developing cartridge

Abstract

A developing cartridge detachably mounted in a drum cartridge, wherein the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge can be pushed together into the image forming apparatus in an insertion direction, the developing cartridge comprising the following components: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a housing having a developer receiving portion for receiving a developer, comprising a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side in the first direction, a drive gear arranged on the first side of the housing, a chip assembly of the chip mounted on the housing, the chip comprising an electrical contact portion, the electrical contact portion being located on the second side of the housing, characterized in that a powder filling opening and a circular cover are also arranged on the second side of the housing, wherein the powder can be filled into the developer receiving portion through the powder filling opening, wherein the circular cover is used to seal the powder filling opening to prevent the developer from leaking out of the powder filling opening, wherein observed from the second side of the housing in a first direction, that at least a part of the chip arrangement overlaps with a part of the circular cover.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a developing cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the developing cartridge.

[0002] An electrophotographic type image forming apparatus such as a laser printer and an LED printer is known.

[0003] The image forming apparatus includes a drawer and a plurality of developing cartridges. The drawer contains a plurality of photosensitive drums. Each developing cartridge contains a developing roller. Each developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the drawer. Further, the drawer, to which the plurality of developing cartridges are attached, is attached to a body of the image forming apparatus. Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011-59510 and 2013-54058 disclose such a conventional image forming apparatus including the drawer and the plurality of developing cartridges.

[0004] To attach the developing cartridge to the drawer, a developing cartridge housing is initially placed at a first position where the developing roller does not contact the photosensitive drum.

[0005] The developing cartridge housing moves from the first position to a second position as the developing cartridge is pushed into the drawer. The developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum at the second position.

[0006] In a case where the drawer is attached to the case while the developing cartridge case is still in the first position, developing agent cannot be supplied from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum because the developing roller does not make contact with the photosensitive drum.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the disclosure to provide a developing cartridge and an image forming apparatus capable of moving the developing cartridge to allow the developing roller to contact the photosensitive drum even in a case where the drawer is attached to the cabinet while the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum.

[0008] To achieve the above and other objects, the disclosure according to the first aspect provides a developing cartridge for use with a drawer including a photosensitive drum and an electrical connector.

[0009] The developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, a storage medium and a holder.

[0010] The housing is configured to accommodate developing agents.

[0011] The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is movable with the housing. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface. The holder holds the electrical contact surface. The holder is movable with the housing. The housing is movable relative to the drawer according to the movement of the drawer from a first position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is separated from the electrical terminal, to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electrical terminal.

[0012] According to the second aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the first aspect, the movement of the drawer is for attaching the drawer to a body of an image forming apparatus.

[0013] The housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing.

[0014] According to the third aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the second aspect, a portion of the casing is in contact with the casing in a case where the drawer is attached to the casing of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] The housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the housing is in contact with the housing.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the third aspect, the housing has a pressure-receiving surface positioned at a position opposite the developing roller in a second direction that crosses the first direction. The pressure-receiving surface is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the fourth aspect, the pressure receiving surface comprises a first pressure receiving surface and a second pressure receiving surface.

[0018] The first pressure-receiving surface is positioned closer to one side of the housing in the first direction than to a center of the housing in the first direction. The second pressure-receiving surface is positioned closer to another side of the housing in the first direction than the center of the housing in the first direction.

[0019] According to the sixth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the fifth aspect, the housing comprises a first outer surface, a second outer surface, a first cover and a second cover.

[0020] The first outer surface is positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction. The second outer surface is positioned on the other side of the housing in the first direction. The first cover covers the first outer surface. The second cover covers the second outer surface. The first pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover. The second pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the sixth aspect, the holder is positioned on the first outer surface of the housing.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the seventh aspect, the holder is movable relative to the housing in a direction crossing the electrical contact surface.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the developing cartridge further includes a separation cam movable in the first direction relative to the housing.

[0024] The separation cam is movable together with the housing relative to the photosensitive drum in a direction crossing the first direction.

[0025] The separating cam is in contact with a frame of the drawer in a case where the housing is in the first position.

[0026] The separating cam is separable from the frame in a case where the housing is in the second position.

[0027] According to the tenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the ninth aspect, the developing roller is movable from a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum in accordance with the movement of the separation cam in the first direction in a case where the housing is in the second position.

[0028] According to the eleventh aspect, in the developing cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the developing cartridge further includes a first projection extending in the first direction from the housing.

[0029] The drawer has a support surface configured to allow the first projection to be inserted and configured to receive a weight of the developing cartridge.

[0030] The first projection rests on the support surface when the housing is in the first position. The housing is pivotally movable from the first position to the second position about the first projection.

[0031] According to the twelfth aspect, the drawer in the developing cartridge according to the eleventh aspect includes a locking lever.

[0032] The locking lever is pivotally movable about a third axis that crosses the first direction between a locking position and a released position in which the locking lever is positioned outside the frame in the first direction relative to the locking position of the locking lever. The developing cartridge further includes a second protrusion. The second protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned farther from the developing roller than the first protrusion is from the developing roller. The second protrusion is contactable with the locking lever. The second protrusion is in contact with the locking lever, and the locking lever is in the locking position in a case where the housing is in the first position.The locking lever is pressed by the second projection to move the locking lever to the released position when the housing is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The locking lever is in the locking position when the housing is in the second position.

[0033] According to the thirteenth aspect, the disclosure provides a developing cartridge for use with a drawer comprising a frame and a photosensitive drum.

[0034] The developing cartridge includes a housing, an A / D developing roller, and a separation cam. The housing is configured to accommodate developing agents therein. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is movable with the housing. The separation cam is movable relative to the housing in the first direction. The separation cam is movable together with the housing relative to the photosensitive drum in a direction crossing the first direction. The housing is movable relative to the drawer in accordance with movement of the drawer from a first position, where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the separation cam is in contact with a frame of the drawer, to a second position, where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the separation cam is separated from the frame of the drawer.

[0035] According to the fourteenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the thirteenth aspect, the movement of the drawer is for attaching the drawer to a body of an image forming apparatus.

[0036] The housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing.

[0037] According to the fifteenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the fourteenth aspect, a portion of the casing is in contact with the casing in a case where the drawer is attached to the casing of the image forming apparatus.

[0038] The housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the housing is in contact with the housing.

[0039] According to the sixteenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the fifteenth aspect, the housing has a pressure receiving surface positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction.

[0040] The print receiving surface is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming device.

[0041] According to the seventeenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect, the pressure receiving surface comprises a first pressure receiving surface and a second pressure receiving surface.

[0042] The first pressure-receiving surface is positioned closer to one side of the housing in the first direction than to a center of the housing in the first direction. The second pressure-receiving surface is positioned closer to another side of the housing in the first direction than the center of the housing in the first direction.

[0043] According to the eighteenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the seventeenth aspect, the housing comprises a first outer surface, a second outer surface, a first cover, and a second cover.

[0044] The first outer surface is positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction. The second outer surface is positioned on the other side of the housing in the first direction. The first cover covers the first outer surface. The second cover covers the second outer surface. The first pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover. The second pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover.

[0045] According to the nineteenth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to any one of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects, the developing roller is movable from a contact position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position; the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum according to the movement of the separation cam in the first direction in a case where the housing is at the second position.

[0046] According to the twentieth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to any one of the thirteenth to nineteenth aspects, the developing cartridge includes a first projection extending in the first direction from the housing.

[0047] The drawer has a support surface configured to allow the first projection to be inserted and configured to receive a weight of the developing cartridge.

[0048] The first projection rests on the support surface when the housing is in the first position. The housing is pivotally movable from the first position to the second position about the first projection.

[0049] According to the twenty-first aspect, the drawer in the developing cartridge according to the twentieth aspect includes a locking lever.

[0050] The locking lever is pivotally movable about a third axis intersecting the first direction between a locking position and a released position in which the locking lever is positioned outside the frame in the first direction relative to the locking position of the locking lever. The developing cartridge further includes a second projection. The second projection extends in the first direction, the second projection being positioned farther away from the developing roller than the first projection is from the developing roller, the second projection being engageable with the locking lever. The second projection is in contact with the locking lever, and the locking lever is in the locking position when the housing is in the first position.The locking lever is pressed by the second projection to move the locking lever to the released position when the housing is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The locking lever is in the locking position when the housing is in the second position.

[0051] According to the twenty-second aspect, the disclosure provides a developing cartridge for use with a drawer containing a photosensitive drum.

[0052] The developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, and a first projection. The housing is configured to receive developing agents therein. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, and the developing roller is movable with the housing. The first projection extends in the first direction. The drawer has a support surface configured to allow the first projection to be inserted and configured to support a weight of the developing cartridge. The housing is pivotally movable about the first projection relative to the drawer in accordance with movement of the drawer from a first position, in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the first projection is in contact with the support surface, to a second position, in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum.

[0053] According to the twenty-third aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the twenty-second aspect, the movement of the drawer is for attaching the drawer to a body of an image forming apparatus.

[0054] The housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing.

[0055] According to the twenty-fourth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the twenty-third aspect, a portion of the casing is in contact with the casing in a case where the drawer is attached to the casing of the image forming apparatus.

[0056] The housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the housing is in contact with the housing.

[0057] According to the twenty-fifth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the housing has a pressure receiving surface positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction.

[0058] The print receiving surface is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming device.

[0059] According to the twenty-sixth aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the pressure receiving surface includes a first pressure receiving surface and a second pressure receiving surface.

[0060] The first pressure-receiving surface is positioned closer to one side of the housing in the first direction than to a center of the housing in the first direction. The second pressure-receiving surface is positioned closer to another side of the housing in the first direction than the center of the housing in the first direction.

[0061] According to the twenty-seventh aspect, in the developing cartridge according to the twenty-sixth aspect, the housing includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface, a first cover, and a second cover.

[0062] The first outer surface is positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction. The second outer surface is positioned on the other side of the housing in the first direction. The first cover covers the first outer surface. The second cover covers the second outer surface. The first pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover. The second pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover.

[0063] According to the twenty-eighth aspect, the drawer in the developing cartridge according to any one of the twenty-second aspect to the twenty-seventh aspect includes a locking lever.

[0064] The locking lever is pivotally movable about a third axis intersecting the first direction between a locking position and a released position in which the locking lever is positioned outside the frame in the first direction relative to the locking position of the locking lever. The developing cartridge further includes a second protrusion. The second protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned farther from the developing roller than the first protrusion is from the developing roller. The second protrusion is contactable with the locking lever. The second protrusion is in contact with the locking lever, and the locking lever is in the locking position when the housing is in the first position.The locking lever is pressed by the second projection to move the locking lever to the released position when the housing is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The locking lever is in the locking position when the housing is in the second position.

[0065] According to the twenty-ninth aspect, the disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including the developing cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the twenty-eighth aspect, the drawer, and a case to which the drawer is attachable.

[0066] According to the thirtieth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-ninth aspect, the housing includes a printing section.

[0067] The pressure section is contactable with the housing in accordance with the movement to the drawer.

[0068] According to the thirty-first aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirtieth aspect, the housing has an insertion opening through which the drawer passes in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming device.

[0069] The printing section is positioned at one edge of the insertion opening.

[0070] According to the thirty-second aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirty-first aspect, the printing portion protrudes from the edge of the insertion opening out of the housing.

[0071] According to the first aspect to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the developing cartridge housing can be moved from the first position to the second position in accordance with the movement of the drawer. Therefore, the developing roller can be in contact with the photosensitive drum, and the electrical contact surface can be in contact with the electrical terminal.

[0072] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, two portions of the developing cartridge spaced apart from each other in the first direction are pressed.

[0073] Thus, the position of the developing cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position while restricting the tilt of the developing cartridge.

[0074] According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the separating cam can be moved to a position out of contact with the frame of the drawer in accordance with the movement of the drawer.

[0075] According to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the housing can be pivotally moved from the first position to the second position about the first projection in accordance with the movement of the drawer.

[0076] According to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the locking lever can be pivoted from the locking position to the release position and back to the locking position according to the movement of the drawer.

[0077] According to the thirteenth to twenty-first aspects of the present disclosure, according to the movement of the drawer, the position of the developing cartridge casing can be moved from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the developing roller can be in contact with the photosensitive drum, and the separation cam can be moved to a position where it does not contact the drawer frame.

[0078] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, two portions of the developing cartridge spaced apart from each other in the first direction are pressed.

[0079] Thus, the position of the developing cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position while restricting the tilt of the developing cartridge.

[0080] According to the twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, the housing can be pivotally moved from the first position to the second position about the first projection in accordance with the movement of the drawer.

[0081] According to the twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, the locking lever can be pivoted from the locking position to the release position and back to the locking position according to the movement of the drawer.

[0082] According to the twenty-second to twenty-eighth aspects of the present disclosure, according to the movement of the drawer, the position of the developing cartridge housing can be moved from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the developing roller can be in contact with the photosensitive drum, and the housing can be pivotally moved from the first position to the second position around the first projection.

[0083] According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, two portions of the developing cartridge spaced apart from each other in the first direction are pressed.

[0084] Thus, the position of the developing cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position while restricting the tilt of the developing cartridge.

[0085] According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the locking lever can be pivoted from the locking position to the release position and back to the locking position in accordance with the movement of the drawer.

[0086] According to the twenty-ninth to thirty-second aspects of the present disclosure, in the image forming apparatus, in accordance with a movement of the drawer, a position of the developing cartridge casing can be moved from the first position to the second position.

[0087] Therefore, the developing roller may be in contact with the photosensitive drum.

[0088] According to the thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the housing of the developing cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position before the developing cartridge moves past the insertion opening.

[0089] The particular features and advantages of the embodiment(s) as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a drawer in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge according to the embodiment; Fig. 4 is a side view illustrating an IC chip assembly provided in the developing cartridge according to the embodiment; Fig. 5 is a side view illustrating four developing cartridges, the drawer, and a printing section provided on a body of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment; Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a part in Fig. 5, which is circled by a dashed line; Fig. Figure 7 is a view of the four developing cartridges, the drawer and the printing section shown in Fig. 5, and viewed from one side in a third direction; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 and viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow A in Fig. 7 is specified. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a section in Fig. 8, which is circled by a dashed line; Fig. Figure 10 is another side view showing the four developing cartridges, the drawer and the printing section; Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a part in Fig. 10, which is circled by a dashed line; Fig. 12 is a view of the four developing cartridges, the drawer and the printing section shown in Fig. 10, and viewed from one side in the third direction; Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12 and seen in the direction indicated by arrow A in Fig. 12 indicated direction; And Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a part in Fig. 13, which is circled by a dashed line;

[0090] Hereinafter, a general structure of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 described.

[0091] In the following description, a direction in which a rotation axis of a developing roller extends is referred to as a first direction.

[0092] A direction in which the developing roller and the receiving surfaces 161, 171 are arranged is referred to as a second direction.

[0093] The first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0094] A direction that intersects both the first direction and the second direction is called the third direction. 1. Structure of an image forming device

[0095] Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the image forming apparatus.

[0096] The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic printer such as a laser printer and an LED printer, and includes four developing cartridges 1, a drawer 2, and a cabinet 110.

[0097] Each of the developing cartridges 1 can be attached to and removed from the drawer 2.

[0098] Furthermore, the drawer to which the four developing cartridges 1 are attached can be attached to and detached from the housing 110.

[0099] The four developing cartridges 1 each contain developing agents (toners) of different colors (e.g. cyan, magenta, yellow and black).

[0100] An image is formed on a sheet using the developing agent supplied from each developing cartridge 1.

[0101] By the way, the number of developing cartridges 1 can be one to three or not less than five.

[0102] As in Fig. 1, the housing 110 provides an interior space 111 in which the drawer 2 can be accommodated, to which the four developing cartridges 1 are attached.

[0103] The housing 110 has an insertion opening 112 and includes a front cover 113. The front cover 113 is movable between a closed position for closing the insertion opening 112 and an open position for opening the insertion opening 112.

[0104] In particular, the front cover 113 is pivotally movable between the closed position and the open position about a hinge 114 extending in the first direction.

[0105] The drawer 2, to which the four developing cartridges 1 are attached, is movable in the third direction from an outside of the housing 110 to the interior 111 of the housing 110 through the insertion opening 112.

[0106] Further, the housing 110 is provided with a pressing portion 115 positioned at a remaining edge (upper edge) of the insertion opening 112.

[0107] That is, the pressure portion 115 is positioned opposite the hinge 114 in the second direction with respect to the edge pair.

[0108] The pressure portion 115 protrudes outwardly from the housing 110 from the edge of the insertion opening 112 in the third direction to one side. 2. Drawer

[0109] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of drawer 2.

[0110] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the drawer 2 includes a drawer frame 21, four photosensitive drums 22, eight locking levers 23, and four electrical connectors 25.

[0111] Drawer 2 has eight support surfaces 24.

[0112] The drawer frame 21 includes a first side frame 211 and a second side frame 212 spaced from the first side frame 211 in the first direction.

[0113] The first side frame 211 and the second side frame 212 both extend in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0114] The four holding portions 210 are each provided at a position between the first side frame 211 and the second side frame 212.

[0115] Each developing cartridge 1 can be attached to a corresponding holding section 210.

[0116] Each photosensitive drum 22 is provided for a corresponding one of the holding sections 210.

[0117] Each of the photosensitive drums 22 extends in the first direction at a position between the first side frame 211 and the second side frame 212. Each photosensitive drum 22 is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction.

[0118] Each photosensitive drum 22 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface extending in the first direction.

[0119] The outer peripheral surface is a surface coated with a light-sensitive material.

[0120] When attaching the developing cartridge 1 to the holding portion 210, an outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 30 (described later) of the developing cartridge 1 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

[0121] Incidentally, the drawer 2 may have one to three holding sections 210 or not less than five holding sections 210.

[0122] That is, the drawer 2 may contain one to three photosensitive drums 22 or not less than five photosensitive drums 22.

[0123] Each locking lever 23 is configured to urge each developing cartridge 1 to a second position described later.

[0124] Four leak levers 23 are positioned on the first side frame 211, and the remaining four locking levers 23 are positioned on the second side frame 212.

[0125] In the drawer 2, a single locking lever 23 positioned on the first side frame 211 and a single locking lever 23 positioned on the second side frame 212 are provided with respect to each holding portion 210.

[0126] Each locking lever 23 is pivotable about an axis of a pivot shaft 23A ( Fig. 9), which extends in the third direction, movable.

[0127] In particular, each locking lever 23 is pivotally movable between a locking position and a release position in which the locking lever 23 projects further outward from the drawer frame 21 in the first direction than the locking lever 23 in the locking position.

[0128] Furthermore, an elastic urging element 23B ( Fig. 9), such as a torsion spring, is provided on the drawer 2 to urge each locking lever 23 toward the locking position.

[0129] A spiral spring or a leaf spring is also available as a thrust element.

[0130] Each support surface 24 is configured to receive a weight of the developing cartridge 1 attached to the holding portion 210.

[0131] Four support surfaces 24 are positioned on an inner surface of the first side frame 211. The remaining four support surfaces 24 are positioned on an inner surface of the second side frame 212.

[0132] In the drawer 2, a single side surface 24 positioned on the first side frame 211 and a single side frame 24 positioned on the second side frame 212 are provided with respect to each holding portion 210.

[0133] Each support surface 24 extends in a direction perpendicular to the second direction.

[0134] Each electrical connector 25 is configured to electrically connect to an IC chip 61 ( Fig. 4 , described later) of an IC chip assembly 60 (described later) of the developing cartridge 1.

[0135] Four electrical connectors 25 are positioned on the first side frame 211.

[0136] In the drawer 2, each electrical connector 25 is provided for each holding section 210.

[0137] As in Fig. 2 in an enlarged view, the electrical connector 25 includes a plurality of electrical terminals 251, each made of electrically conductive material, such as metal. 3. Developing cartridge

[0138] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1.

[0139] As in Fig. 3, the developing cartridge 1 includes a housing 10, the developing roller 30, a gear portion 40, a separation cam 50, and the IC chip assembly 60.

[0140] The housing 10 is configured to receive the developing agent therein. The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12 spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0141] The first outer surface 11 is positioned at one end in the first direction of the housing 10, and the second outer surface 12 is positioned at another end in the first direction of the housing 10.

[0142] The housing 10 includes a container portion 13 and a lid portion 14. The container portion 13 has the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12.

[0143] The developing agent is housed in an interior of the container portion 13. The interior of the container portion 13 is covered by the lid portion 14.

[0144] The housing 10 has an opening 15 positioned at an end portion in the second direction of the housing 10.

[0145] An interior of the housing 10 is communicable with an exterior of the housing 10 through the opening 15.

[0146] The developing cartridge 1 further comprises a first cover 16 and a second cover 17.

[0147] The first cover 16 is attached to the first outer surface 11, for example by a screw.

[0148] At least a portion of the first outer surface 11 is covered with the first cover 16. The second cover 17 is attached to the second outer surface 12, for example, by a screw.

[0149] At least a portion of the second outer surface 12 is covered by the second cover 17. The first cover 16 and the second cover 17, in combination with the housing 10, form a housing.

[0150] The first cover 16 has an outer surface on a different side in the second direction than the first pressure receiving surface 161.

[0151] The second cover 17 has an outer surface on a different side in the second direction than the second pressure receiving surface 171.

[0152] The first pressure receiving surface 161 and the second pressure receiving surface 171 are configured to align with the first pressure portion 116 and the second pressure portion 117, respectively, in accordance with the movement of the drawer 2.

[0153] The first pressure receiving surface 161 is positioned in front of a center of the housing 10 in the first direction to one side.

[0154] The second pressure receiving surface 171 is positioned behind the center of the housing 10 in the first direction toward the one side.

[0155] The housing 10 further includes two first projections 18 and two second projections 19.

[0156] The two first projections 18 are projections that can be contacted with the support surfaces 24 when the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2.

[0157] The two second projections 19 are projections contactable with the locking levers 23 during a process of attaching the developing cartridge 1 to the drawer 2.

[0158] As in Fig. 3, one of the two first protrusions 18 (hereinafter referred to simply as first protrusion 181) is positioned on the first outer surface 11, and one of the two first protrusions 18 (hereinafter referred to simply as first protrusion 182) is positioned on the second surface 12.

[0159] Furthermore, one of the two second protrusions 19 (hereinafter simply referred to as second protrusion 191) is positioned on the first outer surface 11, and one of the two second protrusions 19 (hereinafter simply referred to as second protrusion 192) remains positioned on the second surface 12.

[0160] The first projection 181 extends in the first direction to one side of the first outer surface 11 or the first cover 16.

[0161] The first projection 182 extends in the first direction to another side of the second outer surface 12 or the second cover 17.

[0162] The second projection 191 extends in the first direction to one side of the first outer surface 11 or the first cover 16.

[0163] The second projection 192 extends in the first direction to another side of the second outer surface 12 or the second cover 17.

[0164] The second projections 191, 192 are positioned farther away from the developing roller 30 than the first projections 181, 182 from the developing roller 30.

[0165] The developing roller 30 is positioned at the opening 15 of the housing 10. That is, the developing roller 30 is positioned at an end portion in the second direction of the housing 10.

[0166] The developing roller 30 is movable together with the housing 10.

[0167] Further, the developing roller 30 is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction.

[0168] The developing roller 30 includes a developing roller body 31 and a developing roller shaft 32.

[0169] The developing roller body 31 has a hollow cylindrical shape and extends in the first direction.

[0170] The developing roller body 31 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The developing roller shaft 32 is a solid cylindrical member that penetrates the developing roller body 31 in the first direction.

[0171] The developing roller shaft 32 is made of metal or electrically conductive resin. The developing roller body 31 has an outer peripheral surface portion exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 15.

[0172] The remaining outer peripheral surface portion of the developing roller body 31 is positioned within the housing 10.

[0173] The developing roller body 31 is fixed to the developing roller shaft 32 without relative rotation.

[0174] That is, the developing roller body 31 is rotatable together with the developing roller shaft 32.

[0175] Each developing cartridge 1 further contains a developing electrode 33.

[0176] The development electrode 33 is positioned on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10.

[0177] An end portion of the developing roller shaft 32 in the first direction is rotatably supported by the developing electrode 33.

[0178] The developing roller shaft 32 and the developing electrode 33 are electrically connected to each other.

[0179] The image forming apparatus 100 is configured to supply a bias voltage to the developing roller shaft 32 through the developing electrode 33.

[0180] The developing roller shaft 32 has another end portion in the first direction on which a developing roller gear (not shown) is mounted.

[0181] The developing roller gear is one of several gears that make up the gear section 40.

[0182] The developing roller gear is positioned on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10.

[0183] The developing roller gear is fixed to the other end portion of the developing roller shaft 32 without relative rotation therebetween.

[0184] Therefore, the rotation of the developing roller gear causes the developing roller shaft 32 to rotate, thereby causing the developing roller body 31 to rotate together with the developing roller shaft 32.

[0185] Incidentally, the developing roller shaft 32 cannot penetrate the entire developing roller body 31 in the first direction.

[0186] For example, the developing roller shaft 32 may extend in the first direction from each end in the first direction of the developing roller body 31.

[0187] The developing cartridge 1 also contains a supply roll (not shown). The supply roll is positioned within the housing 10.

[0188] The feed roller has an outer peripheral surface in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller body 31.

[0189] The supply roll is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction.

[0190] Upon receiving a driving force to the developing cartridge 1 from the image forming apparatus 100, the developing roller 30 and the supply roller are caused to rotate.

[0191] Therefore, the developer accommodated in the casing 10 is supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 30 by the supply roller.

[0192] In this case, the developing agent between the developing roller 30 and the supply roller is subjected to triboelectric charging.

[0193] Further, a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller shaft 32. Therefore, the developing agent is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller body 31 due to the electrostatic force between the developing roller shaft 32 and the developing agent.

[0194] The developing cartridge 1 also contains a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown).

[0195] The layer thickness regulating blade is configured to regulate a thickness of a layer of the developing agent supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller body 31 to a uniform thickness.

[0196] Thereafter, the developing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller body 31 is supplied to the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 of the drawer 2.

[0197] At this time, the developing agent is transferred from the developing roller body 31 to the photosensitive drum 22 according to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 22.

[0198] Thus, the electrostatic latent image becomes a visible image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

[0199] The gear portion 40 is positioned on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10.

[0200] In particular, the gear portion 40 is positioned between the second outer surface 12 and the second cover 17.

[0201] The transmission section 40 includes a clutch (not shown) and the plurality of gears (not shown).

[0202] The plurality of gears has a portion covered with the second cover 17.

[0203] The coupling is exposed to the outside through the second cover 17.

[0204] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a drive shaft.

[0205] When the drawer 2, to which the developing cartridge 1 is attached, is attached to the body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100, the drive shaft is inserted into the coupling.

[0206] Therefore, the drive shaft and the clutch are coupled in such a way that they do not rotate relative to each other.

[0207] Rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the clutch, which then causes rotation of the plurality of gears including the development gear in the gear section 40.

[0208] The developing roller 30 and the feed gear thus rotate in accordance with the rotation of the developing gear.

[0209] The separation cam 50 is a mechanism configured to move the developing roller 30 between a contact position where the developing roller 30 is in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 and a separated position where the developing roller 30 is away from the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 in an attached state of the developing cartridge 1 to the drawer 2.

[0210] As in Fig. 3, the separating cam 50 includes the first cam 51, a second cam 52 and a camshaft 53.

[0211] The lid portion 14 has an outer surface formed with an elongated groove 140 extending in the first direction.

[0212] Furthermore, the housing 10 is formed with a first through hole 141 and a second through hole 142.

[0213] The first through hole 141 is positioned at one end of the groove 140 and the second through hole 142 is positioned at another end of the groove 140.

[0214] The camshaft 53 is a rod-like member extending in the first direction and positioned in the groove 140.

[0215] The camshaft 53 has an end portion extending through the first through hole 141 and positioned farther away from the first through hole 141 to one side in the first direction.

[0216] The camshaft 53 has another end portion extending through the second through-hole 142 and positioned farther away from the second through-hole 142 to another side in the first direction.

[0217] The first cam 51 is positioned on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The first cam 51 is attached to one end portion of the camshaft 53.

[0218] The first cam 51 has a first inclined surface 511.

[0219] The first inclined surface 511 is inclined with respect to the first direction. Specifically, the first inclined surface 511 gradually moves away from the camshaft 53 as it advances to another side in the first direction.

[0220] The first inclined surface 511 is formed only in a certain angular range of an outer peripheral surface of the first cam 51, the certain angular range facing in the third direction.

[0221] However, the first inclined surface 511 may be formed in an entire outer peripheral surface of the first cam 51.

[0222] The second cam 52 is positioned on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10.

[0223] The second cam 52 is fixed to the other end portion of the camshaft 53. The second cam 52 has a second inclined surface 521.

[0224] The second inclined surface 521 is inclined with respect to the first direction. Specifically, the second inclined surface 521 gradually moves away from the camshaft 53 as it advances to another side in the first direction.

[0225] The second inclined surface 521 is formed only in a certain angular range of an outer peripheral surface of the second cam 52, the certain angular range facing in the third direction.

[0226] However, the second inclined surface 521 may be formed in an entire outer peripheral surface of the second cam 52.

[0227] The first cam 51, the second cam 52 and the camshaft 53 are movable together with the housing 10 in the second and third directions.

[0228] Furthermore, the first cam 51, the second cam 52 and the camshaft 53 are movable relative to the housing 10 in the first direction.

[0229] In particular, the first cam 51, the second cam 52 and the camshaft 53 are movable in the first direction between a third position and a fourth position, the fourth position being in front of the third position in a direction from another side to one side of the first direction.

[0230] Furthermore, the separation cam 50 further includes an elastic pressing member (not illustrated) such as a coil spring positioned in the second through hole 142.

[0231] The elastic urging member is configured to urge the first cam 51, the second cam 52 and the camshaft 53 in a direction from the fourth position to the third position.

[0232] Therefore, the first cam 51, the second cam 52, and the camshaft 53 are positioned at the third position when the casing 10 of the developing cartridge 1 is at the second position in a state where no driving force directed toward the one side in the first direction is applied to the second cam 52 from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0233] The first cam 51, the second cam 52, and the cam shaft 53 are moved from the third position to the fourth position in accordance with the application of a driving force directed to one side in the first direction from the image forming apparatus 100 to the second cam 52 in a state where the position of the housing 10 relative to the drawer 2 is at the second position. Thus, the first inclined surface 511 of the first cam 51 and the second inclined surface 521 of the second cam 52 are brought into contact with a portion of the drawer frame 21.

[0234] Then, according to further movement of the first inclined surface 511 and the second inclined surface 521 in the first direction toward the one side relative to the drawer frame 21, the first inclined surface 511 and the second inclined surface 521 are moved in the third direction toward the one side relative to the drawer frame 21. As a result, the separation cam 50, the casing 10, and the developing roller 30 are moved in the third direction toward the one side relative to the photosensitive drum 22.

[0235] Consequently, the developing roller 30 is moved from the contact position to the separated position with respect to the photosensitive drum 22.

[0236] The IC chip assembly 60 is positioned on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10.

[0237] In particular, the IC chip assembly 60 is positioned between the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 and the first cover 16.

[0238] At least a part of the IC chip assembly 60 is covered with the first cover 16. As in Fig. 4, the IC chip assembly 60 includes the IC chip 61 and a holder 62 that holds the IC chip 61.

[0239] The IC chip 61 is a storage medium from which data can be read and into which data can be written.

[0240] The IC chip 61 has an electrical contact area 611.

[0241] The electrical contact surface 611 extends perpendicular to the third direction.

[0242] The electrical contact surface 611 is made of metal with electrical conductivity. Various information about the developing cartridge 1 is stored in the IC chip 61.

[0243] For example, data selected from at least one of manufacturing serial number of the developing cartridge 1, identification code of the developing cartridge 1 indicating a genuine product, model matching of the developing cartridge 1, specification of the developing cartridge 1, capacity of the developing agent, life of the developing roller 30, number of printing sheets and error history is stored in the IC chip 61.

[0244] The holder 62 includes a first holder element 621 and a second holder element 622.

[0245] The first holder member 621 has a third outer surface 623 which is an end surface of the holder 62 in the third direction.

[0246] The IC chip 61 is attached to the third outer surface 623.

[0247] The second holder member 622 has a fourth outer surface 624, which is another end surface of the holder 62 in the third direction.

[0248] The first holding element 621 is movable relative to the second holding element 622 in the third direction.

[0249] Therefore, the third outer surface 623 is movable relative to the fourth outer surface 624 in the third direction.

[0250] Furthermore, the holder 62 further includes an elastic urging element 625 positioned between the third outer surface 623 and the fourth outer surface 624.

[0251] The elastic urging element 625 is expandable and shrinkable in the third direction. A coil spring is a typical example of the elastic urging element 625.

[0252] The elastic urging member 625 has one end portion in the third direction connected to the first holding member 621 and has another end portion in the third direction connected to the second holding member 622.

[0253] The length in the third direction of the elastic urging element 625 is changed according to a distance change in the third direction between the third outer surface 623 and the fourth outer surface 624.

[0254] Furthermore, the first holder element 621 includes a holder projection 626.

[0255] The holder projection 626 projects in the first direction to one side from one end in the first direction of the first holder member 621.

[0256] As in Fig. 3, the first cover 16 is formed with an opening 160 extending in the third direction.

[0257] The opening 160 extends over the entire thickness of the first cover 16 in the first direction.

[0258] The holder projection 626 extends through the opening 160 of the first cover 16. The holder 62 is movable together with the housing 10 and the first cover 16 in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.

[0259] Here, the opening 160 has a dimension (inner dimension) in the second direction that is larger than a dimension (outer dimension) in the second direction of the holder projection 626.

[0260] Furthermore, the opening 160 has a dimension (inner dimension) in the third direction that is larger than a dimension (outer dimension) in the third direction of the holder projection 626.

[0261] Therefore, the holder projection 626 is movable within the opening 160 in the second direction and the third direction.

[0262] Accordingly, the holder 62 is movable in the second direction and the third direction relative to the housing 10 and the first cover 16.

[0263] Incidentally, only the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 can be held on the holder 62.

[0264] In this case, a portion of the IC chip 61 other than the electrical contact surface 611 may be held on the outer surface of the first cover 16 or the outer surface of the housing 10. 4. Attaching the developing cartridge

[0265] Next, the procedure for attaching the developing cartridge 1 to the drawer 2 is described.

[0266] The housing 10 is in a first position relative to the drawer 2 when the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the holding portion 210 of the drawer 2.

[0267] Thereafter, the developing cartridge 1 is moved from the first position to the second position when the casing 10 is pushed to one side in the second direction.

[0268] That is, the housing 10 of the developing cartridge 1 is movable relative to the drawer 2 from the first position to the second position.

[0269] The developing roller 30 is separated from the photosensitive drum 22 when the developing cartridge 1 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2. The developing roller 30 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 22 when the developing cartridge 1 is in the second position relative to the drawer 2.

[0270] Fig. 5 is a side view showing four developing cartridges 1, the drawer 2, and the printing section 115 provided on the casing 110.

[0271] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a part in Fig. 5, which is circled by a dashed line.

[0272] Fig. Fig. 7 is a view of the four developing cartridges 1, the drawer 2 and the printing section 115 shown in Fig. 5, and seen from one side in the third direction.

[0273] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 and viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow A in Fig. 7 is specified.

[0274] Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a section in Fig. 8, which is circled by a dashed line.

[0275] An operation of inserting the drawer 2 into the housing 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 is shown in the Fig. 5 to 9, wherein the plurality of developing cartridges 1 are mounted on the drawer 2.

[0276] In the Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 the insertion direction of drawer 2 is indicated by an arrow.

[0277] With respect to three of the four developing cartridges 1, the housings 10 are located in the second position relative to the slot 2, and the rear-end cartridge 1 (leftmost cartridge 1 in Figure 5) is located in the first position relative to the slot 2. The following description concerns the rear-end developing cartridge 1. 4-1. State of each component in first position

[0278] The state of each component of the developing cartridge 1 when the housing 10 of the developing cartridge 1 is in the first position is described with reference to the Fig. 5 to 9 described.

[0279] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, when the position of the housing 10 relative to the drawer 2 is the first position, the holder 62 of the IC chip assembly 60 is in contact with a part of the first side frame 211.

[0280] In particular, the first side frame 211 has a first guide surface 26 and a second guide surface 27 facing the first guide surface 26 in the third direction.

[0281] The third outer surface 623 of the holder 62 is in contact with the first guide surface 26 of the first side frame 211 and the fourth outer surface 624 of the holder 62 is in contact with the second guide surface 27 of the first side frame 211.

[0282] As a result, in the first position of the housing 10, the distance between the third outer surface 623 and the fourth outer surface 624 in the third direction of the holder 62 is smaller than the distance before the contact of the holder with the first side frame 211.

[0283] Furthermore, in the first position of the housing 10, the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 is not contacted with the plurality of electrical terminals 251 of the drawer 2.

[0284] That is, the electrical contact surface 611 and the plurality of electrical terminals 251 are spaced apart from each other.

[0285] As in the Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, when the housing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2, the two first projections 18 of the developing cartridge 1 rest on the two support surfaces 24 of the drawer 2. In particular, the first projection 181 on the first outer surface 11 is in contact with the support surface 24 of the first side frame 211, and the first projection 182 on the second outer surface 12 is in contact with the support surface 24 of the second side frame 212.

[0286] Therefore, the weight of the developing cartridge 1 is supported by the two support surfaces 24.

[0287] Furthermore, as in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, when the casing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2, the two second projections 19 of the developing cartridge 1 are in contact with the locking levers 23 which are in the locking position.

[0288] That is, the second protrusion 191 on the first outer surface 11 is in contact with the locking lever 23 on the first side frame 211 and the second protrusion 192 on the second outer surface 12 is in contact with the locking lever 23 on the second side frame 212.

[0289] Furthermore, as in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, when the housing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2, the second cam 52 of the separating cam 50 is in contact with a part of the second side frame 212 of the drawer 2.

[0290] Furthermore, the first cam 51 is in contact with a part of the first side frame 211 of the drawer 2.

[0291] In this way, when the casing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2, the one end portion in the first direction of the developing cartridge 1 is in contact with three components, ie, the first projection 181, the second projection 191, and the first cam 51.

[0292] Further, the other end portion in the first direction of the developing cartridge 1 is in contact with three components, ie, the first projection 182, the second projection 192 and the second cam 52.

[0293] Accordingly, the position of the housing 10 relative to the drawer 2 can be fixed to the first position. 4-2. Pressing process by pressure part

[0294] To attach the drawer 2, to which the developing cartridges 1 are attached, to the case 110, the drawer 2 moves in the third direction from the position outside the case 110 to the interior 111 of the case 110 through the insertion opening 112.

[0295] During this movement, as in the Fig. 5 to 9, the pressing portion 115 provided on the casing 110 contacts the developing cartridges 1 when the casing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2.

[0296] As in Fig. 7, the pressure section 115 includes a first pressure section 116 and a second pressure section 117 spaced apart from the first pressure section 116 in the first direction.

[0297] As in Fig. 7, while the housing 10 is in the first position, the first pressing portion 116 for attaching the drawer 2 to the housing 110 contacts the first pressure receiving surface 161, and the second pressing portion 117 contacts the second pressure receiving surface 171 in accordance with the operation or movement of the drawer 2.

[0298] Therefore, the housing 10 is urged in the second direction to one side.

[0299] As a result, the housing 10 is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0300] That is, the first pressure receiving surface 161 receives pressure applied from the first pressure portion 116, and the second pressure receiving surface 171 receives pressure applied from the second pressure portion 117.

[0301] In this way, in the illustrated embodiment, two sections of the developing cartridge 1 which are spaced apart from each other in the first direction are pressed.

[0302] Thus, the position of the housing 10 relative to the drawer 1 can be moved from the first position to the second position while restricting an inclination of the developing cartridge 1.

[0303] Here, the first pressing portion 116 and the second pressing portion 117 may not press the first cover 16 and the second cover 17, but may press the outer surface of the housing 10, the outer surface being on another side in the second direction.

[0304] Furthermore, instead of two printing sections 116, 117, only one printing section 115 may be provided.

[0305] Alternatively, no fewer than three printing sections may be provided. In summary, in the developing cartridge 1, the pressure-receiving surface must be positioned opposite the developing roller 30 in the second direction, and the pressure-receiving surface must be brought into contact with the printing section in accordance with the movement of the drawer 2.

[0306] The housing 10 is in an intermediate position during the process of changing the position of the housing 10 from the first position to the second position. During this process, the locking levers 23 are pushed by the second projections 19, so that the locking lever 23 is pivotally moved from the locking position to the released position.

[0307] When the housing 10 is moved to the intermediate position, the locking levers 23 are in the release position.

[0308] According to the further movement of the housing 10 from the intermediate position to the second position, the second projections 19 move past the locking lever 23 in the second direction toward the one side, so that the locking levers 23 are pivotally moved from the released position to the locking position.

[0309] As described above, the locking levers 23 protrude outward from the drawer frame 21 in the first direction when the locking levers 23 are in the released position.

[0310] In particular, the locking lever 23 positioned on the first side frame 211 protrudes outward from the first side frame 211 in the first direction to one side.

[0311] Further, the locking lever 23 positioned on the second side frame 212 protrudes outward from the second side frame 212 in the first direction toward another side.

[0312] However, as described above, the pressing portion 115 protrudes from the housing 110 from the edge of the insertion opening 112 in the third direction to one side (see Fig. 1).

[0313] Therefore, the pressure portion 115 can exert pressure on the housing 10 so that the second projections 19 can exert pressure on the locking levers 23 before the locking levers 23 move past the insertion opening 112.

[0314] That is, the pivotal movement of the locking levers 23 from the locking position to the released position and then to the locking position can be completed before the locking levers 23 move past the insertion opening 112.

[0315] Therefore, mechanical interference between the housing 110 and the locking levers 23 in their release position can be avoided, and the locking levers 23 can be pivotally moved from the locking position to the release position and back to the locking position.

[0316] Further, when the housing 10 is moved from the intermediate position to the locking position, the locking levers 23 push the second projections 19 in the second direction toward one side.

[0317] Therefore, the housing 10 is pivotally moved about the axis of the first projections 18. As a result, the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 approaches the electrical terminal 251 of the drawer 2. 4-3. Condition of individual components in second place

[0318] Fig. 10 is another side view showing the four developing cartridges 1, the drawer 2 and the printing section 115 of the housing 110.

[0319] Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a part in Fig. 10, which is circled by a dashed line.

[0320] Fig. 12 is a view of the four developing cartridges 1, the drawer 2 and the printing section 115 shown in Fig. 10, and seen from one side in the third direction.

[0321] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12 and seen in the direction indicated by arrow A in Fig. 12 indicated direction.

[0322] Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a part in Fig. 13, which is circled by a dashed line.

[0323] As in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the distance between the third outer surface 623 and the fourth outer surface 624 of the holder 62 in the third direction in a case where the housing 10 is in the second position relative to the drawer 2 is shorter than the distance in a housing before the contact of the holder 62 with the first side frame 211 and is longer than the distance in a case where the housing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2.

[0324] That is, when the housing 10 moves from the first position to the second position relative to the drawer 2, the elastic pressing member 625 of the holder 62 expands in the third direction.

[0325] As a result, the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 is brought into contact with the plurality of electrical terminals 251 of the drawer 2.

[0326] In this way, according to the image forming apparatus 100, the casing 10 of the developing cartridge 1 is moved from the first position to the second position in accordance with the movement of the drawer 2, whereupon the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 can be brought into contact with the plurality of electrical terminals 251 of the drawer 2.

[0327] Accordingly, electrical contact can be achieved between the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 and the plurality of electrical terminals 251 of the drawer 2 even in a case where the drawer 2 is to be attached to the housing 110 while the housing 10 remains in the first position relative to the drawer 2.

[0328] Furthermore, as in the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the first projections 18 remain in contact with the support surfaces 24 of the drawer 2 in the case where the housing 10 is in the second position relative to the drawer 2.

[0329] In particular, the first protrusion 181 on the first outer surface 11 remains in contact with the support surface 24 of the first side frame 211 and the first protrusion 182 on the second outer surface 12 remains in contact with the support surface 24 of the second side frame 212.

[0330] That is, the weight of the developing cartridge 1 can be continuously supported by the support surface 24.

[0331] In this way, according to the image forming apparatus 100, the housing 10 can be pivotally movable about the axis of the first projection 18 according to the movement of the housing 10 from the first position to the second position caused by the movement of the drawer 2, while the weight of the developing cartridge 1 is supported by the support surface 24.

[0332] Therefore, a pivoting movement of the housing 10 about the axis of the first projection 18 can be performed even in the case where the drawer 2 is to be attached to the housing 110 while the housing 10 is in the first position relative to the drawer 2.

[0333] Furthermore, as in the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the two second projections 19 are positioned on one side in the second direction of the locking levers 23 when the housing 10 is in the second position.

[0334] Specifically, the second projection 19 on the first outer surface 11 is positioned on a side in the second direction of the locking lever 23 on the first side frame 211, and the second projection 19 on the second outer surface 12 is positioned on a side inward of the second direction of the locking lever 23 on the second side frame 212.

[0335] At this time, each locking lever 23 is in the locking position.

[0336] In this way, according to the image forming apparatus 100, the housing 10 is moved from the first position to the second position in accordance with the movement of the drawer 2, and therefore the locking levers 23 can be pivotally moved from the locking position to the release position and back to the locking position.

[0337] Therefore, the developing cartridge 1 can be locked by the pivoting movement of the locking levers 23 when the drawer 2 is to be attached to the housing 110 while the housing 10 is in the first position.

[0338] Furthermore, as in the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the second cam 52 of the separating cam 50 is separated from the second side frame 212 of the drawer 2 when the housing 10 is in the second position.

[0339] Similarly, the first cam 51 of the separating cam 50 is separated from the first side frame 211 of the drawer 2 when the housing 10 is in the second position.

[0340] In this way, according to the image forming apparatus 100, a movement of the housing 10 from the first position to the second position caused by the movement of the drawer 2 can allow the first cam 51 and the second cam 52 to move to the non-contact position with the drawer frame 21. Accordingly, even in the case where the drawer 2 is to be attached to the housing 110 while the housing 10 remains at the first position, the first cam 51 and the second cam 52 can be moved to the predetermined position out of contact with the drawer frame 21.

[0341] The embodiments of the disclosure may include, without limitation, the following representations: Figure 1: A developing cartridge for use with a drawer (2) containing a photosensitive drum (22) and an electrical connector (251), the developing cartridge comprising: a housing (10) configured to receive developing agent therein; a developing roller (30) rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being movable with the housing; a storage medium (61) having an electrical contact surface (611); and a holder (62) holding the electrical contact surface and being movable with the housing;wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer in accordance with a movement of the drawer from a first position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is separated from the electrical terminal, to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electrical terminal; Figure 2: A developing cartridge according to figure 1, wherein the movement of the drawer serves to attach the drawer to a housing (110) of an image forming apparatus (100) and wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a housing in which the drawer is attached to the housing. Figure 3: A developing cartridge according to Figure 2, wherein a portion of the housing is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus, and wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the housing is in contact with the housing. Figure 4: A developing cartridge according to Figure 3, wherein the housing has a pressure receiving surface (161, 171) positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction, the pressure receiving surface being in contact with the housing, a housing in which the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus. Figure 5: The developing cartridge according to Figure 4, wherein the pressure receiving surface comprises: a first pressure receiving surface (161) positioned closer to one side of the casing in the first direction than to a center of the casing in the first direction; and a second pressure receiving surface (171) positioned closer to another side of the casing in the first direction than the center of the casing in the first direction. Figure 6: Development cartridge according to Figure 5, wherein the housing comprises: a first outer surface (11) positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction, a second outer surface (12) arranged on the other side of the housing in the first direction; a first cover (16) covering the first outer surface; and a second cover (17) covering the second outer surface, wherein the first pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover and wherein the second pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover. Figure 7: Developing cartridge according to Figure 6, wherein the holder is positioned on the first outer surface of the housing. Figure 8: A developing cartridge according to any one of Figures 1 to 7, wherein the holder is movable relative to the housing in a direction crossing the electrical contact surface. Figure 9: A developing cartridge according to any one of Figures 1 to 8, further comprising a separation cam (50) movable in the first direction relative to the housing and movable together with the housing relative to the photosensitive drum in a direction crossing the first direction; wherein the separation cam is in contact with a frame of the drawer in a case where the housing is in the first position, and wherein the separation cam is separable from the frame in a case where the housing is in the second position. Figure 10: The developing cartridge according to Figure 9, wherein the developing roller is movable from a contact position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum according to the movement of the separation cam in the first direction in a case where the housing is in the second position. Illustration 11: A developing cartridge according to any one of the illustrations 1 to 10, further comprising a first projection (18) extending in the first direction from the housing, wherein the drawer has a support surface (24) configured to allow the first projection to be inserted and configured to receive a weight of the developing cartridge, wherein the first projection sits on the support surface in a housing in which the housing is in the first position, and wherein the housing is pivotally movable from the first position to the second position about the first projection. Figure 12: Developing cartridge according to Figure 11, where the drawer contains: a locking lever (23) pivotally movable about a third axis crossing the first direction between a locking position and a released position, in which the locking lever is positioned outside the frame in the first direction relative to the locking position of the locking lever, the developing cartridge further comprising: a second projection (19) extending in the first direction, wherein the second projection is positioned farther from the developing roller than the first projection is from the developing roller, the second projection being contactable with the lock lever, the second projection being in contact with the lock lever and the lock lever being in the lock position in a case where the casing is in the first position, whereby the lock lever is pressed, the second projection to move the lock lever to the released position in a case where the casing is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and the lock lever being in the lock position in a case where the casing is in the second position. Figure 13: Developing cartridge for use with a drawer (2) containing a frame (21) and a photosensitive drum (22), the developing cartridge comprising: a housing (10) configured to receive developing agents therein; a developing roller (30) rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being movable with the housing; and a separating cam (50) movable in the first direction relative to the housing and is movable together with the housing relative to the photosensitive drum in a direction crossing the first direction; wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer in accordance with the movement of the drawer from a first position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the separation cam is in contact with a frame of the drawer, to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the separation cam is separated from the frame of the drawer. Figure 14: A developing cartridge according to Figure 13, wherein the movement of the drawer serves to attach the drawer to a housing (110) of an image forming apparatus (100), and wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a housing in which the drawer is attached to the housing. Figure 15: A developing cartridge according to Figure 14, wherein a portion of the housing is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus, and wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the housing is in contact with the housing. Figure 16: A developing cartridge according to Figure 15, wherein the housing has a pressure receiving surface (161, 171) positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction, the pressure receiving surface being in contact with the housing, a housing in which the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus. Figure 17: The developing cartridge according to Figure 16, wherein the pressure receiving surface comprises: a first pressure receiving surface (161) positioned closer to one side of the casing in the first direction than to a center of the casing in the first direction; and a second pressure receiving surface (171) positioned closer to another side of the casing in the first direction than the center of the casing in the first direction. Figure 18: Developing cartridge according to Figure 17, wherein the housing comprises: a first outer surface (11) positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction, a second outer surface (12) arranged on the other side of the housing in the first direction; a first cover (16) covering the first outer surface; and a second cover (17) covering the second outer surface, wherein the first pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover and wherein the second pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover. Figure 19: A developing cartridge according to any one of Figures 13 to 18, wherein the developing roller is movable from a contact position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum in accordance with the movement of the separation cam in the first direction in a case where the housing is in the second position. Illustration 20: A developing cartridge according to any one of illustrations 13 to 19, further comprising a first projection (18) extending in the first direction from the housing, wherein the drawer has a support surface (24) configured to allow the first projection to be inserted and configured to receive a weight of the developing cartridge, wherein the first projection sits on the support surface in a housing in which the housing is in the first position, and wherein the housing is pivotally movable from the first position to the second position about the first projection. Figure 21: Developing cartridge according to Figure 20, where the drawer contains: a locking lever (23) which is rotatable about a third axis which crosses the first direction, is pivotally movable between a locking position and a released position in which the locking lever is positioned outside the frame in the first direction relative to the locking position of the locking lever, the developing cartridge further comprising: a second projection (19) extending in the first direction, the second projection being positioned farther away from the developing roller than the first projection is from the developing roller, and the second projection being capable of being brought into contact with the locking lever, the second projection being in contact with the locking lever and the locking lever being in the locking position in a case in which the housing is in the first position, the locking lever being pressed by the second projection to move the locking lever to the released position in a casein which the housing is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and wherein the locking lever is in the locking position in a case where the housing is in the second position., Figure 22: Developing cartridge for use with a drawer (2) containing a photosensitive drum (22), the developing cartridge comprising: a housing (10) configured to receive developing agents therein; a developing roller (30) rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being movable with the housing; and a first projection (18) extending in the first direction; wherein the drawer has a support surface (24) configured to allow the first projection to be inserted and configured to receive a weight of the developing cartridge, and wherein the housing is pivotally movable about the first projection relative to the drawer according to movement of the drawer from a first position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the first projection is in contact with the support surface, to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum. Figure 23: A developing cartridge according to Figure 22, wherein the movement of the drawer serves to attach the drawer to a housing (110) of an image forming apparatus (100), and wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a housing in which the drawer is attached to the housing. Figure 24: A developing cartridge according to Figure 23, wherein a portion of the housing is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus, and wherein the housing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the housing is in contact with the housing. Figure 25: A developing cartridge according to Figure 24, wherein the housing has a pressure receiving surface (161, 171) positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction, the pressure receiving surface being in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus. Figure 26: The developing cartridge according to Figure 25, wherein the pressure receiving surface comprises: a first pressure receiving surface (161) positioned closer to one side of the casing in the first direction than to a center of the casing in the first direction; and a second pressure receiving surface (171) positioned closer to another side of the casing in the first direction than the center of the casing in the first direction. Figure 27: Developing cartridge according to Figure 26, wherein the housing comprises: a first outer surface (11) positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction, a second outer surface (12) arranged on the other side of the housing in the first direction; a first cover (16) covering the first outer surface; and a second cover (17) covering the second outer surface, wherein the first pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover and wherein the second pressure-receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover. Illustration 28: A developing cartridge according to any one of the illustrations 22 to 27, wherein the drawer includes: a locking lever (23) pivotally movable about a third axis crossing the first direction, between a locking position and a released position in which the locking lever is positioned outwardly of the frame in the first direction relative to the locking position of the locking lever, the developing cartridge further comprising: a second projection (19) extending in the first direction, wherein the second projection is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the first projection is from the developing roller, wherein the second projection can be brought into contact with the locking lever, wherein the second projection is in contact with the locking lever and the locking lever is in the locking position in a case where the housing is in the first position, and wherein the locking lever is pressed by the second projection to move the locking lever to the released position in a case where the housing is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, a and wherein the locking lever is in the locking position in a case where the housing is in the second position. Figure 29: An image forming apparatus comprising: the drawer of any one of Figures 1 to 28; and a housing (110) to which the drawer is mountable. Figure 30: An image forming apparatus according to Figure 29, wherein the housing comprises a pressing portion (115, 116, 117), the pressing portion being adapted to be brought into contact with the housing (10) in accordance with movement toward the drawer. Figure 31: The image forming apparatus according to Figure 30, wherein the housing has an insertion opening (112) through which the drawer passes in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus; wherein the printing portion is positioned at an edge of the insertion opening. Figure 32: Image forming apparatus according to Figure 31, wherein the printing portion projects outwardly from the edge of the insertion opening of the housing.

[0342] While the description has been made in detail with reference to the specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2011-59510

[0003] JP 2013-54058

[0003]

Claims

[1] A developing cartridge detachably mounted in a drum cartridge, the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge being insertable together into the image forming apparatus in an insertion direction, the developing cartridge comprising the following components: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a housing having a developer receiving portion for receiving a developer, comprising a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side in the first direction, a drive gear arranged on the first side of the housing, a chip assembly of the chip mounted on the housing, the chip comprising an electrical contact portion, the electrical contact portion being located on the second side of the housing, characterized by , that a powder filling opening and a circular cover are also arranged on the second side of the housing, wherein the powder can be filled into the developer receiving portion through the powder filling opening, wherein the circular cover is used to seal the powder filling opening to prevent the developer from leaking out of the powder filling opening, wherein observed from the second side of the housing in a first direction, that at least a part of the chip arrangement overlaps with a part of the circular cover. [2] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by that when observed from the second side of the housing in a first direction, at least a part of the electrical contact portion overlaps with a part of the circular cover. [3] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized bythat, when observed from the second side of the housing in a first direction, the chip arrangement covers a right part of the circular cover and exposes a left part of the circular cover, the right part being a part of the circular cover located on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge. [4] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing has an upper wall, the upper wall being provided with a mounting portion for mounting the chip arrangement, the circular cover being arranged on a surface adjacent to the upper wall on the housing. [5] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized byin that the housing has an upper wall, the upper wall being provided with a mounting portion for mounting the chip assembly, wherein, as observed from the second side of the housing in a first direction, the chip assembly simultaneously covers a right part and an upper part of the circular cover, the upper part being a part of the circular cover near the upper wall, the right part being a part of the circular cover located on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge. [6] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by that the distance of the electrical contact portion from the upper wall of the housing in a direction simultaneously perpendicular to the insertion direction and the first direction of the drum cartridge is smaller than the distance of the electrical contact portion from the developing roller. [7] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by that from the second side of the housing in a first direction it is observed that the chip arrangement overlaps with a part of the circular cover in a posture that covers a part of the circular cover. [8] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing has a virtual center line in a direction simultaneously perpendicular to the insertion direction and the first direction of the drum cartridge, wherein the chip, the powder filling opening and the circular cover are arranged on the upper side of the virtual center line. [9] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by that an anti-misassembly portion is arranged on the upper wall of the housing, wherein the anti-misassembly portion has a groove extending in the insertion direction. [10] Developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized bythat the chip arrangement as a whole is L-shaped.

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