JP2009214493A - Body member, mounting member and electric appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent foreign matter from sticking to a contact member to cause a conduction failure. <P>SOLUTION: An electric appliance comprises a printer body 10 having a CPU supplying predetermined electric signals, and contact members 22-4 provided facing the outside and conductive to the CPU; an ink storage container 23 detachably provided at the printer body 10 and having a storage means 23-10 receiving the electric signal to carry out electric operation, and electrodes 23-8 conductive to the storage means 23-10, provided facing a direction to intersect an attaching/detaching direction and contacting the projecting contact members 22-4 to send the electric signal to the storage means 23-10 when mounted to the printer body 10; and hole parts 23-9c provided in the printer body 10 and contacting the contact members 22-4 in the process of attaching/detaching the ink storage container 23 to/from the printer body 10 to eliminate the foreign matter sticking to the contact members 22-4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a main body member, a mounting member, and an electric device.

  In an electrical device that performs a predetermined electrical operation, the main body member is provided with power supply means (power source or electric circuit) for supplying electric energy, and the mounting member that is detachably attached to the main body member has electric energy. Some are provided with an operation means for executing an operation based on (electric power or electric signal). In the electrical apparatus of this embodiment, the main body member is provided with a first contact portion that is a contact portion that is electrically connected to the supplying means, and the mounting member is provided with a second contact portion that is a contact portion that is electrically connected to the operating means. When the member is mounted on the main body member, the first contact portion and the second contact portion come into contact with each other, and electrical energy is sent from the power supply means to the operation means.

  In the case of a structure in which the main body member and the mounting member are connected by bringing the first contact portion and the second contact portion into contact with each other, foreign matter generated inside the electric device or foreign matter entering from the outside adheres. If the contact portion is contaminated, a conduction failure occurs, and the electric device cannot perform the intended electrical operation.

  In addition, as a document describing a contact structure that is electrically connected when two contact portions are in contact with each other, there are JP-A-9-319239, JP-A-2004-102120, JP-A-3869868, and the like. is there.

  In JP-A-9-319239, a contact and a contact spring connected thereto are provided on a high-voltage power supply base, and when the high-voltage power supply base is set at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body, the contact spring is applied to the transfer roller. A configuration is described in which the conductive member is brought into contact with the conductive member.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-102120 discloses a charger that is supported by a conductive bearing and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a charger that is pressed against the bearing and presses the photosensitive drum through the bearing. The connection side end has a coil spring electrically connected to the main body side conducting member that carries power from the power feeding means, and the front end of the main body side conductive member is fitted into the connection groove so that the connection end side of the coil spring contacts the connection end side. The contact structure is described.

Japanese Patent No. 3869868 describes a configuration in which a charging contact member is brought into contact with an inclined surface of a cleaning frame body to press the charging contact member and then contacted with the charging contact.
JP-A-9-319239 JP 2004-102120 A Japanese Patent No. 3869868

  An object of this invention is to provide the main body member, mounting member, and electric equipment which can prevent that a foreign material adheres to a contact part and becomes poor conduction.

  In order to solve the above problem, the mounting member of the present invention according to claim 1 is a mounting member that is detachably attached to the main body member, and receives an electrical energy from the main body member to perform an electrical operation. And a first contact portion provided so as to face the direction of attachment and detachment and to be mounted on the main body member so as to protrude from the main body member. A second contact portion that contacts and transmits the electrical energy from the body member to the operating means; and the first contact portion that contacts the first contact portion in the process of being attached to and detached from the body member. Removing means for removing foreign matter adhering to the surface.

  The electric device of the present invention according to claim 2 includes a power supply means for supplying predetermined electrical energy, and a main body member provided with a first contact portion that is electrically connected to the power supply means and faces the outside. And a mounting member according to claim 1.

  A main body member according to a third aspect of the present invention is a main body member to which a mounting member is detachably attached, and is provided with a predetermined electrical energy required for executing an electric operation of an operating means provided on the mounting member. A power supply means to be supplied; and provided to face the outside through the power supply means. When the mounting member is mounted, the electrical contact is made with a second contact portion provided protruding from the mounting member. A first contact part for sending energy to the operating means; and a removing means for removing foreign matter adhering to the second contact part in contact with the second contact part in the process of attaching and detaching the mounting member; It is characterized by having.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric device according to the present invention, the main body member according to the third aspect, and an operating means that is detachably attached to the main body member and that receives the electric energy to execute an electric operation. And when it is attached to the main body member so as to be electrically connected to the operating means and to face the direction of attachment / detachment, it contacts the first contact portion and sends the electrical energy to the operating means. And a mounting member provided with a second contact portion.

  The electric device of the present invention according to claim 5 is a main body member provided with a power supply means for supplying predetermined electrical energy, and a first contact portion that is connected to the power supply means and faces the outside. And detachably provided to the body member, and operating means for performing an electrical operation upon receipt of the electrical energy, and provided in a direction that is electrically connected to the operating means and intersects the attaching / detaching direction. A mounting member having a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion and sends the electrical energy to the operating means when attached to the body member; and at least one of the body member and the mounting member Removing means provided on any member and removing foreign matter adhering to the contact portion in contact with the contact portion provided on the counterpart member in the process in which the mounting member is attached to or detached from the main body member; With The contact portion in contact with the removal means is projected, characterized in that.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 2, 4 or 5, characterized in that the removing means is a hole portion that contacts the contact portion.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 2, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the hole is formed in a depressed position.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the hole portion is formed on an inclined surface that guides the contact portion obliquely with respect to the attaching / detaching direction of the mounting member. Features.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the hole is formed in a sheet metal.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to any of the seventh to ninth aspects, the hole has a penetrating shape.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5 or 6 to 10, wherein a collecting part for collecting the foreign matter removed from the contact part is provided. It is characterized by.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is the invention according to any one of the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth to eleventh aspects, wherein the main body member forms an image on a print medium based on predetermined print data. In the image forming apparatus main body, the mounting member is a color material container including a color material container that can store a color material used for image formation.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter attached to the contact portion (first contact portion) is removed by the removing means when the mounting member is attached / detached. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a foreign matter from adhering to the contact portion and causing poor conduction.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the foreign matter adhering to the contact portion (first contact portion) is removed by the removing means when the mounting member is attached / detached, the foreign matter adheres to the contact portion and poor conduction. Can be prevented.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter attached to the contact portion (second contact portion) is removed by the removing means when the mounting member is attached / detached. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a foreign matter from adhering to the contact portion and causing poor conduction.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the foreign matter adhering to the contact portion (second contact portion) is removed by the removing means when the mounting member is attached / detached, the foreign matter adheres to the contact portion and poor conduction. Can be prevented.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter adhering to the contact portion (the first contact portion and / or the second contact portion) is removed by the removing means along with the attachment / detachment of the mounting member. Compared with the case where no contact is made, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the contact portion and causing poor conduction.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the foreign matter attached to the contact portion is removed at the periphery of the hole portion, the foreign matter attached to the contact portion can be efficiently removed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the foreign matter removed from the contact portion is caught in the depressed portion, it is difficult to scatter.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the foreign matter is peeled off by the hole while the contact is guided by the inclined surface, a phenomenon in which the contact is caught by the hole and becomes resistance to attachment / detachment hardly occurs.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the peripheral edge of the hole becomes a sharp edge, the foreign matter adhering to the contact portion can be more efficiently removed. In addition, because of the sheet metal, processing of the hole is facilitated.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter removed from the contact portion does not accumulate in the hole portion and become clogged.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the removed foreign matter does not gradually accumulate inside.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, foreign matter adhering to the contact portion (first contact portion and / or second contact portion) is removed by the removing means. Can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  (First embodiment)

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to an inkjet printer capable of forming a color image.

  In FIG. 1, a printer main body (image forming apparatus main body / main body member) 10 of an inkjet printer 1 as an electric apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a paper feed tray 12 and a paper discharge tray 13 at a front portion 11. Yes. The paper (printing medium) P sent rearward from the paper feed tray 12 is substantially U-turned, and then an image is recorded by the print head 14. Then, the image-recorded paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 14 includes a recording head 22 that reciprocates along a pair of front and rear guides 21 while ejecting ink as a color material, and a direction orthogonal to the reciprocation direction W of the recording head 22. A transport mechanism 26 that transports the paper P to U and a maintenance unit 28 that removes ink that causes clogging and restores the function of the recording head 22 are provided.

  The recording head 22 reciprocates along the guide 21 by the rotational force of a motor (not shown) while ejecting ink droplets corresponding to the image information (details will be described later) onto the paper P transported to the lower side thereof. Scan). Further, every time one main scan is completed, the transport mechanism 26 transports the paper P by a predetermined amount (sub-scan). By repeating the above operation, an image is recorded on the paper P, and the paper P on which the image is recorded is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13 as described above.

  Four ink storage containers (mounting members) 23 that are color material containers are detachably attached to the recording head 22. That is, the ink storage container 23 has a black ink storage container 23a that stores black pigment-based ink (hereinafter referred to as black ink) and a yellow dye-based ink (hereinafter referred to as yellow ink) from the left side to the right side of the drawing. A yellow ink storage container 23b, a magenta ink storage container 23c storing magenta dye-based ink (hereinafter referred to as magenta ink), and a cyan ink storage container 23d storing cyan dye-based ink (hereinafter referred to as cyan ink). is there.

  Then, by attaching these four ink storage containers 23 to the printer main body 10 which is a main body member, the ink jet printer 1 which is an electric device capable of printing a predetermined image is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an ink storage portion (coloring material storage portion) 23-1 for storing each of black ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink is formed inside these ink storage containers 23. Thus, an ink supply port 23-2 for supplying the ink stored in the ink storage portion 23-1 to the recording head 22 is formed facing downward. The ink supply port 23-2 is fitted with a porous material having numerous fine holes formed therein, that is, a sponge, so that the ink is replaced with the air in the holes. It penetrates and is gradually led downward.

  The recording head 22 to which the ink container 23 is attached in the vertical direction is formed with an introduction path 22-1 that engages with the ink supply port 23-2 and takes the ink in the ink container 23-1 into the recording head 22. Has been. In addition, a nozzle portion 22-2 that discharges ink corresponding to the image data toward the paper P is provided facing downward.

  In the nozzle portion 22-2, a plurality of nozzles 22-2a (FIG. 4) from which ink is ejected are formed in a row. As shown in FIG. 4A, an ink chamber 22-2b for storing ink guided from the introduction path 22-1 is formed behind the nozzle 22-2a. A heater 22-2c is attached facing the wall surface of the ink chamber 22-2b. Therefore, when the heater 22-2c is energized, as shown in FIG. 4B, the heater 22-2c is instantaneously heated and bubbles 22-2d are generated in the ink in the ink chamber 22-2b. As a result, the ink storage volume in the ink chamber 22-2b is reduced by the amount of the bubble 22-2d, and a predetermined amount of ink is ejected from the nozzle 22-2a and landed on the paper P, thereby forming an image.

  Note that a resistance heating method, an induction heating method, or the like can be used for the heater 22-2c for heating the ink. In addition, instead of the heating method using the heater 22-2c, a piezo method using deformation of a piezoelectric element, an electrostatic method using a scroll panel, or the like may be employed for ink ejection.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ink container 23 includes a flat rectangular container body 23-3 and an ink supply port 23-2 provided on the bottom surface of the container body 23-3. A lever 23-5, which is an elastically deformable locking member, is formed on one wall surface 23-4 of two opposing wall surfaces that have a relatively small area. The lower end of the lever 23-5 is integrated with the wall surface 23-4 and extends upward so as to be separated from the wall surface 23-4.

  On the lever 23-5, a claw portion 23-5b that engages with an engaging portion 22-5 provided on the recording head 22 is formed to protrude outward from the lower fulcrum 23-5a.

  At the lower end portion of the other wall surface 23-5, a convex portion 23-7 into which a circuit board 23-6 to be pressed by the pressing piece 22-3 when being mounted on the recording head 22 is fitted is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the ink storage container 23 is attached to the recording head 22 on the surface of the circuit board 23-6 provided in parallel with the wall surface 23-5, the recording head 22 is provided. A plurality (four in this case) of electrodes (second contact portions) 23-8 that are in contact with the elastic contact member (first contact portion) 22-4 arranged in the horizontal direction, and an ink container 23 is provided so as to face in a direction orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction (direction indicated by reference sign D in FIG. 3). Further, immediately below the electrode 23-8, a cleaner 23- in which a hole (removing means) 23-9c for removing the foreign matter adhering to the contact member 22-4 is formed so as to correspond to each electrode. 9 is provided with a slight gap from the electrode 23-8.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, on the back surface of the circuit board 23-6, storage means (operation means) 23-10 such as an EEPROM in which information of ink stored in the ink storage container 23 is stored. Is mounted and electrically connected to the electrode 23-8.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the contact member 22-4 is sandwiched between the partition walls 22-6 partitioning the mounting areas of the four ink storage containers 23 in the recording head 22, so that the respective ink storage containers 23 are sandwiched. Correspondingly provided. This contact member 22-4 is provided in the printer main body 10 provided with the recording head 22, and is electrically connected to a CPU (power supply means) (not shown) that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and is made of a conductive metal that is long in the vertical direction. Made of plate material.

  The contact member 22-4 has a lower end fixed inside the recording head 22 with a screw (not shown), and a contact protrusion 22-4a bent in a mountain shape is formed on the upper side of the center. It protrudes to the outside from the window part 22-7 formed in the. An inner space of the recording head 22 is secured on the back surface of the contact member 22-4. Thus, the contact member 22-4 has its lower end as a fulcrum and the upper end as a free end, and the contact protrusion 22- is formed by its own elasticity. 4a is displaced in the direction in which it appears and disappears.

  The cleaner 23-9 located directly below the electrode 23-8 is slightly longer along the mounting direction of the ink container 23 with respect to the recording head 22, as shown in FIG. 6A. Since the ink storage container 23 is attached to the recording head 22 in the vertical direction, the contact member 22-4 provided on the recording head 22 is in the process of inserting the ink storage container 23 into the recording head 22. It contacts the cleaner 23-9 of the ink container 23. When the ink container 23 is completely attached, the ink container 23 comes into contact with the electrode 23-3.

  Here, as shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 6A, the cleaner 23-9 is formed of, for example, a sheet metal and is fitted into the circuit board 23-6. The cleaner 23-9 has a shape recessed with respect to the surface of the circuit board 23-6, and the bottom surface 23-9a of the cleaner 23-9 and the surface of the circuit board 23-6 are provided at both ends in the attaching / detaching direction. An inclined surface 23-9b is formed for connection without a step. A hole 23-9c that contacts the contact member 22-4 is formed through the upper inclined surface 23-9b. Therefore, the hole 23-9c is also formed at the depressed position of the inclined surface 23-9b. The hole 23-9c may have a shape having the hole 23-9c, that is, the hole 23-9c does not have to penetrate.

  When the ink container 23 is attached to the recording head 22, the contact member 22-4 of the recording head 22 is displaced in the immersion direction with the contact protrusion 22-4a contacting the surface of the circuit board 23-6. After that, while being guided by the lower inclined surface 23-9b of the cleaner 23-9 and gradually protruding, it contacts the bottom surface 23-9a, and contacts the hole 23-9c formed in the upper inclined surface 23-9b. It is guided by the inclined surface 23-9b and is displaced again in the immersion direction. Thereafter, as described above, the electrode 23-3 is brought into contact.

  Next, in the inkjet printer 1 having the above configuration, a state where the ink container 23 is mounted on the recording head 22 of the printer main body 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 10.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink container 23 is aligned with a predetermined area of the recording head 22, the convex portion 23-7 collides with the pressing piece 22-3. In this state, when the ink container 23 is further pushed downward vertically, as shown in FIG. 9, the pressing piece 22-3 is deformed so as to be pushed by the convex portion 23-7, and the ink containing container 23 is moved to the pressing piece. Pass through 22-3 and descend further.

  In this process, the ink container 23 is guided by the inclined surface of the guide rib 22-6 provided at the lower portion of the recording head 22, and the ink supply port 23-2 is smoothly positioned toward the introduction path 22-1.

  When the ink storage container 23 is pushed into the specified position in this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the claw part 23-5b falls into the engagement part 22-5 by the elastic force of the lever 23-5, and the ink storage container 23 is securely attached to the recording head 22. At this time, since the pressing piece 22-3 loses the supporting force by the convex portion 23-7 and returns to the original state, the lower end of the pressing piece 22-3 comes into contact with the upper surface of the convex portion 23-7.

  In the above mounting process, the movement of the contact member 22-4 of the recording head 22 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, since the ink storage container 23 is mounted on the recording head 22, the ink storage container 23 actually descends, but in order to show the movement of the contact member 22-4 more easily, the contact point It shows how the member 22-4 side rises.

  In FIG. 10, when the lower end corner portion of the ink container 23 comes into contact with the elastic contact member 22-4, the contact protrusion 22-4a is pressed and moved in the immersion direction to become the position S1.

  As the ink container 23 is further inserted, it gradually protrudes outward (position S2) while being guided by the inclined surface 23-9b of the lower portion of the cleaner 23-9 by the restoring force (position S2), to the bottom surface 23-9a. It reaches the contact position S3. And if it slides with the bottom face 23-9a over a predetermined length, it will now reach the upper inclined face 23-9b.

  In the upper inclined surface 23-9b, the contact protrusion 22-4a relatively moves while being in contact with the hole 23-9c formed in the inclined surface 23-9b, and is guided by the inclined surface 23-9b to be immersed again. (Position S4). At this time, if a foreign matter has adhered to the contact portion (here, the contact protrusion 22-4a) of the contact member 22-4 with the electrode 23-8, the contact protrusion 22-4a has a hole 23-. In the process of relative movement while being in contact with 9c, it is removed by being peeled off by the peripheral edge of the hole 23-9c.

  Therefore, the user visually checks the contamination of the contact member 22-4 as necessary, and if it is dirty, does not perform cleaning work such as wiping, that is, the user is not aware of the contamination of the contact member 22-4. The foreign matter adhering to the contact member 22-4 is efficiently and reliably removed by going through the mounting process of the ink container 23.

  Even when the ink container 23 is detached from the recording head 22, the contact protrusion 22-4a is in contact with the hole 23-9c through a process reverse to that at the time of mounting. It is removed so as to be peeled off by the periphery of the portion 23-9c.

  When the contact protrusion 22-4a gets over the upper inclined surface 23-9b, the contact protrusion 22-4a reaches the position S5 that has passed through the cleaner 23-9, and finally comes into contact with the electrode 23-8 when mounted at a specified position. It becomes the position S6.

  At this time, as described above, the foreign matter adhering to the contact protrusion 22-4a is removed by the hole 23-9c, so that the contact member 22-4 and the electrode 23-8 are reliably conducted.

  Since the contact member 22-4 is electrically connected to the CPU and the electrode 23-8 is electrically connected to the storage means 23-10, the contact member 22-4 and the electrode 23-8 are in contact with each other. At the position S6, the CPU and the storage means 23-10 are electrically connected through the contact member 22-4 and the electrode 23-8. Thus, when a signal (electrical energy) is output (supplied) from the CPU to the storage unit 23-10, the storage unit 23-10 stores information on the ink stored in the ink storage container 23 (for example, the ink An electrical operation of returning a color to the CPU.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present application, the foreign matter attached to the contact member 22-4 is removed by the hole 23-9c, which is a removing means, as the ink container 23 is attached / detached. 4 is prevented from causing poor conduction due to the foreign matter adhering to 4.

  Moreover, since the hole 23-9c is formed in the depressed position of the inclined surface 23-9b, the foreign matter removed from the contact member 22-4 is caught in the depressed portion, and thus is scattered to the periphery. Hateful.

  Further, since the hole 23-9c is formed in the inclined surface 23-9b that guides the contact member 22-4 obliquely with respect to the attaching / detaching direction of the ink container 23, the contact on the inclined surface 23-9b. The foreign matter is peeled off by the hole 23-9c while the member 22-4 (the contact protrusion 22-4a) is guided. Therefore, the contact member 22-4 is caught in the hole 23-9c and becomes a resistance when the ink container 23 is attached / detached, so that the phenomenon that the smooth operation is hindered is less likely to occur.

  Further, as described above, since the hole 23-9c is formed in the cleaner 23-9 made of sheet metal, not only the processing of the hole 23-9c is facilitated, but also the peripheral edge of the hole 23-9c. Since it becomes a sharp edge, the foreign material adhering to the contact member 22-4 can be removed more efficiently.

  Since the hole 23-9c has a penetrating shape, the foreign matter removed from the contact member 22-4 passes through the hole 23-9c and falls from the side opposite to the contact member 22-4. Therefore, the foreign matter does not remain in the hole 23-9c and is clogged, and the foreign matter removing ability does not deteriorate.

  (Second Embodiment)

  In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a laser printer (color laser printer) capable of forming a color image using toner.

  In FIG. 11, a laser printer 100 as an electrical apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a printer main body (image forming apparatus main body / main body member) 110 and an opening / closing portion 120 attached to the printer main body 110.

  12 and 13, the inside of the printer main body 110 includes four process cartridges (coloring material containers / mounting members) 103, 104, 105, and 106 that are detachably mounted and arranged substantially vertically. A transfer belt 107 disposed along these process cartridges 103, 104, 105, and 106 is provided, and the process cartridges 103, 104, 105, and 106 are removed from the space formed by opening the transfer belt 107. It is configured to be detachable in a substantially horizontal direction. In the process cartridges 103, 104, 105, and 106, photosensitive drums 111, 112, 113, and 114 on which electrostatic latent images are formed by image exposure of a scanning optical system 108 to be described later, and the formed electrostatic latent images Developing rollers 131, 132, 133, and 134 for supplying the developer and visualizing the developer are respectively provided.

  Further, the laser printer 100 is provided with a scanning optical system 108 that performs image exposure on the photosensitive drums 111, 112, 113, and 114, respectively, and static images formed on the photosensitive drums 111, 112, 113, and 114 are provided. The electrostatic latent images are stored in the process cartridges 103, 104, 105, and 106 with developers (coloring materials) of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Each is developed.

  The scanning optical system 108 as an exposure apparatus includes four semiconductor lasers that are lit and driven based on image data corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C). It is composed of an fθ lens, a polygon mirror, or a plurality of reflection mirrors for deflecting and scanning four laser beams emitted from four semiconductor lasers.

  Further, the laser printer 100 is provided with a paper feed cassette 116 for supplying paper (print medium) P below. The printer main body 110 is formed with a cassette housing portion for housing the paper feed cassette 116 so that it can be pulled out.

  The laser printer 100 is provided with a cover-like opening / closing part 120 that constitutes an apparatus side wall part above the paper feed cassette 116 and on the drawer side of the paper feed cassette 116. The opening / closing part 120 is provided so that the side surface of the apparatus can be opened / closed around a rotation fulcrum J provided at the lower part of the cassette housing part. The opening / closing part 120 is opened to open the photosensitive drums 111, 112, 113, It is configured such that maintenance can be performed on a paper jam or the like with 114 being exposed.

  Such an opening / closing unit 120 is provided with an openable / closable manual feed tray 122 so that a desired sheet P can be fed from the manual feed tray 122 from the outside of the printer main body 110.

  A discharge tray 110a for discharging the paper P on which an image is formed is formed on the upper portion of the printer main body 110.

  Further, the laser printer 100 includes a fixing device 115 that performs a fixing process on the image-transferred paper P, and reverses the front and back of the paper P on which the image is fixed on one side by the fixing device 115 and returns to the transfer unit again. Transport path 109 for duplex printing, a control circuit that controls the operation of the laser printer 100, a controller that includes an image processing circuit that performs image processing on an image signal, a power supply circuit (power supply means) that includes a high-voltage power supply circuit, and the like Is provided.

  Next, the process cartridge detachably attached to the printer main body 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the four process cartridges 103, 104, 105, and 106 all have the same configuration, the process cartridge 103 positioned at the top is described in detail here, and the other process cartridges 104, 105, and 106 are described. Description of is omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a process cartridge that is an image forming unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the process cartridge 103 has a process cartridge main body 130. The process cartridge main body 130 is provided with a scanning optical path from one end portion in the horizontal direction to the vicinity of the other end portion, and the scanning light from the scanning optical system 108 passes through the scanning optical path to the photosensitive drum 111. To reach.

  12 to 14, the process cartridge main body 130 has a cartridge upper main body 130a located at the upper part and a cartridge lower main body 130b located at the lower part. The cartridge upper body 130a is provided with the photosensitive drum 111 and a charging device (operation means) 111a for charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 111 to a predetermined potential. The cartridge lower body 130b is visible to the photosensitive drum 111. A developing roller 131 is provided for supplying the agent to form a toner image.

  Further, in the inside of the process cartridge 103, a developer accommodating portion (coloring material accommodating portion) 130- in which a developer is accommodated so as to communicate the internal space of the cartridge upper body 130a and the internal space of the cartridge lower body 130b. 1 is formed.

  A developing roller (operation means) 131 is disposed in proximity to the photosensitive drum 111 in the cartridge lower body 130b. The developing roller 131 is rotatably supported on the peripheral wall of the cartridge lower body 130b, and is electrically connected to a power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit) which is a power supply unit provided in the printer main body 110, so that the developer and Is applied with a developing voltage of reverse polarity.

  Accordingly, the carrier contained in the developer (in the case of the one-component system, the toner as the developer itself) is attracted to the developing roller 131 by a magnetic force, and the developing roller 131 rotates to face the photosensitive drum 111. Conveyed to the area. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 111 is charged with a polarity opposite to that of the developing roller 131 by a charging device 111a electrically connected to a power supply circuit (charging voltage power supply circuit) that is a power supply unit provided in the printer main body 110. Then, since the surface potential of the portion where the latent image is formed is lower than the surface potential of other portions, the toner adheres to the portion where the latent image is formed. Due to the adhesion of the toner, the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is visualized as a toner image.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the process cartridge 103 is mounted on the side surface of the process cartridge 103 to the printer main body 110, an elastic contact member (first member) provided in the printer main body 110 is provided. Electrode (second contact portion) 201 that is in contact with 200 (FIG. 16) in the vertical direction, and a plurality of (here, two) electrodes are arranged side by side, and the direction in which process cartridge 103 is attached and detached (indicated by reference sign D in FIG. 14). In the direction perpendicular to the direction shown in FIG. Further, on the left side of the electrode 201 in the drawing, a cleaner 202 in which a hole (removing means) 202c for removing foreign matter attached to the contact member 200 is formed so as to correspond to each electrode 201. It is provided with a slight gap from 201.

  The electrode 201 located at the upper part of the process cartridge 103 is electrically connected to the charging device 111a, and the contact member 200 located at the upper part of the printer main body 110 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit (charging voltage power supply circuit). Yes. On the other hand, the electrode 201 located below the process cartridge 103 is electrically connected to the developing roller 131, and the contact member 200 located below the printer main body 110 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit). Yes.

  Therefore, when the upper electrode 201 and the upper contact member 200 come into contact with each other, the power supply circuit (charging voltage power supply circuit) and the charging device 111a are electrically connected, and the charging voltage (electrical energy) is charged via the electrode 201. The charging device 111a performs an electrical operation of charging the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 111 to a predetermined potential with the charging voltage. When the lower electrode 201 and the lower contact member 200 come into contact with each other, the power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit) and the developing roller 131 are electrically connected, and the developing voltage (electric energy) is developed via the electrode 201. An electric operation is performed in which the developing roller 131 is charged to a predetermined developing voltage.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the contact member 200 provided in the printer main body 110 and connected to the power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit / charging voltage power supply circuit) is removed from the cylindrical holder cover 220 by the compression spring 210. Protrusively attached. That is, as shown in detail in FIG. 17, the contact member 200 includes a body portion 200b and a contact protrusion 200a having a diameter smaller than that of the body portion 200b and a hemispherical tip. The contact member 200 is formed at the tip of the holder cover 220 inwardly, and a compression spring is formed by a rib 220a having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the body portion 200b and larger than the outer diameter of the contact protrusion 200a. The contact protrusion 200a protrudes due to the spring force of 210, and is attached to the holder cover 220 so that the barrel part 200b is prevented from falling off.

  The holder cover 220 is fixed at the position of the printer main body 110 that contacts the electrode 201 provided on the process cartridge 103 when the process cartridge 103 is mounted at a specified position.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cleaner 202 located just beside the electrode 201 is slightly longer along the mounting direction of the process cartridge 103 with respect to the printer main body 110. In the process in which the process cartridge 103 is inserted into the printer main body 110, the contact member 200 provided on the printer main body 110 contacts the cleaner 202 of the process cartridge 103. When the process cartridge 103 is completely mounted, the process cartridge 103 comes into contact with the electrode 23-3.

  The cleaner 202 is made of sheet metal, for example. As shown in FIG. 15, the cleaner 202 has a recessed shape with respect to the side surface of the process cartridge 103, and an inclined surface 202 b is formed to connect the bottom surface 202 a of the cleaner 202 and the side surface of the process cartridge 103 without a step. Has been. A hole 202c that contacts the contact member 200 is formed through the inclined surface 202b on the electrode 201 side. Therefore, the hole 202c is also formed at a depressed position called the inclined surface 202b.

  Furthermore, a drop hole 202d through which foreign matter removed as described below flows and falls to the back side passes through the lower portion of the depressed portion of the cleaner 202 so as to straddle the inclined surface 202b and the non-depressed portion. Is formed.

  When the process cartridge 103 is mounted on the printer main body 110, the contact member 200 of the printer main body 110 is displaced in the immersion direction with the contact protrusion 200 a coming into contact with the side surface of the process cartridge 103, and then the inclined surface of the cleaner 202. It is guided by the inclined surface 202b while being in contact with the hole 202c formed on the opposite inclined surface 202b and is displaced again in the immersion direction while contacting the hole 202c formed on the opposite inclined surface 202b while being gradually projected by being guided by 202b. Thereafter, as described above, the electrode 201 is brought into contact.

  Next, in the inkjet printer 1 having the above-described configuration, the electrode 201 and the cleaner 202 provided on the process cartridge 103 and the contact member provided on the printer main body 110 when the process cartridge 103 is mounted on the printer main body 110. The relationship with the terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, since the process cartridge 103 is mounted on the printer main body 110, the process cartridge 103 side actually moves. However, in order to show the movement of the contact member 200 more clearly, the contact member 200 side moves. It is a way of showing.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the process cartridge 103 is aligned with a pair of guide rails (not shown) provided in the printer main body 110 and pushed into the guide rails, the contact points are obtained. The member 200 moves in the immersion direction against the spring force, and becomes a position S11 where the member 200 is in sliding contact with the side surface of the process cartridge 103.

  When the process cartridge 103 is further inserted, the contact member 200 gradually protrudes outwardly (position S12) while being guided by the inclined surface 202b of the cleaner 202 by the spring force, up to the position S13 that contacts the bottom surface 202a. To reach. And if it slides with the bottom face 202a over predetermined length, it will arrive at the inclined surface 202b of the opposite side (electrode 201 side) this time.

  In the inclined surface 202b, the contact protrusion 200a moves relative to the hole 202c formed in the inclined surface 202b and moves relative to the inclined surface 202b, and is displaced in the immersion direction again by being guided by the inclined surface 202b (position S14). At this time, if a foreign object has adhered to the contact protrusion 200a that is a contact portion with the electrode 201 of the contact member 200, the foreign object moves in the process of relative movement while the contact protrusion 200a is in contact with the hole 202c. It is removed by being peeled off by the peripheral edge of 202c.

  Therefore, even if the user is not aware of the contamination of the contact member 200, the foreign matter adhering to the contact member 200 is efficiently and reliably removed by going through the process cartridge 103 mounting process.

  In addition to the hole 202c, the removed foreign matter descends along the depressed surface due to its own weight, is taken into the drop hole 202d, and falls to the back side of the cleaner 202.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, when the process cartridge 103 is detached from the recording head 22, the contact protrusion 200a is in contact with the hole 202c through a process opposite to that at the time of mounting. In addition, the adhered foreign matter is removed so as to be peeled off by the peripheral edge of the hole 202c.

  The contact protrusion 200a is located at a position S15 where the cleaner 202 is removed after passing through the inclined surface 202b. When the contact protrusion 200a is finally attached at a specified position, the contact protrusion 200a becomes a position S16 where the electrode 201 contacts the electrode 201. As described above, the foreign matter adhering to the contact projection 200a is removed by the hole 202c, so that the contact member 200 and the electrode 201 are reliably connected.

  The contact member 200 located at the upper part of the printer main body 110 is electrically connected to a power supply circuit (charging voltage power supply circuit), and the upper electrode 201 in contact with the contact member 200 is electrically connected to the charging device 111a. Therefore, at the position S16 where the upper contact member 200 and the upper electrode 201 are in contact, the power supply circuit (charging voltage power supply circuit) and the charging device 111a are electrically connected via the contact member 200 and the electrode 201. Is done. Thus, when a charging voltage (electrical energy) is output (supplied) from the power supply circuit (charging voltage power supply circuit) to the charging device 111a, the charging device 111a charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 111 to a predetermined potential. An electrical operation is performed.

  Further, the contact member 200 located at the bottom of the printer main body 110 is electrically connected to a power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit), and the lower electrode 201 in contact with the contact member 200 is electrically connected to the developing roller 131. Therefore, at the position S16 where the lower contact member 200 and the lower electrode 201 are in contact, the power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit) and the developing roller 131 are electrically connected via the contact member 200 and the electrode 201. Is done. As a result, when the developing voltage (electrical energy) is output (supplied) from the power supply circuit (developing voltage power supply circuit) to the developing roller 131, the developing roller 131 attracts the carrier or toner by magnetic force. Execute.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present application, the foreign matter attached to the contact member 200 is removed by the hole 202c, which is the removing means, as the process cartridge 103 is attached / detached. Thus, it is possible to prevent a conduction failure.

  Further, since the hole 202c is formed at the depressed position called the inclined surface 202b, the foreign matter removed from the contact member 200 is caught by the depressed portion and is not easily scattered to the periphery.

  Further, since the hole 202c is formed in the inclined surface 202b, the foreign material is peeled off by the hole 202c while the contact member 200 is guided by the inclined surface 202b, so that the hole 202c attaches and detaches the process cartridge 103. There will be no resistance.

  Furthermore, since the hole 202c is formed in the cleaner 202 made of sheet metal, not only the hole 202c is easily processed, but also the peripheral edge of the hole 202c becomes a sharp edge, so that it adheres to the contact member 200. The removed foreign matter can be removed more efficiently.

  Furthermore, since the hole 202c has a penetrating shape, the foreign matter removed from the contact member 200 passes through the hole 202c and falls from the side opposite to the contact member 200 (the back side of the cleaner 202). Therefore, the foreign matter remains in the hole 202c and becomes clogged, and the foreign matter removing ability does not deteriorate.

  In addition, by arranging a recovery unit (for example, a bag-like member or a magnet if the foreign matter is magnetic) on the back side of the cleaner 202 to supplement the foreign matter dropped from the hole 202c or the drop hole 202d, It is possible to prevent the accumulation in the process cartridge 103 gradually. Alternatively, on the back side of the cleaner 202, for example, a recovery unit that is configured by a rotating body provided with spiral blades around the rotation shaft and that transports and collects foreign matter by rotation is arranged, so that the process cartridge 103 is similarly configured. It is possible to prevent gradual accumulation inside.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the first contact portion (the contact member 22-4 of the recording head 22 attached to the printer body 10 which is a main body member, the printer which is the main body member). The contact member 200 of the main body 110 protrudes, but conversely, the second contact portion (the electrode 23-8 of the ink container 23 which is a mounting member and the electrode 201 of the process cartridge 103 which is a mounting member) protrudes. May be. Alternatively, both the first contact portion and the second contact portion may protrude.

  The removing means for removing the foreign matter adhering to the protruding contact portion (the first contact portion and / or the second contact portion) is a hole portion in the embodiment. It may be a processed member.

  Further, since the removing means removes the foreign matter adhering to the contact portion, the removing means is provided on the side where the protruding contact portion is formed. That is, if the protruding contact portion is provided on the main body member, the removing means is provided on the mounting member side. Therefore, if both the contact portion of the main body member and the contact portion of the mounting member protrude, the removing means may be provided on either the main body member or the mounting member.

  In the above description, an example in which the present invention is applied to an inkjet printer capable of forming a color image and a laser printer capable of forming a color image using toner is described. Although the process cartridge is illustrated, even when these printers are used as main body members, the mounting members are not limited to these, and various members (for example, laser printers) that are detachably attached to the printer main body. The transfer roll in the above can be applied.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these printers, and can be applied to various electrical devices having a relationship between a main body member and a mounting member that is detachably attached to the main body member.

  The power supply means that is provided in the main body member and supplies electric energy is not only means for supplying electric power as electric energy (power supply etc.) but also means for supplying electric signal as electric energy. (Electric circuit, etc.). Therefore, the operation means is a concept including not only a means that operates by receiving electric power but also a means that operates by receiving an electric signal.

1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer head of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a recording head and an ink container in the ink jet printer that is the first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the nozzle provided in the recording head of the inkjet printer which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ink container in the ink jet printer that is the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the circuit board attached to the ink container. It is a perspective view showing a contact member provided in the recording head. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state of an ink container that is attached to a recording head in the ink jet printer that is the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view continuously showing the state of the ink container mounted on the recording head in the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, starting from FIG. 8. In the ink jet printer which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing which shows a motion of the contact member when an ink storage container is mounted | worn with the recording head of a printer main body. It is a perspective view which shows the laser printer which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the laser printer which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an internal structure of the laser printer which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which opened and closed the opening / closing part. It is a perspective view which shows the process cartridge in the laser printer which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the electrode and cleaner which were provided in the side surface of the process cartridge. It is a perspective view showing a contact member provided in the printer main body. In the laser printer which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing which shows a motion of the contact member when a process cartridge is mounted in a printer main body.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inkjet printer (electric equipment)
10. Printer body (image forming device body / body member)
22 Recording head 22-4 Contact member (first contact portion)
22-4a Contact protrusion 23 Ink container (coloring material container / mounting member)
23-8 Electrode (second contact part)
23-9 cleaner 23-9a bottom surface 23-9b inclined surface 23-9c hole (removing means)
23-10 Storage means (operation means)
100 Laser printer (electrical equipment)
103, 104, 105, 106 Process cartridge (coloring material container / mounting member)
110 Printer main body (image forming apparatus main body / main body member)
111, 112, 113, 114 Photosensitive drum 111a Charging device (operation means)
130 Process cartridge body 131 Developing roller (operating means)
200 Contact member (first contact part)
200a Contact protrusion 200b Body portion 201 Electrode (second contact portion)
202 Cleaner 202a Bottom surface 202b Inclined surface 202c Hole (removing means)
202d Drop hole 210 Compression spring 220 Holder cover P Paper (printing medium)

Claims (12)

A mounting member that is detachably attached to the main body member,
An operating means for receiving an electrical energy from the body member and performing an electrical operation;
It is provided to face the operating means and face the direction crossing the attaching / detaching direction, and when attached to the main body member, comes into contact with the first contact portion provided to protrude from the main body member and from the main body member. A second contact for sending said electrical energy to said operating means;
Removing means for removing the foreign matter adhering to the first contact portion in contact with the first contact portion in the process of being attached to and detached from the main body member;
A mounting member comprising: A power supply means for supplying predetermined electrical energy, and a main body member provided with a first contact portion that is electrically connected to the power supply means and faces the outside;
The mounting member according to claim 1;
An electrical apparatus comprising: A body member to which the mounting member is detachably attached,
A power supply means for supplying predetermined electrical energy required to execute an electrical operation of the operation means provided on the mounting member;
Conductive with the power feeding means and provided facing the outside, and when the mounting member is mounted, it contacts the second contact portion provided protruding from the mounting member, and the electrical energy is supplied to the operating means. A first contact portion to send;
Removing means for removing foreign matter adhering to the second contact portion in contact with the second contact portion in the process of attaching and detaching the mounting member;
A main body member characterized by comprising: A main body member according to claim 3,
An operation means that is detachably attached to the main body member and that receives the electrical energy to perform an electrical operation, and that is electrically connected to the operation means and faces in a direction crossing the attachment / detachment direction. A mounting member comprising a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion when attached to the body member and sends the electrical energy to the operating means;
An electrical apparatus comprising: A power supply means for supplying predetermined electrical energy, and a main body member provided with a first contact portion that is electrically connected to the power supply means and faces the outside;
An operation means that is detachably attached to the main body member and that receives the electrical energy to perform an electrical operation, and that is electrically connected to the operation means and faces in a direction crossing the attachment / detachment direction. A mounting member comprising a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion when attached to the body member and sends the electrical energy to the operating means;
Provided on at least one of the main body member and the mounting member, and in contact with the contact portion provided on the counterpart member in the process of attaching and detaching the mounting member to the contact member, A removing means for removing adhered foreign matter,
The contact portion in contact with the removing means protrudes,
Electrical equipment characterized by that. The electrical device according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein the removing means is a hole portion that contacts the contact portion. The electrical device according to claim 2, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the hole is formed at a depressed position. The electric device according to claim 7, wherein the hole portion is formed on an inclined surface that guides the contact portion obliquely with respect to an attaching / detaching direction of the mounting member. The electric device according to claim 8, wherein the hole is formed in a sheet metal. The electric device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the hole portion has a penetrating shape. The electrical device according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5, and 6 to 10, further comprising a recovery unit that recovers foreign matter removed from the contact portion. The main body member is an image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a print medium based on predetermined print data;
The mounting member is a color material container including a color material container that can accommodate a color material used for image formation.
12. The electric device according to claim 2, 4, 5, or 6 to 11.

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