connected to the attaching / detaching portion 50d. In the state where the connecting member 590 is connected to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the movement of the connecting member 590 is restricted with respect to the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting member 590 can be fitted to a mounting convex portion 581a provided on the second side wall 547 on the other end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540, that is, on the upstream side in the mounting direction of the developing device. A mounting hole 593a and a mounting hole 593b that can be fitted to the mounting convex portion 581b are provided. With respect to the screw holes provided in the mounting convex portion 581a and the mounting convex portion 581b in a state where the mounting convex portion 581a is fitted in the mounting hole 593a and the mounting convex portion 581b is fitted in the mounting hole 593b, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the screw 598 is stopped via the connecting member 590, whereby the connecting member 590 is attached to the side wall of the housing 540, that is, the upstream side in the mounting direction of the developing device.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the attachment hole 593a and the attachment hole 593b have a substantially elliptical cross section. The mounting hole 593a and the mounting hole 593b are provided such that the major axes of the respective substantially elliptical cross sections are in the same direction. Further, as described above, the mounting convex portion 581a has a circular cross section. Accordingly, the mounting hole 593a allows the movement of the mounting convex portion 581a fitted in the mounting hole 593a in the mounting hole 593a. Similarly, the mounting hole 593b allows the movement of the mounting convex portion 581b fitted in the mounting hole 593b in the mounting hole 593b.

  That is, the mounting hole 593a allows the mounting convex portion 581a to move in the direction of the major axis of the substantially elliptical cross section within the mounting hole 593a, and the mounting hole 593b is the mounting convex portion 581b. The movement of the elliptical cross section in the direction of the major axis is allowed in the hole 593b. The movement of the mounting convex portion 581a in the mounting hole 593a and the movement of the mounting convex portion 581b in the mounting hole 593b are performed at the same timing. Thus, the connecting member 590 is attached so that the relative position with the developing device main body can be changed.

<Operation of Yellow Developer 54>
Next, the operation of the yellow developing device 54 will be described. In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 rotates to supply the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510.
The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and the layer thickness is regulated and electric charge is applied when passing through the contact position. Is done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 to which the layer thickness is regulated and the electric charge is applied reaches the developing position facing the photosensitive member 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and the photosensitive member is subjected to an alternating electric field at the developing position. The latent image formed on 20 is subjected to development.
The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the upper seal member 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the upper seal member 520. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== Developing position, communication position, and attaching / detaching position of the developing device ===
As described above, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 move with the movement of the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. At this time, the attachment / detachment unit moves so that each developing device is positioned at a predetermined position. As the predetermined position, there are a development position as a first position, a communication position as a second position, and an attachment / detachment position. Since the developing position, the communication position, and the attachment / detachment position of each developing device are the same, the development position, the communication position, and the attachment / detachment position of the yellow developing device 54 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12D. To do. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the developing device holding unit 50 and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit 50 and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the communication position. FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit 50 and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the attachment / detachment position. FIG. 12D is a diagram illustrating a state where the developing device holding unit 50 is located at the home position.

  In the state shown in FIG. 12A, the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position where the developing roller 510 faces the photoconductor 20. In this state, the developing roller 510 can develop the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20. In the state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position, as described above, the spring 576 provided on the attaching / detaching portion 50d biases the yellow developing device main body toward the outer peripheral side. The roller 574 is in contact with the photoconductor 20 by the biasing force of the spring 576. When the photosensitive member 20 is bent and attached to the printer 10, the yellow developing device main body moves relative to the connecting member 590 when the yellow developing device 54 is positioned at the developing position, that is, the yellow developing device. The main body mounting convex portion 581a moves in the long axis direction in the connecting member mounting hole 593a, and the yellow developing device main body mounting convex portion 581b moves in the long axis direction in the connecting member 590 mounting hole 593b. Thus, the roller 574 provided in the yellow developing device main body appropriately contacts the photoconductor 20. In such a case, the relative position of the connecting member 590 with respect to the developing device main body changes according to the biasing amount that the spring 576 biases. In the state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position, the magenta developing device 52 is located at the communication position.

  In addition, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates a predetermined angle in the Z direction shown in FIG. 12A around the rotation shaft 50e from the state shown in FIG. 12A, the state shown in FIG. 12B is obtained. In the state shown in FIG. 12B, the yellow developing device 54 is located at the communication position. In this state, the communication unit 54a provided in the yellow developing device 54 faces the antenna unit 124 in a non-contact state. The communication unit 54a can communicate with the antenna unit 124. Further, in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at the communication position, the roller 574 of the yellow developing device 54 is not in contact with a member on the printer 10 side. In the state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at the communication position, the black developing device 51 is located at the developing position. Therefore, communication of the communication unit 54 a with the antenna unit 124 can be performed when the black developing device 51 develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20.

  Further, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 50e by a predetermined angle in the Z direction shown in FIG. 12B from the state shown in FIG. 12B, the state shown in FIG. 12C is obtained. In the state shown in FIG. 12C, the yellow developing device 54 is located at the attachment / detachment position. In this state, the yellow developing device 54 can be attached / detached via the developing device attaching / detaching opening 10e, that is, can be attached to or detached from the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

  Note that the developer holding unit 50 is located at the home position shown in FIG. 12D after the printer 10 is turned on and the initialization operation is performed or before the printer 10 forms an image.

=== Configuration of communication unit ===
Next, the configuration of the communication unit provided in the developing device, including the data transmission / reception configuration, will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15. FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of the communication unit. FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the communication unit and the transmission / reception unit. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the memory cell 54h of the communication unit 54a.

  A communication unit is attached to each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. The configuration of the communication unit attached to each developing device, the attachment position of the communication unit with respect to the developing device main body, etc. Since there is the same, the communication unit 54a attached to the yellow developing device 54 will be described below as an example.

  The communication unit 54a can communicate with the antenna unit 124 on the printer 10 side in a non-contact state in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the detachable portion 50d. As described above, the yellow developing device 54 moves when the attaching / detaching portion 50d moves. The communication unit 54a communicates with the antenna unit 124 provided in the printer 10 in a non-contact state when the yellow developing device 54 moves to a communication position different from the development position. The communication unit 54 a is provided on the inner side of the antenna unit 124 in the diameter direction around the rotation shaft 50 e of the developing device holding unit 50.

  The communication unit 54a includes a thin plate base material 54i as a base material made of a thin plastic plate having a rectangular shape, an antenna 54d as a first antenna in which copper foil is wired in a rectangular planar coil shape, and both ends of the antenna. The antenna terminal 54j provided, the non-contact IC chip 54b as an element for having a memory and communicating with the external antenna, and two aluminum-made connections for connecting the chip terminal of the non-contact IC chip 54b and the antenna terminal 54j 54k and a film-like protective sheet 54m that covers and covers the portion 54k and the thin plate base material 54i.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the antenna 54d has an antenna terminal 54j arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular thin plate base material 54i, and is drawn about 10 turns in a coil shape along the outer shape of the thin plate base material 54i. The other antenna terminal 54j is provided inside the antenna 54d. The outer antenna terminal 54j and the inner antenna terminal 54j are provided on the same side in the longitudinal direction of the thin plate base material 54i. On the thin plate base material 54i, ten copper foil patterns of the antenna 54d are arranged along the vertical and horizontal sides of the rectangle, and the end side of the thin plate base material 54i where the antenna terminal 54j is provided. One corner is divided into five pieces, and a non-contact IC chip 54b is arranged between them. And the two connection parts 54k which connect the chip terminal (not shown) provided in the non-contact IC chip 54b and the antenna terminal 54j are provided so as to be bridged over five copper foil patterns. That is, a non-contact IC chip 54b, two antenna terminals 54j, and two connecting portions 54k are provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction on the thin plate base material 54i, and the other areas except the center. Then, a copper foil pattern as the antenna 54d is drawn.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication unit 54 a is located on the positioning pin 588 side of the positioning pin 588 and the connecting member 590 from the center in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device body, that is, in the mounting direction of the yellow developing device 54. It is provided downstream from the center. At this time, the communication unit 54a is arranged so that the end portion side where the non-contact IC chip 54b is provided is positioned on the upstream side in the mounting direction of the communication unit 54a.

  The communication unit 54a is attached to an outer surface 543 provided along the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. Here, the outer surface 543 indicates a portion of the housing 540 corresponding to the alternate long and short dash line, as shown in FIG. The outer surface 543 includes an arc surface 543a having a circular arc cross section that intersects with an orthogonal surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. The arc surface 543a is provided so that the arc follows the rotation direction of the developing device holding unit 50 when the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the detachable portion 50d. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication unit 54a is attached to the arc surface 543a at a position farthest from the developing roller 510.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the antenna unit 124. FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a state in which the antenna unit is attached to the holder. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the antenna units according to the first embodiment.

  The antenna unit 124 provided on the printer 10 side includes a base material 124a formed of a resin plate and a copper foil routed in a planar coil shape along the outer shape of the base material 124a in substantially the same manner as the communication unit 54a. An antenna 124b as a second antenna, an antenna terminal 124c provided at an end of the antenna 124b, and a film-like protective sheet 124d. The two antenna terminals 124c are connected to the conductor 124e, respectively, and are connected to the control unit 100 via the communication control module 123. Here, the antenna unit 124 of the present embodiment is configured to include the protective sheet 124d, but the protective sheet 124d may not necessarily be provided.

  The communication control module 123 controls communication timing between the communication unit 54a and the antenna 124b, writes information to the non-contact IC chip 54b, reads information from the non-contact IC chip 54b, and reads the information into the communication unit 54a. It is an antenna drive board for exchanging between the unit controller 102.

  When the mounted yellow developing device 54 is arranged at the communication position, the antenna 54d of the communication unit 54a and the antenna 124b of the antenna unit 124 are held by the developing device via the inner wall plate 66a of the exhaust duct 66. The unit 50 is provided so as to be arranged along the diameter direction of a circle serving as a rotation locus of the unit 50. As shown in FIG. 18, in the first embodiment, the antenna unit 124 is fixed to the inner wall plate 66a of the resin exhaust duct 66 through a resin holder 125.

  The holder 125 is formed in a box shape that covers the periphery of the antenna unit 124 and the base material 124a side and is open on one side, and the antenna 124b is arranged to face the outside from the opened side. At the edge of the holder 125 on the opened side, a flexible claw 125b is provided on the opposite side wall 125a so as to project inward. The antenna unit 124 is accommodated in a box-shaped holder 125 and supported by claws 125b. That is, since the antenna unit 124 is held only by the resin holder 125, a metal member such as a screw is not used when the antenna unit 124 is fixed.

  If the communication unit 54a and the antenna unit 124 have a predetermined positional relationship, for example, a mutual distance within 10 mm, information can be transmitted and received in a non-contact state. The communication unit 54a is extremely small and thin as a whole, and can be attached to an object as a seal with adhesiveness on one side. It is called a memory tag or the like and is commercially available.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the non-contact IC chip 54b includes a resonance capacitor 54c, a rectifier 54e, a signal analysis unit RF (Radio Frequency) 54f, a control unit 54g, and a memory cell 54h. The memory cell 54h is an electrically readable / writable non-volatile memory such as a NAND flash ROM, and can store written information and read the stored information from the outside. .

  The antenna 54d of the communication unit 54a and the antenna unit 124 communicate with each other wirelessly, and read information stored in the memory cell 54h and write information into the memory cell 54h. Further, a high frequency signal generated by the communication control module 123 of the printer 10 is induced as a high frequency magnetic field via the antenna unit 124. This high-frequency magnetic field is absorbed through the antenna 54d of the communication unit 54a, rectified by the rectifier 54e, and becomes a DC power source that drives each circuit in the non-contact IC chip 54b.

  Various types of information are stored in the memory cell 54h of the communication unit 54a as shown in FIG. The address 00H stores ID information unique to each communication unit, such as the serial number of the communication unit, and the address 01H stores the date of manufacture of the yellow developing device 54. The address 02H Stores information for specifying the destination of the yellow developing unit 54, and information for specifying the production line on which the yellow developing unit 54 is manufactured is stored at the address 03H. 04H stores information for specifying a model that can be supported by the yellow developing unit 54, and the address 05H stores the remaining toner as information for indicating the amount of toner contained in the yellow developing unit 54. Quantity information is stored, and information is also stored as appropriate in the area after address 06H.

  The ID information stored in the memory cell 54h of the communication unit 54a may be written at the time of factory manufacture of the storage communication unit. By reading this ID information with the printer 10, the individual communication units 54a, 51a, 52a and 53a can be identified.

  The antenna unit 124 may wirelessly communicate with the communication unit 54a not only when the developing device holding unit 50 is stationary but also when the developing device holding unit 50 is moving. That is, the antenna unit 124 may be capable of wireless communication with the moving communication unit 54a.

=== Communication distance and communication area between the communication unit and the antenna unit ===
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, showing the communication distance and communication area between the communication unit and the antenna unit. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view along the mounting direction, showing the communication distance and communication area between the communication unit and the antenna unit.

  As shown in the drawing, the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a and the antenna unit 124 are arranged with a communication distance L therebetween. The communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a are provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54, and are held by the developing device holding unit 50 so that the developing device holding unit 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 50e. To move. Therefore, the antenna unit 124 provided on the printer 10 side is provided at a position that does not come into contact with the outermost projecting portion when the developing device holding unit 50 holding the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 rotates. It has been. On the other hand, the developing roller 510 included in the developing device is provided with a roller 574 on the shaft portion 510b so that the developing roller 510 and the photosensitive member 20 face each other at a predetermined interval. That is, the roller 574 is the only member that contacts the printer 10. Therefore, the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a are provided on the inner side of the outer periphery of the roller 574, that is, on the side closer to the center of the rotating shaft 50e, and the antenna unit 124 is provided on the outer side of the outer periphery of the roller 574, that is, the rotation. It is provided on the side far from the center of the shaft 50e.

  The communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a and the antenna unit 124 face each other at the above-described communication position and are arranged at a communication distance L that can be satisfactorily communicated, for example, 10 mm apart. Further, since the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a do not have a power source, the power is supplied from the antenna unit 124 by a carrier wave. That is, the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a and the antenna unit 124 are electromagnetic induction generated between the planar coil-shaped antennas 54d and 124b provided in the respective units, and power to the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a. Supply and signal transmission. For this reason, when the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a communicate with the antenna unit 124, magnetic flux is generated around the copper foils of the antennas 51d, 52d, 53d, 54d, and 124b. The magnetic flux generated in the antenna 124b of the antenna unit 124 must reach the antennas 51d, 52d, 53d, and 54d of the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a separated by at least the communication distance L. That is, in order for the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a and the antenna unit 124 to communicate with each other, an area having a distance L around the copper foil of each antenna 51d, 52d, 53d, 54d, 124b (hereinafter referred to as communication area M). ) Must be able to generate magnetic flux. The radius L that defines the communication distance L and the communication area M is good in consideration of component accuracy of the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a and the antenna unit 124, an attachment error when attached to the printer 10, and the like. It is desirable to set the distance so that the communication state can be secured.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the antenna of the communication unit and the copper foil constituting the antenna of the antenna unit are formed around the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a and the antenna unit 124. A region at a distance L from the center is a communication region M.

  By the way, when a conductive member exists in the communication region M, when the magnetic flux generated in the antenna 124b penetrates the conductive member, an eddy current flows through the conductive member around the magnetic flux, and the carrier wave is greatly attenuated. . For this reason, the communication area M of the present embodiment is an area in which no conductive member other than the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, the antenna unit 124, and the conducting wire 124e exists in the communication area M.

=== Arrangement of exhaust duct and antenna unit ===
First, the exhaust duct 66 provided with the antenna unit 124 will be described. FIG. 21 is a view of the exhaust duct as viewed from A in FIG.

  The exhaust duct 66 is provided along the outer periphery of the developing device holding unit 50 with the opening 66b on the inner side of the printer 10 facing the photoreceptor unit 75, and is provided by an exhaust fan 62 provided on the lower side of the printer 10. The sucked air inside the printer is discharged to the outside. A part of the outer peripheral wall of the exhaust duct 66 is constituted by a shield member 98 a and a stay 10 g of the power supply unit 98. Further, the inner wall plate 66a on the developing device holding unit 50 side constituting the exhaust duct 66 is made of resin.

  In the exhaust duct 66, a filter 64 for collecting toner, dust and the like contained in the sucked air is disposed above the developing device holding unit 50. In the exhaust duct 66, an opening 66b on the inner side of the printer 10 is an opening having a width substantially the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor 20, and this width continues to a position where the filter 64 is accommodated. The width of the exhaust duct 66 is narrower on the exhaust fan 62 side than the filter 64. An antenna unit 124 and a communication control module 123 for communicating with the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a provided in the developing device are provided in a portion where the width of the exhaust duct 66 is narrowed. That is, the exhaust duct 66 has a portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area in the direction intersecting the airflow direction in the antenna installation portion 66d where the antenna unit 124 is provided, upstream of the antenna installation portion 66d in the airflow direction. Have on the side. The exhaust opening 66c of the exhaust duct 66 is connected to the intake port 62a of the exhaust fan 62, and the exhaust port 62b of the exhaust fan 62 is connected to the outside of the printer 10 in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing device in the printer 10. Is directed to.

  That is, the description will be made along the direction of the airflow in the exhaust duct 66. The opening 66b on the printer inner side, which is the most upstream side, runs along the photosensitive member 20 in the longitudinal direction of the opening 66b and faces the photosensitive member 20. Is arranged. Air in the printer 10 is sucked from the opening 66b having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the antenna installation site 66d. At this time, unnecessary toner and the like around the developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 are also sucked from the opening 66b. The sucked air or the like passes through the exhaust duct 66 and reaches the filter 64, and toner or the like mixed in the air is collected by the filter 64 when passing through the filter 64. The air that has passed through the filter 64 increases in flow rate due to the narrow shape of the exhaust duct 66 and flows toward the downstream side. The air whose flow rate has been increased passes along the antenna unit 124 provided in the exhaust duct 66 at the antenna installation site 66d. At this time, the antenna unit 124 is cooled by the airflow. The air that has passed through the antenna installation part 66d is output from a discharge side opening 66c provided at the most downstream side of the exhaust duct 66, flows into the exhaust fan 62 from the intake port 62a, and is discharged out of the printer 10 from the exhaust port 62b. The

  According to the printer 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the exhaust duct 66 provided in the printer 10 is a flow path of the air flow, so that the inside of the exhaust duct 66 is cooled by the air flow. For this reason, since the antenna 124b of the antenna unit 124 provided in the exhaust duct 66 is also cooled, the temperature rise of the antenna 124b can be suppressed. That is, by providing the antenna 124b in the exhaust duct 66, the antenna 124b is directly cooled by the airflow, and thus the antenna 124b can be efficiently cooled. And since it is cooled and the rise in temperature is suppressed, it is possible to communicate well between the printer 10 and the communication unit 54a.

  Further, according to the printer 10 according to the first embodiment, on the upstream side of the antenna installation part 66d, a part having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the antenna installation part 66d in the direction intersecting the direction of the airflow, for example, the filter 64 Therefore, the airflow in the exhaust duct 66 becomes faster at the antenna installation part 66d. For this reason, it is possible to cool the antenna 124b of the antenna unit 124 provided in the antenna installation site 66d more efficiently with a fast flowing airflow.

  Further, since the inner wall plate 66a of the exhaust duct 66 is a resin, that is, a non-conductive member, the antenna 124b is not shielded by the exhaust duct 66, and communication can be satisfactorily performed via the antenna 54d. For this reason, by providing in the exhaust duct 66 for cooling the antenna unit 124, even if the antenna unit 124 and the communication unit 54a are arranged via the inner wall plate 66a of the exhaust duct 66, a good communication state is ensured. Is possible.

  Further, since the exhaust duct 66 for exhausting the air in the printer 10 to the outside of the printer 10 is used as a method for cooling the antenna unit 124, the air in the printer 10 is exhausted without providing a separate cooling device. It is possible to cool the antenna 124b using the airflow generated in the antenna.

  Further, since the filter 64 is provided on the upstream side of the antenna unit 124 in the direction of the airflow in the exhaust duct 66, it is possible to prevent dust, dust, and the like in the printer 10 from adhering to the antenna unit 124. Is possible. By the way, when the filter 64 is not provided and the conductive material, for example, iron powder or the like is included in the dust or the dust in the printer 10, the iron powder or the like adheres to the antenna unit 124. The communication unit 54a and the antenna unit 124 may not be able to communicate well. However, since the filter 64 is provided on the upstream side of the antenna unit 124, it is possible to prevent iron powder or the like from adhering to the antenna 124b and maintain a good communication state.

  Since the printer 10 according to the first embodiment is a laser printer, for example, toner is used as a developer. For this reason, the printer 10 is often provided with an exhaust duct 66 and a filter 64 so that the toner does not scatter inside. By cooling the antenna unit 124 using the exhaust duct 66, the scattering of toner can be suppressed. However, good communication can be realized through the communication unit 54a and the antenna unit 124.

  Further, since the printer 10 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the communication control module 123 connected to the antenna 124b is also provided in the exhaust duct 66, the communication control module 123 is also cooled by the airflow in the exhaust duct 66. Is possible.

  FIG. 22 shows the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the second embodiment, there is provided a flexible claw 66e protruding from the inner wall plate 66a of the exhaust duct 66 toward the inside of the exhaust duct 66, and the antenna unit is provided by the claw 66e. 124 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 66f. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for fixing the antenna unit 124. That is, it is possible to efficiently cool the antenna unit 124 by directly exposing it to the airflow while reducing the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. In this case, unlike the first embodiment, since it does not protrude greatly into the exhaust duct 66, it is difficult for the airflow to be disturbed. However, only one surface of the antenna unit 124 can be exposed to the airflow, so that the cooling efficiency is high. It becomes lower than the first embodiment.

  FIG. 23 shows the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the third embodiment, there is provided a flexible claw 66e protruding from the inner wall plate 66a of the exhaust duct 66 toward the outside of the exhaust duct 66, and the antenna unit is provided by the claw 66e. 124 is directly fixed to the inner wall plate 66a. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for fixing the antenna unit 124 as in the second embodiment, and the antenna unit 124 can be cooled while reducing the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. . However, in the case of the third embodiment, since the antenna unit 124 is provided on the outer wall surface 66g of the exhaust duct 66, the antenna unit 124 is cooled via the inner wall plate 66a of the exhaust duct 66. Become. For this reason, compared with the first and second embodiments, the cooling efficiency for the antenna unit 124 becomes lower. On the other hand, compared to the first and second embodiments in which the antenna unit 124 is provided in the exhaust duct 66, the inner wall plate 66a does not exist between the antenna unit 124 and the communication unit 54a. 124 and the communication unit 54a can be brought closer to each other than in the first and second embodiments. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the antenna unit 124 and the communication unit 54a at a distance that allows good communication, and to cool the antenna 124b via the exhaust duct 66 so as to allow better communication.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which both the antenna unit 124 and the communication control module 123 are provided in the exhaust duct 66 has been shown, but only the antenna unit 124 may be provided in the exhaust duct 66. The position where the antenna unit 124 is provided is the exhaust duct 66. However, if the airflow is generated, the antenna unit 124 is provided, for example, in the intake duct or for cooling a specific unit such as the exposure unit 40. You may provide in a duct.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the intermediate transfer type full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type, but a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  In the above embodiment, the photoconductor as the image carrier has been described as a configuration in which the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical conductive base material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-like conductive substrate may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d are movable, and the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are attached to the attaching / detaching portion. Thus, the latent image carried on the photosensitive member 20 (image carrier) provided in the printer 10 is developed when the attachment / detachment portion moves to the development position. Further, the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a communicate with the printer 10 in a non-contact state when the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 move to a communication position different from the development position. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the developing device may not move.
However, when the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 move with the movement of the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, the developing device is positioned at the communication position as compared with the case where the developing device does not move. Since the relative position of the connecting member 590 with the developing device main body is likely to change during the operation, the distance between the printer 10 and the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a may change more. For this reason, when the developing device moves with the movement of the attaching / detaching portion, an effect obtained by providing the communication unit on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body, that is, a developing device capable of appropriately communicating with the printer 10 is provided. The effect that can be realized is more effectively achieved. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the developing device main body carries toner T (developer), and a developing roller 510 for developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20 by the toner T. (Developer carrier) and rollers 574 (interval holding member) provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 510 and in contact with the photosensitive member 20 to hold the interval between the photosensitive member 20 and the developing roller 510 And we decided to have. Further, when the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are moved to the developing position, the rollers 574 are brought into contact with the photosensitive member 20 so as to maintain the interval. However, it is not limited to the above.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing device main body is supported by the housing 540 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and carries the toner T and is carried on the photoconductor 20 by the toner T. And a developing roller 510 for developing the latent image formed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer surface 543 of the housing 540 includes an arc surface 543 a having a circular arc cross section that intersects with an orthogonal surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a are attached to the arc surface 543a at a position farthest from the developing roller 510. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the communication unit may be attached to the arc surface 543a at a position close to the developing roller 510.
However, when the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a are attached to the arc surface 543a at a position farthest from the developing roller 510, the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 is scattered and the toner T is scattered. Since it can suppress adhering to a communication unit, a communication unit can communicate with the printer 10 side more appropriately. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 10, an input device 708, and a reading device 710.
In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 10, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, an example in which the printer 10 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include the computer 702 and the printer 10, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 10 may have a part of each function or mechanism of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 10 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a printer to which a developing device and the like can be attached and detached. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the control unit of a printer. It is a perspective view of a developing device holding unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a developing device holding unit in a state where a yellow developing device is attached to the detachable portion. It is a figure which shows the position of the mounted developing device and the developing device holding unit. It is a perspective view of a yellow developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the yellow developing device. It is a perspective view of the developing roller provided with a roller. It is a front view of a connection member. It is the perspective view which showed the back surface of the connection member. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the developing device holding unit and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the communication position. FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit and the like when the yellow developing device is located at the attachment / detachment position. FIG. 12D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing device holding unit is located at the home position. It is a top view which shows the structure of a communication unit. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the internal structure of a communication unit and a transmission / reception part. It is a figure for demonstrating the information memorize | stored in the memory cell of the communication unit. It is a figure for demonstrating an antenna unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which attached the antenna unit to the holder. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the antenna unit of 1st Example. It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to a mounting direction which shows the communication distance and communication area of a communication unit and an antenna unit. It is sectional drawing of the direction along a mounting direction which shows the communication distance and communication area of a communication unit and an antenna unit. It is the figure which looked at the exhaust duct from A in FIG. It is a figure which shows 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows 3rd Example. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 24.

Explanation of symbols

10 printer, 10b first opening / closing cover, 10c second opening / closing cover,
10d Photosensitive unit attachment / detachment opening, 10e Development device attachment / detachment opening
10f frame, 10g stay,
20 photoconductor, 30 charging unit, 40 exposure unit,
50 Developer holding unit, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Detachable part,
50e rotation axis, 50f wall,
51 Black developer, 52 Magenta developer, 53 Cyan developer,
54 Yellow developing unit, 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a Communication unit,
54b non-contact IC chip, 54c resonance capacitor, 54d antenna,
54e rectifier, 54f signal analysis unit RF, 54g control unit, 54h memory cell,
54i thin plate base material, 54j antenna terminal, 54k connecting part, 54m protective sheet,
56 guide part, 58 positioning hole, 59 connecting hole, 60 primary transfer unit,
62 exhaust fan, 62a intake port, 62b exhaust port, 64 filter,
66 duct, 66a inner wall plate, 66b opening on the inner side, 66c opening on the discharge side,
66d antenna installation site, 66e nail,
66f inner wall surface, 66g outer wall surface, 70 intermediate transfer member,
75 photoconductor unit, 75a communication unit, 76 cleaning blade,
80 secondary transfer unit, 90 fixing unit, 92 paper feed tray,
94 paper feed roller, 95 display unit, 96 registration roller, 98 power supply unit,
98a Shield member for power supply, 100 control unit, 101 main controller,
102 unit controller, 111 CPU, 112 interface,
113 Image memory, 114 Main controller side memory,
114a EEPROM, 114b RAM,
116 Unit controller side memory, 116a EEPROM,
120 CPU, 121 serial interface,
122 main body side memory, 123 communication control module, 124 antenna unit,
124a base material, 124b antenna, 124c terminal, 124d protective sheet,
124e conducting wire, 125 holder, 125a side wall, 125b claw,
510 developing roller, 510a large diameter portion, 510b shaft portion, 520 seal member,
522 seal support sheet metal, 524 seal urging member, 530 toner accommodating portion,
530a first toner container, 530b second toner container, 540 housing,
542 Upper housing part, 543 outer surface, 543a arc surface,
544 lower housing part, 545 partition wall, 546 first side wall, 547 second side wall,
549 guided portion, 550 toner supply roller,
560 regulating blade, 560a rubber part, 560b rubber support part,
562 Blade support sheet metal, 570 Blade back member, 572 Housing opening,
574 roller, 576 spring, 581a, 581b mounting projection,
588 positioning pin, 590 connecting member, 593a, 593b mounting hole,
595a, 595b connecting pin, 598 screw,
700 image forming system, 702 computer, 704 display device,
708 input device, 708A keyboard, 708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device,
710B CD-ROM drive device,
802 internal memory, 804 hard disk drive unit,
T toner, L communication distance (radius), M communication area

Claims (13)

(A) a mounting portion on which the cartridge is detachably mounted;
(B) a duct serving as a flow path of airflow in the apparatus having the mounting portion;
(C) a second antenna provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge via a first antenna provided in the cartridge;
An image forming apparatus having (d). The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second antenna is provided in the duct. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second antenna is provided on an inner wall surface of the duct. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second antenna is provided on an outer wall surface of the duct. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The duct has a portion having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area in a direction crossing the direction of the airflow in an antenna installation portion where the second antenna is provided, upstream of the antenna installation portion in the airflow direction. An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the duct is made of resin. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct is an exhaust duct for discharging the air inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a filter is provided on the upstream side of the second antenna in the direction of airflow in the duct. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The latent image carried by the image carrier is developed using a developer,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the filter is provided to collect the developer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the developer is toner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An antenna drive circuit connected to the second antenna for communicating between the first antenna and the second antenna;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the antenna driving circuit is provided in the duct. (A) a mounting portion on which the cartridge is detachably mounted;
(B) a duct serving as a flow path of airflow in the apparatus having the mounting portion;
(C) a second antenna provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge via a first antenna provided in the cartridge;
(D)
The second antenna is provided in the duct;
The duct has a portion having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area in a direction crossing the direction of the airflow in an antenna installation portion where the second antenna is provided, upstream of the antenna installation portion in the airflow direction. On the side,
The duct is made of resin,
The duct is an exhaust duct for discharging the air in the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus,
A filter is provided on the upstream side of the second antenna in the direction of the airflow in the duct,
The latent image carried by the image carrier is developed using a developer,
The filter is provided for collecting the developer,
The developer is toner;
An antenna drive circuit connected to the second antenna for communicating between the first antenna and the second antenna;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the antenna driving circuit is provided in the duct. (A) a computer, and
(B) An image forming apparatus having the following (a) to (c),
(A) a mounting portion on which the cartridge is detachably mounted;
(B) a duct serving as a flow path of airflow in the apparatus having the mounting portion;
(C) a second antenna provided in the duct for communicating with an element provided in the cartridge via a first antenna provided in the cartridge;
An image forming system having (C).

Images