JP3981518B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine. Specifically, the present invention is connected to a unit mounting portion to which a detachable unit such as a process cartridge is detachably mounted and a connecting portion on the detachable unit side. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side and an opening / closing member that opens and closes a part of the image forming apparatus main body so that the detachable unit can be attached and detached.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus of this type, an electronic component such as a memory is mounted on the detachable unit in order to monitor the usage status of the detachable unit such as a toner cartridge and a process cartridge that are detachable from the apparatus main body. (For example, refer to Japanese Patent No. 2602341, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-149051, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2222025, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-194682). The electrical connection between the memory on the detachable unit side and the image forming apparatus main body is such that when the detachable unit is mounted while being positioned on the image forming apparatus main body, the connection terminal of the connecting portion on the detachable unit side and the image forming apparatus main body This is done by bringing the connection terminal of the side connection portion into contact.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described in the above publication, if the clearance between the image forming apparatus main body and the detachable unit is increased in order to facilitate the mounting operation of the detachable unit, the detachable unit and the image forming apparatus. It becomes difficult to contact the connection terminals provided in each of the main bodies with high accuracy. Conversely, if the clearance between the image forming apparatus main body and the detachable unit is made small in order to bring the connecting terminals provided on the detachable unit and the image forming apparatus main body into contact with each other with high accuracy, it becomes difficult to mount the detachable unit. . As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus described above, “facing the mounting operation of the detachable unit” and “contacting the connecting terminals provided on the detachable unit and the image forming apparatus main body with high accuracy” are performed. There was a problem that it was difficult to achieve both.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate the mounting operation of the detachable unit and to connect the connection terminal of the connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side to the detachable unit side. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can reliably contact a connection terminal of a portion.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a unit to which a detachable unit having an electronic component and a connecting portion for connecting the electronic component to an electric circuit on the image forming apparatus main body side is detachably mounted. In an image forming apparatus comprising a mounting portion and a connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side having a connection terminal connected to a connection terminal of a connection portion on the detachable unit side,An opening / closing member that opens and closes a part of the image forming apparatus main body in the insertion / extraction direction of the attachment / detachment unit is provided, and the attachment / detachment unit is provided with the connecting portion at an end portion in the removal direction from the image forming apparatus main body. The connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side is provided at a position facing the connecting portion of the detachable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.It is characterized by this.
[0006]
  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,With the opening and closing member openThe detachable unit is positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body. At the time of this mounting, the connection portions are not engaged, so that the clearance between the detachable unit and the unit mounting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side is set giving priority to the detachability of the detachable unit. Is possible.
  And in the state where the detachable unit is positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion.When closing the opening and closing memberA connecting portion on the detachable unit side and a connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body sideButEngagementYouThe Due to the engagement of each connection portion, the connection terminal of the connection portion on the detachable unit side contacts the connection terminal of the connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the electronic component of the detachable unit and the electric circuit on the image forming apparatus main body side Are electrically connected.
[0007]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect,The opening / closing member is integrally provided with at least transfer means.It is characterized by this.
[0009]
  The invention of claim 3 is claimed in claim1 orIn the second image forming apparatus, the unit mounting portion is provided on an integral structural member of the image forming apparatus main body so as to position the detachable unit, and the opening / closing member is attached so as to be positioned on the integral structural member. It is characterized by this.
[0010]
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detachable unit is positioned by a unit mounting portion provided in an integral structure member of the image forming apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member provided with a connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side has the same integral structure. Positioned on the member. Thus, since the detachable unit and the opening / closing member are positioned with respect to the same integral structure member, when the opening / closing member is closed, the connection portion on the detachable unit side and the connection portion of the opening / closing member can be accurately engaged. it can.
[0011]
  The invention of claim 4 is claimed in claim1 or2. The image forming apparatus according to 2, wherein a connection portion protection member for protecting the connection portion when the opening / closing member is opened is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion provided on the opening / closing member. .
[0012]
In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the attaching / detaching operation of the attaching / detaching unit is performed with the opening / closing member opened, the connecting portion protecting member protects the connecting portion of the opening / closing member. Therefore, even if an operation that causes the detachable unit to collide with the connection portion provided on the opening / closing member is accidentally performed, the detachable unit does not collide with the connection portion of the opening / closing member.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the detachable unit includes a member to which a high voltage is applied, and a high voltage is applied to the detachable unit from the image forming apparatus main body side. And a high voltage application start mechanism for starting application of a high voltage by the high voltage application means after the connecting portion on the detachable unit side and the connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side are engaged. It is characterized by having.
[0014]
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, after the connection part on the detachable unit side and the connection part on the image forming apparatus main body side are engaged by the high voltage application start mechanism and the connection terminals of each connection part are connected, Since application of a high voltage by the high voltage application means is started, it is possible to avoid a short circuit between connection terminals due to noise or the like at the start of high voltage application.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, one of the connection terminals of the connecting portion on the detachable unit side and the connecting portion on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is a ground terminal. The connection terminal of each connection part is provided so that it may begin to contact from the ground terminal of each connection part when engaging.
[0016]
In the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, since the connection terminal of each connection portion starts to contact from the ground terminal when engaged with each other, the circuit including the electronic component of the detachable unit is less susceptible to noise and the like. To become stable.
[0017]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, or sixth aspect, the detachable unit includes an image carrier, a charging unit for charging the image carrier, and the image carrier. And a developing unit that develops a latent image on the body, wherein the electronic component is a memory that stores data on the usage status of the detachable unit.
[0018]
In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, first, the process cartridge is positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body. At the time of this mounting, the connection portions are not engaged, so that it is possible to set a clearance between the unit mounting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side with priority on the process cartridge mounting property. It becomes.
Then, with the process cartridge positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion, the connecting portion engaging means engages the connecting portion of the process cartridge with the connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side. Due to the engagement of each connection portion, the connection terminal of the connection portion of the process cartridge and the connection terminal of the connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side come into contact, and the memory of the process cartridge and the electric circuit on the image forming apparatus main body side are in contact with each other. Are electrically connected.
[0019]
The detachable unit to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, or seventh aspect is configured to perform image formation in a state where the detachable unit is positioned and attached to the unit attaching portion of the image forming apparatus main body. A connection part engaged with the connection part on the apparatus main body side is provided. The detachable unit is first positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion. After the mounting, the connection portions are engaged by the connection portion engaging means such as the opening / closing member, and the connection terminals of the connection portion on the detachable unit side and the connection terminals of the connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side come into contact with each other.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the laser printer according to the present embodiment. In this laser printer, a process cartridge 10 as an attachment / detachment unit is attachable / detachable to / from an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “printer main body”). The process cartridge 10 includes a cartridge frame 101, a photosensitive drum 102 as an image carrier, a charging roller 103 as a charging unit, a cleaning blade 104 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a developing roller 111 as a developing unit. 110, a photoreceptor shutter 120, and the like.
[0021]
Further, on the printer main body side of the laser printer, as an unillustrated main body frame, an unillustrated sheet feeding unit containing transfer paper as a transfer material, an unillustrated laser light source, an exposure device, and a transfer means Transfer roller 20, static elimination needle 30 as static elimination means, fixing unit 40, registration roller pair 50, main body cover (not shown), various high voltage power sources as high voltage application means (not shown), and control unit as an electric circuit on the printer main body side Etc. are provided.
The fixing unit 40 includes a fixing roller 401 heated by a heater (not shown), a pressure roller 402 pressed against the fixing roller 401, a paper discharge roller 403 and a paper discharge roller 404 provided in a transfer paper discharge unit. ing.
Examples of the high voltage power source include a power source that applies a high voltage for charging the photosensitive member to the charging roller 103 of the process cartridge 10 and a power source that applies a developing bias voltage to the developing roller 111.
[0022]
In the laser printer having the above configuration, when the printing operation is started with the process cartridge 10 mounted on the printer main body 60, the surface of the photosensitive drum 102 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 103 and then illustrated based on the image information. A laser beam L is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum by an exposure apparatus that does not, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 102 is developed by the developing roller 111 to become a toner image. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 102 is transferred to a transfer sheet sent at a predetermined timing by the registration roller pair 50 at a transfer position where the photosensitive drum 102 and the transfer roller 20 face each other. The toner image on the transfer paper is fixed by the fixing unit 40 and then discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown).
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body frame 60 and the process cartridge 10 of the printer main body. The cartridge frame 101 of the process cartridge 10 is provided with positioning projections 106 and grips 107 at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
Further, a cartridge mounting portion 601 as a unit mounting portion to which the process cartridge 10 is mounted is provided at the center of the main body frame 60. On the inner wall of the main body frame side plate forming the cartridge mounting portion 601, a positioning receiving portion 602 for receiving and positioning the protrusion 106 of the process cartridge 10 and a guide portion 603 for guiding the bottom surface of the process cartridge 10 are provided. A rotation support shaft 604 for the main body cover is provided. The clearance between the inner wall of the main body frame side plate forming the cartridge mounting portion 601 and the process cartridge 10 is slightly wider near the inlet of the main body frame 60 when the process cartridge 10 is inserted, and gradually decreases. Is set. Then, the process cartridge 10 is positioned at a position where the projection 106 of the process cartridge 10 and the positioning receiving portion 602 are engaged.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the process cartridge 10 and the main body cover 70. A rotation hole 702 formed in both side plates 701 of the main body cover 70 is inserted into the rotation support shaft 604 of the main body frame 60 and can swing around the rotation support shaft 604. Further, the transfer roller 20 and the like are attached to the main body cover 70 so as to move integrally. By opening and closing the main body cover 70 as indicated by an arrow B in the figure, a space in the cartridge insertion / removal direction (A direction in the figure) which is a part of the printer main body can be opened and closed.
In the present embodiment, a rotation support shaft 604 for the main body cover is provided on the side plate of the main body frame 60, and a structure in which the rotation support shaft 60 is inserted into the rotation hole 702 of the main body cover 70 is employed. However, a rotation support shaft may be formed on the main body cover 70 side, and a rotation hole into which the rotation support shaft is inserted may be formed on the main body frame 60 side.
[0025]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the process cartridge 10. On the front side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 10, a memory (EEPROM) 1 as an electronic component is built in, and a connector 2 is attached as a connection part for connecting the memory 1 to a control part of the printer main body. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 2 is formed so as to surround the connection terminals 3a and 3b connected to the terminals of the memory 1 with a case 2a, and has an opening 2b on the body cover side. Of these connection terminals 3a and 3b, the lowermost connection terminal 3a near the rotation shaft 603 of the main body cover 70 is a ground terminal. The tip of the inner wall of the case 2a of the connector 2 has a tapered shape so as to smoothly engage with the connector on the main body cover side.
In the memory 1 in the connector 2, data relating to the usage status such as the rotation time of the main motor and the amount of toner used in the process cartridge is written.
[0026]
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the main body cover 70 on the printer main body side. A connector 5 that is engaged with the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side is attached to the inner wall of the side plate 701 of the main body cover 70. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 5 is formed so as to surround the connection terminals 6a and 6b corresponding to the connection terminals 3a and 3b of the connector 2 on the process cartridge side with a case 5a. An opening 5b is provided on the opposite side. The tip of the outer wall of the case 5a of the connector 5 is tapered so as to smoothly engage with the connector 2 on the process cartridge side. The connector 5 and the control unit of the printer main body are connected via a harness 7.
[0027]
Further, a protective rib 8 as a connection portion protection member is attached in the vicinity of the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side. The protective rib 8 has a size that protrudes upward from the upper end of the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side when the main body cover is opened. The protection rib 8 prevents the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side from colliding with the process cartridge 10 when the user operates the process cartridge 10 or inserts or removes the process cartridge 10, and the connector 5 is damaged. It ’s not going to happen.
[0028]
Here, since the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side is attached to the main body cover 70 that swings about the rotation support shaft 604, the connector 5 moves in an arc shape as indicated by an arrow C in FIG. On the other hand, the connector 2 attached to the process cartridge 10 positioned by the main body frame 60 does not move. Each connector 2, 5 has a plurality of connection terminals, and among these connection terminals, the length of the ground terminal closest to the rotating support shaft 604 is made longer than the other connection terminals. Therefore, when the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side and the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side are engaged, the connection terminals closest to the rotation support shaft 604 are surely brought into contact with each other first. Of course, the longest connection terminal may be the ground terminal 3a in the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side, or both the ground terminals 3a and 6a in the connectors 2 and 5 may be used. Thus, by first bringing the ground terminal into contact with the connector when engaged, it is possible to electrically stabilize the contact of each connection terminal.
The contact terminals of the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side and the corresponding contact terminals of the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side are in contact with each other in a state where the side surfaces are in pressure contact with each other. Connected.
[0029]
7 to 9 show a configuration example of a high voltage application start mechanism for starting application of a high voltage to the charging roller 103 and the developing roller 111 of the process cartridge 10 after the connectors 2 and 5 are securely engaged with each other. It is explanatory drawing which shows.
A rotation support shaft 703 that rotatably supports an end portion of a lever 704 extending toward the process cartridge 10 is attached to the inner wall of the side plate 701 of the main body cover 70. A cylindrical projection 704 a that is guided by a guide slot 605 a formed in the side plate 605 of the main body frame 60 is fixed in the vicinity of the tip of the lever 704 on the process cartridge 10 side. As shown in FIG. 8, a switch-switching cam 606 is attached at a position where the tip 704b of the lever 704 contacts when the main body cover 70 is closed. When the tip 704b of the lever is not in contact with the cam 606, the cam 606 is biased to the rotational position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When the main body cover 70 is closed and the contact terminals of the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side and the contact terminals of the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side are in reliable contact, the tip of the lever 704 is the pressing surface of the cam 606. By pressing 606a, the cam 606 is rotated to the rotational position shown by the solid line in FIG. By the rotation of the cam 606, the lever 80a of the interlocking micro switch 80 is pressed by the peripheral surface of the cam 606, and the micro switch 80 is turned on.
[0030]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the main part of the control system of the printer. The control unit 900 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O interface, and the like, and may also be used as one that controls other members in the printer. The charging power source 901 and the developing bias power source 902, and the charging roller 103 and the developing roller 111 in the process cartridge 10 are provided on the electrodes provided at the longitudinal ends of the process cartridge 10 and the inner wall of the side plate of the main body frame 60, respectively. Electrical contact is established by contact with the formed electrodes.
When the main body cover 70 is securely closed and the micro switch 80 is turned on, the on information is sent to the control unit 900. Based on this ON information, a control command is sent from the control unit 900 to the charging power source 901 and the developing bias power source 902, and application of the charging voltage and developing bias voltage is started.
By the operation of the high voltage application start mechanism and the control of the control unit 900, application of a high voltage to the charging roller 103 and the developing roller 111 of the process cartridge 10 may be started after the connectors 2 and 5 are securely engaged with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the connection terminals of each connector due to noise or the like when starting application of a high voltage such as the charging voltage to the process cartridge 10.
[0031]
In the printer configured as described above, when the process cartridge 10 is mounted on the printer main body, the user holds the handle 107 of the process cartridge 10 with the main body cover 70 opened, and inserts the process cartridge 10 in the direction of arrow A with respect to the printer main body ( 3 and 4). When the process cartridge 10 is inserted, the bottom surface of the process cartridge 10 is guided by the guide portion 602 and the photosensitive member shutter 120 is opened by an opening / closing mechanism (not shown). When the protrusion 106 of the process cartridge 10 reaches the receiving portion 601 of the main body frame 60 and is received, the process cartridge 10 is positioned on the main body frame 60, and the mounting operation of the process cartridge 10 is completed.
[0032]
Next, when the main body cover 70 is closed, the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side and the connector 5 on the main body cover 70 side are engaged, and the connection terminals of each connector sequentially contact from the ground terminal. When the connectors are securely engaged, all the connection terminals of the connectors come into contact with each other, and the memory 1 in the process cartridge 10 and the control unit 900 in the printer main body can be electrically connected.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the process cartridge 10 is mounted, the connector on the process cartridge side and the connector on the printer main body side are not engaged with each other. And a unit mounting portion of the main body frame 60 can be set. Therefore, the mounting operation of the process cartridge 10 can be facilitated.
Moreover, the connector 2 on the process cartridge 10 side and the connector 50 on the main body cover 70 are engaged with each other by a simple operation of closing the main body cover while the process cartridge 10 is positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion of the main body frame 60. By doing so, the connection terminals of each connector can be reliably brought into contact with each other.
[0034]
Further, since the recess cartridge 10 and the main body cover 70 having the connectors 2 and 5 are positioned by the same main body frame 60, when the main body cover 70 is closed, the connector 2 on the recess cartridge 10 side and the main body cover 70 The connector 5 can be more accurately engaged.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, the case where the detachable unit is a process cartridge has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus including another detachable unit such as a toner cartridge. The present invention is not limited to the laser printer described above, but can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a FAX as long as the apparatus includes a detachable unit.
In the above embodiment, the case where the electronic component provided in the detachable unit is a memory has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the detachable unit includes other electronic components that need to be electrically connected. Applicable.
[0036]
Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the said connection part was a connector which transmits an electrical signal directly by each connection terminal contacting, this invention transmits an electrical signal via light. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a connecting part that transmits the signal is provided.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to set the clearance between the detachable unit and the unit mounting portion on the image forming apparatus main body with priority on the mountability of the detachable unit. Mounting operation can be facilitated.
  In addition, in a state where the detachable unit is positioned and mounted on the unit mounting portion, the connection portion on the detachable unit side and the connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side are engaged with each other, thereby securely connecting the connection terminals of each connection portion. Can be contacted.
Furthermore, there is an effect that the connecting portion on the detachable unit side and the connecting portion of the opening / closing member can be engaged with each other by a simple operation of closing the opening / closing member, and the connecting terminals of each connecting portion can be reliably brought into contact with each other.
[0039]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 3, there is an effect that when the opening / closing member is closed, the connecting portion on the detachable unit side and the connecting portion of the opening / closing member can be engaged with each other with higher accuracy.
[0040]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 4, when the attachment / detachment unit is attached / detached with the opening / closing member opened, the attachment / detachment unit is accidentally collided with the connection portion provided on the opening / closing member and the connection portion is damaged. There is an effect that it can be prevented.
[0041]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, there is an effect that it is possible to avoid a short circuit between the connection terminals of each connection portion due to noise or the like when starting to apply a high voltage to the detachable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. .
[0042]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, there is an effect that the circuit including the electronic component of the detachable unit at the time of engagement of both connecting portions is less susceptible to noise or the like and becomes electrically stable.
[0043]
In particular, according to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to set the clearance between the detachable unit and the unit mounting portion on the image forming apparatus main body with priority given to the mounting capability of the process cartridge. Mounting operation can be facilitated. In addition, the contact terminal of the connection part of the process cartridge and the connection terminal of the connection part on the image forming apparatus main body side can be reliably contacted, and the memory of the process cartridge and the electric circuit on the image forming apparatus main body side can be reliably connected. There is an effect that can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a process cartridge mounted on a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(B) is a perspective view of a main body cover of the laser printer.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the laser printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main body frame and a process cartridge of the laser printer.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a process cartridge and a main body cover.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of each connector.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state of engagement of each connector.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a part of a high voltage application start mechanism for starting application of a high voltage to a process cartridge.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another part of the high voltage application start mechanism.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an on state and an off state of a microswitch in the high voltage application start mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the main part of the control system of the printer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 memory
2 Connector on the process cartridge side
2a Connector case
2b Connector opening
3a Connection terminal (ground terminal)
3b Connection terminal (signal terminal)
5 Connector on the body cover side
5a Connector case
5b Connector opening
6a Connection terminal (ground terminal)
6b Connection terminal (signal terminal)
7 Harness
8 Protection ribs
10 Process cartridge
20 Transfer roller
40 Fixing unit
60 body frame
70 Body cover
80 micro switch
101 Cartridge frame
102 Photosensitive drum
103 Charging roller
110 Developer
111 Developing roller
601 Cartridge mounting part
602 Positioning receiving part
604 Rotating spindle
605 Side plate of main body frame
605a Guide hole
606 cam
701 Side plate of main body cover
702 Rotating hole of main body cover
703 Rotating support shaft
704 lever
900 Control unit
901 Charging power supply
902 Development bias power supply

Claims (7)

A detachable unit having an electronic component and a connecting portion for connecting the electronic component to an electric circuit on the image forming apparatus main body side is detachably mounted, and is connected to the connecting portion on the detachable unit side. In the image forming apparatus provided with the connection portion on the image forming apparatus main body side,
An opening / closing member for opening / closing a part of the image forming apparatus main body in the insertion / extraction direction of the detachable unit;
The attachment / detachment unit is provided with the connection portion at an end portion in the removal direction from the image forming apparatus main body,
The opening / closing member is provided with the connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side at a position facing the connecting portion of the detachable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus , wherein the opening / closing member is integrally provided with at least a transfer unit . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The unit mounting portion is provided in an integral structure member in the image forming apparatus main body so as to position the detachable unit,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing member is attached to be positioned on the integral structure member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a connecting portion protecting member for protecting the connecting portion when the opening and closing member is opened in the vicinity of the connecting portion provided on the opening and closing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
As the detachable unit, a unit having a member to which a high voltage is applied is used.
High voltage applying means for applying a high voltage to the detachable unit from the image forming apparatus main body side, and the high voltage applying means after the connecting portion on the detachable unit side and the connecting portion on the image forming apparatus main body side are engaged. An image forming apparatus comprising: a high voltage application start mechanism that starts application of a high voltage. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
One of the connection terminals of the connection part on the detachable unit side and the connection part on the image forming apparatus main body side is a ground terminal,
An image forming apparatus comprising a connection terminal of each connection portion so as to start contact with a ground terminal of each connection portion when each connection portion is engaged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
The detachable unit is a process cartridge having an image carrier, a charging unit for charging the image carrier, and a developing unit for developing a latent image on the image carrier;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a memory for storing data on a usage status of the detachable unit.

Images