JP2009210615A - Cartridge for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a cartridge which can be fixed to an image forming device, can prevent incorrect fixing by a user, and is hardly imitated by a third party. <P>SOLUTION: The cartridge, which can be fixed to the main part of the image forming device, comprises an identification part including: an engagement member having a second engagement part making a pair with a first engagement part provided to the main part; a storage means for storing the data for identification from the other type of cartridge; and a connection terminal for connecting a signal line for transmitting the data to the main part with a signal terminal provided to the main part. The second engagement part has a different shape according to the type of cartridge and has a shape to engage only the ones regarding the type of cartridge to be fixed with the first engagement part. The connection terminal is arranged to a different position according to the type of cartridge, and only the ones regarding the type of cartridge to be fixed are arranged to a position corresponding to the signal terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge with functions for preventing erroneous mounting and preventing unauthorized use, which is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body. In particular, the present invention relates to a toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a process cartridge.

  In a color image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, or a process cartridge storing toners of a plurality of colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body. Here, the toner cartridge is a cartridge in which a container for storing toner is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the developing cartridge is a cartridge in which the developing means and the toner storage container are integrated so as to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is. Further, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which a photosensitive drum as an image carrier and at least one of the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge, or both are integrated.

Also in the monochrome image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, or a process cartridge containing black toner is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body.
These toner cartridges, developing cartridges, or process cartridges are appropriately replaced with new ones when the stored toner is used up or the components constituting the cartridges reach the mechanical life.

  Specifically, in a color image forming apparatus, toner of any one color among yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is respectively added to a toner storage portion in a new toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, or a process cartridge. It is stored before being installed.

  Then, in the image forming apparatus, toner cartridges, developing cartridges, or process cartridges of any one to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in a new state are installed in the respective installation units. Thereafter, when the photosensitive drum (image carrier) of the process cartridge, the developer of the developing cartridge, etc., has reached the end of its life due to the operation of the image forming apparatus, or when the stored toner is used up The existing toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus is taken out by the user or service person. A new toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge is newly installed in the apparatus main body.

  In such an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner cartridges, development cartridges, or process cartridges are detachably installed, in order for the apparatus to function normally, each toner cartridge, development cartridge, or process cartridge corresponds to an installation section. It needs to be installed correctly. That is, it is necessary to prevent an installation error such that a certain color toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge is installed in a different color installation section by an operator.

  For this reason, in color image forming apparatuses, a technique for ensuring incompatibility is often used by providing a shape difference in the four color toner cartridges, developing cartridges or process cartridges and the corresponding installation parts of the apparatus main body. However, it is necessary to manufacture four types of incompatible toner cartridges, developing cartridges, or process cartridges. For this reason, the number of parts and the assembly process of these cartridges have increased, and the manufacturing cost has increased.

  In a monochrome image forming apparatus, black toner is stored in a toner storage portion of a new toner cartridge, development cartridge, or process cartridge before being installed in the image forming apparatus.

  Then, a new black toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge is installed in the installation unit for the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, when the photosensitive drum (image carrier) of the process cartridge, the developer of the developing cartridge, etc., has reached the end of its life due to the operation of the image forming apparatus, or when the stored toner is used up The existing toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus is taken out by the user or service person. A new toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge is newly installed in the apparatus main body.

  In such an image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, or the process cartridge is detachably installed, in order for the apparatus to function normally, an installation portion of a model that each toner cartridge, developing cartridge, or process cartridge corresponds to It needs to be installed correctly. That is, it is necessary to prevent an installation error such that the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, or the process cartridge is installed in an installation section of a different model by an operator.

For this reason, in the image forming apparatus, it is incompatible by providing different types of toner cartridges, developing cartridges or process cartridges and corresponding apparatus main body installation parts and storing information on compatibility. Many techniques to ensure the property are used (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). For this reason, it is necessary to manufacture incompatible cartridges in order to ensure incompatibility for each model even though there are models in which toner cartridges, developing cartridges or process cartridges can be used in common. . For this reason, the number of parts and the assembly process of these cartridges have increased, and the manufacturing cost has increased.
JP 2005-128414 A JP 2005-134797 A

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, as a common cartridge identification member, one having a different shape, one having a different switch position, one having a different reflective material color, an IC tag (non-contact IC) as a storage means, etc. Used. The IC tag is difficult to be imitated by a third party, but there is a drawback that it is not possible to determine whether it is wrongly attached or a non-genuine product unless it is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, which takes time. Further, the fitting member having one shape / switch having a different position / reflecting material having a different color has a drawback that it is easily imitated by adding or deleting a necessary part.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and can prevent a user from erroneously mounting a cartridge common to each color or a cartridge common to each model. A cartridge that is difficult to imitate by a person is provided.

  A fitting member whose shape is changed for each color or model stored in the cartridge is attached to the common cartridge main part as a component of an identification unit having a storage means for specifying the type or model of toner of each color. . Thus, the fitting member provides a function as an identification unit that allows the user to easily identify the type of cartridge. The fitting member whose shape has been changed for each color has different projections or notch positions that also serve as electrical contact terminals (connection terminals) of the storage means for each color. In the case where the identification part is simply composed of a fitting member having a different shape, it is easily imitated by a third party, whereas the identification part of the present invention includes an IC chip in the fitting part. Since the electrical contact terminals (connection terminals) are arranged in the different shape portions, imitation is not easy.

  According to the present invention, a cartridge that can be attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a fitting member having a second fitting portion that is paired with a first fitting portion provided in the main body, and another type of cartridge. And a second fitting unit including an identification unit including storage means for storing identification data and a connection terminal for connecting a signal line for sending the data to the main body side with a signal terminal provided on the main body side. The joint portion has a different shape depending on the type of the cartridge, and only the cartridge related to the type of cartridge to be mounted has a shape to be fitted to the first fitting portion, and the connection terminal is a cartridge. There is provided a cartridge for an image forming apparatus, which is arranged at different positions depending on the type of the cartridge and only those relating to the type of cartridge to be mounted are arranged at positions corresponding to the signal terminals.

In the cartridge according to the present invention, the second fitting portion has a different shape depending on the type of the cartridge, and only the cartridge related to the type of cartridge to be attached is fitted with the first fitting portion. And the connection terminals are arranged at different positions depending on the type of cartridge, and only those related to the type of cartridge to be mounted are arranged at positions corresponding to the signal terminals. A cartridge that can be prevented from being mounted and that is difficult to imitate by a third party can be realized. The user can determine the type of cartridge, for example, what color cartridge or what type of cartridge, by looking at the mating member before mounting the cartridge. Identification by model is easy, and erroneous mounting of the cartridge can be prevented.
Furthermore, when the identification part is simply made of a fitting member having a different shape, it can be easily imitated by a third party, whereas the identification part of the present invention includes an IC chip in the fitting part. Since the connection terminals (electrical contact terminals) are arranged in different shape portions, the storage contents stored in the storage unit of the identification unit and the storage contents of the image forming apparatus main body by type (for example, by color or by model) If the shape of the electrical contact terminal and the shape of the electrical connection portion of the main body differ from each other by color or model, the imitation is not easy because the cartridge does not operate even if it is attached to the main body. Further, since the storage means has cartridge identification data, imitation by a third party is further difficult.

In the present invention, the storage means is means for storing data relating to cartridge identification. An example of the specific mode is a nonvolatile memory element. In an embodiment described later, this corresponds to an EEPROM.
The fitting member is a member that exhibits a function of identifying the type of the cartridge by fitting with the first fitting portion of the main body at the time of mounting. An example of a more specific aspect is a connector housing. However, it is not limited to this. In an embodiment described later, the fitting member corresponds to a connector housing on the cartridge side of the drawer type connector. Further, the connection terminal corresponds to a connector pin arranged at a predetermined position of the cartridge side connector. Furthermore, the first fitting portion corresponds to a connector that is paired with a fitting member, more specifically, a connector housing on the main body side of the drawer type connector, and the signal terminal is disposed at a predetermined position of the main body side connector. This corresponds to the connector pin.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
The identification unit may be configured as an integral unit, and the cartridge member excluding the identification unit may be a member common to other types of cartridges. In this way, since the cartridge members can be made common to portions other than the unit, these members can be produced in common, which contributes to cost reduction including assembly process and member management.

  The cartridge may be a toner cartridge that contains toner, and the storage unit may store data for identifying the type of toner. In this way, it is possible to realize a toner cartridge capable of identifying the type using not only the fitting member but also data stored in the storage means.

  Alternatively, the cartridge is a developing cartridge having a first containing portion for containing toner and a second containing portion for containing developer, and the storage means stores data for identifying the type of toner It may be. In this way, it is possible to realize a developing cartridge capable of identifying the type using not only the fitting member but also the data stored in the storage means.

Alternatively, the cartridge is a process cartridge including a first storage unit that stores toner, a second storage unit that stores developer, and a photoreceptor, and the storage unit identifies the type of developer. The data for storing may be stored. In this way, it is possible to realize a process cartridge capable of identifying the type using not only the fitting member but also the data stored in the storage means.
However, the configuration of the cartridge of the present invention is not limited to the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the process cartridge. The cartridge may be provided with an identification portion including the fitting member, the storage means, and the connection terminal, and the use / function of the cartridge is not limited. The data stored in the storage means is determined according to the function and / or characteristics of the cartridge. For example, the present invention may be applied to a cartridge that contains a photoconductor but does not contain toner, or a cartridge related to another functional part of the image forming apparatus.

  Further, the storage means may store different data depending on the color of the toner to be accommodated in the cartridge and the material of the toner. In this way, the color of the toner and the material of the toner can be identified using the stored data.

  Furthermore, the fitting member may have a color corresponding to the color of the toner to be accommodated in the cartridge. In this way, the user can easily identify the color of the toner contained in the cartridge from the color of the fitting member, and erroneous mounting is reliably prevented.

  The fitting member may have a second fitting portion whose protrusion or notch shape corresponds to the first fitting portion and does not correspond to the other fitting portion. By making the shape of the protrusion or notch not correspond to other fitting portions, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous mounting.

The storage unit is used to send stored data to the main body side and collate with information prepared on the main body side, and to enable operation of the main body according to the result of collation. Also good. In this way, the stored data is used for identification, so that even if the cartridge is erroneously installed, it is possible to prevent the main body from operating in that state.
The signal terminal may be disposed on the first fitting portion, and the connection terminal may be disposed on the second fitting portion.
The various preferable aspects shown here can also be combined.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It should not be interpreted as limiting this invention.
In this embodiment, a configuration example of an image forming apparatus to which a cartridge according to the present invention is mounted will be described first. Subsequently, the aspect of the cartridge will be described. Furthermore, the storage means, the fitting member, the connection terminal, and the first fitting portion on the present application side as components of the identification portion included in the cartridge will be described individually. Thereafter, an embodiment and its modification relating to cartridge identification and prevention of erroneous mounting will be described.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
As an example of the image forming apparatus to which the cartridge of the present invention is mounted, the configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine will be described.
The overall process of a general electrophotographic process used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimiles, and printers is composed of various processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, cleaning, fixing, and static elimination. Is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example.

  More specifically, the photosensitive drum 6 serving as the core of the electrophotographic process is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow S1, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is a charging device 7. Are uniformly charged to a predetermined charge amount by a corona charger (not shown) having a high voltage power source (not shown) or a contact roller charger (not shown), and a predetermined electrostatic latent image is obtained by the exposure device 3. An electrostatic latent image is carried by forming a potential.

  The photosensitive drum 6 includes a conductive base made of metal or resin, an undercoat layer formed on the surface thereof, and a photosensitive layer formed thereon. The photosensitive layer includes a relatively thin carrier generation layer (CGL) formed on the undercoat layer and a relatively thin carrier transfer layer (CTL) mainly composed of polycarbonate formed in the outermost layer.

  By exposure, carriers are generated in the carrier generation layer, and the charges charged on the photosensitive drum 6 by the carriers are canceled out to form the electrostatic latent image potential. The electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 6 is conveyed to a developing area that contacts the developer carrying member 81 of the developing device 8 as the drum 6 rotates.

  The developer carrier 81 rotates in the direction of the arrow S3 opposite to the arrow S1 and is pressed against the photosensitive drum 6. Then, the toner carried on the developer carrying member 81 in the developing device 8 moves and adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6 so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized and developed.

  A predetermined bias voltage is applied to the developer carrier 81 from a connected power source (not shown). After development, the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 6 is conveyed to a predetermined transfer area. A transfer material such as paper is supplied to the transfer area by a paper supply means, and contacts the toner image on the photosensitive drum 6 in synchronization.

  The transfer device 4 provided in the transfer area includes a charger type (not shown) having a high voltage power source (not shown) and a contact roller type (not shown). A voltage of the opposite polarity) is applied to the photosensitive drum 6. As a result, the toner moves to the transfer material, and the toner image is transferred.

  Since the transfer material and the photosensitive drum 6 are electrostatically in close contact with each other due to the electric charge given by the transfer charger, it is necessary to peel the transfer material from the photosensitive drum 6 in order to guide the transfer material to the fixing device 5. As the peeling device, although not shown, there are a charger type equipped with a high-voltage power supply, a peeling device using a peeling claw that peels off according to the curvature of the photosensitive drum 6, and the like.

  In the case of a charger-type peeling device, when the AC voltage is applied to the transfer material by this peeling device and the potential of the transfer material is lowered to the same potential as the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 6, the transfer material is separated from the photosensitive drum 6. At this time, the suction force does not work, and the transfer material is separated from the photosensitive drum 6 by its own weight.

  Then, after the transfer material is separated from the photosensitive drum 6, the toner on the transfer material is fixed by the pressure roller 12 and the heating roller 13 of the fixing device 5. For example, it is fixed by heat melting and discharged outside the apparatus. Further, the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 after the transfer is cleaned by the cleaner 14, and then the charge remaining on the surface is removed by the static eliminator 10, and is electrically initialized. As this static elimination apparatus 10, an optical static elimination lamp and a contact static elimination device are applied.

  As described above, the operation of each unit related to the electrophotographic process of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) disposed in the image forming apparatus main body 11. The control unit receives signals from, for example, a microcomputer and a ROM that stores a control program executed by the microcomputer, a RAM that provides a work area for data processing, and sensors and switches provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The input circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit for outputting a control signal to a motor or an actuator disposed in the image forming apparatus 1, and the like. Further, the main body control unit has a non-volatile memory for holding an identification number or the like of the attached toner supply container. The microcomputer recognizes the state of each sensor and each switch, and sends a control signal to each motor and each actuator via an output circuit.

<Aspect of cartridge>
A plurality of structural aspects of the cartridge mounted on the above-described image forming apparatus will be described. In an electrophotographic process apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, it is widely practiced that several apparatuses are combined into a cartridge for easy maintenance. Yes.

  For example, a toner bottle that is provided corresponding to the developing device 8 that stores a predetermined developer and that stores toner to be supplied to the developing device 8 is formed into a cartridge to form a toner supply container 9 (toner cartridge), which is detachable from the main body 11. There is an embodiment. Further, an aspect of the developing cartridge 8c in which the toner replenishing container 9 (the first housing portion described in the claims) and the developing device 8 (the second housing portion described in the claims) are configured to be detachable integrally with the main body 11. There is also. Further, in addition to or separately from the developing device 8 and the toner replenishing container 9, at least one of the photosensitive drum 6, the charging device 7 that acts on the photosensitive drum 6, the cleaner 14, and the like is integrated. There is also an aspect of the process cartridge 2 that is detachable from the main body 11.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific mounting state of the toner cartridges for the image forming apparatus such as the process cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge 8c to the main body 11. FIG. 2 shows an aspect in which the process cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge 8c are configured as separate cartridges.

  When the process cartridge 2 includes the developing device 8 and the toner replenishing container 9, the replacement becomes simple, but the photosensitive drum and the toner replenishing container that do not necessarily have the same life must be discarded together. From this point of view, in order to use the toner supply container efficiently, the process cartridge 2 including the photosensitive drum and the toner supply container 9 (or the developing cartridge 8c including the toner supply container) are configured as separate cartridges. There is validity. When the process cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge 8c are separated, it is preferable to make the toner supply container 9 small in order to reduce the size of the apparatus. In this case, the process cartridge 2 has a longer life than the toner supply container 9 (or the developing cartridge 8c including the toner supply container). That is, the photosensitive drum cartridge is replaced after the toner supply container 9 (or the developing cartridge 8c including the toner supply container) is replaced several times.

  The developing cartridge 8c (developing cartridge 8c including the toner replenishing container 9) shown in FIG. 2 is positioned at an appropriate position such as the opposite side (back side) in the longitudinal direction of the portion that can be viewed with the image forming apparatus mounted. A non-volatile storage element that stores information related to the amount of use is mounted. The non-volatile storage element mounted on the developing cartridge 8c corresponds to the storage means described in the claims. The aforementioned control unit is configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from the non-volatile storage element by a contact method. The control unit can read information related to the developing cartridge 8c stored in a nonvolatile storage element attached to the developing cartridge 8c, and can rewrite the information. Information read from the nonvolatile storage element (EEPROM in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the developing cartridge 8c is stored in the RAM (not shown) of the control unit. The control unit updates the accumulated usage amount of the developing cartridge 8c associated with the printing process for the data stored in the RAM. At an appropriate timing, the control unit writes the updated data on the RAM into the nonvolatile storage element of the developing cartridge 8c. An example of the timing is after the end of the print job. When the number of printed sheets of one job exceeds a predetermined number, data may be written to the nonvolatile memory element during the job. As the nonvolatile memory element, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as an EEPROM, a ferroelectric memory, or a flash memory can be used.

  Information about the cartridge is written in the nonvolatile memory element mounted on the cartridge including the new developing cartridge 8c at the time of shipment. The manufacturer of the image forming apparatus main body and the developing cartridge 8c determines in advance what information is written at which address and what data is indicated as what kind of data.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of information relating to the developing cartridge 8c for the image forming apparatus stored in the nonvolatile storage element mounted on the cartridge including the developing cartridge 8c. Each address in the non-volatile storage element stores the product number of the developing cartridge, the identification number of each developing cartridge, the color of the toner, the accumulated usage amount data of the cartridge, for example, the total accumulated number of printed sheets (for example, A4 conversion). .

  When the developing cartridge 8c for the image forming apparatus is manufactured, data corresponding to the type of the developing cartridge is written as the “developing cartridge part number”. As “development cartridge individual identification number”, unique data that can identify the plurality of development cartridges 8c of the same type is written. As “toner color”, data corresponding to the color of the stored toner is written.

When the developing cartridge 8c is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the control unit in the main body 11 accesses the non-volatile storage element of the developing cartridge 8c, and the developing cartridge 8c is a genuine product depending on the product number of the developing cartridge 8c. It is determined whether or not it is used. If it is a non-genuine product or has been used, the user is informed that the developing cartridge 8c is a non-genuine product or has been used, and urges replacement.
If it is a genuine product and not used, access to the nonvolatile storage element of the developing cartridge 8c is started. That is, the microcomputer of the control unit can read data stored in each address of the nonvolatile memory element and can write data to each address. Cumulative number of prints for each paper size, cumulative number of prints per copy machine / printer / facsimile application (for example, A4 conversion), total cumulative number of prints (for example, A4 conversion), cumulative number of pixels for each paper size, The cumulative number of pixels, the total number of cumulative pixels, the cumulative rotation time of the toner replenishment motor, and the cumulative rotation time of the developing roller are read for each application of the printer / facsimile, and those data are updated and written to the nonvolatile memory element.

  Cumulative number of prints for each paper size, cumulative number of prints per copy machine / printer / facsimile application (for example, A4 conversion), total cumulative number of prints (for example, A4 conversion), cumulative number of pixels for each paper size, The usage amount of the developing cartridge 8c is known from the cumulative number of pixels for each application of the printer / facsimile, the total cumulative number of pixels, the cumulative rotation time of the toner supply motor, and the cumulative rotation time of the developing roller. For example, the control unit updates the data for each printed sheet or for each group of printed sheets.

  A specific example of an EEPROM suitable for the present invention is a serial EEPROM manufactured by ST Microelectronics N.V., part number M34C02, M34E02 or M34F04. Since these EEPROMs can send and receive data to and from the control unit on the main unit via a serial bus, the number of communication lines can be reduced compared to general EEPROMs that exchange data with the CPU using a parallel data bus. it can.

<Storage means>
Next, the storage means provided in the cartridge of the present invention will be described.
4 and 5 are block diagrams showing the electrical connection between the control unit of the main body 11 and the EEPROM which is a nonvolatile storage element on the cartridge side. The main body 11 and the serial EEPROM 25 of the cartridge 9 are electrically connected via the interface circuit 33A. Here, the control unit 31 is the control unit of the main body 11 described above. The interface circuit 33A is a circuit that enables the microcomputer of the control unit 31 to transmit / receive data to / from the serial EEPROM 25 via a serial bus. When symbols in the EEPROM 25 are described, Vcc is a power supply terminal, A0 to A2 are chip address terminals, and up to eight chips can be connected on the same bus by connecting to Vcc or Vss. WP is a write protect terminal. If it is not connected or Vss, WP is writable when connected, and is protected when connected to Vcc. SCL is a serial clock (data transfer clock) terminal, and SDA is a serial data transmission / reception terminal.

  In the case of FIG. 4, in order to connect a plurality of EEPROMs to the apparatus main body control apparatus, the method of connecting the chip address terminals A0 to A2 to Vcc or Vss is individually changed on the memory substrate, and four types of chip addresses are provided. Set and connect in parallel to one interface circuit. In the case of FIG. 5, in order to connect a plurality of EEPROMs to the apparatus main body control apparatus, the connection method of the chip address terminals A0 to A2 to Vcc or Vss on the memory substrate is the same, and the interface circuits are individually connected. It is installed corresponding to the EEPROM and connected to the main unit controller in parallel. 4 and 5, A0 to A2 are connected to Vcc or Vss on the memory substrate 23 on the cartridge side. For connection to the interface circuit, a power supply (Vcc), GND (Vss), Four electrical contact terminals for serial clock (SCL) and serial data (SDA) transmission / reception are required.

<Fitting member, connection terminal and first fitting portion>
Subsequently, a connection terminal to which a signal for sending data stored in the storage means to the main body side is connected, a fitting member in which the connection terminal is arranged, and a first fitting portion on the main body side to be fitted to the fitting member explain.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a signal connection method between the cartridge 9 having the EEPROM and the apparatus main body 11. 6A shows a state before the cartridge 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the cartridge 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11. On the back side of the cartridge 9, a memory board 23 and a connector 20b are mounted. A serial EEPROM 25 as a data storage element is mounted on the memory substrate 23. Serial bus for serial EEPROM 25 (corresponding to serial clock and serial data shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), ground (corresponding to GND shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), and power supply (Vcc shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) The electrical contact terminal is wired to the connector 20b on the cartridge 9 side. For example, in FIG. 6A, the GND terminal 22a among the four electrical contact terminals of the connector 20b is wired to the protruding portion 21a of the connector 20b. The other three electrical contact terminals are wired to the flat portion 21b opposite to the protruding portion 21a. Details of the protruding portion 21a and the flat portion 21b will be described with reference to FIG.
Each electrical contact terminal of the connector 20b is connected to the main body 11 via the connector 20a on the main body side. The connectors 20a and 20b are so-called drawer connectors. When the cartridge 9 is fully inserted into the main body 11, the connectors 20a and 20b are fitted, and the terminals in the housing of the connector come into contact with the mating terminals. In this state, each wiring is connected to the main body side. In the case of the developing unit 8c in which the toner cartridge 9 and the developing device 8 are integrated, the memory substrate 23 and the connector 20b may be mounted on the back side of the developing unit 8c. Further, in the case of a process cartridge in which a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge and a photosensitive member are integrated, the memory substrate 23 and the connector 20b may be mounted on the back side of the process cartridge 2.

<First Embodiment for Identification and Prevention of Misinstallation>
The four color toner cartridges 9, the developing cartridges 8c, or the process cartridges 2 that can be attached to and detached from the color image forming apparatus have the same shape for each of the four colors, and each identification unit that also serves as a connector for electrical connection of storage elements In order to ensure the compatibility of the cartridge, an identification portion having a different shape for each type of toner and having an electrical contact terminal in a different shape portion is fixed to the cartridge. Of the four electrical contact terminals of the EEPROM, which is a non-volatile storage element inside the cartridge identification section, for example, the GND terminal 22a is arranged on the protrusion 21a of the cartridge side connector 20b, and the toner in the cartridge of the color image forming apparatus For each color, the protrusion / electrical contact terminal 21a, for example, the yellow (Y) cartridge is at the center as shown in FIG. 7A, and the magenta (M) cartridge is at the left end as shown in FIG. 7B. And the middle cartridge in the middle, the cyan (C) cartridge is positioned at the right end as shown in FIG. 7C, and the middle cartridge at the center, and the black (K) cartridge is located at the right end as shown in FIG. The other three electrical contact terminals 22b, 22c, and 22d are arranged on the flat portion 21b opposite to the protruding portion 21a. 7A to 7D, only the example in which the protruding portion 21a is positioned above the flat portion 21b is described, but there is no problem even if the protruding portion 21a is positioned below the flat portion 21b. The main body side connector 20a to be engaged with the cartridge side connector 20b which is an identification portion having different protrusion shapes and electrical contact terminal positions for each color is installed on the back side of the main body on which the cartridges of the respective colors are mounted. FIG. 11 shows an example of the main body side connector 20a that fits into the cartridge side connector 20b of FIG. 11 is a female connector and corresponds to the electrical contact terminals 22a (GND), 22b (Vcc), 22c (SCL), and 22d (SDA) of the cartridge-side connector 20b that is a male connector. Electrical contact terminals 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. Other examples of the female connector are omitted from FIG. 11 because the first to fourth embodiments can be easily inferred.

  When the cartridge 9 is inserted into the main body 11 as far as it will go, the connector 20a, which is a fitting member for each color, is fitted if the shape of the connector 20b on the apparatus main body side is the same. If the cartridge is not fitted, the cartridge cannot be inserted to the end, so that it can be determined that the cartridge has a different color or a forged cartridge. Each electrical contact terminal in the housing of the cartridge connector 20b comes into contact with the electrical contact terminal of the mating connector 20a of the main body device, and each wiring of the EEPROM and each wiring of the interface circuit on the main body side are normally connected to each other. The main body side control unit reads identification data such as “type of toner” and “product number of developing cartridge” stored in the EEPROM which is the volatile storage element. If only the protrusions are provided on the connector and the electrical contact terminals are not set correctly, communication with the main body side control unit is not established. The read-out identification data of the cartridge-side non-volatile storage element and the identification data stored in the main body control unit are collated to check whether the correct type of toner cartridge is installed and whether it is a genuine product. to decide. If not, the user is informed that the toner type is incompatible or the cartridge is non-genuine, and prompts replacement. Further, it is also determined whether or not the cartridge has been used. If the cartridge has been used, the user is informed that the cartridge has been used and prompts replacement. If it is determined that the cartridge has the correct toner type, is genuine, and has not been used, the main body enters a standby state for printing operation.

  In this way, by securing the incompatibility with the shape of the connector of the nonvolatile memory element that is the identification unit (position of the projection) and the electrical connection by the projection, and further by the identification data in the nonvolatile memory element, Even if the cartridge shape is the same for each color and it is mistakenly inserted into a different color position, the wrong insertion can be noticed because the connector shape is different. Moreover, since the electrical contact terminal is provided on the protrusion of the connector, it is not easy to imitate the identification part by a third party by removing the protrusion. Even if the electrical contact terminal provided on the protruding portion of the connector can be imitated, the non-volatile toner that has identification data in the non-volatile storage element can avoid the use of non-genuine toner that leads to deterioration in image quality and failure of the main unit. It is not the GND terminal that is disposed on the protrusion of the cartridge side connector, and there is no problem with other terminals. If the color of the cartridge-side connector 20b, which is a fitting member of the identification unit, is the same as the color of the toner, the identification is further facilitated.

Further, even in a model in which the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, or the process cartridge of the monochrome image forming apparatus can be shared, the cartridges have a common shape, and incompatibilities are shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E. The position of the protrusion of the connector of the nonvolatile memory element which is the identification part on the cartridge side shown, the electrical connection of the protrusion, and the identification data in the nonvolatile memory element are secured.
Although the EEPROM has been described as the nonvolatile memory element, it is possible to perform the same thing by providing an electrical contact terminal on the protruding portion even in other nonvolatile memory elements such as flash memory and FRAM.

<Second Embodiment for Identification and Prevention of Mismounting>
The other example of arrangement | positioning of the electrical contact terminal of the identification part in 1st Embodiment is shown to Fig.8 (a)-(d). Of the four terminals of the EEPROM, which is a non-volatile storage element on the cartridge side, for example, a GND terminal is arranged in the concave portion 21c of the cartridge-side connector 20b, which is an identification portion, and a concave portion for each color of toner in the cartridge of the color image forming apparatus. The position of 21c is changed. For example, a yellow (Y) cartridge is shown on the right side as shown in FIG. 8A, a magenta (M) cartridge is shown on the left side as shown in FIG. 8B, and a cyan (C) cartridge is shown in FIG. ) And the black (K) cartridge is positioned on the left as shown in FIG. 8D. It is not the GND terminal that is disposed in the recess 21c of the cartridge side connector, and there is no problem with other terminals.
Further, even in a model in which the toner cartridge 9, the developing cartridge 8 c or the process cartridge 2 of the monochrome image forming apparatus can be shared, the cartridges have a common shape, and the incompatibility is shown in FIGS. As shown in d), the position of the concave portion of the connector of the nonvolatile memory element on the cartridge side which is the identification portion, the electrical connection by the concave portion, and the identification data in the nonvolatile memory element are secured.

<Third Embodiment for Identification and Prevention of Misinstallation>
Other examples of the arrangement of the electrical contact terminals of the identification unit in the first embodiment are shown in FIGS. Of the four terminals of the EEPROM, which is a non-volatile storage element on the cartridge side, for example, a GND terminal is arranged on the protrusion 21a of the cartridge-side connector 20b, which is an identification unit, for each toner color in the cartridge of the color image forming apparatus. The position of the protrusion 21a is changed. For example, the yellow (Y) cartridge is at the top as shown in FIG. 9A, the magenta (M) cartridge is at the right as shown in FIG. 9B, and the cyan (C) cartridge is as shown in FIG. 9C. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower, black (K) cartridge is positioned on the left as shown in FIG. It is not the GND terminal that is disposed on the protrusion of the cartridge side connector, and there is no problem with other terminals.
Further, even in a model in which the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, or the process cartridge of the monochrome image forming apparatus can be shared, the cartridges have a common shape, and incompatibilities are shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (d). The position of the protrusion of the connector of the non-volatile storage element on the cartridge side, which is the identification section, the electrical connection by the protrusion, and the identification data in the non-volatile storage element are shown.

<Fourth Embodiment for Identification and Prevention of Mismounting>
Other examples of the arrangement of the electrical contact terminals of the identification unit in the first embodiment are shown in FIGS. Of the four terminals of the EEPROM, which is a non-volatile storage element on the cartridge side, for example, the Vcc terminal is disposed in the concave portion 21c of the cartridge side connector serving as the identification portion, and the GND terminal is disposed on the protrusion portion of the cartridge side connector. The positions of the recesses and the protrusions 21a are changed for each toner color in the cartridge of the color image forming apparatus. For example, the yellow (Y) cartridge has the protrusion 21a at the top as shown in FIG. 10A, the concave portion at the right, and the magenta (M) cartridge has the protrusion 21a at the top as shown in FIG. 10B. The concave part is at the bottom, the cyan (C) cartridge is protruding as shown in FIG. 10C, the protruding part 21a is at the upper part, the concave part is at the left part, and the black (K) cartridge is protruding as shown in FIG. 10D. The portion 21a is positioned at the bottom and the recess is positioned at the top. It is not always necessary to arrange the Vcc terminal in the concave portion 21c of the cartridge side connector and the GND terminal in the protruding portion of the cartridge side connector, and there is no problem with other terminals.
Further, even in a model in which the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, or the process cartridge of the monochrome image forming apparatus can be shared, the cartridges have a common shape, and incompatibilities are shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D. The positions of the protrusions and recesses of the connector of the nonvolatile storage element on the cartridge side shown, the electrical connection thereof, and identification data in the nonvolatile storage element are secured.

  In addition to the embodiments described above, there can be various modifications of the present invention. These modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory diagram of cartridge attachment / detachment states. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating assembly of cartridges to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content memorize | stored in the non-volatile memory element mounted in the developing cartridge which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of the main body control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and EEPROM of a cartridge. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of the main body control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and EEPROM of a cartridge. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the connection method of the signal of the cartridge 9 and the apparatus main body 11 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the cartridge side connector which is an identification part based on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the cartridge side connector which is an identification part based on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the cartridge side connector which is an identification part based on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the cartridge side connector which is an identification part based on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the main body side connector based on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Process cartridge 3 Exposure apparatus 4 Transfer apparatus 5 Fixing apparatus 6 Photosensitive drum 7 Charging apparatus 8 Developing apparatus 8c Developing cartridge 9 Toner supply container 10 Electric discharge apparatus 11 Image forming apparatus main body 12 Pressure roller 13 Heating roller 14 Cleaner 20a, 20b Connector 21a Protruding part, 21b Flat part, 21c Recessed part 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Electrical contact terminal 23 Memory board 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d Electrical contact terminal 25 EEPROM, nonvolatile memory element 31 Main body control part 33 Interface Circuit 81 Developer carrier

Claims (10)

A cartridge that can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus is
A fitting member having a second fitting portion that is paired with a first fitting portion provided in the main body, storage means for storing data for identifying other types of cartridges, and the data on the main body side An identification unit comprising a connection terminal for connecting a signal line for sending to the signal terminal provided on the main body side,
The second fitting portion has a shape that differs depending on the type of cartridge, and has a shape that only the cartridge relating to the type of cartridge to be attached fits with the first fitting portion,
For the image forming apparatus, the connection terminals are arranged at different positions depending on the type of the cartridge, and only those relating to the type of cartridge to be mounted are arranged at positions corresponding to the signal terminals. cartridge. The identification unit is configured as an integral unit,
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein members of the cartridge excluding the identification unit are members common to other types of cartridges. The cartridge is a toner cartridge for containing toner;
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores data for identifying a type of toner. The cartridge is a developing cartridge having a first containing portion for containing toner and a second containing portion for containing developer,
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores data for identifying a type of toner. The cartridge is a process cartridge including a first storage portion that stores toner, a second storage portion that stores developer, and a photoconductor.
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores data for identifying a type of developer.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores different data depending on a color of toner and a material of the toner to be accommodated in the cartridge.   The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the fitting member has a color corresponding to a color of toner to be accommodated in the cartridge.   8. The fitting member according to claim 1, wherein the fitting member has a second fitting portion whose protrusion or notch shape corresponds to the first fitting portion and does not correspond to the other fitting portion. cartridge.   2. The storage unit is used to allow stored data to be sent to the main body side, collated with information prepared on the main body side, and to enable the operation of the main body according to the result of collation. The cartridge as described in any one of -8.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the signal terminal is disposed on the first fitting portion, and the connection terminal is disposed on the second fitting portion.

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