JP2017211544A - Replacement unit, developing unit, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a replacement unit that can be easily determined to be a recycled item.SOLUTION: The replacement unit comprises: a memory device; a main body; and a holding member that holds the memory device on the main body. The holding member includes a first part that is supported by the main body and a second part that is provided separated from the first part and detachably from the main part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an exchange unit, a developing unit, an image forming unit, and an image forming apparatus.

  The present applicant has already applied for an invention relating to an exchange unit such as a developer container in which a memory (attachment determination member) is held in a frame, and an image forming apparatus including the replacement unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The memory stores information about the type of replacement unit (for example, the color of the developer accommodated in the developer container), and the memory and the communication device disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, for example. Communication is made between the two.

JP 2014-149341 A

  By the way, the used developer container removed from the image forming apparatus as an exchange unit is recovered and refilled with a new developer, and then shipped again as a recycled product. Therefore, from the viewpoint of quality control and the like, it is desired that such a replacement unit can be determined whether it is a newly produced product or a recycled product.

  Therefore, it is desirable to provide an exchange unit that can easily determine whether or not it is a remanufactured product, as well as a developing unit, an image forming unit, and an image forming apparatus provided with them.

An exchange unit as an embodiment of the present invention includes a memory device, a main body, and a holding member that holds the memory device in the main body. The holding member has a first part supported by the main body and a second part provided so as to be separated from the main body and separated from the first part.
A developing unit, an image forming unit, and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention include the replacement unit.

  In the replacement unit, the developing unit, the image forming unit, and the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the holding member is removed from the main body when replacing the memory device, the first portion of the holding member is the main body. The second part is separated from the first part and separated from the main body. Therefore, it is easily determined that the first portion remaining in the main body is a reused product.

  According to the replacement unit, the developing unit, the image forming unit, and the image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily determine whether the replacement unit is a reused product.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming unit illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image forming unit shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the toner cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a main part of a frame of the toner cartridge illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a perspective view showing a mode that a cover is attached to the flame | frame shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 6. It is sectional drawing showing a mode that a cover is removed from the flame | frame shown in FIG. It is another sectional view showing a mode that a cover is removed from a frame shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing a mode that a cover is removed from the flame | frame shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a new cover is attached when the frame illustrated in FIG. 4 is reused. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a new cover is attached when the frame illustrated in FIG. 4 is reused. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a cover is attached to a frame of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which expands and represents the cover shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing showing a mode that the cover shown in FIG. 12 is removed from a flame | frame. FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view showing a state where the cover shown in FIG. 12 is removed from the frame. It is sectional drawing showing a part of cover removed from the flame | frame. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a new cover is attached when the frame illustrated in FIG. 12 is reused. FIG. 13 is another perspective view illustrating a state in which a new cover is attached when the frame illustrated in FIG. 12 is reused.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Further, the present invention is not limited to the arrangement, dimensions, dimensional ratios, and the like of the components shown in the drawings. The description will be made in the following order.
1. First embodiment (an exchange unit having a transparent holding member and an image forming apparatus including the same)
2. Second embodiment (exchange unit having an opaque holding member)
3. Other variations

<1. First Embodiment>
[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus corresponds to a specific example of the “image forming apparatus” of the present invention. For example, an image (for example, a color image) is printed on a medium PM to be printed such as paper or film by using an electrophotographic method. It is a printer which forms. The image forming apparatus includes a medium supply unit 1, a transport unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a transfer unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a discharge unit 6, and a control unit 7 inside a housing 100. The control unit 7 controls operations of the medium supply unit 1, the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, the transfer unit 4, the fixing unit 5, and the discharge unit 6. Further, the control unit 7 includes a communication unit 71, and the communication unit 71 transmits and receives data to and from the memory devices 13 and 23 (described later) attached to the image forming unit 3. Yes.

  In this specification, a path through which the medium PM is transported is referred to as a transport path. In the transport path, a direction toward the medium supply unit 1 or a position closer to the medium supply unit 1 when viewed from an arbitrary component is referred to as upstream. In the transport path, a direction opposite to the direction toward the medium supply unit 1 when viewed from any component or a position further away from the medium supply unit 1 is referred to as downstream. A direction in which the medium PM travels (that is, a direction from upstream to downstream) in the transport path is referred to as a transport direction F. A direction (for example, the X-axis direction in FIG. 1) that is parallel to the medium PM being conveyed on the conveyance path and orthogonal to the conveyance direction F is referred to as a width direction. The dimension in the conveyance direction F is called a length, and the dimension in the width direction is called a width.

(Media supply unit 1)
The medium supply unit 1 supplies the medium PM to the transport unit 2 one by one. The medium supply unit 1 includes, for example, a cassette 1A, a pickup roller 1B, and a feed roller 1C. A plurality of media PM are stored in the cassette 1A in a stacked state. For example, the cassette 1A is detachably attached to the lower part of the image forming apparatus. The pickup roller 1 </ b> B and the feed roller 1 </ b> C function to sequentially feed the medium PM stored in the cassette 1 </ b> A to the conveyance path that reaches the conveyance unit 2. The pickup roller 1 </ b> B and the feed roller 1 </ b> C rotate under the control of the control unit 7 in the direction in which the medium PM is fed out toward the downstream transport unit 2. The pickup roller 1B is disposed at a position where it can come into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost medium PM. The feed roller 1C is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 1B.

(Transport unit 2)
The transport unit 2 transports the medium PM from the medium supply unit 1 to the transfer unit 4 while restricting skew feeding. The transport unit 2 includes, for example, two pairs of registration rollers 2A and 2B.

(Image forming unit 3)
The image forming unit 3 forms a toner image on the medium PM conveyed from the conveyance unit 2 (see FIG. 2 described later). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 3 includes four image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. The image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K form toner images (images) of the respective colors using the corresponding toners T of the respective colors, that is, yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner. . The toner is one specific example corresponding to the “developer” of the present invention. For example, the image forming unit 30 is arranged in the order of the image forming unit 30Y, the image forming unit 30M, the image forming unit 30C, and the image forming unit 30K from upstream to downstream along the transport direction F. In this specification, when the four image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as an image forming unit 30. The image forming unit 3 includes toner cartridges 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K as developer containers, and exposure devices 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K so as to correspond to the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, respectively. It has further. In this specification, the four toner cartridges 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K may be collectively referred to as a toner cartridge 31, and the four exposure devices 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K may be collectively referred to as an exposure device 32. is there. The toner cartridge 31 is configured to be detachable from the image forming unit 30. However, the toner cartridge 31 and the image forming unit 30 may be integrated.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming unit 3, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the image forming unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming unit 30 includes a drum unit 301 and a developing unit 302. The drum unit 301 includes a housing 33 provided with a photosensitive drum 34, a charging roller 35, a cleaning blade 38, and the like. The exposure device 32 is provided so as to be able to expose the photosensitive drum 34 from the outside of the housing 33, and has an exposure head including, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The developing unit 302 is provided with a developing roller 36, a supply roller 37, a doctor blade (developing blade) 39, and the like in a housing 33 common to the drum unit 301, and is integrated with the drum unit 301. The developing unit 302 is provided with an insertion port 331 to which the toner T from the toner cartridge 31 is supplied at the top of the housing 33. In addition, a housing chamber 332 for temporarily storing the toner T is provided inside the housing 33. The toner cartridge 31 has a frame 11 that stores toner. A discharge port 111 for supplying the toner T to the developing unit 302 is provided below the frame 11. The toner cartridge 31 will be described in detail later.

  The photosensitive drum 34 is a cylindrical member capable of carrying an electrostatic latent image on the surface (surface layer portion), and is configured using a photosensitive member (for example, an organic photosensitive member). Specifically, the photosensitive drum 34 has a conductive support and a photosensitive layer (photoconductive layer) covering the outer periphery (surface) thereof. The conductive support is made of, for example, a metal pipe made of aluminum. The photoconductive layer has, for example, a structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are sequentially stacked. The photosensitive drum 34 is controlled by the control unit 7 to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed in the direction in which the medium PM is transported in the transport direction F.

  The charging roller 35 is a member (charging member) that charges the surface layer portion (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum 34, and is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 34. The charging roller 35 has, for example, a metal shaft and a semiconductive rubber layer (for example, a semiconductive epichlorohydrin rubber layer) covering the outer periphery (surface) thereof. The charging roller 35 is rotated by, for example, the same direction as the photosensitive drum 34 under the control of the control unit 7.

  The developing roller 36 is a member that carries on its surface a toner T that develops an electrostatic latent image, and is disposed in contact with the surface (circumferential surface) of the photosensitive drum 34. The developing roller 36 has, for example, a metal shaft and a semiconductive urethane rubber layer that covers the outer periphery (surface) thereof. The developing roller 36 is controlled by the control unit 7 and rotates at a predetermined peripheral speed in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 34.

  The supply roller 37 is a member (supply member) for supplying the toner T to the developing roller 36 and is disposed in contact with the surface (circumferential surface) of the developing roller 36. The supply roller 37 has, for example, a metal shaft and a foamable silicone rubber layer covering the outer periphery (surface) thereof. The supply roller 37 is controlled by the control unit to rotate in the direction opposite to the developing roller 36.

  The cleaning blade 38 scrapes off the toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 34. The cleaning blade 38 is made of, for example, a flexible rubber material or a plastic material.

  The doctor blade 39 is a member that regulates the amount of toner T that adheres to the surface of the developing roller 36.

  The exposure device 32 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface layer portion (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum 34 by exposing the surface layer portion (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum 34 from the outside of the housing 33. The exposure device 32 has a plurality of light emitting units arranged in the width direction with respect to one photosensitive drum 34. Each light emitting unit includes, for example, a light source such as an LED that emits irradiation light, and a lens array that forms an image of the irradiation light on the surface of the photosensitive drum 34.

  Here, the image forming unit 30 corresponds to a specific example of “image forming unit” of the present invention, the toner T corresponds to a specific example of “developer” of the present invention, and the toner cartridge 31 corresponds to “ This corresponds to a specific example of “exchange unit”. The developing unit 302 is a developing device that forms a developer image (toner image) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 34, and corresponds to a specific example of the “developing unit” of the present invention. However, in the case where the image forming unit 30 and the toner cartridge 31 are integrally configured, a combination of the developing unit 302 and the toner cartridge 31 is one of the “developing unit” or “replacement unit” of the present invention. This corresponds to a specific example.

(Transfer part 4)
The transfer unit 4 is also called a transfer belt unit. The transfer unit 4 is arranged to face the photosensitive drum 34 with the transfer belt 4A, a driving roller 4B driving the transfer belt 4A, an idle roller 4C driven by the driving roller 4B, and the transfer belt 4A interposed therebetween. And a transfer roller 4D. Each of the drive roller 4B and the idle roller 4C is a substantially cylindrical member that can rotate around a rotation shaft portion extending in the width direction (X-axis direction). The transfer unit 4 transports the medium PM transported from the transport unit 2 along the transport direction F, and sequentially forms toner images formed in the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K on the surface of the medium PM. This is a mechanism for transcription.

  The transfer belt 4A is an endless elastic belt made of a resin material such as polyimide resin. The transfer belt 4A is stretched (strung) by a drive roller 4B and an idle roller 4C. The drive roller 4B is rotationally driven in the direction in which the medium PM is conveyed in the conveyance direction F based on the control of the control unit 7, and circulates and rotates the transfer belt 4A. The drive roller 4B is disposed upstream of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. The idle roller 4C adjusts the tension applied to the transfer belt 4A by the urging force of the urging member. The idle roller 4C rotates in the same direction as the drive roller 4B, and is disposed downstream of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K.

  The transfer roller 4D rotates in the direction opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 34 to convey the medium PM along the conveyance direction F, while transferring the toner images formed by the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K onto the medium PM. It is a member for electrostatically transferring to the surface. The transfer roller 4D is made of, for example, a foaming semiconductive elastic rubber material.

(Fixing unit 5)
The fixing unit 5 is a member for fixing the toner image onto the medium PM by applying heat and pressure to the toner image transferred onto the medium PM that has passed through the transfer unit 4. The fixing unit 5 includes, for example, an upper roller 5A and a lower roller 5B.

  Each of the upper roller 5A and the lower roller 5B includes a heat source that is a heater such as a halogen lamp, and functions as a heating roller that applies heat to the toner image on the medium PM. The upper roller 5 </ b> A is controlled to rotate in the direction in which the medium PM is transported in the transport direction F under the control of the control unit 7. The heat sources in the upper roller 5A and the lower roller 5B are supplied with a bias voltage controlled by the control unit 7, and control the surface temperatures of the upper roller 5A and the lower roller 5B. The lower roller 5B is disposed to face the upper roller 5A so that a pressure contact portion is formed between the lower roller 5A and functions as a pressure roller that applies pressure to the toner image on the medium PM. To do. The lower roller 5B may have a surface layer made of an elastic material.

(Discharge unit 6)
The discharge unit 6 discharges the medium PM on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 5 to the outside. The discharge unit 6 includes, for example, transport rollers 6A and 6B. The transport rollers 6A and 6B are configured to discharge the medium PM to the outside through the transport path and store it on the external stacker 100A. The transport rollers 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B are configured to rotate in a direction in which the medium PM is transported in the transport direction F under the control of the control unit 7.

[Detailed Configuration of Toner Cartridge 31]
Next, the detailed configuration of the toner cartridge 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the toner cartridge 31. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main part of the toner cartridge 31. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an enlarged main part of the toner cartridge 31.

  The toner cartridge 31 includes a frame 11, a cap 15 provided at one end of the frame 11 in the X-axis direction, and a lever 16 provided at the other end of the frame 11 in the X-axis direction. The frame 11 has a hollow structure and is a member in which the toner T is accommodated. The frame 11 corresponds to a specific example of the “main body” of the present invention. The frame 11 contains toner T before use of each color. Yellow toner is contained in the frame 11 of the toner cartridge 31Y. Similarly, magenta toner is stored in the frame 11 of the toner cartridge 31M, cyan toner is stored in the frame 11 of the toner cartridge 31C, and black toner is stored in the frame 11 of the toner cartridge 31K.

  The cap 15 and the lever 16 are members for sealing the toner T in the frame 11. The lever 16 functions as a shutter member that opens and closes the discharge port 111, for example, by rotating in the direction of the arrow R16 about the X axis as a rotation axis.

  A part of the frame 11 is provided with a memory device housing portion 14 for mounting the memory device 13. As shown in FIG. 5, the memory device housing portion 14 includes a concave portion 14A that occupies the central region, and a bank portion 14B that surrounds the concave portion 14A. The memory device housing portion 14 is a recess formed by digging down the surface 112 of the frame 11. The depth of the recess 14A is deeper than the depth of the bank portion 14B. The memory device 13 is accommodated in the recess 14A. On the other hand, the bank portion 14B is provided with a plurality of holes 141 (141A to 141D), 142 (142A to 142D), 143 (143A to 143D), and 144 (144A to 144D). The holes 141A to 141D are provided in the vicinity of the four corners of the frame-shaped bank portion 14B including a rectangular outer edge. The holes 142A to 142D are provided so as to be adjacent to the holes 141A to 141D, respectively. Similarly, the holes 143A to 143D and the holes 144A to 144D are also provided in the vicinity of the holes 141A to 141D. The holes 141 to 144 may all have substantially the same inner diameter. The hole 141 is a specific example corresponding to the “first hole” of the present invention, and the hole 142 is a specific example corresponding to the “second hole” of the present invention.

  The memory device 13 is, for example, a wireless ROM (random access read only memory) having a memory element and an antenna circuit, and has a flat appearance. For example, information such as the color and remaining amount of toner stored in the frame 11 is recorded in the memory device 13.

  The frame 11 is provided with a cover 12 having, for example, a rectangular planar shape so as to cover the memory device housing portion 14. The cover 12 holds the memory device 13 accommodated in the memory device accommodating portion 14 provided in a part of the frame 11 in the frame 11, and corresponds to a specific example of the “holding member” of the present invention. . As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 12 includes a flat plate portion 121 and four posts 122 (122 </ b> A to 122 </ b> D) standing on an inner surface 12 </ b> S <b> 1 (described later) of the flat plate portion 121. The flat plate portion 121 has a shape and a size that match the shape and size of the bank portion 14B, for example. Further, the posts 122A to 122D are provided in the flat plate portion 121 at positions corresponding to the holes 141A to 141D. That is, when the flat plate portion 121 is overlapped with the memory device housing portion 14, the posts 122A to 122D are inserted and fitted into the holes 141A to 141D, respectively (FIG. 6). Therefore, the cover 12 is attached to the bank portion 14B, so that the memory device 13 is sandwiched between the flat plate portion 121 and the concave portion 14A. FIG. 6 shows a state before the cover 12 is attached to the frame 11. The cover 12 may be made of a transparent material such as a transparent resin. Since the cover 12 is transparent, it can be visually recognized that nothing is inserted into the holes 142 to 144.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the flat plate portion 121 includes an inner surface 12S1 on which the posts 122A to 122D stand and an outer surface 12S2 on the opposite side. The outer surface 12S2 is provided with a recess 123 at a position overlapping the post 122. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the cover 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 123 may extend from the outer surface 12S2 to the inside of the post 122. That is, it is desirable that the depth T123 of the recess 123 is larger than the thickness T121 of the flat plate portion 121 of the cover 12. Further, the post 122 preferably has a side surface 122T that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 12S1. In this case, a corner portion 124 where the inner surface 12S1 and the side surface 122T intersect substantially at right angles is formed, and the flat plate portion 121 and the post 122 are easily broken when the cover 12 is removed, as will be described later. Because.

[Action / Effect]
(A. Basic operation)
In this image forming apparatus, the toner image is transferred to the medium PM as follows.

  When print image data and a print command are input to the control unit 7 from an external device such as a PC to the activated image forming apparatus, the control unit 7 starts a print operation of the print image data according to the print command. .

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the medium PM stored in the cassette 1A is picked up one by one from the uppermost portion by the pickup roller 1B, and is fed to the downstream conveyance unit 2 while the skew is corrected by the feed roller 1C. . Next, the medium PM is conveyed to the image forming unit 3 by the two pairs of registration rollers 2A and 2B. In the image forming unit 3, the toner image is transferred onto the medium PM as follows.

  In the image forming unit 3, each color toner image IMG is formed by the following electrophotographic process in accordance with the print command of the control unit 7. Specifically, the control unit 7 puts the toner T stored in the frame 11 of the toner cartridge 31 into the storage chamber 332 of the housing 33 and rotates the photosensitive drum 34 in a predetermined direction at a constant speed. Accordingly, the charging roller 35, the developing roller 36, and the supply roller 37 also start rotating in a predetermined direction.

  On the other hand, the control unit 7 applies a predetermined voltage to the charging roller 35 of each color to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 34 of each color. Next, the control unit 7 activates the exposure device 32, irradiates each color photosensitive drum 34 with light corresponding to the color component of the print image based on the image signal, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each color photosensitive drum 34. Form each one.

  The toner T is supplied to the developing roller 36 via the supply roller 37 and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 36. The developing roller 36 attaches the toner T to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 34 to form a toner image. Further, a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 4D in the transfer unit 4, and an electric field is generated between the photosensitive drum 34 and the transfer roller 4D. In this state, when the medium PM travels between the photosensitive drum 34 and the transfer roller 4D, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 34 is transferred onto the medium PM.

  Thereafter, the toner image on the medium PM is fixed on the medium PM by applying heat and pressure in the fixing unit 5. Finally, the medium PM on which the toner image is fixed by the discharge unit 6 is discharged to the stacker 100A outside the image forming apparatus.

(B. Reuse of toner cartridge)
Here, an operation when the toner cartridge 31 is reused in the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment will be described. The used toner cartridge 31 in which the remaining amount of the toner T is equal to or less than the specified amount is collected from the user, and then the frame 11 is refilled with new toner T. Along with the refilling of the toner T, the memory device 13 accommodated in the memory device accommodating portion 14 is removed, and the memory device 23 (described later) in which new information is recorded is newly attached to the memory device accommodating portion 14. At that time, the cover 12 that has been mounted so far is also removed, and a new cover 22 (described later) is mounted again.

(Cover removal operation)
In removing the cover 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a part of the flat plate portion 121 is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow Y123). However, since the post 122 is fitted in the hole 141, for example, stress is applied to the corner portion 124 that is the boundary between the side surface 122T of the post 122 and the inner surface 12S1 of the flat plate portion 121, and a crack 124K is generated in the corner portion 124. When the flat plate portion 121 is further lifted upward, the crack 124K extends and eventually the flat plate portion 121 and the post 122 are separated as shown in FIG. 8B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the flat plate portion 121 is detached from the frame 11, while the post 122 remains in the hole 141. A breaking portion 124KK having a flash is formed on the top of the post 122 (FIG. 8B). Since the flat plate portion 121 is removed, the memory device 13 can be replaced (removal of the used memory device 13 and installation of a new memory device 23). FIG. 9 shows a state where the flat plate portion 121 of the cover 12 is removed from the frame 11.

(Remounting the cover)
Next, the cover remounting operation will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in order to distinguish from the used cover 12, a new cover to be remounted is referred to as a cover 22. Similarly, in order to distinguish from the used memory device 13, a new memory device to be remounted is referred to as a memory device 23. After removing the cover 12 (the flat plate portion 121) and removing the memory device 13, the memory device 23 is mounted in the recess 14A as shown in FIG. Next, a cover 22 for remounting is mounted so as to cover the memory device housing portion 14.

  The cover 22 includes a flat plate portion 221 and posts 222 (222A to 222D) standing on the inner surface of the flat plate portion 221. The posts 222 (222A to 222D) are provided at positions corresponding to the holes 142 (142A to 142D) provided in the bank portion 14B in the flat plate portion 221. That is, when the flat plate portion 221 is overlapped with the memory device housing portion 14, the posts 222A to 222D are inserted and fitted into the holes 142A to 142D, respectively. Recess portions 224A to 224D are further provided on the inner surface of the flat plate portion 221 at positions where they overlap with the holes 141A to 141D, respectively. This is because the posts 122A to 122D of the cover 12 remain in the holes 141A to 141D, and the fracture portions 124KK having flashes are formed on the tops of the posts 122A to 122D (FIG. 8B). Therefore, by providing the recess portions 224A to 224D, the flat plate portion 221 is prevented from interfering with the posts 122A to 122D remaining in the holes 141A to 141D when the cover 22 is attached to the memory device housing portion 14. . The recesses 224A to 224D are one specific example corresponding to the “recess part” of the present invention. In the mounting operation of the cover 22 to the memory device housing portion 14, the cover 22 is overlaid on the memory device housing portion 14 so that the outer edge of the flat plate portion 221 and the outer edge of the bank portion 14B coincide with each other, and the posts 222A to 222D are attached. The holes 142A to 142D are inserted and fitted.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the flat plate portion 221 is inserted into the memory device housing portion 14 in a state where the posts 222A to 222D are inserted into the holes 142A to 142D and the recess portions 224A to 224D cover the holes 142A to 142D. Will fit in. At this time, since the flat plate portion 221 is transparent, it can be visually recognized from the outside that the posts 122A to 122D remain in the holes 142A to 142D. A rupture portion 124KK having a flash is formed on the upper portions of the posts 122A to 122D, and the rupture portion 124KK is whitened, so that the presence of the posts 122A to 122D is easily recognized. Therefore, the toner cartridge 31 having the frame 11 to which the cover 22 is attached can be easily determined by visual observation from the outside that the toner cartridge 31 is a reused product refilled with the toner T.

  Further, when the toner cartridge 31 that has been refilled with the toner T once is reused again (when the second reuse is performed), the cover 22 is removed in the same manner as the cover 12. At that time, the post 222 remains in the hole 142, and only the flat plate portion 221 is detached from the frame 11. Then, after replacing the memory device 23 with a new memory device, a transparent flat plate portion and a new post in which a post is provided at a position corresponding to the hole 143 (143A to 143D) of the flat plate portion. A cover may be attached. By doing so, it can be visually recognized from the outside that the posts 122 and 222 are left in the holes 141 and 142, and it can be easily determined from the outside that the toner cartridge 31 is reused twice. it can.

(C. Effect)
As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, in the toner cartridge 31, the cover 12 that holds the memory device 13 in the memory device housing portion 14 of the frame 11 is separated from the post 122 supported by the frame 11 and the post 122. 11 and a flat plate portion 121 that is detachable from the flat plate portion 121. Therefore, when replacing the memory device 13 with the memory device 23, if the cover 12 is to be removed from the frame 11, the post 122 of the cover 12 remains on the frame 11, and only the flat plate portion 121 is detached from the frame 11. It becomes. Therefore, it is easily determined that the post 122 remains in the hole 141 of the frame 11 is a reused product. Further, for example, when the post 122 is broken only in the hole 141 among the holes 141 to 144 of the frame 11 and there is no broken post in the other holes 142 to 144, the number of reuses is one. I can judge. Or, among the holes 141 to 144, the post 122 that is broken in the hole 141 and the post 222 that is broken in the hole 142 remain, and the post that is broken in the other holes 143 and 144 does not exist. It can be determined that the number of times is two. Similarly, it can be determined that the number of reuses is 3 or 4 depending on the situation of the holes 141 to 144. On the other hand, a case where the post 122 does not remain in any of the holes 141 to 144 of the frame 11 is easily determined as a new product.

  Therefore, according to the toner cartridge 31 of the present embodiment and the developing unit, the image forming unit, and the image forming apparatus including the toner cartridge 31, whether the toner cartridge 31 is a reused product or not. It is possible to easily determine the number of reuses. Therefore, it is suitable for appropriate quality control and the like.

<2. Second Embodiment>
[Composition of cover]
Hereinafter, the toner cartridge 31 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 13D. In the first embodiment, the flat plate parts 121 and 221 and the posts 122 and 222 of the transparent covers 12 and 22 are separated from each other. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the flat plate portion is separated into two parts, one part remains in the frame, and the other part is detached. Except for this point, the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, a cover 42 is provided instead of the covers 12 and 22. For example, the cover 42 is preferably colored in a color different from that of the frame 11. The cover 42 has a flat plate portion 421 including a first flat plate portion 421A and a second flat plate portion 421B that are configured to be separable from each other. A groove 421C is provided between the first flat plate portion 421A and the second flat plate portion 421B. The groove 421 </ b> C may be provided on the inner surface of the flat plate portion 421 facing the memory device housing portion 14 of the frame 11. Posts 422 (422A to 422D) are erected on the inner surface of the first flat plate portion 421A. The posts 422A to 422D are provided at positions that can be fitted into holes 141A, 142A, 143A, and 144A provided in the bank portion 14B, respectively. On the other hand, posts 423 (423B to 423D) are erected on the inner surface of the second flat plate portion 421B. The posts 423B to 423D are provided at positions where they can be inserted into the holes 144B to 144D. The outer diameters of the posts 422A to 422D are larger than the outer diameters of the posts 423B to 423D. That is, the force required to pull out the posts 422A to 422D from the holes 141A, 142A, 143A, and 144A is sufficiently larger than the force required to pull out the posts 423B to 423D from the holes 144B to 144D. Here, the cover 42 is a specific example corresponding to the “holding member” of the present invention, and the first flat plate portion 421A and the post 422 are a specific example corresponding to the “first portion” of the present invention. The second flat plate portion 421B and the post 423 are one specific example corresponding to the “second portion” of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the groove 421C has an inclined portion 42R2 that gradually decreases in thickness in the direction approaching the first flat plate portion 421A from the second flat plate portion 421B, and a thin wall wall that has the thinnest thickness. Part 42R1, and wall surface 421T standing from the thin part 42R1 in the thickness direction of the first flat plate part 421A. Here, the thin portion 42R1 and the inclined portion 42R2 are one specific example corresponding to the “thin portion” of the present invention.

[Cover removal operation]
In removing the cover 42, for example, as shown in FIG. 13B, a part of the second flat plate portion 421B of the flat plate portion 421 is pulled upward (in the direction of the arrow Y421). However, since the post 422A and the like are fitted in the hole 141A and the like, for example, stress concentrates on the corner 43 located at the boundary between the wall surface 421T of the first flat plate portion 421A and the thin portion 42R1, and the corner 43 is The flat plate portion 421 is bent as a base point. When the second flat plate portion 421B is further pulled upward, the corner portion 43 is cracked as shown in FIG. 13C, and eventually the first flat plate portion 421A and the second flat plate portion 421B are broken. As a result, the second flat plate portion 421B is detached from the frame 11, while the first flat plate portion 421A is maintained while being held in the frame 11 together with the posts 422A to 422D. At that time, the posts 422A to 422D are fitted into the holes 141A, 142A, 143A, and 144A, respectively. At the end of the second flat plate-shaped portion 421B, a broken portion 421BK having a flash is formed (FIG. 13D). Since the second flat plate portion 421B to be removed is sufficiently larger than the remaining first flat plate portion 421A, replacement of the memory device 13 (removal of the used memory device 13 and replacement of the new memory device 23) is performed. Wearing) is possible.

[Remounting the cover]
Next, the cover remounting operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B. Here, in order to distinguish from the used cover 42, a new cover to be remounted is referred to as a cover 44. For example, the cover 44 is preferably colored in a color different from both the frame 11 and the cover 42. First, after removing the cover 42 (the flat plate portion 421B) and removing the memory device 13, the memory device 23 is mounted in the recess 14A as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. At this time, the first flat plate portion 421 </ b> A remains in a part of the memory device housing portion 14. Next, a remounting cover 44 is mounted so as to cover the memory device housing portion 14. The cover 44 includes a flat plate portion 441, posts 442 (442A to 442D), and posts 443 (443A to 443D). The flat plate portion 441 includes an oblique side portion 44K in contact with the first flat plate portion 421A, and the shape of the outer edge when the flat plate portion 441 and the first flat plate portion 421A are combined is the shape of the outer edge of the bank portion 14B. It is supposed to match substantially.

  The flat plate portion 441 includes a first flat plate portion 441A and a second flat plate portion 441B configured to be separable from each other. A groove 441C is provided between the first flat plate portion 441A and the second flat plate portion 441B. The groove 441 </ b> C may be provided on the inner surface of the flat plate portion 441 facing the memory device housing portion 14. Posts 442 (442A to 442D) are erected on the inner surface of the first flat plate portion 441A. The posts 442A to 442D are provided at positions where they can be fitted into holes 141C, 142C, 143C, and 144C provided in the bank portion 14B, respectively. On the other hand, posts 443 (443A to 443D) are erected on the inner surface of the second flat plate portion 441B. The posts 443A to 443D are provided at positions where they can be inserted into the holes 142D, 144B, 142B, and 144D, respectively. The outer diameters of the posts 442A to 442D are larger than the outer diameters of the posts 443A to 443D. That is, the force required to pull out the posts 442A to 442D from the holes 141C, 142C, 143C, and 144C is sufficiently larger than the force required to pull out the posts 443A to 443D from the holes 142D, 144B, 142B, and 144D. Here, the cover 44 is one specific example corresponding to the “holding member” of the present invention, and the first flat plate portion 441A and the post 442 are one specific example corresponding to the “first portion” of the present invention. The second flat plate portion 441B and the post 443 are one specific example corresponding to the “second portion” of the present invention.

  The groove 441C may have a structure similar to that of the groove 421C illustrated in FIG. 13A and the like. That is, the groove 441C includes an inclined portion that gradually decreases in thickness in a direction approaching the first flat plate portion 441A from the second flat plate portion 441B, a thin wall portion that has the thinnest wall thickness, and the thin wall portion. It is preferable to have a wall surface standing in the thickness direction of the first flat plate portion 441A.

  In the mounting operation of the cover 44 to the memory device housing portion 14, the cover 44 is overlaid on the memory device housing portion 14 so that the outer edge of the flat plate portion 441 and the outer edge of the bank portion 14B coincide with each other, and the posts 442A to 442D are attached. The holes 141C, 142C, 143C, and 144C are inserted, and the posts 443A to 443D are inserted into the holes 142D, 144B, 142B, and 144D, respectively. As a result, the flat plate portion 441 of the cover 44 and the first flat plate portion 421A of the cover 42 are mounted adjacent to each other in the memory device housing portion 14. Therefore, the toner cartridge 31 having the frame 11 on which the cover 44 is mounted can be easily determined by visual observation from the outside that the toner cartridge 31 is a reused product refilled with the toner T. In particular, it is preferable that the frame 11, the cover 42, and the cover 44 are colored so as to have different colors from each other because the discrimination is further facilitated.

[Function and effect]
Thus, in the present embodiment, the cover 42 (44) includes the first flat plate portion 421A (441A) and the post 422 (442) supported by the frame 11, and the first flat plate portion 421A (441A). And a second flat plate-like portion 421B (441B) that is detachable from the frame 11. Therefore, when the cover 42 (44) is to be removed from the frame 11 when the memory device 13 is replaced with the memory device 23, the first flat plate portion 421A (441A) and the post 422 ( 442) remains in the frame 11, and the second flat plate portion 421B (441B) is detached from the frame 11. Therefore, it is easily determined that the first flat plate portion 421A (441A) remaining in the frame 11 is a reused product. Here, when only the first flat plate portion 421A remains in the frame 11 and the first flat plate portion 441A does not exist in the frame 11, it can be determined that the number of reuses is one. When both the first flat plate portion 421A and the first flat plate portion 441A remain in the frame 11, it can be determined that the number of reuses is two. On the other hand, those in which neither the first flat plate portion 421A nor the first flat plate portion 441A remain are easily determined as new products.

  Therefore, according to the toner cartridge 31 of the present embodiment and the developing unit, the image forming unit, and the image forming apparatus including the toner cartridge 31, whether the toner cartridge 31 is a reused product or not. It is possible to easily determine the number of reuses. Therefore, it is suitable for appropriate quality control and the like.

<3. Modification>
While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an image forming apparatus that forms a color image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image by transferring only a black toner image. There may be. In the above embodiment, the primary transfer type (direct transfer type) image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a secondary transfer type.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the shape of a cover and a memory device accommodating part was substantially rectangular shape, in this invention, those shapes are not limited to it, It can set arbitrarily. In any case, the “holding member” of the present invention has a first part supported by the main body and a second part that is separated from the first part and is detachable from the main body. I just need it.

  In the above-described embodiment and the like, an LED head using a light emitting diode as a light source is used as the exposure device. However, for example, an exposure device using a laser element or the like as a light source may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and the like, an image forming apparatus having a printing function has been described as a specific example of the “image forming apparatus” in the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in addition to such a printing function, for example, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that functions as a multifunction peripheral having a scanning function and a fax function.

  In the above-described embodiment and the like, the image forming apparatus in which the memory device and the holding member are attached to the frame of the toner cartridge in the “developing unit” is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a memory device and a holding member may be attached to the outer surface of the housing 33. Alternatively, the memory device and the holding member may be attached to the “drum unit” instead of the “developing unit”. In that case, for example, a housing portion for mounting the memory device 13 and the cover 12 may be provided in the housing 33. Further, a memory device and a holding member may be attached to both the “developing unit” and the “drum unit”. In those cases, for example, the drum unit 301 including the photosensitive drum 34 may be a specific example corresponding to the “exchange unit” of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the cover 12 as the holding member is transparent, but the frame 11 as the main body may be transparent. Also in this case, for example, if it can be visually recognized that the post 122 remains in the hole 141, it can be determined that the toner cartridge 31 is a reused product.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medium supply part, 1A ... Cassette, 1B ... Pick-up roller, 1C ... Feed roller, 2 ... Conveyance part, 2A, 2B ... Registration roller pair, 3 ... Image formation part, 30 (30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K) ... Image forming unit 301 ... Drum unit 302 ... Developing unit 31 (31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K) ... Toner cartridge (developer container), 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K) ... Exposure device 33 ... Housing Body, 331... Slot, 332 .. storage chamber, 34 .. photosensitive drum, 35 .. charging roller, 36 .. developing roller, 37 .. supply roller, 38 .. cleaning blade, 39. Belt, 4B ... Drive roller, 4C ... Idle roller, 4D ... Transfer roller, 5 ... Fixing unit, 6 ... Ejecting unit, 7 ... Control unit, 71 ... 100, casing, 11 ... frame, 111 ... discharge port, 12, 22 ... cover, 121, 221 ... flat plate portion, 122 (122A to 122D), 222 (222A to 222D) ... post, 123 ... recess, 224 (224A to 224D) ... depression, 13, 23 ... memory device, 14 ... memory device housing portion, 14A ... recess, 14B ... bank portion, 141 (141A-141D) ... hole, 142 (142A-142D) ... hole, 15 ... cap, 16 ... lever, 42 ... cover, 421A ... first flat plate portion, 421B ... second flat plate portion, 422 (422A-422D), 423 (423B-423D) ... post, 43 ... corner portion 44 ... cover, PM ... medium.

Claims (21)

A memory device;
The body,
A holding member for holding the memory device on the main body,
The holding member includes a first part supported by the main body, and a second part that is separated from the first part and is detachable from the main body. The exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the main body and the holding member is transparent. The body has a first hole;
The replacement unit according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a first projecting portion provided so as to be able to fit into the first hole. The second portion includes a flat plate member including a first surface on which the first protrusion portion stands and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
The exchange unit according to claim 3, wherein a concave portion is provided on the second surface of the flat plate member at a position overlapping the first portion. The exchange unit according to claim 4, wherein the recess extends from the second surface to the inside of the first portion. The second portion includes a first surface on which the first projecting portion stands and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
The exchange unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first portion has a side surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The body has a recess in which the first portion is accommodated,
The exchange unit according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first hole is formed in a bottom portion of the recess. The main body further has a housing part dug down a partial region of the bottom of the depression,
The exchange unit according to claim 7, wherein the memory device is accommodated in the accommodating portion. The exchange unit according to claim 8, wherein the first hole is formed in a peripheral region surrounding the accommodating portion in a bottom portion of the depression. The exchange unit according to claim 9, wherein the main body further includes a second hole formed in the peripheral region. The exchange unit according to claim 10, wherein the first inner diameter of the first hole and the second inner diameter of the second hole are substantially equal. The body has a first hole;
The first portion includes a first flat plate-like portion, and a first projecting portion that is erected on the first flat plate-like portion and that can be fitted into the first hole,
The second portion includes a second flat plate portion,
The exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein the holding member has a groove between the first flat plate portion and the second flat plate portion. The exchange unit according to claim 12, wherein the groove is provided on an inner surface of the holding member facing the main body. The groove is
A thin-walled portion whose thickness gradually decreases in a direction approaching the first portion from the second portion;
The replacement unit according to claim 12, further comprising: a wall surface erected from the thin portion in a thickness direction of the first portion. The body further includes a second hole;
15. The first portion according to claim 12, wherein the second portion further includes a second projecting portion that is erected on the second flat plate-like portion and that can be inserted into the second hole. Replacement unit as described in the section. The body has a first hole and a second hole;
The first hole is at least partially filled with a filling member;
The replacement unit according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a second projecting portion provided so as to be fitted to the second hole. The exchange unit according to claim 16, wherein a first inner diameter of the first hole and a second inner diameter of the second hole are substantially equal. The exchange unit according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the second portion includes a recess portion provided at a position corresponding to the first hole.   A developing unit comprising the replacement unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18.   An image forming unit comprising the replacement unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18.   An image forming apparatus comprising the replacement unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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