JP2019045596A - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toner container that can reduce the preparation time from when the toner container is attached to a container attachment part until when an operation to supply toner from the toner container is made possible, and an image forming apparatus including the toner container.SOLUTION: A toner container 41 is provided with a connection part 80 as a compatible key, and projections 81A are provided with conductive members 82. When an incompatible toner container 41 not having attachment compatibility is inserted into a storage unit 44, projections 81 of the connection part 80 are brought into contact with interference keys 101 of a connection target part 90, and thereby attachment of the toner container 41 is inhibited. When a toner container 41 having attachment compatibility is attached to an attachment position determined in the storage part 44, the conductive members 82 are electrically connected to contact terminals 102 of the connection target part 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container that can be mounted on an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which a toner container having mounting compatibility can be attached and detached.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a container mounting portion on which a toner container is mounted, and the toner container is configured to be mountable on the container mounting portion. When the toner container is mounted on the container mounting portion, toner can be supplied from the toner container to the developing device.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, only a toner container having mounting compatibility can be mounted on the container mounting unit so that inappropriate toner is not supplied to the developing device due to erroneous mounting on the container mounting unit. On the other hand, there is known a structure (non-compatible structure) that prevents an incompatible toner container from being attached. This incompatible structure is realized by a container-side compatible key provided in the toner container and a device-side compatible key provided in the container mounting portion. The incompatible structure allows only the container mounting portion corresponding to a specific toner container to be mounted on the toner container, and the other compatible toner mounting portions interfere with each other with the specific toner. The container cannot be installed.

  Conventionally, a toner container having a memory (storage unit) in which information such as toner storage amount is stored is known (see Patent Document 1). When the toner container is attached to the container attachment portion of the image forming apparatus, the contact terminal on the apparatus side provided in the container attachment portion and the contact terminal of the memory provided in the toner container are electrically connected. As a result, the image forming apparatus can determine that the toner container is mounted at the mounting position by connecting the contact terminals to each other, and data including information such as the toner storage amount from the memory of the toner container. Can be acquired.

JP 2006-267992 A

  By the way, when the container side compatible key is lost due to breakage or the like, if the toner container is inserted into another incompatible container mounting portion, the main body side compatible key may interfere with the toner container. In some cases, the toner container may be allowed to be attached. In anticipation of the toner container being allowed to be attached to the incompatible container attachment portion, the image forming apparatus communicates with the memory when the toner container is attached to the attachment position, and obtains information from the memory. Whether the toner container is improper or not. If it is determined to be inappropriate, the image forming operation is interrupted. If it is determined to be appropriate, the necessary information is acquired from the memory. Yes. However, the process for determining whether the toner container is inappropriate may hinder the shortening of the preparation time until the toner replenishment operation becomes possible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container capable of shortening the preparation time until the toner can be replenished from the toner container after the toner container is mounted, and an image forming apparatus including the toner container. is there.

  A toner container according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to be detachable from a container mounting portion of an image forming apparatus, and includes a compatible key and an electrical connection portion. The interchangeable key is configured to allow the toner container to be selectively mounted on the container mounting portion. The electrical connection portion is provided in the interchangeable key, and is electrically connected to the container mounting portion when the toner container is mounted at a mounting position defined in the container mounting portion.

An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a toner container, and a container mounting portion configured to be detachable from the toner container.
The toner container includes a storage unit, a compatible key, and a first electrical connection unit. The storage unit stores information regarding the toner container. The interchangeable key is attached to the toner container, and is configured to allow the toner container to be selectively mounted on the container mounting portion. The first electrical connection portion is provided on the interchangeable key, and is electrically connected to the container mounting portion when the toner container is mounted at a mounting position determined by the container mounting portion.
The container mounting part includes a compatible member, a second electrical connection part, and a control part. The interchangeable member is configured to be fitted only with the interchangeable key of the toner container having mounting compatibility with the container mounting portion. The second electrical connection portion is provided on the interchangeable member, and is configured to be electrically contactable with the first electrical connection portion of the toner container mounted at the mounting position. The control unit determines that the toner container is mounted on the container mounting unit when the contact between the second electrical connection unit and the first electrical connection unit is detected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the preparation time until the toner supply operation from the toner container becomes possible after the toner container is mounted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner replenishing device provided in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toner container that can be attached to and detached from the toner supply device. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the cover member of the toner container. FIG. 6 is a front view of the cover member of the toner container. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connection support portion provided in the toner supply device. FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing the connected parts included in the connection support part. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line AA in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line BB in FIG. 8A. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along section line CC in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the control unit and the contact terminal, in which the first circuit and the second circuit are illustrated. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of each contact of the contact terminal when an appropriate toner container is mounted. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of each contact of the contact terminal when an inappropriate toner container is mounted.

  Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction D1 is defined with reference to the state where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. Further, the front-rear direction D2 is defined with the side on which the toner container 41 (an example of the toner container of the present invention) is inserted into the image forming apparatus 10 being the front side (front side). Further, a left-right direction D3 is defined when the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front side (front side).

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus having at least a printing function, for example, a color printer. The image forming apparatus 10 prints an image on printing paper using a developer containing toner. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of image forming units 1 to 4, an intermediate transfer unit 5, an exposure device 14, a secondary transfer device 15, a fixing device 16, and a toner supply device 40. And an operation display unit 9 having a touch panel, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like, a control unit 8, a paper feed tray 17, and a paper discharge tray 18. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a toner container 41 that can be attached to and detached from the toner supply device 40. These components are attached to a housing 11 constituting an external frame (not shown), an internal frame, and the like of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Each of the image forming units 1 to 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt 5A. Each of the image forming units 1 to 4 includes a photosensitive drum 21 that carries a toner image, a charging device 22, a developing device 23, a primary transfer device 24, and the like. The toner image is transferred to the photosensitive drum based on a so-called electrophotographic system. 21. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5A by the primary transfer device 24.

  The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 5A, a driving roller 7A, and a driven roller 7B. The intermediate transfer belt 5 </ b> A is supported by a driving roller 7 </ b> A and a driven roller 7 </ b> B so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow 19.

  A toner replenishing device 40 is provided above the intermediate transfer unit 5. The toner replenishing device 40 includes a holding frame 42 that holds four toner containers 41 corresponding to the respective colors of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta. The holding frame 42 is configured so that the toner container 41 can be attached and detached. The configuration of the toner replenishing device 40 will be described later.

  The secondary transfer device 15 transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 </ b> A onto the printing paper conveyed from the paper feed tray 17. The printing paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 16 by a conveyance unit (not shown). The fixing device 16 has a heating roller 16A and a pressure roller 16B, and fixes the toner image on the printing paper by conveying the printing paper on which the toner image is transferred while applying heat and pressure. . Thereafter, the printing paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 18 disposed above the intermediate transfer unit 5.

  The control unit 8 comprehensively controls the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 8 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 is electrically connected to a reader 95, a first circuit 71, and a second circuit 72 provided in the toner replenishing device 40. And a later-described current signal indicating a contact signal is received from the first circuit 71 and the second circuit 72. In the present embodiment, the control unit 8 detects the toner container 41 attached to the storage unit 44 of the holding frame 42, and reads data from the IC memory 57 to the reader 95 when the toner container 41 is detected. Let it run. For example, the control unit 8 controls the detection of the toner container 41 in the holding frame 42 and the data reading operation by the CPU executing a process according to a control program stored in the ROM or the like.

[Toner supply device]
Hereinafter, the toner replenishing device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. In each figure, the vertical direction is the vertical direction D1 based on the mounting posture in which the toner replenishing device 40 is mounted on the casing 11, and the attaching / detaching direction (insertion / extraction direction) of the toner container 41 with respect to the casing 11 is the front-rear direction. The horizontal direction when viewed from the front surface of the toner replenishing device 40 is D3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the toner replenishing device 40 includes a holding frame 42 on which the toner container 41 is mounted, and a connection support portion 45 attached to the rear rear surface of the holding frame 42. A toner container 41 is detachably attached to the holding frame 42. In addition, in FIG. 3, the connection support part 45 is shown with the dashed-two dotted line.

  The toner container 41 stores toner to be supplied to the developing device 23. In the present embodiment, four toner containers 41 corresponding to the respective colors of black, yellow, cyan, and magenta are provided in the toner supply device 40. Here, FIG. 3 shows a state in which a part on the rear side of the black toner container 41 is inserted into the accommodating portion 44 of the holding frame 42. The black toner container 41 has a larger outer diameter than the other color toner containers 41. Except for this point, all the toner containers 41 have the same configuration. The black toner container 41 will be described below unless otherwise specified.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner container 41 is formed in a long shape in the front-rear direction D2. The toner container 41 includes a container body 52, a drive transmission unit 55, a cover member 56, an IC memory 57 (an example of a storage unit of the present invention), and the like. The interior of the container body 52 is a storage space that can store toner. Toner is accommodated inside the container body 52. The container main body 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose front side is closed, and has an opening (not shown) through which toner can flow in and out at the rear end.

  The container main body 52 has a helical chevron rib 53 (see FIG. 3) formed on the inner surface. The chevron rib 53 protrudes from the inner surface of the container body 52 toward the center of the container body 52. The chevron rib 53 plays a role of conveying the toner in the container body 52 to the rear side when the toner container 41 rotates in the direction of the arrow D11 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 5, a drive transmission portion 55 is attached to the rear end portion of the container main body 52. The drive transmission portion 55 is an annular member having a gear 54 formed on the peripheral surface. The drive transmission unit 55 receives a rotational driving force from a driving source such as a motor and transmits the rotational driving force to the toner container 41.

  In the container main body 52, a cover member 56 is provided on the insertion direction D21 side (rear side) with respect to the drive transmission portion 55. The cover member 56 covers the opening of the container main body 52 and is attached to the end of the container main body 52 on the insertion direction D21 side.

  The cover member 56 has a cylindrical housing frame 58 into which the rear end portion of the container main body 52 is inserted in a state of being attached to the container main body 52. In a state where the rear end portion of the container main body 52 is inserted into the storage frame 58, the container main body 52 can rotate in the circumferential direction.

  When the toner container 41 is inserted up to a mounting position of a storage unit 44 (see FIG. 3) described later provided in the holding frame 42 (see FIG. 3), a connection unit 80 described below provided in the cover member 56 and a connection support unit A later-described connected portion 90 (see FIG. 6) included in 45 is engaged. As a result, the toner container 41 is attached to the housing portion 44 of the holding frame 42. The cover member 56 is fixed in the circumferential direction of the toner container 41 by engaging the connecting portion 80 with the connected portion 90. In the present embodiment, the cover member 56 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction in a state where the toner container 41 is mounted in the housing portion 44 of the holding frame 42, but the container body 52 rotates in the circumferential direction in the housing portion 44. Supported as possible. When the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 54 in a state where the toner container 41 is mounted in the housing portion 44, the container main body 52 rotates in the rotational direction indicated by the arrow D11 (see FIG. 4) by the rotational driving force. . As a result, the toner in the container main body 52 is conveyed to a discharge port (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the cover member 56, and the toner is replenished from the discharge port toward the developing device 23.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a slide type opening / closing member 76 is provided below the cover member 56. The opening / closing member 76 opens and closes the discharge port. When the toner container 41 is mounted in the housing portion 44 (see FIG. 3), the opening / closing member 76 moves to a position (open position) that receives the pressing force from the holding frame 42 in accordance with the mounting operation and opens the discharge port. To do. When the toner container 41 is removed from the storage portion 44, the opening / closing member 76 moves rearward from the open position to a position (blocking position) that closes the discharge port in accordance with the removing operation. Close the outlet.

  An IC memory 57 is attached to the upper surface of the cover member 56. The IC memory 57 is a non-contact type memory. The IC memory 57 performs data transmission / reception by communicating with a reader 95 described later when receiving a specific radio wave, and is also referred to as an RFID tag. Information regarding the toner container 41 is stored in the IC memory 57. The information includes, for example, identification information (ID information) of the toner container 41, the type of toner stored in the toner container 41, an initial storage amount, and the like. These pieces of information are read out by a reader 95 described later and sent from the reader 95 to the control unit 8.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 56 has a cylindrical base portion 59 having a hollow inside, closer to the insertion direction D <b> 21 than the housing frame 58. A connecting portion 80 described later is integrally formed with the base portion 59. An arch-shaped guide wall 61 protruding from the end surface 59A is provided on an end surface 59A (see FIG. 6) of the base portion 59 on the insertion direction D21 side. The guide wall 61 is provided at the center of the lower end portion of the end surface 59A. The hole 60 surrounded by the guide wall 61 is a portion through which a coil spring (not shown) provided in the holding frame 42 is inserted when the toner container 41 is mounted in the housing portion 44 (see FIG. 3) of the holding frame 42. It is.

  Further, a projection 88 is integrally formed at the center of the end face 59A. The protrusion 88 is formed in a hole 94A (see FIG. 8A) of a protruding boss 94 (see FIG. 7) provided in the connection support portion 45 of the holding frame 42 when the toner container 41 is mounted in the housing portion 44. It is inserted. The protrusion 88 and the protruding boss 94 are engaged with each other, and the toner container 41 is positioned at the mounting position determined in the housing portion 44. Since the coil spring is compressed and inserted into the hole 60 (see FIG. 5) when the toner container 41 is attached to the storage portion 44, the toner container 41 is locked so that the toner container 41 does not come off due to the spring force of the coil spring. The toner container 41 is locked at the mounting position in the accommodating portion 44 by a mechanism (not shown).

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the holding frame 42 includes four accommodating portions 44 (44A to 44D). Each of the four storage portions 44 is a portion where a corresponding toner container 41 is mounted, and is an example of the container mounting portion of the present invention.

  A toner container 41 of a predetermined color is accommodated in each accommodating portion 44 (44A to 44D) of the holding frame 42. The rightmost storage portion 44A stores the toner container 41 corresponding to black. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a part on the rear side of the black toner container 41 is inserted into the accommodating portion 44. The accommodating portions 44B, 44C, and 44D arranged on the left side of the accommodating portion 44A are portions that accommodate toner containers 41 corresponding to yellow, cyan, and magenta, respectively.

  The connection support portion 45 is connected to the toner container 41 attached to the storage portion 44 to position the toner container 41 at a mounting position in the storage portion 44. The connection support part 45 is configured as a separate member from the holding frame 42, and is attached to the holding frame 42 and the internal frame in the housing 11.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured so that a toner container having inappropriate toner cannot be attached. In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured such that only the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility can be mounted in the corresponding accommodating portion 44. In other words, each container 44 can selectively mount only the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility. For this reason, a connecting portion 80 (an example of a compatible key of the present invention) is provided at the distal end portion of the toner container 41 in the insertion direction D21, and a connected portion 90 (compatible member of the present invention) is connected to the connecting support portion 45. Example) is provided. When the toner container 41 is inserted into the accommodating portion 44 and the connecting portion 80 of the toner container 41 is engaged with the connected portion 90, the toner container 41 is allowed to be attached. On the other hand, when the connecting portion 80 of the toner container 41 cannot be engaged with the connected portion 90, the mounting of the toner container 41 is prohibited. Such a structure that realizes mounting compatibility between the connected portion 90 and the connecting portion 80 is generally called an incompatible structure.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the connecting portion 80 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting portion 80 is provided on the end surface 59 </ b> A of the base portion 59 of the cover member 56. Here, FIG. 5 shows a front end portion of the black toner container 41 inserted into the accommodating portion 44A corresponding to black. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the black toner container 41 is referred to as a toner container 41A, and the connecting portion 80 provided on the black toner container 41 is referred to as a connecting portion 80A.

  A connecting portion 80A is provided at the distal end portion of the toner container 41A in the insertion direction D21. The connecting portion 80A is for enabling the toner container 41A to be selectively attached to the accommodating portion 44A. In other words, the connecting portion 80A is configured so that only the black toner container 41A having mounting compatibility with the housing portion 44A can be mounted. Not only the black toner container 41A but also each toner container 41 corresponding to each color of yellow, cyan and magenta is provided with a connecting portion 80 having a shape corresponding to each color. In the present embodiment, each connecting portion 80 is formed in a different shape for each color. Hereinafter, the connecting portion 80A corresponding to black will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting portion 80A is provided integrally with the cover member 56 of the toner container 41A. As described above, the cover member 56 has the cylindrical base 59 having a hollow inside.

  The connecting portion 80A has four projecting portions 81 (an example of the projecting portion of the present invention) formed in a flat shape. Each of the four protrusions 81 is provided at a position that can be engaged with the connected portion 90A corresponding to black. The protruding portion 81 protrudes from the end surface 59A in the insertion direction D21 (mounting direction of the toner container 41A). The protrusion 81 is made of an insulator that does not conduct electricity. The four protrusions 81 are formed at positions where the toner container 41A does not interfere with the interference key 101 (see FIG. 8A) provided in the connected portion 90A in a mounted state in which the toner container 41A is mounted in the housing portion 44A of the holding frame 42. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, positions P <b> 1 to P <b> 8 are defined on the circumference of a circle centered on the protrusion 88 as positions where the protrusion 81 can be arranged. The positions P1 to P8 are the same positions in the connecting portions 80 of the respective toner containers 41, and are determined on the circumference at equal angular intervals with reference to the protrusion 88. That is, the positions P1 to P8 are arranged in an arc along the circumference in the connecting portion 80A. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a position P1 is defined adjacent to the guide wall 61 in the CW direction (clockwise direction) on the end face 59A, and the positions P2 to P2 are spaced at equal angular intervals from the position P1 to the CW direction. P8 is defined. The positions P <b> 1 to P <b> 8 are determined so as to be the left and right objects with reference to a vertical line passing through the center of the protrusion 88. In the toner container 41A, the four protrusions 81 are provided at positions P1, P3, P5, and P7 among the positions P1 to P8.

  In the present embodiment, in the connecting portion 80A, among the four protrusions 81, the protrusions 81A provided at the positions P1 and P5 are electrically conductive members 82 made of a conductive metal plate (the electric connection part of the present invention). And an example of a first electrical connecting portion. The conductive member 82 is formed in a U shape in a cross-sectional view, and is attached to the tip of the protruding portion 81A as shown in FIG. When the toner container 41 </ b> A is mounted in the housing portion 44, the conductive member 82 contacts and is electrically connected to a contact terminal 102 described later provided on the connection support portion 45.

  The connecting portions 80 of the toner containers 41 corresponding to colors other than black are different in shape from the black connecting portions 80A in that the positions of the protruding portions 81 are different. The configuration is the same as that of the connecting portion 80A. That is, each of the plurality of connecting portions 80 corresponding to each color has a different arrangement pattern of the four protruding portions 81 for each color. For example, the connecting portion 80 corresponding to yellow has protrusions 81 disposed at positions P3, P4, P7, and P8, and the conductive member 82 is provided at the protrusions 81 at the positions P4 and P7. Further, the connecting portion 80 corresponding to cyan is provided with a protruding portion 81 at positions P3, P4, P5, and P6, and the conductive member 82 is provided at the protruding portion 81 at the positions P3 and P6. Further, in the connecting portion 80 corresponding to magenta, protruding portions 81 are disposed at positions P2, P4, P6, and P8, and the conductive member 82 is provided at the protruding portions 81 at the positions P2 and P8.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the connection support part 45 and the to-be-connected part 90 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the connection support portion 45 includes a frame 91 that can be mounted on the rear back surface of the holding frame 42. The frame 91 is formed in a shape that is long in the left-right direction D3. Four connected parts 90 (90A to 90D) and three drive transmission parts 93 (93A to 93C) are attached to an attachment surface 92 on the front side of the frame 91. The connection support portion 45 is provided with four leaders 95, a first circuit 71 (see FIG. 10), and a second circuit 72 (see FIG. 10).

  The to-be-connected portion 90 is fitted with only the connecting portion 80 of the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility, and is an example of a compatible member of the present invention. The four connected portions 90 are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the frame 91. The rightmost connected portion 90 </ b> A is connected to the black toner container 41. The connected portions 90B, 90C, and 90D arranged on the left side of the connected portion 90A are connected to the toner containers 41 corresponding to the respective colors of yellow, cyan, and magenta.

  The drive transmission unit 93 receives a rotational driving force from a driving source such as a motor in the housing 11 and transmits the rotational driving force to the gear 54 of the toner container 41. Each drive transmission portion 93 has a cylindrical support portion 97 that protrudes perpendicularly from the mounting surface 92, and a gear 98 that is rotatably supported by the support portion 97.

  The drive transmission portion 93A is provided in the vicinity of the coupled portion 90A, and the gear 98 is coupled to the gear 54 in a state where the black toner container 41 is mounted in the accommodating portion 44A. The drive transmission portion 93B is provided in the vicinity of the coupled portion 90B, and the gear 98 is coupled to the gear 54 in a state where the toner container 41 is mounted in the accommodating portion 44B. Further, the drive transmission portion 93C is provided between the connected portion 90C and the connected portion 90D, and each gear 98 is in a state where the toner container 41 is mounted in each of the storage portion 44C and the storage portion 44D. It is connected to the gear 54 of each toner container 41.

  The reader 95 communicates with the IC memory 57 and reads information stored in the IC memory 57. Four readers 95 are attached to the frame 91. Specifically, a reader 95 is provided at a position facing the IC memory 57 when the toner container 41 is mounted in each storage unit 44. Upon receiving a drive command from the control unit 8, the reader 95 transmits a predetermined radio wave toward the IC memory 57, starts reading data in the IC memory 57 through the radio wave, and acquires data.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing a connected portion 90A included in the connection support portion 45, and shows a state where the connected portion 90A is viewed from the front. Each of the four connected portions 90 (90A to 90D) is formed in the same shape except for the arrangement position of the interference key 101 described later. Hereinafter, the configuration of the connected portion 90A corresponding to black will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the coupled portion 90A includes four interference keys 101 (an example of a contact portion of the present invention), a contact terminal 102 (an example of a second electrical connection portion of the present invention), And a protruding boss 94.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, a circular protruding boss 94 is provided at the center of the connected portion 90A. The protruding boss 94 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the mounting surface 92 toward the toner container 41 </ b> A (front). A hole 94 </ b> A is formed in the center of the front end surface of the protruding boss 94. The hole 94A is a portion into which a positioning projection 88 provided on the end surface 59A of the cover member 56 is inserted.

  The interference key 101 is provided at any one of eight predetermined positions P11 to P18 in the connected portion 90A. The interference key 101 is a rod-like protruding member that protrudes from the attachment surface 92 toward the toner container 41 </ b> A (front).

  The positions P11 to P18 are determined on the circumference of a circle having the protruding boss 94 as the center. Similarly to the positions P1 to P8, the positions P11 to P18 are arranged in an arc shape along the circumference in the connected portion 90A. In the present embodiment, the positions P11 to P18 are the same positions in each of the four connected portions 90, and are defined on the circumference with an equiangular interval from the center of the protruding boss 94. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, a position P11 is defined on the attachment surface 92 corresponding to the position P1 on the end surface 59A of the cover member 56, and from the position P11 to the CCW direction (counterclockwise direction). Positions P12 to P18 are determined at equal angular intervals. As shown in FIG. 8A, the positions P11 to P18 are determined to be the left and right targets with reference to a vertical line passing through the center of the protruding boss 94. When the toner container 41A is mounted in the storage portion 44A, the position P1 faces the position P11, and the position P2 faces the position P12. Further, each of the positions P3 to P8 is opposed to each of the positions P13 to P18.

  In the present embodiment, in the connected portion 90A, the four interference keys 101 are provided at positions that do not interfere with the protrusions 81 of the connecting portion 80A, that is, positions P12, P14, P16, and P18 among the positions P11 to P18. It has been. Accordingly, when the toner container 41A having mounting compatibility corresponding to the connected portion 90A is inserted into the housing portion 44A, the protruding portion 81 is disposed at the positions P11, P13, P15, and P17 that do not have the interference key 101. Therefore, the toner container 41A is attached to the housing portion 44A without the interference key 101 hindering the attachment of the toner container 41A.

  If the incompatible toner container 41 having the protruding portion 81 at any one of the positions P1, P3, P5, and P7 is inserted into the accommodating portion 44A, the tip of the protruding portion 81 is any interference key. It abuts on the tip of 101. Therefore, the incompatible toner container 41 cannot be inserted any more, and the incompatible toner container 41 is refused to be mounted in the housing portion 44A.

  The connected portions 90 (90B to 90D) corresponding to colors other than black are different in shape from the black connected portion 90A in that the position of the interference key 101 is different. That is, each of the plurality of connected portions 90 corresponding to each color has a different arrangement pattern of the four interference keys 101 for each color. For example, in the coupled portion 90B corresponding to yellow, the interference key 101 is disposed at positions P1, P2, P5, and P6. In the coupled portion 90C corresponding to cyan, the interference key 101 is disposed at positions P1, P2, P7, and P8. In the coupled portion 90D corresponding to magenta, the interference key 101 is disposed at positions P1, P3, P5, and P7.

  By the way, when an incompatible toner container 41 having no mounting compatibility with respect to the storage portion 44A is inserted into the storage portion 44A, the toner container 41 may be inserted up to the mounting position of the storage portion 44A. For example, when the protruding portion 81 for realizing the incompatible structure is lost due to breakage or the like, the incompatible toner container 41 can be inserted into the accommodation portion 44A to the mounting position. Conventionally, the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 10 anticipates that the incompatible toner container 41 is allowed to be attached to the storage unit 44, and the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs the IC operation when the incompatible toner container 41 is attached to the attachment position. It communicates with the memory 57 to determine whether or not the toner container 41 is inappropriate based on the identification information obtained from the IC memory 57. When it is determined that the toner container 41 is inappropriate, the image forming operation is interrupted. If it is determined, necessary information is acquired from the IC memory 57. However, the process of determining whether or not the toner container 41 is inappropriate hinders shortening of the preparation time until the toner supply operation from the toner container 41 becomes possible after the toner container 41 is mounted. For this reason, in this embodiment, in order to shorten the preparation time, as described above, the conductive member 82 is provided on the specific protrusion 81. Further, as will be described below, a contact terminal 102 is provided in each connected portion 90.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the present embodiment, the contact terminal 102 is provided in the coupled portion 90A in order to enable the control unit 8 to detect the toner container 41A in the accommodating portion 44A. The contact terminal 102 is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. The contact terminal 102 includes metal terminals 102A, 102B, and 102C.

  The metal terminal 102 </ b> C is disposed on the protruding boss 94 side in the coupled portion 90 </ b> A, and is supported by a support piece (not shown) provided on the attachment surface 92. Further, the metal terminals 102A and 102B are disposed on the outer side (upper side) of the metal terminal 102C so as to face the metal terminal 102C, and are supported by a support piece (not shown) provided on the mounting surface 92. In FIG. 8A, the metal terminal 102A is disposed on the right side of the vertical line passing through the center of the protruding boss 94, and the metal terminal 102B is disposed on the left side of the vertical line.

  The contact terminal 102 has eight contacts A1 to A8. The contacts A1 to A8 are of a so-called normal open type that is normally open (see FIG. 9A). FIG. 9A shows the normal state of the contact A5. Each of the contacts A1 to A8 has a pair of opposed contact portions 103, and as will be described later, when the interference key 101 and the protruding portion 81 are inserted into a gap between the contact portions 103, the contact A1. In ~ A8, an external force in the direction of opening is further applied, and the gap between the contact portions 103 is further opened.

  In the contact terminal 102, the contacts A1 to A8 correspond to the positions P11 to P18. Specifically, the contact A1 is provided corresponding to the position P11, and the contacts A2 to A8 are provided at equal angular intervals in the CCW direction (counterclockwise rotation direction) from the position of the contact A1. Among the contacts A1 to A8, the contacts A1 to A4 are configured by the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C, and the contacts A5 to A8 are configured by the metal terminal 102B and the metal terminal 102C.

  The contact terminal 102 is supported not only by the support piece but also by the interference key 101 in the coupled portion 90A. Specifically, the contact A2 is inserted through the interference key 101 at the position P12 (see FIG. 9B). FIG. 9B shows a state in which the contact A2 is inserted through the interference key 101 and the contact A2 is open. The contact A4 is inserted through the interference key 101 at the position P14, the contact A6 is inserted through the interference key 101 at the position P16, and the contact A8 is inserted through the interference key 101 at the position P18. In this case, the contacts A4, A6, A8 are also kept open. Thus, when the contacts A2, A4, A6, A8 are inserted through the interference key 101, the contacts A2, A4, A6, A8 hold the interference key 101 by the spring force in the closing direction.

  When the toner container 41A is attached to the accommodating portion 44A in a state where the contact terminal 102 is attached to the coupled portion 90A, the tip of the protruding portion 81 is contacted with the contact terminal 102 before the toner container 41A reaches the attachment position. In contact with each corresponding contact. When the toner container 41A is further inserted into the inner side of the accommodating portion 44A, the tip of the protruding portion 81 enters the corresponding contact, further widening the gap between the contact portions 103 of the contact. Specifically, when the toner container 41A is inserted into the accommodating portion 44A, the four protruding portions 81 enter the contacts A1, A3, A5, and A7 to further widen the gap between the contacts (FIG. 9C). reference). FIG. 9C shows a state where the protrusion 81 enters the contact A5 and the contact A5 is open.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, when the protruding portion 81A of the connecting portion 80A enters the contact A5, the conductive member 82 of the protruding portion 81A contacts the contact A5. Moreover, also when the protrusion 81A of the connecting portion 80A enters the contact A1, the conductive member 82 of the protrusion 81A contacts the contact A1 (see FIG. 8B). For this reason, when the toner container 41A is mounted at the mounting position of the housing portion 44A, the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C are electrically connected by the conductive member 82 at the contact A1, and the metal terminal is connected at the contact A5. The conductive member 82 is electrically connected between the 102B and the metal terminal 102C.

  The four contact terminals 102 provided in each of the four connected portions 90 are connected to the control unit 8 by signal lines L1, signal lines L2, and ground lines L3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a signal line L1 is connected to the metal terminal 102A of the contact terminal 102, and the signal line L1 is connected to an input terminal (not shown) of the control unit 8. In each of the four connected portions 90, the signal lines L1 and L2 are independently connected, and the ground line L3 is connected as a common line. The first circuit 71 of this embodiment is configured by being tangent in this way. That is, the first circuit 71 includes a metal terminal 102A (an example of one second electrical connection portion of the present invention) to which the signal line L1 is connected, and a metal terminal 102C to which the ground line L3 is connected. In this circuit, the line L1 and the ground line L3 are connected to the control unit 8.

  A signal line L2 is connected to the metal terminal 102B of the contact terminal 102, and the signal line L2 is connected to an input terminal (not shown) of the control unit 8. In addition, a common ground line L3 is connected to the metal terminals 102A and 102B, and the ground line L3 is connected to a ground terminal (not shown) of the control unit 8. By being tangent in this way, the second circuit 72 of the present embodiment is configured. That is, the second circuit 72 has a metal terminal 102B (an example of the other second electrical connection portion of the present invention) to which the signal line L2 is connected and a metal terminal 102C to which the ground line L3 is connected, In this circuit, the line L2 and the ground line L3 are connected to the control unit 8.

  The ground line L3 is connected to the control unit 8 while being grounded so as to have a reference potential (for example, ground potential). A voltage having a predetermined voltage value is applied from the control unit 8 to each of the signal lines L1 and L2. The control unit 8 detects whether or not a current flows between the signal line L1 and the ground line L3, thereby determining whether the signal line L1 and the ground line L3 are conductive, that is, the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C. Whether or not is conductive. Further, the control unit 8 detects whether or not a current flows between the signal line L2 and the ground line L3, thereby determining whether the signal line L2 and the ground line L3 are conductive, that is, the metal terminal 102B and the metal line. It is determined whether the terminal 102C is conductive.

  In the present embodiment, when a current flows between the signal line L1 and the ground line L3, it is determined that the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C are conductive, and a current flows between the signal line L2 and the ground line L3. When flowing, it is determined that the metal terminal 102B and the metal terminal 102C are conductive. For example, in the connected portion 90A corresponding to black, when the conductive member 82 is inserted into the contact A1, the contact A1 is closed, and a current flows between the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C. 8 detects. The current is a contact signal that the first circuit 71 sends to the control unit 8 as a current signal indicating a contact state between the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C. When the conductive member 82 is inserted into the contact A5, the contact A5 is closed, and a current flows between the metal terminal 102B and the metal terminal 102C, and the control unit 8 detects this current. The current is a contact signal that the second circuit 72 sends to the control unit 8 as a current signal indicating a contact state between the metal terminal 102B and the metal terminal 102C.

  As described above, in the unmounted state where the toner container 41 is not mounted in the housing portion 44, all the contacts A1 to A3 are open. In this case, since the control unit 8 cannot detect current between the signal lines L1 and L2 and the ground line L3, it determines that the metal terminals 102A and 102B and the metal terminal 102C are not conductive.

  On the other hand, when the black toner container 41A having mounting compatibility is attached to the accommodating portion 44A corresponding to black, as shown in FIG. 11, the contact A1 and the contact A5 are closed in the connected portion 90A. In this case, the control unit 8 detects that current flows between the signal lines L1 and L2 and the ground line L3, and determines that the metal terminals 102A and 102B and the metal terminal 102C are conductive. .

  When the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility is attached to the housing portion 44B corresponding to yellow, the contact A4 and the contact A7 are closed in the connected portion 90B. In this case, the control unit 8 determines that the metal terminals 102A and 102B and the metal terminal 102C are conductive. Further, when the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility is mounted in the accommodating portion 44C corresponding to cyan, the contact A3 and the contact A6 are closed in the connected portion 90C. In this case, the control unit 8 determines that the metal terminals 102A and 102B and the metal terminal 102C are conductive. In addition, when the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility is attached to the accommodating portion 44D corresponding to magenta, the contact A2 and the contact A8 are closed in the coupled portion 90D. In this case, the control unit 8 determines that the metal terminals 102A and 102B and the metal terminal 102C are conductive.

  In the present embodiment, when the control unit 8 receives the current signals from the first circuit 71 and the second circuit 72, the control unit 8 determines that an appropriate toner container 41 having mounting compatibility is mounted in the storage unit 44. . Specifically, when the control unit 8 detects that a current flows between the signal line L1 and the ground line L3 and a current flows between the signal line L2 and the ground line L3, It is determined that a proper toner container 41 having mounting compatibility is mounted in the storage unit 44. In other words, when it is determined that the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C are conductive and it is determined that the metal terminal 102B and the metal terminal 102C are conductive, the housing portion 44 is appropriately fitted with mounting compatibility. It is determined that the toner container 41 is attached. After this determination, the control unit 8 communicates with the IC memory 57 and transmits the identification information to and from the IC memory 57 without determining whether the toner container 41 is inappropriate by transmitting / receiving the identification information to / from the IC memory 57. The process of reading out various information is started.

  If the toner container 41A in which the protruding portion 81A corresponding to the contact A5 is broken is inserted to the mounting position of the storage portion 44A, the contact A5 remains open as shown in FIG. The part 8 cannot determine the continuity between the metal terminal 102B and the metal terminal 102C. Further, when the toner container 41A in which the protruding portion 81A corresponding to the contact A1 is broken is inserted up to the mounting position of the housing portion 44A, the contact A1 remains open as shown in FIG. The part 8 cannot determine the continuity between the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102C. In this case, the control unit 8 determines that an inappropriate toner container 41 is attached to the storage unit 44A at a timing when a predetermined time (time-up time) has elapsed since it is determined that one of the two is conducting. The message indicating the content is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation display unit 9.

  When the toner container 41A in which the two projecting portions 81A corresponding to the contacts A1 and A5 are broken is inserted to the mounting position of the housing portion 44A, the continuity between the metal terminals 102A and 102B and the metal terminal 102C is determined. I can't. For this reason, the control unit 8 has detected that a front cover (not shown) provided on the front surface of the housing 11 has been closed for attaching / detaching the toner container 41A, and a predetermined time (time-up time) has elapsed. A process for displaying the message is performed at the timing. The detection of the front cover is performed based on a detection signal from a detection unit such as an optical sensor or a limit switch for detecting opening and closing of the cover.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner container 41 is provided with the connecting portion 80 as a compatible key, and the protruding portion 81A is provided with the conductive member 82. Therefore, when an incompatible toner container 41 having no mounting compatibility is inserted into the storage portion 44, the protruding portion 81 of the connecting portion 80 and the interference key 101 of the connected portion 90 come into contact with each other, and the toner container 41 Installation is prohibited. Further, when the toner container 41 with the protruding portion 81A broken is inserted into the storage portion 44, the toner container 41 is inserted up to the mounting position, but the control unit 8 determines that an inappropriate toner container 41 has been inserted. , The message is displayed. Thereby, the user can confirm whether the toner container 41 is appropriate.

  Further, when the toner container 41 having mounting compatibility is inserted into the accommodating portion 44, the connecting portion 80 can be connected to the connected portion 90 without interference. In addition, the control unit 8 determines that the proper toner container 41 is mounted by detecting the conduction of the contact terminal 102, and after that determination, starts a process for reading out necessary information from the IC memory 57. For this reason, it is not necessary to send / receive identification information to / from the IC memory 57 and to determine whether or not the toner container 41 is improper, so that it is possible to supply toner from the toner container 41 after the toner container 41 is mounted. Preparation time to become can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the toner container 41 has the four projecting portions 81, and the configuration in which the conductive member 82 is provided in the two projecting portions 81A is exemplified. However, the present invention is limited to this configuration. Absent. For example, the conductive member 82 may be provided on all of the four protruding portions 81, or the conductive member 82 may be provided on only one of the protruding portions 81.

  Further, the configuration in which the connecting portion 80 as a compatible key is provided in the cover member 56 is illustrated. However, for example, if the toner container 41 does not include the cover member 56, the connecting portion 80 is provided in the container body 52. It may be a configured.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the signal lines L1 and L2 are connected to the metal terminals 102A and 102B, respectively, is exemplified. For example, the metal terminals are separated for each of the plurality of contacts A1 to A8, so The configuration may be such that independent signal lines are connected to each other.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the two circuits of the first circuit 71 and the second circuit 72 are provided and the current signal is received from each circuit, an appropriate toner container having mounting compatibility in the housing portion 44 is provided. Although the configuration for determining that 41 is mounted is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The configuration may be such that when the current signal is received from either the first circuit 71 or the second circuit 72, it is determined that the proper toner container 41 is mounted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the two circuits of the first circuit 71 and the second circuit 72 are provided, and the metal terminal 102A and the metal terminal 102B are made conductive to configure the two circuits as one. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the conduction by the conductive member 82 at the time of mounting is individually determined for each of the four toner containers 41 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the contact terminals 102 of the plurality of connected portions 90 are connected by common signal lines L1 and L2, and the conduction by the conductive member 82 is determined when all four toner containers 41 are mounted. There may be. In this case, although it cannot be determined individually, the number of signal lines can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the non-contact type IC memory 57 has been described as an example of the storage unit. However, for example, instead of the IC memory 57, a contact type memory (contact type memory for transferring data by contact) ( It is also possible to use an example of a storage unit. In this case, the two conductive members 82 provided on the projecting portion 81A are electrically connected to the memory and may also serve as contact terminals of the memory.

8: Control unit 9: Operation display unit 10: Image forming apparatus 41: Toner container 41A: Toner container 42: Holding frame 44: Storage unit 45: Connection support unit 52: Container body 56: Cover member 57: IC memory 71: First 1 circuit 72: 2nd circuit 80: connection part 81: protrusion part 82: conductive member 90: connected part 95: reader 101: interference key 102: contact terminal 102A: metal terminal 102B: metal terminal 102C: metal terminal

Claims (8)

A toner container configured to be detachable from a container mounting portion of an image forming apparatus,
A compatible key that allows the toner container to be alternatively mounted on the container mounting portion;
A toner container comprising: an electrical connection portion provided on the interchangeable key and electrically connected to the container mounting portion when the toner container is mounted at a mounting position defined in the container mounting portion. The interchangeable key includes a plurality of protrusions protruding in a mounting direction toward the mounting position,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection portion is provided on at least one of the plurality of protrusions. A storage unit for storing information about the toner container;
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection unit is a contact terminal electrically connected to the storage unit. A toner container;
A container mounting portion configured to be detachable from the toner container,
The toner container includes:
A storage unit for storing information on the toner container;
A compatible key that is attached to the toner container and allows the toner container to be selectively mounted on the container mounting portion;
A first electrical connecting portion provided on the interchangeable key and electrically connected to the container mounting portion when the toner container is mounted at a mounting position defined in the container mounting portion;
The container mounting part is
A compatible member that fits only with the compatible key of the toner container having mounting compatibility with the container mounting portion;
A second electrical connection provided on the interchangeable member and electrically contactable with the first electrical connection of the toner container mounted at the mounting position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that determines that the toner container is mounted on the container mounting unit when contact between the second electrical connection unit and the first electrical connection unit is detected.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the control unit determines that the toner container is mounted on the container mounting unit, the control unit starts communication with the storage unit. The interchangeable key includes a plurality of protrusions protruding in a mounting direction toward the mounting position,
The first electrical connection portion is provided in each of at least two of the plurality of protrusions,
The container mounting part is
One of the second electrical connection parts that can contact the first electrical connection part provided on one of the projecting parts, and the contact state between the one second electrical connection part and the first electrical connection part A first circuit for sending a contact signal indicating to the control unit;
Including the other second electrical connection portion that can come into contact with the first electrical connection portion provided on the other protrusion, and the contact state between the other second electrical connection portion and the first electrical connection portion. A second circuit for sending a contact signal indicating to the control unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines that the toner container is mounted on the container mounting unit when receiving the contact signal from each of the first circuit and the second circuit. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first electrical connection unit is a contact terminal that is electrically connected to the storage unit.   The interchangeable member permits the mounting of the toner container having mounting compatibility to the mounting position, and the non-compatible toner container having no mounting compatibility is inserted in the mounting direction toward the mounting position. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an abutting portion that abuts on the interchangeable key and prohibits the toner container from being mounted before the mounting position.

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