JP2014228609A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely bring a unit-side terminal into contact with a main-body-side terminal.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body and a unit attached to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes a main-body-side connector 24 including a main-body-side terminal 28a and a main-body-side housing 25 holding the main-body-side connector 24. The main-body-side housing 25 includes a first guide wall 37 where the main-body-side terminal 28a is arranged and a second guide wall 38 facing the first guide wall 37. The unit includes a unit-side connector 78 including a unit-side terminal 81a and a unit-side housing 79 holding the unit-side connector 78. The unit-side housing 79 includes a first wall part 90 where the unit-side terminal 81a is arranged and a second wall part 91 provided on the side opposite to the first wall part 90. When the unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the unit-side terminal 81a comes into contact with the main-body-side terminal 28a and the second wall part 91 abuts on the second guide wall 38.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body having an image forming unit and a unit (for example, a toner container) attached to the apparatus main body. The unit may be detachably attached to the apparatus body so that the unit itself can be easily replaced or jammed (a process for removing paper jammed inside the apparatus body).

  Further, depending on the model of the image forming apparatus, a main body side connector is provided in the apparatus main body, and a unit side connector (information chip) is provided in the unit. By communicating between the main body side connector and the unit side connector, various information can be read from the unit side connector and various information can be written to the unit side connector.

  As a communication method between the main body side connector and the unit side connector, there are wireless communication and contact communication. When performing wireless communication, a relatively expensive wireless communication board is required, and the cost increases accordingly. Therefore, the contact communication has an advantage that the image forming apparatus can be configured at a lower cost than the wireless communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1 for contact communication).

JP 2012-226288 A

  When performing contact communication between the main unit side connector and the unit side connector as described above, in order to avoid communication failure, each time the unit is attached to or detached from the device main body for replacement of the unit itself or jam processing, It is necessary to make sure that the unit side terminal provided on the unit side connector contacts the main body side terminal provided on the main body side connector. When a plurality of unit side terminals and main body side terminals are provided, it is necessary to bring each unit side terminal into contact with each main body side terminal in a predetermined order (applying order).

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to ensure that a unit-side terminal is brought into contact with a body-side terminal.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, and a unit mounted on the apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction, and the apparatus main body includes a main body side connector having a main body side terminal. And a main body side connecting portion that holds the main body side connector, wherein the main body side housing is opposed to the first guide wall, the first guide wall on which the main body side terminal is disposed. A unit-side connection comprising: a unit-side connector having a unit-side terminal that can contact the body-side terminal; and a unit-side housing that holds the unit-side connector. The unit-side housing includes a first wall portion on which the unit-side terminal is disposed, and a second wall portion provided on the opposite side of the first wall portion, and the unit When Tsu bets is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, together with the unit-side terminal to the main body side terminal is in contact, the second wall portion to the second guide wall, characterized in that the abutment.

  In this way, the second wall portion abuts on the second guide wall, so that it is possible to prevent the unit side connecting portion from moving in the direction in which the contact between the main body side terminal and the unit side terminal is released. Therefore, the contact between the main body side terminal and the unit side terminal can be stabilized, and a communication failure between the main body side connector and the unit side connector can be avoided.

  The main body side housing further includes a pair of third guide walls that connect the first guide wall and the second guide wall, and the unit side housing connects the first wall portion and the second wall portion. A pair of third wall portions may be further provided, and when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the pair of third guide walls may guide the pair of third wall portions along the mounting direction. .

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the unit side housing from being inclined with respect to the mounting direction. Therefore, when a plurality of main body side terminals and unit side terminals are provided, each unit side terminal can be brought into contact with each main body side terminal in a predetermined order (applying order).

  The ends of the pair of third guide walls on the near side in the mounting direction may be inclined outward toward the near side in the mounting direction.

  By adopting such a configuration, the facing interval between the ends of the pair of third guide walls on the front side in the mounting direction is widened. Along with this, it becomes easy to insert the pair of third wall portions into the interval between the pair of third guide walls.

  End portions of the pair of third wall portions on the back side in the mounting direction may be inclined inward toward the back side in the mounting direction.

  By employ | adopting such a structure, the edge part of the mounting direction back | inner side of a pair of 3rd wall part becomes a tapered shape. Along with this, it becomes easy to insert the pair of third wall portions into the interval between the pair of third guide walls.

  The main body side housing further includes a support piece provided on the opposite side of the second guide wall across the first guide wall, and at least a part of the main body side connector includes the first guide wall and the support piece. It may be sandwiched between.

  By adopting such a configuration, the main body side connector can be securely held by the main body side housing.

  The unit-side connecting portion protrudes toward the back side in the mounting direction, the body-side housing includes a fitting cylinder portion having the first guide wall and the second guide wall, and the unit is attached to the apparatus body. When attached, the unit-side connecting portion may be inserted into the fitting tube portion.

  By adopting such a configuration, the main body side terminal and the unit side terminal can be reliably brought into contact with each other, and the unit can be accurately positioned with respect to the apparatus main body.

  A plurality of the main body side terminals and the plurality of unit side terminals are provided, and at least one of the plurality of main body side terminals or the plurality of unit side terminals has at least one set having different positions in the mounting direction. The plurality of unit-side terminals may come into contact with the plurality of body-side terminals in a predetermined order when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body.

  By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to more reliably avoid a communication failure between the main body side connector and the unit side connector.

  The image forming apparatus may further include a developing unit attached to the apparatus main body, and the unit may be a toner container that supplies toner to the developing unit.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably perform contact communication between the toner container and the apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, the unit side terminal can be reliably brought into contact with the main body side terminal.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the upper left part of the printer main body of the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body side connection portion in the printer main body of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a main body side connector in a printer main body of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main body side connection portion in the printer main body of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner container and the developing device are mounted on the printer main body in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a relationship between a developing device and a main body side connection portion in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the upper left side showing the developing device of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing the toner container of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the left front side showing the toner container of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a unit-side connector in the toner container of the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before a toner container is mounted on a printer body in a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the toner container is mounted on the printer main body in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which the unit side housing fitted to the fitting cylinder part of the main body side housing. In the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the state before a unit side housing fits in the fitting cylinder part of a main body side housing.

  First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 (image forming apparatus) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2 (apparatus main body). A paper feed cassette 3 for storing paper (not shown) is provided at the lower portion of the printer main body 2. Is provided with a paper discharge tray 4.

  A toner container 5 (unit, toner container) is accommodated in the upper left portion of the printer main body 2. An exposure unit 6 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is disposed in the upper right part of the printer body 2. An image forming unit 7 is provided at the center of the printer main body 2. In the image forming unit 7, a photosensitive drum 8 (image carrier) is rotatably provided. Around the photosensitive drum 8, a charger 10, a developing device 11, a transfer roller 12, and a cleaning device 13 are disposed along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 8 (see arrow R in FIG. 1). ing.

  A paper conveyance path 14 is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feed unit 15 is provided at the upstream end of the conveyance path 14, and a transfer unit 16 including the photosensitive drum 8 and the transfer roller 12 is provided at a middle portion of the conveyance path 14, and a downstream part of the conveyance path 14. Is provided with a fixing device 17, and a paper discharge unit 18 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance path 14.

  Next, an image forming operation of the printer 1 having such a configuration will be described.

  When the printer 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized, and initial setting such as temperature setting of the fixing device 17 is executed. Then, when image data is input from a computer or the like connected to the printer 1 and an instruction to start printing is given, an image forming operation is executed as follows.

  First, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 is charged by the charger 10, exposure corresponding to image data is performed on the photosensitive drum 8 by laser light from the exposure device 6 (see arrow P in FIG. 1). An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8. Next, the developing device 11 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with the toner supplied from the toner container 5. As a result, the photosensitive drum 8 carries the toner image.

  On the other hand, the paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 3 by the paper feed unit 15 is conveyed to the transfer unit 16 in synchronism with the image forming operation described above, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 8 in the transfer unit 16. Is transferred to the paper. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 14 and enters the fixing device 17 where the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge unit 18 to the paper discharge tray 4. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 8 is collected by the cleaning device 13.

  Next, the printer main body 2, the developing device 11, and the toner container 5 will be described in more detail. Note that an arrow Fr appropriately attached to the drawing indicates the front side (front side) of the printer 1. An arrow X appropriately attached on the drawing indicates a mounting direction of the toner container 5 to the printer main body 2 (hereinafter referred to as “mounting direction X”). The mounting direction X is a direction from top to bottom.

  First, the printer body 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion 20 for mounting the developing device 11 is formed on the left side of the printer main body 2. The photosensitive drum 8 is rotatably provided on the lower right side of the mounting portion 20. The left side of the photosensitive drum 8 faces the mounting portion 20. An openable / closable manual feed tray 21 is attached to the left end portion of the printer main body 2. A coil spring 29 (biasing member) is accommodated in the left end portion of the printer main body 2. An upper cover 22 that can be opened and closed is attached to the upper left portion of the printer body 2. The upper cover 22 is not shown except for FIG.

  A main body side connection portion 23 is provided at the lower left portion of the mounting portion 20 of the printer main body 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body side connection portion 23 includes a main body side connector 24 and a main body side housing 25 that holds the main body side connector 24.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main body side connector 24 includes a main body side substrate 26, a main body side mounting member 27 fixed to the right side surface of the main body side substrate 26, and four pieces supported by the main body side mounting member 27. Main body side terminals 28a to 28d (in order from the rear side, main body side terminal 28a, main body side terminal 28b, main body side terminal 28c, main body side terminal 28d).

  The main body side substrate 26 is provided in a substantially vertical posture and has a flat plate shape. A semicircular groove 30 is vertically arranged at both front and rear edges of the main body side substrate 26. Protrusions 31 are provided downward at both front and rear end portions of the lower end edge of the main body side substrate 26.

  Four terminal accommodating portions 32 are arranged in the front-rear direction on the main body side mounting member 27. Each terminal accommodating portion 32 has a box shape. The upper surface side of each terminal accommodating part 32 is opened. A slit 33 is formed on the right side surface of the main body side mounting member 27 at a position corresponding to each terminal accommodating portion 32.

  Each of the main body side terminals 28a to 28d is arranged in the front-rear direction. The main body side terminals 28a to 28d have the same vertical position (position in the mounting direction X). Each of the main body side terminals 28a to 28d has a leaf spring shape. The left side portions of the main body side terminals 28 a to 28 d are accommodated in the terminal accommodating portions 32 of the main body side mounting member 27. The right side portions of the main body side terminals 28 a to 28 d protrude to the right of the terminal accommodating portions 32 through the slits 33.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the body-side housing 25 has a portion extending from the left side portion to the right end portion of the upper surface inclined downward to the right. A pair of front and rear recesses 34 is formed at the left end of the upper surface of the main body side housing 25. Cutouts 35 are formed in the upper left front corner and the upper left rear corner of the main body side housing 25, respectively.

  On the right side portion of the main body side housing 25, a square tube-like fitting tube portion 36 extending in the vertical direction (direction parallel to the mounting direction X) is provided. The fitting tube portion 36 includes a first guide wall 37, a second guide wall 38 provided on the right side of the first guide wall 37, and a pair of front and rear sides of the first guide wall 37 and the second guide wall 38. And third guide walls 39a and 39b.

  The first guide wall 37 is provided with four slit-like insertion holes 41 that are long in the up-down direction and spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The body side terminals 28a to 28d are inserted into the insertion holes 41, respectively. That is, the main body side terminals 28 a to 28 d are arranged on the first guide wall 37. The second guide wall 38 faces the first guide wall 37 with a predetermined interval.

  The pair of third guide walls 39a and 39b oppose each other with a predetermined interval. The third guide wall 39a on the front side connects the front end portion of the first guide wall 37 and the front end portion of the second guide wall 38. An upper end S1 (an end on the front side in the mounting direction X) of the third guide wall 39a on the front side is inclined forward (outward in the front-rear direction) toward the upper side (the front side in the mounting direction). The rear third guide wall 39 b connects the rear end portion of the first guide wall 37 and the rear end portion of the second guide wall 38. An upper end S2 (an end on the front side in the mounting direction X) of the rear third guide wall 39b is inclined rearward (outward in the front-rear direction) toward the upper side (front side in the mounting direction).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body side housing 25 has a box shape with the lower side opened. A support piece 42 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the left end inside the main body side housing 25. The support piece 42 is provided on the opposite side of the second guide wall 38 with the first guide wall 37 interposed therebetween. Between the first guide wall 37 and the support piece 42, the main body side substrate 26 and the main body side mounting member 27 of the main body side connector 24 are sandwiched. On the lower end side of the support piece 42, a hook 43 that protrudes rightward is provided. The hook 43 is engaged with a protrusion 31 provided at the lower end edge of the main body side substrate 26.

  Next, the developing device 11 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the developing device 11 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 20 of the printer main body 2. The developing device 11 is urged rightward (in the direction close to the photosensitive drum 7) by a coil spring 29.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the developing device 11 includes a box-shaped developing device main body 44. A container holding portion 45 opened upward is formed at the upper left portion of the developing device main body 44. A lever 46 is provided on the rear end side of the container holding portion 45. A drive coupling 47 is provided on the lower right side of the lever 46. The drive coupling 47 is connected to the lever 46, and the drive coupling 47 is configured to rotate by operating the lever 46. As shown in FIG. 8, a drive gear 48 is provided on the front end side of the container holding portion 45. The drive gear 48 is connected to a drive source (not shown) constituted by a motor or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, a fitting portion 50 is provided at the left front portion of the container holding portion 45. The fitting part 50 has a rectangular tube shape and is provided along the vertical direction. The fitting portion 50 is fitted to the outer periphery of the main body side housing 25. A toner container 51 is formed in the lower right portion of the developing device main body 44. A partition wall 52 is erected on the left side of the toner storage unit 51, and the partition wall 52 divides the toner storage unit 51 on the left and right sides. A stirrer 53 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the partition wall 52. A developing roller 54 (toner carrier) is provided to the right of the right agitator 53. The developing roller 54 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 8.

  Next, the toner container 5 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the toner container 5 is held by a container holding unit 45 of the developing device 11 and is detachably attached to the printer main body 2. The toner container 5 includes a box-shaped container main body 55 having an upper surface opened, a lid 56 that covers the upper surface of the container main body 55, a stirring paddle 57 (stirring member) that is accommodated in the approximate center of the container main body 55, A conveying screw 58 (conveying member) housed in the lower right portion of the container main body 55; and a unit side connecting portion 59 protruding from the lower end of the container main body 55 toward the lower side (the rear side in the mounting direction X). Yes.

  The container body 55 contains toner. As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, a flange portion 61 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the container main body 55. The rear end wall 63 of the container main body 55 is provided with a filling port 64 for filling toner into the container main body 55. The filling port 64 is closed by a cap 65.

  A discharge port 67 for discharging toner from the container main body 55 is provided at the right end portion of the lower end wall 66 of the container main body 55. The discharge port 67 is closed from the inside by a shutter 68. The shutter 68 is connected to a driven coupling 70 projecting to the rear side of the rear end wall 63 of the container body 55, and the discharge port 67 is opened and closed by rotating the shutter 68 with the rotation of the driven coupling 70. It has come to be. The driven coupling 70 is configured to be coupled to the drive coupling 47 (see FIG. 7) of the developing device 11 in a state where the toner container 5 is mounted on the printer main body 2, and is connected to the drive coupling 47. By operating the lever 46, the shutter 68 is configured to rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, a flange portion 71 having a shape corresponding to the flange portion 61 of the container body 55 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower end of the lid 56, and the flange portion 61 and the flange portion 71 are ultrasonically welded. As a result, the container body 55 and the lid 56 are integrated.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stirring paddle 57 includes a mounting frame 72 and a stirring blade 73 supported by the mounting frame 72. The attachment frame 72 is pivotally supported on the container body 55. Thereby, the stirring paddle 57 can rotate with respect to the container main body 55. A stirring gear 74 (see FIG. 10) is fixed to the front end portion of the mounting frame 72. The agitation gear 74 is disposed on the front side (outside) of the front end wall 62 of the container body 55. The agitation gear 74 is configured to mesh with the drive gear 48 (see FIG. 8) of the developing device 11 in a state where the toner container 5 is mounted on the printer main body 2. The stirring blade 73 is formed of a synthetic resin film such as a PET film (Polyethylene Terephthalate Film), and has flexibility.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the conveying screw 58 includes a rod-shaped rotating shaft 75 and a helical fin 76 provided concentrically on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 75. The rotating shaft 75 is pivotally supported by the container body 55. Thereby, the conveyance screw 58 can rotate with respect to the container main body 55. A transport gear 77 (see FIG. 10) is fixed to the front end portion of the rotating shaft 75. The transport gear 77 is disposed on the front side (outside) of the front end wall 62 of the container body 55. The conveyance gear 77 is meshed with the stirring gear 74.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the unit side connection portion 59 includes a unit side connector 78 and a unit side housing 79 that holds the unit side connector 78.

  The unit-side connector 78 is an information chip and is configured to store various types of information related to the toner container 5 (for example, the manufacturing number of the toner container 5). As shown in FIG. 11, the unit-side connector 78 includes a unit-side board 80 and four unit-side terminals 81a to 81d attached to the unit-side board 80 (in order from the rear side, the unit-side terminal 81a and the unit-side terminal). 81b, unit side terminal 81c, unit side terminal 81d).

  Fixing grooves 82 are cut out at four corners of the unit-side substrate 80 in the front and rear directions. A semicircular mounting groove 83 is recessed at both front and rear edges of the unit side substrate 80.

  Each of the unit side terminals 81a to 81d has a vertically long rectangular shape. The unit side terminal 81a is, for example, a ground terminal (ground terminal). The unit side terminal 81b is, for example, a clock terminal. The unit side terminal 81c is, for example, a signal terminal. The unit side terminal 81d is, for example, a power supply terminal.

  The upper end position of each unit side terminal 81a-81d is the same height. The vertical length of each unit side terminal 81a to 81d (length in the mounting direction X) is the longest for the unit side terminal 81a, the next for the unit side terminal 81d, and the shortest for the unit side terminals 81b and 81c. Yes. Therefore, the lower end positions of the unit side terminals 81a to 81d (the positions of the end portions in the mounting direction X) are the lowest for the unit side terminal 81a, the next lowest for the unit side terminal 81d, and the unit side terminals 81b and 81c. Is the highest. As described above, the four unit-side terminals 81a to 81d include those having different positions in the mounting direction X (for example, the unit-side terminal 81a and the unit-side terminal 81b).

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the unit-side housing 79 includes a first wall 90, a second wall 91 provided on the opposite side of the first wall 90, a first wall 90, and a second wall 90. And a pair of front and rear third wall portions 92a and 92b connecting the wall portion 91.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a fixed recess 93 is provided in a portion extending from the upper part to the lower end of the first wall 90, and the unit-side connector 78 is accommodated in the fixed recess 93. Therefore, each of the unit side terminals 81 a to 81 d is disposed on the first wall portion 90. Fixing pieces 94 are provided at the four corners of the fixing recess 93 in the upper and lower sides, and each fixing piece 94 is engaged with each fixing groove 82 (see FIG. 11) of the unit side substrate 80. Screws 95 are fastened to both front and rear ends of the fixed recess 93. The screw 95 passes through the mounting groove 83 (see FIG. 11) of the unit side substrate 80.

  The lower end T (the end on the back side in the mounting direction X) of the second wall 91 is inclined leftward (inward in the left-right direction) toward the lower side (the back side in the mounting direction X) (see FIG. 9). ). The lower end U1 (the end on the back side in the mounting direction X) of the third wall portion 92a on the front side is inclined rearward (inward in the front-rear direction) toward the lower side (the back side in the mounting direction X) ( (See FIG. 10). The lower end U2 (the end on the back side in the mounting direction X) of the rear third wall portion 92b is inclined forward (inward in the front-rear direction) toward the lower side (the back side in the mounting direction X) ( (See FIG. 9).

  A method of supplying toner to the photoconductive drum 8 in the configuration as described above will be described.

  First, the lever 46 of the developing device 11 is operated in a state where the toner container 5 and the developing device 11 are mounted on the printer main body 2 (see FIG. 6). When the lever 46 of the developing device 11 is thus operated, the drive coupling 47 connected to the lever 46 rotates, and the driven coupling 70 connected to the drive coupling 47 also rotates. When the driven coupling 70 rotates in this way, the shutter 68 connected to the driven coupling 70 rotates, and the shutter 68 opens the discharge port 67 of the toner container 5.

  When a driving source (not shown) is driven in this state, the driving gear 48 of the developing device 11 rotates. When the drive gear 48 rotates in this way, this rotation is transmitted to the stirring paddle 57 via the stirring gear 74, and the stirring paddle 57 rotates. Along with this, the toner in the container main body 55 is conveyed toward the conveying screw 58 while being agitated.

  When the driving gear 48 rotates as described above, this rotation is transmitted to the conveying screw 58 via the agitation gear 74 and the conveying gear 77, and the conveying screw 58 rotates. Along with this, the toner in the container main body 55 is discharged from the discharge port 67 and supplied to the toner accommodating portion 51 of the developing device main body 44. The toner supplied to the toner accommodating portion 51 of the developing device main body 44 is stirred by each stirring body 53 and then conveyed to the developing roller 54 and supplied from the developing roller 54 to the photosensitive drum 8.

  Next, a method for attaching and detaching the toner container 5 to and from the printer main body 2 in the configuration configured as described above will be described. Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption that the developing device 11 is mounted on the printer main body 2.

  When the toner container 5 is attached to the printer body 2, the toner container 5 is held above the developing unit 11 as shown in FIG. Then, the toner container 5 is lowered along the mounting direction X, and the toner container 5 is inserted into the container holding portion 45 of the developing device 11 as shown in FIG. As a result, the toner container 5 is attached to the printer main body 2.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, the unit side connection portion 59 is inserted into the fitting cylinder portion 36 of the main body side housing 25, and the unit side housing 79 is fitted into the fitting cylinder portion 36 of the main body side housing 25. The unit side terminals 81a to 81d are in contact with the main body side terminals 28a to 28d. Thereby, contact communication can be performed between the main body side connector 24 and the unit side connector 78. When removing the toner container 5 from the printer body 2, the toner container 5 may be lifted from the printer body 2, contrary to the above procedure.

  When the unit side terminals 81a to 81d come into contact with the main body side terminals 28a to 28d as described above, the main body side terminals 28a to 28d and the unit side terminals 81a to 81d are connected as shown by an arrow Y in FIG. Each main body side terminal 28a-28d presses each unit side terminal 81a-81d in the direction (right direction) in which the contact is released. At this time, in this embodiment, the second wall 91 of the unit side housing 79 abuts on the second guide wall 38 of the fitting cylindrical portion 36 of the main body side housing 25, so that the unit side connection portion 59 is connected to the main body side connection. It is possible to prevent movement to the right with respect to the portion 23. Therefore, the contact between each of the main body side terminals 28a to 28d and each of the unit side terminals 81a to 81d can be stabilized, and communication failure between the main body side connector 24 and the unit side connector 78 can be avoided.

  By the way, in order to avoid the communication failure between the main body side connector 24 and the unit side connector 78 more reliably, the unit side terminals 81a to 81d are connected to the main body side terminals 28a in a predetermined order (applying order). It is necessary to make contact with ~ 28d. In the case of this embodiment, it is necessary to make each unit side terminal 81a-81d contact each main body side terminal 28a-28d in order of unit side terminal 81a-> unit side terminal 81d-> unit side terminal 81b, 81c. Therefore, the lower end positions of the unit side terminals 81a to 81d (the positions of the end portions on the back side in the mounting direction X) are changed.

  However, if the toner container 5 is mounted on the printer body 2 with the unit-side housing 79 tilted with respect to the mounting direction X, the order of application may be out of order. For example, there is a possibility that the unit side terminal 81d contacts the main body side terminal 28d before the unit side terminal 81a contacts the main body side terminal 28a.

  However, in the present embodiment, as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 14, when the toner container 5 is attached to the printer main body 2, the pair of third guide walls 39 a and 39 b are paired with the third wall portions 92 a and 92 b. Is guided along the mounting direction X. Therefore, the unit-side housing 79 can be prevented from tilting with respect to the mounting direction X, and the unit-side terminals 81a to 81d are brought into contact with the body-side terminals 28a to 28d in a predetermined order (applying order). It becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably avoid a communication failure between the main body side connector 24 and the unit side connector 78.

  Further, the upper end S1 (the end on the front side in the mounting direction X) of the third guide wall 39a on the front side is inclined forward (outward in the front-rear direction) toward the upper side (front side in the mounting direction), and The upper end S2 of the 3 guide wall 39b (the end on the front side in the mounting direction X) is inclined rearward (outward in the front-rear direction) toward the upper side (front side in the mounting direction). Therefore, the facing interval between the upper ends of the pair of third guide walls 39a and 39b is widened. Accordingly, the pair of third wall portions 92a and 92b can be easily inserted into the facing distance between the pair of third guide walls 39a and 39b.

  Further, the lower end U1 (the end on the back side in the mounting direction X) of the third wall portion 92a on the front side is inclined rearward (inward in the front-rear direction) toward the lower side (the back side in the mounting direction X), The lower end U2 (the end on the back side in the mounting direction X) of the rear third wall 92b is inclined forward (inward in the front-rear direction) toward the lower side (the back side in the mounting direction X). Therefore, the lower ends of the pair of third wall portions 92a and 92b are tapered. Accordingly, the pair of third wall portions 92a and 92b can be easily inserted into the facing distance between the pair of third guide walls 39a and 39b.

  Further, the main body side substrate 26 and the main body side mounting member 27 of the main body side connector 24 are sandwiched between the first guide wall 37 and the support piece 42 of the main body side housing 25. Therefore, the main body side connector 24 can be reliably held by the main body side housing 25.

  In addition, when the toner container 5 is attached to the printer main body 2, the unit side connection portion 59 is inserted into the fitting cylinder portion 36 of the main body side housing 25. Therefore, the main body side terminals 28a to 28d and the unit side terminals 81a to 81d can be surely brought into contact with each other, and the toner container 5 can be accurately positioned with respect to the printer main body 2.

  Further, the toner container 5 that supplies toner to the developing device 11 is used as a unit, so that contact communication can be reliably performed between the toner container 5 and the printer main body 2.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of main body side terminals 28a to 28d have the same position in the mounting direction X, and the plurality of unit side terminals 81a to 81d include those having different positions in the mounting direction X. Explained. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, contrary to the present embodiment, the plurality of main body side terminals 28a to 28d include those having different positions in the mounting direction X, and the plurality of unit side terminals 81a to 81d. The positions in the mounting direction X may be the same. In still another different embodiment, both of the plurality of main body side terminals 28a to 28d and the plurality of unit side terminals 81a to 81d may have different positions in the mounting direction X.

  In the present embodiment, the fixed recess 93 is provided in a part of the first wall portion 90 of the unit-side housing 79 (a portion extending from the upper part to the lower end part). However, in other different embodiments, the first wall part 90 is provided. A fixed recess 93 may be provided over the entire area.

  In the present embodiment, the mounting direction X is a direction from the top to the bottom (vertical direction). However, in another different embodiment, the mounting direction X may be a horizontal direction, and the mounting direction X is a vertical direction. Also, the direction may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the developing roller 54 contacts the photoconductive drum 8 has been described. However, in another different embodiment, the developing roller 54 may face the photoconductive drum 8 via a gap.

  In this embodiment, the case where the toner container (toner container 5) is a unit has been described. However, in another different embodiment, for example, a fixing unit, an exposure unit, an image forming unit, and the like may be used as a unit.

  In this embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1 has been described. However, in another different embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine. It is also possible.

1 Printer (image forming device)
2 Printer body (device body)
5 Toner container (unit, toner container)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Developing device 23 Main body side connection part 24 Main body side connector 25 Main body side housing 28a-28d Main body side terminal 36 Fitting cylinder part 37 1st guide wall 38 2nd guide wall 39 3rd guide wall 42 Support piece 59 Unit side connection part 78 Unit side connector 79 Unit side housing 81a-81d Unit side terminal 90 1st wall part 91 2nd wall part 92 3rd wall part

Claims (8)

An apparatus body having an image forming unit;
A unit mounted on the apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction,
The apparatus main body is
A body-side connector having a body-side terminal;
A main body side housing having the main body side connector for holding the main body side connector,
The body side housing is
A first guide wall on which the body-side terminal is disposed;
A second guide wall facing the first guide wall,
The unit is
A unit-side connector having a unit-side terminal that can contact the body-side terminal;
A unit-side connection portion having a unit-side housing for holding the unit-side connector,
The unit side housing is
A first wall portion on which the unit-side terminal is disposed;
A second wall provided on the opposite side of the first wall,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the unit side terminal contacts the main body side terminal, and the second wall portion contacts the second guide wall. The main body side housing further includes a pair of third guide walls connecting the first guide wall and the second guide wall;
The unit-side housing further includes a pair of third wall portions that connect the first wall portion and the second wall portion,
2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the pair of third guide walls guide the pair of third wall portions along the mounting direction. apparatus.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein ends of the pair of third guide walls on the front side in the mounting direction are inclined outward toward the front side in the mounting direction.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein end portions of the pair of third wall portions on the back side in the mounting direction are inclined inward toward the back side in the mounting direction. 5. The main body side housing further includes a support piece provided on the opposite side of the second guide wall with the first guide wall interposed therebetween,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the main body side connector is sandwiched between the first guide wall and the support piece. The unit side connection portion protrudes toward the back side in the mounting direction,
The main body side housing includes a fitting tube portion having the first guide wall and the second guide wall,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the unit-side connecting portion is inserted into the fitting cylinder portion. A plurality of the main body side terminals and the unit side terminals are provided,
At least one of the plurality of main body side terminals or the plurality of unit side terminals includes one or more sets having different positions in the mounting direction,
The plurality of unit-side terminals are in contact with the plurality of body-side terminals in a predetermined order when the unit is attached to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus described in 1. A developing device mounted on the apparatus body;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit is a toner container that supplies toner to the developing device.

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