Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent, with a simple configuration, the interference between a cartridge and a contact part of an apparatus body in attaching and detaching the cartridge.SOLUTION: A cartridge has a pressing part, a recess, and an electric contact part. An apparatus body has a contact unit that has a contact part contactable with the electric contact part and a projection part pressed by the pressing part, and allows the contact part and the projection part to move in a direction away from a mounting area against an elastic force. The contact unit is configured to be at a first position in a non-mounted state, at a second position further separated from the mounting area than the first position when the projection part is inserted into the recess and the contact part is brought into contact with the electric contact part in a mounted state, and at a third position further separated from the mounting area than the second position so as to prevent the pressing part from pressing the projection part, thereby preventing contact of the contact part with the cartridge, in a middle state of the transition from the non-mounted state to the mounted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, a configuration is known that has a detachable process cartridge that is an integral cartridge of an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) and a process means acting on the photosensitive drum. In addition to the process cartridge, a configuration is known in which various functional members that constitute an image forming apparatus, such as a toner cartridge that is a cartridge of a toner container, are detachably mounted on the apparatus main body. Such a cartridge is provided with a plurality of electrical contact parts for electrical connection with the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body is provided with contact parts that come into contact with the electrical contact parts of the cartridge and electrically connect to the cartridge.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which whether the contact part of the device main body comes into contact with or separates from the electrical contact part of the cartridge is linked to the opening and closing operation of the door. In this configuration, when the door is closed, the contact part of the device main body comes into contact with the electrical contact part of the cartridge, and when the door is opened, the contact part of the device main body separates from the electrical contact part of the cartridge, making it possible to remove the cartridge from the device main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-106393 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the door is opened, the electrical contacts of the cartridge and the contacts of the device body separate in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door, so that the contacts do not get caught when the user installs or removes the cartridge, and this provides good operability. On the other hand, there are problems with the number of parts, the cost, and the size of the device due to the configuration for linking the contact and separation of the electrical contacts with the opening and closing of the door.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to suppress interference between a cartridge and a contact portion of an apparatus main body when the cartridge is attached or detached, with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge can be detachably attached to a main body of the apparatus, a mounting direction of the cartridge is defined as a first direction, and a direction intersecting the first direction and the direction of gravity is defined as a second direction; The cartridge comprises: A pressing portion provided on an end surface in the second direction; a recess provided on the end surface, the recess being recessed deeper than the pressing portion; A power-receiving member; an electrical contact portion for receiving power to be supplied to the power-receiving member; having The device body includes: a frame having an attachment area therein, the attachment area being an area in which the cartridge is present when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body; a contact unit including a contact portion and a protruding portion protruding toward the mounting area, the contact portion and the protruding portion being movable against an elastic force in the second direction away from the mounting area, the contact unit being provided at an end of the frame in the second direction; The contact unit comprises: the cartridge is in a first position when it is not attached to the main body of the apparatus, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body and in an attached state in the attachment area of ​​the frame, the cartridge is in a second position farther from the attachment area in the second direction than the first position by inserting the protrusion into the recess and by bringing the contact portion into contact with the electrical contact portion, When the cartridge is in an intermediate state from the unmounted state to the mounted state, the protrusion is pressed against the pressing portion of the cartridge, and the contact portion is in a third position farther from the mounting area in the second direction than the second position so as not to come into contact with the cartridge. It is configured as follows: The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress interference between the cartridge and the contact portion of the main body of the apparatus when the cartridge is attached or detached, with a simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2(a)] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a process cartridge; [Figure 2(b)] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a process cartridge. [Figure 2(c)] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a process cartridge. [Figure 3(a)] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a process cartridge. [Figure 3(b)] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a process cartridge. [Figure 4] A diagram showing how the process cartridge is installed when the door is open. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process cartridge and a guide rail of an apparatus main body according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(a)] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(b)] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(c)] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(d)] FIG. 1 is a front view of a guide rail according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(e)] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6(f)] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6(g)] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a contact spring according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(h)] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a holding member according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(i)] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a contact unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6(j)] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the vicinity of an electrical contact portion of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first position of the contact unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a third position of the contact unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a second position of the contact unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10(a)] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the conductor in the second position of the contact unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 10(b)] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing the position of the conductor in the second position of the contact unit of the first embodiment; [Figure 11(a)] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a conductor according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11(b)] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a contact unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11(c)] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11(d)] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12(a)] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a third embodiment; [Figure 12(b)] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a conductor according to a third embodiment; [Figure 12(c)] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13(a)]FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 13(b)] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a guide rail and a contact unit according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 13(c)] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the guide rail and the contact unit according to the fourth embodiment; [Figure 13(d)] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a holding member according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a first position of the contact unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a third position of the contact unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a third position of the contact unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a third position of the contact unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views showing a first position, a second position, and a third position of the contact unit of the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Example 1 The following describes in detail the embodiments to which the present invention can be applied with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a monochrome laser printer, which is an example of an image forming apparatus. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, and relative positions of the components described in this embodiment do not limit the scope of the present invention, and may be changed as appropriate within the spirit of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the device body 1 of the image forming device P has a sheet feeding section 50, a transfer section 60, a fixing section 70, a sheet discharge section 80, and a laser scanner 90. The device body 1 is a frame body having an installation area in which the process cartridge 2 and the toner cartridge 3 can be installed, and is configured to allow the process cartridge 2 and the toner cartridge 3 to be detachably installed. The installation area is an area in which the process cartridge 2 exists when the process cartridge 2 is installed in the device body 1. The process cartridge 2 has a power supply member 17 that operates when power is supplied from the device body 1. The installation direction of the process cartridge 2 to the device body 1 is defined as Y1. The direction intersecting the Y1 direction and the gravity direction (vertical direction) (direction perpendicular to the Y1 direction in the first embodiment), that is, the width direction of the sheet S (width direction of the device body 1, the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11), is defined as X1. The X1 direction is perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1. The opposite direction to the Y1 direction (the direction in which the process cartridge 2 is removed) is defined as the Y2 direction, and the opposite direction to the X1 direction is defined as the X2 direction. The Y1 direction and Y2 direction are defined as first directions, and the X1 direction and X2 direction are defined as second directions.

[0012] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus P will be described in detail. The photosensitive drum 11, which is rotationally driven by a driving source (not shown), is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 12. After charging, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is exposed to laser light L by a laser scanner 90 based on image information, and the charge in the exposed area is removed to form an electrostatic latent image. Toner is supplied from a developing roller 21 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11, and the image is visualized as a toner image.

[0013] In parallel with this toner image formation operation, the feed roller 51 rotates to separate and feed the topmost sheet S in the paper feed cassette 52. The sheet S is transported to a transfer section 60 formed by the photosensitive drum 11 and a transfer roller 61 in time with the formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11. As the sheet S passes through this transfer section 60, a bias is applied to the transfer roller 61, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet S as an unfixed image. The sheet S with the transferred toner image is then transported to a fixing section 70. The sheet S transported to the fixing section 70 is fixed. When the sheet S passes through unit 70, the unfixed image is heated and pressurized to be fixed onto the surface of the sheet S. When an image is to be formed on only one side of the sheet S, the sheet S is conveyed to a discharge path 81, and is discharged and stacked on a discharge tray 83 by a pair of discharge rollers 82. When an image is to be formed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S is conveyed to re-conveyance paths 84 and 85, and conveyed again to transfer unit 60 in a reversed state.

[0014] Next, the process cartridge 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c). Figure 2(a) is a front view of the process cartridge 2. Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2(a), and Figure 2(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2(a). As shown in Figure 2(b), the process cartridge 2 is composed of a cleaning unit 10 (first unit) equipped with a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, and a developing unit 20 (second unit) equipped with a developing roller 21 as a developer carrier that carries developer (toner).

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c), the cleaning unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12 as a charging member, a cleaning blade 13 as a cleaning member, a primary waste toner storage section 14, and a waste toner transport path 15.

[0016] The charging roller 12 is disposed so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and charges the photosensitive drum 11 when a voltage is applied to the charging roller 12 from the apparatus main body 1. The charging roller 12 is rotated in a driven manner relative to the photosensitive drum 11.

[0017] The cleaning blade 13 is an elastic member disposed so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The cleaning blade 13 has a tip that comes into elastic contact with the photosensitive drum 11, thereby removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 after a sheet S, which will be described later, passes between the photosensitive drum 11 and a transfer roller 61. The removed toner (waste toner) is transported from the primary waste toner storage unit 14 through a waste toner transport path 15 to a toner cartridge (not shown).

[0018] As shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c), the developing unit 20 has a developing chamber 23 in which the developing roller 21 is disposed, a developer storage chamber 24 which supplies toner to the developing chamber 23, and an inlet 25 which receives toner supplied from a toner cartridge (not shown).

[0019] The developing roller 21 supplies toner to the developing area of ​​the photosensitive drum 11. The developing roller 21 uses the toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11. The developing blade 22 contacts the circumferential surface of the developing roller 21 to regulate the amount of toner that adheres to the circumferential surface of the developing roller 21. At the same time, the developing blade 22 imparts a frictional charge to the toner.

[0020] The toner stored in the developer storage chamber 24 is sent to the developing chamber 23 by the rotation of the stirring member 30, and is supplied to the developing roller 21. The amount of toner is detected by a remaining amount detection means (not shown) in the developer storage chamber 24, and when the amount of toner in the developer storage chamber 24 falls below a certain amount, toner is supplied to the process cartridge 2 from a toner cartridge (not shown).

[0021] 3(a) and 3(b) are external perspective views of the process cartridge 2, with Fig. 3(a) being a view seen from the lower right of the apparatus main body 1, and Fig. 3(b) being a view seen from the lower left of the apparatus main body 1. The rightward direction of the apparatus main body 1 is the X1 direction (the front side of the paper in Fig. 1), and the leftward direction is the X2 direction (the rear side of the paper in Fig. 1).

[0022] The process cartridge 2 has a cleaning unit 10 (first unit) and a developing unit 20 (second unit), and the cleaning unit 10 and the developing unit 20 are connected to each other so as to be swingable about a swing center 27 by fulcrums 27a and 27b which are connecting portions. The center 27 is a straight line connecting the fulcrums 27a and 27b. Pressure springs 29a and 29b, which are elastic members, apply a force to the developing unit 20 to rotate the developing roller 21 around the swing center 27 in a direction in which the developing roller 21 contacts the photosensitive drum 11. With the process cartridge 2 attached to the apparatus main body 1, the developing unit 20, which is the second unit, is configured to be swingable.

[0023] An electrical contact portion 150 is provided on an end surface 152 of the process cartridge 2 in the second direction (X1, X2 direction). The electrical contact portion 150 is provided on the developing unit 20 of the process cartridge 2, and therefore can swing together with the developing unit 20 when the process cartridge 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1. The electrical contact portion 150 comes into contact with a contact portion (contact spring 161) of the apparatus main body 1 described later, so that the developing unit 20 and the apparatus main body 1 are electrically connected. The process cartridge 2 receives power to be supplied to a power-supplied member 17 of the process cartridge 2 from the apparatus main body 1 via the electrical contact portion 150. Examples of the power-supplied member 17 include a voltage application means that applies a voltage to the charging roller 12, the developing roller 21, etc., and a laser scanner 90. The electrical contact portion 150 is provided at a position facing a tip portion 161d of a contact spring 161, which is a contact portion of the contact unit 16, at the attachment completion position as described later.

[0024] A pressing portion 151 is provided on an end surface 152 in the second direction (X1, X2 direction) of the process cartridge 2. As described later, the pressing portion 151 presses a first protruding portion 160b, which is a protruding portion of the contact unit 16, in a direction away from the mounting area.

[0025] A recess U recessed in the second direction from the pressing portion 151 is provided on the end surface 152 of the process cartridge 2 in the second direction (X1, X2 direction). In the first embodiment, the recess U is a gap formed by the difference between the shape of the end surface in the second direction of the cleaning unit 10, which is the first unit, and the shape of the end surface in the second direction of the developing unit 20, which is the second unit. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the recess U is formed above the electrical contact portion 150. As described later, this recess U is formed in a shape that faces the first protrusion 160b of the holding member 160 when the process cartridge 2 is in a state in which the mounting of the process cartridge 2 to the apparatus main body 1 is completed, the first protrusion 160b is inserted into the recess U, and a gap is generated between the recess U and the first protrusion 160b. In the mounting completion position, the first protrusion 160b of the holding member 160 is located inside the recess U, and the first protrusion 160b is configured not to contact the process cartridge 2.

[0026] The process cartridge 2 has positioning bosses 101, 102 that protrude in the left-right direction (X1-X2 direction) coaxially with the photosensitive drum 11. The process cartridge 2 also has rotation stopper bosses 103, 104 and guide bosses 105, 106 that protrude in the left-right direction above the positioning bosses 101, 102. The rotation stopper bosses 103, 104 are located rearward (upstream) from the guide bosses 105, 106 in the mounting direction Y1. The process cartridge 2 also has a pressed portion 108 on the right side (right side in FIG. 3(b)) in the mounting direction Y1 (facing the same direction as the mounting direction Y1). The pressed portion 108 and the positioning boss 101 are located at both ends of a continuous linear protrusion extending along the mounting direction Y1.

[0027] The method of mounting and dismounting the process cartridge 2 in the main body 1 of the apparatus and the method of positioning the process cartridge 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5. As shown in Fig. 4, the main body 1 of the apparatus has a frame 31 in which an installation area, which is a space in which the process cartridge 2 is mounted, is provided. The door 95 is rotatably provided with respect to the main body 1 of the apparatus, and Fig. 4 shows the door 95 in an open state. The mounting direction of the process cartridge 2 in the main body 1 of the apparatus is indicated by Y1, and the removal direction by Y2. The main body 1 of the apparatus has guide rails 130 and 131 for regulating the movement of the process cartridge 2 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1 and removal direction Y2 of the process cartridge 2 and for guiding the process cartridge 2 extending in the Y1 direction. The guide rails 130 and 131 constitute the frame 31. The guide rails 130 and 131 have contact surfaces 130f and 131f perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1 and contact surfaces 130g and 131g parallel to the mounting direction Y1, respectively. The positioning bosses 101, 102 of the process cartridge 2 come into contact with this contact surface. Furthermore, the guide rail 131 has a contact surface 131h that comes into contact with the rotation stop boss 104 of the process cartridge 2 to prevent rotation. Moreover, the guide rail 130 has a contact surface 130h that comes into contact with the rotation stop boss 103 to prevent rotation.

[0028] The configurations of the electrical contact portion of the process cartridge 2 and the contact portion of the apparatus main body 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 6(i). To facilitate understanding, all of the drawings do not show the side plate of the apparatus main body 1 on which the guide rails 130, 131 are provided, and the circuit board to which the contact portion of the apparatus main body 1 (contact spring 161) is connected on the apparatus main body 1 side.

[0029] The apparatus main body 1 has a contact unit 16 having a contact portion and a protruding portion protruding toward the mounting area, and the contact portion and the protruding portion are movable against an elastic force in a direction away from the mounting area (X1 direction). The contact unit 16 is provided at an end of a guide rail 131 serving as a frame in the second direction X2. The contact unit 16 has a contact spring 161 which is a contact portion capable of coming into contact with an electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2, and a holding member 160 which holds the contact spring 161 and is movable in the second direction X2 as the contact spring 161 is compressed. The contact unit 16 can move to the following positions depending on the state of the process cartridge 2 during the mounting process.

[0030] First position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is not installed in the apparatus main body 1. Second position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an installed state in the apparatus main body 1 Third position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an intermediate state between a non-installed state and an installed state.

[0031] The first position can be said to be a state in which the process cartridge 2 is not present in the apparatus main body 1, or a state in which the process cartridge 2 is present in the apparatus main body 1 but does not face (does not contact) the holding member 160. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the process cartridge 2 has been completely mounted in the apparatus main body 1 (mounted state). A contact unit 16 having a holding member 160 and a contact spring 161 is provided on a guide rail 131 provided in the apparatus main body 1. The contact spring 161 is a contact portion on the apparatus main body 1 side, has electrical conductivity, and when the mounting of the process cartridge 2 is completed, the contact spring 161 contacts the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 3(a), thereby electrically connecting the process cartridge 2 and the apparatus main body 1. The electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 faces and can come into contact with the contact spring 161, which is a contact portion of the contact unit 16, in the mounted state, and the pressing portion 151 faces and can come into contact with the holding member 160 in the X2 direction in the intermediate state.

[0032] The contact unit 16 of the main body 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6(a) to 6(i). Fig. 6(a) is an external perspective view of the contact unit 16 of the main body 1 of the apparatus in Fig. 5 in an enlarged manner, and Figs. 6(b) and 6(c) are an external perspective view and a front view of the contact unit 16 as viewed from the inside (the mounting area side) of the main body 1 of the apparatus. Fig. 6(d) is an enlarged view of the guide rail 131 in the vicinity of the position where the contact unit 16 is attached. Fig. 6(e) is a BB cross-sectional view of the contact unit 16 in Fig. 6(c), and Fig. 6(f) is a BB cross-sectional view of the contact unit 16 with the contact spring 161 removed from the contact unit 16. Fig. 6(g) is a perspective view of the contact spring 161, Fig. 6(h) is a perspective view of the holding member 160, and Fig. 6(i) is a perspective view of the contact unit 16 with the contact spring 161 attached to Fig. 6(h). Fig. 6(j) is a view showing the vicinity of the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 in the mounted state.

[0033] The following describes the configuration of the contact unit 16. The contact unit 16 has a contact spring 161 and a holding member 160 that holds the contact spring 161.

[0034] (Contact spring) The contact spring 161 will be described. The contact spring 161 is a compression coil spring whose compression direction is the second direction (X1 direction), and the tip portion on the mounting area side functions as a contact portion that contacts the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2. As shown in FIG. 6(g), the contact spring 161 has a coil portion 161c constituting a compression spring, and a protruding portion 161b protruding from an end portion 161a of the coil portion 161c in the axial direction of the coil portion 161c. The protruding portion 161b has a coil shape wound around an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the coil portion 161c.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the process cartridge 2 has the developing unit 20 and the cleaning unit 10 connected to be able to swing around the swing center 27. The electrical contact portion 150 is provided in the swinging unit in the process cartridge 2 mounted in the apparatus main body 1. In the first embodiment, the electrical contact portion 150 is provided in the developing unit 20, and when the developing unit 20 swings around the swing center 27 relative to the cleaning unit 10, the electrical contact portion 150 also swings. As shown in FIG. 6(j), a surface perpendicular to the central axis C of the protruding portion 161b of the contact spring 161 is approximately parallel to the tangent direction of the swing direction R of the electrical contact portion 150. The shape of the tip portion 161d of the protruding portion 161b of the contact spring 161, which contacts with the electrical contact portion 150, projected onto the electrical contact portion 150 in the X2 direction is parallel to the tangent direction of the swing direction R. In other words, the central axis C of each of the protrusions 161b is substantially perpendicular to the swing direction R of the electrical contact portion 150 at the position of each of the protrusions 161b.

[0036] The coil portion 161c and the protruding portion 161b are made of a continuous conductive member. The coil portion 161c is connected to an electric circuit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1. As described later, the tip portion 161d of the protruding portion 161b is configured to be able to come into contact with the electrical contact portion 150 when the process cartridge 2 is in the apparatus state. The process cartridge 2 and the apparatus main body 1 are electrically connected by the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 coming into contact with the tip portion 161d of the contact spring 161. Note that the coil portion 161c and the protruding portion 161b are not limited to the above configuration as long as they are electrically conductive.

[0037] The dimensional relationship between the protrusion 161b and the coil portion 161c is set so that when the protrusion 161b is projected in the axial direction of the coil portion 161c, it fits within a region in which the coil portion 161c is projected in the axial direction. For example, in the case of Fig. 6(g), the shape of the protrusion 161b is cylindrical, the central axis of the cylinder is perpendicular to the central axis of the coil portion 161c, and the outer diameter of the cylinder is smaller than the inner diameter of the coil portion 161c. Note that the shapes and dimensions of the protrusion 161b and the coil portion 161c are not limited to the above configuration.

[0038] (Retaining member) The holding member 160 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6(e), Fig. 6(f), Fig. 6(h), and Fig. 6(i), the holding member 160 holds a contact spring 161 and is configured to be movable in the second direction (X1, X2 direction) by compressing the contact spring 161. The holding member 160 has one first protrusion 160b that is a protrusion protruding in the X2 direction toward the mounting area, and three second protrusions 160g that are arranged in line along the mounting direction Y1 of the process cartridge 2. The first protrusion 160b has a shape that extends along the mounting direction Y1 of the process cartridge 2, and the second protrusion 160g is cylindrical.

[0039] The second protrusion 160g has a cylindrical first portion 160c provided on the holding member 160, and a cylindrical second portion 160d with a bottom extending from an end of the first portion 160c on the inner side (X2 direction) of the device main body 1. The inner diameter of the second portion 160d is smaller than the inner diameter of the first portion 160c. An opening 160a is provided at the bottom of the second portion 160d, and a through hole 160f is formed inside the first portion 160c and the second portion 160d. A step portion 160e is formed at the boundary between them.

[0040] The inner diameter of the second portion 160d is larger than the outer diameter of the protruding portion 161b of the contact spring 161. The contact spring 161 is attached to the holding member 160 so that the protruding portion 161b is inserted into the second portion 160d, the end portion 161a abuts against the step portion 160e, and a part of the inside side (X2 direction) of the device body 1 of the coil portion 161c is inserted into the first portion 160c. The shape and dimensions of the contact spring 161 and the second protruding portion 160g are not limited to the above configuration. The second portion 160d and the step portion 160e hold the end portion 161a of the contact spring 161 in the X2 direction. The tip portion 161d and the protruding portion 161b of the contact spring 161 protrude in the X2 direction from the end portion 161a in the X2 direction through the through hole 160f. The tip portion 161d, the protruding portion 161b, and the coil portion 161c are conductive. An end 161a of the contact spring 161 in the X2 direction is not fixed to the step portion 160e. When a tip portion 161d is pushed in the X1 direction by the process cartridge 2, it separates from the step portion 160e and the coil portion 161c is compressed.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6(i), the tip 161d of the protrusion 161b of the contact spring 161 is exposed from the opening 160a of the holding member 160 to the side of the mounting area of ​​the apparatus main body 1 (X2 direction) and is configured to be able to come into contact with the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2.

[0042] (Guide rail and contact unit) The relationship between the guide rail 131 and the contact unit 16 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6(b), Fig. 6(c), Fig. 6(d), and Fig. 6(e), the guide rail 131 has a plurality of holes through which the first protrusion 160b and the second protrusion 160g of the holding member 160 of the contact unit 16 can penetrate. The holding member 160 is attached to the guide rail 131 in a state in which the first protrusion 160b is inserted into the hole 131d of the guide rail 131 and the three second protrusions 160g are inserted into the three holes 131a, 131b, and 131c of the guide rail 131. The hole 131d into which the first protrusion 160b is inserted extends along the mounting direction Y1 of the process cartridge 2. The holding member 160 is provided so as to be movable relative to the guide rail 131 in the X1-X2 direction.

[0043] When attached to the guide rail 131, the second protrusion 160g and a part of the first protrusion 160b of the holding member 160 protrude from the surface of the guide rail 131 facing the inside of the apparatus body 1 (in the X2 direction). When the process cartridge 2 is in a transition state from the unattached state to the attached state, the first protrusion 160b is pressed by the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6(e), the guide rail 131 has a regulating portion 131e that protrudes in the X1 direction. The holding member 160 of the contact unit 16 has a contacted portion 160i that can come into contact with the regulating portion 131e. The regulating portion 131e functions as a regulating member that regulates movement of the contact unit 16 in the X2 direction by coming into contact with the contacted portion 160i in the second direction (X2 direction). The holding member 160 receives a force in the X2 direction by the contact spring 161, and when the process cartridge 2 is in an unattached state not in contact with the holding member 160, the contact between the regulating portion 131e and the contacted portion 160i moves the contact unit 16 to the first position.

[0045] The positioning of the guide rail 131 and the contact unit 16 will be described with reference to Figures 6(c) and 6(d). The three holes 131a, 131b, and 131c of the guide rail 131 are arranged in this order along the Y1 direction. Of the three holes, the hole 131a located furthest downstream in the Y1 direction (first direction) is circular, with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second protrusion 160g of the holding member 160, and configured to be able to fit with the second protrusion 160g. The hole 131c located furthest upstream in the Y1 direction (first direction) is an oval hole that is longer in the Y1 direction than the length in the Y1 direction of the second protrusion 160g corresponding to the hole 131c, and is configured so that the second protrusion 160g can fit into it. By fitting them together, it is possible to prevent rotation of the holding member 160. Furthermore, the hole 131b in the center in the Y1 direction is circular, and its inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the second protrusion 160g of the holding member 160, and a gap is provided between the second protrusion 160g and the hole 131b, and it is not involved in positioning.

[0046] The operation of the contact unit 16 during the installation of the process cartridge 2 will be described. Figures 7, 8, and 9 are cross-sectional views taken along CC in Figure 6(c). Figure 7 shows a state in which the process cartridge 2 is in the middle of transitioning from a non-installed state to an installed state and before reaching the contact unit 16. The state in Figure 7 shows a case in which the process cartridge 2 is in a position where it does not contact the contact unit 16. At this time, the contact unit 16 moves to the first position due to the elastic force of the contact spring 161.

[0047] In FIG. 7, the reference symbol D1 indicates the position of the end of the first protrusion 160b in the X2 direction (second direction) when the holding member 160 is not in contact with the process cartridge 2. The reference symbol D2 indicates the position of the end of the protrusion 161b as a contact portion in the X2 direction (second direction) when the holding member 160 is not in contact with the process cartridge 2. As indicated by the reference symbol D1 in FIG. 7, the first protrusion 160b protrudes in the X2 direction into the mounting area T of the process cartridge 2. Also, as indicated by the reference symbol D2, the protrusion 161b of the contact spring 161 functioning as a contact portion provided on the holding member 160 protrudes in the X2 direction into the mounting area T of the process cartridge 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the position D2 of the end of the protrusion 161b (the end of the contact portion of the contact unit 16 on the mounting area side) is farther from the mounting area T than the position D1 of the end of the first protrusion 160b (the end of the protrusion of the contact unit 16 on the mounting area side). That is, the first protrusion 160b protrudes into the mounting area longer than the protrusion 161b as a contact portion. The contact spring 161, as indicated by the symbol F, applies a force to the holding member 160 in a direction toward the mounting area T in the X2 direction.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a state in which the process cartridge 2 advances in the Y1 direction from the state in FIG. 7 to reach the contact unit 16, and the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 presses the first protruding portion 160b of the contact unit 16. As shown in FIG. 8, the process cartridge 2 has a pressing portion 151 that faces the contact unit 16 in the X2 direction during the mounting process. The pressing portion 151 corresponds to the outermost position (X1 direction side) of the mounting area T of the process cartridge 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the first protruding portion 160b protrudes to a position D1 on the inside of the mounting area T, so that when the pressing portion 151 is in a position facing the contact unit 16, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing portion 151 presses the first protruding portion 160b in the X1 direction. When the process cartridge 2 is in the middle of transitioning from the unmounted state to the mounted state, the contact unit 16 is pressed in the X1 direction by the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 against the force of the contact spring 161. As a result, the contact unit 16 moves in the second direction to a third position that is farther from the mounting area T than the second position.

[0049] FIG. 9 shows a state where the process cartridge 2 has further advanced in the Y1 direction from the state shown in FIG. 8 and the mounting of the process cartridge 2 has been completed. The recess U is recessed in the X2 direction from the pressing portion 151. The recess U is provided at a position facing the first protrusion 160b when the process cartridge 2 is in the mounted state, and has a shape that allows the first protrusion 160b to be inserted therein with a gap between the recess U and the first protrusion 160b. When the process cartridge 2 is in the mounted state, the electrical contact portion 150 and the tip portion 161d of the contact spring 161 are in contact with each other. At this time, the distance between the position D3 in the X2 direction of the bottom of the recess U and the position D4 in the X2 direction of the electrical contact portion 150 is greater than the distance in the X2 direction between the position D4 in the X2 direction of the tip portion 161d and the position D1 of the end of the first protrusion 160b in the X2 direction. Therefore, when in the mounted state, the first protrusion 160b enters the inside of the recess U without contacting the end face 152 of the process cartridge 2. As a result, the electrical contact portion 150 comes into contact with the tip portion 161d, and the contact unit 16 moves in the second direction (X1 direction) from the first position against the force of the contact spring 161. The device moves to a second position further away from the mounting area.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the first protruding portion 160b has a first surface 160b1, a second surface 160b2, and a third surface 160b3. The first surface 160b1 extends along the Y1 direction. The second surface 160b2 is an inclined surface that extends from the end of the first surface 160b1 in the Y2 direction in the X1 direction, and the third surface 160b3 is an inclined surface that extends from the end of the first surface 160b1 in the Y1 direction in the X1 direction. When the end of the process cartridge 2 in the Y1 direction contacts the first protruding portion 160b of the holding member 160 during the mounting process of the process cartridge 2, it contacts the inclined surface of the second surface 160b2. Then, the first protruding portion 160b is pushed in the X1 direction while sliding on the second surface 160b2, and the state of FIG. 8 is reached. Therefore, there is little resistance when transitioning from the state of FIG. 7 to the state of FIG. 8.

[0051] In the unattached state of Fig. 7, as shown in Fig. 6(e), Fig. 6(f), and Fig. 6(g), an end 161a of a coil portion 161c of the contact spring 161 contacts a step portion 160e of the holding member 160. When the holding member 160 moves in the X1 direction during a transition from the unattached state of Fig. 7 to the intermediate state of Fig. 8, the contact spring 161 also moves in the X1 direction at the same time. Therefore, in the intermediate state of Fig. 8, a tip portion 161d of the contact spring 161, which is a contact portion of the contact unit 16, does not contact the process cartridge 2.

[0052] 9, the first protrusion 160b can be inserted into the space formed by the recess U of the process cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 3(a), and the contact unit 16 moves in the X2 direction from the third position in FIG. 8 to the second position. When the contact unit 16 is in the second position, the holding member 160 is spaced apart from the process cartridge 2.

[0053] Fig. 10(a) is a DD cross-sectional view of Fig. 6(c), and shows a state when the process cartridge 2 of Fig. 9 is in an attached state and the contact unit 16 is in the second position. As shown in Fig. 10(a), the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 and the tip portion 161d of the contact spring 161 of the contact unit 16 are in contact with each other.

[0054] FIG. 10(b) is an enlarged view of the electrical contact portion 150 located at the most upstream side in the Y1 direction in FIG. 10(a) and the second protruding portion 160g of the holding member 160. The tip portion 161d of the contact spring 161 and the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 are in contact with each other. In contrast, there is a gap between the end portion 161a of the coil portion 161c of the contact spring 161 and the step portion 160e of the holding member 160. There is also a gap between the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 and the end face 160h of the second protruding portion 160g of the holding member 160 on the X2 direction side. Therefore, the force of the contact spring 161 is not acting on the holding member 160. In addition, the holding member 160 is not in contact with the process cartridge 2. In other words, only the contact spring 161 is in contact with the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 with the force in the X2 direction acting thereon. As a result, the apparatus main body 1 and the process cartridge 2 are electrically connected.

[0055] The above describes the operations of mounting the process cartridge 2 from start to finish. However, since the operation of removing the process cartridge 2 is an operation that proceeds in the reverse direction from the state in Figure 10 to the state in Figure 7, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] According to the first embodiment, the contact portion (contact spring 161) on the device main body 1 side is held by the contact unit 16 having a protrusion (first protrusion 160b) that can come into contact with the process cartridge 2 located upstream of the mounting completion position. During the mounting process of the process cartridge 2, the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 presses the protrusion of the contact unit 16 to move the contact unit 16, and the contact portion moves in a direction away from the process cartridge 2. This suppresses interference between the contact portion and the process cartridge 2 during the mounting process. At the mounting completion position of the cartridge 2, the protruding portion of the contact unit 16 is positioned inside a recess U provided in the process cartridge 2, so that the contact portion of the contact unit 16 and the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2 can come into contact with each other. In the mounting process of the process cartridge 2, the process cartridge 2 first comes into contact with and presses the protruding portion of the holding member 160. This causes the contact unit 16 to move in a direction (X1 direction) away from the process cartridge 2, and the contact portion of the contact unit 16 is retreated to a position where it does not come into contact with the process cartridge 2. This prevents the contact portion of the contact unit 16 from interfering with the process cartridge 2 in the middle of mounting and causing it to get caught. This makes it possible to improve the operability of mounting and demounting the process cartridge 2 with a simple configuration.

[0057] Example 2 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the compression coil spring also serves as the contact portion, but in the second embodiment, the contact portion and the compression coil spring are separate.

[0058] The contact unit 26 that holds the contact portion on the apparatus main body 1 side can move to the following positions depending on the state of the process cartridge 2 during the mounting process.

[0059] First position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is not installed in the apparatus main body 1. Second position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an installed state in the apparatus main body 1 Third position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an intermediate state between a non-installed state and an installed state.

[0060] The contact unit 26 of the second embodiment has a compression coil spring 262, a conductor 261, and a holding member 260. Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view showing the conductor 261. Fig. 11(b) is a perspective view of the contact unit 26, Fig. 11(c) is a front view of the contact unit 26, and Fig. 11(d) is an E-E sectional view of Fig. 11(c). In these figures, for ease of understanding, the side plate of the device body 1 on which the guide rail 231 is provided, and the circuit board to which the contact portion of the device body 1 is connected on the device body 1 side are not shown.

[0061] The compression coil spring 262 has a compression direction in the second direction (X1 direction). The conductor 261 is provided at the end of the compression coil spring 262 on the mounting area side. The holding member 260 holds the conductor 261, and is movable in the second direction by compressing the compression coil spring 262. The holding member 260 is provided with a first protrusion 260b which is a protrusion pressed by the pressing portion 151 when the process cartridge 2 is in the mid-position state. The conductor 261 is exposed from the holding member 260 on the mounting area side. This will be described in detail below.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(d), the conductor 261 has a shaft portion 261d, a flange portion 261a provided at one end of the shaft portion 261d, and a boss 261c provided at the end of the flange portion 261a opposite to the shaft portion 261d. The outer diameter of the boss 261c is smaller than the inner diameter of the coil portion 262c of the compression coil spring 262, and the compression coil spring 262 is attached to the boss 261c by light press-fitting. The flange portion 261a of the conductor 261 contacts the step portion 260e of the holding member 260. The tip portion 261b of the shaft portion 261d of the conductor 261 opposite to the flange portion 261a protrudes from an opening 260a provided at the end of the second protruding portion 260g of the holding member 260 on the X2 direction side. The conductor 261 is provided at the end of the compression coil spring 262 in the X2 direction, has electrical conductivity, and is a conductor separate from the compression coil spring 262.

[0063] The step portion 260e of the second protrusion 260g of the holding member 260 holds the conductor 261. The second protrusion 260g is provided with a through hole 260f penetrating in the X2 direction, and the end of the conductor 261 on the side of the mounting area is exposed to the mounting area in the X2 direction through the through hole 260f, forming a contact portion that contacts the electrical contact portion 150. The flange portion 261a of the conductor 261 is not fixed to the step portion 260e. As in the first embodiment, when the contact unit 26 is in the second position, there is a gap between the conductor 261 and the step portion 260e, and there is a gap in the X2 direction between the electrical contact portion 150 and the end face of the second protrusion 260g of the holding member 260. The shapes of the second protrusion 260g and the first protrusion 260b of the holding member 260 shown in FIG. 11(b) and FIG. 11(c), and the method of positioning the contact unit 26 with respect to the guide rail 231 are the same as in the first embodiment. FIG. 11D is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the contact unit 26 and the guide rail 231 before the process cartridge 2 is started to be mounted in the apparatus main body 1, with the contact unit 26 being in the first position.

[0064] The operation of the contact unit 26 during the installation of the process cartridge 2 is the same as in Example 1. The flange portion 261a of the conductor 261 operates in the same manner as the end portion 161a of the coil portion 161c of the contact spring 161 in Example 1, and the tip portion 261b operates in the same manner as the tip portion 161d of the contact spring 161.

[0065] When the installation of the process cartridge 2 is started and before the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 contacts and presses the first protrusion 260b of the holding member 260, the contact unit 26 is in the first position and the flange portion 261a contacts the step portion 260e.

[0066] When the process cartridge 2 advances in the Y1 direction and the pressing portion 151 presses the first protrusion 260b to press the contact unit 26 in the X1 direction, the contact unit 26 moves to the third position. At this time, the tip 261b of the conductor 261 is retracted to a position where it does not contact the process cartridge 2.

[0067] When the process cartridge 2 further advances in the Y1 direction to the mounted state, the first protrusion 260b is no longer in contact with the process cartridge 2 at the recess U, and the contact unit 26 moves to the second position. The second protrusion 260g of the holding member 260 is not in contact with the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2, the flange portion 261a is not in contact with the step portion 260e, and only the tip portion 261b is in contact with the electrical contact portion 150. The compression coil spring 262 applies a force to the conductor 261 in the X2 direction, but when the contact unit 26 is in the second position, the conductor 261 is in contact with the electrical contact portion 150 and is not in contact with the holding member 260, and therefore the force of the compression coil spring 262 does not act on the holding member 260.

[0068] The conductor 261 is electrically connected to the circuit board of the apparatus main body 1, and the process cartridge 2 and the apparatus main body 1 are electrically connected to each other by contacting the tip 261b of the conductor 261 with the electrical contact portion 150. The electrical connection between the conductor 261 and the apparatus main body 1 may be in a form in which the conductor 261 and the circuit board of the apparatus main body 1 are connected by a wiring member (not shown), for example. Also, the compression coil spring 262 may be made of a conductive material such as metal, and the compression coil spring 262, the conductor 261, and the circuit board may be electrically connected to each other.

[0069] Example 3 A third embodiment of the invention will be described. The same or corresponding parts as those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the compression coil spring is attached to the contact portion, but in the third embodiment, the contact portion and the compression coil spring are attached to different positions of the holding member.

[0070] The contact unit 36 ​​which holds the contact portion on the apparatus main body 1 side can move to the following positions depending on the state of the process cartridge 2 during the mounting process.

[0071] First position: the position when the process cartridge 2 is not installed in the main body 1 of the apparatus (FIG. 12) Second position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an installed state in the apparatus main body 1 Third position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an intermediate state between a non-installed state and an installed state.

[0072] The contact unit 36 ​​of the third embodiment has a compression coil spring 362, a conductor 361, and a holding member 360. Fig. 12(a) is a perspective view of the contact unit 36, Fig. 12(b) is a perspective view of the conductor 361, and Fig. 12(c) is a cross-sectional view of the contact unit 36, which corresponds to the E-E cross-sectional view of Fig. 11(c). Fig. 12(c) shows a state before the process cartridge 2 starts to be mounted in the apparatus main body 1, and the contact unit 36 ​​is in the first position. In these figures, for ease of understanding, the side plate of the apparatus main body 1 on which the guide rail 331 is provided, and the circuit board to which the contact portion of the apparatus main body 1 is connected on the apparatus main body 1 side are not shown.

[0073] The compression coil spring 362 has a compression direction in the second direction (X1 direction). The holding member 360 holds the conductor 361, and is movable in the second direction by compressing the compression coil spring 362. The holding member 360 is provided with a first protrusion 360b which is a protrusion pressed by the pressing portion 151 when the process cartridge 2 is in the mid-position state. The conductor 361 is exposed from the holding member 360 to the mounting area side. This will be described in detail below.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the conductor 361 of the third embodiment has a shaft portion 361d and a flange portion 361a. As shown in FIG. 12(c), the contact unit 36 ​​is attached to the guide rail 331. The holding member 360 has a first protrusion portion 360b and a second protrusion portion 360g, and the conductor 361 is attached to the inside of the second protrusion portion 360g of the holding member 360 and is connected to the circuit board of the apparatus main body 1 by a conductor wire (not shown). A tip portion 361b of the shaft portion 361d of the conductor 361 on the opposite side to the flange portion 361a contacts the electrical contact portion 150 of the process cartridge 2, thereby electrically connecting the process cartridge 2 and the apparatus main body 1.

[0075] The holding member 360 is provided with a boss 360s that protrudes in the X1 direction, and a compression coil spring 362 for biasing the conductor 361 toward the electrical contact portion 150 in the X2 direction is attached to the boss 360s of the holding member 360.

[0076] The operation of the holding member 360 during the mounting of the process cartridge 2 is similar to that in the first and second embodiments.

[0077] When the mounting of the process cartridge 2 is started and before the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 comes into contact with the first protruding portion 360b of the holding member 360, the contact unit 36 ​​is in the first position.

[0078] When the process cartridge 2 advances in the Y1 direction and the pressing portion 151 comes into contact with the first protrusion 360b, and the holding member 360 is pressed in the X1 direction, the contact unit 36 ​​moves to the third position. At this time, the tip 361b of the conductor 361 does not come into contact with the process cartridge 2.

[0079] When the process cartridge 2 further advances in the Y1 direction to the mounted state, the first protrusion 360b is inserted into the recess U and is no longer in contact with the end face 152 of the process cartridge 2, and the contact unit 36 ​​moves to the second position. Only the electrical contact portion 150 contacts the electrical contact portion 150. The compression coil spring 362 applies a force in the X2 direction to the holding member 360. Since the conductor 361 is fixed to the holding member 360, the force in the X2 direction is applied to the conductor 361 by the compression coil spring 362 via the holding member 360.

[0080] The conductor 361 is electrically connected to the circuit board of the apparatus main body 1, and the process cartridge 2 and the apparatus main body 1 are electrically connected to each other by contacting the tip portion 361b with the electrical contact portion 150. The electrical connection between the conductor 361 and the apparatus main body 1 may be in a form in which the conductor 361 and the circuit board of the apparatus main body 1 are connected by a wiring member (not shown), for example. Also, the compression coil spring 362 may be made of a conductive material such as metal, and the compression coil spring 362, the conductor 361, and the circuit board may be electrically connected to each other.

[0081] Example 4 Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the first embodiment, during the mounting process of the process cartridge 2, the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 contacts and presses the first protruding portion 160b of the holding member 160, so that the contact unit 16 moves from the first position to the third position. In the fourth embodiment, during the mounting process of the process cartridge 2, the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 contacts and presses the first protruding portion 460b of the holding member 460 and the second protruding portion 460g1, which is the most upstream in the Y1 direction, of the three second protruding portions 460g. The first protruding portion 460b and the second protruding portion 460g1 function as a plurality of protruding portions. As a result, the contact unit 46 moves from the first position to the third position. The contact portion on the device main body 1 side is constituted by a contact spring 461, as in the first embodiment.

[0082] A holding member 460 that holds a contact spring 461, which is a contact portion on the apparatus main body 1 side, can move to the following positions depending on the state of the process cartridge 2 during the mounting process.

[0083] First position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is not installed in the apparatus main body 1. Second position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an installed state in the apparatus main body 1 Third position: a position when the process cartridge 2 is in an intermediate state between a non-installed state and an installed state.

[0084] The configuration of the contact unit 46 will be described with reference to Figs. 13(a) to 13(d). Fig. 13(a) is an external perspective view of the contact unit 46, and Figs. 13(b) and 13(c) are an external perspective view and a front view of the contact unit 46 as viewed from the side of the mounting area of ​​the device body 1. Fig. 13(d) is an external perspective view of the holding member 460. In these figures, for ease of understanding, the side plate of the device body 1 on which the guide rail 431 is provided and the circuit board to which the contact portion of the device body 1 is connected on the device body 1 side are not shown.

[0085] 13(a) to 13(c), the configurations relating to the attachment of the contact spring 461 to the holding member 460, the attachment of the contact unit 46 to the guide rail 431, and the positioning of the contact unit 46 and the guide rail 431 are the same as those in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13(c), the holding member 460 has a first protrusion 460b and three second protrusions 460g. Of the three second protrusions 460g, the one located most upstream in the Y1 direction and closest to the process cartridge 2 to be mounted is called the second protrusion 460g1, and the other two are called second protrusions 460g2 and 460g3 from the upstream side in the Y1 direction. An opening 460a is provided in the three second protrusions 460g, and the tip 461d of the contact spring 461 attached inside the second protrusion 460g is exposed from the opening 460a to the mounting area side in the X2 direction.

[0086] The operation of the contact unit 46 during the mounting of the process cartridge 2 will be described. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Figure 13(c), and shows the state after the process cartridge 2 has started to be mounted to the apparatus main body 1 and before it reaches the contact unit 46. At this time, the contact unit 46 is in the first position.

[0087] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13(c) taken along the line CC, showing a state in which the process cartridge 2 has reached the second protruding portion 460g1 of the contact unit 46. When the process cartridge 2 advances in the Y1 direction from the position shown in FIG. 14, the process cartridge 2 comes into contact with the second protruding portion 460g1 of the contact unit 46, as shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 14, the first protruding portion 460b has a first surface 460b1, a second surface 460b2, and a third surface 460b3. The first surface 460b1 extends along the Y1 direction. The second surface 460b2 is an inclined surface that extends from the end of the first surface 460b1 in the Y2 direction in the X1 direction, and the third surface 460b3 is an inclined surface that extends from the end of the first surface 460b1 in the Y1 direction in the X1 direction. The second protrusion 460g1 has a first surface 460g11 and a second surface 460g12. The first surface 460g11 extends along the Y1 direction. The second surface 460g12 is an inclined surface that extends obliquely in the X1 direction from the end of the first surface 460g11 in the Y2 direction.

[0088] When the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 comes into contact with the second protruding portion 460g1 during the installation process of the process cartridge 2, it comes into contact with the inclined surface of the second surface 460g12. Then, while sliding on the second surface 460g12, it presses the second protruding portion 460g1 in the X1 direction, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 15. Therefore, there is little resistance when transitioning from the state shown in Fig. 14 to the state shown in Fig. 15.

[0089] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Figure 13(c). When the process cartridge 2 further advances in the Y1 direction from the state in Figure 15, the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 climbs over the second surface 460g12 of the second protruding portion 460g1 and reaches the first surface 460g11. At this time, the tip portion 461d of the contact spring 461 comes into contact with the process cartridge 2 and is pressed in the X1 direction.

[0090] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 13(c), showing a state where the process cartridge 2 has reached the first protruding portion 460b of the contact unit 46. When the process cartridge 2 advances further in the Y1 direction from the state of FIG. 16, the process cartridge 2 comes into contact with and presses the first protruding portion 460b of the contact unit 46. The contact unit 46 is further pushed in the X1 direction from the position of FIG. 16 to the third position. The shape of the first protruding portion 460b is the same as that of the first embodiment, and when the process cartridge 2 comes into contact with the first protruding portion 460b of the contact unit 46, it comes into contact with the inclined surface of the second surface 460b2. Then, the first protruding portion 460b is pressed in the X1 direction while sliding on the second surface 460b2, resulting in the state of FIG. 17. Therefore, there is little resistance when transitioning from the state of FIG. 16 to the state of FIG. 17. At this time, since the relationship between the second protrusion 460g and the contact spring 461 is the same as in the first embodiment, the contact spring 461 also moves in the X1 direction at the same time as the holding member 460 moves in the X1 direction.

[0091] After this, when the process cartridge 2 advances further in the Y1 direction and reaches the mounted state, the contact unit 46 moves to the second position. This state is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] In the process of mounting the process cartridge 2, first the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 comes into contact with and presses the second protruding portion 460g1 of the contact unit 46. Thereafter, the pressing portion 151 comes into contact with and presses the first protruding portion 460b, and the contact spring 461 retreats to a position where it does not come into contact with the process cartridge 2. Therefore, the mounting operation can be completed without the contact spring 461 of the contact unit 46 getting caught on the process cartridge 2 in the middle of being mounted. The mounting operability is good. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the pressed portion of the contact unit 46, which is pressed by the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 during the mounting process of the process cartridge 2, is composed of two members, the first protrusion 460b and the second protrusion 460g1. Therefore, the length of the first protrusion 460b in the Y1 direction can be shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the recess U required for the first protrusion 460b to be inserted in the mounted state.

[0093] The configuration of Example 4 can also be applied to a configuration in which the conductor and compression coil spring of Example 2 are separate and the compression coil spring is attached to the conductor, or a configuration in which the conductor and compression coil spring of Example 3 are attached to different locations on the retaining member.

[0094] Example 5 A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when the process cartridge 2 is not yet installed, the end of the contact portion of the contact unit on the side of the installation area is located farther from the installation area than the end of the protrusion on the side of the installation area in the second direction (X1, X2 direction). For example, in FIG. 7, the position D2 of the tip 161d of the contact spring 161 is farther from the installation area T than the position D1 of the first surface 160b1, which is the end of the first protrusion 160b. In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, when the process cartridge 2 is not yet installed, the end of the contact portion of the contact unit on the side of the installation area is located closer to the installation area than the end of the protrusion on the side of the installation area in the second direction.

[0095] Figures 18(a) to 18(c) are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the contact unit 56 and the process cartridge 2 of the fifth embodiment, and correspond to the cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 6(e). Figure 18(a) shows a state in which the process cartridge 2 is not yet attached and the contact unit 56 is in the first position. Figure 18(b) shows a state in which the process cartridge 2 is in an intermediate state and the contact unit 56 is in the third position. Figure 18(c) shows a state in which the process cartridge 2 is attached and the contact unit 56 is in the second position.

[0096] 18(a), when the process cartridge 2 is not installed, the end of the contact portion 561d of the contact unit 56 on the side of the installation area is located closer to the installation area in the second direction (X1, X2) than the end of the first protrusion 560b on the side of the installation area. The other configurations are the same as those of the contact unit 16 in the first embodiment. The distance in the second direction between the end of the contact portion 561d of the contact unit 56 on the side of the installation area and the end of the first protrusion 560b on the side of the installation area is set to L1.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 18(b), when the process cartridge 2 is in the middle of transition from the unattached state to the attached state, the pressing portion 151 of the process cartridge 2 presses the first protruding portion 560b of the contact unit 56 in the X1 direction. This causes the contact unit 56 to move to a third position that is farther from the attachment area than the first position. The distance in the second direction between the end face 152 of the process cartridge 2 in the second direction and the pressing portion 151 is L2. As shown in FIG. 18(a) and FIG. 18(b), if L2>L1, when the contact unit 56 is in the third position in the middle state, the contact portion 561d retreats to a position where it does not come into contact with the end face 152 or the electrical contact portion 150. Therefore, when the process cartridge 2 is in the middle state, it is possible to prevent the contact portion 561d of the contact unit 56 from interfering with the process cartridge 2 and causing a catch when the process cartridge 2 is in the middle state.

[0098] 18(c), when the process cartridge 2 is in the mounted state, the first protrusion 560b of the contact unit 56 is inserted into the recess U provided on the end face 152 of the process cartridge 2, and the electrical contact portion 150 comes into contact with the contact portion 561d. As a result, the contact unit 56 moves to the second position which is closer to the mounting area than the third position.

[0099] In this way, also with the configuration of the fifth embodiment, the mounting operation can be completed without the contact portion 561d of the contact unit 56 coming into contact with and getting caught on the process cartridge 2 in the middle of being mounted, and the mounting operability is good.

[0100] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is applied to a process cartridge, but the cartridge to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the process cartridge. The present invention can be applied to various cartridges that have a power-receiving member that receives power from the main body of the apparatus and are detachable from the main body of the apparatus. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the gap formed by the difference in the shape of the end faces in the X1 direction of the first unit (cleaning unit 10) and the second unit (developing unit 20) constituting the cartridge is used as the recess U. The recess U may be formed by making the end faces in the X1 direction of the first unit and the second unit flush with the pressing portion, and by making at least one of the end faces of the first unit and the second unit recessed in the X2 direction from the pressing portion.

[0101] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mountable to a main body of the apparatus, a mounting direction of the cartridge is defined as a first direction, and a direction intersecting the first direction and the direction of gravity is defined as a second direction; The cartridge comprises: A pressing portion provided on an end surface in the second direction; a recess provided on the end surface, the recess being recessed deeper than the pressing portion; A power-receiving member; an electrical contact portion for receiving power to be supplied to the power-receiving member; having The device body includes: a frame having an attachment area therein, the attachment area being an area in which the cartridge is present when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body; a contact unit including a contact portion and a protruding portion protruding toward the mounting area, the contact portion and the protruding portion being movable against an elastic force in the second direction away from the mounting area, the contact unit being provided at an end of the frame in the second direction; The contact unit comprises: the cartridge is in a first position when it is not attached to the main body of the apparatus, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body and in an attached state in the attachment area of ​​the frame, the cartridge is in a second position farther from the attachment area in the second direction than the first position by inserting the protrusion into the recess and by bringing the contact portion into contact with the electrical contact portion, When the cartridge is in an intermediate state from the unmounted state to the mounted state, the protrusion is pressed against the pressing portion of the cartridge, and the contact portion is in a third position farther from the mounting area in the second direction than the second position so as not to come into contact with the cartridge. It is configured as follows: 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 2) The contact unit comprises: a contact spring configured by a compression coil spring in which the second direction is a compression direction, the contact spring having a tip portion on the mounting area side as the contact portion; The contact spring is held, and the contact spring is compressed to move in the second direction. a possible holding member, the holding member being provided with the protrusion; having 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the contact spring is exposed from the holding member to the side of the mounting area. (Configuration 3) the holding member has a through hole penetrating in the second direction, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the contact spring is exposed to the mounting area side through the through hole. (Configuration 4) An image forming apparatus as described in configuration 3, wherein when the contact unit is in the second position, there is a gap between the contact spring and the holding member in the second direction, and there is a gap between the holding member and the electrical contact portion in the second direction. (Configuration 5) The contact unit comprises: a compression coil spring in which the second direction is a compression direction; A conductor provided at an end of the compression coil spring on the side of the mounting area; a holding member that holds the conductor and is movable in the second direction when the compression coil spring is compressed, the holding member having the protrusion; having The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the conductor is exposed on the side of the mounting area from the holding member. (Configuration 6) the holding member has a through hole penetrating in the second direction, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an end portion of the conductor on the side of the mounting area is exposed to the side of the mounting area through the through hole. (Configuration 7) The image forming apparatus of configuration 6, wherein when the contact unit is in the second position, there is a gap between the conductor and the holding member in the second direction, and there is a gap between the holding member and the electrical contact portion in the second direction. (Configuration 8) The contact unit comprises: a compression coil spring in which the second direction is a compression direction; A conductor; a holding member that holds the conductor and is movable in the second direction when the compression coil spring is compressed, the holding member having the protrusion; having The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the conductor is exposed on the side of the mounting area from the holding member. (Configuration 9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein in the unattached state, an end portion of the contact portion on the side of the attachment area is located farther from the attachment area than an end portion of the protrusion on the side of the attachment area in the second direction. (Configuration 10) An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein in the unattached state, an end portion of the contact portion on the side of the mounting area is located closer to the mounting area than an end portion of the protrusion on the side of the mounting area in the second direction. (Configuration 11) The cartridge is configured by connecting a first unit and a second unit, 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a gap formed by a difference between a shape of an end surface of the first unit in the second direction and a shape of an end surface of the second unit in the second direction. The image forming apparatus described above. (Configuration 12) the device body has a restricting member that comes into contact with the contact unit in the second direction and restricts movement of the contact unit, 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the contact unit has a contactable portion that can come into contact with the regulating member, and the contactable portion moves to the first position by contacting the regulating member. (Configuration 13) 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the contact unit has a plurality of the protruding portions. (Configuration 14) the apparatus body has a guide rail extending in the first direction for guiding the cartridge, 14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the contact unit is provided so as to be movable in the second direction relative to the guide rail. (Configuration 15) An image forming apparatus according to configuration 14, wherein the guide rail has a hole through which the contact portion and the protrusion of the contact unit can pass, and the contact portion and the protrusion pass through to position the contact unit. (Configuration 16) The contact unit has a plurality of the protrusions, the guide rail has a plurality of holes through which the plurality of protrusions can pass, a hole located furthest upstream in the first direction among the plurality of holes is an elongated hole longer than a length in the first direction of the protrusion corresponding to the hole, 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the hole located furthest downstream in the first direction among the plurality of holes is a hole that fits into the protrusion corresponding to the hole. (Configuration 17) The cartridge has a configuration in which a first unit and a second unit are swingably connected to each other, the second unit is swingable when the cartridge is in the mounted state, The electrical contact portion is provided on the second unit, The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, wherein the shape of the tip of the contact portion that comes into contact with the electrical contact portion projected onto the electrical contact portion in the second direction is parallel to the tangent direction of the swing direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: apparatus main body, 2: process cartridge, 16: contact unit, 17: power-supplied member, 31: frame, P: image forming apparatus, T: mounting area, 130: guide rail, 131: guide rail, 160: holding member, 161: contact spring, 161d: tip portion, 160b: first protruding portion, 151: pressing portion, 150: electrical contact portion, U: recess

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mountable to a main body of the apparatus, a mounting direction of the cartridge is defined as a first direction, and a direction intersecting the first direction and a gravity direction is defined as a second direction; The cartridge comprises: A pressing portion provided on an end surface in the second direction; a recess provided on the end surface, the recess being recessed deeper than the pressing portion; A power-receiving member; an electrical contact portion for receiving power to be supplied to the power-receiving member; having The device body includes: a frame having an attachment area therein, the attachment area being an area in which the cartridge is present when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body; a contact unit including a contact portion and a protruding portion protruding toward the mounting area, the contact portion and the protruding portion being movable against an elastic force in the second direction away from the mounting area, the contact unit being provided at an end of the frame in the second direction; The contact unit comprises: the cartridge is in a first position when not mounted in the main body of the apparatus, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body and in an attached state in the attachment area of ​​the frame, the cartridge is in a second position farther from the attachment area in the second direction than the first position by inserting the protrusion into the recess and bringing the contact portion into contact with the electrical contact portion, When the cartridge is in an intermediate state from the unmounted state to the mounted state, the protrusion is pressed against the pressing portion of the cartridge, and the contact portion is in a third position farther from the mounting area in the second direction than the second position so as not to come into contact with the cartridge. It is configured as follows:

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The contact unit comprises: a contact spring configured by a compression coil spring in which the second direction is a compression direction, the contact spring having a tip portion on the mounting area side as the contact portion; a holding member that holds the contact spring and is movable in the second direction when the contact spring is compressed, the holding member having the protrusion; having 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the contact spring is exposed on the side of the mounting area from the holding member.

3. The holding member has a through hole penetrating in the second direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the tip of the contact spring is exposed to the mounting area side through the through hole.

4. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein when the contact unit is in the second position, there is a gap between the contact spring and the retaining member in the second direction, and there is a gap between the retaining member and the electrical contact portion in the second direction.

5. The contact unit comprises: a compression coil spring in which the second direction is a compression direction; A conductor provided at an end of the compression coil spring on the side of the mounting area; a holding member that holds the conductor and is movable in the second direction when the compression coil spring is compressed, the holding member having the protrusion; having 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conductor is exposed on the side of the mounting area from the holding member.

6. The holding member has a through hole penetrating in the second direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein an end portion of the conductor on the side of the mounting area is exposed to the side of the mounting area through the through hole.

7. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein when the contact unit is in the second position, there is a gap between the conductor and the holding member in the second direction, and there is a gap between the holding member and the electrical contact portion in the second direction.

8. The contact unit comprises: a compression coil spring in which the second direction is a compression direction; A conductor; a holding member that holds the conductor and is movable in the second direction when the compression coil spring is compressed, the holding member having the protrusion; having 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conductor is exposed on the side of the mounting area from the holding member.

9. An image forming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, in the unattached state, the end of the contact portion on the side of the mounting area is located farther from the mounting area in the second direction than the end of the protrusion on the side of the mounting area.

10. An image forming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the unattached state, the end portion of the contact portion on the side of the mounting area is located closer to the mounting area in the second direction than the end portion of the protrusion on the side of the mounting area.

11. The cartridge has a configuration in which a first unit and a second unit are connected to each other, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recess is a gap formed by a difference in shape between an end face of the first unit in the second direction and an end face of the second unit in the second direction.

12. the device body has a restricting member that comes into contact with the contact unit in the second direction and restricts movement of the contact unit, 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact unit has a contactable portion capable of coming into contact with the regulating member, and the contactable portion moves to the first position by contacting the regulating member.

13. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact unit has a plurality of the protrusions.

14. the apparatus main body has a guide rail extending in the first direction for guiding the cartridge, The contact unit is provided so as to be movable in the second direction relative to the guide rail. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the guide rail has a hole through which the contact portion and the protrusion of the contact unit can pass, and the contact portion and the protrusion pass to position the contact unit.

16. The contact unit has a plurality of the protrusions, the guide rail has a plurality of holes through which the plurality of protrusions can pass, a hole located furthest upstream in the first direction among the plurality of holes is an elongated hole longer than a length in the first direction of the protrusion corresponding to the hole, The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the hole located furthest downstream in the first direction among the plurality of holes is a hole that fits into the protrusion corresponding to that hole.

17. The cartridge has a configuration in which a first unit and a second unit are swingably connected to each other, the second unit is swingable when the cartridge is in the mounted state, The electrical contact portion is provided on the second unit, An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shape of a tip portion of the contact portion that comes into contact with the electrical contact portion projected onto the electrical contact portion in the second direction is parallel to a tangent direction of the swing direction.

Images