JP2011242417A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus preventing forgetting the removal of a protective member with good operability in a simple structure in the image forming apparatus transported with a process cartridge incorporated in the apparatus.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a body contact 9b to/from which a process cartridge including a storage element is attachable/detachable and which is for coming into electrical contact with a contact CT of the storage element; an opening for attaching/detaching the process cartridge to the apparatus body; and a cover 7 provided to be movable to the apparatus body for opening and closing the opening. In this configuration, the protective member 10 is provided on the cover 7 for retaining the two contacts CT and 9b in a state of non-contact by intervening between the contact CT and the body contact 9b. The protective member 10 intervening between the contact CT and body contact 9b in a state of having the process cartridge attached to the apparatus body and the cover 7 closed is removed from between the contact CT and the body contact 9b in association with an action of opening the cover 7 and the contact CT and the body contact 9b are brought into electrical contact.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a contact of a storage element and a main body contact are in electrical contact with each other by mounting a process cartridge having a storage element on the apparatus main body.

  In recent years, a product in which a storage element for storing various service information and process information is mounted on a process cartridge has been realized. The image forming apparatus uses information stored in the storage element of the process cartridge to further improve image quality and process cartridge maintenance. The process cartridge comes into contact with a pressed portion (electrical contact of the storage element) provided on the cartridge frame by contacting a main body pressing means (main body electrical contact) provided on the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. (Refer to Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, as a physical distribution form of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge, conventionally, the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge are packed in separate boxes, or the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge are packed in one box. It has been. Among them, when the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge are packed in one box, the process cartridge may be packed in the image forming apparatus main body for the purpose of reducing the volume of the box and increasing the distribution efficiency. It has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  Thus, when the image forming apparatus is packed and transported with the process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body, there is a measure for protecting the contacted electrical contacts from vibrations and shocks that the apparatus and the cartridge receive during transportation. desired. Therefore, conventionally, a protective member is provided on the electrical contact of the memory element of the process cartridge to prevent the electrical contact from being damaged by the vibration or impact. At this time, in order to prevent forgetting to remove the protection member, a configuration has been proposed in which the protection member is provided on a seal member that separates the developing container and the toner storage container in the process cartridge (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2004-045857 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-104637 JP 2007-047399 A

  However, in the conventional technique, there is a case where the printing operation is performed by forgetting to remove the seal member provided with the protective member.

  In the case where the protective member is provided on the sealing member, if the contact point of the sealing member is separated from the contact position of the storage element, it is necessary to enlarge the protective member accordingly. Furthermore, when the contact point between the outlet of the seal member and the storage element is too far away, it is difficult to provide a protective member on the seal member.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent forgetting to remove the protective member with a simple configuration in an image forming apparatus that transports a process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body, regardless of the positional relationship with the outlet of the seal member. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a process cartridge having a storage element for storing information, and a body contact for electrically contacting the contact of the storage element, and the process cartridge in the apparatus body. An image forming apparatus comprising: an opening for attaching and detaching; and an opening and closing member provided movably on the apparatus main body for opening and closing the opening, wherein the contact of the storage element and the main body are provided on the opening and closing member. A protective member for holding the two contacts in a non-contact state interposed between the contacts and the contact of the storage element with the process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body and the open / close member closed. A protective member interposed between the main body contact and the main body contact is disconnected from the contact between the memory element and the main body contact in conjunction with the opening of the opening / closing member. Wherein the main body contact, characterized in that the electrical contact.

  According to the present invention, the protection member is provided on the opening / closing member, and the protection member can be removed by a simple operation of opening the opening / closing member. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that transports a process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the protective member with a simple configuration and to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability.

(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the transport mode of the image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A), (b) is a side view of the cover which has a protection member, (c) is a perspective view of a protection member. (A) is a perspective view of a process cartridge, (b) is a side view of a movable connector unit having a main body contact, and (c) is a perspective view of a movable connector unit having a main body contact. (A), (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the operation of the movable connector unit accompanying the mounting of the process cartridge in the first embodiment, and (c) is the movable accompanying the mounting of the process cartridge in the first embodiment. Side view showing operation of connector unit (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the movable connector unit accompanying the mounting of the process cartridge in the first embodiment, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the mounting locus of the process cartridge C in the first embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the operation of the mounting jig in the first embodiment, and (c) is an image formation showing the contact state between the protective member and the process cartridge in the first embodiment. Partial sectional view of the device (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment with the cover opened, (b) is a perspective view of a mounting jig in the second embodiment, and (c) is a mounting jig in the second embodiment. Schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the operation of the tool (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the operation of the mounting jig in the second embodiment, (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the operation of the mounting jig in the second embodiment, (c) ) Is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Therefore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Here, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.

(Electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 1B, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) M has a process cartridge C having a photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 3 as an image carrier detachably mounted. Yes. A laser beam based on image information is irradiated from the optical system 8 onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to form a latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3.

  In synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the sheet S accommodated in the feeding tray K disposed near the bottom of the main body is fed by the feeding roller 1. The fed sheet S is opposed to the photosensitive drum 3 and the transfer roller (transfer means) 4 while being prevented from being double-fed by the separation pad 2 pressed against the feed roller 1 by a spring (not shown). It is conveyed to the transfer position. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred to the sheet S by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4. The sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 disposed near the top surface of the main body. The fixing unit 5 fixes the transferred toner image by applying heat and pressure to the passing sheet S. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 6 and is discharged and stacked on the top surface of the main body.

  A cover 7 as an opening / closing member is movably provided on the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus M. The cover 7 opens or closes the opening of the apparatus main body for attaching / detaching the process cartridge C. The upper surface of the cover 7 also serves as a discharge unit for stacking the sheets S discharged by the discharge roller pair 6. Further, a protective member 10 is provided inside the cover 7 (inside the apparatus main body). The protection member 10 will be described in detail later.

(Process cartridge)
The process cartridge C includes a photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 3 as an image carrier, and at least one process means acting on the photosensitive drum 3. Although not shown in detail here, the process means includes, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after transfer. There are cleaning means for cleaning the toner.

  The process cartridge C can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus M as described above. The process cartridge C has a storage element (not shown) that stores various service information and process information. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the process cartridge C. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cartridge frame of the process cartridge C is provided with two storage element contacts CT that are electrically connected to a storage element (not shown). Here, the storage element contact CT is an electrical contact on the cartridge side, and is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge C (axial direction of the photosensitive drum). Further, on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge C, bosses C1 and C2 are provided which are guided by guide members (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body when being attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1B, the main body of the image forming apparatus M is provided with a movable connector unit 9 having a main body contact 9b so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum 9a. FIG. 3B is a side view of the movable connector unit 9. The main body contact 9b of the movable connector unit 9 is an electrical contact on the apparatus main body side. As shown in FIG. 3B, the main body contact 9b is biased in a direction to contact the storage element contact CT by a spring (not shown), and when the contact is pressed against the force of the spring, the retracted position 9b ' Move to. FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the movable connector unit 9. As shown in FIG. 3C, the movable connector unit 9 is provided with two main body contacts 9b so as to come into contact with each of the two storage element contacts CT on the process cartridge C described above. The movable connector unit 9 has a boss 9c on the side surface. When the movable connector unit 9 is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body, the main body contact 9b is in electrical contact with the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C.

(Protective member)
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the cover 7 is interposed between the storage element contact CT and the main body contact 9b to protect the two contacts CT and 9b in a non-contact state. A member 10 is provided.

  The protection member provided on the cover 7 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig.2 (a) is a side view of the protection member provided in the cover. FIG. 2B is a side view showing a state in which the protective member provided on the cover is swung. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the protective member.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the protective member 10 has a fulcrum 10 a that is one end portion that can be rotated (swingable) by a holding portion 7 b provided inside the cover 7. ). The protection member 10 is a plate-like arm member that is urged in a direction toward the inside of the cover 7 by a torsion coil spring 11 as an urging member.

  The cover 7 is provided on the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable. Specifically, the cover 7 is provided so as to be swingable about a fulcrum 7a.

  As shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, the protection member 10 has a protrusion 10b. Pressure is applied to the protrusion 10 b by the torsion coil spring 11, and the protection member 10 is urged in the direction toward the inside of the cover 7. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2A, the protection member 10 stops in a state where it hits the inner side surface (7C portion in the figure) of the cover 7.

  Further, a boss 10 c is provided on the front end portion (the other end portion) side of the protection member 10. The boss 10c is used to engage a jig described later when the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C in contact with the main body contact 9b of the movable connector unit 9 is brought into a non-contact state with the protective member 10. Is.

  Next, the operation of the mechanism of the movable connector unit accompanying the mounting of the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the cover 7 is opened around the fulcrum 7a and the process cartridge C is about to be inserted into the apparatus main body. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the process of mounting the process cartridge C. FIG. 4C is a detailed view for explaining the operation of the contact lever 12 and the movable connector unit 9. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the process cartridge C is mounted in the image forming apparatus M. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting locus (movement area) of the process cartridge C with respect to the image forming apparatus M (movable connector unit is omitted).

  In FIG. 4A, reference numeral 12 denotes a contact lever that is a moving member that drives the movable connector unit 9. As shown in FIG. 4A, the contact lever 12 is provided with a groove 12b, and the boss 9c of the movable connector unit 9 is fitted into the groove 12b. The contact lever 12 can swing around a fulcrum 12a.

  When the process cartridge C is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus M, the movable connector unit 9 is retracted by a spring (not shown) so as not to obstruct the insertion of the process cartridge as shown in FIG. In position.

  The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus M is provided with a guide member (not shown) for guiding the bosses C1 and C2 of the process cartridge C when the process cartridge C is inserted. When the process cartridge C is inserted into the image forming apparatus M, the guide member guides the bosses C1 and C2, whereby the process cartridge C is mounted on the apparatus main body. The guide member has a mounting locus such that the boss C2 contacts the contact lever 12 when the process cartridge C is inserted into the apparatus main body.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the middle of mounting the process cartridge C, the boss C2 comes into contact with the contact lever 12 positioned on the mounting locus by the guide member (not shown). When the process cartridge C is further pushed in, the boss C2 swings the contact lever 12 in the mounting direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, when the boss C2 of the process cartridge C moves along the locus CR to a position C2 ′ (indicated by a two-dot chain line), the contact lever 12 swings in the mounting direction. To position 12 '. When the contact lever 12 swings, the boss 9c of the movable connector unit 9 swings in conjunction with the groove 12b of the contact lever 12. As a result, when the process cartridge C is mounted, the movable connector unit 9 moves to the position 9 '.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the process cartridge C is attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus M, the movable connector unit 9 swings and the main body contact 9b comes into contact with the contact CT of the process cartridge C.

  A guide member (not shown) for guiding the bosses C1 and C2 of the process cartridge so that the mounting locus of the process cartridge C attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus M passes the locus as shown in FIG. Is provided.

  Here, the mounting jig 13 used for the operation of protecting the contact by the protection member 10 will be described. That is, the mounting jig 13 used for the operation of bringing the storage element contact CT in contact with the protection member 10 and the main body contact 9b into a non-contact state will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the mounting jig 13 is a jig used when protecting the memory element contact CT with the protection member 10, and is made of a wire or the like. The mounting jig 13 has a curved portion 13 a for hooking on the boss 10 c of the protection member 10. The bending portion 13a of the mounting jig 13 is engaged with the boss 10c of the protection member 10, and the protection member 10 provided on the cover 7 is sent to a non-contact position for protecting the two contacts in a non-contact state.

  Next, the operation of the protective member 10 interposed between the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b of the apparatus main body to hold the two contacts in a non-contact state will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the mounting of the process cartridge C is completed, the foamed polystyrene is used so that the process cartridge C is not shaken in order to pack and transport the image forming apparatus M with the process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. The cushioning material P formed by etc. is inserted. Thus, it is widely performed that the cushioning material P is inserted so as not to move during transportation.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the bending portion 13a of the mounting jig 13 is hooked on the boss 10c of the protective member 10 in a state where the cover 7 is opened. When the bending portion 13a of the mounting jig 13 is hooked on the boss 10c of the protective member 10, the cover 7 is rotated in the direction of arrow B while the mounting jig 13 is pulled in the direction of arrow A and closed. As described above, the cushioning material P inserted into the apparatus main body regulates the process cartridge C so that it does not shake.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a process of closing the cover 7 while pulling the mounting jig 13. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the mounting jig 13 is removed from the boss 10c of the protective member 10, the rotation of the cover 7 is temporarily stopped at a position where the protective member 10 contacts the wall C3 of the process cartridge C. . In this state, the bending portion 13a of the mounting jig 13 is removed from the boss 10c of the protective member 10, and the mounting jig 13 is taken out of the machine. When the mounting jig 13 is removed from the boss 10c, the protective member 10 rotates around the fulcrum 7a by the urging force of the spring 11 as shown in FIG. Contact C3. Here, the cover 7 is rotated again and closed. As a result, the protection member 10 that has come into contact with the wall C3 has its distal end moved along the wall C3 and enters between the main body contact 9b of the movable connector unit 9 and the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C, and both contact points. Is held in a non-contact state. Thereby, it can prevent that contacts contact. Then, as shown in FIG. 1A, the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge C mounted on the apparatus main body is packed and transported.

  Next, an operation when the user uses the transported image forming apparatus will be described. In order to use the image forming apparatus in the state shown in FIG. 1A after unpacking, the user opens the cover 7 in order to remove the cushioning material P that has prevented the process cartridge C from shaking from the apparatus main body. In conjunction with the opening operation of the cover 7, the protective member 10 comes out between the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9 b of the movable connector unit 9. As a result, the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b of the movable connector unit 9 return to the contact state. When the cover 7 is further opened, the protection member 10 is also released from contact with the wall C3 of the process cartridge C as shown in FIG. 5A, and is applied to the bottom surface (inner side surface) of the cover 7 by the biasing force of the spring. It abuts and is regulated. Thereby, the plate-shaped protection member 10 is in a state along the inside of the cover 7. In this state, the buffer material P is removed from the inside of the apparatus main body, and the cover 7 is closed. When the process cartridge C has a configuration in which the developing container and the toner storage container in the process cartridge are separated by a seal member, the seal member of the process cartridge C is removed and the process cartridge C is mounted, and then the cover 7 is closed. . Here, since the protection member 10 is in a state along the inner side of the cover 7, it does not interfere with the process cartridge C even when the cover 7 is closed. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1B, the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b on the apparatus main body side are brought into a printable state. Even when the cover 7 is opened, the protection member 10 is in a state along the inside of the cover 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge C is retracted to the outside of the moving area where it is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Therefore, when the process cartridge C is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the operability is not deteriorated.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the cover is opened in order to remove the buffer material or to remove the seal member of the process cartridge, the protection member is retracted to the cover side in conjunction with this, and the storage element contact is An electrical connection is made in contact with the main body contact. Thus, the protective member can be removed by a simple configuration in which the protective member is provided on the cover that can be opened and closed, and by a simple operation of opening the cover. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that transports a process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the protective member with a simple configuration and to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability.

  Further, since the protective member after returning both the contacts to the contact state is housed in a state along the inner surface of the cover by the biasing force of the spring 11, it does not interfere with subsequent operations such as cartridge replacement. .

  Even if the seal member of the cartridge is automatically wound, the removal of the protection member is linked to the opening / closing operation of the cover, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the protection member.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, description of the part which overlaps with 1st Embodiment mentioned above is abbreviate | omitted, and it demonstrates using the same number as 1st Embodiment for the member which has the same function.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the protective member and the cover.

  FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a cover (opening / closing member) provided in an openable / closable manner on the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus M according to the second embodiment is opened. In FIG. 7A, 14 is a cover as an opening / closing member, 14 b is a minute hole provided in the cover 14, and 16 is an elastic member (protective member) having one end fixed to the inner side surface (bottom surface) of the cover 14. Member).

  The elastic member 16 as a protective member is interposed between the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b of the apparatus main body to hold the two contacts in a non-contact state. Here, the elastic member 16 is a plate-like elastic member that does not transmit light, and one end (a range indicated by 16a in FIG. 7A) is bonded to the inner surface of the cover 14 with a double-sided tape or the like. Yes. As shown in FIG. 7A, after the process cartridge C is mounted on the apparatus main body, a buffer material P is mounted in the apparatus main body so that the process cartridge C does not move.

  FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a mounting jig used when the elastic member 16 is interposed between the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b of the apparatus main body. As shown in FIG. 7B, the mounting jig 15 is cylindrical and has a thin cylindrical portion 15b for insertion into a hole 14b provided in the cover 14.

  Returning to FIG. 7A, the description will be continued. As shown in FIG. 7A, the cylindrical portion 15b of the mounting jig 15 is inserted into the minute hole 14b provided in the cover 14 in the opened state. Thus, the elastic member 16 having one end (16a) bonded to the inside of the cover 14 is arranged such that the other end is separated from the inner surface of the cover 14 by the cylindrical portion 15b of the mounting jig 15. Pushed down. When the cover 14 is rotated and closed in this state, the elastic member 16 has its distal end portion (the other end portion) in contact with the wall C3 of the process cartridge C as shown in FIG. The length of the cylindrical portion 15b of the mounting jig 15 is set in this way. When the cover 14 is further closed with the tip of the elastic member 16 in contact with the wall C3 of the process cartridge C, the elastic member 16 is guided between the storage element contact CT and the main body contact 9b along the wall C3 of the process cartridge C. It is burned.

  FIG. 8A is a view showing a state in which the cover is closed. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the cover 14 is closed, the elastic member 16 enters between the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b on the main body side, and the two contacts are not connected. Hold in contact. Thereby, it can prevent that contacts contact. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, the mounting jig 15 is removed. In the state shown in FIG. 8B (with the mounting jig 15 removed), the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge C mounted on the apparatus main body is packed and transported.

  Next, an operation when the user uses the transported image forming apparatus will be described. In order to use the image forming apparatus which has been unpacked and brought into the state of FIG. 8B, the user opens the cover 14 in order to remove the cushioning material P, which has suppressed the process cartridge C from shaking, from the apparatus main body. In conjunction with the opening operation of the cover 14, the elastic member 16 comes out between the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9 b of the movable connector unit 9. As a result, the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b of the movable connector unit 9 return to the contact state. When the cover 14 is further opened, the elastic member 16 is released from contact with the wall C3 of the process cartridge C as shown in FIG. 7A, and is brought into contact with the bottom surface (inner side surface) of the cover 7 by its own elastic force. It abuts and is regulated. As a result, the plate-like elastic member 16 is in a state along the inside of the cover 14. In this state, the buffer material P is removed from the inside of the apparatus main body, and the cover 14 is shown. If the process cartridge C has a configuration in which the developing container and the toner storage container in the process cartridge are separated by a seal member, the seal member of the process cartridge C is removed and the process cartridge C is mounted, and then the cover 14 is closed. . Here, since the elastic member 16 is in a state along the inside of the cover 7, the elastic member 16 does not interfere with the process cartridge C even when the cover 7 is closed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8C, the storage element contact CT of the process cartridge C and the main body contact 9b on the apparatus main body side are brought into a printable state. In a printable state, the elastic member 16 that does not transmit light closes the minute hole 14b of the cover 14, so that light does not enter and image defects do not occur. Even when the cover 7 is opened, the elastic member 16 is in a state along the inside of the cover 7 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the process cartridge C is retracted to the outside of the moving area where it is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Therefore, when the process cartridge C is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the operability is not deteriorated.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the cover is opened to remove the buffer material or the seal member of the process cartridge, the elastic member is retracted to the cover side in conjunction with this, and the storage element contact is An electrical connection is made in contact with the main body contact. Thus, the elastic member can be removed by a simple configuration in which the elastic member is provided on the cover that can be opened and closed, and by a simple operation of opening the cover. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that transports a process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the elastic member with a simple configuration, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with good operability.

  Further, since the elastic member after returning both the contacts to the contact state is housed in a state along the inner surface of the cover by its own elastic force, it does not interfere with subsequent operations such as cartridge replacement.

  Even if the seal member of the cartridge is automatically wound, the removal of the protection member is linked to the opening / closing operation of the cover, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the protection member.

  Compared to the first embodiment described above, since it is not necessary to stop the cover halfway and remove the mounting jig, the operability is better and the protective member (elastic member) is easily assembled and the contacts are not contacted. Can be kept in a state.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the seal member of the cartridge is pulled out is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is effective even for an image forming apparatus that automatically winds a seal member and stores it in a cartridge.

  In the second embodiment described above, a minute hole is made in the cover 14 and the protective member is pushed down by the mounting jig to separate the contacts, but the same can be applied to the first embodiment described above. . That is, it is also possible to make a small hole in the cover 7, insert a mounting jig, and push down the protection member biased by the spring to separate the contacts. By doing this, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, four process cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body are used. However, the number of the use cartridges is not limited, and may be set as needed. Further, the process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body only needs to include a photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) and at least one process unit that acts on the photosensitive drum. As the process means, as described above, there are a charging means, a developing means, a cleaning means and the like. In the case where the process cartridge has a developing unit and the developing container and the toner storage container are separated from each other by a seal member, the seal member is automatically wound and stored in the cartridge even if the seal member is pulled out. It does not matter. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus may be another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, or another image forming apparatus such as a multi-function machine combining these functions. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus that uses a transfer material carrier and sequentially superimposes and transfers the toner images of the respective colors onto the transfer material carried on the transfer material carrier. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus that uses an intermediate transfer member, sequentially transfers toner images of each color on the intermediate transfer member, and transfers the toner images carried on the intermediate transfer member collectively onto a transfer material. Also good. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to these image forming apparatuses in which the cartridge is detachably mounted.

C: Process cartridge C3 ... Wall CT ... Memory element contact M ... Image forming apparatus 7 ... Cover 9 ... Movable connector unit 9a ... Supporting point 9b ... Main body contact 10 ... Protection member 11 ... Torsion coil spring 12 ... Contact lever 13 ... Mounting jig 14 ... Cover 14b ... Hole 15 ... Mounting jig 15b ... Cylindrical portion 16 ... Elastic member

Claims (4)

A process cartridge having a storage element for storing information is detachable, a body contact for making electrical contact with a contact of the storage element, an opening for attaching / detaching the process cartridge to / from the apparatus body, and opening / closing the opening An image forming apparatus having an opening / closing member movably provided in the apparatus main body,
The opening / closing member is provided with a protective member for holding the two contacts in a non-contact state interposed between the contact of the storage element and the main body contact,
In a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body and the opening / closing member is closed, a protective member interposed between the contact of the storage element and the body contact opens in conjunction with the operation of opening the opening / closing member. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the contact of the storage element and the main body contact are in electrical contact with each other by separating from the contact between the element and the main body contact. The protective member is a plate-like arm member having one end portion rotatably provided inside the opening / closing member and urged by the urging member in a direction toward the inside of the opening / closing member,
When the opening and closing member is closed from the state where the other end is interposed between the contact of the storage element and the main body contact, the opening and closing member is retracted so as not to interfere with the process cartridge. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when opened, the process cartridge is retracted to an outside of a moving area in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The protective member is a plate-like elastic member having one end fixed inside the opening / closing member,
When the opening and closing member is closed from the state where the other end is interposed between the contact of the storage element and the main body contact, the opening and closing member is retracted so as not to interfere with the process cartridge. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when opened, the process cartridge is retracted to an outside of a moving area in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transports a process cartridge having an image carrier and a process unit acting on the image carrier in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. Forming equipment.

Images