JP7209205B2 - Development cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to developer cartridges and image forming apparatuses.

Conventionally, a developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, an agitator, a coupling, a first idle gear, a second idle gear, and an agitator gear. The housing can accommodate developer. The agitator can agitate the developer. The coupling has a coupling gear. The first idle gear meshes with the coupling gear. The second idle gear is rotatable together with the first idle gear. The agitator gear is rotatable together with the agitator and meshes with the second idle gear (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2014-16482 A

Here, there is a demand to provide a storage medium in the developing cartridge described in JP-A-2003-200012 while maintaining a small size.

Further, when a storage medium is provided, there is a demand to suppress unnecessary rubbing of electrical connectors in the image forming apparatus that come into contact with electrical contact surfaces.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a developing cartridge that can maintain a small size while having an electrical contact surface and a storage medium, and an image forming apparatus that can suppress unnecessary rubbing of electrical connectors in the image forming apparatus. That's what it is.

(1) The developing cartridge of the present disclosure includes a housing, a developing roller, an agitator, a coupling, a first idle gear, a second idle gear, an agitator gear, an electrical contact surface, and a storage medium. Prepare.

The housing includes a frame and a lid. The lid faces the frame in the first direction. The housing can contain developer between the frame and the lid. The housing has one end of the housing in the first direction and the other end separated from the one end in the first direction. The other end is located closer to the lid than the one end.

The developing roller is positioned at the end of the housing in the second direction. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in a third direction.

The agitator can agitate the developer. The agitator is rotatable about a second axis extending in a third direction.

A coupling is located between the developer roller and the agitator in the second direction. The coupling is rotatable about a third axis extending in a third direction. The coupling has a first coupling gear. The first coupling gear is positioned on the outer surface of the frame in the third direction.

The first idle gear meshes with the first coupling gear. The first idle gear is rotatable about a fourth axis extending in the third direction. The first idler gear is positioned away from the outer surface of the frame in the third direction.

The second idle gear is rotatable about the fourth axis together with the first idle gear. The second idle gear is positioned between the first idle gear and the outer surface of the frame in the third direction.

The agitator gear is attached to the agitator. The agitator gear is rotatable with the agitator. The agitator gear is located between the first coupling gear and the outer surface of the frame in the third direction. The agitator gear is located between the first idler gear and the outer surface of the frame in the third direction. The agitator gear meshes with the second idle gear.

The electrical contact surface is located further from the developer roller than any of the coupling, first idler gear, second idler gear and agitator gear in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is located closer to the one end than the other end in the first direction.

A storage medium is electrically connected to the electrical contact surface.

According to such a configuration, the electrical contact surface is arranged in a space avoiding the developing roller, coupling, first idle gear, second idle gear and agitator gear.

Specifically, in the second direction, it is located farther from the developing roller than any of the coupling, the first idle gear, the second idle gear, and the agitator gear, and in the first direction, the one end is farther than the other end. , i.e., away from the lid of the enclosure. In other words, the electrical contact surface is arranged using a space apart from the developing roller, coupling, first idle gear, second idle gear and agitator gear and away from the lid of the housing.

As a result, the development cartridge can be provided with an electrical contact surface and a storage medium while suppressing an increase in the size of the development cartridge. In other words, the developer cartridge can be compact while still providing electrical contact surfaces and storage media.

(2) The developer cartridge may further include a developer roller gear. A developing roller gear is attached to the developing roller. The developer roller gear is rotatable with the developer roller. The coupling may further comprise a second coupling gear. The second coupling gear is located closer to the outer surface of the frame in the third direction than the first coupling gear. The second coupling gear meshes with the developing roller gear.

(3) The diameter of the second coupling gear may be larger than the diameter of the first coupling gear.

(4) The developer cartridge may further include a supply roller and a supply roller gear. The supply roller can supply developer to the development roller. The supply roller gear is attached to the supply roller. The supply roller gear is rotatable with the supply roller. The first coupling gear meshes with the supply roller gear.

(5) The developer cartridge may be attachable to the drum cartridge. A drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum frame. The drum frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum. The drum frame has an opening. The electrical contact surface is exposed through the opening when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

(6) The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main body casing, a developing cartridge, a drum cartridge, a transfer roller, and a pickup roller.

The developer cartridge includes a developer roller, a storage medium, and an electrical contact surface. The electrical contact surface is electrically connected with the storage medium.

A drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum frame. A developing cartridge can be attached to the drum frame. The drum frame has an opening. The drum frame exposes the electrical contact surface from the drum frame.

The transfer roller is positioned above the development roller when the drum cartridge with the development cartridge mounted thereon is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

The pickup roller is positioned below the developing roller in a state in which the drum cartridge with the developing cartridge attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus. A pickup roller conveys the sheet toward the transfer roller.

The electrical contact surface exposed through the opening is positioned above the pickup roller and below the developing roller when the drum cartridge with the developing cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

According to such a configuration, the electrical contact surface is positioned below the developing roller when the drum cartridge with the developing cartridge mounted thereon is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, the electrical contact surface can be brought into contact with the electrical connector in the image forming apparatus below the developing roller.

As a result, it is possible to reduce unnecessary contact of the developing roller or the like with an electrical connector in the image forming apparatus while the drum cartridge having the developing cartridge attached thereto is being attached to the image forming apparatus.

As a result, unnecessary rubbing between the electrical contact surface and the electrical connector in the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

(7) The image forming apparatus may further include electrical connectors. The electrical connector makes contact with the electrical contact surface exposed through the opening when the drum cartridge with the developer cartridge attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus.

(8) The body casing may have an opening on the top surface. The body casing may further include a top cover. The top cover is movable between a first position that closes the opening and a second position that opens the opening. When the top cover is at the second position, the drum cartridge with the developing cartridge attached can be attached to the main body casing through the opening of the main body casing.

(9) The electrical contact surface may be located closer to the top cover than the pickup roller.

(10) The electrical contact surface may be located further from the top cover than the developer roller.

(11) The transfer roller may be positioned closer to the top cover than the development roller when the drum cartridge to which the development cartridge is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus.

(12) The storage medium may have an electrical contact surface. The storage medium may be positioned above the pickup roller and below the developing roller in a state in which the drum cartridge with the developing cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

(13) If the storage medium has an electrical contact surface, the storage medium may be positioned closer to the top cover than the pickup roller.

(14) If the storage medium has an electrical contact surface, the storage medium may be positioned further from the top cover than the developing roller.

According to the developer cartridge of the present disclosure, it is possible to maintain a small size while providing an electrical contact surface and a storage medium.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress unnecessary rubbing of electrical connectors in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the developer cartridge shown in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the gear cover is removed. FIG. 4 is a side view of the developer cartridge shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the second direction. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

1. Image forming apparatus 1
An image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main casing 2 , a pickup roller 3 , a drum cartridge 4 , an exposure device 5 , a developing cartridge 6 , a transfer roller 10 and a fixing device 7 .

1.1 Body casing 2
The main body casing 2 constitutes an exterior of the image forming apparatus 1 . The body casing 2 accommodates a pickup roller 3 , a drum cartridge 4 , an exposure device 5 , a developing cartridge 6 and a fixing device 7 . The body casing 2 has an opening 2A, a top cover 2B, and a sheet accommodating portion 2C.

The opening 2A is located on the upper surface of the main body casing 2. As shown in FIG. The opening 2A communicates with the internal space of the main body casing 2. As shown in FIG.

The top cover 2B is positioned on the upper surface of the main body casing 2. As shown in FIG. The top cover 2B is movable between a first position that closes the opening 2A and a second position that opens the opening 2A. Note that the top cover 2B shown in FIG. 1 is positioned at the first position. The top cover 2B is positioned at the second position by the user's operation when the user installs the drum cartridge 4 and the developing cartridge 6 into the image forming apparatus 1 with the developing cartridge 6 installed in the drum cartridge 4. be done. When the top cover 2B is at the second position, the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 through the opening 2A. The developer cartridge 6 and drum cartridge 4 will be described later.

The sheet storage portion 2C is positioned below the top cover 2B. In the present embodiment, with the main body casing 2 as a reference, the position where the top cover 2B is provided is above the main body casing 2 . Also, with the main body casing 2 as a reference, the position where the sheet accommodating portion 2</b>C is provided is defined as below the main body casing 2 . A direction connecting the upper side and the lower side of the main body casing 2 is defined as an up-down direction. The sheet storage portion 2C is positioned vertically apart from the top cover 2B. The sheet accommodating portion 2C accommodates the sheets S. As shown in FIG. The sheet S is, for example, printing paper.

1.2 Pickup roller 3
The pickup roller 3 conveys the sheet S in the sheet container 2</b>C toward the transfer roller 10 . The transfer roller 10 will be described later. The pickup roller 3 is positioned below the developing roller 22 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . The developing roller 22 will be described later. Further, the pickup roller 3 is positioned below the photosensitive drum 8 in a state in which the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . The photosensitive drum 8 will be described later.

1.3 Drum cartridge 4
The drum cartridge 4 can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1 through the opening 2A. The drum cartridge 4 has a photosensitive drum 8 and a charger 9 .

The photosensitive drum 8 is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the axial direction. The photosensitive drum 8 extends in the axial direction and has a cylindrical shape. When the drum cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive drum 8 is positioned between the top cover 2B and the sheet accommodating portion 2C in the vertical direction. Further, when the drum cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 , the photosensitive drum 8 is positioned between the pickup roller 3 and the fixing device 7 in the vertical direction.

The charger 9 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8 . The charger 9 is specifically a scorotron charger. Note that the charger 9 may be a charging roller.

1.4 Exposure device 5
The exposure device 5 exposes the photosensitive drum 8 . After the charging device 9 charges the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 8, the exposure device 5 irradiates the charged circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 8 with light to expose the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 8 to electrostatic charges. A latent image is formed. The exposure device 5 is specifically a laser scanning unit that scans the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 8 with laser light.

1.5 Development Cartridge The development cartridge 6 can accommodate toner. The developer cartridge 6 can be attached to the drum cartridge 4 . The developing cartridge 6 can supply the toner in the developing cartridge 6 to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8 in a state where the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . By supplying toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8 , the electrostatic latent image is developed and a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8 . The developer cartridge 6 will be described later in detail.

1.6 Transfer roller 10
The transfer roller 10 contacts the photosensitive drum 8 . The transfer roller 10 is positioned above the developing roller 22 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . In addition, the transfer roller 10 is located closer to the top cover 2B than the developing roller 22 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . The developing roller 22 will be described later. In this embodiment the drum cartridge 4 has a transfer roller 10 . Note that the transfer roller 10 may be provided inside the main body casing 2 separately from the drum cartridge 4 . The transfer roller 10 transfers the toner image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 8 onto the sheet S. As shown in FIG.

1.7 Fixer 7
The fixing device 7 heats and presses the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image onto the sheet S. FIG. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 7 is discharged onto the top cover 2B.

2. Details of Developing Cartridge 6 Next, details of the developing cartridge 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the developing cartridge 6 includes a housing 21, a developing roller 22 (see FIG. 1), a supply roller 23 (see FIG. 1), an agitator 24 (see FIG. 1), and a coupling. 25 (see FIG. 3), developing roller gear 26 (see FIG. 3), supply roller gear 27 (see FIG. 3), first idle gear 28 (see FIG. 3), and second idle gear 29 (see FIG. 3). , an agitator gear 30 (see FIG. 3), a gear cover 31 (see FIG. 2), a storage medium 32 (see FIG. 2), and an electrical contact surface 33 (see FIG. 2).

2.1 Housing 21
The housing 21 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can accommodate developer. The developer is, for example, toner. Specifically, the housing 21 includes a frame 21A and a lid 21B. Lid 21B faces frame 21A in the first direction. The housing 21 can contain developer between the frame 21A and the lid 21B. The housing 21 has one end E1 and the other end E2 in the first direction. The other end E2 is located apart from the one end E1 in the first direction. The other end E2 is positioned closer to the lid 21B than the one end E1. Further, the housing 21 has one end E11 and the other end E12 in the second direction. The other end E12 is located apart from the one end E11 in the second direction. Housing 21 extends in the third direction.

The second direction is the direction from the first axis A1 to the second axis A2. The second direction intersects the first direction. Also, the third direction is the direction in which the first axis A1 extends. The third direction intersects the first direction and the second direction. Preferably, the third direction is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The first axis A1 and the second axis A2 will be explained later.

2.2 Developing roller 22
As shown in FIG. 3, the developing roller 22 is positioned at one end E11 of the housing 21 in the second direction. The developing roller 22 is rotatable about the first axis A1. The first axis A1 extends in the third direction. The developing roller 22 extends in the third direction and has a cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the developing roller 22 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 with the developing cartridge 6 attached to the drum cartridge 4 . Thereby, the developing roller 22 can supply the developer to the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 . The developing roller 22 is positioned below the photosensitive drum 8 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . The developing roller 22 is positioned above the pickup roller 3 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 .

2.3 Supply roller 23
The supply roller 23 is positioned inside the housing 21 . The supply roller 23 contacts the developing roller 22 . Thereby, the supply roller 23 can supply the developer in the housing 21 to the outer surface of the developing roller 22 . The supply roller 23 is rotatable about a supply roller shaft. The supply roller shaft extends in the third direction.

The supply roller 23 is positioned between the pickup roller 3 and the developing roller 22 in the vertical direction when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 .

2.4 Agitator 24
The agitator 24 can agitate the developer. Agitator 24 is located within housing 21 . The agitator 24 is rotatable about the second axis A2. The second axis A2 extends in the third direction. The developer in the housing 21 is agitated by the rotation of the agitator 24 .

2.5 Coupling 25
The coupling 25, as shown in FIG. 3, is located on the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction (see FIG. 2). The coupling 25 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the agitator 24 (see FIG. 1) in the second direction. The coupling 25 is positioned between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 in the second direction. Coupling 25 is rotatable about third axis A3. The third axis A3 extends in the third direction. The coupling 25 has a joint 25A, a first coupling gear 25B and a second coupling gear 25C.

The joint 25A receives power from the image forming apparatus 1 while the developing cartridge 6 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the joint 25A is rotatable about the third axis A3 together with the main body coupling by engaging with the main body coupling of the image forming apparatus 1 while the developing cartridge 6 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. . A body coupling is not shown. As a result, the joint 25A receives power from the body coupling while the developing cartridge 6 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . Joint 25A extends in the third direction. The joint 25A has a cylindrical shape. More specifically, the joint 25A has a circular recess 251 and protrusions 252A and 252B positioned within the recess 251. As shown in FIG. Each of protrusion 252A and protrusion 252B extends in the third direction. The protrusion 252A and the protrusion 252B are positioned apart from each other in the radial direction of the joint 25A. The projection 252B is located on the opposite side of the third axis A3 from the projection 252A in the radial direction of the joint 25A. With joint 25A and body coupling engaged, protrusions 252A and 252B contact a portion of the body coupling in the direction in which joint 25A rotates. Thus, when the body coupling engaged with the joint 25A rotates, the joint 25A receives power from the body coupling through the projections 252A and 252B and rotates.

The first coupling gear 25B is positioned on the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction. Specifically, the first coupling gear 25B is positioned between the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A and the joint 25A in the third direction. The first coupling gear 25B is rotatable together with the joint 25A.

The second coupling gear 25C is positioned closer to the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A than the first coupling gear 25B in the third direction. In other words, the second coupling gear 25C is located between the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A and the first coupling gear 25B in the third direction. The second coupling gear 25C is rotatable together with the first coupling gear 25B and joint 25A. The diameter of the second coupling gear 25C is larger than the diameter of the first coupling gear 25B.

2.6 Developing Roller Gear 26
The developing roller gear 26 is positioned on the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A, as shown in FIG. A developing roller gear 26 is attached to the developing roller 22 . The developing roller gear 26 is rotatable together with the developing roller 22 . The developing roller gear 26 meshes with the second coupling gear 25C.

2.7 Supply roller gear 27
The supply roller gear 27 is positioned on the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A, as shown in FIG. The supply roller gear 27 is attached to the supply roller 23 (see FIG. 1). The supply roller gear 27 is rotatable together with the supply roller 23 . The supply roller gear 27 meshes with the first coupling gear 25B.

2.8 First idle gear 28
The first idle gear 28 is positioned away from the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction, as shown in FIG. The first idle gear 28 is rotatable about the fourth axis A4. A fourth axis A4 extends in the third direction. The first idle gear 28 meshes with the first coupling gear 25B.

2.9 Second idle gear 29
The second idle gear 29 is positioned between the first idle gear 28 and the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction, as shown in FIG. The second idle gear 29 is rotatable along with the first idle gear 28 about the fourth axis A4. The second idle gear 29 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first idle gear 28 .

2.10 Agitator gear 30
The agitator gear 30 is located on the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A, as shown in FIGS. The agitator gear 30 is attached to the agitator 24 (see FIG. 1). Agitator gear 30 is rotatable together with agitator 24 . The agitator gear 30 is positioned between the third axis A3 and the fourth axis A4 in the second direction. A portion of the agitator gear 30 is positioned between the first coupling gear 25B and the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction. A part of the agitator gear 30 is positioned between the second coupling gear 25C and the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction. A part of the agitator gear 30 is located between the first idle gear 28 and the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction. The agitator gear 30 meshes with the second idle gear 29 .

2.11 Gear cover 31
The gear cover 31 covers at least part of the first coupling gear 25B, the second coupling gear 25C, the supply roller gear 27, the first idle gear 28, the second idle gear 29 and the agitator gear 30, as shown in FIG. cover. The gear cover 31 is attached to the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A. The gear cover 31 has one end 31A in the second direction and the other end 31B located away from the one end 31A in the second direction. The one end 31A is positioned closer to the developing roller 22 (see FIG. 3) than the other end 31B in the second direction. The other end 31B is positioned farther from the developing roller 22 than the first idle gear 28 (see FIG. 3) in the second direction.

2.12 Storage medium 32
The storage medium 32 is attached to the gear cover 31 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the storage medium 32 is attached to the other end 31B of the gear cover 31 in the second direction. The storage medium 32 is an IC chip. Storage medium 32 extends in the third direction. The storage medium 32 has a flat plate shape. The storage medium 32 stores data regarding the developer cartridge 6 . The data regarding the developing cartridge 6 include, for example, data regarding the color of the developer contained in the developing cartridge 6, data regarding whether the developing cartridge 6 is new or old, and the number of sheets of paper that the developing cartridge 6 can print (or , dot count).

2.13 Electrical contact surface 33
An electrical contact surface 33 is located on the surface of the storage medium 32 . That is, in this embodiment, the storage medium 32 has an electrical contact surface 33 . The electrical contact surface 33 is attached to the other end 31B of the gear cover 31 in the second direction. The electrical contact surface 33 is electrically connected with the storage medium 32 . The electrical contact surface 33 extends in the third direction. The electrical contact surface 33 is plural. Specifically, there are four electrical contact surfaces 33 . The four electrical contact surfaces 33 are arranged in the third direction. Note that the number of electrical contact surfaces 33 may be one.

2.14 Position of Storage Medium 32 and Electrical Contact Surface 33 As shown in FIG. 3, the storage medium 32 is positioned farther from the developing roller 22 than the coupling 25 in the second direction. In other words, the storage medium 32 is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 22 with respect to the coupling 25 in the second direction. Also, the coupling 25 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the storage medium 32 in the second direction.

In addition, the storage medium 32 is positioned further away from the developing roller 22 than the first idle gear 28 in the second direction. In other words, the storage medium 32 is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 22 with respect to the first idle gear 28 in the second direction. Also, the first idle gear 28 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the storage medium 32 in the second direction.

Also, the storage medium 32 is positioned further away from the developing roller 22 than the second idle gear 29 in the second direction. In other words, the storage medium 32 is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 22 with respect to the second idle gear 29 in the second direction. Also, the second idle gear 29 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the storage medium 32 in the second direction.

Also, the storage medium 32 is positioned further away from the developing roller 22 than the agitator gear 30 in the second direction. In other words, the storage medium 32 is located on the opposite side of the developer roller 22 with respect to the agitator gear 30 in the second direction. Also, the agitator gear 30 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the storage medium 32 in the second direction.

Also, the storage medium 32 is positioned closer to the one end E1 than to the other end E2 in the first direction.

In addition, the storage medium 32 is located farther from the other end E2 than the agitator gear 30 in the first direction.

In addition, the storage medium 32 is positioned closer to the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A than the joint 25A of the coupling 25 in the third direction, as shown in FIG.

The electrical contact surface 33 is positioned further away from the developing roller 22 than the coupling 25 in the second direction. In other words, the electrical contact surface 33 is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 22 with respect to the coupling 25 in the second direction. Also, the coupling 25 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the electrical contact surface 33 in the second direction.

Also, the electrical contact surface 33 is located further away from the developing roller 22 than the first idle gear 28 in the second direction. In other words, the electrical contact surface 33 is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 22 with respect to the first idler gear 28 in the second direction. Also, the first idle gear 28 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the electrical contact surface 33 in the second direction.

Also, the electrical contact surface 33 is located further away from the developing roller 22 than the second idle gear 29 in the second direction. In other words, the electrical contact surface 33 is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 22 with respect to the second idler gear 29 in the second direction. Also, the second idle gear 29 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the electrical contact surface 33 in the second direction.

Also, the electrical contact surface 33 is located further away from the developing roller 22 than the agitator gear 30 in the second direction. In other words, the electrical contact surface 33 is located on the opposite side of the developer roller 22 with respect to the agitator gear 30 in the second direction. Also, the agitator gear 30 is positioned between the developing roller 22 and the electrical contact surface 33 in the second direction.

Also, the electrical contact surface 33 is positioned closer to the one end E1 than to the other end E2 in the first direction.

Also, the electrical contact surface 33 is located farther from the other end E2 than the agitator gear 30 in the first direction.

Also, the electrical contact surface 33 is positioned closer to the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A than the joint 25A of the coupling 25 in the third direction, as shown in FIG.

2.15 Effects of Developing Cartridge 6 According to the developing cartridge 6, as shown in FIG. It is arranged in a space avoiding the agitator gear 30 .

Specifically, in the second direction, it is located farther from the developing roller 22 than any of the coupling 25, the first idle gear 28, the second idle gear 29, and the agitator gear 30, and in the first direction, the other end portion It is located closer to the one end E1 than E2, that is, away from the lid 21B of the housing 21 . That is, the electrical contact surface 33 is a space away from the developing roller 22, the coupling 25, the first idle gear 28, the second idle gear 29, and the agitator gear 30, and away from the lid 21B of the housing 21. Placed using space.

Thereby, the electrical contact surface 33 and the storage medium 32 can be provided in the developing cartridge 6 while suppressing the enlargement of the developing cartridge 6 . In other words, the developer cartridge 6 can maintain its small size while having the electrical contact surface 33 and the storage medium 32 .

2.16 Variations on the position of the storage medium The storage medium 32 may not have the electrical contact surface 33 and the electrical contact surface 33 may be located away from the storage medium 32 . In this case, at least the electrical contact surface 33 is positioned farther from the developing roller 22 than the agitator gear 30 in the second direction, and is positioned closer to the one end E1 than the other end E2 in the first direction, It is located farther than the agitator gear 30 from the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction.

On the other hand, the storage medium 32 does not have to be located farther from the developing roller 22 than the agitator gear 30 in the second direction. Also, the storage medium 32 does not have to be positioned closer to the one end E1 than to the other end E2 in the first direction. In addition, the storage medium 32 does not have to be located farther than the agitator gear 30 from the outer surface S1 of the frame 21A in the third direction.

The storage medium 32 may be electrically connected to the electrical contact surface 33 via wiring.

3. Mounting State of Developing Cartridge 6 to Drum Cartridge 4 Next, the mounting state of the developing cartridge 6 to the drum cartridge 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the drum cartridge 4 includes a drum frame 41 having an opening 41A.

The drum frame 41 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 8 (see FIG. 1). The drum frame 41 has one end E41 and the other end E42 in the second direction. The one end E41 is positioned closer to the photosensitive drum 8 than the other end E42 in the second direction. The other end E42 is positioned apart from the one end E41 in the second direction. The other end E42 is positioned closer to the electrical contact surface 33 than the one end E41 in the second direction when the developing cartridge 6 is attached to the drum cartridge 4 .

The opening 41A is located at the other end E42 of the drum frame 41. As shown in FIG.

When the developing cartridge 6 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the electrical contact surface 33 is exposed through the opening 41A. Also, with the developing cartridge 6 attached to the drum cartridge 4, the storage medium 32 is exposed through the opening 41A.

4. Usage of Development Cartridge 6 Next, usage of the development cartridge 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

The photosensitive drum 8 is positioned between the pickup roller 3 and the fixing device 7 in the main body casing 2 while the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 .

Further, when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the electrical contact surface 33 exposed from the opening 41A (see FIG. 5) is located above the pickup roller 3, Moreover, it is located below the developing roller 22 . Further, the electrical contact surface 33 is positioned below the supply roller 23 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . Further, the electrical contact surface 33 is positioned closer to the top cover 2B than the pickup roller 3 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . Further, when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 , the electrical contact surface 33 is located farther from the top cover 2</b>B than the developing roller 22 .

Further, when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 mounted thereon is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, the storage medium 32 exposed from the opening 41A (see FIG. 5) is located above the pickup roller 3 and at the developing position. It is positioned below the roller 22 . Further, the storage medium 32 is positioned below the supply roller 23 when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . Further, when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 , the storage medium 32 is positioned closer to the top cover 2</b>B than the pickup roller 3 . Further, when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 , the storage medium 32 is located farther from the top cover 2</b>B than the developing roller 22 .

In this state, the electrical contact surface 33 contacts the electrical connector 100 inside the main casing 2 . That is, image forming apparatus 1 further includes electrical connector 100 . The electrical connector 100 makes contact with the electrical contact surface 33 exposed from the opening 41A when the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached thereto is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . When the electrical contact surface 33 comes into contact with the electrical connector 100 inside the main body casing 2, data stored in the storage medium 32 can be read. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may be capable of writing data to the storage medium 32 .

5. Functions and Effects According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. is also located below.

Therefore, the electrical contact surface 33 can be brought into contact with the electrical connector in the image forming apparatus 1 below the developing roller 22 .

This reduces unnecessary contact of the developing roller 22 and the like with electrical connectors in the image forming apparatus 1 during the operation of attaching the drum cartridge 4 with the developing cartridge 6 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 . be able to.

As a result, unnecessary rubbing between the electrical contact surface 33 and the electrical connector 100 in the image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 main body casing 2A opening 2B top cover 3 pickup roller 4 drum cartridge 6 developing cartridge 8 photosensitive drum 10 transfer roller 21 housing 21A frame 21B lid 22 developing roller 23 supply roller 24 agitator 25 coupling 25B first coupling gear 25C Second coupling gear 26 Developing roller gear 27 Supply roller gear 28 First idle gear 29 Second idle gear 30 Agitator gear 32 Storage medium 33 Electrical contact surface 41 Drum frame 41A Opening 100 Electrical connector A1 First axis A2 Second axis A3 3rd shaft A4 4th shaft E1 One end E2 Other end

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus,
a body casing;
a developing cartridge,
a developing roller;
a storage medium;
an electrical contact surface electrically connected to the storage medium;
a developer cartridge comprising
a drum cartridge,
a photosensitive drum;
a drum frame to which the developer cartridge can be attached, the drum frame having an opening for exposing the electrical contact surface from the drum frame;
a drum cartridge comprising
a transfer roller positioned above the developing roller when the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus;
a pickup roller positioned below the developing roller in a state in which the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus, the pickup roller conveying the sheet toward the transfer roller; prepared,
When the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface exposed from the opening of the drum cartridge is positioned above the pickup roller and above the pickup roller. An image forming apparatus positioned below a developing roller. The image forming apparatus further includes:
The drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge is mounted is provided with an electrical connector that contacts the electrical contact surface exposed from the opening of the drum cartridge in a state of being mounted in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The main body casing has an opening on its upper surface,
The body casing further comprises:
a top cover movable between a first position that closes the opening of the body casing and a second position that opens the opening of the body casing;
2. When said top cover is at said second position, said drum cartridge with said developing cartridge attached thereto can be attached to said main body casing through said opening of said main body casing. The image forming apparatus according to . 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the electrical contact surface is positioned closer to the top cover than the pickup roller. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the electrical contact surface is located farther from the top cover than the developing roller. 3. The transfer roller is positioned closer to the top cover than the development roller when the drum cartridge to which the development cartridge is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 . The storage medium has the electrical contact surface,
The storage medium is positioned above the pick-up roller and below the developing roller when the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge is attached is attached to the image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The main body casing has an opening on its upper surface,
The body casing further comprises:
a top cover movable between a first position that closes the opening of the body casing and a second position that opens the opening of the body casing;
when the top cover is at the second position, the drum cartridge with the developing cartridge attached can be attached to the main body casing through the opening of the main body casing;
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the storage medium is positioned closer to the top cover than the pickup roller. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the storage medium is located farther from the top cover than the developing roller.

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