JP7516939B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an image forming device equipped with a lock lever that locks a cartridge in a drawer.

Conventionally, there is known an image forming device that includes a drawer that can be moved from inside the main body housing to outside the main body housing, a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the drawer, and a lock lever that locks the cartridge to the drawer (see Patent Document 1). In this technology, the lock lever is rotatable around a rotation axis that extends in a first direction, which is the direction in which the drawer moves, between a lock position that locks the cartridge and an unlock position that unlocks the cartridge.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0142348

The cartridge has a memory in which information about the cartridge is stored. The memory has electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are located at one end of the cartridge in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. However, in conventional technology, when the lock lever is in the locked position, at least a portion of the electrical contacts is located outside the lock lever in the second direction, so there is a risk that a user may touch the electrical contacts of the memory when operating the lock lever.

The present disclosure therefore aims to prevent a user from touching the electrical contacts of the memory when operating the lock lever that locks the cartridge in the drawer.

The image forming apparatus for solving the above problem includes a main body housing, a drawer, and a cartridge detachably attached to the drawer. The drawer is movable in a first direction between a first position inside the main body housing and a second position outside the main body housing. The cartridge has a memory having an electrical contact located at one end of the cartridge in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
The drawer includes a drawer frame and a first lock lever. The drawer frame includes a first side frame and a second side frame located away from the first side frame in the second direction. The first lock lever is located on the first side frame. The first lock lever is rotatable about a first lever shaft extending in the first direction between a first lock position that locks one end of the cartridge to the drawer frame in the second direction and a first release position that releases the lock of the cartridge to the drawer frame.
When the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the electrical contact.

This configuration prevents the user from touching the electrical contacts of the memory when operating the first lock lever.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the cartridge may have a photosensitive drum that can rotate about a drum axis that extends in the second direction.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the cartridge may further have a drum earth terminal electrically connected to the photosensitive drum and located at one end of the cartridge in the second direction, and when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever may be located farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the drum earth terminal.

This prevents the user from touching the drum earth terminal when operating the first lock lever.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the cartridge may further have a developing roller that is rotatable about a developing shaft that extends in the second direction, and a developing electrode that is electrically connected to the developing roller and is located at one end of the cartridge in the second direction, and when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever may be located farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the developing electrode.

This prevents the user from touching the development electrode when operating the first lock lever.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the cartridge may further have a supply roller rotatable about a supply shaft extending in the second direction, and a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and located at one end of the cartridge in the second direction, and when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever may be located farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the supply electrode.

This prevents the user from touching the supply electrode when operating the first lock lever.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the cartridge may further have a charging roller rotatable about a charging shaft extending in the second direction, and a charging electrode electrically connected to the charging roller and located at one end of the cartridge in the second direction, and when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever may be located farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the charging electrode.

This prevents the user from touching the charged electrode when operating the first lock lever.

In the above configuration, the electrical contacts may be configured to face downward.

This helps prevent electrical contacts from becoming dirty.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the lock lever may have a side wall that faces the cartridge in the second direction when the lock lever is in the locked position, and a protrusion that extends from the upper end of the side wall in the second direction away from the cartridge when the lock lever is in the locked position.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the protrusion may have a first recess that allows the user's finger to enter when the first lock lever is in the first lock position.

This allows the user to easily rotate the lever from the first lock position to the first release position by inserting a finger into the first recess.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the main body housing may further include a main body contact that contacts the electrical contact, and the main body contact may be configured to pass under the protrusion when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position.

This prevents interference between the main body contact and the first lock lever when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the cartridge may have a cover that covers the memory from above, and when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever may be positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the cover.

This prevents the user from touching the memory contacts when operating the first lock lever.

In the above-mentioned configuration, when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever may be positioned above the upper end of the cartridge.

This prevents the user from touching the memory contacts when operating the first lock lever. Also, because a portion of the first lock lever is positioned above the top end of the cartridge, the user can easily see the first lock lever and move it from the locked position to the unlocked position.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the drawer frame may be configured to allow multiple cartridges to be attached and detached, and the first lock lever may have multiple locking portions that lock the multiple cartridges.

This allows the user to lock multiple cartridges together in the drawer by operating a single first lock lever.

In the above configuration, the cartridge may have a handle that can be held by the user and a color identification label for identifying the color of the cartridge, and the color identification label may be attached to the handle.

This makes it easier for users to identify the cartridge color.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the drawer may further include a second lock lever located on the second side frame and rotatable about a second lever shaft extending in the first direction between a second lock position that locks the other end of the cartridge in the second direction to the drawer frame and a second release position that releases the lock of the cartridge to the drawer frame.

This ensures that the cartridge is securely locked into the drawer.

This disclosure makes it possible to prevent a user from touching the memory contacts when operating the lock lever that locks the cartridge in the drawer.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the drawer is pulled out to the outside of the main body housing. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drawer with some cartridges removed. 1A is a perspective view showing one end of the cartridge in the second direction, FIG. 1B is a side view showing the structure of one end of the drawer in the second direction, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing a first lock lever. 1A is a top view of the drawer, showing a state in which a lock lever is in an unlocked position, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the drawer, showing a state in which a lock lever is in a locked position. 13 is a perspective view of one end side in the second direction of the cartridge attached to the drawer, as viewed from below. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the other end of the cartridge in the second direction, FIG. 1B is a side view showing the structure of the other end of the drawer in the second direction, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing a second lock lever. 13 is a diagram showing the drawer being moved from outside the main body housing to inside the main body housing, and is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the electrical contacts of the memory and the main body contacts. FIG. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the drawer is positioned inside the main body housing, and are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the electrical contacts of the memory and the main body contacts. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a drum unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drum unit according to a third embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between a first lock lever and a cover that covers a memory in the fourth embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the position of a color identification label on a cartridge in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
1, a color printer 1, which is an example of an image forming apparatus, includes a main body housing 2, a sheet supply unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and a discharge unit 5. The sheet supply unit 3 supplies a sheet S to the image forming unit 4. The image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S. The discharge unit 5 discharges the sheet S to the main body housing 2.

The main body housing 2 has an opening 2A and a front cover 21. The front cover 21 is rotatable between an open position (see FIG. 2) in which the opening 2A is open, and a closed position in which the opening 2A is closed.

The sheet supply unit 3 is located at the bottom inside the main body housing 2. The sheet supply unit 3 includes a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32. The supply tray 31 is detachable from the main body housing 2. The supply mechanism 32 transports the sheet S from the supply tray 31 to the image forming unit 4.

The image forming unit 4 includes a drum unit DU, a scanner unit SU, a belt unit BU, and a fixing unit FU.

The drum unit DU includes a drawer 40 and four cartridges 50. The drawer 40 can accommodate the four cartridges 50. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drawer 40 is movable in a first direction relative to the main body housing 2. More specifically, the drawer 40 can pass through an opening 2A of the main body housing 2 and move between a first position inside the main body housing 2 and a second position outside the main body housing 2.

Here, the opening 2A is an opening through which the drawer 40 can pass. The opening 2A is located at one end E1 of the main body housing 2 in the first direction.

The first position is the position of the drawer 40 when an image is formed on the sheet S. The second position is the position of the drawer 40 when the cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the drawer 40. In this embodiment, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, which will be described later, and the third direction, which is the up-down direction.

The four cartridges 50 each contain a different color toner. In this embodiment, the four cartridges 50 contain toner of four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The four cartridges 50 are lined up in a first direction. Each cartridge 50 is detachable from the drawer 40. Each cartridge 50 includes a photosensitive drum 51 and a developing roller 52. Although not shown, each cartridge 50 also includes a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum 51.

The photosensitive drum 51 is rotatable about a drum axis X1 that extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. In this embodiment, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction.

The developing roller 52 is a roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 51. The developing roller 52 is rotatable about a developing axis X2 that extends in the second direction.

The scanner unit SU is located above the drum unit DU. The scanner unit SU emits laser light to each photosensitive drum 51.

The belt unit BU is located below the drum unit DU. The belt unit BU includes a drive roller 61, a driven roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt 63, four primary transfer rollers 64, and a secondary transfer roller 65.

The intermediate transfer belt 63 is an endless belt. The drive roller 61 and the driven roller 62 are rollers that rotate the intermediate transfer belt 63.

The drive roller 61, the driven roller 62, and the primary transfer roller 64 are located inside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The primary transfer roller 64 and the photosensitive drum 51 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 63.

The secondary transfer roller 65 is located outside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The secondary transfer roller 65 and the drive roller 61 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 63.

The fixing unit FU is located above the intermediate transfer belt 63. The fixing unit FU includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72. The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the heating roller 71.

The discharge section 5 is located at the top of the main body housing 2. The discharge section 5 includes a discharge roller 9 and a discharge tray 22. The discharge roller 9 transports the sheet S toward the discharge tray 22.

In the color printer 1, the charging roller first charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. Then, the scanner unit SU exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to light. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51.

Next, the developing roller 52 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51. This forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 51. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 51 is then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63.

When the sheet S passes between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the secondary transfer roller 65, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 63 is transferred onto the sheet S. The toner image on the sheet S is then fixed by the fixing unit FU. The sheet S is then discharged onto the discharge tray 22 by the discharge roller 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drawer 40 includes a drawer frame F, four first lock levers R1, and four second lock levers R2. The drawer frame F is a frame for mounting the cartridge 50. The drawer frame F has a first side frame F1, a second side frame F2, a third side frame F3, and a fourth side frame F4.

The second side frame F2 is located away from the first side frame F1 in the second direction. When the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40, the first side frame F1 comes into contact with one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. When the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40, the second side frame F2 comes into contact with the other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. Specifically, the first side frame F1 has a recess F11. The recess F11 is recessed downward. One end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction, a first boss 513 described in detail below, fits into the recess F11. The second side frame F2 has a recess F21. The recess F21 is recessed downward. The other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction, a third boss 523 described in detail below, fits into the recess F21.

The fourth side frame F4 is located away from the third side frame F3 in the first direction. The third side frame F3 and the fourth side frame F4 connect the first side frame F1 and the second side frame F2. The third side frame F3 connects one end of the first side frame F1 in the first direction to one end of the second side frame F2 in the first direction. The fourth side frame F4 connects the other end of the first side frame F1 in the first direction to the other end of the second side frame F2 in the first direction.

The first lock lever R1 and the second lock lever R2 are levers for locking the cartridge 50 to the drawer 40. More specifically, the first lock lever R1 locks one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction to the drawer frame F. The second lock lever R2 locks the other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction to the drawer frame F.

The four first lock levers R1 are located on the first side frame F1. In other words, the four first lock levers R1 are disposed at one end of the drawer 40 in the second direction. The four first lock levers R1 are aligned in the first direction. The four first lock levers R1 are provided for each of the four cartridges 50.

The first lock lever R1 is rotatable about a first lever axis X3 extending in a first direction. The first lock lever R1 is rotatably attached to the first side frame F1. The first lock lever R1 is rotatable between a first lock position that locks one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction to the drawer frame F, and a first release position that releases the lock of the cartridge 50 to the drawer frame F.

The four second lock levers R2 are located on the second side frame F2. In other words, the four second lock levers R2 are disposed at the other end of the drawer 40 in the second direction. The four second lock levers R2 are aligned in the first direction. The four second lock levers R2 are provided for each of the four cartridges 50.

The second lock lever R2 is rotatable about a second lever axis X4 extending in the first direction. The second lock lever R2 is rotatably attached to the second side frame F2. The second lock lever R2 is rotatable between a second lock position that locks the other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction to the drawer frame F, and a second release position that releases the lock of the cartridge 50 to the drawer frame F.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the cartridge 50 has a first side 511, a cover 512, a first boss 513, a first protrusion 514, a developing electrode 515, a drum earth terminal 516, a charging electrode 517, a supply electrode 518, a handle 519, a color identification label L, and a memory M. The first side 511, the cover 512, the first boss 513, the first protrusion 514, the supply electrode 518, the charging electrode 517, the drum earth terminal 516, the developing electrode 515, and the memory M are located at one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. The developing electrode 515, the drum earth terminal 516, the charging electrode 517, and the supply electrode 518 are arranged in this order in the first direction.

The cover 512 extends in the second direction from the first side 511. The memory M is attached to the underside of the cover 512. In other words, the cover 512 covers the memory M from above (see FIG. 6).

The memory M stores cartridge information related to the cartridge 50. The memory M is, for example, an IC chip. Note that the memory M is not limited to an IC chip as long as it is a medium that stores cartridge information. The cartridge information is at least one of identification information such as a serial number and life information related to the life of the cartridge.

The memory M has a memory element (not shown) and electrical contacts EC. The electrical contacts EC are located at one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical contacts EC face downward. When the drawer 40 with the cartridge 50 attached thereto is attached to the main housing 2, the electrical contacts EC come into contact with the main body contacts 23 (described below). Note that the memory element of the memory M may be in contact with the electrical contacts EC or may be located away from them.

As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1, specifically the protrusion R12, is located farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the electrical contact EC.

As shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), the first boss 513 is a cylinder centered on the drum axis X1. The first boss 513 protrudes from the first side surface 511 in the second direction. The first boss 513 fits into the recess F11 when the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40.

The first convex portion 514 is located between the developing electrode 515 and the drum axis X1 in the third direction. The first convex portion 514 protrudes from the first side surface 511 in the second direction.

The developing electrode 515 is electrically connected to the developing roller 52. The developing electrode 515 is an electrode for supplying a voltage to the developing roller 52. When the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a part of the first lock lever R1, specifically the protrusion R12, is located farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the developing electrode 515 (see FIGS. 5(a) and (b)). As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, the tip of the developing electrode 515 is hidden by the first lock lever R1 when viewed from above, but when the first lock lever R1 is in the first release position as shown in FIG. 5(a), the developing electrode 515 is visible from above.

The drum earth terminal 516 is electrically connected to the photosensitive drum 51. The drum earth terminal 516 is a terminal for earthing the shaft of the photosensitive drum 51. When the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1, more specifically, the protrusion R12, is located farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the drum earth terminal 516 (see Figures 5(a) and (b)).

The charging electrode 517 is electrically connected to a charging roller (not shown) that charges the photosensitive drum 51. The charging electrode 517 is an electrode for supplying a voltage to the charging roller. When the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1, specifically the protrusion R12, is located farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the charging electrode 517 (see Figures 5(a) and (b) and 6).

The supply electrode 518 is electrically connected to a supply roller (not shown) that supplies toner to the developing roller 52. The supply electrode 518 is an electrode for supplying voltage to the supply roller. When the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1, specifically the protrusion R12, is located farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the supply electrode 518 (see Figures 5(a) and (b) and 6).

The handle 519 is located on the top surface of the cartridge 50. The handle 519 can be held by the user and is used when attaching or detaching the cartridge 50 to or from the drawer 40.

The color identification label L is attached to the handle 519. The color identification label L is a label that identifies the color of the cartridge 50. For example, a color identification label L indicating yellow is attached to a cartridge 50 that corresponds to yellow. Note that the color identification label L may include other information in addition to the information identifying the color.

As shown in Figures 4(c) and (d), the first lock lever R1 has a side wall R11 and a protrusion R12. The side wall R11 faces the cartridge 50 in the second direction when the first lock lever R1 is located in the first lock position (see Figure 10(b)). The lower end of the side wall R11 is rotatably attached to the first side frame F1 (see Figure 3).

When the first lock lever R1 is located at the first lock position, the protrusion R12 extends from the upper end of the side wall R11 in the second direction away from the cartridge 50. The protrusion R12 has a first recess R121. The first recess R121 is recessed downward when the first lock lever R1 is located at the first lock position. The first recess R121 allows the user's finger to be inserted when the first lock lever R1 is located at the first lock position.

The first lock lever R1 further includes a pressing member 80. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the pressing member 80 is a member that presses the cartridge 50 against the drawer 40. More specifically, the pressing member 80 presses the cartridge 50 against the first side frame F1. The pressing member 80 includes a contact member 81 and a spring 82.

The contact member 81 is a member that comes into contact with the first protrusion 514 of the cartridge 50. The contact member 81 is movably attached to the side wall R11.

The spring 82 biases the contact member 81 toward the first protrusion 514 of the cartridge 50. The spring 82 is located between the side wall R11 and the contact member 81. The spring 82 is a compression spring.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), the cartridge 50 has a second side surface 521, a second boss 522, a third boss 523, and a second convex portion 524. The second side surface 521, the second boss 522, the third boss 523, and the second convex portion 524 are located at the other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. The second boss 522, the third boss 523, and the second convex portion 524 protrude from the second side surface 521.

The second boss 522 is a cylinder. The development coupling C1 for supplying a driving force to the development roller 52 and the like is located within the second boss 522 and can rotate relative to the second boss 522. The third boss 523 is a cylinder centered on the drum axis X1. The drum coupling C2 for supplying a driving force to the photosensitive drum 51 is located within the third boss 532 and can rotate relative to the third boss 532.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), the second protrusion 524 is located between the center 522A of the second boss 522 and the drum axis X1 in the third direction. The third boss 523 fits into the recess F21 when the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40.

As shown in Figures 7(c) and (d), the second lock lever R2 has a side wall R21. The side wall R21 faces the cartridge 50 in the second direction when the second lock lever R2 is located at the second lock position (see Figure 5(b)). The lower end of the side wall R21 is rotatably attached to the second side frame F2 (see Figure 3). The side wall R21 has a hole R211 into which the second boss 522 fits.

The second lock lever R2 further includes a pressing member 90. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the pressing member 90 is a member that presses the cartridge 50 against the drawer 40. More specifically, the pressing member 90 presses the cartridge 50 against the second side frame F2. The pressing member 90 includes a contact member 91 and a spring 92.

The contact member 91 is a member that comes into contact with the second protrusion 524 of the cartridge 50. The contact member 91 is movably attached to the side wall R21.

The spring 92 biases the contact member 91 toward the second protrusion 524 of the cartridge 50. The spring 92 is located between the side wall R21 and the contact member 91. The spring 92 is a compression spring.

Here, when the first lock lever R1 is located in the first lock position, the pressing member 80 comes into contact with the first convex portion 514 and presses the cartridge 50 with a predetermined force (see FIG. 4(b)). Similarly, when the second lock lever R2 is located in the second lock position, the pressing member 90 comes into contact with the second convex portion 524 and presses the cartridge 50 with a predetermined force (see FIG. 7(b)). As a result, both ends of the cartridge 50 in the second direction are pressed by the pressing members 80, 90.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body housing 2 further includes a main body contact 23, an electrode contact 24, and an earth contact 25. The main body contact 23 is a contact that allows a control unit (not shown) in the main body housing 2 to read cartridge information of the cartridge 50.

Specifically, as shown in Figures 9 and 10(a), when the drawer 40 is installed in the main housing 2, the main body contact 23 comes into contact with the electrical contact EC of the memory M of the cartridge 50. As shown in Figure 8, the main body contact 23 passes under the protrusion R12 of the first lock lever R1 when the drawer 40 moves from the second position to the first position.

When the drawer 40 moves from the second position to the first position, it slides in the first direction while being guided by a guide rail (not shown). After sliding, the drawer 40 finally moves slightly downward to the first position. When it finally moves slightly downward, the photosensitive drum 51 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63, the electrical contact EC of the memory M comes into contact with the main body contact 23, the developing electrode 515, the charging electrode 517, and the supply electrode 518 come into contact with the electrode contact 24, and the drum earth terminal 516 comes into contact with the earth contact 25.

According to the color printer 1 of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved.
In the color printer 1, when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1 is located farther from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the electrical contacts EC of the memory M. This makes it possible to prevent the user from touching the electrical contacts EC of the memory M when operating the first lock lever R1.

In addition, when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1 is located farther from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the drum earth terminal 516. This prevents the user from touching the drum earth terminal 516 when operating the first lock lever R1.

In addition, when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1 is positioned farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the developing electrode 515. This prevents the user from touching the developing electrode 515 when operating the first lock lever R1.

In addition, when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1 is located farther from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the supply electrode 518. This prevents the user from touching the supply electrode 518 when operating the first lock lever R1.

In addition, when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R1 is located farther away from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the charged electrode 517. This prevents the user from touching the charged electrode 517 when operating the first lock lever R1.

In addition, the memory M is attached to the underside of the cover 512, and the electrical contacts EC of the memory M face downward. This prevents the electrical contacts EC from becoming dirty.

The protrusion R12 of the first lock lever R1 has a first recess R121 that allows the user's finger to enter when the first lock lever R1 is in the first lock position. Therefore, the user can easily rotate the first lock lever R1 from the first lock position to the first release position by inserting their finger into the first recess R121.

In addition, the main body contact 23, which comes into contact with the electrical contact EC of the memory M, passes under the protrusion R12 of the first lock lever R1 when the drawer 40 moves from the second position to the first position. This prevents interference between the main body contact 23 and the first lock lever R1 when the drawer 40 moves from the second position to the first position.

In addition, a color identification label L that identifies the color of the cartridge 50 is attached to the handle 519. This makes it easy for the user to identify the color of the cartridge 50.

The drawer 40 also includes a second lock lever R2 that locks the cartridge 50 to the drawer frame F. This allows the cartridge 50 to be stably locked to the drawer 40.

Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, when the first lock lever R1 is located in the locked position, the first lock lever R1 is flush with the upper end of the cartridge 50. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when the first lock lever R3 is located in the first locked position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R3 is located above the upper end of the cartridge 50.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, in the drum unit DU2 in the second embodiment, when the first lock lever R3 is in the first lock position, a part of the first lock lever R3, more specifically, a part of the protrusion R32, is located above the top end of the cartridge. Similarly, when the second lock lever R4 is in the second lock position, a part of the second lock lever R4, more specifically, a part of the protrusion R42, is located above the top end of the cartridge.

As in the first embodiment, this drum unit DU2 can prevent the user from touching the electrical contacts EC of the memory M when operating the first lock lever R3. In addition, because a portion of the first lock lever R3 and the second lock lever R4 is located above the top end of the cartridge 50, the user can easily view the first lock lever R3 and the second lock lever R4 and can easily operate the first lock lever R3 and the second lock lever R4.

Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, four first lock levers R1 are provided for each of the four cartridges 50, whereas in the third embodiment, one first lock lever R5 can lock all four cartridges 50 together.
12, the first lock lever R5 in the drum unit DU3 in the third embodiment has a plurality of lock portions 805 that lock a plurality of cartridges 50. Specifically, the first lock lever R5 has four lock portions 805, and one lock lever R5 can lock four cartridges 50.
In this drum unit DU3, the user can lock a plurality of cartridges 50 together in the drawer frame by operating one first lock lever R5.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, when the first lock lever R1 is in the locked position, the first lock lever R1 is flush with the cover 512 that covers the memory M from above in the second direction, but this is not limited to this form, and the first lock lever may protrude outward from the cover 512.
13, in the drum unit DU4 in the fourth embodiment, the tip of the first lock lever R6 protrudes outward beyond the cover 512. In detail, when the first lock lever R6 is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever R6 is located farther from the second side frame F2 in the second direction than the cover 512 that covers the memory M from above.
In the fourth embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the electrical contacts EC of the memory M when operating the first lock lever R6.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the color identification label L is attached to the handle 519, but the color identification label L may be attached to another location.
14, the color identification label L and the handle 519 may be arranged in the second direction. The color identification label L may be attached to both the handle 519 and between the handle 519 and the cover 512.

In the above embodiment, the electrical contacts EC of the memory M of the cartridge 50 face downward, but the electrical contacts EC may face in another direction.

In the above embodiment, the supply electrode 518, the charging electrode 517, the drum earth terminal 516, and the developing electrode 515 are arranged in this order in the first direction, but they may be arranged in a different order.

In the above embodiment, the springs 82 and 92 were compression springs, but they may also be, for example, leaf springs, wire springs, etc.

In the above embodiment, the drawer was capable of holding multiple cartridges, but it may also be capable of holding only one cartridge.

In the above embodiment, the cartridge has a developing roller, but the cartridge does not have to have a developing roller.

In the above embodiment, the image forming device was a color printer, but the image forming device may be a monochrome image forming device, may be one that uses LED exposure, or may be a copier or multifunction device.

The elements of each of the above-described embodiments and variations can be implemented in any combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 color printer 2 main body housing 21 front cover 23 main body contact 24 electrode contact 25 earth contact 40 drawer 50 cartridge 51 photosensitive drum 52 developing roller 512 cover 515 developing electrode 516 drum earth terminal 517 charging electrode 518 supply electrode 519 handle EC electrical contact F drawer frame F1 first side frame F2 second side frame L color identification label M memory R1 first lock lever R2 second lock lever R11 side wall R12 protrusion X1 drum shaft X2 developing shaft X3 first lever shaft X4 second lever shaft

Claims (15)

A main body housing;
a drawer movable in a first direction between a first position inside the main body housing and a second position outside the main body housing;
a cartridge that is detachably attached to the drawer, the cartridge having a memory with an electrical contact located at one end of the cartridge in a second direction that intersects with the first direction;
The drawer includes:
a drawer frame including a first side frame and a second side frame positioned away from the first side frame in the second direction;
a first lock lever located on the first side frame, the first lock lever being rotatable about a first lever shaft extending in the first direction between a first lock position at which the one end of the cartridge in the second direction is locked to the drawer frame and a first release position at which the lock of the cartridge to the drawer frame is released;
an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the first lock lever is positioned in a first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the electrical contact. The image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge has a photosensitive drum that is rotatable about a drum axis that extends in the second direction. The cartridge comprises:
a drum ground terminal electrically connected to the photosensitive drum and located at the one end of the cartridge in the second direction,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the drum earth terminal. The cartridge comprises:
a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in the second direction;
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and located at the one end of the cartridge in the second direction;
4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the developing electrode. The cartridge comprises:
a supply roller rotatable about a supply shaft extending in the second direction;
a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and located at the one end of the cartridge in the second direction;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the supply electrode. The cartridge comprises:
a charging roller rotatable about a charging shaft extending in the second direction;
a charging electrode electrically connected to the charging roller and located at the one end of the cartridge in the second direction;
6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the charging electrode. The image forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical contacts face downward. The first lock lever is
a side wall facing the cartridge in the second direction when the first lock lever is located at the first lock position;
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a protrusion extending from an upper end of the side wall in a direction away from the cartridge in the second direction when the first lock lever is located at the first lock position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the protrusion has a first recess that allows a user's finger to be inserted when the first lock lever is in the first lock position. The main body housing further includes a main body contact that contacts the electrical contact,
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the main body contact passes under the projection when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position. the cartridge has a cover that covers the memory from above,
11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is positioned farther from the second side frame in the second direction than the cover. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that when the first lock lever is in the first lock position, at least a portion of the first lock lever is located above the upper end of the cartridge. the drawer frame is capable of detachably mounting a plurality of the cartridges;
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first lock lever has a plurality of lock portions for locking a plurality of the cartridges. The cartridge comprises:
A handle that can be held by a user and a color identification label for identifying the color of the cartridge are provided.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color identification label is attached to the handle. The drawer includes:
15. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising: a second lock lever located on the second side frame, the second lock lever being rotatable about a second lever axis extending in the first direction between a second lock position that locks the other end of the cartridge in the second direction to the drawer frame and a second release position that releases the lock of the cartridge to the drawer frame.

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