imaging device

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a photosensitive body unit, and a developing cartridge. The apparatus main body includes a controller and a main body side contact portion. The photosensitive body unit includes a photosensitive body, a charger, and a frame main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller, a storage medium configured to store information, and a cartridge side contact portion. The photosensitive body unit includes a first contact portion configured to be electrically connected to the main body side contact portion, a second contact portion configured to be electrically connected to the cartridge side contact portion, and a wiring portion electrically connecting the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The photosensitive body unit further includes an isolation member. The isolation member is arranged to isolate the charger and a portion of the wiring portion when viewed in a direction of a photosensitive body rotation axis.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of invention patent application 202110299709.6 entitled "Imaging Device", filed on March 22, 2021. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium. Background Technology

[0003] Some imaging devices (such as laser beam printers or LED printers) are equipped with a tray that can be pulled out from the main body of the device, and multiple components that perform imaging processing, which are configured as a box that can be detachably mounted onto the tray. With this configuration, the user can easily replace the box by pulling out the tray.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication 2019-028345 discloses an imaging device in which a developing cartridge is detachably mounted onto a tray-shaped drum unit, and the drum unit storing the developing cartridge is mounted in the device body. A storage medium for storing various information related to the developing cartridge is mounted on the developing cartridge, and with the developing cartridge mounted on the drum unit, the storage medium is electrically connected to a relay board located at the rear of the drum unit. When the drum unit is inserted into the device body, contact members located on the drum unit and electrically connected to the relay board contact contact members located on the device body. In this state, the controller of the device body can obtain information from the storage medium of the developing cartridge.

[0005] According to the device disclosed in the above patent documents, the charging unit provided on the drum unit and the electrical wiring arranged on the rear of the drum unit are arranged close to each other, so that electromagnetic noise generated from the charging unit will affect the signal transmission via the electrical wiring. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides an imaging device that can reduce the impact of electromagnetic noise on electrical wiring.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes an apparatus body, a photoreceptor unit, and a developing cartridge. The apparatus body includes a controller and a body-side contact portion electrically connected to the controller. The photoreceptor unit includes a photoreceptor, a charger configured to charge the surface of the photoreceptor, and a frame body supporting the photoreceptor and the charger. The photoreceptor unit is detachably mounted to the apparatus body in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the photoreceptor. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor using a developer, a storage medium configured to store information, and a cartridge-side contact portion electrically connected to the storage medium. The developing cartridge is detachably mounted to a mounting portion disposed in the photoreceptor unit. Furthermore, the photoreceptor unit includes: a first contact portion configured to be electrically connected to the body-side contact portion when the photoreceptor unit is mounted in the apparatus body; a second contact portion configured to be electrically connected to the cartridge-side contact portion when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion; and a wiring portion electrically connecting the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The frame body includes: a first side frame and a second side frame, respectively disposed on a first end side and a second end side in the direction of the photoreceptor's rotation axis, and each extending in the mounting direction in which the photoreceptor unit is mounted to the device body; and an upstream side frame and a downstream side frame, respectively arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the photoreceptor in the mounting direction, and each supported by the first side frame and the second side frame. A first contact portion is disposed on a first surface outside the downstream side frame, such that the first contact portion is exposed outside the photoreceptor unit. A portion of the wiring portion is disposed along a second surface inside the downstream side frame. The photoreceptor unit also includes an isolation member, which is disposed opposite to the second surface of the downstream side frame, and is arranged to isolate the charger and the portion of the wiring portion when viewed in the direction of the photoreceptor's rotation axis.

[0008] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the box tray in the state of the box being installed on the box tray according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the box tray in the state where the box is not installed on the box tray according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the photosensitive drum of the cartridge tray according to the first embodiment and the structure around it.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a view showing the contact portion and electrical wiring of the box tray according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a view showing the shielding wall of the box tray according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8A This is a perspective view of the charging unit according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8B It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the box tray taken by line AA.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a view showing the shielding wall of the box tray according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the box tray taken at line BB. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, with respect to the imaging device, the side in which the user primarily approaches the device (i.e., the side with the front door (if any)) is referred to as the front side, and the side opposite to the front side is referred to as the rear side. The left side when viewing the imaging device from the front side is referred to as the left side, and the right side when viewing the imaging device from the front side is referred to as the right side.

[0021] The direction in which the photoreceptor axis extends (i.e., from the right side of the imaging device to the left side according to the following embodiment) is called direction X, the vertical direction is called direction Z, and the direction orthogonal to directions X and Z (i.e., the rear direction of the imaging device according to the following embodiment) is called direction Y. Directions X, Y, and Z are preferably orthogonal coordinate systems that are mutually orthogonal. In other words, directions X and Y are both horizontal directions. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the shape of the components of the imaging device or the positional relationship between the components is assumed to be the position or orientation obtained in the state in which the components are assembled onto the imaging device.

[0022] First Embodiment

[0023] (1) Overall structure of imaging equipment

[0024] The construction of the imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the imaging device 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the imaging device 1 with its front door 40 open and the cartridge tray 3 pulled out. (See image.) Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device 1 includes a main body 2, a cartridge tray 3, and developing cartridges 8k, 8c, 8m, and 8y that can be detachably mounted on the cartridge tray 3. The imaging device 1 is a four-color laser beam printer that forms images on a recording medium via electrophotographic processing, and forms color images on the recording medium S. Various sheets of different sizes and materials can be used as the recording medium S, such as plain paper and thick paper, plastic film, cloth, surface-treated sheets (such as coated paper), and sheet materials of special sizes (such as envelope and index sheets).

[0025] The tray 3 includes the tray frame body 30 ( Figure 2 The system includes multiple photosensitive drums 4k, 4c, 4m, and 4y, rotatably supported by a tray frame body 30, and charging units 5k, 5c, 5m, and 5y. The photosensitive drums 4k to 4y are drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive elements, i.e., image-carrying components. The cartridge storage sections 89k, 89c, 89m, and 89y serve as mounting sections for installing the developing cartridge. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The developing cartridges 8k to 8y are disposed in the cartridge storage section 89k to 89y. The developing cartridges 8k to 8y include housings 9k, 9c, 9m and 9y for storing developer and developing rollers 6k, 6c, 6m and 6y for performing developing processes using developer.

[0026] An openable front door 40 is provided on the front side of the device body 2; by opening the front door 40, as described later, the cartridge tray 3 can be pulled out from the device body 2 so that the cartridge tray 3 and the developing cartridges 8k to 8y can be replaced. The device body 2 refers to the part of the imaging device 1 excluding the cartridge tray 3 and the developing cartridges 8k to 8y, and includes, for example, the frame body of the imaging device 1.

[0027] The box tray 3 is guided into or out of the device body 2 by a body-side guide rail provided in the device body 2. Tray-side guide rails 39 and 39, serving as the guided portion guided by the body-side guide rails, are provided on the box tray 3. The tray-side guide rails 39 and 39 are protrusions extending along the box tray's moving direction when the box tray 3 is inserted into or pulled out of the device body 2. According to this embodiment, the box tray's moving direction is direction Y.

[0028] A laser scanning unit LB, serving as an exposure unit, is disposed above the developing cartridges 8k to 8y and the cartridge tray 3 in the main body 2 of the device. Furthermore, a belt unit 11, serving as a transport unit, is disposed below the developing cartridges 8k to 8y and the cartridge tray 3 in the main body 2 of the device. The belt unit 11 is formed by tensioning an elastic electrostatic attraction belt 12 around the drive roller 13 and the tension roller 14. The electrostatic attraction belt 12 is an example of a belt member for transporting the recording medium S. According to this embodiment, the electrostatic attraction belt 12 is tensioned on the drive roller 13 and the tension roller 14 in a generally horizontal direction.

[0029] Transfer rollers 16k, 16c, 16m, and 16y are disposed inside the electrostatic attraction belt 12, opposite to photosensitive drums 4k, 4c, 4m, and 4y. The areas of photosensitive drums 4k, 4c, 4m, and 4y opposite to each transfer roller 16k, 16c, 16m, and 16y (i.e., the clamping portions formed between photosensitive drums 4k to 4y and the electrostatic attraction belt 12) constitute a transfer section, in which the transfer process is performed.

[0030] The sheet feed unit 18 is located below the belt unit 11. The sheet feed unit 18 includes a sheet feed tray 19 for stacking and storing recording media S, and a sheet feed roller 20 for feeding one recording medium S at a time. The fixing unit 21, which performs the fixing process, is located on the Y-direction side of the belt unit 11. A sheet discharge unit 22, for discharging the recording media S to the outside of the device body 2, is located on the upper part of the device body 2, above the fixing unit 21.

[0031] (2) Imaging operation

[0032] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The imaging operation is described below. The operation for forming a panchromatic image is as follows. Before starting the imaging operation, the tray 3 containing the developer cartridges 8k to 8y is inserted into the main body 2 of the device and the front door 40 is closed, thus completing the installation of the tray 3 and the developer cartridges 8k to 8y into the imaging device 1.

[0033] When the current door 40 is closed, the drum drive connector (not shown) on the imaging device 1 engages with the drum connector 54 connected to the photosensitive drums 4k to 4y on the tray 3. When the imaging device 1 receives a command to perform imaging, the drum connectors 54 are driven to rotate by means of a drive output motor and gears (not shown) in the device body 2, thereby driving the photosensitive drums 4k to 4y to rotate at a predetermined speed. The electrostatic attraction belt 12 is also driven to rotate at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drums 4k to 4y. Simultaneously, the laser scanning unit LB is driven to emit light. Synchronously with the light emission of the laser scanning unit LB, the charging units 5k to 5y uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4k to 4y to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanning unit LB uses a laser L corresponding to the image signal of each color to scan and expose the surface of each photosensitive drum 4k to 4y. In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of each color is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drums 4k to 4y.

[0034] The electrostatic latent image is developed by developing rollers 6k to 6y, which are driven to rotate at a predetermined speed. Through this process, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the panchromatic image is formed on the first photosensitive drum 4y. Similarly, toner images corresponding to the magenta, cyan, and black components of the panchromatic image are formed on the second photosensitive drum 4m, the third photosensitive drum 4c, and the fourth photosensitive drum 4k, respectively.

[0035] Simultaneously, at predetermined transfer times, the recording media S are separated and fed one sheet at a time from the sheet feed tray 19. As the recording media S passes sequentially through the first to fourth photosensitive drums 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k, toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are transferred onto the recording media S in a superimposed manner. In this way, a panchromatic unfixed toner image composed of four colors is formed on the recording media S.

[0036] The recording medium S, with the toner image already transferred, undergoes fixing at the fixing unit 21. The fixing unit 21 includes a pair of rollers that hold and transport the recording medium S, and a heating unit (such as a halogen lamp or electromagnetic induction heating unit) for heating the toner image on the recording medium S, wherein the unfixed toner image is heated and pressurized. Thus, the toner melts, mixes, and then solidifies, thereby obtaining a fixed image fixed onto the recording medium S. The recording medium S, having passed through the fixing unit 21, is discharged by the sheet discharge unit 22 to a sheet discharge tray 23 located on the upper side of the equipment body 2.

[0037] (3) Box tray

[0038] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The construction of the cartridge tray 3 according to the first embodiment is described. The cartridge tray 3 is a photoreceptor unit according to this embodiment, which includes at least one photoreceptor, namely, a photosensitive drum 4k to 4y in this embodiment.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the box tray 3. The box tray 3 includes a tray frame body 30, a tray through shaft 55, photosensitive drums 4k to 4y, and charging units 5k to 5y that serve as a charger. The box tray 3 also includes a cleaning frame equipped with cleaning components, charging contacts 44k, 44c, 44m and 44y that serve as processing contacts, cleaner contacts 45k, 45c, 45m and 45y, and a first contact portion 33 and a second contact portion 32k to 32y that will be described in detail later.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the tray frame body 30 is a frame body with four sides: a right side portion 30R, a left side portion 30L, a front side portion 30F, and a rear side portion 30B. The right side portion 30R, serving as the first side frame, is located at a first end along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4k to 4y and extends in the insertion direction of the tray 3 (i.e., the mounting direction to the device body 2). The left side portion 30L, serving as the second side frame, is located at a second end along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4k to 4y and extends in the insertion direction of the tray 3. The front side portion 30F, serving as the upstream side frame, is located upstream of the photosensitive drum 4k to 4y along the insertion direction of the tray 3 and is supported by the right side portion 30R and the left side portion 30L. The rear side portion 30B, serving as the downstream side frame, is located downstream of the photosensitive drum 4k to 4y along the insertion direction of the tray 3 and is supported by the right side portion 30R and the left side portion 30L.

[0041] The tray through-shaft 55 is a through-shaft supported by the right side portion 30R and the left side portion 30L, with both ends protruding outside the right side portion 30R and the left side portion 30L. The tray positioning part 56 is located behind the right side portion 30R and the left side portion 30L. When the tray through-shaft 55 is inserted into the device body 2, it is supported by the tray shaft engagement part (not shown) of the device body 2, and the tray positioning part 56 is... Figure 1 The pallet positioning shaft 24 of the main body 2 of the device shown (reference) Figure 1 Support. In this way, the box tray 3 is positioned on the main body 2 of the equipment.

[0042] The photosensitive drums 4k to 4y are supported by the right side portion 30R and the left side portion 30L, and are rotatably mounted around a rotation axis extending in the direction X.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the tray 3 and the developing cartridges 8k to 8y according to this embodiment. Figure 4The diagram shows a developer cartridge 8m removed while the other developer cartridges 8k, 8c, and 8y are mounted on the cartridge tray 3. The developer cartridges 8k to 8y can be loaded and unloaded independently of each other relative to the four cartridge storage sections 89k to 89y provided in the cartridge tray 3 as slots.

[0044] The developing cartridge 8m includes a memory tag unit 80, and a memory tag (i.e., an IC tag) 81, which serves as the storage medium in this embodiment, is mounted to the memory tag unit 80. Figure 4 Only the memory tag unit 80 of the magenta developing cartridge 8m is shown, but similar memory tag units 80 are provided on each of the developing cartridges 8k to 8y.

[0045] The memory tag 81 is, for example, a contact IC chip and includes a memory contact portion 81a, which serves as an electrical contact portion exposed on the outside of each developing cartridge 8k to 8y, i.e., a cartridge-side contact portion. The cartridge tray 3 is provided with second contact portions 32k, 32c, 32m, and 32y. Figure 3 The second contact portion serves as an electrical contact portion corresponding to the memory contact portion 81a of the developing cartridges 8k to 8y, respectively. When the developing cartridges 8k to 8y are mounted onto the cartridge tray 3, the memory contact portion 81a contacts the second contact portions 32k to 32y, thereby electrically connecting each memory tag 81 to the circuitry of the cartridge tray 3. The wiring structure in the cartridge tray 3 will be described later.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, a first contact portion 33, serving as an electrical contact portion, is provided on the front side of the tray 3 along the insertion direction (i.e., the mounting direction) into the device body 2. The first contact portion 33 is supported by the rear side portion 30B of the tray frame body 30 and is exposed downstream in the insertion direction via an opening formed in the rear side portion 30B. In other words, the first contact portion 33 is arranged on a first surface 30B1 on the outer side of the rear side portion 30B, which serves as the downstream frame of the tray frame body 30, so as to be exposed to the outside of the tray 3. Furthermore, the body-side contact portion 28 ( Figure 1 The first contact portion 33 is installed on the main body 2 as an electrical contact portion corresponding to the first contact portion 33. When the tray 3 is inserted into the main body 2 at a predetermined installation position (i.e., a position where imaging operations can be performed), the first contact portion 33 and the main body-side contact portion 28 are electrically connected, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0047] The main body 2 of the imaging device 1 includes Figure 1 The controller 2C and schematically shown in the figure Figure 2 The display unit 42 shown in the figure Figure 2The main body side contact portion 28 is electrically connected to the controller 2C via wiring disposed in the device main body 2. The controller 2C includes a processor (such as a CPU) and various memories, and is constructed, for example, by a circuit board. The processor operates based on a program, executing various processes in the imaging device 1 according to the program. The controller 2C performs imaging operations by controlling a motor for driving the photosensitive drum 4k to 4y or a high-voltage substrate for applying a bias voltage to the charging unit 5k to 5y. The display unit 42 is the user interface of the imaging device 1 and includes a display screen (such as a liquid crystal panel).

[0048] According to the above configuration, with the tray 3 storing the developing cartridges 8k to 8y installed in the mounting position within the main body 2, the controller 2C and the memory tag 81 are electrically connected. In this state, the controller 2C reads information stored in the memory tag 81 of each developing cartridge 8k to 8y, or performs information processing, such as sending signals to the memory tag 81 and storing information therein. Thus, information such as the remaining amount of developer stored in each developing cartridge 8k to 8y can be displayed to the user on the display unit 42.

[0049] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the photosensitive drum 4y and its surroundings is shown in the tray 3. Charging units 5y are supported by the tray frame body 30 and arranged relative to each other at a predetermined distance to avoid contact with the photosensitive drum 4y. The charging units 5y employ a corona discharge system, which includes discharge lines 550, a grid 551, and a wall 553. The discharge lines 550 and the grid 551 are arranged on the wall 553. The discharge lines 550 extend along direction X, which is either the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 4y or longitudinal. The grid 551 is disposed between the discharge lines 550 and the photosensitive drum 4y and controls the amount of discharge from the discharge lines 550 to the photosensitive drum 4y.

[0050] During imaging, the charging unit 5y uniformly positively charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 4y. Specifically, by applying a high voltage to the discharge line 550 and the grid 551, an electric field is formed between the discharge line 550 and the photosensitive drum 4y, thereby inducing corona discharge. In this state, a voltage different from the voltage applied to the discharge line 550 is applied to the grid 551, thereby controlling the strength of the electric field and the amount of charge on the photosensitive drum 4y.

[0051] Furthermore, a cleaner 554 for cleaning the discharge line 550 is provided on the charging unit 5y. The cleaner 554 is guided by a guide portion 553a provided on the upper edge of the wall portion 553. Figure 8AThe cleaner 554 is slidably positioned along the X direction to guide the discharge wire 550. A wiping part 555 that clamps the discharge wire 550 is provided at the end of the cleaner 554. When the user operates the cleaner 554, the wiping part 555 slides in the X direction (the stretching direction of the discharge wire 550) and cleans the discharge wire 550.

[0052] In addition, a cleaning unit 7y for cleaning the photosensitive drum 4y is mounted on the cartridge tray 3. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the cleaning unit 7y includes a cleaning roller 17 serving as a cleaning component and a cleaning frame 27 fixed to the tray frame body 30 and storing the cleaning roller 17. The cleaning roller 17 is supported by the cleaning frame 27 at the position where it contacts the photosensitive drum 4y, and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the direction X. Cleaner contacts 45k, 45c, 45m, and 45y (reference) Figure 3 The cleaner contacts 45k to 45y are exposed on the right side surface of the cartridge tray 3 and contact cleaner contacts (not shown in the device body 2), thereby electrically connecting the cleaner roller 17 to the device body 2. In this way, the cleaner roller 17 effectively removes waste developer that was not transferred during imaging processing and remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0053] Charging units 5k, 5m, and 5c, and cleaning units 7k, 7m, and 7c, have similar structures to charging unit 5y and cleaning unit 7y. Figure 1 The charging rollers are positioned on tray 3, corresponding to the photosensitive drums 4k, 4m, and 4c. The charger used to charge the photosensitive drums is not limited to the previously mentioned corona discharge system; charging rollers that contact the photosensitive drums 4k to 4y can also be used. In this embodiment, a cleaning roller is used as the cleaning component, but this is not always necessary; in some cases, other different types of cleaning components, such as rubber scrapers or squeegees, can be used.

[0054] (4) Electrical wiring and shielding of the box tray

[0055] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8A and Figure 8B This describes the construction of the contacts, electrical wiring, and shielding walls of the tray 3.

[0056] Figure 6The contacts and electrical wiring disposed on the cartridge tray 3 are shown. In addition to the second contact portions 32k to 32y and the first contact portion 33 mentioned above, the cartridge tray 3 also includes a relay substrate 35 equipped with an IC chip 36, and electrical wirings 37 and 38. The relay substrate 35 is electrically connected to the first contact portion 33 via electrical wiring 37, which serves as the first wiring, and is electrically connected to the second contact portions 32k to 32y via electrical wiring 38, which serves as the second wiring. Electrical wirings 37 and 38, along with the relay substrate 35, are disposed in the cartridge tray 3, which serves as a photosensitive unit, and constitute a wiring portion 34 electrically connected to the first contact portion 33 and the second contact portions 32k to 32y.

[0057] By providing a contact part 28 on the main body side ( Figure 1 The second contact portion 33 is constructed by mounting a contact substrate 330, which has terminals (i.e., electrical contact surfaces) that make contact with and communicate with the terminals, onto a contact frame body 331 supported by a tray frame body 30 of the tray 3. The contact substrate 330 is fixed to the contact frame body 331 by any method such as adhesive bonding, double-sided tape, or heat fusion. A first end of an electrical wiring 37 is connected to a connector portion 332 provided on the rear side of the electrical contact surface of the contact substrate 330, and a second end of the electrical wiring 37 is connected to a relay substrate 35.

[0058] IC chip 36 is a storage medium used to store information related to the photosensitive drum 4k to 4y. In other words, IC chip 36 serves as a second storage medium, while the memory tag 81 on the developing cartridge 8k to 8y serves as a first storage medium. IC chip 36 is mounted to relay substrate 35.

[0059] The relay board 35 is located on the inner side of the rear side 30B of the housing tray 3 (see also...). Figure 8B The first end of the electrical wiring 38 is connected to the relay substrate 35. The second end of the electrical wiring 38 branches into four parts, which are respectively connected to the second contact portions 32k to 32y. A portion 38b of the electrical wiring 38 is in the groove portion 39a along the Y direction (see reference). Figure 3 Extending from the tray, a recessed portion 39a is formed along the Y direction within the tray-side guide rail 39 of the tray 3. That is, portions 38a of the relay substrate 35, electrical wiring 37, and electrical wiring 38 are arranged along a surface 30B2 upstream of the frame (rear side portion) 30B in the insertion direction. The frame (rear side portion) 30B is formed on the downstream side surface of the tray frame body 30 in the insertion direction (i.e., mounting direction) of the tray 3. In other words, portions 38b of the wiring portion 34 according to this embodiment are arranged along a second surface inside the rear side portion 30B, which serves as the downstream side frame of the tray frame body 30.

[0060] Now, the positional relationship between the wiring section 34 and the charging unit 5y will be described. Among the four charging units 5k to 5y on the tray 3, the charging unit 5y is located downstream in the insertion direction of the tray 3 and is arranged closest to the relay board 35, the electrical wiring 37 and the first contact section 33.

[0061] As previously described, the discharge line 550 of the charging unit 5y extends along the direction X (the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4y). Meanwhile, the first contact portion 33 and the relay substrate 35 are supported by the rear side portion 30B of the tray 3, and both are positioned to overlap with the range of the discharge line 550 extending along the direction X. Therefore, a portion of the electrical wiring 37 and electrical wiring 38 are all located within the range of the discharge line 550 positioned in the direction X. In other words, at least a portion of the wiring portion is located within the range of the charger positioned in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive element.

[0062] More specifically, more than half the length of the electrical wiring 37 extends approximately along the X direction between the relay substrate 35 and the first contact portion 33. Furthermore, a recess 39a (see reference) extends from the relay substrate 35 toward the tray-side guide rail 39. Figure 3 The portion 38a of the extended electrical wiring 38 also extends approximately in the X direction. The wiring path of the electrical wiring 38 can also be changed so that the entire electrical wiring 38 is arranged within the range set by the discharge line 550 in the X direction.

[0063] As described above, in the configuration where the wiring section 34 of the tray 3 and the charging unit 5y are arranged close to each other, it is important to consider that electromagnetic noise generated in the charging unit 5y may interfere with the signal transmitted via the wiring section 34. This embodiment employs a configuration where the user can operate the cleaner 554 to clean the discharge line 550, thus there is a possibility that the user's hand may come into contact with the wiring section 34.

[0064] like Figure 7 and Figure 8B As shown, according to this embodiment, a shielding wall 70, which serves as an isolation member or a shielding member, is disposed on the box tray 3. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the cartridge tray 3 as seen from the upstream side of the insertion direction (i.e., the mounting direction) into the device body 2, wherein the developing cartridge 8y has been removed. Figure 8B It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the tray 3 taken at line AA (that is, at the position passing through the first contact point 33).

[0065] like Figure 7As shown, the shielding wall 70 is installed inside the rear side portion 30B, that is, upstream in the insertion direction. The shielding wall 70 is a plastic sheet component that covers at least a portion of the wiring portion 34 when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Specifically, according to this embodiment, the shielding wall 70 covers the connector portion 332 of the first contact portion 33, the entire electrical wiring 37, the entire relay substrate 35, and the portion 38a of the electrical wiring 38 that extends substantially in the X direction. Figure 6 ).

[0066] like Figure 8B As shown, when viewed in direction X, the connector portion 332, the electrical wiring 37, and the relay board 35 are located within a space (i.e., the wiring space) surrounded by the rear side portion 30B and the shielding wall 70. The charging unit 5y is located on the side opposite to the wiring space, with the shielding wall 70 positioned between them. The shielding wall 70, serving as an isolation member or shielding member, is arranged to isolate the charger from at least a portion of the wiring portion when viewed in direction X (the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4y).

[0067] By providing the shielding wall 70 as described above, the creepage distance L1 between the charging unit 5y and the electrical components (connector portion 332, electrical wiring 37, and relay substrate 35) on the tray 3 can be ensured. Therefore, the possibility of electromagnetic noise generated from the charging unit 5y affecting signal transmission via the wiring portion 34 and the first contact portion 33 can be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, when the user operates the cleaner 554, the shielding wall 70 prevents the user's hands from touching the wiring section 34 and the connector section 332. Therefore, the possibility of damage to electrical components during cleaning of the charging unit 5y can be reduced.

[0069] The positional relationship between the shielding wall 70 and the cleaner 554 will now be described in detail. For example... Figure 8A As shown, the cleaner 554 includes: a surface 5542 (i.e., the third surface according to this embodiment), extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4y when viewed from above; and a protrusion 5541 protruding upward from the surface 5542. The protrusion 5541 is the portion that is pinched by the user's finger operating the cleaner 554 and receives the operating force in the direction X. The surface 5542 is the surface touched by the user's fingernail when the user's finger operates the protrusion 5541. The surface 5542 extends across an opening extending in the direction X between the wall portions 553 and has the function of preventing the user's finger from touching the discharge wire 550. Figure 8B As shown, the shielding wall 70 is opposite the charging unit 5y and the cleaner 554 at the surface 70a (that is, the fourth surface according to this embodiment) located upstream of the insertion direction of the box tray 3.

[0070] The shielding wall 70 should preferably be arranged such that an upwardly widening space is formed between the shielding wall 70 and the cleaner 554. Specifically, when viewed along direction X... Figure 8A In the illustrated configuration, the distance D1 from the surface 70a of the shielding wall 70 to the surface 5542 of the cleaner 554, measured in a direction perpendicular to the dashed line L7, increases from the bottom to the top in the direction along the surface 70a of the shielding wall 70 (i.e., the direction of the dashed line L7). According to this arrangement, compared to a configuration where the distance D1 decreases towards the top, the visibility of the cleaner 554 is improved when viewed from above. Furthermore, due to the wider opening at the top, the operability of the cleaner 554 is improved when the user approaches it from above to operate it.

[0071] Furthermore, due to such Figure 7 The surface 70a of the shielding wall 70, which is opposite to the charging unit 5y and the cleaner 554, extends substantially parallel to the direction X. Therefore, the surface 70a also serves as a guide surface when the user operates the cleaner 554. Thus, the surface 70a preferably covers more than half of the area where the cleaner 554 can move in the direction X, and even more preferably covers the entire area where the cleaner 554 can move.

[0072] Variation Example

[0073] In this embodiment, the shielding wall 70 is formed of plastic, which is a dielectric material or an insulator. The material of the shielding wall 70 is not limited to plastic; it can also be formed of, for example, a metal plate, which is a conductor. In this case, it is preferable that, with the tray 3 mounted to the device body 2, the shielding wall 70 formed of the metal plate is connected to ground potential via the metal frame of the device body 2. Furthermore, the shielding wall 70 formed of the metal plate can also be a component electrically insulated from ground potential (i.e., in a floating state).

[0074] Furthermore, the isolation member (i.e., the shielding member) can be configured to cover at least a portion of the wiring portion 34 that overlaps with the area of ​​the charging unit 5y in the X direction when viewed from the upstream side of the insertion direction of the tray 3. For example, if a wiring member with high shielding performance is used as one of the electrical wirings 37 and 38, the isolation member (i.e., the shielding member) can be arranged to expose the corresponding wiring member and cover the other of the electrical wirings 37 and 38. The shielding wall 70 does not need to cover the wiring space in an airtight manner, and can, for example, form an opening, as long as the shielding wall 70 ensures a creepage distance between the charging unit 5y and the electronic components of the tray 3 compared to the case where the shielding wall 70 is not provided.

[0075] The shielding wall 70 can at least physically protect the wiring section 34, even when the charging unit 5y does not include the cleaner 554 or when the electromagnetic noise reduction effect of the shielding wall 70 cannot be expected. That is to say, even when the user is working near the photosensitive drum 4y through the opening formed on the upper side of the photosensitive drum 4y, such as when changing the developer cartridge 8y, the shielding wall 70 can reduce the possibility of the user touching the wiring section 34 and damaging it.

[0076] Second Embodiment

[0077] An imaging device according to a second embodiment will be described. The construction of the isolation member or shielding member according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment. It is assumed that components indicated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same construction and effects as those in the first embodiment.

[0078] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the shielding wall 71, which is provided on the box tray 3 according to this embodiment as an isolation member or shielding member, and Figure 10 It shows along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the tray 3 taken from the line BB (that is, the position passing through the first contact part 33).

[0079] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the shielding wall 71 employs a dual structure, namely a double-layer structure, wherein the base cover 72 formed of plastic and the shielding metal plate 73 formed of metal overlap. The shielding metal plate 73 is mounted to one side of the base cover 72 opposite to the charging unit 5y, that is, the opposite side of the surface opposite to the relay substrate 35 and the connector portion 332 of the first contact portion 33. The shielding metal plate 73 can be fixed to the base cover 72 by any fixing method, such as by providing claw-shaped members to the shielding metal plate 73 and engaging the claw-shaped members into holes formed in the base cover 72, or by using double-sided tape or adhesive. Furthermore, a grounding wire is connected to the shielding metal plate 73, and the shielding metal plate 73 is electrically grounded when the tray 3 is mounted to the device body 2, that is, connected to the ground potential by means of the grounding wire and the metal frame of the device body 2.

[0080] Similar to the shielding wall 70 in the first embodiment, the shielding wall 71 is installed inside the rear side 30B (i.e., the upstream side in the insertion direction) and arranged to cover at least a portion of the wiring portion 34 when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Figure 10As shown, in a cross-sectional view viewed along direction X, the connector portion 332, the electrical wiring 37, and the relay board 35 are located in a space (i.e., the wiring space) surrounded by the rear side portion 30B and the shielding wall 71. The charging unit 5y is located on the side of the shielding wall 71 opposite to the wiring space. In other words, the shielding wall 71, which serves as an isolation member (i.e., a shielding member), is arranged to isolate the charger from at least a portion of the wiring portion when viewed in direction X, corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4y.

[0081] The shielding wall 71 arranged in the above manner can ensure the creepage distance L1 between the charging unit 5y and the electronic components (connector section 332, electrical wiring 37 and relay board 35) on the tray 3. In this way, the possibility of electromagnetic noise generated in the charging unit 5y interfering with signal transmission via the wiring section 34 and the first contact section 33 can be reduced.

[0082] According to this embodiment employing a shielding wall 71 with a dual structure, such as Figure 10 As shown, a base cover 72 made of plastic is arranged on the side with the electrical wiring 37, and a shielding metal plate 73 made of metal is arranged on the side with the charging unit 5y. Therefore, the base cover 72, being made of plastic, reduces the likelihood of the electrical wiring 37 touching the metal edge of the shielding metal plate 73 during assembly or when moving the tray 3. Furthermore, a recessed portion for storing the shielding metal plate 73 is provided on the side of the base cover 72 facing the charging unit 5y, such that at least a portion of the edge of the shielding metal plate 73 is stored in the recessed portion. In other words, on the side facing the charging unit 5y, the base cover 72 is also arranged near the edge of the shielding metal plate 73. Thus, the base cover 72 reduces the likelihood of a user's hand touching the edge of the shielding metal plate 73.

[0083] Compared to the shielding wall 70, which is composed of a single component, as described in the first embodiment, the shielding wall 71, which employs a dual structure consisting of plastic and metal plate components, as described in this embodiment, achieves improved noise shielding properties through the metal plate and protects the metal edges of the metal plate through the plastic.

[0084] Furthermore, the surface of the shielding wall 71 (i.e., the fourth surface) opposite the charging unit 5y and the cleaner 554 is arranged such that the distance D1 from the shielding wall 71 to the surface 5542 (i.e., the third surface) of the cleaner 554 increases from the lower side to the upper side. In this embodiment, the fourth surface is composed of a shielding metal plate 73. This arrangement improves the visibility of the cleaner 554 when viewed from above and also enhances the operability of the cleaner 554 when approached and operated by the user from above. The surface of the shielding wall 71 opposite the charging unit 5y and the cleaner 554 extends substantially parallel to the direction X, thus also serving as a guiding surface when the user operates the cleaner 554.

[0085] This embodiment shows the shielding wall 71 as having a dual structure of metal plate and plastic, but this disclosure is not limited to this structure. For example, conductive wires may be used instead of metal plates, or a base cover 72 formed of plastic with a metal coating may be used.

[0086] Other embodiments

[0087] The first and second embodiments show a configuration where a first contact portion 33 and four second contact portions 32k to 32y are arranged along direction X on opposite sides of the center of the tray 3. Furthermore, the electrical wiring 37 extends from the relay substrate 35 toward the first contact portion 33, and the electrical wiring 38 extends from the relay substrate 35 toward the second contact portions 32k to 32y, with the electrical wiring 38 extending from the relay substrate 35 toward opposite sides in direction X. Figure 6 This disclosure is not limited thereto; the first contact portion 33 and the second contact portions 32k to 32y may also be arranged on the same side with their centers positioned relative to the tray 3 in direction X. Furthermore, the electrical wiring 37 extending from the relay substrate 35 toward the first contact portion 33 and the electrical wiring 38 extending from the relay substrate 35 toward the second contact portions 32k to 32y may face the same side in direction X. In this case, the shielding walls 70 or 71 do not necessarily need to be arranged to cover the entire length of the rear side portion 30B in direction X; for example, they may also be provided to cover the electrical wirings 38 and 37 and the relay substrate 35 with a minimum length.

[0088] Regarding the first contact portion 33, a contact portion constructed from an electrical substrate having an electrical contact surface has already been described, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and any component capable of allowing electrical connection, such as a pluggable connector, may also be used. Regarding the structure for maintaining the electrical connection, in structures where the positional accuracy of each contact is dispersed, a floating mechanism that can shift according to the position of the corresponding component to which the electrical contact is connected can be used.

[0089] The first and second embodiments illustrate a configuration in which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted onto a cartridge tray 3 (which serves as a photoreceptor unit including a photoreceptor). This disclosure is not limited thereto; for example, a configuration may also be used where a processing cartridge including a photoreceptor and a developing roller is detachably mounted onto a tray without a photoreceptor.

[0090] Furthermore, the electrostatic attraction strip 12 according to the first and second embodiments is an example of a strip component equipped in an imaging device. For example, this technology can also be applied to an imaging device equipped with an intermediate transfer strip (used as an intermediate transfer body).

[0091] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation in order to cover all variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising: (i) The main body of the device, including the controller and the main body side contact portion electrically connected to the controller; (ii) A photoreceptor unit, detachably mounted to the device body along the mounting direction, the photoreceptor unit comprising: (ii-i) A plurality of photoreceptors are arranged along the mounting direction, and include a first photoreceptor, the first photoreceptor being rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the mounting direction and being the most downstream of the plurality of photoreceptors in the mounting direction; (ii-ii) A plurality of chargers, each corresponding to one of the plurality of photoreceptors, wherein each of the plurality of chargers is configured to charge the surface of one of the plurality of photoreceptors, and the plurality of chargers includes a first charger configured to charge the surface of a first photoreceptor. (ii-iii) A plurality of cleaners, capable of moving in the direction of the rotation axis, and configured to clean a corresponding charger among the plurality of chargers while moving in the direction of the rotation axis, the plurality of cleaners including a first cleaner configured to clean a first charger; (ii-iv) A frame body supporting the plurality of photoreceptors, the frame body including a first side frame and a second side frame, the first side frame and the second side frame being respectively disposed at a first end and a second end in the direction of the rotation axis and each extending in the mounting direction; and (iii) Multiple developing cartridges, detachably mounted into the photoreceptor unit, each developing cartridge comprising: (iii-i) A developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor by supplying a developer to one of the plurality of photoreceptors; (iii-ii) Storage medium, configured to store information; and (iii-iii) The cartridge-side contact portion electrically connected to the storage medium; The photoreceptor unit also includes: The first contact portion is configured to be electrically connected to the main body side contact portion of the device body when the photoreceptor unit is installed in the device body. The first contact portion is located at a position closer to the first end side than the second end side in the direction of the rotation axis, and is located at the downstream end side of the photoreceptor unit in the installation direction. A plurality of second contact portions, each second contact portion being configured to be electrically connected to a cartridge-side contact portion corresponding to one of the plurality of development cartridges when the plurality of development cartridges are mounted in the photosensitive unit, the plurality of second contact portions being disposed on a second end side in the direction of the rotation axis and being located upstream of the first contact portion in the mounting direction; A wiring section electrically connects the first contact section to each of the plurality of second contact sections, a portion of which is located downstream of the rotation axis of the first photoreceptor in the mounting direction and extends along the rotation axis; and When the position of the first cleaner is the same as the position of the portion of the wiring section in the direction of the rotation axis, the wall is disposed between the portion of the wiring section and the first cleaner in the cross-section of the photosensitive unit perpendicular to the rotation axis.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, The wall extends along the direction of the axis of rotation.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, When the storage medium is a first storage medium, the wiring section includes: a relay substrate having a second storage medium configured to store information; a first wiring that electrically connects a first contact portion to the relay substrate; and a second wiring that electrically connects each of the plurality of second contact portions to the relay substrate.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, The wall is an insulator.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, The wall has an inclined surface, which slopes downwards towards the downstream side of the installation direction, and the inclined surface is facing downwards.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein, When the position of the first cleaner is the same as the position of the portion of the wiring section in the direction of the rotation axis, an inclined surface of the wall of the photoreceptor unit in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis is provided between the portion of the wiring section and the first cleaner.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, The first charger includes a discharge wire that extends in the direction of the rotation axis, is separate from the first photoreceptor, and is configured to charge the surface of the first photoreceptor by discharging between the discharge wire and the first photoreceptor.

8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein, The first cleaner includes: The cleaning unit is configured to clean the discharge wire by contact with it; and The operating unit is configured to be operated by a user to move the first cleaner in the direction of the rotation axis, and has an upward-facing surface. The distance between the upper surface of the first cleaner and the wall increases as it moves upwards.

9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein, The wiring section, the wall, the upper surface of the first cleaner, the discharge wire, and the rotation axis of the first photosensitive element are arranged in this order in the direction of gravity.

10. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein, When the position of the first cleaner is the same as the position of the portion of the wiring section in the direction of the rotation axis, the photosensitive unit cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis is disposed between the portion of the wiring section and the upward-facing surface of the first cleaner.

11. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein, The wall has an inclined surface, which slopes downwards towards the downstream side of the installation direction, and the inclined surface is facing downwards. When the position of the first cleaner is the same as the position of the portion of the wiring section in the direction of the rotation axis, the inclined surface of the wall of the photoreceptor unit in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis is provided between the portion of the wiring section and the upward surface of the first cleaner.

12. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, In a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation, the first cleaner is positioned opposite to the first photoreceptor relative to the first charger.

13. A photoreceptor cartridge, detachably mounted in the main body of an imaging device along an installation direction, wherein a plurality of developing cartridges are detachably mounted in the photoreceptor cartridge, the main body including a controller and a main body-side contact portion electrically connected to the controller, each of the plurality of developing cartridges including a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor by supplying developer to a corresponding photoreceptor among a plurality of photoreceptors, a storage medium configured to store information, and a cartridge-side contact portion electrically connected to the storage medium, the photoreceptor cartridge comprising: The plurality of photoreceptors are arranged along the mounting direction and include a first photoreceptor, which is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the mounting direction and is the downstream photoreceptor among the plurality of photoreceptors located in the mounting direction. Multiple chargers are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple photoreceptors. Each of the multiple chargers is configured to charge the surface of a corresponding photoreceptor among the multiple photoreceptors. The multiple chargers include a first charger configured to charge the surface of the first photoreceptor. A plurality of cleaners are movable in the direction of the rotation axis and configured to clean a corresponding charger among the plurality of chargers while moving in the direction of the rotation axis, the plurality of cleaners including a first cleaner configured to clean a first charger; The frame body supports the plurality of photosensitive elements. The frame body includes a first side frame and a second side frame. The first side frame and the second side frame are respectively disposed on a first end side and a second end side in the direction of the rotation axis and each extends in the mounting direction. as well as The first contact portion is configured to be electrically connected to the main body side contact portion of the device body when the photoreceptor box is installed in the device body. The first contact portion is located closer to the first end side than the second end side in the direction of the rotation axis, and is located on the downstream end side of the photoreceptor box in the installation direction. A plurality of second contact portions, each second contact portion being configured to be electrically connected to a cartridge-side contact portion corresponding to one of the plurality of development cartridges when the plurality of development cartridges are mounted in the photoreceptor cartridge, the plurality of second contact portions being disposed on a second end side in the direction of the rotation axis and being upstream of the first contact portion in the mounting direction; The wiring section electrically connects the first contact section to each of the plurality of second contact sections, and a portion of the wiring section is located downstream of the rotation axis of the first photosensitive element in the mounting direction and extends in the direction along the rotation axis. as well as A wall is provided between the portion of the wiring section and the first cleaner in the cross-section of the photoreceptor box perpendicular to the axis of rotation, when the position of the first cleaner is the same as the position of the portion of the wiring section in the direction of the axis of rotation.

14. The photoreceptor box according to claim 13, wherein, The first charger includes a discharge wire that extends in a direction along the axis of rotation, is separate from the first photoreceptor, and is configured to charge the surface of the first photoreceptor by discharging between the discharge wire and the first photoreceptor.

15. The photoreceptor box according to claim 13, wherein, The wall has an inclined surface, which slopes downwards towards the downstream side of the installation direction, and the inclined surface is facing downwards.

16. The photoreceptor box according to claim 15, wherein, When the position of the first cleaner is the same as the position of the portion of the wiring section in the direction of the rotation axis, an inclined surface of the wall of the photoreceptor box in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis is provided between the portion of the wiring section and the first cleaner.

Images