JP6599766B2 - Consumable container and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a consumable container and an image forming apparatus including the consumable container. About.

  An example of a background art image forming apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707. In Patent Document 1, a storage member (CRUM: Customer Replaceable Unit Monitoring) in which information related to a toner cartridge is stored is attached to a toner cartridge that contains toner that is a consumable used for development. The storage member has a terminal portion, and is connected to a terminal portion provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the toner cartridge is moved to the mounting position.

JP 2008-276139 A

  In the image forming apparatus of this background art, if the contact pressure between the terminal portion of the storage member and the terminal portion of the image forming apparatus main body is excessively large, the surfaces of the terminal portions of each other are moved when the toner cartridge is moved to the mounting position. There is a risk of damage and poor contact. In addition, if the contact pressure between the terminal portion of the storage member and the terminal portion of the image forming apparatus main body is too small, contact may occur due to dirt adhered to the surfaces of the terminals or oxide films formed on the surfaces of the terminals. There is a risk of failure. That is, in any case, there is a problem that an error is detected due to poor contact.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel consumable container and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a consumable container that can stabilize the contact state between a terminal provided on a storage member of the consumable container and a terminal provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the same. Is to provide.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumable container that is detachably accommodated in a consumable container accommodating portion provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The consumable item is used for development and is, for example, toner or ink. The consumable container is, for example, a toner cartridge, a toner bottle, an ink cartridge, an ink bottle, or a process unit containing toner, and includes a storage member, a first terminal, and a guide member. The storage member stores at least various information related to the consumable container. For example, the memory member is a CRUM chip. The CRUM chip also stores model information of the image forming apparatus to which the consumable container is applied. The first terminal is electrically connected to the storage member, and comes into contact with a second terminal provided in the consumable container storage unit at least at an insertion completion position where the consumable container is stored in the consumable container storage unit. When the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container storage unit, the guide member is perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal that contacts the second terminal in the insertion direction of the consumable container until the insertion completion position. The first terminal is moved in a direction that gradually approaches the second terminal. The guide member has a first inclined surface that is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal toward the insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface has the second terminal. By contacting a part of the member, the first terminal is moved in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction.

  According to the first aspect, when the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container storage unit, the first terminal is moved in a direction gradually approaching the second terminal until the insertion completion position. In this way, it is possible to prevent the first terminal and the second terminal from contacting each other until just before the insertion completion position, and even if there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the second terminal, It is possible to prevent the contact pressure between the first terminal and the second terminal from being too large and damaging the surfaces of the first terminal and the second terminal. That is, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

A second invention is a consumable container subordinate to the first invention, further comprising a first connector member having a first terminal and a guide member, wherein the first connector member is inserted into the second connector member at a position where the insertion is completed. It is connected in.

  According to the second invention, the first inclined surface abuts on a part of the second connector member, so that the first terminal approaches the second terminal as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction. Since one terminal is moved, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized only by moving the consumable container in the insertion direction. That is, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized with a simpler operation.

  3rd invention is a consumable container which depends on 2nd invention, Comprising: A guide member is the 2nd inclined surface which inclines in the direction which a 1st terminal leaves | separates from a 2nd terminal toward the insertion direction of a consumable container. Before the first inclined surface contacts a part of the second connector member, the second inclined surface contacts the part of the second connector member, so that the consumable container is inserted in the insertion direction. As it is moved, the first terminal is moved in a direction away from the second terminal.

  According to the third invention, since the first terminal is moved in a direction approaching the second terminal after the first terminal is separated from the second terminal, there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the second terminal. Even in some cases, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

  A fourth invention is a consumable container subordinate to the third invention, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are parallel to the contact surface of the first terminal and orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable container. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the consumable container.

  According to the fourth invention, since the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the consumable container, when the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container storage unit, The second inclined surface first contacts the second connector member, and then the first inclined surface contacts the second connector member. Therefore, since the first terminal is moved in the direction approaching the second terminal after the first terminal is separated from the second terminal, the first terminal can be moved even if there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the second terminal. The contact state between the terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

  A fifth invention is a consumable container subordinate to any one of the second to fourth inventions, and further includes a biasing member that biases the first connector member in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal. Prepare.

  According to the fifth aspect, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized by the biasing force of the biasing member.

  The sixth invention is a consumable container subordinate to the second invention, wherein the first connector member is first in the insertion direction of the consumable container from the start of insertion of the consumable container into the consumable container storage unit. Before the terminal reaches the second terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal are moved in a state of being separated in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal.

  According to the sixth invention, since the first terminal is moved in the direction approaching the second terminal from the state where the first terminal and the second terminal are separated in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal, the second terminal Even when there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the terminal, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

  A seventh invention is a consumable container subordinate to the sixth invention, further comprising a biasing member that biases the first connector member in a direction in which the first terminal is separated from the second terminal.

  According to the seventh aspect, the first terminal and the second terminal are separated in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal until the first terminal reaches the second terminal in the insertion direction of the consumable container. Can be maintained.

  An eighth invention is an image forming apparatus including the consumable container of any one of the first to seventh inventions.

  According to the eighth aspect, the same effect as the first aspect can be achieved, and the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

A ninth invention is an image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body, a consumable container storage unit, a consumable container, a storage member, a first terminal, a second terminal , a guide member , a first connector member, and a second connector member . The consumable container storage unit is provided in the apparatus main body. The consumable container contains a consumable used for development, and is stored in the consumable container storage section so that it can be inserted and removed. The consumable item is, for example, toner or ink. The consumable container is, for example, a toner cartridge, a toner bottle, an ink cartridge, an ink bottle or a process unit containing toner. The storage member is provided in the consumable container, and stores at least various information related to the consumable container. For example, the memory member is a CRUM chip. The CRUM chip also stores model information of the image forming apparatus to which the consumable container is applied. The first terminal is provided in the consumable container and is electrically connected to the storage member. The second terminal is provided in the consumable container container at the insertion completion position at least where the consumable container is stored in the consumable container container. Contact with. The second terminal is provided in the consumable container storage unit, and contacts the first terminal at the insertion completion position where the consumable container is stored in the consumable container storage unit. The second terminal is electrically connected to a control unit of the image forming apparatus provided inside the apparatus main body. When the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container storage unit, the guide member is perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal that contacts the second terminal in the insertion direction of the consumable container until the insertion completion position. At least one of the first terminal and the second terminal in a direction that gradually approaches the second terminal. The first connector member is provided in the consumable container and has a first terminal. The second connector member is provided in the consumable container container and has a second terminal. The guide member has a first inclined surface that is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal toward the insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface has the first terminal. The first terminal is moved closer to the second terminal as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction by contacting a part of the member or the second connector member having the second terminal. At least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is moved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container storage portion, the direction is perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal that contacts the second terminal until the insertion completion position. Then, at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is moved in a direction gradually approaching the second terminal. In this way, it is possible to prevent the first terminal and the second terminal from contacting each other until just before the insertion completion position, and even if there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the second terminal, It is possible to prevent the contact pressure between the first terminal and the second terminal from being too large and damaging the surfaces of the first terminal and the second terminal. That is, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

A tenth invention is an image forming apparatus that is subordinate to the ninth invention, the first connector member and the second connector member are connected to each other in the insertion completion position.

  According to the tenth invention, the first inclined surface abuts on a part of one of the first connector member or the second connector member, so that the first terminal is moved to the first terminal as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction. Since the first terminal is moved in the direction approaching the two terminals, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized simply by moving the consumable container in the insertion direction. That is, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized with a simpler operation.

  An eleventh invention is a consumable container that is dependent on the tenth invention, wherein the guide member is a second inclined surface that inclines in a direction in which the first terminal separates from the second terminal toward the insertion direction of the consumable container. Before the first inclined surface comes into contact with a part of one of the first connector member or the second connector member, the second inclined surface is one of the first connector member or the second connector member. By contacting the part, as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction, the first terminal moves at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal in a direction away from the second terminal.

  According to the eleventh aspect, since the first terminal is moved in the direction approaching the second terminal after the first terminal is separated from the second terminal, there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the second terminal. Even in some cases, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

  A twelfth invention is an image forming apparatus according to the eleventh invention, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are parallel to the contact surface of the first terminal and orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable container. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the consumable container.

  According to the twelfth aspect, since the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the consumable container, when the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container container, The second inclined surface first contacts the second connector member, and then the first inclined surface contacts the second connector member. Therefore, since the first terminal is moved in the direction approaching the second terminal after the first terminal is separated from the second terminal, the first terminal can be moved even if there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal with respect to the second terminal. The contact state between the terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized.

  A thirteenth invention is an image forming apparatus according to any of the tenth to twelfth inventions, wherein at least one of the first connector member and the second connector member is arranged in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal. A biasing member for biasing is further provided.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, the contact state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be stabilized by the biasing force of the biasing member.

  A fourteenth invention is an image forming apparatus according to the tenth invention, wherein the biasing member biases at least one of the first connector member and the second connector member in a direction in which the first terminal is separated from the second terminal. Is further provided.

  According to the fourteenth aspect, the first terminal and the second terminal are separated in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal until the first terminal reaches the second terminal in the insertion direction of the consumable container. Can be maintained.

  According to this invention, the contact state between the terminal provided on the storage member of the consumable container and the terminal provided on the image forming apparatus main body can be stabilized.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an outline of an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a state in which all toner cartridges are accommodated in the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the toner cartridge. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the toner cartridge. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge connecting member. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a configuration of a male connector and a female connector, FIG. 6 (A) is an illustrative view of the male connector and the female connector, and FIG. 6 (B) is a diagram. It is VIB-VIB sectional drawing of 6 (A). 7A to 7C are illustrative views showing a state in the middle of insertion of the toner cartridge. FIG. 8A is an illustrative view showing a state in the middle of insertion of the toner cartridge following FIG. 7C, and FIG. 8B is an illustrative view showing a state when the insertion of the toner cartridge is completed. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the male connector and the female connector in the second embodiment. 10A and 10B are illustrative views showing a state in the middle of insertion of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 10C is an illustrative view showing a state when the insertion of the toner cartridge is completed. FIG. 11A is an illustrative view showing a configuration of a male connector and a female connector in the third embodiment, and FIG. 11B is an illustrative view showing a state in which a toner cartridge is being inserted. FIG. 6C is an illustrative view showing a state when the insertion of the toner cartridge is completed.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an outline of an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a color printer, and performs predetermined image processing on image data transmitted from an external device via a network, and prints a color image or a monochrome image on a sheet. In the first embodiment, a color printer will be described as an example. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention performs predetermined image processing on image data read by a scanner or the like, and converts a color image or a monochrome image into paper. It may be a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having these functions.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, a sheet supply unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 60 inside a box-shaped apparatus main body 12. The paper supply unit 20 supplies the paper to the image forming unit 30 at a predetermined timing, and the image forming unit 30 forms a toner image on the paper by electrophotography.

  Specifically, the paper supply unit 20 includes a paper feed tray 22 or a manual feed tray 24, and the paper in the paper feed tray 22 or the manual feed tray 24 is fed by a pickup roller 26, a transport roller 28 and a registration roller (PS roller) 72. The paper is transported along the transport path S and sent to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 is, for example, a tandem system, and includes four image stations for a yellow image, a magenta image, a cyan image, and a black image. The four image stations are arranged in a line along the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front, and are arranged in order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow from the left side. However, the arrangement order of the colors can be changed as appropriate.

  Each of the four image stations has a photoconductor 32, and around the photoconductor 32, along the rotation direction (counterclockwise), a charging device 34, a developing device 38, a transfer roller 40, and a cleaning device. 42 are arranged in this order. An exposure device 36 is disposed below the four image stations.

  The photoconductor 32 has a cylindrical shape, and its surface is formed of, for example, OPC (organic photoconductor) or the like, and can be rotated in a predetermined direction by a driving device (not shown).

  The charging device 34 includes, for example, a roller that comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor 32 and uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 32 with a predetermined polarity (for example, minus). In addition to the contact roller method, a charging device such as a brush method or an ion emission method may be used.

  The exposure device 36 irradiates the charged surface of the photoreceptor 32 with laser light based on the image data. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 32. In addition to a laser scanning device (LSU) provided with a laser irradiation unit or a reflection mirror, an exposure device such as a writing head in which light emitting elements such as LEDs are arranged in an array may be used.

  The developing device 38 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 32 with toner (developer) to form a visible image (also referred to as a toner image). The toner is supplied from a consumable container (toner cartridge) 80 connected to the developing device 38 and charged with the same polarity (for example, minus) as the surface potential of the photoreceptor 32. An intermediate hopper 44 that temporarily stores toner is provided between the toner cartridge 80 and the developing device 38. The toner cartridge 80 may contain only toner or a mixture of carriers.

  In the first embodiment, a toner cartridge is described as an example of the consumable container. However, the consumable container is not limited to the toner cartridge, and may be a toner bottle. Further, a process unit in which the photosensitive member 32, the charging device 34, the cleaning device 42, and the like in the image forming unit 30 are unitized is mounted, and a toner cartridge is integrated into the process unit (toner is accommodated). In some cases, the process unit becomes a consumable container.

  The transfer roller 40 faces the photoconductor 32 with the intermediate transfer belt 56 interposed therebetween. When a bias voltage having a polarity (for example, plus) opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 40, the toner image on the photoreceptor 32 is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56.

  The cleaning device 42 removes and collects the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 32 after transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 56.

  The transfer unit 50 includes a drive roller 52, a driven roller 54, and an intermediate transfer belt 56. The driving roller 52 is provided on the left side inside the apparatus main body 12, and the driven roller 54 is provided on the right side inside the apparatus main body 12. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is wound around the driving roller 52 and the driven roller 54. When printing a color image, when the intermediate transfer belt 56 moves in the direction of the arrow Z, each color toner image from each image station is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 56 and then transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 56 to a sheet. The

  The fixing unit 60 includes a heating roller 62 and a pressure roller 64. The toner image transferred onto the sheet is fixed at the nip portion, and the sheet sent from the fixing unit 60 is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 70. .

  Each of the components described above is housed inside the apparatus main body 12 of the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, a control unit 74 including a CPU and a memory is provided inside the apparatus main body 12. The control unit 74 transmits a control signal to each part of the image forming apparatus 10 to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to perform various operations.

  Next, the toner cartridge 80 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a state where all the toner cartridges 80 are accommodated in the apparatus main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, four consumable container storage units (cartridge storage units) 14 are provided in the apparatus main body 12 corresponding to the four toner cartridges 80. In each of the four cartridge storage portions 14, a corresponding toner cartridge 80 is stored (attached) so as to be insertable / removable. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the cartridge housing portion 14 is provided on the front side when the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front, and the toner cartridge 80 is inserted toward the back side (rear side). The Further, when the toner cartridge 80 is removed, it is pulled out to the front side.

  Hereinafter, in the description of directions in this specification, the front side when the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front is referred to as “front side”, the back side is referred to as “rear side”, and the left side is referred to as “left side”. ”, The right side is referred to as“ right side ”, the upper surface (top surface) side is referred to as“ upper side ”, and the lower surface (bottom surface) side is referred to as“ lower side ”. In the description of the toner cartridge 80, the direction in which the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 10 is used.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the toner cartridge 80. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the toner cartridge 80.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 80 includes a container body 82, a front cover 84, a male connector 86, and a driven gear 88.

  The container body 82 is a long cylindrical container having a rectangular cross section, and stores toner therein. Although not shown, an auger screw that functions as a toner conveying member and an agitating member that agitates the toner in the container main body 82 and supplies toner to the auger screw are provided inside the container main body 82. It is done. Then, the rotation shaft of the auger screw and the rotation shaft of the agitating member are rotated by a rotational driving force applied from a drive source provided in the image forming apparatus 10 when the toner cartridge 80 is located at an insertion completion position described later. Although not shown, a discharge port is formed at the rear end of the container body 82. The toner discharged from the discharge port is supplied to the developing device 38 via the intermediate hopper 44. The container body 82 may have another shape such as a cylindrical shape.

  The front cover 84 is provided at the front end of the container body 82. Further, the front cover 84 functions as a lid portion that closes the opening on the front side of the container body 82 and also functions as a grip portion that is gripped when the user pulls out the toner cartridge 80 from the cartridge storage portion 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the male connector 86 is a rear end portion of the container body 82 and is provided on the upper portion thereof. The male connector 86 is provided with a first terminal 860. The first terminal 860 is electrically connected to a CRUM chip (memory member).

  The CRUM chip stores model information indicating the model of the image forming apparatus 10 to which the toner cartridge 80 is applied, identification information of the toner cartridge 80, information for managing toner supply, and the like. The model information of the image forming apparatus 10 and the identification information of the toner cartridge 80 stored in the CRUM chip are stored when the toner cartridge 80 is manufactured. The information for managing toner supply is information for the controller 74 to calculate the remaining amount of toner, such as the cumulative toner supply time from the toner cartridge 80 and the number of printed sheets. Therefore, the control unit 74 acquires information for managing toner supply, and sequentially calculates the remaining amount of toner in the container body 82. The CRUM chip can also store the remaining amount of toner provided from the control unit 74.

  In the first embodiment, the case where a CRUM chip is used as an example of the memory member is shown, but it is not necessary to be limited to this. As the storage member, a wireless IC tag and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark) can be used.

  The driven gear 88 is a rear end portion of the container main body 82, is provided below the male connector 86, and is fixed to a rotation shaft of an auger screw provided in the toner cartridge 80. This driven gear 88 is coupled to a drive gear 94 provided on a cartridge connecting member 90 described later, whereby a driving force is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the auger screw. The rotating shaft of the auger screw and the rotating shaft of the stirring member are connected by a gear, and the driving force transmitted to the rotating shaft of the auger screw is also transmitted to the rotating shaft of the stirring member.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge connecting member 90. The cartridge connecting member 90 is provided inside the image forming apparatus 10 and on the rear side of the four cartridge storage portions 14, and includes a connecting member main body 92, a drive gear 94, and a female connector 96.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the connection member main body 92 is provided with four female connectors 96 and four drive gears 94 corresponding to each of the four toner cartridges 80.

  The female connector 96 is provided on the upper part of the connecting member main body 92. The female connector 96 is provided with a second terminal 960. The second terminal 960 is electrically connected to the control unit 74 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted (attached) into the cartridge housing portion 14, the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 are connected at the insertion completion position. When the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 are connected, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact with each other. When the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact with each other, the CRUM chip and the control unit 74 are electrically connected. However, the insertion completion position is a position where the toner cartridge 80 is not moved further back. In other words, the position at the rearmost side in the state where the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14 is the insertion completion position.

  In the first embodiment, as will be described later, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are arranged such that the first terminal 860 comes into contact with the second terminal 960 from above (FIG. 6B). reference). Therefore, when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are in contact with each other in the vertical direction.

  The drive gear 94 is fixed to a motor shaft (not shown) of a stepping motor provided inside the apparatus main body 12. As described above, the drive gear 94 is coupled to the driven gear 88 provided in the toner cartridge 80.

  The other structure of the cartridge connecting member 90 is not an essential content of the present invention and will not be described in detail. However, the driving force is also applied to the photosensitive member 32, the developing device 38, the cleaning device 42, etc. of each image station. Configured to communicate.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 having such a configuration, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the first terminal 860 is slid while being in contact with the second terminal 960. At this time, the driven gear 88 is coupled to the drive gear 94, and the positioning pin provided in the toner cartridge 80 is fitted into the positioning hole provided in the cartridge connecting member 90. The mounting position of the toner cartridge 80 is determined with respect to the main body 12).

  However, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 increases due to variations in the mounting position of the first terminal 860 with respect to the second terminal 960. Or may become smaller.

  For example, if the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 is too large, the surfaces of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are moved when the first terminal 860 is slid while contacting the second terminal 960. It can be hurt. In addition, if the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 is too small, the surface of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 when the first terminal 860 is slid while being in contact with the second terminal 960. The surface of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 may not be in direct contact with each other because the dirt or the oxide film formed on the surface does not peel off. Whether the surface of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 is damaged or the surface of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are not in direct contact with each other, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal There is a problem that an error is detected due to contact failure with 960.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are not brought into contact with each other until just before the insertion completion position, and the insertion is completed. The first terminal 860 is moved in the direction approaching the second terminal 960 until the position.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the male connector 86 provided in the toner cartridge 80 and the female connector 96 provided in the cartridge connecting member 90 (image forming apparatus 10) and the connection method thereof will be specifically described.

  6 is an illustrative view showing a configuration of the male connector 86 and the female connector 96, and FIG. 6A is an illustrative view of the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 as viewed from above, and FIG. B) is a VIB-VIB sectional view of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the male connector 86 provided in the toner cartridge 80 includes a first terminal 860, a connector body 862, a right protrusion 864R, a left protrusion 864L, and a spring 866.

  The first terminal 860 includes a plurality of metal plates arranged perpendicular to the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80, and is provided on the lower surface of the second piece 862b of the connector main body 862 described later. However, the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80 is a direction from the front side to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 10 as can be seen from FIGS. The first terminal 860 is a U-shaped or V-shaped leaf spring in which a central portion in the front-rear direction protrudes downward from the front end portion and the rear end portion. Therefore, the first terminal 860 can be deformed in the vertical direction by the amount protruding downward from the lower surface of the second piece 862b. Further, as described above, since the first terminal 860 is disposed above the second terminal 960, the lower surface of the first terminal 860 is a contact surface with respect to the second terminal 960.

  The connector main body 862 includes a first piece 862a extending in the vertical direction along the rear end surface of the container main body 82, and a plate-like second piece 862b protruding rearward from the upper end of the first piece 862a. A protrusion 862c extending in the vertical direction is formed on the front end surface of the piece 862a (the surface facing the rear end surface of the container body 82). The first piece 862a and the second piece 862b are set to have substantially the same width in the left-right direction. Further, the protrusion 862c is fitted into a groove 82a provided in the container main body 82 so as to extend in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the connector main body 862 can slide in the vertical direction along the rear end surface of the container main body 82. However, a protrusion may be provided on the container main body 82 side and a groove may be provided on the connector main body 862 side.

  The right protrusion 864R and the left protrusion 864L function as a guide member for moving the connector main body 862 in a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal 860. As shown in FIG. 6A, the right protrusion 864R is provided on the right side surface of the second piece 862b (the right side surface of the connector main body 862). The left protrusion 864L is provided on the left side surface of the second piece 862b (left side surface of the connector main body 862). Further, the right protrusion 864R and the left protrusion 864L are provided at the same position in the front-rear direction. Further, the right protrusion 864R and the left protrusion 864L are provided at a position where the center portion in the front-rear direction and the center portion in the front-rear direction of the first terminal 860 coincide with each other. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish the right protrusion 864R and the left protrusion 864L, they are simply referred to as “protrusions 864”.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the protrusion 864 is an isosceles triangle whose section is downward, and corresponds to the front first inclined surface 864a corresponding to the front hypotenuse in the cross section and the rear hypotenuse in the cross section. And a second inclined surface 864b on the rear side. That is, the first inclined surface 864a and the second inclined surface 864b are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. As for the 1st inclined surface 864a, the rear-end part (center part of the front-back direction of the processus | protrusion 864) protrudes the lowest side, and inclines upward toward the front side. That is, the first inclined surface 864a is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal 860 approaches the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. The second inclined surface 864b has a front end portion (a central portion in the front-rear direction of the protrusion 864) that protrudes to the lowest side, and is inclined upward toward the rear side. That is, the second inclined surface 864b is inclined in the direction in which the first terminal 860 is separated from the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the protrusion 864 is an isosceles triangle whose section is downward. Therefore, the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 864a with respect to the horizontal direction and the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 864b with respect to the horizontal direction are the same.

  The spring 866 is a tension spring provided between the container main body 82 and the connector main body 862. One end of the spring 866 is fixed to the upper surface of the projecting portion 82b that projects rearward from the lower end of the rear end surface of the container body 82. The other end of the spring 866 is fixed to the lower surface of the first piece 862a. Accordingly, the connector body 862 is biased downward by the spring 866.

  However, the container main body 82 is provided with a restricting portion 82c that contacts the lower surface of the first piece 862a and restricts the downward movement of the connector main body 862. That is, the restricting portion 82c protrudes rearward from the lower end portion of the rear end surface of the container body 82, and the upper surface of the restricting portion 82c contacts the lower surface of the first piece 862a. However, the restricting portion 82c protrudes to the rear side so as not to hit the spring 866. The vertical distance from the upper surface of the protruding portion 82b to the upper surface of the restricting portion 82c is set to be larger than the vertical distance (free length) of the unloaded spring 866.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the female connector 96 provided in the cartridge connecting member 90 (image forming apparatus 10) includes a second terminal 960, a connector main body 962, and a right guide portion 964R. , A left guide portion 964L, a right restricting portion 966R, and a left restricting portion 966L.

  The second terminal 960 includes a plurality of flat metal plates arranged perpendicular to the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80, and is provided along the upper surface of a bottom plate portion 962c of the connector main body 962 described later. However, the second terminal 960 is not limited to a flat plate, and may be a leaf spring.

  The connector main body 962 includes a rear wall portion 962a extending in the vertical direction along the front end surface of the connecting member main body 92 of the cartridge connecting member 90, a plate-like top plate portion 962b protruding forward from the upper end portion of the rear wall portion 962a, A plate-like bottom plate portion 962c projecting forward from the lower end portion of the rear wall portion 962a, projecting frontward from the right end portion of the rear wall portion 962a, and connecting the right end portion of the top plate portion 962b and the right end portion of the bottom plate portion 962c. The left wall portion 962d has a left wall portion 962e that projects forward from the left end portion of the right wall portion 962d and the rear wall portion 962a and connects the left end portion of the top plate portion 962b and the left end portion of the bottom plate portion 962c.

  However, the bottom plate portion 962c projects forward from the top plate portion 962b. The vertical distance between the lower surface of the top plate portion 962b and the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 962c is set to be at least larger than the distance from the upper surface of the second piece 862b to the lower end portion of the first terminal 860 before deformation. Is done. Furthermore, the distance in the left-right direction between the left side surface of the right wall portion 962d and the right side surface of the left wall portion 962e is set to be at least larger than the distance from the right side surface of the right projection 864R to the left side surface of the left projection 864L. The The connector main body 962 is attached to the connecting member main body 92 of the cartridge connecting member 90. Although not shown in detail, the connector main body 962 is attached to the connecting member main body 92 so as to have play in the vertical and horizontal directions. The reason why the connector main body 962 is attached in this way is to absorb variations in the attachment position of the first terminal 860 with respect to the second terminal 960 due to play in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the right guide portion 964R is a plate-like member, is connected to the right wall portion 962d at the center in the vertical direction, and is provided so as to protrude forward from the right wall portion 962d. Similarly, the left guide portion 964L is a plate-like member, and is connected to the left wall portion 962e at the center in the vertical direction, and is provided to protrude to the front side from the left wall portion 962e. Further, the size of the right guide portion 964R and the left guide portion 964L in the front-rear direction is the same. Further, the right guide portion 964R and the left guide portion 964L are provided at the same position in the front-rear direction. However, the left side surface of the right guide portion 964R is set to the left side of the right side surface of the right protrusion 864R and to the right side of the right side surface of the second piece 862b. Further, the right side surface of the left guide portion 964L is set to be on the right side of the left side surface of the left protrusion 864L and to the left side of the left side surface of the second piece 862b. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish the right guide portion 964R and the left guide portion 964L, they are simply referred to as “guide portions 964”.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the guide portion 964 has a height at which the upper end portion of the front surface of the guide portion 964 comes into contact with the second inclined surface 864 b of the protrusion 864 when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge storage portion 14. Be placed. In other words, the upper surface of the guide portion 964 is lower than the upper end portion of the second inclined surface 864b when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge storage portion 14, and higher than the lower end portion. Be placed. As will be described in detail later, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the projection 864 contacts the guide portion 964, so that the connector main body 862 is perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal 860. Moved in the vertical direction.

  The right restricting portion 966R and the left restricting portion 966L move to the rear side of the male connector 86 so that the male connector 86 does not move too far rearward when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14. It is a member for restricting. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the right restricting portion 966R is on the rear side of the right guide portion 964R and has a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction with respect to the right guide portion 964R. It is arranged at the provided position. Similarly, the left restricting portion 966L is disposed on the rear side of the left guide portion 964L and at a position with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction with respect to the left guide portion 964L. Furthermore, the right restricting portion 966R and the left restricting portion 966L are provided at the same position in the front-rear direction. However, the distance in the front-rear direction between the right restricting portion 966R and the right guide portion 964R and the distance in the front-rear direction between the left restricting portion 966L and the left guide portion 964L are each at least the size (length) of the protrusion 864 in the front-rear direction. ). Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish the right-side restricting portion 966R and the left-side restricting portion 966L, they are simply referred to as “restricting portion 966”.

  Next, a method for connecting the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C are illustrative views showing a state in which the toner cartridge 80 is being inserted. 8A is an illustrative view showing a state in the middle of insertion of the toner cartridge 80 subsequent to FIG. 7C, and FIG. 8B is an illustrative view showing a state when the insertion of the toner cartridge 80 is completed.

  First, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge storage unit 14, the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward to the insertion completion position. As shown in FIG. 7A, from the start of the insertion of the toner cartridge 80 into the cartridge housing portion 14 until the second inclined surface 864b of the protrusion 864 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the front surface of the guide portion 964. The male connector 86 is moved in a state where the upper end portion of the front surface of the guide portion 964 is positioned within the vertical width of the second inclined surface 864b. The male connector 86 is moved in this manner so that the second inclined surface 864b and the upper end portion of the front surface of the guide portion 964 come into contact with each other when the toner cartridge 80 is further moved to the rear side. is there.

  When the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 7A, the second inclined surface 864b and the upper end of the front surface of the guide portion 964 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 7B. . As described above, the second inclined surface 864b is inclined upward toward the rear side. Therefore, in a state where the second inclined surface 864b and the upper end of the front surface of the guide portion 964 are in contact, when the toner cartridge 80 is moved to the rear side, the connector main body 962 is moved upward according to the second inclined surface 864b. The That is, as the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward, the first terminal 860 is gradually moved away from the second terminal 960, so that the connector main body 962 is moved obliquely upward.

  When the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 7B, the protrusion 864 rides on the upper surface of the guide portion 964 as shown in FIG. 7C. In the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the rear end of the first terminal 860 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80 with the protrusion 864 riding on the upper surface of the guide portion 964. Reaches the front end (front end) of the second terminal 960. However, when the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960, the lower end portion of the first terminal 860 is positioned above the upper surface of the second terminal 960. That is, in a state where the protrusion 864 rides on the upper surface of the guide portion 964, the first terminal 860 is moved away from the second terminal 960 in the vertical direction.

  When the toner cartridge 80 is moved to the rear side from the position shown in FIG. 7C and the position of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the protrusion 864 is behind the rear end portion of the upper surface (upper side) of the guide portion 964. The first inclined surface 864a and the upper end portion of the back surface (rear side) of the guide portion 964 come into contact with each other. As described above, the first inclined surface 864a is inclined upward toward the front side. The connector body 862 is biased downward by a spring 866. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward with the first inclined surface 864a and the upper end of the back surface of the guide portion 964 in contact with each other, the connector main body 962 is moved downward along the first inclined surface 864a. The That is, as the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward, the first terminal 860 is gradually moved closer to the second terminal 960, so that the connector main body 962 is moved obliquely downward.

  Then, when the toner cartridge 80 is further moved rearward with the first inclined surface 864a and the upper end portion of the back surface of the guide portion 964 in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. And the second terminal 960 abut (contact). However, as described above, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 overlap and contact each other. As will be described later, when the toner cartridge 80 is moved to the rear side from the position where the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are in contact with each other, the surface of the first terminal 860 and the surface of the second terminal 960 Rubs. That is, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact immediately before the toner cartridge 80 is positioned at the insertion completion position. Accordingly, the surface of the first terminal 860 and the surface of the second terminal 960 rub against each other until the toner cartridge 80 is positioned at the insertion completion position, and therefore, deposits such as oxide films formed on the surfaces of the terminals. Can be peeled off.

  Further, when the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 8A, the connector main body 962 is further moved downward, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the first piece 862a The lower surface and the restricting portion 82c come into contact with each other. Therefore, even when the toner cartridge 80 is further moved to the rear side, the connector main body 962 is not moved to the lower side. Further, when the toner cartridge 80 is further moved to the rear side in this state, the first inclined surface 864a and the upper end portion of the back surface of the guide portion 964 are separated from each other. In the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position, the first inclined surface 864a and the guide portion 964 are separated from each other, and the second inclined surface 864b and the regulating portion 966 are separated from each other. That is, when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position, the protrusion 864 is located between the guide portion 964 and the restriction portion 966.

  Further, as described above, since the first terminal 860 is a leaf spring, as the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward, the first terminal 860 is moved downward, and the first terminal 860, the second terminal 960, and the like. The contact pressure increases. That is, the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 gradually increases until the toner cartridge 80 reaches the insertion completion position after the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 start to contact each other.

  In the first embodiment, the first terminal 860 is moved in a direction approaching the second terminal 960 after the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. However, it need not be limited to this. The first terminal 860 may be moved in a direction approaching the second terminal 960 before the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. For example, the rear end portion of the guide portion 964 is set in front of the position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and the length (front-rear direction) from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the first inclined surface 864a. Is set to be longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the first inclined surface 864a shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the rear end of the first terminal 860 becomes the second terminal 960. The first terminal 860 can be moved in a direction approaching the second terminal 960 before reaching the tip of the first terminal 960.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal 860 (up and down direction) until the insertion completion position is reached. ), And the first terminal 860 is moved in a direction gradually approaching the second terminal 960. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 from contacting each other until just before the insertion completion position, and there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal 860 with respect to the second terminal 960. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 from being excessively high and the surfaces of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 from being damaged. That is, the contact state between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 can be stabilized.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position causes the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 to contact each other. Since it is larger than the contact pressure at the starting position, the contact state between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 at the insertion completion position can be further stabilized.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are in contact with the first terminal 860 until the insertion completion position. Since the surface of the terminal 860 and the surface of the second terminal 960 are rubbed, the deposits such as oxide films formed on the surfaces of the terminals can be peeled off, and the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are in contact with each other. Can be stabilized.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the first terminal 860 further includes a spring 866 that biases the connector body 862 in a direction approaching the second terminal 960, the first terminal 860 and the first terminal 860 are biased by the biasing force of the spring 866. The contact state with the two terminals 960 can be stabilized.
[Second Embodiment]
In the image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the configurations (shapes) of the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 are different from those of the first embodiment. Since the configuration of the other parts is the same, parts common to the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the connector main body 862 includes a protrusion 868 that protrudes rearward from the lower end portion of the first piece 862a, instead of the protrusion 864. However, the length (vertical length) of the first piece 862a in the second embodiment is shorter than that of the first embodiment.

  The protrusion 868 has a lower surface and an upper surface inclined with respect to the lower surface, and the cross section is formed in a right triangle shape. The lower surface of the protrusion 868 extends in the horizontal direction continuously from the lower surface of the first piece 862a. The upper surface of the protrusion 868 is inclined upward from the rear end portion of the lower surface of the protrusion 868 toward the front side. That is, the upper surface of the protrusion 868 is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal 860 approaches the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. That is, in the second embodiment, the protrusion 868 has an inclined surface (corresponding to the first inclined surface) 868a, and the protrusion 868 functions as a guide member.

  In the second embodiment, the spring 866 is a compression spring. Accordingly, the connector body 862 is biased upward by the spring 866. In the second embodiment, a restricting portion 82d that protrudes rearward from the upper end of the rear end surface of the container body 82 is provided. The lower surface of the restricting portion 82d abuts on the upper surface of the first piece 862a. Therefore, the restricting portion 82d restricts the upward movement of the connector main body 862. Further, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the protruding portion 82b to the lower surface of the first piece 862a in a state where the lower surface of the restricting portion 82d and the upper surface of the first piece 862a are in contact is the upper and lower distances of the spring 866 in the unloaded state. It is set to be smaller than the direction distance (free height). In the second embodiment, the connector main body 862 is not provided with the restricting portion 82c.

  In the second embodiment, the connector main body 962 includes a rear wall portion 962a, a top plate portion 962b, and a bottom plate portion 962c. The bottom plate portion 962c is disposed at such a height that the lower end portion of the front surface thereof contacts the inclined surface 868a when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge storage portion 14. That is, the bottom plate portion 962c is disposed such that the lower surface thereof is below the upper end portion of the inclined surface 868a and above the lower end portion in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the inclined surface 868a and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c come into contact with each other. That is, the bottom plate portion 962c functions as a guide portion. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the guide part 964 is omitted. In the second embodiment, the connector main body 962 is not provided with the right wall portion 962d and the left wall portion 962e. However, similarly to the first embodiment, the right wall portion 962d and the left wall portion 962e are provided. May be.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the toner cartridge 80 is positioned at the insertion completion position, the rear surface of the first piece 862a of the connector main body 862 and the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c of the connector main body 962 come into contact. As a result, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14, the rearward movement of the male connector 86 is restricted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the restricting portion 966 is omitted.

  However, the vertical distance from the position where the inclined surface 868a is coupled to the rear surface of the first piece 862a (the coupling position) to the lower surface of the second piece 862b is from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 962c to the upper surface of the second terminal 960. It is set to be larger than the distance in the vertical direction. This configuration is configured such that when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position, the second terminal 960 is connected to the second terminal 960 from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 962c more than the vertical distance from the coupling position to the lower surface of the second piece 862b. This is because if the distance in the vertical direction to the upper surface is large, the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 becomes too large, resulting in poor contact.

  The vertical distance from the coupling position to the lower end of the first terminal 860 is set to be smaller than the vertical distance from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 962 c to the upper surface of the second terminal 960. This configuration is configured such that when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position, the second terminal 960 is connected to the second terminal 960 from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 962c more than the vertical distance from the coupling position to the lower end of the first terminal 860. This is because if the distance in the vertical direction to the upper surface of the first terminal 860 is large, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are not in contact with each other, resulting in poor contact.

  Next, the movement of the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 10A and 10B are illustrative views showing a state in the middle of insertion of the toner cartridge 80, and FIG. 10C is an illustrative view showing a state when the insertion of the toner cartridge 80 is completed.

  First, when the toner cartridge 80 is inserted into the cartridge storage portion 14, the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward to the insertion completion position. As shown in FIG. 10A, the male mold is inserted between the start of insertion of the toner cartridge 80 into the cartridge housing portion 14 and the contact between the inclined surface 868a of the protrusion 868 and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c. The connector 86 is moved in a state where the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c is located within the vertical width of the inclined surface 868a. The reason why the male connector 86 is moved in this way is to make the inclined surface 868a abut the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c when the toner cartridge 80 is further moved rearward.

  Further, from the start of the insertion of the toner cartridge 80 into the cartridge housing portion 14 until the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960 (the lower end portions of the inclined surface 868a of the protrusion 868 and the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c). The first connector 860 and the second terminal 960 are moved in a state in which they are separated in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal 860). .

  When the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 10A, the inclined surface 868a and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 10B. As described above, the inclined surface 868a is inclined upward toward the front side. Accordingly, when the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward with the inclined surface 868a and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c in contact with each other, the connector main body 962 is moved downward along the inclined surface 868a. That is, in a state where the inclined surface 868a and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c are in contact with each other, the first terminal 860 is gradually moved closer to the second terminal 960 as the toner cartridge 80 is moved to the rear side. The

  When the toner cartridge 80 is further moved rearward with the inclined surface 868a and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c in contact with each other, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact with each other. As described above, the vertical distance from the coupling position to the lower end of the first terminal 860 is set to be smaller than the vertical distance from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 962c to the upper surface of the second terminal 960. Therefore, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact with each other in a state where the toner cartridge 80 is positioned in front of the insertion completion position. That is, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact before the rear surface of the first piece 862a and the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c come into contact with each other.

  When the toner cartridge 80 is moved further rearward than the position shown in FIG. 10B, the rear surface of the first piece 862a and the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 10C. . That is, the toner cartridge 80 is moved to the insertion completion position. At this insertion completion position, the toner cartridge 80 is no longer moved rearward, and the connector main body 962 is not moved downward.

  Note that the first terminal 860 may be moved in a direction approaching the second terminal 960 before the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. For example, the length (length in the front-rear direction) from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the inclined surface 868a is illustrated so that the rear end portion of the inclined surface 868a is rearward of the rear end portion of the second piece 862b. 9 is set to be longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the inclined surface 868a, so that the first terminal 860 approaches the second terminal 960 before the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960. 860 can be moved.

According to the second embodiment, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are connected to the first terminal 860 until the rear end of the first terminal 860 reaches the front end of the second terminal 960 in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 80. The first terminal 860 is moved in a direction approaching the second terminal 960 after the inclined surface 868a and the lower end portion of the front surface of the bottom plate portion 962c are in contact with each other. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 from contacting each other until just before the insertion completion position, and there is some variation in the mounting position of the first terminal 860 with respect to the second terminal 960. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 from being excessively high and the surfaces of the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 from being damaged.
[Third embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the first terminal 860. Since the configuration of the other parts is the same, parts common to the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 11A is an illustrative view showing a configuration of the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 in the third embodiment, and FIG. 11B is an illustrative view showing a state in the middle of insertion of the toner cartridge 80. FIG. 11C is an illustrative view showing a state when the insertion of the toner cartridge 80 is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment, the first terminal 860 has a flat plate shape. Since the first terminal 860 has a flat plate shape, the position where the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 start to contact is closer to the insertion completion position (rear side) than the case where the first terminal 860 is a leaf spring. )Become.

  When the toner cartridge 80 is moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 11B, as shown in FIG. 11C, the first inclined surface 864a and the upper end of the back surface of the guide portion 964 are separated from each other. Thus, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 come into contact with each other. That is, the toner cartridge 80 is moved to the insertion completion position. In the third embodiment, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 are not in contact with each other when the first inclined surface 864a and the upper end of the back surface of the guide portion 964 are in contact with each other. However, in the third embodiment, the lower surface of the first piece 862a and the regulating portion 82c are separated from each other even when the toner cartridge 80 is located at the insertion completion position. If comprised in this way, the contact pressure of the 1st terminal 860 and the 2nd terminal 960 can be adjusted by adjusting the urging | biasing force of the spring 866. FIG.

  According to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the contact state between the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 can be stabilized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connector main body 862 of the male connector 86 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction. However, the connector main body 862 of the male connector 86 is fixed to the container main body 82, so that the female type The connector main body 962 of the connector 96 may be configured to be slidable in the vertical direction. In this case, the female connector 96 is provided with a spring that applies a biasing force to the connector main body 962 of the female connector 96. Further, both the connector main body 862 of the male connector 86 and the connector main body 962 of the female connector 96 may be configured to be slidable in the vertical direction. In this case, both the male connector 86 and the female connector 96 are provided with springs that apply a biasing force to the respective connector bodies.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first terminal 860 is arranged so as to be in contact with the second terminal 960 from above, but the first terminal 860 is in contact with the lower side of the second terminal 960. Also good. Furthermore, the first terminal 860 and the second terminal 960 may be in contact with each other in the left-right direction.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the case of the ink jet type image forming apparatus 10, the consumable container for containing the consumable ink is an ink cartridge or an ink bottle. In this case, a male connector 86 or a female connector 96 is provided in the ink cartridge or ink bottle so that a male / female combination is provided, and a male connector 86 or a female connector 96 is provided in the apparatus main body 12. In this case, the present invention can be applied.

  Furthermore, the mode shown in the third embodiment can be used in combination with the second embodiment.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to the specific Example, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example. Each of the specific examples given above is merely an example, and can be appropriately changed according to the necessity of product specifications and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 12 ... Apparatus main body 14 ... Consumable container storage part (cartridge storage part)
80 ... Consumable container (toner cartridge)
860 ... first terminal 90 ... cartridge connecting member 960 ... second terminal

Claims (14)

A consumable container that is detachably stored in a consumable container storage section provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus,
A storage member that stores at least various information related to the consumable container;
A first terminal electrically connected to the storage member and in contact with a second terminal provided in the consumable container storage section at an insertion completion position where the consumable container is stored in the consumable container storage section; When the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container storage unit, it is perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal that contacts the second terminal until the insertion completion position in the insertion direction of the consumable container. A guide member for moving the first terminal in a direction that gradually approaches the second terminal ,
The guide member has a first inclined surface that is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal toward an insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface has the second terminal. by abutting a portion of the second connector member, as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction, the first terminal Before moving the first terminal in a direction approaching to the second terminal, consumables container. A first connector member having the first terminal and the guide member;
It said first connector member is connected before Symbol said insertion completion position to the second connector member having a second terminal,
The guide member has a first inclined surface that is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal toward an insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface is formed on the second connector member. by abutment part, as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction, consumables which the first terminal Before moving the first terminal in a direction approaching to the second terminal, according to claim 1, wherein container.   The guide member has a second inclined surface in which the first terminal is inclined in a direction away from the second terminal toward an insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface is the second connector member. As the second inclined surface comes into contact with a part of the second connector member before coming into contact with the part, the first terminal becomes the second terminal as the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction. The consumable container according to claim 2, wherein the first terminal is moved away from the first terminal. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are parallel to the contact surface of the first terminal, and are outside the width of the position where the first terminal is provided in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable container. Provided,
The consumable container according to claim 3, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the consumable container.   The consumable container according to claim 2, further comprising a biasing member that biases the first connector member in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal.   The first connector member includes the first connector from the start of insertion of the consumable container into the consumable container storage portion until the first terminal reaches the second terminal in the insertion direction of the consumable container. The consumable container according to claim 2, wherein the one terminal and the second terminal are moved in a state of being separated in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface of the first terminal.   The consumable container according to claim 6, further comprising a biasing member that biases the first connector member in a direction in which the first terminal moves away from the second terminal.   An image forming apparatus comprising the consumable container according to claim 1. Device body,
A consumable container storage section provided in the apparatus main body,
A consumable container that can be inserted into and removed from the consumable container container;
A storage member that is provided in the consumable container and stores at least various information related to the consumable container;
A first terminal provided in the consumable container and electrically connected to the memory member;
A second terminal which is provided in the consumable container storage unit and contacts the first terminal at an insertion completion position where the consumable container is stored in the consumable container storage unit;
When the consumable container is inserted into the consumable container container, the contact surface of the first terminal that contacts the second terminal in the insertion direction of the consumable container until the insertion completion position is reached. A guide member for moving at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal in a direction perpendicular to the second terminal .
A first connector member provided on the consumable container and having the first terminal; and
A second connector member provided in the consumable container housing portion and having the second terminal ;
The guide member has a first inclined surface that is inclined in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal toward an insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface is the first connector member or As the consumable container is moved in the insertion direction by coming into contact with a part of one of the second connector members, the first terminal and the second terminal in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal. At least one of the Before moving, the image forming apparatus terminals. Before Symbol The said first connector member second connector member, said being connected to each other at the insertion completion position, the image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein.   The guide member has a second inclined surface in which the first terminal is inclined in a direction away from the second terminal toward an insertion direction of the consumable container, and the first inclined surface is the first connector member or The consumable container is inserted by the second inclined surface abutting against one part of the first connector member or the second connector member before abutting against one part of the second connector member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is moved in a direction in which the first terminal moves away from the second terminal as it is moved in the direction. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are parallel to the contact surface of the first terminal, and are outside the width of the position where the first terminal is provided in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable container. Provided,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged in that order in the insertion direction of the consumable container.   The image according to claim 10, further comprising a biasing member that biases at least one of the first connector member and the second connector member in a direction in which the first terminal approaches the second terminal. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an urging member that urges at least one of the first connector member and the second connector member in a direction in which the first terminal is separated from the second terminal.

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