WO2020070920A1

WO2020070920A1 - Image formation device

Info

Publication number: WO2020070920A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/022498
Authority: WO
Inventors: 光田村; 琢郎草間; 淳一横井
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2018-09-28
Filing date: 2019-06-06
Publication date: 2020-04-09
Also published as: JP2020052333A

Abstract

In the present invention information can be read from a drum cartridge and a developer cartridge. This image formation device comprises a main body housing, a drum cartridge 40 and a developer cartridge 50. The drum cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the main body housing in the axial direction, and has a photosensitive drum 41 that can rotate about a first axis extending in the axial direction, and a first memory 44 that has a first electrical contact surface 44A. The toner cartridge 50 can be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge 40, and has a developer roller 51 that can rotate about a second axis extending in the axial direction, a developer housing, and a second memory 54 that has a second electrical contact surface 54A. The main body housing 2 comprises a first connector 110 that makes contact with the first electrical contact surface 44A when the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the main body housing 2, and a second connector 120 that makes contact with the second electrical contact surface 54A when the developer cartridge 50 is attached to the main body housing 2.

Description

Image forming device

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from a main body housing in an axial direction which is a direction along a rotation axis of a photosensitive drum (see Patent Document 1).
Further, among drum cartridges that can be mounted on an image forming apparatus, there is known a drum cartridge having an IC chip (memory) (see Patent Document 2). In this technique, the image forming apparatus can read information on the drum cartridge from the memory when the drum cartridge is mounted.

JP, 2018-72677, A JP 2009-00898A

By the way, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are separately replaced, it is desirable to read the respective information.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus that includes a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge that can be attached and detached in the axial direction of a photosensitive drum and that can read information from each cartridge. .

In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body housing, a drum cartridge, and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge is a first memory that stores a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first shaft extending in an axial direction and drum information that is information on the photosensitive drum, the first memory having a first electrical contact surface. And The drum cartridge is detachable in the axial direction with respect to the main body housing. The developing cartridge is a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction, a developing housing for storing the toner, and a second memory for storing developing information relating to the developing roller or the toner, and a second electrical contact. A second memory having a surface. The developing cartridge is detachable from the drum cartridge. The main housing further includes a first connector that contacts the first electrical contact surface when the drum cartridge is mounted on the main housing, and a developing cartridge mounted on the main housing. And a second connector that contacts the second electrical contact surface when the connection is made.

According to this configuration, information on the drum cartridge can be read from the first connector, and information on the developing cartridge can be read from the second connector.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the first electrical contact surface may be located on a first outer surface located at one end of the drum cartridge in the axial direction, and the first electrical contact surface may intersect the axial direction. .

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the second electrical contact surface may be located on a second outer surface located at one end of the developing cartridge in the axial direction, and the second electrical contact surface may intersect the axial direction. .

The image forming apparatus further includes an intermediate transfer belt positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted on the main body housing, wherein the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted on the main body housing. A configuration may be adopted in which an intermediate transfer belt is provided in which the surface of the photosensitive drum contacts with the body when worn on the body.

The image forming apparatus described above may further include a discharge unit that is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt and discharges a sheet.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the main body housing is a first holder for holding the first connector, and when the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body housing, the first electrical contact surface and the first electrical contact surface are in contact with each other. It may be configured to further include a first holder for holding the first connector movably with respect to the main body housing in a state where the first connector is in contact with the first connector.

According to this, the first electrical contact surface and the first connector can be stably contacted when the drum cartridge is mounted. Further, after the drum cartridge is mounted, the contact between the first electrical contact surface and the first connector is not easily released. Further, rubbing between the first electrical contact surface and the first connector can be suppressed.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the first holder may hold the first connector movably in a direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the main body housing.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the main body housing is a second holder for movably holding the second connector, and the second electrical contact is provided when the developing cartridge is mounted on the main body housing. In a state where the surface and the second connector are in contact with each other, the configuration may further include a second holder that movably holds the second connector with respect to the main body housing.

According to this, when the developing cartridge is mounted, the second electrical contact surface and the second connector can be stably contacted. Further, after the developing cartridge is mounted, the contact between the second electrical contact surface and the second connector is not easily released. Further, rubbing between the second electrical contact surface and the second connector can be suppressed.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the second holder may hold the second connector movably in a direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the main body housing.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, in a state where the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are mounted on the main body housing, the developing cartridge is moved relative to the drum cartridge at a first position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum; Is movable to a second position separated from the photosensitive drum, and the second connector is movable relative to the main body housing in response to movement of the developing cartridge between the first position and the second position. May be adopted.

According to this, the contact between the second electrical contact surface and the second connector is not easily released. Further, even when the developing cartridge moves between the first position and the second position, the rubbing between the second connector and the second electrical contact surface can be suppressed.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge has a long hole elongated in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction and the axial direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and the second holder is provided with respect to the main body housing. It may be configured to be movable in the movement direction and to have a projection that enters the elongated hole.

According to this, when the developing cartridge is mounted on the main body case, the projection of the main body case easily enters the elongated hole even if the developing cartridge is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction and the axial direction. Further, when the developing cartridge moves from the first position to the second position, the elongated hole is narrow in the moving direction, so that when the developing cartridge moves, the second holder moves between the first position and the second position of the developing cartridge. You can move as you move.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge has a protrusion that projects in the axial direction from the developing housing, and the second holder moves the developing cartridge from the first position to the second position with respect to the main body housing. It is also possible to adopt a configuration having a long hole which is movable in the moving direction and into which the projection enters, and which is long in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction and the axial direction.

According to this, when the developing cartridge is mounted on the main body case, the projection of the main body case easily enters the elongated hole even if the developing cartridge is displaced in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction and the axial direction. Further, when the developing cartridge moves from the first position to the second position, the elongated hole is narrow in the moving direction, so that when the developing cartridge moves, the second holder moves between the first position and the second position of the developing cartridge. You can move as you move.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the first electrical contact surface is located on the first outer surface located at one end of the drum cartridge in the axial direction, and the drum cartridge receives a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum. A coupling having a drum coupling located on the first outer surface, wherein the second electrical contact surface is located below the drum coupling when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted on the main body housing. It may be configured to be located.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the second electrical contact surface is located on a second outer surface located at one end of the developing cartridge in the axial direction, and the developing cartridge receives a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The ring may include a developing coupling located on the second outer surface, and the second electrical contact surface may be located below the developing coupling.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, in an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge that are detachable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, information can be read from the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the main-body housing | casing in the state which opened the cover from the upper part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge are connected to a connector. It is sectional drawing of the periphery of a 1st holder and a 2nd holder. FIG. 4 is a view of a first connector and a second connector as viewed from a side opposite to FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt during image formation. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where the developing cartridge is separated from the drum cartridge from the state of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where the drum cartridge is separated from the intermediate transfer belt from the state of FIG. 6.

Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 2, a supply unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a discharge roller 9, and a control unit 10. The supply unit 3 supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 4. The image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S. The discharge roller 9 discharges the sheet S.

The main body casing 2 has a discharge unit 20 at the top. The sheet S is discharged to the discharge unit 20. The discharge unit 20 is located above an intermediate transfer belt 63 described later.

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

The image forming unit 4 includes a drum cartridge 40, a developing cartridge 50, an exposure device SU, a transfer unit 60, and a fixing unit 70. A plurality of drum cartridges 40 and developing cartridges 50 are arranged corresponding to the number of toner colors. In the present embodiment, four drum cartridges 40 and four developing cartridges 50 are arranged side by side.

Each drum cartridge 40 has a photosensitive drum 41, a frame 42, and a charger (not shown). The photoconductor drum 41 is rotatable about a first axis X1 extending in the axial direction. The four photosensitive drums 41 are arranged in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the vertical direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as “orthogonal direction”). The frame 42 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 41.

In the state where the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted on the main body casing 2, the drum cartridge 40 is arranged with the developing cartridge 50 in the orthogonal direction.

現像 Each developing cartridge 50 contains a different color toner. Each developing cartridge 50 has a developing roller 51 and a developing case 52. The developing roller 51 is rotatable about a second axis X2 extending in the axial direction. The developing case 52 contains toner. The four developing rollers 51 are arranged in an orthogonal direction.

The exposure apparatus SU is located below each drum cartridge 40. Exposure device SU emits a laser beam (not shown) to each photosensitive drum 41.

(4) The transfer unit 60 is located between the four photosensitive drums 41 and the discharge unit 20. The transfer unit 60 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 intermediate transfer belt 63 is located above the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted on the main body housing 2. The surface of the photosensitive drum 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63 in a state where the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted on the main body housing 2. The intermediate transfer belt 63 is stretched between the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 62.

(5) The primary transfer roller 64 is located inside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The primary transfer roller 64 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 between the primary transfer roller 64 and the photosensitive drum 41.

(4) The secondary transfer roller 65 is located outside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 with the drive roller 61.

The fixing unit 70 is located above the intermediate transfer belt 63. The fixing unit 70 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72. The pressure roller 72 is pressed by the heating roller 71.

The control unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an input / output circuit, and performs print processing by performing arithmetic processing based on information on a mounted cartridge, programs and data stored in the ROM, and the like. Run.

In the image forming unit 4, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is charged by the charger. After that, the exposure device SU exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to light. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41.

Next, the developing roller 51 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63.

(4) 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. After that, the toner image on the sheet S is fixed by the fixing unit 70. Next, the sheet S is discharged to the discharge unit 20 by the discharge roller 9.

(2) As shown in FIG. 2, the main body casing 2 has an opening 21, a cover 22, a first connector 110 and a second connector 120.

The opening 21 faces one side in the axial direction of the main housing 2. The opening 21 allows the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 to be attached and detached in the axial direction. In other words, the drum cartridge 40 is detachable in the axial direction with respect to the main body housing 2. The developing cartridge 50 is detachable from the drum cartridge 40. The cover 22 can open and close the opening 21.

The first connector 110 is provided corresponding to each drum cartridge 40. The second connector 120 is provided corresponding to each developing cartridge 50. Each first connector 110 and each second connector 120 are connected to the control unit 10.

The first connector 110 can be in electrical contact with the first memory 44 provided in the drum cartridge 40. The information stored in the first memory 44 is sent to the control unit 10 via the first connector 110. The first memory 44 stores information on the drum cartridge 40. For example, the first memory 44 stores information on the photosensitive drum 40. More specifically, the first memory 44 stores information indicating the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 40. The second connector 120 can be in electrical contact with the second memory 54 provided in the developing cartridge 50. The information stored in the second memory 54 is sent to the control unit 10 via the second connector 120. The second memory 54 stores information on the developing cartridge 50. For example, the second memory 54 stores information about the toner contained in the developing roller 51 or the developing case 52. More specifically, the second memory 54 stores information indicating the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 51 or the amount of toner remaining in the developing case 52. Note that the second memory 54 may store information indicating the amount of toner used in the developing case 52. In this case, the second memory 54 stores information indicating the printed dot count or the amount of toner used for printing.

よう As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector 110 is held by the first holder 210. The second connector 120 is held by the second holder 220. The main body housing 2 includes the first holder 210 and the second holder 220.

The first connector 110 has a first main body 111, a first protrusion 112, a second protrusion 113, and a first contact 114.

The first main body 111 is a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the vertical direction. The first protrusion 112 and the second protrusion 113 protrude from the first main body 111 to one side in the axial direction. The tips of the first protrusion 112 and the second protrusion 113 have a tapered shape. The second protrusion 113 is located below the first protrusion 112. The first contact point 114 is located between the first protrusion 112 and the second protrusion 113 in the vertical direction. The first contact 114 protrudes from the first main body 111. The first contact 114 is a portion that is in electrical contact with a first electrical contact surface 44A described later.

The second connector 120 has a second main body 121, a third protrusion 122, a fourth protrusion 123, and a second contact 124.

The second main body 121 is a rectangle that is long in the vertical direction. The third protruding portion 122 and the fourth protruding portion 123 protrude from the second main body 121 to one side in the axial direction. The tips of the third projecting portion 122 and the fourth projecting portion 123 have a tapered shape. The fourth protrusion 123 is located below the third protrusion 122. The second contact 124 is located between the third protrusion 122 and the fourth protrusion 123 in the vertical direction. The second contact 124 protrudes from the second main body 121. The second contact 124 is a portion that is in electrical contact with a second electrical contact surface 54A described later.

The first holder 210 has a first connector holding portion 211, a first concave portion 212, and a first protrusion 213.

The first connector holding portion 211 is a hole for holding the first holder 210. The first connector holding part 211 is formed larger than the first connector 110. Specifically, the dimension of the first connector holding part 211 is larger than the dimension of the first connector 110 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the vertical direction.

The first recess 212 is open on one side in the axial direction. The opening of the first recess 212 is a rectangle that is longer in the vertical direction than in the orthogonal direction.

The first protrusion 213 extends toward one side in the axial direction. The tip of the first protrusion 213 has a tapered shape. The first connector holding portion 211 is located between the first concave portion 212 and the first protrusion 213 in the orthogonal direction.

よう As shown in FIG. 4, the first connector 110 and the first holder 210 are connected by a spring B1. Specifically, the first connector 110 has a boss 115 projecting from the first main body 111 to the other end in the axial direction. The first holder 210 has a boss 214 that protrudes from the inside of the first connector holding portion 211 to one side in the axial direction. The spring B1 connects the boss 115 of the first connector 110 and the boss 214 of the first holder 210.

The first connector 110 is movable in the orthogonal direction and the vertical direction in the first connector holding portion 211 by the bending of the spring B1. In other words, the first holder 210 holds the first connector 110 movably in the direction crossing the axial direction with respect to the main body housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first holder 210 further has a first claw 215. The first claw 215 has an L-shape. Specifically, the first claw 215 protrudes to the other side in the axial direction, and further extends downward.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first claw 215 is hooked on one side wall of the main body housing 2. Thereby, the first holder 210 is slidable up and down with respect to the main body housing 2. As a result, the first holder 210 can move the first connector 110 with respect to the main body housing 2.

The second holder 220 has a second connector holding portion 221, a second concave portion 222, and a second protrusion 223.

The second connector holding portion 221 is a hole for holding the second holder 220. The second connector holding part 221 is formed larger than the second connector 120. Specifically, the dimension of the second connector holding portion 221 is larger than the dimension of the second connector 120 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the vertical direction.

The second recess 222 is open on one side in the axial direction. The opening of the second recess 222 is a rectangle that is longer in the orthogonal direction than in the vertical direction.

The second protrusion 223 protrudes toward one side in the axial direction. The tip of the second protrusion 223 has a tapered shape. The second connector holding portion 221 is located between the second recess 222 and the second protrusion 223 in the orthogonal direction. The second protrusion 223 is an example of a protrusion that enters a fourth hole 56 described later. The protrusion amount of the second protrusion 223 is the same as the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 213 of the first holder 210.

よう As shown in FIG. 4, the second connector 120 and the second holder 220 are connected by a spring B2. Specifically, the second connector 120 has a boss 125 protruding from the second main body 121 to the other end in the axial direction. The second holder 220 has a boss 224 protruding from the second connector holding portion 221 to one side in the axial direction. The spring B2 connects the boss 125 of the second connector 120 and the boss 224 of the second holder 220.

The second connector 120 is movable in the vertical direction in the second connector holding portion 221 by the bending of the spring B2. In other words, the second holder 220 holds the second connector 120 so as to be movable with respect to the main housing 2 in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second holder 220 further has a second claw 225. The second claw 225 has an L-shape. Specifically, the second claw 225 protrudes to the other side in the axial direction, and further extends downward. The dimension D2 in the orthogonal direction of the second claw 225 is smaller than the dimension D1 in the orthogonal direction of the first claw 215 of the first holder 210.
As shown in FIG. 4, the second claw 225 is hooked on one side wall of the main body housing 2. Thereby, the second holder 220 is slidable up and down with respect to the main body housing 2. Further, the second holder 220 is slidable in a direction orthogonal to the main body housing 2. As a result, the second holder 220 can move the second connector 120 in the up-down direction and the orthogonal direction with respect to the main body housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 40 has a drum coupling 43, a first memory 44, a first protrusion 45, a first hole 46, a second hole 47, and a third hole 48. doing.
The drum coupling 43, the first memory 44, the first protrusion 45, the first hole 46, the second hole 47, and the third hole 48 are located on the first outer surface 40A of the drum cartridge 40. The first outer surface 40A is a surface located at one end of the drum cartridge 40. Specifically, the first outer surface 40A is a surface located on the other end side in the axial direction of the drum cartridge 40 (see also FIG. 2).

The drum coupling 43 is a portion that receives a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 41 from a driving source (not shown).

The first memory 44 is located below the drum coupling 43. The first memory 44 is a memory that stores drum information that is information on the photosensitive drum 41. The first memory 44 has a first electrical contact surface 44A and a storage element 44B (see FIG. 4).

４４ The first electrical contact surface 44A is located on the first outer surface 40A. The first electrical contact surface 44A intersects the axial direction. The first electrical contact surface 44A is orthogonal to the axial direction. When the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted on the main housing 2, the first electrical contact surface 44 </ b> A is located below the drum coupling 43. When the drum cartridge 40 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the first connector 110 comes into contact with the first electrical contact surface 44A (see also FIG. 2).

The first protrusion 45 protrudes from the first outer surface 40A to the other side in the axial direction. The tip of the first convex portion 45 has a tapered shape. When the drum cartridge 40 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the first convex portion 45 enters the first concave portion 212 of the first holder 210. The protrusion amount of the first protrusion 45 is larger than the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 213 of the first holder 210.

The first hole 46 is a hole provided in the first outer surface 40A. In the orthogonal direction, a first electrical contact surface 44A is located between the first protrusion 45 and the first hole 46. The length of the first hole 46 in the orthogonal direction is longer than the length of the first hole 46 in the vertical direction. When the drum cartridge 40 is mounted on the main housing 2, the first hole 46 enters the first protrusion 213 of the first holder 210.

The second hole 47 is located above the first electrical contact surface 44A. The third hole 48 is located below the first electrical contact surface 44A. A first electrical contact surface 44A is located between the second hole 47 and the third hole 48. The vertical length of the third hole 48 is longer than the orthogonal length of the third hole 48. The vertical dimension of the third hole 48 is larger than the vertical dimension of the second hole 47 (see also FIG. 4). When the drum cartridge 40 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the second hole 47 and the third hole 48 enter the first protrusion 112 and the second protrusion 113 of the first holder 210.

The developing cartridge 50 has a developing coupling 53, a second memory 54, a second convex portion 55, a fourth hole 56, a fifth hole 57, and a sixth hole 58. The developing coupling 53, the second memory 54, the second convex portion 55, the fourth hole 56, the fifth hole 57, and the sixth hole 58 are located on the second outer surface 50A of the developing cartridge 50. The second outer surface 50A is a surface located at one end of the developing cartridge 50. Specifically, the second outer surface 50A is a surface located on the other end side in the axial direction of the developing cartridge 50 (see also FIG. 2).

The developing coupling 53 is a portion that receives a driving force for rotating the developing roller 51 from a driving source (not shown).

The second memory 54 is located below the developing coupling 53. The second memory 54 is a memory that stores development information that is information on the development roller 51. The second memory 54 has a second electrical contact surface 54A and a storage element 54B (see FIG. 4).

５４ The second electrical contact surface 54A is located on the second outer surface 50A. The second electrical contact surface 54A intersects the axial direction. The second electrical contact surface 54A is orthogonal to the axial direction. When the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted on the main body housing 2, the second electrical contact surface 54 </ b> A is located below the drum coupling 43. Further, the second electrical contact surface 54 </ b> A is located below the developing coupling 53. When the drum cartridge 40 is mounted on the main housing 2, the second connector 120 comes into contact with the second electrical contact surface 54A (see also FIG. 2).

２The second convex portion 55 protrudes from the second outer surface 50A to the other side in the axial direction. The tip of the second convex portion 55 has a tapered shape. The protrusion amount of the second protrusion 55 is smaller than the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 45 of the drum cartridge 40. In addition, the amount of protrusion of the second protrusion 55 is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the second protrusion 223 of the second holder 220. When the developing cartridge 50 is attached to the main body housing 2, the second convex portion 55 enters the second concave portion 222 of the second holder 220.

４The fourth hole 56 is a hole provided in the second outer surface 50A. The second memory 54 is located between the second protrusion 55 and the fourth hole 56 in the orthogonal direction. The length of the fourth hole 56 in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the fourth hole 56 in the orthogonal direction. The fourth hole 56 is an example of a long hole that is long in the orthogonal direction and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. When the developing cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the fourth hole 56 enters the second protrusion 223 of the second holder 220.

５The fifth hole 57 is located above the second electrical contact surface 54A. The sixth hole 58 is located below the second electrical contact surface 54A. A second electrical contact surface 54A is located between the fifth hole 57 and the sixth hole 58 in the vertical direction. The length of the sixth hole 58 in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the sixth hole 58 in the orthogonal direction. The dimension of the sixth hole 58 in the vertical direction is larger than the dimension of the fifth hole 57 in the vertical direction (see also FIG. 4). When the developing cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the fifth hole 57 and the sixth hole 58 enter the third protrusion 122 and the fourth protrusion 123 of the second connector 120.

Here, a configuration in which the intermediate transfer belt 63, the drum cartridge 40, and the developing cartridge 50 contact and separate from each other will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 can be in three states: a contact state shown in FIG. 6, a development separation state shown in FIG. 7, and a drum separation state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, during normal image formation, the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are in contact with each other. In this contact state, the photosensitive drum 41 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63. The developing cartridge 50 is located at a first position where the developing roller 51 contacts the photosensitive drum 41.

As shown in FIG. 7, at the time of forming a monochrome image, the developing cartridge 50 corresponding to the color can be set to the developing separation state shown in FIG. In this development separation state, the development cartridge 50 is separated from the drum cartridge 40. At this time, the developing cartridge 50 is located at the second position where the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 41.
The developing cartridge 50 is movable to a first position and a second position. In the present embodiment, the direction of movement from the first position to the second position is an orthogonal direction.

With the developing cartridge 50 and the drum cartridge 40 mounted on the main body housing 2, the second contact 124 of the second connector 120 is connected to the second contact 124 according to the movement of the developing cartridge 50 between the first position and the second position. The second connector 120 moves with respect to the main body housing 2 in a state where the second electrical contact surface 54A of the second memory 54 is in contact with the second electrical contact surface 54A. For this reason, even when the developing cartridge 50 moves between the first position and the second position, the second contact 124 of the second connector 120 and the second electrical contact surface 54A of the second memory 54 remain in contact with each other. Can be suppressed.

The developer cartridge 50 may be moved from the first position to the second position by, for example, pressing the separation boss 59 provided on the development cartridge 50 with the main body separation guide HG.

As shown in FIG. 8, when image formation is not performed, the drum can be set in the separated state.
In this drum separated state, the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63. At this time, the drum cartridge 40 has moved from the contact position shown in FIG. 6 to the separated position shown in FIG. The contact position is a position where the photosensitive drum 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63. The separation position is a position where the photosensitive drum 41 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63. When the drum cartridge 40 moves from the contact position to the separated position, the developing cartridge 50 also moves following the drum cartridge 40. In the present embodiment, the direction of moving from the contact position to the separation position is a downward direction.

In a state where the developing cartridge 50 and the drum cartridge 40 are mounted on the main body housing 2, the first contact 114 of the first connector 110 and the first contact 114 in accordance with the movement of the drum cartridge 40 between the contact position and the separated position. The first connector 110 moves with respect to the main body housing 2 in a state where the first electrical contact surface 44A of the one memory 44 is in contact with the first electrical contact surface 44A. The second connector 120 moves with respect to the main housing 2 in accordance with the movement of the developing cartridge 50. Therefore, even when the drum cartridge 40 moves between the contact position and the separation position, the first contact 114 of the first connector 110 and the first electrical contact surface 44A of the first memory 44 are rubbed. Can be suppressed.

Next, the operation when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted will be described.

(4) First, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge 50 is mounted on the drum cartridge 40. Next, the cover 22 is opened, and the drum cartridge 40 is inserted into the main housing 2 through the opening 21 of the main housing 2.

Then, first, the tip of the first convex portion 45 of the drum cartridge 40 enters the first concave portion 212 of the first holder 210. Thereby, the drum cartridge 40 and the first holder 210 are positioned in the orthogonal direction (see FIG. 3).
Next, the first hole 46 of the drum cartridge 40 receives the tip of the first protrusion 213 of the first holder 210. Thereby, the drum cartridge 40 and the first holder 210 are positioned vertically.

In addition, almost simultaneously with the first hole 46 of the drum cartridge 40 receiving the tip of the first protrusion 213 of the first holder 210, the fourth hole 56 of the developing cartridge 50 connects the second protrusion 223 of the second holder 220. accept. Thereby, the developing cartridge 50 and the second holder 220 are positioned in the orthogonal direction.

Next, the tip of the second convex portion 55 of the developing cartridge 50 enters the second concave portion 222 of the second holder 220. Thus, the developing cartridge 50 and the second holder 220 are positioned vertically.
Thus, the drum cartridge 40 and the first holder 210 are positioned, and the developing cartridge 50 and the second holder 220 are positioned.

Next, the second hole 47 of the drum cartridge 40 receives the first protrusion 112 of the first connector 110, and the third hole 48 of the drum cartridge 40 receives the second protrusion 113 of the first connector 110. Thereby, the drum cartridge 40 and the first connector 110 are positioned. As a result, the first electrical contact surface 44A of the first memory 44 contacts the first contact 114 of the first connector 110.
The fifth hole 57 of the developing cartridge 50 receives the third protrusion 122 of the second connector 120, and the sixth hole 58 of the developing cartridge 50 receives the fourth protrusion 123 of the second connector 120. Thereby, the developing cartridge 50 and the second connector 120 are positioned. As a result, the second electrical contact surface 54A of the second memory 54 comes into contact with the second contact 124 of the second connector 120.

Finally, the first main body 111 of the first connector 110 contacts the first outer surface 40A. Thereby, the first connector 110 is positioned in the axial direction. Similarly, the second main body 121 of the second connector 120 contacts the second outer surface 50A. Thereby, the second connector 120 is positioned in the axial direction.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 described above, the information of the drum cartridge 40 can be read from the first connector 110 and the information of the developing cartridge 50 can be read from the second connector 120.

{Circle around (1)} The first holder 210 holds the first connector 110 movably in a direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the main body housing 2. For this reason, even if the drum cartridge 40 is displaced in the direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the main body housing 2, the first holder 210 can also move according to the movement of the drum cartridge 40. As a result, when the drum cartridge 40 is mounted, the first electrical contact surface 44A and the first connector 110 can be stably contacted. Further, after the drum cartridge 40 is mounted, the contact between the first electrical contact surface 44A and the first connector 110 is unlikely to be released. Further, even when the drum cartridge 40 moves between the contact position and the separation position, the first contact 114 of the first connector 110 and the first electrical contact surface 44A of the first memory 44 may be rubbed. Can be suppressed.

{Circle around (2)} The second holder 220 holds the second connector 120 movably in a direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the main body housing 2. Therefore, even if the developing cartridge 50 is displaced in the direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the main body housing 2, the second holder 220 can also move in accordance with the movement of the developing cartridge 50. As a result, when the developing cartridge 50 is mounted, the second electrical contact surface 54A and the second connector 120 can be stably contacted. Further, after the developing cartridge 50 is mounted, the contact between the second electrical contact surface 54A and the second connector 120 is not easily released. Further, even when the developing cartridge 50 moves between the first position and the second position, the second contact point 124 of the second connector 120 and the second electrical contact surface 54A of the second memory 54 are connected. Rubbing can be suppressed.

When the developing cartridge 50 moves from the first position to the second position, the second connector 120 is also movable in accordance with the movement of the developing cartridge 50. Therefore, the contact between the second electrical contact surface 54A and the second connector 120 is unlikely to be released. For this reason, even when the developing cartridge 50 moves between the first position and the second position, the second contact 124 of the second connector 120 and the second electrical contact surface 54A of the second memory 54 remain in contact with each other. Can be suppressed.

{Circle around (4)} The fourth hole 56 of the developing cartridge 50 is a vertically long hole. For this reason, when the developing cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the fourth hole 56 easily enters the second protrusion 223 of the main body housing 2 even if the developing cartridge 50 is displaced in the vertical direction. When the developing cartridge 50 moves from the first position to the second position, the fourth hole 56 is narrow in the moving direction, so that when the developing cartridge 50 moves, the second holder 220 moves to the first position of the developing cartridge 50. It can move according to the movement between the second positions.

(4) The amount of protrusion of the second protrusion 55 of the developing cartridge 50 is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 45 of the drum cartridge 40. For this reason, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are mounted on the main body casing 2, after the first convex portion 45 enters the first concave portion 212, the second convex portion 55 enters the second concave portion 222. As a result, since the first convex portion 45 and the second convex portion 55 do not enter at the same time, the operation of positioning the drum cartridge 40 and the first holder 210 and the operation of positioning the developing cartridge 50 and the second holder 220 are mutually performed. Positioning can be performed smoothly without interference.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing cartridge 50 has the fourth hole 56 that is long in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction and the axial direction, and the second holder 220 has the second protrusion 223 that enters the fourth hole 56. The developing cartridge 50 may have a protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction from the developing housing 52, the second holder 220 may enter the protrusion, and have a long hole that is long in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction and the axial direction.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to other image forming apparatuses, for example, a monochrome printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, and the like. May be.

各 The components described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 main body housing 40 drum cartridge 40A first outer surface 41 photosensitive drum 42 frame 43 drum coupling 44 first memory 44A first electrical contact surface 50 developing cartridge 50A second outer surface 51 developing roller 52 developing Housing 53 Development coupling 54 Second memory 54A Second electrical contact surface 63 Intermediate transfer belt 110 First connector 120 Second connector 210 First holder 220 Second holder

Claims

A main body housing,
A photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in the axial direction; and a first memory for storing drum information that is information on the photosensitive drum, the first memory having a first electrical contact surface. A drum cartridge having a drum cartridge detachable in the axial direction with respect to the main body housing,
A developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction, a developing housing for storing toner, and a second memory for storing development information on the developing roller or the toner, wherein a second electrical contact surface is provided. A developing cartridge having a second memory, and a developing cartridge detachable from the drum cartridge.
The main body housing further includes:
When the drum cartridge is mounted on the main housing, a first connector that contacts the first electrical contact surface and the developing cartridge are mounted on the main housing. A second connector that contacts the second electrical contact surface.
The first electrical contact surface is located on a first outer surface located at one end of the drum cartridge in the axial direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact surface intersects the axial direction.
The second electrical contact surface is located on a second outer surface located at one end of the developing cartridge in the axial direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second electrical contact surface intersects the axial direction.
The image forming apparatus may further include an intermediate transfer belt positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted on the main body housing, wherein the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are 4. The image according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate transfer belt that contacts a surface of the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted on the main body housing. 5. Forming equipment.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a discharge unit that is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt and discharges a sheet.
The main body housing,
A first holder for holding the first connector, wherein the first electrical contact surface is in contact with the first connector when the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first holder that holds the first connector so as to be movable with respect to the main body housing.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first holder holds the first connector movably in a direction intersecting with the axial direction with respect to the main body housing.
The main body housing,
A second holder that movably holds the second connector, wherein the second electrical contact surface and the second connector are arranged when the developing cartridge is mounted on the main body housing. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second holder configured to movably hold the second connector with respect to the main body housing in a contact state. 9. apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second holder holds the second connector movably in a direction intersecting with the axial direction with respect to the main body housing.
In a state where the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are mounted on the main body housing, the developing cartridge is located at a first position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum with respect to the drum cartridge; A second position where the roller is separated from the photosensitive drum,
10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second connector is movable with respect to the main body housing in accordance with movement of the developing cartridge between a first position and a second position. The image forming apparatus as described in the above.
The developing cartridge has a long hole elongated in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction and the axial direction moving from the first position to the second position,
The second holder,
It is movable in the moving direction with respect to the main body housing,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a projection that enters the elongated hole.
The developing cartridge has a protrusion that projects in the axial direction from the developing housing,
The second holder,
The developing cartridge is movable with respect to the main body housing in a moving direction in which the developing cartridge moves from the first position to the second position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus has an elongated hole into which the protrusion enters, the elongated hole extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction and the axial direction.
The first electrical contact surface is located on a first outer surface located at one end of the drum cartridge in the axial direction,
The drum cartridge is a drum coupling that receives a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum, and has a drum coupling located on the first outer surface,
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrical contact surface is located below the drum coupling when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted on the main body housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The second electrical contact surface is located on a second outer surface located at one end of the developing cartridge in the axial direction,
The developing cartridge is a developing coupling that receives a driving force for rotating the developing roller, and has a developing coupling located on the second outer surface.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second electrical contact surface is located below the developing coupling.