JP6585345B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to images formed equipment.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic process, a developer (toner) is consumed when the image is formed. For this reason, it is necessary to replenish the consumed toner.

  As a recent toner supply mode, a developer container (toner bottle) that contains toner is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, in Patent Document 1, management data such as the amount of toner used and the date of manufacture are stored in a memory chip attached to the toner bottle as information specific to the toner bottle.

  Communication such as reading or writing of information to the memory chip (recording unit) is performed when the toner bottle is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when the toner bottle is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to connect the communication unit of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the memory chip without misalignment.

JP 2004-139031 A

  When the communication unit of the image forming apparatus main body and the memory chip are connected, if the positions of the two are close to each other, the positional deviation is reduced. However, if the toner bottle is not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body with care, the connection terminal attached to the communication unit connected to the memory chip comes into contact with the memory chip of the toner bottle and the fixing member for fixing the memory chip. . As a result, the connection terminal or the memory chip may be deformed or damaged, resulting in poor connection.

The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reliably contact the recording unit provided in the developer container and the communication unit on the image forming apparatus main body side so that the communication unit and the recording unit are in contact with each other. An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus is provided.

Holding the typical structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the object, which houses the current image agent, detachably holding a developer accommodating container for supplying a developer to the images forming apparatus A communication unit capable of communicating with a recording unit provided in the developer container, the recording unit recording information about the developer, and a movable support unit that supports the communication unit Urging means for urging the support means, and a convex portion is provided on an outer surface of the developer container, and the developer container mounted on the holding part is rotated. by the supporting means is caused to press moved against the urging of the urging means by the convex portion, by the supporting means is caused to press moved by the convex portion, wherein the communication means before type recording Communication with the recording unit at a position separated from the recording unit To capacity communication disabling position if we front type recording unit and the contact position is a by available communication position and the recording unit are moved, the communication means, of course mounted on the holding portion in the incommunicable position It does not interfere with the developer container .

According to the above configuration, by securely contacting the communication unit of the recording portion and the images formed instrumentation Okimoto side provided in the developer accommodating container can communicate with the recording unit and the communication unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including the developer container according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which a developer container is attached to a holding portion provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4A is a perspective explanatory view showing a state before a developer container mounted on a holding portion provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is rotated in the circumferential direction. FIG. 8B is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a state after the developer container mounted on the holding unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is rotated in the circumferential direction. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing configurations of first and second positioning portions, a second engaging portion, and a recording portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the developer container. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a holding unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a 1st, 2nd holding member and a communication means. (A) is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a 1st holding member rotates centering | focusing on the holding shaft provided in the holding | maintenance part provided in the main body side of an image forming apparatus, and the communication means evacuated from the developer storage container. is there. (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first holding member rotates around a holding shaft provided in a holding unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus and the communication unit is brought close to the recording unit of the developer container. It is explanatory drawing. (A), (b) positions the first holding member that can move along the holding shaft by rotating the developer container mounted in the holding unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus in the circumferential direction. It is a perspective explanatory view showing a situation. The developer container mounted on the holding unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is rotated in the circumferential direction so that the first positioning unit provided on the developer container and the first holding member are engaged with each other. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that this 1st holding member rotates centering on a holding shaft. A developer containing container mounted on a holding part provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is rotated in the circumferential direction, and a second engaging part provided on the developer containing container and a first holding member are provided. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a 1st engaging part engages. (A), (b) is a developer containing container provided on the second holding member by rotating the developer containing container mounted on the holding unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus in the circumferential direction. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that it approaches to the recording part provided in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus including a developer container according to the present invention.

  An embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with a developer container according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

<Image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a developer container according to the present invention. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a copying machine using an electrophotographic process. An image reading unit 2 is disposed on the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes an original conveying unit disposed on the upper part of the image reading unit 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a paper feed cassette disposed in the lower part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier. When the print key is pressed in an operation unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive drum 11 starts to rotate. The surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by a charging roller 8 serving as charging means during the rotation process. Next, the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is irradiated with a laser beam 13a corresponding to image information by a laser scanner 13 serving as an image exposure unit. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is developed as a toner image by being supplied with toner as a developer by a developing device 14 as developing means. On the other hand, the sheets S are fed one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 4 and conveyed by a registration roller 7 to a transfer nip portion where the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 15 serving as a transfer unit are in contact with each other at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing at which the sheet S is conveyed to the transfer nip portion by the registration roller 7 is that when the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 reaches the transfer nip portion, the sheet S also reaches the transfer nip portion. It is timing. As a result, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 at the transfer nip portion is transferred to the sheet S.

  The fixing unit 5 serving as a fixing unit includes a fixing film unit (not shown) and a pressure roller, and performs fixing by heating and pressing a toner image on the sheet S. The sheet S fixed by the fixing unit 5 is discharged onto the discharge tray 6 by the discharge roller 9.

  The photosensitive drum 11 and the developing device 14 are provided in a cartridge configured to be detachable and replaceable with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The cartridge is configured to be detachable by a user from the front of the image forming apparatus 1 main body.

<Developing device and developer container>
Next, the configuration of the developing device 14 and the toner bottle 20 serving as a developer container will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 11. The developing device 14 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 11 shown in FIG. 1, and a developing sleeve 14b serving as a developer carrying member and toner (not shown) are accommodated in a housing 14a. The developing sleeve 14b carries toner and supplies it onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The developing sleeve 14b is composed of a roller composed of a rotatable sleeve (nonmagnetic metal tube) that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and has a magnet inside. The magnet is composed of a permanent magnet that is long in the axial direction of the sleeve, and a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a toner bottle 20 that contains toner (developer) and is a developer container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 has a cylindrical shape, and contains toner (developer) therein. is doing. The toner bottle 20 can be detachably held with respect to a guide portion 14 c serving as a holding portion provided in the developing device 14. The guide portion 14c serving as a holding portion detachably holds a toner bottle 20 serving as a developer container having an IC chip 21 serving as a communicable recording portion.

  2 and 3A and 3B show how the toner bottle 20 is mounted in the guide portion 14c of the developing device 14. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner bottle 20 is attached to the developing device 14 by being inserted into the guide portion 14c of the developing device 14 in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3A, the toner bottle 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  At this time, a developing shutter (not shown) provided in the developing device 14 moves in the circumferential direction in conjunction with the rotating toner bottle 20. As a result, a toner supply port (not shown) of the developing device 14 is opened. At the same time, a bottle shutter (not shown) of the toner bottle 20 is rotated to open a toner discharge port (not shown). A convex portion (not shown) provided on the toner bottle 20 hits a stopper (not shown) provided on the developing device 14. Thus, the toner bottle 20 is fixed at the posture position shown in FIG.

  When the toner bottle 20 is removed from the developing device 14, the toner bottle 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction in FIG. As a result, the connection between the developing device 14 and the toner bottle 20 is released, and at the same time, the developing shutter and the bottle shutter (not shown) are closed, and the toner replenishing port and the toner discharging port (not shown) are closed. Then, the toner bottle 20 can be detached from the developing device 14 as it is.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip 21 serving as a recording unit is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 of the present embodiment. The IC chip 21 is a recording unit in which information such as management data regarding the toner bottle 20 is recorded (stored) as unique information of the toner bottle 20.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20, a push-up convex portion 20b having an inclined surface 20b1 serving as a first positioning portion is provided. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20, an engaging claw 20c serving as a second engaging portion is provided. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20, a second positioning convex portion 20d serving as a second positioning portion is provided.

  On the developing device 14 side, the guide portion 14c shown in FIG. 5 has a sensor serving as a communication means capable of communicating information about the toner bottle 20 itself with the IC chip 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20. 35 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, which will be described in detail later, the conductive portion 35a of the sensor 35 is in contact with or electrically connected to the conductive portion 21a of the IC chip 21 up to a predetermined distance. It is configured to be able to communicate with.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the sensor 35 serving as a communication unit is connected to a control unit 10 serving as a control unit provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 by an electric cable or the like. Then, the information recorded (stored) in the memory 21b serving as the storage means of the IC chip 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 is read by the sensor 35 and sent to the control unit 10 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, information from the control unit 10 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 can be written into the memory 21 b serving as a storage unit in the IC chip 21 by the sensor 35.

  Information relating to toner (developer) contained in the toner bottle 20 is recorded (stored) in the memory 21b of the IC chip 21 serving as a recording unit, and a sensor 35 serving as communication means of the mounted image forming apparatus 1 connect.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a. Further, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10b and a RAM (Randam Access Memory) 10c serving as storage means are provided. The control unit 10 is connected to an operation unit 1a, a display unit 1b, and the like provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The ROM 10b stores various control programs for controlling the image forming apparatus 1, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 10c is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. The CPU 10a controls each component while storing the processing result in the RAM 10c in accordance with a control program read from the ROM 10b and signals sent from various sensors.

<Sensor unit>
Next, the configuration of the sensor unit 37 provided with the sensor 35 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a sensor 35 serving as a communication unit that communicates with an IC chip 21 serving as a recording unit provided in the toner bottle 20 is supported by a second holding member 34 serving as a support unit. The second holding member 34 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the first holding member 32 in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 20 (the direction of arrow F in FIG. 6).

  The second holding member 34 serving as the support means is as follows according to the operation in which the toner bottle 20 serving as the developer container is mounted on the guide portion 14c serving as the holding portion. The sensor 35 serving as the communication means can communicate with the IC chip 21 serving as the recording unit provided in the toner bottle 20 from the retracted position shown in FIG. 7A to avoid interference with the toner bottle 20. Move to the communication position shown in.

  A compression coil spring 36 is provided between the second holding member 34 and the first holding member 32 as a second urging means for urging the second holding member 34 against the first holding member 32. . The second holding member 34 is always urged in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 6 with respect to the first holding member 32 by the extension force of the compression coil spring 36.

  The first holding member 32 is provided so as to be movable along the support shaft 31 in the direction in which the toner bottle 20 is attached to and detached from the guide portion 14c (the direction of arrow E in FIG. 6). Further, the first holding member 32 is provided so as to be rotatable in a direction (arrow D direction in FIG. 7B, arrow B direction in FIG. 7A) that contacts and separates from the toner bottle 20 around the support shaft 31. It has been. Thus, the sensor 35 is held so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 31 via the first and second holding members 32 and 34.

  The sensor unit 37 of the present embodiment includes a sensor 35, a second holding member 34 that holds the sensor 35, a first holding member 32 that holds the second holding member 34 movably, and the like. The sensor unit 37 is attached to be rotatable about a support shaft 31 provided in a guide portion 14c into which the toner bottle 20 is inserted.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the sensor 35 and the second holding member 34 are configured separately will be described. In addition, the movable sensor 35 without using the second holding member 34 may be directly held by the first holding member 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7A, 7B, the sensor unit 37 is centered on the support shaft 31 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 33 serving as the first biasing means. Is always urged in the direction of arrow B. The torsion coil spring 33 is fitted to the support shaft 31 and is externally mounted. One end 33a of the torsion coil spring 33 is locked to a locking portion 32e provided on the first holding member 32, and the other end 33b is provided on the guide portion 14c. Locked to the locking portion 14c1.

  Accordingly, when the toner bottle 20 is mounted in the guide portion 14c provided in the developing device 14, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A, a sensor that holds the sensor 35 with respect to the toner bottle 20. The unit 37 is retracted by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 33. Accordingly, the toner bottle 20 can be inserted into the guide portion 14c without the sensor unit 37 interfering with the toner bottle 20.

<Positioning operation between sensor unit and toner bottle>
Next, the positioning operation between the sensor unit 37 and the toner bottle 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 to 11. In the present embodiment, the positioning operation between the sensor unit 37 and the toner bottle 20 is performed by the following first to third positioning operations.

<First-stage positioning operation (positioning operation in the insertion / extraction direction)>
As the first stage positioning operation, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the axial direction (insertion / removal) of the toner bottle 20 inserted in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Direction) positioning operation is performed. First, the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c provided in the developing device 14 in the direction of the arrow H in FIG. 2, and then the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the circumferential direction of the arrow A in FIG. Rotate.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, the groove-shaped recess 32a having tapered portions 32b and 32g formed of inclined surfaces provided in the guide portion 32f of the first holding member 32 is as follows. The first positioning convex portion 20a and the groove-shaped concave portion 32a provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. 4 are engaged to perform a first stage positioning operation (positioning operation in the insertion / extraction direction). .

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, the groove-shaped recess 32a of the first holding member 32 and the first positioning protrusion 20a of the toner bottle 20 are in the axial direction (insertion / removal direction) of the toner bottle 20. The phase may be shifted. In that case, the inclined surface of the tapered portion 32b of the groove-like concave portion 32a provided in the first holding member 32 and the first positioning convex portion 20a of the toner bottle 20 first come into contact with each other.

  The sensor unit 37 is held so as to be movable in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 8A), which is the insertion / extraction direction of the toner bottle 20, with respect to the support shaft 31. Therefore, the toner bottle 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  Then, the first positioning convex portion 20 a provided protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 contacts the inclined surfaces of the tapered portions 32 g and 32 b of the groove-like concave portion 32 a provided in the first holding member 32. And the force which moves the 1st holding member 32 to the arrow C direction of Fig.8 (a) by the urging | biasing force of the torsion coil spring 33 is made to act.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the first holding member 32 is moved in the direction of arrow C in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the first positioning convex portion 20 a protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the groove-shaped concave portion 32 a of the first holding member 32 of the sensor unit 37 are securely connected. Can be engaged. As a result, the IC chip 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the sensor 35 held by the sensor unit 37 in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 8B) that is the insertion / extraction direction of the toner bottle 20. Positioning is possible.

  8A shows an example in which the sensor unit 37 is on the back side (right side in FIG. 8) with respect to the axial direction of the toner bottle 20 (left-right direction in FIG. 8A).

  In addition, the sensor unit 37 may be on the front side (left side in FIG. 8) with respect to the axial direction of the toner bottle 20 (left and right direction in FIG. 8A). In this case, the sensor unit 37 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction in FIG. 8A, and the IC chip 21 and the sensor 35 can be positioned in the axial direction of the toner bottle 20.

<Second-stage positioning operation (first holding member positioning operation in circumferential direction)>
As the second stage positioning operation, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the positioning operation in the circumferential direction (rotation direction) of the toner bottle 20 is performed after the first stage positioning operation described above. As shown in FIG. 2, after the first stage positioning operation, the toner bottle 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the push-up convex portion 20b serving as an engaging portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 is covered with the first holding member 32 shown in FIGS. The contact portion 32d contacts and engages. Then, the sensor unit 37 rotates about the support shaft 31 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 9 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 33.

  The push-up convex portion 20b serving as the engaging portion is as follows. A sensor serving as a communication means at a communication position shown in FIG. 7B capable of communicating with the IC chip 21 serving as a recording unit from the retracted position shown in FIG. 7A to avoid interference with the toner bottle 20 serving as a developer container. Move 35.

  The push-up convex portion 20b serving as the engaging portion has a sensor 35 serving as a communication means to be engaged according to the operation of mounting the toner bottle 20 serving as the developer container on the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. It moves from the retracted position shown to the communication position shown in FIG.

  When the sensor unit 37 approaches the toner bottle 20, as shown in FIG. 10, the toner bottle 20 is further rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As a result, the engaging claw 20 c serving as the second engaging portion provided protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 is engaged with the first engaging portion 32 c provided on the first holding member 32.

<Third stage positioning operation (second holding member positioning operation in circumferential direction)>
The third stage positioning operation is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the conductive portion 21a of the IC chip 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the conductive portion 35a of the sensor 35 provided in the sensor unit 37 are electrically connected. Positioning operation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the toner bottle 20 is positioned in the circumferential direction (rotation direction) with respect to the sensor unit 37. After the second-stage positioning operation is performed as described above, the toner bottle 20 is further rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  Then, the second positioning convex portion 20d serving as the second positioning portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. 4 is as follows. The second positioning convex portion 20d abuts against the abutting portion 34a serving as the third engaging portion provided in the second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 shown in FIGS. 6 and 11 (a) and 11 (b). Match.

  The second holding member 34 serving as a support means is rotatably supported from the retracted position shown in FIG. 7 (a) to the communication position shown in FIG. 7 (b). As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the second holding member 34 serving as the support means includes a first positioning convex portion 20a serving as a convex portion formed on the toner bottle 20 serving as the developer container. It has a guide part 32f which becomes a contact part which contacts according to the position of this 1st positioning convex part 20a.

  In the second holding member 34 serving as a support means, the toner bottle 20 serving as a developer container inserted into the guide portion 14c serving as a holding portion is rotated with the insertion direction of the toner bottle 20 as an axis. As a result, the first positioning convex portion 20a serving as the convex portion and the guide portion 32f serving as the contact portion come into contact with each other, and the second holding member 34 serving as the supporting means rotates.

  A support shaft 31 that rotatably supports the second holding member 34 that serves as a support means is disposed in parallel with the insertion direction of the toner bottle 20 that serves as a developer container. The second holding member 34 serving as a support means is movable in the axial direction of the support shaft 31.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first positioning convex portion 20a serving as the convex portion of the toner bottle 20 is formed in the groove-shaped concave portion 32a serving as the concave portion formed in the guide portion 32f serving as the contact portion. Mating. As a result, the axial position of the support shaft 31 of the second holding member 34 serving as a support means is determined.

  As a result, a third stage positioning operation is performed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11B, the conductive portion 35a electrically connected to the sensor 35 is electrically connected to the conductive portion 21a of the IC chip 21. As a result, communication between the sensor 35 and the IC chip 21 becomes possible.

  After the toner bottle 20 is mounted on the guide portion 14c, the sensor 35 and the IC chip 21 can communicate with each other while the toner bottle 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the toner bottle 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. As a result, the second positioning convex portion 20d provided on the toner bottle 20 and the abutting portion 34a provided on the second holding member 34 are engaged. Then, the second holding member 34 is moved in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 20 with respect to the first holding member 32 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 36.

  As a result, the conductive portion 35a electrically connected to the sensor 35 is brought close to the conductive portion 21a of the IC chip 21 and is electrically conducted. As a result, communication between the sensor 35 and the IC chip 21 becomes possible.

  The second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 is held so as to be movable with respect to the first holding member 32 in the direction of arrow F in FIG. Further, the second holding member 34 is constantly urged toward the first holding member 32 in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 11A by the urging force of the compression coil spring 36 serving as the second urging means.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11A, the second positioning convex portion 20d provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the abutting portion 34a provided on the second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 are provided. bump into. In this state, the toner bottle 20 is further rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Then, the second holding member 34 moves against the first holding member 32 in the direction opposite to the arrow G direction in FIG. 11A against the urging force of the compression coil spring 36. Furthermore, when the toner bottle 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction of arrow A in FIG. 11A, the toner bottle 20 and the developing device 14 are connected and fixed.

  As described above, the first to third positioning operations of the sensor unit 37 and the toner bottle 20 are performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the conductive portion 21 a of the IC chip 21 provided protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the conductive portion 35 a of the sensor 35 provided on the second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 are formed. Secure contact and electrical connection.

  According to this embodiment, the IC chip 21 is attached on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20. As a result, the toner bottle 20 mounted in the guide portion 14c of the developing device 14 is rotated in the circumferential direction. Only by this operation, the conductive portion 21a of the IC chip 21 can be electrically connected to the conductive portion 35a of the sensor 35 provided in the sensor unit 37 on the image forming apparatus 1 main body side. This prevents deformation and breakage of the sensor 35 and enables more reliable electrical connection.

1 Image forming apparatus
20 ... Toner bottle
20b ... Push-up convex part (engagement part)
21 ... IC chip (recording part)
35… Sensor (communication means)

Claims (1)

A holding unit that detachably holds a developer container that contains the developer and replenishes the image forming apparatus main body with the developer;
A communication unit capable of communicating with a recording unit provided in the developer container, the recording unit storing information about the developer;
Movable support means for supporting the communication means;
Biasing means for biasing the support means;
Have
A convex portion is provided on the outer surface of the developer container,
When the developer container mounted on the holding portion is rotated, the supporting means is pressed and moved against the urging force of the urging means by the convex portion, and the supporting means is By being pushed and moved by the convex portion, the communication means is located at a position separated from the recording portion and in contact with the recording portion from an incommunicable position where communication with the recording portion is impossible. Moved to a possible communication location ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit does not interfere with the developer container that is being attached to the holding unit at the communication disabled position .

Images