JP4843112B1 - Detachable device, developer container, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if a contact-type information storage device is installed in a detachable device that is detachably installed on an image forming apparatus main body, the positioning of the image forming apparatus main body with a connector main body side terminal is poor. A detachable device, a developer container, and an image forming apparatus are provided.
A detachable device 34Y is provided with a holding portion 34k that holds an information storage device 35. The information storage device 35 holds an information storage portion and a plurality of terminals 35 a and engages with positioning projections 73 e 3 installed on the image forming apparatus main body 73 to determine the positions of the plurality of terminals 35 a. There is provided a substrate 35b on which a positioning cutout is formed. Furthermore, the holding unit 34k holds the information storage device 35 so that the holding unit 34k can move on a virtual plane that intersects the attaching / detaching direction of the detachable device 34Y with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 73.
[Selection] Figure 17

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus exemplified by a copying machine, a laser printer, an ink jet printer, a printing machine, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine thereof, and a detachable apparatus for storing a developer such as toner or liquid ink. The present invention relates to a detachable device exemplified by a developer container, a process cartridge, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device and the like, and a developer container.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, there is a technique in which a removable device such as a developer container (toner bottle, toner container, ink cartridge) or process cartridge is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body. Many are used (for example, refer patent documents 1-3 etc.).
In these detachable devices, an information storage device (information recording unit, non-volatile memory) such as an ID chip in which information for exchanging with the image forming apparatus main body is stored is installed. Information stored in the information storage device in a state where the detachable device is set in the image forming apparatus main body (information such as manufacturing date, manufacturing lot number, toner color, and type of the detachable device). ) Is transmitted to the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body, or information (information such as usage history in the image forming apparatus) is transmitted from the image forming apparatus main body to the information storage device. Extensive quality control is performed on the main body and the removable device.

  Here, Patent Document 1 and the like disclose a contact-type information storage device (information recording unit). Specifically, the contact-type information storage device (ID chip) is a connector in which when a detachable device (toner storage container) is set in the image forming apparatus body, its metal pad (terminal) is installed in the image forming apparatus body. Contact the main body side terminal. As a result, information can be exchanged between the information storage device of the detachable device and the control unit (main body side information recording unit) of the image forming apparatus.

  In the conventional contact-type information storage device, there is a problem (contact failure) in which the contact portion shifts due to poor positioning between the terminal (metal pad) provided in the information storage device and the terminal of the image forming apparatus main body. There was a risk of it occurring. In particular, when the terminal of the information storage device is made small, such a problem becomes important.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a case where a contact-type information storage device is installed in a detachable device that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable device, a developer container, and an image forming apparatus that are unlikely to cause poor contact due to poor positioning with the main body side terminal of the connector of the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a detachable device is configured to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and is a detachable device that holds an information storage device, wherein the information storage device includes the image storage device. An information storage unit that stores information communicated between the main body of the forming apparatus and the detachable apparatus, and a main body side terminal installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus to contact the main body of the image forming apparatus The terminal for communicating the information, the information storage unit, and the terminal are held, and at least one of a hole or a notch into which a protrusion installed in the image forming apparatus main body is inserted And holding the information storage device so that the information storage device can move on a virtual plane that intersects the moving direction when the terminal approaches and contacts the body-side terminal. Part Those were example.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the detachable apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the holding portion faces the first plane on which the terminal is installed on the substrate, and the first A first opposing portion formed so that a part of the plane is slidable, and a second plane on the substrate opposite to the first plane and provided with the information storage unit, and the second plane A second opposing portion formed so that a part of the terminal is slidable, the terminal, and the opening formed so that the hole or the notch is exposed to the side facing the terminal on the main body side. It is equipped.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the detachable device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the terminals are a plurality of metal plates arranged in parallel with a gap in the short direction. The body side terminal is fixedly supported on the image forming apparatus body with one end side as a fixed end and the other end side as a free end, and is curved toward the detachable device side at the other end side. A plurality of plate-like or linear metal members each having a curved portion, wherein a first imaginary straight line that passes through the center of the hole or the notch and is parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of metal plates The second virtual straight line connecting the longitudinal centers of the plurality of metal plates is configured so as not to overlap, and the plurality of metal plates approach and contact the plurality of body-side terminals. When the plurality of body side terminals In which said curved portion is pressed by the plurality of metal plates a point of contact with the plurality of body-side terminal and the plurality of metal plates while being elastically deformed is displaced so as to approach to the first virtual straight line.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the detachable apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of metal plates are arranged in a state where the detachable apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. They are arranged side by side so that the arrangement direction is the vertical direction.

  A removable device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the removable device according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the hole or the notch is sandwiched between the plurality of metal plates. Two holes or notches formed respectively at both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of metal plates are used.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the detachable apparatus according to any of the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, the detachable apparatus is attached to a positioning pin installed in the image forming apparatus main body. And a positioning hole portion formed at a position spaced apart in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the information storage device in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and having centers of the two positioning hole portions The third virtual straight line to be connected is configured to be parallel to the first virtual straight line.

  Moreover, the detachable apparatus concerning invention of Claim 7 is set in the invention in any one of the said Claims 1-6, The said holding | maintenance part is comprised with respect to the said detachable apparatus so that attachment or detachment is possible. At the same time, an insertion slot for inserting the information storage device is provided.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detachable apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the developer container for containing the developer, the process cartridge, and the ink inside. One of the stored ink cartridges.

  The developer container according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is a developer container that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction. An opening is formed at one end of the cylindrical container body, and a cylindrical container body configured to convey the developer contained therein toward the opening, and the opening of the container body is inserted. And a cap having a discharge port at the bottom for discharging the developer discharged from the opening of the container body to the lower side in the vertical direction outside the container, and held at the bottom of the cap. And a shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port by movement along the outer periphery of the cap portion, and the cap portion is installed at the end in the longitudinal direction and holds the information storage device And a positioning hole that engages a positioning pin installed in the image forming apparatus main body, and the information storage device communicates information between the image forming apparatus main body and the removable device. Are stored in an information storage unit, a terminal for contacting the main body side terminal installed in the image forming apparatus main body and communicating the information with the image forming apparatus main body, and the information storage unit. And a substrate on which at least one of a hole or a cutout portion into which a protruding portion installed in the image forming apparatus main body is inserted is formed, and the holding portion includes the main body. When the terminal approaches and comes into contact with the side terminal, the information storage device is held so that it can move on a virtual plane that intersects the moving direction.

  The developer container according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the ninth aspect, wherein the holding portion is opposed to a first plane on the substrate on which the terminal is installed, and the first container. A first opposing portion formed so that a part of the plane is slidable, and a second plane on the substrate opposite to the first plane and provided with the information storage unit, and the second plane A second opposing portion formed so that a part of the terminal is slidable, the terminal, and the opening formed so that the hole or the notch is exposed to the side facing the terminal on the main body side. It is equipped.

  The developer container according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the terminals are a plurality of metal plates arranged in parallel with a gap in the short direction. The body side terminal is fixedly supported on the image forming apparatus body with one end side as a fixed end and the other end side as a free end, and is curved toward the detachable device side at the other end side. A plurality of plate-like or linear metal members each having a curved portion, wherein the hole or the notch is respectively provided at both ends of the plurality of metal plates in the arrangement direction so as to sandwich the plurality of metal plates. The first imaginary straight line that is formed and connects the two hole portions or the notch portion is positioned so as not to overlap the second imaginary straight line that connects the longitudinal centers of the plurality of metal plates. A plurality of the body side terminals. When the plurality of metal plates approach and come into contact, the plurality of body-side terminals are pressed against the plurality of metal plates and elastically deformed, and the contacts between the plurality of body-side terminals and the plurality of metal plates The bending portion is displaced so as to approach the first virtual straight line.

  The developer container according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the plurality of metal plates are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and the arrangement direction thereof is a vertical direction. Are arranged side by side.

  A developer container according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is the developer container according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the invention, wherein the first imaginary straight line is parallel to the second imaginary straight line. It is composed of.

  A developer container according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the positioning hole portion of the cap portion is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. A third imaginary line that is formed at both ends in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the information storage device in a state where the information storage device is sandwiched and connects the centers of the two positioning holes is parallel to the first imaginary line It is comprised as follows.

  A developer container according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the ninth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the holding portion is configured to be detachable from the cap portion. And an insertion port for inserting the information storage device, and the cap portion includes an upright portion that closes the insertion port in a state where the holding portion is mounted.

  A developer container according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the developer is a toner.

  A developer container according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the developer is a two-component developer in which a toner and a carrier are mixed. It is a thing.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is such that the detachable apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is such that the developer container according to any one of the ninth to seventeenth aspects is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  In the present application, the “process cartridge” refers to a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit (developing device) that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning on the image carrier. At least one of the cleaning units and the image carrier are defined as a detachable device that is integrated and detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.

  Further, in the present application, the “substantially rectangular metal plate” is defined to include a substantially rectangular plate in addition to a rectangular plate. Accordingly, a shape obtained by chamfering all or a part of the corners of the rectangular metal plate, an R shape, or the like is also included in the “substantially rectangular metal plate”.

  In the present invention, the contact-type information storage device is held by the holding unit so as to be able to move on a virtual plane that intersects the moving direction when the terminal approaches and comes into contact with the main body side terminal. Accordingly, even when a contact-type information storage device is installed in a detachable device that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body, the positioning of the image forming apparatus main body with the main body side terminal of the connector is poor. Therefore, it is possible to provide a detachable device, a developer container, and an image forming apparatus that are unlikely to cause poor contact.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an image formation part. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner container is installed in the toner supply device. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which four toner containers are installed in a toner container storage unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where one toner container is installed in the toner container housing portion. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner container storage unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in which the cap part was installed in the cap receiving part. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cap receiving portion of a toner container housing portion. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the head part vicinity of a bottle receiving part. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a state when a cap portion in a regular toner container is set in a bottle receiving portion. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a state when a cap part in an irregular toner container is set in a bottle receiving part. It is a perspective view which shows the cap receiving part of the state in which the cap part was set. It is a front view which shows the cap receiving part of the state in which the cap part was set. (A) The rear view which shows a cap receiving part, and the elements on larger scale which show the vicinity of the to-be-contacted groove | channel enclosed with the broken line in the cap receiving part in (B) (A) figure. It is a perspective view which shows a cap receiving part from diagonally downward. It is a perspective view which shows a connector. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the information storage device of a cap part is set to the connector of a cap receiving part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container from obliquely below. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a cap portion side of a toner container from obliquely above. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a toner container from the cap side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a shutter member of a toner container closes a toner discharge port. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a shutter member of a toner container has a toner discharge port opened. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an opening operation of a shutter member in conjunction with a mounting operation of a toner container in a toner container housing portion. It is a perspective view which shows a shutter member. It is another perspective view which shows a shutter member. It is a perspective view which shows the cap part of the state from which the information storage device was taken out. It is a 6th page figure which shows the holding member of an information storage device. It is a 3rd page figure which shows an information storage device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a cap portion of a toner container. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a toner container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 32 is a rear view showing a cap portion in the toner container of FIG. 31. It is a perspective view which shows the holding lid fitted to a holding member. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where an information storage device of a toner container according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is set in a connector of a cap receiving portion. It is a 3rd page figure which shows the board | substrate of the information storage device in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a 3rd page figure which shows the board | substrate of the information storage device in Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an information storage device, a holding member, and a connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the information storage device engaged with the connector. It is the schematic which shows the electric circuit of an information storage device, and the electric circuit of a connector. It is a front view which shows an information storage device. It is a figure which shows the information storage device in an inspection process. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container in Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a front view showing the toner container in a state before the face plate is installed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a toner container in a state where an information storage device and a face plate are installed. It is a figure which shows the state in which an information storage device is inserted with respect to a connector. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container of another form. FIG. 6 is a view showing another type of toner container. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a toner container according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner container of FIG. 48. It is a perspective view which shows the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 8 of this invention. FIG. 51A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 50, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 9 of this invention. FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connector is connected to the information storage device in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 52. It is a perspective view which shows the ink cartridge in Embodiment 10 of this invention. FIG. 55 is a top view showing an image forming apparatus in which the ink cartridge of FIG. 54 is installed. It is a perspective view which shows the connector of the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 10 of this invention. FIG. 57 is a three-side view showing the information storage device in contact with the connector of FIG. 56. It is a 3rd page figure which shows the information storage device of another form. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container in Embodiment 12 of this invention. 22 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of an information storage device and a holding member in Embodiment 12. FIG. FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view showing configurations of an information storage device and a holding member in Embodiment 12. FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fixed state between the information storage device and the holding member in the twelfth embodiment. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the fixed state of the information storage device and holding member in Embodiment 13 of this invention. FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the information storage device and the holding member in the thirteenth embodiment. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the fixed state of the information storage device and holding member in Embodiment 14 of this invention. FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the information storage device and the holding member in the fourteenth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a toner container housing portion 70 above the image forming apparatus main body 100, toner containers 32Y, 32M as four detachable devices corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are provided. 32C and 32K (developer containers) are detachably (replaceable) installed (see also FIGS. 3 to 5).
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container housing portion 70. Image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.
Below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K as detachable devices (developer containers), toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are disposed, respectively. The toners stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are supplied (supplemented) into the developing devices of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively. )

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, It is comprised by the static elimination part (not shown) etc. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different. A corresponding image is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 4Y (a charging process).
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and the electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow by exposure scanning at this position. Is formed (this is an exposure step).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer bias roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position. (This is a primary transfer step.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (in the cleaning process). is there.).
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 disposed below the image forming unit onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the exposure unit 7 emits a laser beam L from a light source, and irradiates the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser beam L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven.
Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the development process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer. It consists of a cleaning unit, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer bias reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown). At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feeding unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feeding roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. It is a thing.
Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The recording medium P transported to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation drive has been stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller.
Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29.
The transferred P discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y disposed in the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and toner in the developer. A density detection sensor 56Y for detecting the density, etc. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. The developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with the toner dropping conveyance path 64Y through an opening formed thereabove.

The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

  Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner accommodated in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developer accommodating portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIG. 3 and the like). The The configuration and operation of the toner supply device will be described in detail later.

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 54Y is circulated through the two developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveying screws 55Y (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Direction movement.) The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 3, the toner in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K installed in the toner container housing portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 is different for each toner color according to the toner consumption in each color developing device. Each developing device is appropriately replenished by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K provided on the developing device.
The four toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (developer containers) have substantially the same structure except that the colors of toner used in the image forming process are different. Only the toner supply device 50Y and the toner container 32Y corresponding to yellow will be described, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60M, 60C and 60K and the toner containers 32M, 32C and 32K corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted as appropriate. .

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, when the main body cover (not shown) installed on the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is opened, the toner container housing portion. 70 (insertion port 71) is exposed. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (developer containers) are placed in the horizontal direction, and the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached and detached from the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (toner). This is an attachment / detachment operation in which the longitudinal direction of the container is the attachment / detachment direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached to the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 (moving in the direction of the arrow Q), in conjunction with the attaching operation, The shutter members 34d of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move to open the toner discharge port W (discharge port), and the toner supply ports 73w (see FIG. 3) of the toner supply devices 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. And the toner discharge port W communicate with each other. As a result, the toner accommodated in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from the toner discharge port W, and is transferred from the toner supply port 73w of the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K into the toner tank portion 61Y. Will be stored.
Here, referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 3, the toner container 32 </ b> Y is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle. The toner container 32 </ b> Y mainly includes a cap part 34 </ b> Y that is non-rotatably held in the toner container housing part 70 and a gear 33 c. And an integrally formed container body 33Y (bottle body). The container body 33Y is rotatably held relative to the cap portion 34Y, and is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 by a drive unit 91 (comprising a drive motor, a drive gear 81, etc.). The As the container body 33Y itself rotates, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the protrusions 33b formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y. Then, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y (conveying from the left to the right in FIG. 3). That is, when the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y is appropriately rotated by the drive unit 91, the toner is appropriately supplied to the toner tank unit 61Y. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are replaced with new ones when they reach the end of their lives (when almost all the toner to be stored is consumed and emptied).

Referring to FIG. 3, toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K include a toner container housing portion 70, a toner tank portion 61Y, a toner transport screw 62Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a driving portion 91, and the like. It is configured.
The toner tank 61Y is disposed below the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y, and stores toner discharged from the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. The bottom of the toner tank 61Y is connected to the upstream part of the toner conveying screw 62Y.
Further, a toner end sensor 66Y that detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank 61Y has become a predetermined amount or less is installed on the wall surface of the toner tank 61Y (position at a predetermined height from the bottom). ing. A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. When the control unit 70 detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank unit 61Y has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount by the toner end sensor 66Y (toner end detection), the control unit 70 controls the drive unit 91 ( The drive gear 81) rotates the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y for a predetermined time to supply toner to the toner tank 61Y. Further, if the toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is not canceled even after such control is repeated, it is assumed that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y and is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100. A message to prompt the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed.

  In addition, a stirring member 65Y that prevents aggregation of the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y is installed at the center of the toner tank 61Y (in the vicinity of the toner end sensor 66Y). The agitating member 65Y is provided with a flexible member at the shaft portion, and agitates the toner in the toner tank portion 61Y by rotating clockwise in FIG. Further, the tip of the flexible member of the stirring member 65Y is in sliding contact with the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y at a rotation cycle, so that the toner adheres to the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y and the detection accuracy decreases. Suppressed.

  Although illustration is omitted, the toner conveying screw 62Y conveys the toner stored in the toner tank portion 61Y obliquely upward. Specifically, the toner transport screw 62Y linearly transports the toner from the bottom (lowermost point) of the toner tank 61Y toward the upper side of the developing device 5Y. Then, the toner transported by the toner transport screw 62Y falls in its own weight on the toner drop transport path 64Y (see FIG. 2) and is replenished into the developing device 5Y (developer container 54Y).

  Referring to FIG. 4, the toner container housing portion 70 mainly includes a cap receiving portion 73 for holding the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y and a bottle receiving portion for holding the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y. A part 72 (container main body receiving part) and an insertion port 71 serving as an insertion port during the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y are configured.

Next, the toner container housing portion 70 (bottle receiving portion 72, cap receiving portion 73) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner container housing portion 70 is provided with the bottle receiving portion 72, the cap receiving portion 73, and the insertion port portion 71 (illustration is omitted in FIG. 5). It has been. The toner container 32Y is inserted into the insertion port 71 by the user holding the holding portion 33d, with the longitudinal direction set as the mounting direction with the cap portion 34Y leading to the container main body 33Y in the horizontal direction. To the toner container housing 70. The toner container 32Y inserted from the insertion opening 71 is directed toward the cap receiver 73 while sliding on the bottle receiving surface 72a of the bottle receiver 72 (see FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and the like). Pushed by the user. Here, referring to FIG. 6 and the like, a bottle receiving surface 72a is formed for each color in the bottle receiving portion 72, and corresponding toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K are inserted (white). Insertion in the direction of the arrow.) Further, referring to FIG. 8, bottle receiving portions 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73K are also formed in the cap receiving portion 73 for each color, and corresponding toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K are inserted. (In the direction of the white arrow), the cap portion is held non-rotating at that position.

5 and 24A, the bottle receiving portion 72 of the toner container housing portion 70 is provided with a bottle receiving surface 72a, a stopper release urging portion 72b, and the like.
The bottle receiving surface 72a functions as a sliding surface of the toner container 32Y when the toner container 32Y is attached or detached, and functions as a holding portion of the container body 33Y that is rotationally driven after the toner container 32Y is set.
Referring to FIG. 5, stopper release biasing portion 72b is a trapezoidal rib formed above bottle receiving surface 72a (on the downstream side in the mounting direction of toner container 32Y). Referring to FIG. 24, the stopper release urging portion 72b pushes up the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34Y in conjunction with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y to bring the stopper portion 34d22 into contact with the contact portion 34n5. (For opening the shutter member 34d).

14 and 15, the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container housing portion 70 includes a main reference pin 73a, a sub reference pin 73b, a contact groove 73m, a side groove 73h, a wall portion 73g, and a through hole. 73f, etc. are provided.
The main reference pin 73a and the secondary reference pin 73b as positioning pins are fitted into the first positioning hole portion 34a and the second positioning hole portion 34b of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container 32Y shown in FIGS. Match. Then, the cap portion 34Y is positioned in the cap receiving portion 73.
Here, referring to FIG. 7 and the like, the main reference pin 73a is formed longer in the longitudinal direction than the sub-reference pin 73b (the position of the reference surface serving as the root portion is formed on the same plane. ). The main reference pin 73a has a tapered tip. As a result, the toner container 32Y can be smoothly attached to the cap receiving portion 73 in the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73 in the longitudinal direction.

  14 and 15, the contact groove 73m is an inner wall of the cap receiving portion 73, and is formed in a groove shape above the main reference pin 73a from the upstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the tip end portion of the main reference pin 73a. Prior to the insertion of the main reference pin 73a into the positioning hole 34a, a guide rail portion 34e, which is a formed recess and extends in the longitudinal direction above the outer periphery of a cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y described later. It comes to fit.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 15, etc., both sides of the inner wall of the cap receiving portion 73 are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction and penetrate toward the outer peripheral side of the cap receiving portion 73. The side grooves 73h are formed so as to have a symmetrical relationship. Furthermore, referring to FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and the like, the outer periphery of the cap receiving portion 73 forms a substantially pentagonal shape when viewed from above, and is formed so as to be connected to the groove portion 73r1 (side groove 73h) when viewed from the longitudinal direction. The cap portion sandwiching member 73r having the right and left sides is disposed so as to be symmetrical.
The cap portion sandwiching member 73r is formed as a member different from the cap receiving portion 73, is fitted into a recess formed on the outer periphery of the cap receiving portion 73, and is disposed around the upper cylindrical axis. By being urged by the torsion coil spring 93, it is pressed against the side groove 73h. As a result, the side groove 73h and the groove 73r1 of the cap portion sandwiching member 73r are connected, and a pair of deeper left and right grooves are apparently formed.
When the toner container 32Y is attached / detached, the side protrusion 34c formed on the cap portion 34Y has a torsion coil in the deep groove portion (the groove portion 73r1 and the side groove 73h are integrated). The cap portion sandwiching member 73r biased by the spring 93 is pushed away and passes. As a result, the user who performs the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to / from the image forming apparatus main body 100 (cap receiving portion 73) can feel a click feeling synchronized with the attaching / detaching operation. The toner container 32Y can be attached / detached at an optimum momentum (acceleration) without performing it.

  Further, referring to FIG. 14A, FIG. 15 and the like, the inner wall surface of the cap receiving portion 73 (the wall surface standing in the vertical direction on the back side in the mounting direction) has a length extending in the vertical direction. A through hole 73f having a shape in which the circular hole and the square hole overlap each other with their edge lines aligned is formed. And the connector 73e mentioned later (refer FIG. 16) is installed through this through-hole 73f so that it may expose to the inner wall side of the cap receiving part 73 (refer FIG. 17 etc.). When the toner container 32Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73 (device main body 100), the connector 73e comes into contact with the ID chip 35 disposed at the tip of the cap portion 34Y so that the ID chip 35 and the device are connected. Information communication with the main body 100 (control unit 90) becomes possible.

Hereinafter, an installation mode of the connector 73e to the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container housing portion 70 will be described.
Four connectors 73e are arranged in each cap receiving portion 73 corresponding to the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Referring to FIG. 8, four connectors 73e are arranged side by side on one rectangular common electronic board 95. Specifically, the connector 73e is fixed onto the common electronic board 95 by fitting the snap fit 73e4 formed at the bottom of the connector 73e into a hole (not shown) formed in the common electronic board 95. .
Further, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 17, the common electronic board 95 to which the four connectors 73e are fixed is in a state where the four connectors 73e enter the inside of the cap receiving portion 73 through the through holes 73f. The four cap receiving portions 73K, 73C, 73M, and 73Y are installed and fixed along the arrangement direction of the four cap receiving portions 73K, 73C, 73M, and 73Y. Specifically, the four screws 99 are respectively connected to the female screw portions 73x formed below the outer wall portions of the four cap receiving portions 73K, 73C, 73M, and 73Y through the holes formed in the common electronic substrate 95. The common electronic substrate 95 is screwed to the cap receiving portion 73 from the outside by being screwed.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the connector 73e will be described.
Referring to FIG. 16, the connector 73e includes a connector main body 73e1, four main body side terminals 73e2, two positioning pins 73e3 (positioning projections), and the like. Each of the four main body side terminals 73e2 in the connector 73e is a plate-shaped (or linear) metal member, and is fixedly supported on the connector main body 73e1 with one end side as a fixed end and the other end side as a free end. . Each of the four main body side terminals 73e2 has a curved portion (a portion serving as a contact point with a metal pad 35a as a metal plate) that is curved toward the ID chip 35 side on the other end side. Yes. Then, along with the mounting operation of the cap portion 34Y to the cap receiving portion 73, the bending portion of the main body side terminal 73e2 is displaced in the −X direction of FIG. 16, and the metal pad of the ID chip 35 installed in the cap portion 34Y. While gradually increasing the contact pressure with respect to 35a (metal plate), it slides from the center in the longitudinal direction toward the left in FIG. 29 (in the vicinity of the first virtual straight line S1).
In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the front-end | tip part of the positioning pin 73e3 is formed in the taper shape so that engagement with the notch part 35b1 of ID chip 35 may be performed smoothly.

  Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, and 17, wall portion 73g is installed so as to surround the lower side and the side of through hole 73f in which connector 73e is installed. By providing the wall portion 73g, even if the toner scatters from the vicinity of the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y to the outside, the scattered toner is blocked by the wall portion 73g, so that the toner scatters to the connector 73e and the ID chip 35. It becomes difficult for toner to adhere directly. Therefore, it is possible to suppress contact failure (communication failure) between the connector 73e (main body side terminal 73e2) and the ID chip 35 (metal pad 35a) due to scattered toner.

  Necessary information is exchanged between the ID chip 35 (information storage device) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K and the connector 73e of the apparatus main body 100. Information communicated between the two includes information such as the production number, production date, and number of recyclings of the toner container and ID chip itself, information such as toner capacity, lot number, and color, and information on the image forming apparatus main body 100. There is information such as usage history. The ID chip 35 (information storage device) stores the electronic information in advance before being installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (or information received from the apparatus main body 100 after being installed). ). The ID chip 35 (information storage device) will be described in more detail later.

Next, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, toner container 32 </ b> Y mainly includes a container main body 33 </ b> Y (bottle main body) and a cap portion 34 </ b> Y (bottle cap) provided on the head thereof. Further, the cap member 34Y of the toner container 32Y is provided with a shutter member 34d, an ID chip 35 as an information storage device, and the like that can be disassembled.

At the head of the container body 33Y, a gear 33c that rotates integrally with the container body 33Y and an opening A are provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 30) (see FIG. 30). 19, see FIG. 30). The opening A is provided at the head of the container main body 33Y (a position that is the front in the mounting operation), and the toner contained in the container main body 33Y is placed in a space (a cavity) in the cap 34Y. , FIG. 30 can be referred to)).
The toner conveyance from the container main body 33Y to the cavity in the cap portion 34Y (rotational drive of the container main body 33Y) is appropriately performed according to the toner consumption on the image forming apparatus main body side.

  The gear 33c is for meshing with a drive gear 81 provided in the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 to drive the container main body 33Y about the rotation axis. Specifically, the gear 33c is exposed from a notch hole portion 34x (see FIG. 18 and the like) formed in the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y, which will be described later, so that the gear body 33c is engaged with the apparatus main body 100 at an obliquely lower meshing position in FIG. Engage with the drive gear 81. Then, the driving force is transmitted from the driving gear 81 to the gear 33c, and the container body 33Y rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. In the first embodiment, the drive gear 81 and the gear 33c are spur gears.

  Referring to FIG. 18, on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 33Y (the rear end in the mounting direction), a gripping portion 33d for the user to grip when attaching / detaching the toner container 32Y. Is provided. The user attaches the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100 while grasping the grasping portion 33d (the movement of the toner container 32Y in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18).

  Further, a spiral protrusion 33b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y (a spiral groove when viewed from the outer peripheral surface side). The spiral projection 33b is for rotating and driving the container body 33Y in a predetermined direction to discharge the toner from the opening A. The container main body 33Y configured in this way can be manufactured by blow molding together with the gear 33c and the gripping portion 33d disposed on the peripheral surface thereof.

  Referring to FIG. 30, in toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment, stirring member 33f that rotates together with container body 33Y is fitted in bottle opening 33a (opening A) shown in FIG. The stirring member 33f is a rod-like member extending from the cavity in the cap portion 34Y toward the container main body 33Y. By rotating the stirring member 33 together with the opening A of the container main body 33Y, the toner discharging performance from the opening A is improved.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 30, both members are engaged with the claw portion 34j (see FIG. 21 and the like) of the cap portion 34Y around the opening A of the container body 33Y. An engaged portion 33j (flange portion) for connecting 33Y and 34Y is formed so as to make one round of the outer periphery. Thus, the container main body 33Y is rotatably fitted to the cap portion 34Y.
Referring to FIGS. 19 and 30, the inner diameter of the head 33Yc (near the position where the gear 33c is formed) of the container body 33Y is equal to the accommodating portion 33Ya (spiral projection 33b) in which the toner is accommodated. Is formed so as to be smaller than the inner diameter. And in the container main body 33Y, between the head 33Yc and the accommodating part 33Ya, the pumping-up part 33Yb (the part enclosed with the dashed-dotted line of FIG. 20) formed so that the internal peripheral surface protrudes toward the inside. .) Is provided. Then, the toner conveyed toward the opening A by the spiral projection 33b with the rotation of the container body 33Y is pumped to the small diameter portion of the head 33Yc by the pumping portion 33Yb. Thereafter, the toner pumped to the small diameter portion of the head portion 33Yc is discharged from the opening A toward the cavity of the cap portion 34Y while being stirred by the stirring member 33f.

20 to 23, an ID chip 35 (information storage device), a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36, and the like are installed in the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.
Referring to FIG. 22, the cap portion 34Y roughly includes a cylindrical portion (a large-diameter cylindrical portion 34Y1, a medium-diameter cylinder) whose outer diameter and inner diameter are reduced in three stages from the container body 33Y side toward the shutter member 34d side. And a box portion (wide box portion 34Y11 and narrow box portion 34Y12) whose width in the horizontal direction is reduced in two steps at the bottom thereof. It has become.
The cap portion 34Y includes an insertion portion 34z including a large diameter cylindrical portion 34Y1, a medium diameter cylindrical portion 34Y2, a wide box portion 34Y11, and a portion of the narrow box portion 34Y12 (see FIG. 30). Is formed. The head portion 33Yc of the container main body 33Y and a part of the pumping portion 33Yb are inserted into the insertion portion 34z. Referring to FIG. 30 and the like, in this insertion portion 34z, the medium diameter cylindrical portion 34Y2 has an inner diameter D smaller than the tooth tip diameter of the gear 33c and smaller than the outer diameter of the opening A of the container body 33Y. It is formed to be large. The small diameter cylindrical portion 34Y3 is formed such that its inner diameter B is smaller than the inner diameter D of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 34Y2 and further smaller than the outer diameter of the opening A.
Further, the opening diameter of the annular vertical wall surface (the surface facing the periphery of the opening A of the container body 33Y) that connects the medium diameter cylindrical portion 34Y2 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 34Y3 is substantially the same as the inner diameter B. An annular cap seal 37 (elastic seal) is attached with a double-sided tape. The head 33Yc and a part of the pumping portion 33Yb are inserted into the insertion portion 34z so that the edge of the opening A of the head portion 33Yc of the container body 33Y comes into contact with the cap seal 37. With such a configuration, a part of the gear 33c (a part excluding a part exposed from the notch hole part 34x) and a functional part such as a connection part between the cap part 34Y and the container main body 33Y are provided in a large-diameter cylinder. It will be covered by the part 34Y1. Therefore, even when the toner container 32Y is held by the user alone, it is possible to prevent the user from touching such a functional part, and an unexpected external force (inadvertent blow or the like) is caused. Even if it is added to 32Y, it is possible to reduce toner leakage from the connecting portion and damage to the tooth surface of the gear 33c. Further, since the annular cap seal 37 has good slidability and elasticity maintenance on its surface, even if the container main body 33Y rotates while biting in, a gap is generated between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y, and toner is generated. There is no leakage. As a material for the cap seal 37, unlike a general flexible urethane foam (PUR), a high-density microcell urethane sheet having a high-density, fine and uniform cell structure is used. As a result, compared to the case where a general PUR is used, the cap seal 37 is less sticky, and the sealing performance between the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y can be maintained over a long period of time.

  Referring to FIGS. 22 and 30, the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33 </ b> Y is placed outside the container inside the narrow box part 34 </ b> Y <b> 12 located below the small diameter cylindrical part 34 </ b> Y <b> 3 of the cap part 34 </ b> Y. A toner dropping path C having a hexagonal column-like hole for discharging (falling its own weight) vertically downward is provided. The toner dropping path C has a constant flow path area with a hexagonal cross section, and communicates the lower peripheral surface of the small diameter cylindrical portion 34Y3 with the toner discharge port W (discharge port). As a result, the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y into the small diameter cylindrical portion 34Y3 of the cap portion 34Y falls by its own weight on the hexagonal columnar toner dropping path C and is discharged from the toner discharge port W to the outside of the container (toner tank). The portion 61Y) is smoothly discharged.

A part of the shutter member 34d (shutter main part 34d1) for opening and closing the toner discharge port W in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing part 70 is provided at the bottom of the narrow box part 34Y12. ) Is slidably held.
22 and 23 show operations from when the shutter member 34d starts to open the toner discharge port W to when the opening is completed. FIGS. 24A to 24C are schematic views showing the opening operation of the shutter member 34d (shutter deforming portion 34d2) at that time. 25 and 26 are perspective views showing the shutter member 34d. 24B and 24C, the cap part 34Y, the cap receiving part 73, and the bottle receiving part 72 illustrated in FIG. 24A are partially omitted.

  Referring to FIGS. 22 to 26, shutter member 34d is formed of a resin material such as polystyrene. Roughly, plate-like shutter main portion 34d1 projects from shutter main portion 34d1 and from shutter main portion 34d1. And a shutter deforming portion 34d2 having a small thickness and elasticity.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the shutter main portion 34d1 of the shutter member 34d has a vertical wall 34d13 (a vertical wall extending in parallel with the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y) that stands on both side ends. In addition, shutter sliders 34d12 made of a plurality of protrusions protruding from the vertical wall 34d13 are formed at both end portions. The shutter slider 34d12 is the same as the slide protrusion 34d12a protruding on the inner surface of the vertical wall 34d13, the L-shaped engaged protrusion 34d12b protruding on the outer surface of the vertical wall 34d13, and the engaged protrusion 34d12b. And a pair of prismatic portions 34d12c that project from the outer surface and extend from the main body of the shutter main portion 34d1 toward the wide box portion 34d11. On the other hand, in the narrow box portion 34d12 of the cap portion 34Y, a pair of slide grooves 34t (see FIG. 23) extending in the longitudinal direction on both side walls are formed by ribs. By fitting the slide protrusion 34d12a into the slide groove 34t, the shutter main part 34d1 of the shutter member 34d is supported by the cap part 34Y so as to be slidable.
Further, a shutter seal 36 as a seal member is attached to the upper surface of the shutter main portion 34d1 (the surface facing the toner discharge port W). The shutter seal 36 is a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped elastic seal and, like the cap seal 37, uses a high-density microcell urethane sheet as a material in consideration of surface slidability and elasticity maintenance. Therefore, even when the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d is repeated, the sealing performance at the toner discharge port W in the state where the shutter member 34d closes the toner discharge port W can be maintained.
The slide protrusion 34d12a of the shutter slider 34d12 is fitted in the slide groove 34t of the narrow box portion 34Y12 (cap portion 34Y). Further, in this state, a hexagonal ring-shaped projection 34r (see FIG. 23) projecting downward along the edge of the hexagonal toner discharge port W of the narrow box portion 34Y12, a shutter main portion 34d1, The shutter seal 36 is sandwiched between the shutter seal 36 and the shutter seal 36 is slightly compressed. In such a state, the shutter member 34d moves along the slide groove 34t, whereby the shutter main portion 34d1 opens and closes the toner discharge port W while suppressing toner leakage. Further, in the state where the shutter main portion 34d1 (shutter member 34d) closes the toner discharge port W, the toner is prevented from leaking from between the shutter main portion 34d1 and the toner discharge port W.

  Specifically, the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W by the relative movement in the longitudinal direction from the cap portion 34Y side to the container body 33Y side (movement to the left in FIG. 30). Thus, the toner discharge port W is closed by relative movement in the longitudinal direction from the container main body 33Y side to the cap portion 34Y side (movement to the right in FIG. 30). The opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d (the opening / closing operation of the toner discharge port W) is performed in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction with respect to the toner container housing portion 70 (apparatus main body 100).

  Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the shutter deforming portion 34d2 of the shutter member 34d is formed integrally with the shutter main portion 34d1, and has a plate thickness thinner than the plate thickness of the shutter main portion 34d1 as described above. ing. The shutter deforming portion 34d2 mainly connects two elongated flat plate portions 34d23 extending from the end surface of the shutter main portion 34d1 on the container main body 33Y side, and these two flat plate portions 34d23 are connected to each other in the vicinity of the distal end portion (free end). And a plate-like member 34d24 extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The shutter deforming portion 34d2 is formed so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction with a fixed end (connecting portion) to the shutter main portion 34d1 as a base point. A stopper portion 34d22 for fixing the shutter member 34d is formed at the front end portions (free ends) of the two flat plate portions 34d23 to prevent the toner discharge port W from being inadvertently opened as will be described later. Further, on the bottom surface side of the plate-like member 34d24, there is an inclined protrusion (a cross section is a triangle) protruding in a mountain shape downward in the vertical direction, and as will be described later, a stopper releasing bias of the cap receiving portion 73 is provided. A stopper releasing portion 34d21 for releasing the fixing of the shutter member 34d described above is formed in cooperation with the portion 72b.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the wide box portion 34Y11 located below the large-diameter cylindrical portion 34Y1 of the cap portion 34Y has a shutter housing portion 34n for housing the shutter deformation portion 34d2 when the shutter is opened. Is formed. Of the four side surfaces of the wide box portion 34Y11, two side surfaces facing the longitudinal direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 22) are open. In particular, the side surface formed on the toner discharge port W side has an opening 34n1 that extends in the horizontal direction, although a part of the wall surface is formed at both ends on the bottom side. The opening 34n1 is formed so as to cut out two surfaces, that is, a side surface on the toner discharge port W side of the wide box portion 34Y11 and a bottom surface. And the edge part formed so that it may stand upright from the bottom face of wide box part 34Y11 among the edge parts of opening 34n1 may be contact part 34n5.
The stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is located at the extreme end (the tip of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 away from the shutter main portion 34d1) in the opening direction of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 (the left direction in FIG. 24). The formed wall portion is in contact with the above-described contact portion 34n5, thereby restricting the movement of the shutter member 34d from the state in which the toner discharge port W is closed to the direction in which the toner discharge port W is opened. That is, the toner container 32Y is in a single state (in a state where it is not set in the apparatus main body 100), and since the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d is in contact with the contact portion 34n5, the shutter member 34d is It does not occur that the toner discharge port W is opened independently by moving in the opening direction.
On the other hand, the stopper release portion 34d21 is linked to the stopper release urging portion 72b (see FIGS. 5, 24, etc.) formed in the bottle receiving portion 72 in conjunction with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70. .) Is pushed up and pushed upward by the stopper release biasing portion 72b (by receiving an external force from below), the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is elastically deformed upward and the stopper portion 34d22 is also displaced upward. . Thus, the contact state between the stopper portion 34d22 and the contact portion 34n5 is released, and the shutter member 34d can be moved in the opening direction.

Hereinafter, the operation of the shutter member 34d in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the toner container accommodating portion 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 24 (A) to (C). Note that the position of the shutter member 34d in FIGS. 24A and 24C corresponds to the position of the shutter member 34d in FIGS. 22 and 23, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 24A, the stopper formed on the bottle receiving portion 72 is started by the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70 (the movement to the right in FIG. 24). When the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34d does not reach the position of the release biasing portion 72b (see FIG. 5 and the like), the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d is in contact with the contact portion 34n5, Movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction is restricted. A bristle brush 72f is arranged on the upper surface of the bottle receiving portion 72 and on the side of the cap receiving portion 73 near the stopper release biasing portion 72b so as to clean the dirt by rubbing the bottom surface of the shutter member 34d. ing. The bristle brush 72f is particularly effective in cleaning the fumed toner adhering to the bottom surface of the shutter member 34d during the operation of removing the toner container 32Y.
Thereafter, when the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y proceeds, as shown in FIG. 24B, the stopper releasing portion 34d21 is pushed up by the stopper releasing urging portion 72b, and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is surrounded by a connection line (a chain line). It is elastically deformed from the base point. Thereby, the contact state between the stopper portion 34d22 and the contact portion 34n5 is released, and the shutter member 34d can be relatively moved in the opening direction.
Thereafter, the shutter member 34d abuts against a wall portion (a portion marked “contact position” in the drawing) formed around the toner supply port 73w of the cap receiving portion 73, and the toner container housing portion. The movement at 70 (cap receiving portion 73) is restricted (the shutter member 34d will never move in the longitudinal direction). However, since the movement in the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y is advanced, the shutter member 34d moves relative to the toner discharge port W in the opening direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 24C, the shutter member 34d moves relatively to the container body 33Y side, and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is housed in the shutter housing portion 34n. Thus, the toner discharge port W is completely opened by the movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction, and the toner discharge port W and the toner replenishment port 73w of the cap receiving portion 73 coincide with each other so as to coincide with each other. An integral toner replenishing passage that communicates with the toner replenishing device is formed. At this time, the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34d is stored in a notch 34n6 (also see FIGS. 22, 23, etc.) that is an extension of the opening 34n1 of the shutter storage portion 34n. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that the shutter deformation portion 34d2 stored in the shutter storage portion 34n is held in a state of being largely elastically deformed by the contact between the stopper release portion 34d21 and the shutter storage portion 34n. .

  As described above, in the toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment, the shutter member 34d is provided with the shutter deforming portion 34d2 that is elastically deformed based on the connection position with the shutter main portion 34d1, and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 includes the shutter member. Since the stopper portion 34d22 that restricts the movement of the opening 34d in the opening direction and the stopper release portion 34d21 that releases the stopper 34d21 are provided, the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W without permission when the toner container 32Y is a single unit. The shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W in conjunction with the mounting operation only when the toner container 32Y is set in the image forming apparatus main body 100.

Hereinafter, an operation of the L-shaped engaged protrusion 34d12b relating to the shutter opening / closing operation will be described.
As shown in FIG. 25 and the like, the L-shaped engaged protrusions 34d12b are respectively formed at both end portions of the shutter main portion 34d1. On the other hand, although not shown in the figure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-9784, a pair of urging members are installed on the bottom surface inside the cap receiving portion 73 so as to face the pair of engaged protrusions 34d12b. ing. The pair of urging members are L-shaped levers having symmetrical shapes (a support shaft serving as a rotation center is formed near the bent portion of the L-shape), and an arm portion on one end side thereof. Is biased by a torsion coil spring. When the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is attached to the cap receiving portion 73, the arm portion on the other end side of the biasing member is engaged with the engaged protrusion 34d12b, and the shutter member 34d is opened. The urging force is applied in a direction (a closing direction) against the direction to be applied. As a result, the user pushes in the toner container 32Y with a force that overcomes the biasing force by the biasing member described above, and the shutter member 34d is quickly opened. As a result, a state in which the toner discharge port W does not coincide with the toner supply port 73w of the cap receiving portion 73 occurs only momentarily, and toner leakage from between the toner discharge port W and the toner supply port 73w is suppressed. can do.
On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is detached from the cap receiving portion 73, the arm portion of the biasing member described above is biased so as to push the engaged protrusion 34d12b in the mounting direction. Become. Accordingly, the user tries to pull out the toner container 32Y with a force that overcomes the urging force of the urging member described above, so that the shutter member 34d is quickly closed. As a result, as in the opening operation, toner leakage from between the toner discharge port W and the toner supply port 73w can be suppressed.

Referring to FIGS. 20, 21, 30, and the like, a first positioning hole portion extending in the longitudinal direction from the end surface of the cap portion 34 </ b> Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is formed in the upper portion (ceiling portion) of the cap portion 34 </ b> Y. 34a is formed. The first positioning hole 34 a serves as a main positioning reference for the cap 34 </ b> Y in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction to the toner container housing portion 70, the main reference pin 73a (as a positioning pin of the cap receiving portion 73 is inserted into the first positioning hole portion 34a of the cap portion 34Y. 14 and 17 etc. can be referred to).
Further, the second positioning hole 34b extending in the longitudinal direction from the end surface of the cap 34Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction does not reach the position of the toner discharge port W at the lower part (bottom) of the cap part 34Y. Is formed. The second positioning hole 34b serves as a positioning reference for the cap 34Y in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, in accordance with the operation of mounting the toner container 32Y in the toner container housing portion 70 in the longitudinal direction, the secondary reference pin 73b (as a positioning pin of the cap receiving portion 73) is inserted into the second positioning hole 34b of the cap portion 34Y. 14 and 17 etc. can be referred to). As shown in FIG. 21, the second positioning hole 34b has a vertical direction in the longitudinal direction (this "longitudinal direction" is different from the meaning of the "longitudinal direction" of the toner container 32Y described elsewhere. )).
The positioning of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container housing portion 70 is performed by the two positioning holes 34a and 34b configured as described above.

  Here, referring to FIG. 30 and the like, the depth of the first positioning hole 34a is set longer than the depth of the second positioning hole 34b. The length of the main reference pin 73a in the longitudinal direction is set longer than the length of the sub reference pin 73b in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, in the mounting operation in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing part 70 (cap receiving part 73), the fitting of the main reference pin 73a to the first positioning hole 34a serving as the positioning main reference is started. After that, the fitting of the slave reference pin 73b to the second positioning hole 34b serving as the positioning slave reference is started, and the toner container 32Y is inserted into the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73). Smooth installation is possible. In addition, since the first positioning hole 34a that is long in the longitudinal direction is provided in the ceiling portion (the portion that is not buried in the toner) of the cap portion 34Y, the first positioning hole portion 34a in the cap portion 34Y. There is no influence on the toner transportability (fluidity). The second positioning hole 34b that is short in the longitudinal direction is provided at the bottom of the cap 34Y, but can be installed using a short space from the end surface of the cap 34Y to the position of the toner discharge port W. Thus, it fully functions as a positioning sub-reference.

  Further, referring to FIG. 20 and the like, it extends above the first positioning hole 34a of the cap portion 34Y and extends along the axial direction of the first positioning hole 34a to the outer peripheral portion of the cap portion 34Y. An existing guide rail portion 34e is formed. The guide rail portion 34e is axisymmetric with respect to a virtual perpendicular passing through the hole center of the first positioning hole portion 34a when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (a cross section parallel to the front view of FIG. 21). So as to project upward in the vertical direction from the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y and extend in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 21). Prior to insertion of the main reference pin 73a into the positioning hole 34a, the guide rail portion 34e is an inner wall of the cap receiving portion 73 and is located above the main reference pin 73a and upstream of the tip end portion of the main reference pin 73a in the mounting direction. It fits in a contacted groove 73m (concave portion) formed in a groove shape from the side, and extends in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cap portion 34Y when moving to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (cap receiving portion 73). Regulate posture. In addition, a protruding portion 34e1 that slightly protrudes in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) with respect to the end surface of the first positioning hole 34a is formed at the tip of the guide rail portion 34e. The protrusion 34e1 is formed in a tapered shape as shown in FIG. Then, the guide rail portion 34 e enters the contacted groove 73 m formed in the cap receiving portion 73, and the cap portion 34 Y is guided into the cap receiving portion 73. Accordingly, when the cap portion 34Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73, the tapered protrusion 34e1 in the first positioning hole portion 34a is fitted between the first positioning hole portion 34a and the main reference pin 73a. The cap portion 34Y is smoothly attached to the cap receiving portion 73 because the fitting is made in the contact groove 73m before the fitting.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21 and the like, lateral sides that regulate the posture of the cap portion 34Y in the rotation direction of the image forming apparatus main body 100 (cap receiving portion 73) are respectively provided on both side portions of the cap portion 34Y. A protrusion 34c is formed. The side projection 34c is a virtual horizontal line passing through the midpoint of an imaginary line segment connecting the hole center of the first positioning hole 34a and the hole center of the second positioning hole 34b when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. It protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y to both sides in the horizontal direction so as to be disposed on the line, and extends in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 21). Then, the two side protrusions 34c are pushed in the cap receiving portion 73 by the cap portion sandwiching member 73r (see FIG. 12 and the like) so as to be pushed back in the opposite direction to the pushing, as shown in FIG. The cap portion 34Y is attached to and detached from the cap receiving portion 73 while engaging the lateral groove 73h and the groove portion 73r1 shown in FIG. The posture of the cap portion 34Y in the rotational direction in a state where the is mounted is regulated.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20 and the like, the side protrusion 34c has a tapered tip in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction). Here, when the cap portion 34Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73, first, the guide rail portion 34e is fitted into the contacted groove 73m, and then the tip is tapered. Since the side protrusions 34c are fitted in the side grooves 73h and the groove portions 73r1, the cap receiving portion 73 is smoothly mounted while the posture of the cap portion 34Y is reliably regulated.
Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, convex portions 34g and 34h are provided at both ends of the bottom portion of the cap portion 34Y to ensure incompatibility of the toner container 32Y (developer container). More specifically, convex portions 34g and 34h project upward from the upper surface side of a flat blade member extending from the bottom of the cap portion 34Y to the side. The convex portions 34g and 34h are fitted portions 72m shown in FIG. 9 when the operation of mounting the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70 is correct (when the toner container housing portion 70 is mounted at the regular position). (It is formed in the bottle receiving part 72 of the toner container accommodating part 70).
Specifically, although not shown, the positions of the convex portions 34g and 34h are arranged at different positions depending on the color of the toner stored in the toner container (container body). Specifically, when the front end in the mounting direction when the toner container 32Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100 is the front, the protruding portions 34g and 34h do not overlap with each other when viewed from the front. And at different positions depending on the color. The convex portions 34g and 34h of the toner container corresponding to cyan are formed at positions where only the cyan fitting portion 72m of the toner container accommodating portion 70 is fitted, and the convex portions 34g and 34h of the toner container corresponding to magenta are the toner. The convex portions 34g and 34h of the toner container corresponding to yellow are formed only at the fitting portion 72m for magenta of the container housing portion 70, and only the yellow fitting portion 72m of the toner container housing portion 70 is formed. The convex portions 34g and 34h of the toner container corresponding to black are formed at positions where they are fitted to only the black fitting portion 72m of the toner container housing portion 70.
With such a configuration, a toner container of a different color (for example, a yellow toner container) is set in a toner container storage section of a predetermined color (for example, a cyan toner container storage section), and A problem that a desired color image cannot be formed is suppressed. That is, erroneous setting of the toner container in the toner container housing portion is suppressed.
FIG. 10 shows a state in which the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70 is correct. The convex portions 34g and 34h of the cap portion 34Y are fitted to the fitting portion 72m of the bottle receiving portion 72. There is no interference. On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70 is not correct. The convex portion of the cap portion 34Y protrudes from the fitting portion 72m of the bottle receiving portion 72. The parts 34g and 34h interfere with each other.

Hereinafter, the ID chip 35 (information storage device) characteristic of the toner container 32Y (detachable device) according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.
Referring to FIG. 20 and the like, various electronic information is provided on the end face of the cap portion 34Y at the position of the holding member 34k installed between the first positioning hole portion 34a and the second positioning hole portion 34b. Is installed as an information storage device in which is stored. The ID chip 35 is configured to be connected to the connector 73e of the cap receiving portion 73 in a state where the cap portion 34Y is attached to the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73) (FIGS. 3 and 17). Etc.). Specifically, the plurality of metal pads 35a (metal plate) of the ID chip 35 and the plurality of main body side terminals 73e2 of the connector 73e in a state where the cap portion 34Y is attached to the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73). And contact. The ID chip 35 performs communication (wired communication) with the control unit 90 via the connector 73e as shown in FIG. 3 with the cap unit 34Y held by the cap receiving unit 73.

27 to 29, in the first embodiment, the holding mechanism installed in the toner container 32Y (detachable device) detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100 is an information storage device. As an ID chip 35, a holding member 34k as a holding portion, and the like. The ID chip 35 as an information storage device held by the holding mechanism includes a substrate 35b, an information storage unit 35c, a metal pad 35a (metal plate) as a plurality of terminals, and the like.
Referring to FIG. 29, the information storage unit 35c is an electronic circuit that stores various information exchanged between the control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the toner container 32Y. In FIG. 29, a box shape is indicated by hatching for simplification, but a collection of memory ICs, capacitors for reducing noise, resistors, and the like is applicable. The information storage unit 35c is disposed on the back side of the substrate 35b (the side facing the end surface of the cap unit 34Y), and is electrically connected to all or part of the metal pads 35a as a plurality of metal plates. It is connected.
The metal pads 35a serving as a plurality of terminals come into contact with the plurality of main body side terminals 73e2 in the connector 73e installed in the cap receiving section 73 (the apparatus main body 100), respectively. Electric signals related to information are exchanged between them. The plurality of metal pads 35a are arranged on the front surface side (the side facing the cap receiving portion 73) of the substrate 35b. The plurality of metal pads 35a are formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and are arranged in parallel with a gap in the short direction (the Z direction (vertical direction) in FIG. 29A).
On the substrate 35b on which the information storage part 35c and the metal pad 35a are arranged, a positioning cutout part 35b1 (one shape when divided into two by an oval circumferential linear part) is provided at both ends in the vertical direction. Is formed. The positioning cutout 35b1 is fitted to a positioning pin 73e3 (see FIGS. 16, 17, etc.) as a positioning columnar projection provided on the connector 73e (image forming apparatus main body 100). Thus, the positions of the plurality of metal pads 35a with respect to the plurality of main body side terminals 73e2 are determined.
The ID chip 35 (information storage device) configured in this manner is held by a holding member 34k (holding portion) configured to be detachable from the cap portion 34Y.

The holding member 34k (holding portion) intersects the moving direction (the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 17) when the metal pad 35a (terminal) approaches and comes into contact with the main body side terminal 73e2. A contact-type ID chip 35 (information storage device) is held so that it can move on a virtual plane (which is a substantially orthogonal virtual plane).
Specifically, in the first embodiment, the holding member 34k can move on a virtual plane (XZ plane in FIG. 20) orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction of the toner container 32Y with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100. The ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) is held. In other words, the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) can be freely moved to some extent on the XZ plane of FIG. 20 (with a movement of about 1 mm) while being held by the holding member 34k (cap portion 34Y) as shown in FIG. Yes.) It is configured to be able to. Specifically, the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) is loosely held to some extent inside a box-shaped holding member 34k (holding mechanism). That is, the ID chip 35 is held inside the holding member 34k with a predetermined interval in the XZ plane direction between the side wall and the side wall. Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, ID chip 35 has a slight gap Δt in the ± Y direction with respect to thickness t (about 0.8 mm) of substrate 35b inside holding member 34k. (For example, Δt + t = 0.85 to 1.05 mm) is held. Therefore, the substrate 35b can be erected so as to be orthogonal to the insertion direction of the positioning pin 73e3 to some extent. Thereby, the board | substrate 35b falls too much with respect to the insertion direction of the positioning pin 73e3, the positioning pin 73e3 and the notch part 35b1 are twisted, and the malfunction that fitting of both members cannot be suppressed is suppressed.
With the configuration as described above, with the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus 100 and the toner container 32Y, the plurality of metal pads 35a (terminals) on the substrate 35b are provided so as to miniaturize the ID chip 35 installed therein. Even when densely arranged, contact failure occurs due to poor positioning between the plurality of metal pads 35a and the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 73e regardless of the dimensional accuracy and assembly accuracy of related parts. It becomes difficult.

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 17 and the like, when the mounting operation of the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73 is advanced, the positioning pins 73a and 73b are inserted into the positioning holes 34a and 34b, The cap part 34Y in the cap receiving part 73 is positioned. When the mounting operation of the cap portion 34Y is further advanced, the positioning pin 73e3 (see FIGS. 16, 17, etc.) of the connector 73e is inserted into the cutout portion 35b1 of the substrate 35b in the ID chip 35, and the connector 73e (see FIG. 16, FIG. 17). The substrate 35b (the plurality of metal pads 35a) is positioned with respect to the plurality of main body side terminals 73e2). More specifically, the positioning pin 73e3 comes into contact with the edge (or the inner surface) of the notch 35b1 to restrict the movement of the substrate 35b. At this time, since the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) in which the notch 35b1 is formed is configured to be movable on the XZ plane in the holding member 34k, the dimensional accuracy and assembly accuracy of the related parts accompanying mass production are increased. As a result of having to increase the allowable variation, even when the positioning of the toner container 32Y and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is performed, even if the position of the notch 35b1 is deviated from the initial position with respect to the positioning pin 73e3, Since the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) itself moves in the XZ plane by being regulated by the tapered shape at the tip of the positioning pin 73e3, the cylindrical portion of the positioning pin 73e3 and the notch 35b1 can be fitted. In other words, the cylindrical portion of the positioning pin 73e3 and the notch 35b1 can be fitted independently of the positioning of the toner container 32Y and the image forming apparatus main body 100. Therefore, poor contact due to poor positioning between the plurality of metal pads 35a and the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 73e is less likely to occur.

Here, referring to FIG. 27, holding member 34k as a holding portion is configured to be detachable from cap portion 34Y, and insertion port 34k1 for inserting / removing ID chip 35 is formed upward. It is a box-shaped member.
Specifically, when the holding mechanism is assembled to the cap portion 34Y, first, the ID chip 35 (information storage device) is inserted from the insertion port 34k1 toward the inside of the holding member 34k (the movement in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 27). .) Thereafter, the holding member 34k (holding portion) with the ID chip 35 attached is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 27 and press-fitted into the concave portion of the cap portion 34Y. At this time, the holding member 34k is fixed and held at a position in contact with a pedestal portion 34q (disposed at a position not in contact with the substrate 35b) provided in the concave portion of the cap portion 34Y. In addition, when taking out ID chip 35 from the cap part 34Y, the operation | work is performed in the reverse procedure to the procedure mentioned above. The pedestal portion 34q is a rib that rises in the concave portion of the cap portion 34Y in the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y (or toward the holding member 34k), and from the place where the positioning pin 73e3 of the connector 73e is inserted. It is provided at a position that is off.
In the first embodiment, the holding member 34k is press-fitted into and fixed to the concave portion of the cap portion 34Y. However, the holding member 34k is attached to the concave portion of the cap portion 34Y and fixed with screws. It can also be configured. Specifically, a piece-like rib having a hole on the side wall of the holding member 34k is projected to form a female screw portion on the end surface of the cap portion 34Y. Then, the holding member 34k is mounted in the concave portion of the cap portion 34Y, and the cap member 34k is in contact with the end surface of the cap portion 34Y through the rib portion of the holding member 34k. A screw is screwed into the female screw portion of the portion 34Y. Even in such a configuration, the holding member 34k can be attached to and detached from the cap portion 34Y relatively easily.

  Thus, since the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) is configured to be detachable from the cap portion 34Y, the assembling property of the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) to the toner container 32Y as a detachable device is improved. In addition, the efficiency of disassembling the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) when the toner container 32Y is recycled is increased. In particular, the substrate 35b of the ID chip 35 in the first embodiment is a small substrate of about 12 mm × 8 mm to 15 mm × 10 mm, and data input / output in a state where the substrate 35b is attached to the cap portion 34Y in the manufacturing process ( When data input / output is performed by bringing the probe terminal into contact with the metal pad 35a), it is difficult to work on the cap portion 34Y having a complicated shape, and the process time may be prolonged. Therefore, the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) is configured to be detachable as in the first embodiment so that the data input / output operation can be performed on the ID chip 35 alone (or for each holding member 34k) as necessary. The effect to make is great.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 27, the cap portion 34Y is formed with an upright portion 34f that closes the insertion port 34k1 in a state where the holding member 34k is mounted in the recess.
Thereby, after the ID chip 35 (holding member 34k) is mounted on the cap portion 34Y, the problem that the ID chip 35 falls off from the insertion port 34k1 of the holding member 34k is suppressed.

Referring to FIG. 28, a first facing portion 34k4 and a second facing portion 34k5 are formed inside the holding member 34k (box-shaped member). The first facing portion 34k4 faces the first plane of the substrate 35b (refer to FIG. 29, which is a surface on which the plurality of metal pads 35a are arranged) and prevents the plurality of metal pads 35a from interfering with each other. The metal pad 35a is formed so as to be slidable by contact with the outer peripheral area of the first plane where the metal pad 35a is not disposed. The second facing portion 34k5 faces the second plane of the substrate 35b (the surface on which the information storage portion 35c is disposed with reference to FIG. 29), and the second facing portion 34k5 does not interfere with the information storage portion 35c. A part of the plane is formed to be slidable. As a result, the ID chip 35 can freely move in the XZ plane within the holding member 34k without falling off the holding member 34k and without damaging the metal pad 35a or the information storage unit 35c. (It can move so as to slide on the opposing portions 34k4, 34k5).
Furthermore, openings 34k2 and 34k3 are formed on the front and back surfaces of the holding member 34k, respectively. The first opening 34k2 is formed such that the plurality of metal pads 35a and the positioning notches 35b1 are exposed to the side facing the connector 73e even if the substrate 35b moves to some extent in the XZ plane. Thereby, the above-described engagement between the positioning pin 73e3 and the notch 35b1 accompanying the movement of the substrate 35b in the XZ plane and the connection (contact) between the metal pad 35a and the main body side terminal 73e2 become possible. Note that the second opening 34k3 is formed so that the information storage unit 35c is exposed to the side facing the recess of the cap unit 34Y even if the substrate 35b moves in the XZ plane to some extent.
Referring to FIG. 28, the opening 34k2 formed on the front surface of the holding member 34k has a convex shape on the left side and a concave shape on the right side. As a result, the region surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 28 functions as a “hook (stopper)” that prevents the ID chip 35 from falling off the opening 34k2.

FIG. 29 is a trihedral view showing the ID chip 35.
As shown in FIG. 29, on the first plane of the substrate 35b in the ID chip 35, four metal pads 35a as metal plates are arranged in parallel in the Z direction. The metal pad 35a is a multilayer structure composed of a copper layer, a nickel layer, and a gold layer from the substrate 35b side, and the gold layer as the surface layer is provided for the purpose of preventing oxidation although it is relatively expensive. . Further, the metal pad 35a is formed by electric field vapor deposition on the substrate 35b masked in advance.
The positioning notches 35b1 are formed at both ends of the four metal pads 35a in the arrangement direction (in the Z direction) so as to sandwich the four metal pads 35a. In the first embodiment, the first virtual straight line S1 passing through the center of the notch 35b1 and parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of metal pads 35a connects the centers in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of metal pads 35a. The second virtual straight line S2 is configured so as not to overlap. Specifically, the first virtual straight line S1 connecting the two positioning notches 35b1 (the original elongated holes in the respective notched portions 35b1 having one shape when the elongated holes are equally divided into two in the longitudinal direction) Is a position that does not overlap with the second virtual straight line S2 that connects the centers in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of metal pads 35a. In other words, the imaginary straight line S1 that connects the portions of the cutout 35b1 that are most biting inward toward the inside of the substrate 35b is configured so as not to overlap the imaginary straight line S2. Further, the virtual straight line S1 is configured to be substantially parallel to the virtual straight line S2.
Here, in the first embodiment, the dimensions a to f in FIG. 29 are set to 6.2 mm, 5.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 6 mm, and 11.7 mm, respectively. As described above, the substrate 35b having a small area has a small absolute deflection amount even if an external force is applied, and has a relatively high resistance (rigidity) to the shearing force. In the first embodiment, the ID chip 35 is movably held inside the holding member 34k. If the ID chip 35 has a large area, it is “squeezed” (notched) by inserting the positioning pin 73e3 into the notch 35b1. The positioning pin 73e3 is not perpendicular to the portion 35b1, but enters the slant, and the sliding load between the two 35b1 and 73e3 increases, so that the substrate 35b is bent and cannot move). Although employed, as described above, the positioning method is established by making the best use of the small area of the substrate 35b to increase the rigidity and to prevent the occurrence of bending that causes “twisting”. Further, although the distance between the metal pads 35a on the substrate 35b is narrow, the contact failure between the metal pad 35a and the body side terminal 73e2 is suppressed by the high-precision positioning accompanying the movement of the substrate 35b in the XZ plane. Therefore, the area of the expensive metal pad 35a including the gold layer can be minimized.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing the connector 73e on the apparatus main body 100 side.
Referring to FIG. 16, the four main body side terminals 73e2 in the connector 73e are plate-shaped (or linear) metal members, and one end side thereof is a fixed end and the other end side is a free end to the connector main body 73e1. Fixedly supported. Further, the four main body side terminals 73e2 are formed with curved portions that are curved toward the ID chip 35 (toner container 32Y) on the other end side. That is, the main body side terminal 73e2 is bent like a knee (or boomerang) toward the ID chip 35. The curved portion of the main body side terminal 73e2 is a portion that becomes a contact point with the metal pad 35a.
Then, with the mounting operation of the cap part 34Y (toner container 32Y) to the cap receiving part 73, first, the curved part of the main body side terminal 73e2 comes into contact with the substantially central part in the longitudinal direction of the metal pad 35a. When the mounting operation of the cap portion 34Y further proceeds, the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) further approaches the connector 73e side, and the main body side terminal 73e2 is pressed against the metal pad 35a to be elastically deformed (the bent knee is extended). The curved portion of the main body side terminal 73e2 is displaced so as to approach the first virtual straight line S1. That is, as the cap portion 34Y is attached, the bending portion of the main body side terminal 73e2 gradually increases the contact pressure against the metal pad 35a while the left side of FIG. 29 (near the first virtual straight line S1). It will slide towards.
With such a configuration, the position of the cap portion 34Y (metal pad 35a) in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) with respect to the cap receiving portion 73 (main body side terminal 73e2) due to the dimensional accuracy and assembly accuracy of related parts (dimensional variation). Even if they deviate, it is possible to reliably prevent a contact failure between the main body side terminal 73e2 and the metal pad 35a. Further, finally, the main body side terminal 73e2 and the metal pad 35a are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the position where the positioning pin 73e3 and the notch 35b1 are engaged (in the vicinity of the first virtual straight line S1). The horizontal distance from the positioning portion to the contact portion can be reduced. As a result, the accuracy of the contact position between the main body side terminal 73e2 and the metal pad 35a is improved.

In the first embodiment, the plurality of metal pads 35a are arranged side by side so that the arrangement direction is the vertical direction (Z direction).
Thus, the positioning direction of the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 (the alignment direction of the positioning pins 73a and 73b and the positioning hole portions 34a and 34b) and the positioning direction of the connector 73e and the substrate 35b (the positioning pins 73e3 and Is the same direction as the cutout portion 35b1.), The contact failure between the main body side terminal 73e2 and the metal pad 35a is less likely to occur.

Referring to FIG. 21, the positioning holes 34a and 34b of the cap part 34Y are formed at positions separated in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the ID chip 35 (information storage device). The third virtual straight line S3 that connects the centers of the two positioning holes 34a and 34b is configured to be parallel to the first virtual straight line S1 that connects the two positioning cutouts 35b1. .
Thus, since the ID chip 35 is fixed between the first positioning hole 34a (main reference) and the second positioning hole 34b (secondary reference), the connector 73e of the cap receiving portion 73 is provided. On the other hand, the position of the ID chip 35 is determined with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a communication failure due to the displacement of the ID chip 35 with respect to the connector 73e. In particular, the positioning direction of the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 (the alignment direction of the positioning pins 73a and 73b and the positioning holes 34a and 34b) and the positioning direction of the connector 73e and the substrate 35b (the positioning pins 73e3 and the notches) The positioning operation of the toner container 32Y with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100 contributes to the direction in which the substrate 35b is easily positioned with respect to the connector 73e. As a result, the effect of preventing poor contact between the main body side terminal 73e2 and the metal pad 35a is further increased.

It should be noted that when the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y is advanced with respect to the toner container housing part 70, the procedure related to each part of the bottle receiving part 72 and the cap receiving part 73 with respect to the cap part 34Y is as follows.
First, the cap portion 34Y slides on the bottle receiving surface 72a, and thereafter, the guide rail portion 34e of the cap portion 34Y fits into the contact groove 73m of the cap receiving portion 73 and the side of the cap portion 34Y. The protrusion 34c is fitted into the side groove 73h and the groove 73r1 of the cap receiving portion 73, and the vertical and horizontal postures of the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 are restricted. Further, at this time, the cap portion sandwiching member 73r suppresses backlash of the cap portion 34Y immediately before being inserted into the cap receiving portion 73. Then, the first positioning hole 34a of the cap part 34Y is fitted into the main reference pin 73a of the cap receiving part 73 to perform the main reference positioning, and then the second positioning hole 34b of the cap part 34Y is the cap. The positioning of the master-slave is completed by fitting with the slave reference pin 73b of the receiving part 73. In addition, until the positioning is completed, the stopper release urging portion 72b releases the contact state between the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d of the cap portion 34Y and the contact portion 34n5, and a shutter closing mechanism (not shown). As a result, the shutter member 34d is opened while the postures of the shutter member 34d and the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 are determined. The toner discharge port W opened at the cap portion 34Y and the toner supply port 73w of the cap receiving portion 73 communicate with each other. Further, the notch portion 35b1 of the ID chip 35 of the cap portion 34Y is engaged with the positioning pin 73e3 of the connector 73e of the apparatus main body 100, and the position of the ID chip 35 in the cap portion 34Y is determined. The metal pad 35a and the plurality of main body side terminals 73e2 of the connector 73e are in reliable contact with each other. Thus, the setting of the cap part 34Y (toner container 32Y) in the cap receiving part 73 (toner container housing part 70) is completed. At this time, the gear 33c of the container main body 33Y meshes with the drive gear 81 of the apparatus main body 100.
On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is taken out (detached) from the toner container housing part 70 (cap receiving part 73), the operation is performed in the reverse order of the above-described procedure at the time of mounting.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the user moves the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction while holding the holding portion 33d (except for the opening / closing operation of the main body cover). In conjunction with this operation, the opening and closing operation of the toner discharge port W by the shutter member 34d is also performed, and the mounting operation and the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y are completed.
Further, in the toner container 32Y of the first embodiment, a toner discharge port W having a relatively large opening area is disposed downward in the vertical direction, and toner is discharged directly from the toner discharge port W by its own weight fall. Can be done.
The toner container 32Y is not mounted from above the toner container housing part 70 (device main body 100), but is attached and detached from the front surface of the toner container housing part 70 (device main body 100). The degree of freedom of the layout above the portion 70 is increased. For example, even when a scanner (original reading unit) is disposed directly above the toner replenishing device, the operability and workability in attaching and detaching the toner container 32Y do not deteriorate.
Further, since the toner container 32Y is installed in the apparatus main body 100 with the longitudinal direction as the horizontal direction, the toner capacity of the toner container 32Y is increased without affecting the layout in the height direction of the entire image forming apparatus 100. Thus, the replacement frequency can be reduced.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the contact-type ID chip 35 (information storage device) is in the moving direction when the metal pad 35a (terminal) approaches and comes into contact with the main body side terminal 73e2. Are held by a holding member 34k (holding portion) so as to be able to move on a substantially orthogonal virtual plane. Accordingly, even when the contact type ID chip 35 (information storage device) is installed in the toner container 32Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning with the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 73e of the main body 100 is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the toner container 232Y in the second embodiment. FIG. 32 is a rear view showing the cap portion 234Y in the toner container 232Y. FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a holding lid 234k8 fitted to the holding member 234k.
The toner container 232Y according to the second embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the holding member 234k in the holding mechanism that holds the information storage device.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the toner container 232Y in the second embodiment also includes a container main body 33Y and a cap portion 234Y. An ID chip 35 as an information storage device is detachably installed on the cap portion 234Y.
Here, the cap member 234Y in the second embodiment is integrally formed with a holding member 234k formed with an opening 34k2 in which a part of the ID chip 35 (the metal pad 35a and the notch 35b1) is exposed. Is formed.
The ID chip 35 is inserted from the inside of the cap portion 234Y in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 31 and set at the position of the holding member 234k. Then, with the ID chip 35 set in the position of the holding member 234k, the holding lid 234k8 is inserted from the inside of the cap portion 234Y in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. State.)

The holding lid 234k8 is provided with a pedestal 234q for fitting to the holding member 134k so as not to contact the substrate 35b.
In addition, the holding lid 234k8 is installed so as to be in close contact with the inner wall of the cap portion 234Y so that the toner in the toner container 232Y does not leak and adhere to the ID chip 35.
Also in the second embodiment, the ID chip 35 (substrate 35b) is held by the holding member 234k (and the holding lid 234k8) so that it can move in the XZ plane.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the contact type ID chip 35 (information storage device) has the metal pad 35a (terminal) with respect to the main body side terminal 73e2. It is held by a holding member 234k (holding portion) so that it can move on a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction when approaching and contacting. Accordingly, even when the contact type ID chip 35 (information storage device) is installed in the toner container 232Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning with the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 73e of the main body 100 is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the information storage device 35 of the toner container 332Y in the third embodiment is set in the connector 73e of the cap receiving portion 73, and corresponds to FIG. 27 in the first embodiment. It is.
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the cushion material 334k10 is installed inside the holding member 34k and the configuration of the wall portion 373g in the cap receiving portion 373.

  The toner container 332Y according to the third embodiment is also composed of a container main body 33Y and a cap portion 34Y, as in the above-described embodiments. An ID chip 35 as an information storage device is detachably installed on the cap portion 34Y. Further, the ID chip 35 is held inside the holding member 34k so as to be movable in the XZ plane.

  Here, in the third embodiment, the cushion material 334k10 is provided between the inner wall (second facing portion 34k5) of the holding member 34k and the substrate 35b. The cushion material 334k10 is made of an elastic material such as polyurethane foam, and a low friction material is adhered to a portion facing the substrate 35b. Thereby, the damage which arises in the board | substrate 35b when the positioning pin 73e3 engages with the notch part 35b1 can be reduced, without preventing the movement in the XZ plane of ID chip (board | substrate 35b).

  Moreover, in this Embodiment 3, the wall part 373g in the cap receiving part 373 is installed so that the four sides of the connector 73g may be enclosed. And corresponding to this, the cap part 34Y is provided with the recessed part for avoiding interference with the wall part 373g. Thus, by providing the wall portion 373g, even if the toner scatters from the vicinity of the toner outlet W of the toner container 332Y to the outside, the scattered toner hardly adheres directly to the connector 73e or the ID chip 35. Become. Therefore, it is possible to suppress contact failure (communication failure) between the connector 73e (main body side terminal 73e2) and the ID chip 35 (metal pad 35a) due to scattered toner.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, the contact type ID chip 35 (information storage device) has the metal pad 35a (terminal) with respect to the main body side terminal 73e2 in the same manner as the above embodiments. It is held by a holding member 34k (holding portion) so that it can move on a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction when approaching and contacting. Thus, even when the contact type ID chip 35 (information storage device) is installed in the toner container 332Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning with the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 73e of the main body 100 is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 35 is a three-sided view showing the substrate 435b of the information storage device 435 in the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 14 in the first embodiment.

  The toner container (432Y) in the fourth embodiment is also composed of a container main body 33Y and a cap portion 34Y, as in the above-described embodiments. An ID chip 435 as an information storage device is detachably installed on the cap part 34Y. Further, the ID chip 435 is held inside the holding member 34k so as to be movable in the XZ plane.

Here, positioning holes 435b11 and 435b12 are provided in the substrate 435b of the ID chip 435 in the fourth embodiment, instead of the positioning notches 35b1 in the respective embodiments. As the toner container (432Y) is mounted, the positioning holes 435b11 and 435b12 are engaged with the positioning pins 73e3 of the connector 73e while the substrate 435b freely moves in the XZ plane. . Specifically, the positioning pin 73e3 comes into contact with the edge (or the inner surface) of the holes 435b11 and 435b12, and the movement of the substrate 435b is restricted. This makes it difficult for poor contact due to poor positioning between the plurality of metal pads 35a and the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 73e.
In the fourth embodiment, the substrate 435b is positioned below in the holding member 34k by the weight of the substrate 435b until just before the positioning holes 435b11 and 435b12 engage with the positioning pin 73e3. Considering this, a circular hole 435b11 is formed below the substrate 435b, and an elongated hole 435b12 is formed above the substrate 435b. When the lower hole 435b11 is picked up by the positioning pin 73e3, the substrate 435b is lifted, and the positioning pin 73e3 is smoothly inserted into the other long hole (hole 435b12). If the lower hole is a long hole and the upper hole is a round hole, the substrate 435b cannot be lifted by the positioning pin 73e3, and the positioning pin 73e3 is difficult to insert into the upper round hole. There is a fear.

  In the fourth embodiment, two positioning holes 435b11 and 435b12 are formed in the substrate 35b of the ID chip 35. On the other hand, in the substrate 435b of the ID chip 435, one is used as a positioning hole 435b11 (or 435b12) and the other is used as a positioning notch 35b1 (used in the above embodiments). ). Even in such a case, the same effect as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

  As described above, also in the fourth embodiment, the contact type ID chip 435 (information storage device) has the metal pad 35a (terminal) with respect to the main body side terminal 73e2 in the same manner as the above embodiments. It is held by a holding member 34k (holding portion) so that it can move on a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction when approaching and contacting. Thus, even when the contact type ID chip 435 (information storage device) is installed in a toner container (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus body 100, the image forming apparatus body. Contact failure due to poor positioning with the main body side terminal 73e2 of the 100 connector 73e is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 36 is a three-sided view showing the substrate of the information storage device 535 in the fifth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 29 in the first embodiment. FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the information storage device 535, the holding member 534k (534k25), and the connector 573e, and is a perspective view showing the relative positional relationship between the three members 534k (534k25), 535, and 573e. FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state where the information storage device 535 is engaged with the connector 573e. FIG. 39 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical circuit of the information storage device 535 and an electrical circuit of the connector 573e. FIG. 40A is a front view showing a state in which the information storage device 535 is held by the connector 573e. FIG. 40B shows the information storage device 535 rotating around the positioning hole 535b21. It is a front view which shows a state. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the information storage device 535 in a state in which the probe 400 is in contact with the inspection process at the time of factory manufacture.
In the fifth embodiment, only one positioning hole 535b21 is formed in the substrate 535b of the information storage device 535, and a plurality of rectangular metal pads 35a1, 35a2, positioning holes 535b21, The point arrange | positioned between 35a3 (metal plate) differs from the thing of said each embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 36, an ID chip 535 serving as an information storage device according to the fifth embodiment has a positioning hole 535b21 formed at a position vertically above the center of gravity of substrate 535b. In addition, a metal terminal 535d for grounding (earth) is provided on the inner diameter portion and the periphery of the hole portion 535b21. In the fifth embodiment, the metal terminal 535d formed on the surface of the substrate 535b is formed such that two projecting portions 535d1 extend in the horizontal direction with respect to the annular portion.
Further, with respect to the positioning hole 535b21, one rectangular metal pad 35a1 is installed at a position above the vertical direction, and two rectangular metal pads 35a21, 35a3 are installed at a position below the vertical direction. Has been.
Further, on the back side of the substrate 535b (the side facing the cap portion 34Y), a protective member 535e made of a resin material such as a hemispherical epoxy and covering and protecting the information storage portion is provided. In the fifth embodiment, although it depends on the shape of the substrate 535b and the configuration / arrangement of the back surface of the protective member 535e, etc., it is a component that has the largest weight on the back surface because it may have an information storage unit such as an IC inside. However, by arranging the hole 535b21 above the protective member 535e, the positional relationship that the hole 535b21 is vertically above the center of gravity of the ID chip 535 described above is realized. Specifically, referring to FIG. 40A, in ID chip 535 (information storage device) according to the fifth embodiment, the center position of positioning hole 535b21 is a distance Za from the center of gravity of ID chip 535. It is formed to be only upward.

Referring to FIG. 37, the connector 573e has a connector main body 573e21 that is a resin-made hollow box, and the connector main body 573e21 has a positioning pin 573e23 (positioning with a single hollow cylinder and a tapered shape at the tip). Projections) are provided so as to stand in the horizontal direction. The positioning pin 573e23 is provided with a grounding body side terminal 573e25 (ground terminal). The grounding main body side terminal 573e25 is a plate-shaped (or linear) metal member, a part of which is housed in a hollow portion of a positioning pin 573e23 formed integrally with the connector main body 73e21, and its curved portion. Is exposed from a slit-like opening formed in a part of the peripheral surface of the hollow cylinder and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. Further, with respect to the positioning pin 573e23 (main body terminal 573e25 for grounding), one main body side terminal 73e2 is installed at a position above the vertical direction, and two main body side terminals 73e2 are installed at a position below the vertical direction. Has been. These main body side terminals 73e2 are plate-shaped (or linear) metal members, and are formed in substantially the same manner as those of the above-described embodiments except that the installation positions are different.
Further, below the connector main body 573e21, on both sides of the positioning pin 573e23, a pair of ribs are formed so that the taper surfaces inside the tips are symmetrical with each other. In addition, a shake preventing member 573e24 is provided as a pair of restricting members that are opposed to a position vertically below the center of the hole 535b21.

Further, the holding member 534k (holding portion) is fixed to the toner container (532Y) and is located between the connector 573e and the ID chip 535, as in the above embodiments. Its shape is almost the same as that of each of the above embodiments, and its function (function to hold the ID chip 535 movably) is also the same. Referring to FIG. 37, in the holding member 534k in the fifth embodiment, the first facing portion 534k24 is configured to be line-symmetric with respect to the vertical axis, and the hole portion 535e21 is formed from two corners at the upper end of the ID chip 535. It is formed so as to cover the area up to both sides. Further, the holding member 534k is formed so as to cover the lower side of the lowermost metal pad 35a3 of the substrate 535b also in the lower part, and the ID chip 535 is prevented from dropping from the holding member 534k by these configurations. .
Further, in the holding member 534k, most of the first facing portion 534k24 including an area facing the four main body side terminals 73e2 and 573e25 of the connector 573e is an opening. In particular, the holding member 534k is a convex opening 534k22 that is open to a portion corresponding to the pair of shake preventing members 73e24. When the toner container 532Y is mounted, the shake preventing member 573e24 (a pair of regulating members) also enters the holding member 534k through the opening 534k22 following the intrusion of the positioning pin 573e23 into the opening 534k22.
The flat plate-like second facing portion 534k25 facing the back side of the ID chip 535 (on the side of the protective member 535e) is fixed to the holding member 534k by bonding or a snap fit (not shown). Similar to the first opposing portion 534k24, the second opposing portion 534k25 has a convex opening 534k26 and can avoid interference with the protective member 535e and the intrusion prevention member 573e24. On the other hand, the ID chip 535 is pushed when the positioning pin 573e23 is inserted into the hole 535b21 of the ID chip 535, but the second opposing portion 534k25 supports the substrate 535b from the back, so that the terminal The contact state between each other can be maintained.

FIG. 38 shows that when the toner container 532Y according to the fifth embodiment is mounted on the apparatus main body 100, the positioning of the connector 573e on the apparatus main body 100 side and the ID chip 535 is completed, and the main body side terminals 73e2, 573e25 and the above-described metal It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which pad 35a1-35a3 and the ground terminal 535d connected. In FIG. 38, the illustration of the holding member 534k (534k25) and the metal pads 35a1 to 35a3 between the connector 573e and the ID chip 535 is omitted for easy understanding.
Of the series of mounting operations of the toner container 532Y, the main reference and sub reference positioning holes 34a and 34b of the cap portion 534Y are fitted to the main reference and sub reference positioning pins 73a and 73b of the cap receiving portion 73. The operation until the cap portion 534Y is positioned is the same as the mounting operation of the first embodiment. After that, after the position of the cap portion 534Y is determined, the hole portion 535b21 of the ID chip 535 is fitted to the positioning pin 573e23 so as to be picked up by the taper at the tip of the positioning pin 573e23 of the connector 573e. The position in the direction and the vertical direction are determined simultaneously. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 40 (A), a vibration preventing member 573e24 (a pair of ribs of a connector 573e2) is formed on the lower edge on both the left and right sides of the substrate 535b and below the center of the hole 535b21. Intrusion member). At this time, even if the posture of the ID chip is shifted as shown in FIG. 40B, when the tapered surface of the rib tip comes into contact with the edge, the posture is made vertical by the action of the center of gravity. Then, the substrate 535b is rotated, and the deviation of the posture in the rotation direction (the rotation in the direction of the double arrow shown in FIG. 40B) is corrected (the state shown in FIG. 40A is set). Thereby, the positioning of the ID chip 535 is completed. At this time, a part of the ground terminal 535d of the ID chip 535 (corresponding to the inner diameter part of the hole 535b21) comes into contact with the grounding body side terminal 573e25 of the positioning pin 573e23 shown in FIG. The ID chip 535 is grounded (conducted). Further, after the grounding, as shown in FIG. 39A, the three metal pads 35a (35a1, 35a2, 35a3) of the ID chip 535 are also in contact with the three main body side terminals 73e2 of the connector 573e. Thus, information can be transmitted between the ID chip 535 and the main body side connector 573e (device main body 100).

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, a high-accuracy positioning mechanism is realized with an inexpensive configuration by adding various ideas (1) to (5) below.
(1) One positioning hole 535b21 is provided. As a result, the processing cost of the substrate 535b can be reduced.
(2) The main body side terminal 573e25 for grounding is integrally installed on the side peripheral surface of the positioning pin 573e23. Thereby, the distance between the positioning pin 573e23 and the main body side terminal 573e25 can be substantially zero, and the positional accuracy of the ground terminal 535d with respect to the main body side terminal 573e25 can be improved.
(3) In the mounting completion state of FIG. 38, the hole portion 535b21 and the hole portion 535b21 are aligned so that the hole center of the positioning hole portion 535b21 coincides with the line connecting the curved portions (contact portions) of the three main body side terminals 73e2 on the connector 573e side. The arrangement relationship with the curved portion of the main body side terminal 573e2 is adjusted. As a result, the horizontal distance from the hole 535b21, which is the positioning portion, to the contact portion can be reduced to near 0 mm. As a result, the positional accuracy when the three metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 and the main body side terminal 73e2 come into contact with each other is improved.
(4) The position of the positioning hole 535b21 is arranged in any one of the plurality of gaps generated when the plurality of metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 are arranged. As a result, the metal pad 35a3 located farthest from the center of the positioning hole 535b21 as compared with the case where the hole is arranged above or below the arrangement of the plurality of metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3. Distance (which corresponds to the arm length of the pendulum). Specifically, when the hole is arranged outside the arrangement of the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3, the arm length is the distance of three metal pads from the center of the hole. The length can be as long as two metal pads. By shortening the arm length of the deflection, even if the parallelism of the metal pad 35a3 at the farthest position with respect to the main body side terminal 73e2 is deviated due to mass production variation or the like, the deviation can be minimized. .
(5) When the toner container is stored as a single item, foreign matter may enter the holding member 534k and be sandwiched between the ID chip 535 and the facing portions 534k24, 534k25, and the position may be shifted. In order to deal with such a problem, in the fifth embodiment, the positional relationship is devised so that the hole 535b21 of the ID chip 535 is above the center of gravity in the vertical direction. As a result, when the shake preventing member 573e24 composed of a pair of ribs enters vertically below the hole 535b21 which is the rotation center, the center of gravity is triggered by contact with the taper surface of the shake preventing member 573e24 (rib). With this action, the posture can be rotated along the vertical direction (the positional deviation can be regulated to correct the posture). As a result, even if there is one positioning hole 535b21, the positional accuracy of the plurality of metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 with respect to the plurality of body-side terminals 573e2 can be enhanced at the same time.
As described above, as described in (1) to (5), each of the five devices exerts their respective effects, and adopts an inexpensive configuration that minimizes the area of the metal pad 35a. In addition, the positioning accuracy of the plurality of terminals 35a and 535d on the ID chip 535 side including the ground terminal and the plurality of main body side terminals 573e2 and 573e25 can be made extremely high.

Further, the device and effects of the fifth embodiment will be described separately from those described above.
First, each of the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 will be described in detail. A clock signal for communication control is input to the uppermost metal pad 35a1. A low-cost serial communication method is adopted because of sequential communication, I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is used as a serial bus, and a serial clock (SCL) signal is input while connected to the main unit connector. Form a line. Although the metal pad 35a1 corresponds to a terminal on the clock signal input direction side, the clock signal has a one-way signal flow, so that the ID chip 535 can be destroyed by a short circuit with Vcc (power supply, metal pad 35a3) described later. Is expected to be higher than other terminals. Therefore, in order to avoid destruction of the ID chip 535, it is arranged at a location away from Vcc. This is because the possibility of breakage is low even if it is short-circuited to GND (ground terminal 535d).
The metal pad 35a2 also adopts a serial communication system, adopts I2C as a serial bus, and forms a signal line through which serial data (SDA) is input / output in a state of being connected to the main body side connector. Since this pad is bidirectional for input and output, the possibility of destruction of the ID chip 535 due to a short circuit is less than that of the metal pad 35a1 for unidirectional input.
The metal pad 35a3 is a power input unit (Vcc), and a voltage of 5V or 3.3V is input in a state where it is connected to the main body side connector. A serial data input terminal (metal pad 35a2) is sandwiched between the GND (ground terminal 535d) and the serial clock input terminal (metal pad 35a1) in order to reduce the risk of failure of the entire device, such as a short circuit between the power supply and GND. Is arranged in. As shown in FIG. 36, the metal pad 35a3 which is Vcc overlaps with the protection member 535e on the back side of the ID chip via the substrate 535b, and is close to the IC drive circuit in the protection member 535e. As a result, the power supply line can also be shortened and thickened, and power supply operation can be stabilized (= noise malfunctions can be reduced).
Next, I will describe some ideas regarding grounding. In the mounting operation of the toner container 532Y, after the ground terminal 535d of the ID chip 535 contacts the main body terminal 573e25 for grounding of the positioning pin 573e23 (connector 573e), the three metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 of the ID chip 535 are moved. The contact is started with the three main body side terminals 73e2 of the connector 573e. In other words, in the detachment operation of the toner container 532Y, after the contact of the three metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 of the ID chip 535 with the three main body side terminals 73e2 of the connector 73e is released, the ground terminal 535d of the ID chip 535 is released. Is configured to be released (separated) from the main body side terminal 573e25 for grounding of the positioning pin 573e23 (connector 573e). Specifically, referring to FIG. 39A, in connector 573e, the contact start position of grounding body side terminal 573e25 is closer to the ID chip 535 side than three body side terminals 73e2. It is formed as follows.
With such a configuration, in the mounting operation of the toner container 532Y, the connection between the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 and the main body side terminal 73e2 is started while the ID chip 535 is always grounded, and the toner container 532Y is connected. In the detachment operation, separation (contact release) between the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 and the main body side terminal 73e2 is started in a state where the ID chip 535 is always grounded. Therefore, the electric circuit on the ID chip 535 side is prevented from being electrically floated without being grounded, and the ID chip 535 is less likely to be electrically damaged.
Specifically, when the electric circuit on the ID chip 535 side is in an electrically floating state without being grounded, the electric circuit is in a state of being grounded with a very large impedance, and the metal pad 535a and the body side terminal 573e2. When static electricity generated at the time of contact with or away from the battery flows into the electric circuit, a high voltage equivalent to the current multiplied by the impedance is generated. This high voltage causes dielectric breakdown inside the IC in the ID chip 535, and the IC is broken. As shown in FIG. 39B, such a problem is caused in the connector 573e where the contact start positions of the three main body side terminals 73e2 and the grounding main body side terminal 573e25 with respect to the ID chip 535 are formed at the same position. It tends to occur when
On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, the bending of the main body side terminal 573e25 exposed from the slit-like opening of the positioning pin 573e23 rather than the bending portion that is the most protruding portion on the ID chip 535 side in the main body side terminal 73e2. The part is arranged so as to be closer to the ID chip 535. As a result, the grounding of the circuit at the time of contact is performed first, and the grounding of the circuit at the time of separation is the last, so the impedance is always theoretically zero, and even if static electricity flows into the electrical circuit, the breakdown inside the IC is prevented. Can be prevented.

Further, in the ID chip 535 (information storage device) according to the fifth embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 36, two protrusions 535d1 are provided on a part of the outer periphery of the ground terminal 535d.
In this manner, by providing the protrusion 535d1 on the front surface of the substrate 535b of the ID chip 535, in the inspection process at the time of manufacturing at the factory (this is a process for inspecting the quality / defectiveness of the ID chip 535), it is for current application inspection. The contact operation of the probe can be facilitated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 41, a plurality of probes 401 of the current-inspection inspection device 400 are viewed from above with respect to the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 and the ground terminal 535d of the ID chip 535 placed on the inspection table. Press each tip. At this time, the projecting portion 535d1 of the ground terminal 535d has a sufficient area for the tip portion of the probe 401 to come into contact with it, so that it is possible to prevent a poor conduction test due to poor contact of the probe 401. Moreover, since the tip portion of the probe 401 is brought into contact with the ground terminal 535d (projecting portion 535d1) from above, an energization inspection is performed, so compared to the case where the probe 401 is inserted into the hole 535b21 and the energization inspection is performed. In addition to improving the resistance of the probe 401 itself that is repeatedly used for each inspection, it is possible to prevent a problem that the hole 535b21 of the ID chip 535 is worn due to the current inspection.

  In the surplus space that extends in a wedge shape between the ring of the ground terminal 535d and the rectangular metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3, the protrusion 535d1 has a horizontal boundary (boundary line) on the outer periphery of the ring. The metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 are arranged in contact with each other and parallel to the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3. Accordingly, the protrusion 535d1 does not protrude in the vertical direction, and the protrusion (protrusion in the horizontal direction) of the protrusion 535d1 to the left and right sliding regions of the board 535b sliding with the first facing portion 534k24 is suppressed. be able to. As a result, without increasing the size of the substrate 535b, it is possible to increase the number of substrates 535b to be taken from a substrate material whose standard dimensions are determined in manufacturing, and to increase the cost of the ID chip 535. Can be suppressed.

  As described above, also in the fifth embodiment, the contact type ID chip 535 (information storage device) has the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 with respect to the main body side terminal 573e2, as in the above embodiments. It is held by the holding member 534k (holding portion) so that it can move on a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction when the (terminal) approaches and comes into contact. Thus, even when the contact-type ID chip 535 (information storage device) is installed in the toner container 532Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning of the connector 573e of the main body 100 with the main body side terminal 573e2 is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the toner container 632Y according to the sixth embodiment. In particular, FIG. 42A is an exploded view showing a state before the ID chip 535 described in the fifth embodiment is mounted. FIG. 42B is a diagram showing a state where the ID chip 535 is mounted. FIG. 43 is a front view showing the toner container 632Y in a state before the face plate 634p is installed, and corresponds to FIG. 21 in the first embodiment. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the toner container 632Y in a state where the ID chip 535 and the face plate 634p are installed. Further, FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a state where the ID chip 535 is inserted into the connector 573e.
In the sixth embodiment, an ID chip 535 as an information storage device is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and the ID chip 535 is loosely inserted into a recess provided in the cap portion 634Y and can be moved by a face plate 634p. Unlike the fifth embodiment, the other configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

  The toner container 632Y according to the sixth embodiment is also composed of a container main body 33Y and a cap portion 634Y, as in the above-described embodiments. An ID chip 535 as an information storage device is detachably installed on the cap unit 634Y.

Here, in the sixth embodiment, referring to FIG. 42, the ID chip 535 is not installed in the cap portion 534Y in a state of being loosely inserted into the holding member 534k, but the ID chip 535 is The face plate 634p for preventing the drop-off is screwed to the cap portion 634Y in a state where it is loosely inserted into the concave portion (the pedestal portion 634q is formed) formed in the cap portion 634Y.
Specifically, referring to FIGS. 42A and 43, a recess for holding ID chip 535 so that it can move in the XZ plane is formed on the end surface of cap portion 634Y. A pedestal portion 634q that is in surface contact with only a part of the ID chip 535 is formed in the recess. Then, a face plate 634p for preventing the ID chip 535 from dropping from the recess is installed in a state where the ID chip 535 is loosely inserted in the recess of the cap portion 634Y. 42B, 43 and 44, this face plate 634p is formed with metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 of ID chip 535 formed in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment, and positioning holes. In a state where the portion 535b21 (earth terminal 535d) and the like are exposed, screws are fastened so as to be able to contact a part of the substrate 35b of the ID chip 35.

More specifically, the cap portion 634Y has a recess, and a positioning pin 634s1 for positioning the face plate 634p is formed on the right side of the cap portion 634Y, and a screw hole for screwing the face plate 634p on the left side of the cap portion 634Y. 634s11 is formed. On the other hand, in the face plate 634p, a positioning hole 634p1 is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning pin 634s1, and a hole 634p2 through which the screw 680 passes is formed at a position corresponding to the screw hole 634s11. Further, below the face plate 634p, an abutting portion 634p3 that abuts on the outer peripheral edge of the second positioning hole portion 34b and functions as a detent is formed. The position of the face plate 634p is determined with respect to the cap portion 634Y by the positioning hole 634p1 and the contact portion 634p3 for preventing rotation. Then, the screw 680 is screwed into the screw hole 634s11 formed in the cap portion 634Y via the hole portion 634p2 formed in the face plate 634p, and the face plate 634p is fixed to the cap portion 634Y. As a result, the ID chip 535 is held by the cap unit 634Y so that the ID chip 535 can move in the XZ plane without falling off the cap unit 634Y. Referring to FIG. 45, as in the case of the fifth embodiment, the ID is applied to the positioning pin 573e23 (the main body side terminal 573e25 for grounding) of the connector 573e of the apparatus main body 100 in accordance with the mounting operation of the toner container 632Y. The positioning hole 535b21 (ground terminal 535d) of the chip 535 is engaged, and then the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 573e contacts the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 of the ID chip 535, and the connector 73e and the ID chip The electrical connection with 35 is completed. At this time, since the ID chip 535 is held movably in the XZ plane in the cap portion 634Y of the toner container 632Y, the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 573e of the apparatus main body 100 is the same as in the above embodiments. , 573e25 and poor contact due to poor positioning. In a normal state, the ID chip 535 is sunk under the concave portion of the cap portion 534Y due to gravity, and the hole portion of the ID chip 535 is the leftmost of the three ID chips 535 illustrated in FIG. The center position of 535b21 is shifted downward with respect to the axial center position of the positioning pin 573e23.
Then, when the mounting operation of the toner container 632Y is started and the ID chip 545 and the positioning pin 573e23 come into contact with each other, the ID chip 535 moves upward (Z direction) so that the hole 535b21 follows the tip tapered portion of the positioning pin 573e23. Then, the hole 535b21 is fitted into the positioning pin 573e23, and the main body side terminal 573e2 finally comes into contact with the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3.

Here, in the sixth embodiment, the face plate 634p is fixed to the cap portion 34Y with screws 680 (screw fastening).
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 46, the face plate 734p can be fixed to the cap portion 734Y by snap fitting. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 46 (A), a plurality of engaging portions 734p2 for snap fitting are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the face plate 734p, and the snap fitting is stopped at the position of the cap portion 734Y corresponding thereto. An engaged portion 734s2 is formed. As shown in FIG. 46B, the face plate 734p is snap-fitted to the cap portion 734Y in a state where the ID chip 535 is loosely inserted into the concave portion of the cap portion 734Y. More specifically, the engaging portion 734p2 of the face plate 734p is engaged with the engaged portion 734s2 of the cap portion 734Y while the hole 734p3 formed in the face plate 734p is aligned with the positioning boss portion 734s3 formed in the cap portion 734Y. Then, the face plate 734p is positioned and fixed to the cap portion 734Y. Even in such a configuration, the same effect as in the sixth embodiment can be obtained.

In the sixth embodiment, since the face plate 634p (or the face plate 734p shown in FIG. 46) can be replaced again after the assembly, the toner container and the face plate are first manufactured by a foreign partner company. The toner container can be manufactured by a procedure of importing the toner chip and inputting the toner information by assembling the ID chip 535 purchased from another company before and after the step of filling the toner container with the toner in Japan. Thereby, the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the toner container can be improved.
Also, in the recycling process of collecting used toner containers from the market and refilling the toner after cleaning it, the ID chip 535 is replaced or the information is rewritten by removing the ID chip 35 from the toner container once. It can be performed by the procedure of attaching to the cap part again. Thereby, the efficiency of the reuse process of the toner container can be improved.
However, referring to FIG. 47C (a cross-sectional view showing the cap portion 834Y with the ID chip 535 mounted), it is not necessary to remove the ID chip 535, and the face plate 834p and the cap portion 834Y When it is desired to keep the assembly strength strong, only the positioning boss 734s3 (see FIG. 46) can be used as the cap portion without providing the above-described screw fastening shape or snap fit shape. It can also be provided. Then, after attaching the ID chip 535 and the face plate 834p to the cap portion 834Y, the tip of the positioning boss 734s3 is melted by heat to fix the face plate 834p to the cap portion 834Y, or an adhesive is provided between the face plate 834p and the cap portion 834Y. Is applied to fix the face plate 834p to the cap portion 834Y.

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, when the contact-type ID chip 535 (information storage device) comes into contact with the main body side terminal 573e2 as the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 (terminal) come close to each other. The cap portions 634Y, 734Y, and 834Y are held so that they can move on a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction. Thus, even when the contact type ID chip 535 (information storage device) is installed in the toner containers 632Y, 732Y, and 832Y (detachable devices) that are detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100. Further, poor contact due to poor positioning with the main body side terminal 573e2 of the connector 573e of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is less likely to occur.

  Here, FIGS. 47A and 47B are diagrams showing a toner container 932Y of another form. In particular, FIG. 47A shows the cap portion 934Y with the ID chip 535 mounted thereon. 47B is a front view showing the cap portion 934Y and the ID chip 535 before the ID chip 535 is mounted. In the toner container 932Y shown in FIGS. 47A and 47B, the ID chip 535 (information storage device) is fixed and held in the cap portion 934Y, unlike the ones in the above embodiments. It is not held movably in the XZ direction.) Specifically, the concave portion of the cap portion 934Y (the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 47B) fits the ID chip 535 (even if it is loose, a fitting tolerance of about 0.3 mm at the maximum). The ID chip 535 is formed in a shape that matches the outer peripheral shape of the ID chip 535. In such a case, unlike the above-described embodiments, the ID chip 35 cannot move on the XZ plane. However, the five devices described in the fifth embodiment (1) It becomes possible to make use of the effects (1) to (4) of .about. (5). That is, since one positioning hole 535b21 in which the ground terminal 535d is formed is provided in the ID chip 535, the effect described in the fifth embodiment due to this is exhibited.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
48 and 49, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner container 1032Y according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner container 1032Y.
In the toner container according to the seventh embodiment, the container main body 1033Y is combined with any of the cap parts 634Y, 734Y, 834Y, and 934Y shown in the sixth embodiment, and the toner container is non-rotating with the cap part. The point that the container main body 33Y is held in the container 70 is different from that of the above-described embodiments in which the container main body 33Y is rotatably held in the toner container container 70.

Referring to FIGS. 48 and 49, toner container 1032Y according to the seventh embodiment is also mainly provided with a container main body 1033Y (bottle main body) and its head, as in the above embodiments. And a cap portion 634Y (or cap portions 734Y, 834Y, and 934Y of different forms). Hereinafter, the description of the cap part in the seventh embodiment uses the cap part 634Y described in FIG.
Here, the toner container 1032Y in the seventh embodiment is different from those in the above embodiments, and the container main body 1033Y (bottle main body) is bonded (or fused) to the cap portion 634Y (bottle cap). It is fixed by a fixing method such as being engaged or locked. That is, the container main body 1033Y is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the cap portion 634Y.

Here, the container main body 1033Y according to the seventh embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that no spiral protrusion is formed on the peripheral surface thereof. The gear 33c is not formed integrally with the container main body 1033Y as in the above embodiments, and the gear member 1042Y is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to the container main body 1033Y and the cap portion 634Y together with the stirring member 33f. Has been. Also, in the container body 1033Y, unlike the above embodiments, a transport member 1041Y for transporting the toner contained in the container body 1033Y toward the opening A has one end as a gear 1042Y. It is fixed, and the other end is installed in such a manner that it is rotatably supported by a later-described bearing 1033d1 of the container body 1033Y.
The cap portion 634Y is configured in substantially the same manner as that of the fifth embodiment except that the cap portion 634Y is stuck or fixed so as not to rotate around the container main body 1033Y.
Further, the shape and function of the stirring member 33f can be substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiments except that the stirring member 33f is not fixed to the container body 1033Y but is fixedly held only to the gear 1042Y. .

Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 48, also in the seventh embodiment, the other end side in the longitudinal direction of container body 1033Y (the opposite side to the one end side in the longitudinal direction where cap portion 634Y is installed, and the mounting direction to apparatus main body 100) Is provided with a grip portion 1033d for the user to grip when attaching / detaching the toner container 1032Y. The grip portion 1033d is formed with a through hole that communicates with the inside and outside of the container body 1033Y, and a lid member 1049Y formed of a soft and deformable resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene is detachably installed in the through hole. Has been. The lid member 1049Y is for filling (or cleaning) toner inside the toner container 1032Y (container main body 1033Y) at the time of manufacturing, recycling, etc., and when filling (or cleaning) the toner. The container body 1033Y is taken out, and after the toner filling is completed, it is attached to the container body 1033Y.

  Referring to FIG. 49, a conveying member 1041Y installed in the container main body 1033Y has a thin flexible stirring member 1041Yb formed of a material such as Mylar attached to a shaft portion 1041Ya, and further on the opposite side. An agitator member 1041Yc is formed. The shaft portion 1041Ya of the conveying member 1041Y is locked and fixed to the connecting portion 1033f20 installed at the rotation center of the stirring member 33f at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the end on the other end in the longitudinal direction is fixed. It is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 1033d1 (formed at the base portion of the grip portion 1033d and entering the container body 1033Y). Then, in a state where the container main body 1033Y and the cap part 634Y are held in the toner container accommodating part 70 in a non-rotating state, the agitating member 33f is rotated together with the gear member 1042Y by receiving a driving force from the driving part 91, whereby the connecting part 1033f20. At this position, the conveying member 1041Y connected to the stirring member 33f also rotates. Thus, the toner stored in the container main body 1033Y is agitated by the stirring force of the agitator member 1041Yc installed on the transport member 1041Y, while the axial transport force of the flexible stirring member 1041Yb installed on the transport member 1041Y is stirred. The toner stored in the container main body 1033Y is conveyed toward the cap portion 1034Y.

The flexible stirring member 1041Yb of the transport member 1041Y has cuts 1041Yb1 formed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction (six locations in the seventh embodiment). As a result, with the rotation of the conveying member 1041Y, the tip of the flexible stirring member 1041Yb (the free end not supported by the shaft portion 1041Ya) comes into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1033Y and is flexible. The toner contained in the container main body 1033Y is agitated and conveyed in the axial direction toward the right in FIG.
Thus, in the toner container 1032Y according to the seventh embodiment, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 1034Y as in the case of the respective embodiments.

Here, the gear member 1042Y is rotatably attached to the container main body 1033Y.
Specifically, a gear locking (not shown) formed on the gear member 1042Y is formed on a flange portion (a projection 1033e described later is formed) formed so as to go around the outer peripheral surface of the bottle mouth portion 1033a of the container body 1033Y. The gear member 1042Y is rotatably held by the container main body 1033Y by catching the portion (the claw portion that is snap-fit). A gear portion (spur gear) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the gear member 1042Y. When the toner container 1032Y is set in the apparatus main body 100, the gear section meshes with the drive gear 81 of the apparatus main body 100. become.
Further, a sealing material is provided between the gear member 1042Y and the end face of the bottle mouth portion 1033a in order to prevent the toner from leaking out of the toner container 1032Y. This sealing material is made of a foamed elastic material such as polyurethane foam, is formed in an annular shape so as to bite into the end face of the bottle mouth portion 1033a, and is adhered to the gear member 1042Y. When the gear member 1042Y is set on the container main body 1032Y, the sealing material is pressed against the opening end surface of the bottle mouth portion 1033a, and the sealing performance between the members 1033Y and 1042Y is secured.

The gear member 1042Y is not fixed to the cap portion 1034Y, and is held rotatably with respect to the claw portion 34j of the cap portion 634Y. The holding method of the gear member 1042Y with respect to the cap portion 634Y is the same as the holding method of the cap portion 34Y with respect to the bottle mouth portion 33a of the container main body 33Y described in the above embodiments. That is, the claw portion 34j of the cap portion 634Y engages with a hook-like non-engagement projection portion 1033j provided so as to go around the outer periphery of the gear member 1042Y, and the gear member 1042Y is rotatably supported by the cap portion 1034Y. Will be. With the above configuration, the container main body 1033Y and the cap portion 634Y are coupled via the gear 1042Y. In order to prevent the container body 1033Y from rotating with respect to the cap portion 634Y, a protrusion 1033e formed in the vicinity of the opening 1033e of the container body 1033Y and a notch groove 1034t formed in the side surface of the cap 634Y. And are configured to fit together and serve as a detent.
Furthermore, a cap seal made of a foamed elastic material is attached to the cap portion 634Y at a portion where the end surface of the gear member 1042Y (the end surface opposite to the container main body 1033Y side) is pressed. Thereby, leakage of toner from between the gear member 1042Y and the cap portion 634Y can be prevented.
A stirring member 33f is attached to the inner diameter portion of the gear member 1042Y. Furthermore, as described above, the shaft portion 1041Ya (end portion on one end side) of the transport member 1041Y is connected to the connecting portion 1033f20 of the stirring member 33f.

As described above, also in the seventh embodiment, the contact type ID chip 535 (information storage device) has the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 with respect to the main body side terminal 573e2, as in the above embodiments. It is held by the cap portion 634Y so that it can move on a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction when the (terminal) approaches and comes into contact. Accordingly, even when the contact-type ID chip 535 (information storage device) is installed in the toner container 1032Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning of the connector 573e of the main body 100 with the main body side terminal 573e2 is less likely to occur.
The cap portion 634Y described in FIG. 42 and the like in Embodiment 6 is used as the cap portion of the toner container in Embodiment 7, but the cap portion of the toner container in Embodiment 7 is used as the cap portion of the toner container. The cap portion 734Y described with reference to FIG. 46 in the sixth embodiment can be used, or the cap portion 834Y of another embodiment described with reference to FIG. 47C can be used in the sixth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment can be used. In FIG. 47A and FIG. 47B, another type of cap portion 934Y described with reference to FIG. 47B may be used.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
50 and 51, the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing image forming apparatus 1100 according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 51A is a sectional view showing a part of the toner cartridge 1106Y installed in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 50B is a bottom view showing a part of the toner cartridge 1106Y.
In the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the eighth embodiment, the toner cartridge 1106Y in which the ID chip 535 is installed is mounted on the apparatus main body 1100 from the upper side. The toner containers 532Y, 632Y in which the ID chip 535 is installed, 732Y, 832Y, 932Y, and 1032Y are different from those of the above-described embodiments in which the longitudinal direction is mounted in the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body 100.

Referring to FIG. 50, image forming apparatus 1100 according to the eighth embodiment is configured such that toner cartridges 1106Y, 1106M, 1106C, and 1106K as detachable apparatuses are detachable from above. FIG. 50 shows a state where three toner cartridges 1106M, 1106C, and 1106K except for the yellow toner cartridge 1106Y are mounted on the apparatus main body 1100.
Then, as shown in FIG. 50, the toner cartridges 1106Y, 1106M, 1106C, and 1106K are attached to and detached from the installation portion of the apparatus main body 1100 with the main body cover 1110 (main body door) being opened.

On the other hand, the toner cartridges 1106Y, 1106M, 1106C, and 1106K have an opening with a shutter (not shown) at a lower position facing the developing device, and the corresponding color toner (one component developer) is accommodated therein. Yes. Then, referring to FIG. 51, ID chip 535 (information storage device) is placed in the horizontal direction (FIG. 51B) by holding member 1134k on the lower surface of the longitudinal end of toner cartridges 1106Y, 1106M, 1106C, 1106K. It is held in a movable manner.
The holding member 1134k is a substrate 535b of the ID chip 535 in a state where the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 of the ID chip 535 and the positioning hole 535b21 (earth terminal 535d) and the like are exposed as in the fifth embodiment. The toner cartridge 1106Y is screwed so as to be able to contact a part of the toner cartridge. Specifically, the hole portion of the holding member 1134k is aligned with the boss portion 1181 formed at the end portion of the toner cartridge 1106Y, and the screw 1180 is connected to the boss portion 1181 of the toner cartridge 1106Y via the hole portion formed in the holding member 1134k. Is screwed into a screw hole formed on the opposite side across the ID chip 535, and the holding member 1134k is fixed to the toner cartridge 1106Y. As a result, the ID chip 535 is held so that it can move in the horizontal plane without dropping from the toner cartridge 1106Y. Referring to FIG. 50, the positioning pin 573e23 (grounding body side terminal 573e25 for grounding) of the connector 573e installed in the installation portion of the apparatus main body 1100 in accordance with the mounting operation from above the toner cartridge 1106Y to the apparatus main body 1100. Is inserted into the positioning hole 535b21 (ground terminal 535d) of the ID chip 535, and then the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 573e contacts the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 of the ID chip 535, and the connector 573e Electrical connection with the ID chip 535 is completed. At that time, since the ID chip 535 is held in the toner cartridge 1106Y so as to be movable in a horizontal plane, the positioning with the body side terminals 73e2 and 573e25 of the connector 573e of the apparatus body 1100 is performed as in the above embodiments. Contact failure due to failure is less likely to occur.

  As described above, in the eighth embodiment, when the contact-type ID chip 535 (information storage device) comes into contact with the main body side terminal 573e2 as the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 (terminal) come into contact with each other. The toner cartridge 1106Y holds the toner cartridge 1106Y so as to be movable on a virtual plane substantially orthogonal to the moving direction. Thus, even when the contact type ID chip 535 (information storage device) is installed in the toner cartridge 1106Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1100, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning with the body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 573e of the body 1100 is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
52 and 53, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 50 in the eighth embodiment. FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the connector 573e is connected to the ID chip 535 in accordance with the closing operation of the main body cover 1210 of the apparatus main body 1200.
In the image forming apparatus 1200 according to the ninth embodiment, the ID chip 535 is installed on the upper surface of the process cartridge 1206Y instead of the toner cartridge, and the connector 573e is installed on the main body cover 1210 of the apparatus main body 1200. Is different from that of the eighth embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 52, image forming apparatus 1200 according to the ninth embodiment is configured such that process cartridges 1206Y, 1206M, 1206C, and 1206K as four detachable apparatuses can be attached and detached from above. FIG. 52 shows a state in which three process cartridges 1206M, 1206C, and 1206K except the yellow process cartridge 1206Y are mounted on the apparatus main body 1200.
Then, as shown in FIG. 52, the process cartridges 1206Y, 1206M, 1206C, and 1206K are attached to and detached from the installation portion of the apparatus main body 1200 with the main body cover 1210 (main body door) being opened. Here, in the ninth embodiment, LED units 1207Y, 1207M, 1207C, and 1207K for performing an exposure process are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the four process cartridges 1206Y, 1206M, 1206C, and 1206K in the main body cover 1210. (In FIG. 52, two LED units 1207Y and 1207M are not shown). Referring to FIG. 53, when main body cover 1210 is closed, LED unit 1207Y moves so as to face the position where an electrostatic latent image of photosensitive drum 1201Y is formed in process cartridge 1206Y. .

On the other hand, each of the process cartridges 1206Y, 1206M, 1206C, and 1206K is integrally formed with a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, and a corresponding color toner (one component) is formed inside the developing unit. Developer) is contained. Referring to FIG. 52, ID chip 535 (information storage device) is placed in the horizontal plane on the upper surface of the longitudinal end of process cartridges 1206Y, 1206M, 1206C, 1206K by a holding member (or face plate) (not shown). (The vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. 53) are held movably.
This holding member is formed in the state in which the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 of the ID chip 535 formed in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment, the positioning hole 535b21 (earth terminal 535d), etc. are exposed. A screw is fastened to the exterior cover of the process cartridge 1206Y so as to be able to contact a part of the substrate 535b of 535. As a result, the ID chip 35 is held so that it can move in the horizontal plane without falling off the process cartridge 1206Y. 52, the connector 573e installed in the main body cover 1210 is attached to the apparatus main body 1200 from the upper side of the process cartridge 1206Y (the mounting operation is accompanied by the closing operation of the main body cover 1210). The positioning hole 535b21 (earth terminal 535d) of the ID chip 535 is fitted into the positioning pin 573e23 (main body terminal 573e25 for grounding), and then the body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 573e is connected to the metal pad 35a1 of the ID chip 535. , 35a2 and 35a3, the electrical connection between the connector 573e and the ID chip 535 is completed. At this time, since the ID chip 535 is movably held in the horizontal plane in the process cartridge 1206Y, positioning with the main body side terminals 573e2 and 573e25 of the connector 573e of the apparatus main body 1200 is performed as in the above embodiments. Contact failure due to failure is less likely to occur.

  In the ninth embodiment, referring to FIG. 53, LED unit 1207Y (connector 573e is installed at the end in the longitudinal direction thereof) with respect to main body cover 1210 via support arm 1211 is shown in FIG. It is installed so that it can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. The LED unit 1207Y is biased by a compression spring 1212 provided in the support arm 1211. When the main body cover 1210 is closed to attach the four LED units to each process cartridge by the swing function and the urging force to the process cartridge side, the LED unit 1207Y has the process cartridge 1206Y as shown in FIG. The head is swung along the wall surface and guided to a predetermined position. At the same time, the connector 573e moves so as to approach the ID chip 535 and is positioned in the same manner as in the fifth to eighth embodiments. Further, the connector 573e comes into contact with the ID chip 535 of the process cartridge 1206Y mounted on the installation portion of the apparatus main body 1200 by an urging force of the compression spring 1212 with an appropriate force.

  As described above, in the ninth embodiment, when the contact-type ID chip 535 (information storage device) comes into contact with the main body side terminal 573e2 as the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 (terminals) come into contact with each other. Is held in the process cartridge 1206Y so as to be movable on a virtual plane substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of Accordingly, even when the contact type ID chip 535 (information storage device) is installed in the process cartridge 1206Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1200, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning between the main body 1200 and the main body side terminal 573e2 of the connector 573e is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 10 FIG.
54 and 55, the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 54 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge 1306Y (developer container) in the tenth embodiment. FIG. 55 is a top view showing an inkjet printer 1300 as an image forming apparatus in which ink cartridges 1306Y, 1306M, 1306C, and 1306K are installed.
The image forming apparatus 1300 according to the tenth embodiment is different from those of the above-described embodiments in that an ink cartridge 1306Y having an ID chip 535 installed on a side surface is attached to the apparatus main body 1300 from the side. .

  Referring to FIG. 55, an image forming apparatus 1300 (inkjet printer) according to the tenth embodiment includes a carriage 1301, guide locks 1302, and ink cartridges 1306Y for each color in which recording heads 1301a and 1301b are installed and move in the directions of double arrows. 1306M, 1306C, 1306K, a supply tube 1303 for supplying ink to the sub tank of the carriage 1301, a conveyance belt 1304 for conveying the recording medium P in the direction of the white arrow, and the like. Then, the ink cartridges 1306Y, 1306M, 1306C, 1306K (detachable devices) of the respective colors are detachably installed on the installation portion provided at the end of the apparatus main body 1300 (the vertical direction in FIG. 55 is detachable). Direction and installation). The main configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 is the same as that described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-234801, and is well known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

Here, referring to FIG. 54, an ink cartridge 1306Y (with an ink bag 1307 housed therein) as a detachable device is moved in the XZ direction by the holding member 1334k in the recess 1308 formed on the side surface thereof. An ID chip 535 (information storage device) that can be held is installed.
The configuration of the holding member 1334k and the ID chip 535 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment. That is, the holding member 1334k is fitted into the recess 1308 of the ink cartridge 1306Y in a state where the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 of the ID chip 535, the positioning hole 535b21 (earth terminal 535d), and the like are exposed. As a result, the ID chip 535 is held by the holding member 1334k so that it can move in the XZ plane without dropping from the ink cartridge 1306Y. Then, referring to FIG. 54, in accordance with the mounting operation to apparatus main body 1300, positioning hole 535b21 of ID chip 535 is inserted into positioning pin 573e23 (main body terminal 573e25 for grounding) of connector 573e installed in apparatus main body 1300. (Earth terminal 535d) is inserted and fitted, and then the main body side terminal 73e2 of the connector 573e contacts the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, and 35a3 of the ID chip 535, and the electrical connection between the connector 573e and the ID chip 535 is established. Will be completed. At this time, since the ID chip 535 is held movably in the XZ plane in the ink cartridge 1306Y, the main body side terminals 573e2 and 573e25 of the connector 573e of the apparatus main body 1300 are connected to the ink cartridge 1306Y. Contact failure due to positioning failure is less likely to occur.

  As described above, in the tenth embodiment, when the contact-type ID chip 535 (information storage device) comes into contact with the main body side terminal 573e2 as the metal pads 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 (terminals) come into contact with each other. Is held by the ink cartridge 1306Y via a holding member 1334k so that it can move on a virtual plane that is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction. Accordingly, even when the contact type ID chip 535 (information storage device) is installed in the ink cartridge 1306Y (detachable device) that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1300, the image forming apparatus. Contact failure due to poor positioning of the main body 1300 with the main body side terminal 573e2 of the connector 573e is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 11 FIG.
56 to 58, the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 56 is a perspective view showing connector 1473e of the image forming apparatus in the tenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. 57 is a three-sided view showing an ID chip 1435 as an information storage device that contacts the connector 1473e of FIG. 56, and corresponds to FIG. 29 in the first embodiment. FIG. 58 is a three-side view showing an ID chip 1535 as an information storage device according to another embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 35 in the fourth embodiment.
In the eleventh embodiment, a grounding body side terminal 1473e5 is provided on the positioning pin 1473e3 of the connector 1473e, and a grounding metal terminal that contacts the grounding body side terminal 1473e5 is provided on the ID chips 1435 and 1535. 1435d and 1535d (ground terminals) are different from those of the first and fourth embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 56, the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment has a connector main body 1473e1, four main body side terminals 1473e2, and two positioning pins 1473e3 (positioning pins 1473e3) as in the first embodiment. A connector 1473e configured by a projection), a snap fit 1473e4, and the like is provided.
Here, the connector 1473e in the eleventh embodiment is connected to the main body side terminal 1473e5 (ground terminal) on the inner side of the positioning pin 1473e3 (the part that contacts the notch 1435b1 and the hole 1535b11 of the ID chip 1435). ) Is installed.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 57, in ID chip 1435 (substrate 1435b) in the eleventh embodiment, ground metal terminal 1435d (ground terminal) is installed on the inner diameter portion and the periphery of two cutout portions 1435b1. ing.
With such a configuration, after the ground terminal 1435d of the ID chip 1435 comes into contact with the grounding main body side terminal 1473e5 (refer to FIG. 56) of the positioning pin 1473e3 (connector 1473e) in the toner container mounting operation. The four metal pads 35a of the chip 1435 start to contact the four main body side terminals 1473e2 of the connector 1473e. In other words, in the operation of removing the toner container, after the contact of the four metal pads 35a of the ID chip 1435 to the four main body side terminals 1473e2 of the connector 1473e is released, the ground terminal 1435d of the ID chip 1435 is moved to the positioning pin 1473e3 ( The contact is released (separated) from the main body side terminal 1473e5 for grounding of the connector 1473e). Specifically, the connector 1473e is formed so that the contact start position of the grounding main body side terminal 1473e5 is closer to the ID chip 1435 side than the four main body side terminals 1473e2.
With such a configuration, the connection between the metal pad 35a and the main body side terminal 1473e2 is started while the ID chip 1435 is always grounded in the toner container mounting operation, and the ID is always in the toner container detaching operation. The separation (contact release) between the metal pad 35a and the main body side terminal 1473e2 is started in a state where the chip 1435 is grounded. Therefore, the electric circuit on the ID chip 1435 side is prevented from being electrically floated without being grounded, and the ID chip 1435 is less likely to be electrically damaged.

Further, similarly to the relationship between the ID chip in Embodiment 1 and the ID chip in Embodiment 4, the ID chip 1435 shown in FIG. 57 can be replaced with the ID chip 1535 shown in FIG.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 58, grounding metal terminal 1535d (ground terminal) is installed in ID chip 1535 at the inner diameter portion and the periphery of one positioning hole portion 1535b11.
With such a configuration, after the ground terminal 1535d of the ID chip 1535 comes into contact with the grounding main body side terminal 1473e5 (refer to FIG. 56) of the positioning pin 1473e3 (connector 1473e) in the mounting operation of the toner container, the ID. The four metal pads 35a of the chip 1535 are started to contact the four main body side terminals 1473e2 of the connector 1473e. In other words, in the operation of removing the toner container, after the contact of the four metal pads 35a of the ID chip 1535 to the four main body side terminals 1473e2 of the connector 1473e is released, the ground terminal 1535d of the ID chip 1535 is moved to the positioning pin 1473e3 ( The contact is released (separated) from the main body side terminal 1473e5 for grounding of the connector 1473e). Specifically, the connector 1473e is formed so that the contact start position of the grounding main body side terminal 1473e5 is closer to the ID chip 1535 side than the four main body side terminals 1473e2.
With such a configuration, the connection between the metal pad 35a and the main body side terminal 1473e2 is started in a state in which the ID chip 1535 is always grounded in the toner container mounting operation, and the ID is always in the toner container detaching operation. The separation (contact release) between the metal pad 35a and the main body side terminal 1473e2 is started in a state where the chip 1535 is grounded. Therefore, the electric circuit on the ID chip 1535 side is prevented from being electrically floated without being grounded, and the ID chip 1535 is less likely to be electrically damaged.

Also in the eleventh embodiment, the contact-type ID chips 1435 and 1535 (information storage device) move in the moving direction when the metal pad 35a (terminal) approaches and comes into contact with the main body side terminal 1473e2. It is hold | maintained at the holding member 34k (holding | holding part) so that it can move on the virtual plane substantially orthogonal.
Thus, even when the contact type ID chips 1435 and 1535 (information storage devices) are installed in a toner container (detachable device) that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus Contact failure due to poor positioning of the main body connector 1473e with the main body side terminal 1473e2 is less likely to occur.

Embodiment 12 FIG.
59 to 62, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing toner container 1632Y as a detachable device according to the twelfth embodiment. The toner container 1632Y is attached to a container main body 1633Y having the same configuration as the container main body 33Y, a cap portion 1634Y that covers a toner discharge port (not shown) formed in the container main body 1633Y from the outside, and a tip of the cap portion 1634Y. An ID chip as an information storage device and a holding mechanism 1635 for holding the ID chip are provided. For example, the ID chip 535 described in Embodiment 5 is used as the ID chip.

  The toner container 1632Y is related to a toner container that can be attached to and detached from a toner replenishing device of a toner suction conveyance system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4396946. That is, the toner container and the toner replenishing device disclosed in the patent are employed except for the ID chip, its holding mechanism, and the communication method of the ID chip. Reference is made to such patents for the positioning configuration for attachment / detachment, the configuration for driving the container body, and the like included in both the toner container and the replenishing device. The difference between the toner container of the present embodiment and the toner container of Japanese Patent No. 4396946 will be described later. The difference between the toner replenishing device of this embodiment and the toner replenishing device of Japanese Patent No. 4396946 is that the communication system is the contact type while the latter is the non-contact type (so-called RFID system). Accordingly, the connector 573e shown in FIGS. 37, 38, and 45 described in the fifth embodiment is disposed at a position facing the end surface of the toner container cap of the toner replenishing device of Japanese Patent No. 4396946 as the former main body side connector.

  As shown in FIG. 60, the ID chip 535 is formed with the positioning hole 535b21 already described, and the positioning hole 535b21 is installed on the apparatus main body described above. For example, a positioning pin 573e23 of the connector is inserted.

  The holding mechanism 1635 includes a holding unit 1635A that holds the ID chip 535 so as to be movable in the XZ direction, and a holding lid 1635B as a cover member that is detachably fitted to the holding unit 1635A.

  As shown in FIG. 61, the holding portion 1635A includes a recess 1635Aa formed in the vertical flat ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya formed at the tip of the cap portion 1634Y, and an ID chip 535 formed in the recess 1635Aa. A pedestal portion 1635q to be installed, and a substantially frame-shaped ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab formed so as to surround the concave portion 1635Aa and the pedestal portion 1635q from the outside. The ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab is formed to protrude outward from the ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya rather than the pedestal portion 1635q. The ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab is sized to accommodate the rectangular ID chip 535, and holds the ID chip 535 so as to be movable in the XZ direction when the ID chip 535 is set therein. That is, the ID chip 535 is installed in the pedestal portion 1635q, but is not fixed to the cap portion 1634Y, and the ID chip installation wall portion formed so as to be surrounded from the outside when installed in the pedestal portion 1635q. It is installed with a clearance from 1635 Ab.

  On the ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya, positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b for mounting the holding lid 1635B are formed protruding from the ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya at positions above and below the ID chip mounting wall 1635Ab. These positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b and the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab are integrally formed with the cap portion 1634Y and resin.

  The holding lid 1635B is mounted in a state in which the ID chip is included in the holding portion 1635A, and then fixed by a fusion fixing method (an example of heat caulking) described later. At the center of the holding lid 1635B, a contact (not shown) of the ID chip 535 and a positioning hole 535b21 are exposed to the outside, and an opening 1635Bc into which a connector terminal (not shown) of the connector and a positioning pin 573e23 are inserted is formed. Yes. The holding lid 1635B is configured such that the IC chip 535 set in the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab is sandwiched between the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab and does not fall off. Mounting holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb are formed above and below the opening 1635Bc of the holding lid 1635B at positions corresponding to the positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b.

  In such a configuration, when the ID chip 535 is mounted on the cap portion 1634Y, positioning is performed in the depth direction by placing the back surface of the ID chip 535 on the pedestal portion 1635q, and positioning in the vertical and horizontal directions is performed by the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab. Is made from the surroundings. The holding lid 1635B is superimposed on the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab from the direction facing the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab, and the positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b are inserted into the attachment holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb, whereby the IC chip 535 is held by the holding lid 1635B. In a state of being covered with the cap portion 1634Y, the cap portion 1634Y is mounted and held.

In this state, the ID chip 535 is installed on the ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya of the cap portion 1634Y, but is not directly fixed to the cap portion 1634Y. That is, it is in a state of being attached to the cap portion 1634Y via the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab formed on the ID chip attachment surface 1634Ya.
A feature of this embodiment is a method of fixing the holding lid 1635B and the cap portion 1634Y. In this embodiment, a melting and fixing method is adopted as a method for fixing the holding lid 1635B and the cap portion 1634Y.

  As described above, since the holding lid 1635B is simply held by inserting the positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b formed on the cap portion 1634Y side into the mounting holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The holding lid 1635B is fixed to the cap portion 1634Y with heat caulking. In FIG. 62, reference numeral 1640 denotes a caulking portion (fixed portion). For example, the positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b shown in FIG. 61 have a length protruding from the mounting holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb. Then, the positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b are heated by a heating member such as a heatable iron, and the bosses are crushed while being melted by heat to be thermally deformed to form a crimped portion 1640, whereby the holding lid 1635B is attached to the cap portion. 1634Y side can be fastened and fixed.

  In this embodiment, the holding lid 1635B is fixed to the cap portion 1634Y by assuming that the holding lid 1635B is fixed by heat caulking. However, as the fixing method of the holding lid 1635B and the cap portion 1634Y, other melting methods such as ultrasonic welding are used. A fixing method may be used, and the resin melting method is not limited to this embodiment.

Embodiment 13 FIG.
63 and 64, the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
This embodiment is characterized in that the above-described holding lid 1635B is fixed by a fastening method using a fastening member, instead of being fixed by processing such as thermal caulking. Other parts of the toner container and the form of the toner supply device are the same as those in the twelfth embodiment. In this embodiment, the fastening members 1650a and 1650b are inserted into the mounting holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb formed in the holding lid 1635B through which the previous positioning bosses 1615a and 1615b are inserted, and are screwed into the ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya to cap the holding lid 1635B. It is fixed to the part 1634Y. When the fastening members 1650a and 1650b are fastened and fixed using, for example, a self-tapping screw that is screwed and simultaneously forms a screw groove in the other hole, a cylindrical pilot hole (see FIG. 64) is formed. 1651a and 1651b).

  As another assumption, for example, the holding lid 1635B is temporarily fixed to the cap 1634Y without holding the ID chip and shipped from the toner container manufacturing factory, the holding lid 1635B is removed at another factory, and the ID chip is included. In some cases, the holding lid 1635B is fixed to the cap 1634Y again, or the used toner container is recycled. In such a case, the above-described cylindrical pilot hole is sufficient if the holding lid 1635B can be attached and detached with a certain number of repetitions. However, assuming the attachment and detachment more than 5 times and 6 times and considering the stability of the fastening force at that time, screw holes 1651a and 1651b are previously formed on the ID chip mounting surface 1634Ya as shown in FIG. The fastening members 1650Ba and 1650Bb are preferably screwed and fixed to the screw holes 1651a and 1651b via the mounting holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb using screws corresponding to the pitch of the screw holes 1651a and 1651b. In this embodiment, the fixing portions 1650a and 1650b are fixed at two locations on the upper and lower sides of the holding lid 1635B. However, one or more locations may be used. Further, the fastening members 1650a and 1650b are not attached on the upper and lower sides of the holding lid 1635B. However, the number and location are not limited to this form.

Embodiment 14 FIG.
65 and 66, the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
The present embodiment is characterized in that the holding lid is not fixed to the cap portion 1634Y by being tightened by a process such as heat caulking or a fastening member, but fixed by a fitting method using a claw member. Other parts of the toner container and the form of the toner supply device are the same as those in the twelfth embodiment.

  The holding lid 1635C according to the present embodiment basically has the same function as the holding lid 1635B. Specifically, the attachment holes 1635Ba and 1635Bb are deleted from the holding lid 1635B, and hook portions 1636a and 1636b penetrating to the opening 1635Cc formed in the center are formed in the upper portion 1635Ca and the lower portion 1635Cb instead. Similarly to the opening 1635Bc, the opening 1635Cc exposes a contact (not shown) of the ID chip 535 and a positioning hole 535b21 to the outside, and inserts a connector terminal (not shown) of the connector and a positioning pin 573e23.

  In this embodiment, on the cap portion 1634Y side, as shown in FIG. 66, claw portions 1637a and 1637b as engaging portions that enter the hook portions 1636a and 1636b and engage with the hook portions 1636a and 1636b are provided. Is formed. In this embodiment, the claw portions 1637a and 1637b are arranged and formed respectively on the upper and lower portions of the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab covered with the holding lid 1635C. The claw portions 1637a and 1637b are formed with inclined surfaces 1637a1 and 1637b1 on the insertion side so that the holding lid 1635C is guided to the top of each claw portion 1637a when mounted with alignment with the holding lid 1635C. It is configured.

  With such a configuration, when the ID chip 535 is set in the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab and the holding lid 1635C is moved toward the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab so as to overlap with the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab, The claw portion 1637a formed on the ID chip installation wall portion 1635Ab on the cap portion 1634Y side enters into the hook portions 1636a and 1636b formed on the holding lid 1635C, and the holding lid 1635C fits into the cap portion 1634Y by fitting both of them. Can be fixed.

  In this embodiment, the upper and lower portions of the holding lid 1635C are the fitting portions between the claw portions 1637a and 1637b and the hooking portions 1636a and 1636b. The place and number of fittings are not limited to this embodiment.

  In the above-described thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments, the holding lids 1635B and 1635C have been described as a fastening method or a fitting method so as to be detachable from the cap portion 1634Y. However, as other fixing methods, for example, a cover member is an ID chip installation wall portion The form which fixes to 1635Ab with an adhesive agent is mentioned. In this case, the cover member only needs to have an adhesive force that does not drop when the toner container 1632Y is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, and does not specifically limit the type of adhesive or the adhesive area.

  In any of the twelfth to fourteenth embodiments, even in the configuration in which the ID chip 535 serving as a contact-type information storage device is installed in the toner container 1632Y, Contact failure due to positioning failure is less likely to occur.

In the first to seventh embodiments, only toner (one-component developer) is contained in a toner container (a reference numeral 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, etc.) as a developer container. However, a two-component developer can also be accommodated in a toner container (developer container) for an image forming apparatus that appropriately supplies a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier to the developing device. Furthermore, a developer such as wet toner or ink can be accommodated in a developer container for an image forming apparatus that appropriately supplies wet toner or ink to the developing device.
Even in those cases, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In the first to seventh embodiments, some or all of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K may be a process cartridge. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the container main body 33Y is configured to be rotatable so that the toner accommodated in the container main body 33Y is conveyed toward the opening A. On the other hand, as in the seventh embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49, the container body 1033Y is configured to be held in the toner container housing part 70 together with the cap part 1034Y in a non-rotating manner, and the container body 1033Y. By installing a conveyance member that conveys toner toward the opening A (for example, a conveyance member that is provided with a plurality of conveyance blades in the shape of a shaft and rotates in a predetermined direction), the container body 1033Y The toner accommodated in the interior may be conveyed toward the opening A. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a plurality of metal pads 35a (35a1, 35a1, 35b, 535b, etc.) on the substrate of the ID chip (symbols 35b, 535b, etc.) are provided. 35a2, 35a3) were aligned in the vertical direction so that the position in the longitudinal direction did not shift. On the other hand, a plurality of metal pads 35a (35a1, 35a2, 35a3) can be arranged in the vertical direction so that the positions in the longitudinal direction are alternately shifted in a staggered pattern on the substrate of the ID chip. In this case, a plurality of main body side terminals (reference numerals 73e2, 573e2) in the connector (reference numerals 73e, 573e, etc.) are matched with the metal pads 35a (35a1, 35a2, 35a3) arranged in a staggered pattern. Etc.) is also arranged in a staggered pattern. Even in such a case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an ID chip (information storage device) installed in a toner container 32Y (developer container) or the like as a detachable device that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100 or the like. The present invention was applied to this. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and any other detachable device that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100 or the like may be an information storage device. For example, the present invention can be applied in the same manner as the above embodiments. For example, in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K as removable devices, the fixing device 20 (fixing unit) as a removable device, and the intermediate transfer unit as a removable device. Even if an information storage device is installed at 15 etc., the present invention can be applied to them as in the above embodiments. Even in such a case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

5Y developing device,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container (developer container, removable device),
33Y container body,
33b protrusion (spiral protrusion), 33c gear,
34Y cap part,
34a First positioning hole (main reference hole),
34b Second positioning hole (secondary reference hole),
34d shutter member,
34k, 1635 holding member (holding part, box-shaped member),
34k1 insertion port, 34k2 opening, 34k3 second opening,
34k4 first facing part, 34k5 second facing part,
34k8 holding lid, 1635B, 1635C,
34k10 cushion material,
34q, 1635q, pedestal,
35, 435, 535, 1435, 1535 ID chip (information storage device),
35a, 35a1, 35a2, 35a3 metal pads (terminal, metal plate),
35b, 535b, 1435b, 1535b substrate,
35b1 cutout (positioning cutout),
35b11, 35b12 hole (positioning hole),
35c information storage unit,
35d, 535d, 1435d, 1535d ground terminal,
70 toner container housing,
72 bottle receiver,
72m mating part,
72b Stopper release biasing part,
73 cap receiving part,
73a Main reference pin (positioning pin),
73b Secondary reference pin (positioning pin),
73e, 573e connector,
73e1, 573e1 connector body,
73e2, 573e2 body side terminal,
73e3, 573e3 positioning pins (protrusions for positioning),
573e25, 1473e5 main body side terminal (ground terminal) for grounding,
100 Image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
W Toner discharge port (discharge port).

JP 2009-69417 A JP 2006-209060 A JP 2002-196629 A

Claims (19)

A detachable device configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and holding an information storage device,
The information storage device includes:
An information storage unit for storing information communicated between the image forming apparatus main body and the removable device;
A terminal for communicating with the image forming apparatus main body in contact with a main body side terminal installed in the image forming apparatus main body;
A substrate on which at least one of a hole portion or a notch portion into which a protrusion portion installed in the image forming apparatus main body is inserted and in which the information storage portion and the terminal are held is formed;
With
A holding unit that holds the information storage device is provided so that the terminal can move on a virtual plane that intersects the moving direction when the terminal approaches and contacts the body-side terminal. Detachable device. The holding part is
A first facing portion which is opposed to a first plane on which the terminals are installed on the substrate, and a part of the first plane is slidable;
A second opposing portion formed opposite to the first plane on the substrate and opposed to a second plane on which the information storage unit is installed, and a part of the second plane is slidable;
An opening formed so that the terminal and the hole or the notch are exposed to the side facing the body-side terminal;
The detachable apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: The terminal is a plurality of metal plates arranged side by side with a gap in the short direction,
The main body side terminal is fixedly supported by the image forming apparatus main body with one end side as a fixed end and the other end side as a free end, and a curved portion curved toward the detachable device side at the other end side. A plurality of metal members each having a plate shape or a line shape,
The first imaginary straight line that passes through the center of the hole or the notch and is parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of metal plates is a second imaginary straight line that connects the centers in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of metal plates. On the other hand, it is configured so that it does not overlap,
When the plurality of metal plates approach and come into contact with the plurality of body side terminals, the plurality of body side terminals and the plurality of body side terminals are elastically deformed while being pressed against the plurality of metal plates. The detachable device according to claim 1, wherein the bending portion that becomes a contact point with a plurality of metal plates is displaced so as to approach the first virtual straight line.   The attachment / detachment according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of metal plates are arranged side by side so that an arrangement direction thereof is a vertical direction in a state where the attachment / detachment device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Possible device.   The hole or the notch are two holes or notches formed respectively at both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of metal plates so as to sandwich the plurality of metal plates. The detachable apparatus of Claim 3 or Claim 4. The detachable device engages with a positioning pin installed in the image forming apparatus main body, and at a position separated in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the information storage device while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. It has a formed positioning hole,
The third imaginary straight line connecting the centers of the two positioning hole portions is configured to be parallel to the first imaginary straight line. Detachable device as described.   The said holding | maintenance part was equipped with the insertion port for inserting the said information storage device while being comprised so that attachment or detachment was possible with respect to the said detachable apparatus. Detachable device as described.   The removable device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the removable device is any one of a developer container for containing a developer, a process cartridge, and an ink cartridge for containing ink inside. . A developer container that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction,
A cylindrical container body configured such that an opening is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction and the developer accommodated therein is conveyed toward the opening;
A cap portion having an opening in the bottom portion for discharging the developer discharged from the opening portion of the container main body to the lower side in the vertical direction outside the container while the opening portion of the container main body is inserted; ,
A shutter member that is held at the bottom of the cap portion and opens and closes the toner discharge port by movement along the outer periphery of the cap portion;
With
The cap portion is installed at the end in the longitudinal direction and holds an information storage device; a positioning hole that engages a positioning pin installed in the image forming apparatus main body;
Comprising
The information storage device includes:
An information storage unit for storing information communicated between the image forming apparatus main body and the removable device;
A terminal for communicating with the image forming apparatus main body in contact with a main body side terminal installed in the image forming apparatus main body;
A substrate on which at least one of a hole portion or a notch portion into which a protrusion portion installed in the image forming apparatus main body is inserted and in which the information storage portion and the terminal are held is formed;
With
The holding unit holds the information storage device so as to be able to move on a virtual plane that intersects the moving direction when the terminal approaches and contacts the body-side terminal. Developer container. The holding part is
A first facing portion which is opposed to a first plane on which the terminals are installed on the substrate, and a part of the first plane is slidable;
A second opposing portion formed opposite to the first plane on the substrate and opposed to a second plane on which the information storage unit is installed, and a part of the second plane is slidable;
An opening formed so that the terminal and the hole or the notch are exposed to the side facing the body-side terminal;
The developer container according to claim 9, comprising: The terminal is a plurality of metal plates arranged side by side with a gap in the short direction,
The main body side terminal is fixedly supported by the image forming apparatus main body with one end side as a fixed end and the other end side as a free end, and a curved portion curved toward the detachable device side at the other end side. A plurality of metal members each having a plate shape or a line shape,
The hole or the notch is formed at both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of metal plates so as to sandwich the plurality of metal plates, respectively.
The first imaginary straight line connecting the two hole portions or the notch portions is configured to be in a position that does not overlap with the second imaginary straight line connecting the longitudinal centers of the plurality of metal plates,
When the plurality of metal plates approach and come into contact with the plurality of body side terminals, the plurality of body side terminals and the plurality of body side terminals are elastically deformed while being pressed against the plurality of metal plates. 11. The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the curved portion serving as a contact point with a plurality of metal plates is displaced so as to approach the first imaginary straight line.   The developer container according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of metal plates are arranged side by side so that an arrangement direction thereof is a vertical direction in a state where the metal plates are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.   The developer container according to claim 11, wherein the first imaginary straight line is configured to be parallel to the second imaginary straight line. The positioning hole portions of the cap portion are respectively formed at both ends in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the information storage device in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
The third imaginary straight line connecting the centers of the two positioning holes is configured to be parallel to the first imaginary straight line. The developer container as described. The holding unit is configured to be detachable from the cap unit, and includes an insertion port for inserting the information storage device.
The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the cap portion includes an upright portion that closes the insertion port in a state where the holding portion is mounted.   The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the developer is a toner.   The developer container according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the developer is a two-component developer in which a toner and a carrier are mixed.   9. An image forming apparatus, wherein the detachable device according to claim 1 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body.   An image forming apparatus, wherein the developer container according to claim 9 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

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