Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a novel technique related to an image forming apparatus having a detachable unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises an apparatus body and a detachable unit. The apparatus body has an opening and closing member, a detection unit, and an interlock mechanism. The detachable unit has a positioning part. The detection unit has a part to be positioned. The detection unit is movable to a first position where the part to be positioned is engaged with the positioning part, and a second position retreated from the first position so that the part to be positioned is separated from the positioning part. When the opening and closing member is moved from a closed position to an open position, the interlock mechanism moves the detection unit from the first position to the second position, and when the opening and closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position, moves the detection unit from the second position to the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus, a removable unit that is detachable from the main body of the apparatus, such as a process cartridge or a toner cartridge, is used. Patent Document 1 describes a detection mechanism that detects the amount of waste toner in a waste toner container by emitting light from a light-emitting unit of the main body of the apparatus through the inside of the waste toner container that is detachable from the main body of the apparatus and entering a light-receiving unit of the main body of the apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,224,196 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There has been a demand for an interface section on the device body side relative to the removable unit, such as the detection mechanism in the above document, to be positioned with high accuracy relative to the removable unit. However, in an arrangement in which the interface section faces a side surface of the unit in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the removable unit relative to the device body, it has been difficult to achieve both ease of attachment and detachment of the removable unit and improved positioning accuracy of the interface section.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a new technique relating to an image forming apparatus having a detachable unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a device main body including an opening, and a removable unit that is removable from the device main body through the opening, the device main body having an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening, and a detection unit for detecting a state of the removable unit, the detection unit being arranged to face a side surface that is an end face of the removable unit in a first direction that intersects with a mounting direction of the removable unit to the device main body when the removable unit is attached to the device main body, and a linkage mechanism that moves the detection unit in linkage with the opening / closing member, the removable unit having a positioning portion provided on the side surface, and the detection unit detecting the state of the removable unit when viewed in the first direction. The image forming apparatus has a positioned portion that engages with the positioning portion so as to determine the position of the unit, one of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a protrusion protruding in the first direction, and the other of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a hole portion that engages with the protrusion, the detection unit is movable between a first position where the positioned portion engages with the positioning portion and a second position retracted from the first position in the first direction so that the positioned portion disengages from the positioning portion, and the interlocking mechanism moves the detection unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and moves the detection unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a device main body including an opening, and a removable unit that is removable from the device main body through the opening, the removable unit having a storage medium that stores information about the removable unit, the device main body having an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening, a control means that acquires the information from the storage medium, and a contact unit for electrically connecting the control means and the storage medium when the removable unit is attached to the device main body, the contact unit being arranged to face a side that is an end face of the removable unit in a first direction that intersects with a mounting direction of the removable unit to the device main body when the removable unit is attached to the device main body, and an interlocking mechanism that moves the contact unit in conjunction with the opening / closing member, the removable unit being provided on the side. an image forming apparatus having a positioning portion, the contact unit having a positioned portion that engages with the positioning portion so as to determine the position of the contact unit relative to the detachable unit when viewed in the first direction, one of the positioned portion and the positioning portion being a protrusion that protrudes in the first direction, and the other of the positioned portion and the positioning portion being a hole that engages with the protrusion, the contact unit being movable to a first position where the positioned portion engages with the positioning portion and a second position retracted from the first position in the first direction so that the positioned portion disengages from the positioning portion, and the interlocking mechanism moves the contact unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and moves the contact unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new technique for an image forming apparatus having a detachable unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a process cartridge and a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the detection unit assembly according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a detection unit assembly according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are views of the detection unit assembly according to the first embodiment as viewed from the +Z direction. [Figure 8] 3A and 3B are views (a and b) of the detection unit assembly according to the first embodiment as viewed from the +X direction. [Figure 9] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are an exploded view and a perspective view of a detection unit assembly according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are an exploded view and a perspective view of a detection unit assembly according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13(a,b) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the device according to the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a contact unit assembly according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First Embodiment 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 100 as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome laser beam printer that forms a monochrome image on a recording material by an electrophotographic process. As the sheet S, which is the recording material (recording medium), various sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatments such as coated paper, sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, plastic films, cloth, etc.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 has an apparatus main body 100A, a process cartridge P, and a toner cartridge T. The apparatus main body 100A is the image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) of the image forming apparatus 100. The process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T are detachable units that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100A. In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 100A represents a portion of the image forming apparatus 100 excluding the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T.

[0013] The apparatus main body 100A has a feed roller 103 as a feeding means, a transfer roller 104 as a transfer means, a fixing section 105 as a fixing means, a laser scanner 101 as an exposure means, a pair of discharge rollers 107 as a discharge means, and a control section 109. A feed tray 102 on which sheets S as recording materials are stacked is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 100A. A discharge tray 108 on which sheets S on which images have been formed are stacked is provided at the top surface of the apparatus main body 100A.

[0014] The apparatus main body 100A also has an opening 274 for mounting and removing the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T, and a main body door 275 for opening and closing the opening 274. The main body door 275 is an opening / closing member that can be moved between a closed position where the opening 274 is closed and an open position where the opening 274 is opened by rotating about a hinge portion. After moving the main body door 275 from the closed position to the open position, the user can mount and remove the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T by inserting and removing them through the opening 274.

[0015] The process cartridge P and the transfer roller 104 are examples of image forming means for forming an image on a recording material. The process cartridge P includes a cleaning unit 10 having a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, and a developing unit 15 as a developing means. The cleaning unit 10 has the photosensitive drum 11, a cleaning blade 17 as a cleaning member for the photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12 as a charging member, and a charging cleaner 14 as a cleaning member for the charging roller 12. The developing unit 15 includes a developing roller 16 as a developer carrier, a supply roller 33, a toner supply unit 30 that stores toner as a developer and supplies it to the developing roller 16 and the supply roller 33, and a waste toner storage unit 40 described later. The toner cartridge T will be described later.

[0016] The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives an instruction to perform the image forming operation together with image data from an external computer, the image forming apparatus 100 starts the image forming operation. First, the photosensitive drum 11 is rotated by the drive source of the apparatus main body 100A. The charging roller 12 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanner 101 irradiates the photosensitive drum 11 with laser light based on the image data to perform exposure, and removes the surface charge of the photosensitive drum 11 in the exposure portion to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 16 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 11 and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image is transported to a transfer portion formed between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 104 while being supported by the photosensitive drum 11.

[0017] In parallel with the creation of the toner image, sheets S are fed one by one toward the transfer section. Specifically, a feed roller 103 rotates to feed the top sheet S on the feed tray 102. The fed sheet S is transported to the transfer section in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 reaches the transfer section. A transfer voltage is applied to a transfer roller 104, so that the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 11 to the sheet S while the sheet S passes through the transfer section.

[0018] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing section 105. The fixing section 105 has a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet S, and a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and heats and pressurizes the toner image on the sheet S while sandwiching and transporting the sheet S. This results in an image fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing section 105 passes through a pair of transport rollers 106, is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 100A by a pair of discharge rollers 107, and is stacked on a discharge tray 108.

[0019] When images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S with the image formed on the first side is reversed (switched back) and conveyed again to the transfer section via a re-conveyance path. Then, after the toner image is transferred to the second side and the sheet S is subjected to a heating and pressurizing process in the fixing section 105, the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 108.

[0020] The control unit 109 is an example of a control means for controlling the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 109 includes a CPU that executes a program, and a storage unit that stores the program and data required for controlling the image forming apparatus 100 and provides a work space for the CPU. The CPU reads out and executes the program from the storage unit, and the control unit 109 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the control unit 109 detects that the waste toner storage unit 40 of the toner cartridge T is full based on a detection signal from a detection unit 199 described later, the control unit 109 notifies the user of information that prompts the user to replace the toner cartridge T. The method of notification is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, displaying an image or text information on a display unit (operation panel) provided in the apparatus main body 100A, or transmitting a predetermined signal to an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network.

[0021] <cartridge> The process cartridge P will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge P cut along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11. Hereinafter, the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11 is defined as the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T.

[0022] As described above, the process cartridge P includes the cleaning unit 10 and the developing unit 15. The cleaning unit 10 includes the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, the charging cleaner 14, the cleaning blade 17, as well as a primary storage section 10a, a waste toner transport path 10b, and a transport screw 70.

[0023] The cleaning blade 17 is an elastic member arranged so that its tip comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 at a predetermined contact pressure. The cleaning blade 17 removes foreign matter, such as residual toner that has not been transferred to the sheet S in the transfer section and remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, from the photosensitive drum 11. The foreign matter removed by the cleaning blade 17 will be referred to as "waste toner" hereinafter. The waste toner is temporarily stored in the primary storage section, and then transported by the transport screw 70 through the waste toner transport path 10b toward the waste toner storage unit 40 of the toner cartridge T, which will be described later.

[0024] <Toner cartridge> Next, a description will be given of the toner cartridge T. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the functional relationship between the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T.

[0025] 3, the toner cartridge T includes a toner supply unit 30 that supplies toner to the process cartridge P, and a waste toner storage unit 40 that collects waste toner from the process cartridge P. Hereinafter, the toner stored in the toner supply unit 30 (toner to be replenished to the process cartridge P) will be referred to as "fresh toner."

[0026] The toner supply unit 30 and the waste toner storage unit 40 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction D. In other words, the toner supply unit 30 and the waste toner storage unit 40 are in a positional relationship in which they at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] The toner supply unit 30 has a drive input part 30I to which a drive force is input from the drive source D1 of the apparatus main body 100A. The drive input part 30I is provided on one end side of the toner supply unit 30 in the longitudinal direction D. The drive input part 30I is, for example, a gear that meshes with a gear on the apparatus main body 100A side, or a coupling that meshes with a coupling on the apparatus main body 100A side. By mounting the toner cartridge T to the apparatus main body 100A, it becomes possible for the drive input part 30I to receive the drive force from the drive source D1.

[0028] The driving force input to the driving force input portion 30I is branched and transmitted to a first transmission path D2 and a second transmission path D3. The first transmission path D2 is a driving force transmission path for transporting fresh toner in the toner supply unit 30 and discharging the fresh toner from the toner supply unit 30 toward the process cartridge P. In the first transmission path D2, for example, a transport screw for transporting fresh toner toward the discharge port of the toner supply unit 30 is disposed.

[0029] The second transmission path D3 is a drive transmission path that transmits a part of the drive force input to one end side of the toner supply unit 30 in the longitudinal direction D to the other end side in the longitudinal direction D, and further transmits the drive force to the waste toner storage unit 40. As will be described later, the waste toner storage unit 40 transports the waste toner collected from the process cartridge P inside the waste toner storage unit 40 by using the drive force transmitted via the second transmission path D3.

[0030] The waste toner storage unit 40 also includes a light guiding member 110. The light guiding member 110, together with a detection unit 199 (described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 100A, constitutes a light-transmitting waste toner amount detection mechanism. The light guiding member 110 forms an optical path (spatial optical path) passing through the internal space of the waste toner storage unit 40. The detection unit 199 is used to detect the state of the toner cartridge T when the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. The detection unit 199 of this embodiment is capable of detecting a full state of the waste toner storage unit 40 (a state in which a preset threshold amount or more of waste toner is stored) by an optical detection mechanism.

[0031] The waste toner storage unit 40 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge T as seen from the waste toner storage unit 40 side.

[0032] The waste toner storage unit 40 has a storage body 41, a storage lid 42, a light guide member 110, and a side cover 60. The storage lid 42 covers an upper opening of the storage body 41. The storage body 41 and the storage lid 42 form a storage section (storage frame, waste toner container) in which waste toner is stored.

[0033] The storage section lid 42 is provided with an inlet 42a for receiving waste toner from the process cartridge P into the storage section. In addition, the storage section lid 42 is provided with an opening / closing member 43 for closing the inlet 42a when the toner cartridge T is not attached to the apparatus main body 100A.

[0034] The side cover 60 is attached to a side surface of the storage unit in the longitudinal direction D. The side cover 60 forms at least a part of a side surface of the toner cartridge T, which is an end surface of the toner cartridge T in a direction (longitudinal direction D) intersecting with the mounting direction V of the toner cartridge T. The side cover 60 is disposed on the opposite side of the storage unit from the toner supply unit 30 in the longitudinal direction D. Note that in FIG. 4, the side cover 60 is shown separated from the storage unit in the longitudinal direction D in order to visualize the light guide member 110.

[0035] The light guide member 110 is attached between the housing main body 41 and the side cover 60. The light guide member 110 includes a first light guide 112 and a second light guide 113. The first light guide 112 includes an entrance portion 112a into which light from the light emitting portion of the device main body 100A is incident, and an exit portion protruding into the housing. The second light guide 113 includes an entrance portion protruding into the housing and facing the exit portion of the first light guide 112 across the spatial light path, and an exit portion 113a from which light is emitted toward the light receiving portion of the device main body 100A.

[0036] The side cover 60 is a cover member having an opening 62 formed therein, which fits with the incident portion 112a of the first light guide 112 and the exit portion 113a of the second light guide 113. The opening 62 is a hole penetrating the side cover 60 in the longitudinal direction D. In a state in which the side cover 60 is attached to the housing portion (product state), the light guide member 110 is covered with the side cover 60 except for the incident portion 112a and the exit portion 113a.

[0037] At least one positioning hole 61 is formed on the end surface of the side cover 60 on the -Y direction side. In this embodiment, two positioning holes 61 are provided. The positioning hole 61 opens toward a direction (first direction) intersecting with the mounting direction V of the toner cartridge T. The positioning hole 61 is a hole penetrating the side cover 60 in the longitudinal direction D, or a recess recessed from the outer surface (surface opposite to the storage portion) of the side cover 60 toward the inside (the storage portion side). The positioning hole 61 is preferably disposed near an opening 62 that fits with the entrance portion 112a and the exit portion 112b of the light guide member 110.

[0038] The detection unit 199, which will be described later, is disposed so as to face the side cover 60 of the toner cartridge T. In other words, the detection unit 199 is disposed so as to face the side surface of the toner cartridge T in a first direction (Y direction) intersecting with the mounting direction V of the toner cartridge T when the toner cartridge T is mounted in the apparatus main body 100A.

[0039] The positioning hole 61 is an example of a positioning portion that positions a detection unit 199, which will be described later, with respect to the toner cartridge T when the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. The positioning hole 61 in this embodiment is a hole portion (fitting portion) that engages with a positioning boss 201s (protrusion portion) of the detection unit 199, which will be described later, when the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. The fit of the positioning boss 201s with the positioning hole 61 positions the detection unit 199 on the apparatus main body 100A side with respect to the toner cartridge T.

[0040] Furthermore, the manner of engagement between the positioning portion and the positioned portion is not limited to a strict fit in which the outer edge of the protruding portion has substantially the same shape as the inner edge of the hole portion when viewed in the protruding direction of the protruding portion, but rather it is sufficient if appropriate positioning accuracy can be achieved depending on the specific configuration of the detection unit 199.

[0041] <Detection unit> The apparatus main body 100A includes a detection unit 199 as a detection means (waste toner full detection means) which constitutes a waste toner amount detection mechanism together with the light guiding member 110 of the toner cartridge T. The detection unit 199 includes a detection unit 199. The detection unit 199 is arranged in the apparatus main body 100A as a detection unit assembly 198 combined with a base holder 203 and a swing lever 202 that support the detection unit 199. The detection unit 199 (detection unit assembly 198) is an interface portion on the apparatus main body 100A side with respect to the toner cartridge T in the waste toner amount detection mechanism.

[0042] The detection unit assembly 198 according to the first embodiment will be described below. First, components of the detection unit assembly 198 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the detection unit assembly 198.

[0043] The detection unit assembly 198 includes a sensor board 200 , a board holder 201 , a swing lever 202 , a base holder 203 , and a compression spring 204 .

[0044] The sensor substrate 200 has a light emitting portion 200a (light emitting element), a light receiving portion 200b (light receiving element), and an insulating substrate 200c. An example of the light emitting portion 200a is a light emitting diode (LED), and an example of the light receiving portion 200b is a phototransistor, but is not limited thereto. The light emitting portion 200a and the light receiving portion 200b are attached to the insulating substrate 200c. The sensor substrate 200 also has a connector 200d for connecting to electrical wiring of the apparatus main body 100A. The sensor substrate 200 is electrically connected to the control unit 109 of the image forming apparatus 100 via wiring connected to the connector 200d.

[0045] In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the sensor substrate 200 (the normal direction of the mounting surface of the light emitting unit 200a and the light receiving unit 200b on the insulating substrate 200c) is called the +Y direction. One direction perpendicular to the +Y direction is called the +X direction. A direction perpendicular to both the +X direction and the +Y direction is called the +Z direction. In addition, the directions opposite to the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction indicated by the X, Y, and Z arrows in the drawings are called the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. Furthermore, the +X direction and the -X direction are collectively called the X direction, the +Y direction and the -Y direction are collectively called the Y direction, and the +Z direction and the -Z direction are collectively called the Z direction. In this embodiment, the X direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction D of the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T described above. In addition, the Z direction in this embodiment is a direction along the direction of gravity.

[0046] The light-emitting unit 200a and the light-receiving unit 200b of this embodiment are attached to the +Y-direction main surface of the insulator substrate 200c, which is a plate-like substrate extending in the X and Z directions. The optical axis direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 200a of this embodiment is the +Y direction. That is, the optical axis direction of the light-emitting unit 200a is substantially parallel to the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 201s described later, except for unavoidable errors due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, the light-receiving unit 200b of this embodiment is arranged side by side in the -Z direction with respect to the light-emitting unit 200a.

[0047] The substrate holder 201 is a holding member that holds the sensor substrate 200. The sensor substrate 200 is fixed to the substrate holder 201 using screws 205 (or by adhesive or other fixing method). The sensor substrate 200 and the substrate holder 201 move together in the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0048] The substrate holder 201 has at least one positioning boss 201s protruding in the +Y direction, at least one first boss 201a protruding in the X direction, at least one second boss 201b protruding in the Z direction, and an optical path hole 201d. The substrate holder 201 of this embodiment has two positioning bosses 201s, two first bosses 201a, two second bosses 201b, and two optical path holes 201d.

[0049] The positioning boss 201s is a positioning shape for positioning the sensor substrate 200 with respect to the toner cartridge T when the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. The positioning boss 201s is an example of a positioned portion that engages with a positioning portion (positioning hole 61) so that the position of the detection unit 199 when viewed in the first direction is determined with respect to the toner cartridge T as a removable unit. The positioning boss 201s in this embodiment protrudes in the +Y direction from the end face of the substrate holder 201 in the +Y direction.

[0050] That is, in this embodiment, the positioned portion has a shape that protrudes to a first side in a first direction (Y direction). The first side is the side from the detection unit 199 toward the side surface of the toner cartridge T in the first direction (Y direction) (+Y direction side), and the second side is the opposite side to the first side in the first direction (Y direction) (-Y direction side). The positioning boss 201s is an example of a protruding portion that protrudes toward the opposite side (+Y direction) to the direction in which the positioning hole 61 opens (-Y direction). The positioning boss 201s as a protruding portion fits into the positioning hole 61 as a hole portion, thereby positioning the detection unit 199 with respect to the toner cartridge T.

[0051] The positioning boss 201s is preferably disposed near the optical path hole 201d. The vicinity of the optical path hole 201d is, for example, a position where at least a portion of the positioning boss 201s overlaps with the sensor substrate 200 when viewed in the Y direction. In addition, by disposing a plurality of positioning bosses 201s, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the sensor substrate 200 in the rotational direction around the positioning boss 201s in the mounted state of the toner cartridge T when only one positioning boss 201s is disposed.

[0052] The detection unit 199, which is composed of the sensor substrate 200 and the substrate holder 201, can move between a detectable position, which is a position on the +Y direction side, and a retracted position retracted from the detectable position to the -Y direction side. The detectable position is a position (first position) where the positioning boss 201s as the positioned portion fits into the positioning hole 61 (FIG. 4) as the positioning portion. The retracted position is a position (second position) retracted from the detectable position in the -Y direction (second side in the first direction) so that the positioning boss 201s as the positioned portion is separated from the positioning hole 61 (FIG. 4) as the positioning portion. The detectable position is the position of the detection unit 199 in a detectable state described later, and the retracted position is the position of the detection unit 199 in the retracted state.

[0053] The first boss 201a is fitted into a first boss hole 202a of the rocking lever 202 so as to be rotatable and movable in the Y and Z directions. One of the first bosses 201a protrudes in the +X direction from an end face of the substrate holder 201 in the +X direction. The other first boss 201a protrudes in the -X direction from an end face of the substrate holder 201 in the -X direction.

[0054] The second bosses 201b are fitted into second boss holes 203b of the base holder 203 so as to be movable in the X and Y directions and rotatable. One of the second bosses 201b protrudes in the +Z direction from an end face of the substrate holder 201 in the +Z direction. The other of the second bosses 201b protrudes in the -Z direction from an end face of the substrate holder 201 in the -Z direction.

[0055] One of the light path holes 201d faces the light-emitting unit 200a. The other of the light path holes 201d faces the light-receiving unit 200b. That is, when viewed from the +Y direction side, the light-emitting unit 200a and the light-receiving unit 200b are located inside the light path hole 201d. When the toner cartridge T is mounted in the apparatus main body 100A, the light-emitting unit 200a faces the incident unit 112a (FIG. 4) of the light-guiding member 110 through the light path hole 201d. In the above case, the light-receiving unit 200b faces the exit unit 113a (FIG. 4) of the light-guiding member 110 through the light path hole 201d.

[0056] The compression spring 204 is an example of a biasing means for biasing the detection unit 199. The compression spring 204 of this embodiment biases the detection unit 199 in the +Y direction. The compression spring 204 is disposed between the substrate holder 201 and the base holder 203 with its axial direction facing the Y direction. Note that a spring member other than a compression spring or an elastomer may be used as the biasing means.

[0057] The compression springs 204 of this embodiment are disposed on both sides of the first boss 201a in the +Z direction and the -Z direction. Moreover, the compression springs 204 of this embodiment are disposed at positions in the X direction that overlap with the center of the second boss 201b in the X direction. This makes it possible to reduce the inclination of the sensor substrate 200 when the detection unit 199 is positioned in the Y direction by the biasing force of the compression springs 204.

[0058] Specifically, in this embodiment, in the usable state shown in Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 9(a) described later, the biasing force of the compression spring 204 causes the substrate holder 201 to abut against the left side plate 250. Therefore, the posture of the detection unit 199 around the first boss 201a and the second boss 201b is determined based on the left side plate 250. If the compression spring 204 is provided only on the +Z direction side with respect to the first boss 201a, a shape error of the substrate holder 201 in the vicinity of the compression spring 204 is likely to be manifested as a tilt of the sensor substrate 200. The shape error of the substrate holder 201 is, for example, a curvature of the contact surface of the substrate holder 201 with respect to the left side plate 250 caused by distortion during resin molding. The same concern also occurs when the compression spring 204 is disposed offset from the second boss 201b in the X direction. According to the arrangement of the compression spring 204 in this embodiment, the substrate holder 201 receives a biasing force from both sides in the Z direction of the first boss 201a, thereby reducing the influence of shape error of the substrate holder 201 and reducing the inclination of the sensor substrate 200 in a usable state. Note that in order to improve the dimensional accuracy of the contact portion of the substrate holder 201 with the left side plate 250, the contact portion may be formed into a rib shape 201r (FIG. 5).

[0059] Note that, instead of arranging the compression spring 204 on both sides of the first boss 201a in the Z direction, the compression spring 204 may be arranged so that the position of the compression spring 204 in the Z direction overlaps with the center of the first boss 201a in the Z direction. For example, only one compression spring 204 may be arranged at a position that overlaps with the center position of the first boss 201a in the Z direction and the center position of the second boss 201b in the X direction.

[0060] The base holder 203 has a second boss hole 203b and a support hole 203c. The second boss 201b of the substrate holder 201 is fitted into the second boss hole 203b. The support hole 203c is fitted into the support shaft 202c of the swing lever 202.

[0061] The base holder 203 is an example of a support member that supports the swing lever 202. The base holder 203 is fixed to the frame of the device main body 100A. The base holder 203 of this embodiment is fixed to the left side plate 250 (FIGS. 8(b) and 9(b)) of the device main body 100A by screws, adhesive, or other methods.

[0062] The frame of the apparatus main body 100A includes a left side plate 250 disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting space in which the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T are mounted, and a right side plate disposed on the other side. The left side plate 250 is located on the left side of the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 (the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction by the pair of discharge rollers 107 in FIG. 1).

[0063] The swing lever 202 is an example of a swing member that supports the detection unit 199 and swings so that the detection unit 199 moves between a detectable position and a retracted position. The swing lever 202 has a first boss hole 202a, a support shaft 202c, and a claw portion 202t. A second boss 201b of the substrate holder 201 is fitted into the first boss hole 202a. The claw portion 202t is a force receiving portion that receives a force from an interlocking mechanism that is interlocked with the opening of the main body door 275, as described later.

[0064] The pivot 202c is fitted into and rotatably supported in a support hole 203c of the base holder 203. The swing lever 202 can swing around the pivot 202c relative to the base holder 203. The swing lever 202 of this embodiment extends from the pivot 202c in the +Z direction, and swings around an axis extending in the X direction so that the first boss hole 202a moves in the Y direction.

[0065] <Detectable state and evacuation state> 6(a) and (b) will be used to explain the detectable state and the retracted state of the detection unit assembly 198. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view showing the detection unit assembly 198 in the detectable state. Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view showing the detection unit assembly 198 in the retracted state.

[0066] The detectable state of the detection unit assembly 198 is a state in which the detection unit 199 is located at a detectable position. The retracted state of the detection unit assembly 198 is a state in which the detection unit 199 is located at a retracted position. The detectable state of the detection unit assembly 198 is a state in which the detection unit assembly 198 is in a state in which the toner cartridge T is not installed in the apparatus main body 100A (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge uninstalled state). The retracted state of the detection unit assembly 198 is a state in which the detection unit assembly 198 is in a state in which the toner cartridge T is installed in the apparatus main body 100A (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge installed state).

[0067] As described above, the swing lever 202 is swingable relative to the base holder 203, and the first boss 201a moves in the Y direction in accordance with the swing of the swing lever 202. Therefore, the detection unit 199 is movable in the Y direction relative to the base holder 203.

[0068] 6(a), the detection unit 199 is in a state (floating state) in which it is movable in the X and Z directions relative to the base holder 203. In this embodiment, the rocking lever 202 as a rocking member is configured to allow the movement of the detection unit 199 in a second direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Y direction). The base holder 203 as a support member is configured to allow the movement of the detection unit 199 in a third direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Y direction).

[0069] Specifically, the Z-direction width of the first boss hole 202a (hole portion) of the swing lever 202 is set wider than the Z-direction width of the first boss 201a (convex portion) of the substrate holder 201. In other words, a clearance (Z-direction clearance) that allows the movement of the detection unit 199 in the Z direction is set between the first boss hole 202a and the first boss 201a. In further other words, the detection unit 199 has a convex portion that protrudes in a third direction (X direction) perpendicular to both the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (Z direction). In addition, the swing lever 202 as a swing member has a hole portion through which the convex portion is inserted, and the width of the hole portion in the second direction is wider than the width of the convex portion in the second direction.

[0070] Furthermore, the X-direction width of the second boss hole 203b of the base holder 203 is set to be wider than the X-direction width of the second boss 201b of the substrate holder 201. In other words, a clearance (X-direction clearance) that allows movement of the detection unit 199 in the X direction is set between the second boss hole 203b and the second boss 201b.

[0071] 6(a), the claw 202t of the rocking lever 202 is not subjected to a pressing force from the interlocking mechanism, and the detection unit 199 is therefore positioned in the +Y direction by the biasing force of the compression spring 204 (FIG. 5).

[0072] In the retracted state shown in Fig. 6(b), the claw portion 202t of the rocking lever 202 receives a pressing force from the interlocking mechanism. This pressing force causes a moment M1 about the rocking axis Ax to act on the rocking lever 202, causing the rocking lever 202 to rock in a direction in which the first boss hole 202a moves in the -Y direction. As a result, the detection unit 199 is positioned at a position moved in the -Y direction against the biasing force of the compression spring 204 (Fig. 5) with respect to the detectable state. When the pressing force of the claw portion 202t is released, the detection unit 199 returns to the detectable state of Fig. 6(a).

[0073] As will be described later, in the cartridge mounted state, a positioning boss 201s of the detection unit 199 located at a detectable position fits into a positioning hole 61 (FIG. 4) of the toner cartridge T. This positions the detection unit 199 with respect to the toner cartridge T in the X and Z directions.

[0074] On the other hand, when the cartridge is not installed, the positioning boss 201s is released from the positioning hole 61. Therefore, when the cartridge is not installed, the position of the detection unit 199 may vary in the X and Z directions. In this case, depending on the position of the detection unit 199 when the cartridge is not installed, it is possible that the positioning boss 201s will not fit properly with the positioning hole 61 when the toner cartridge T is installed.

[0075] <Clearance Control> Therefore, in this embodiment, the clearance (the range in which play and movement are permitted) of the detection unit 199 in the retracted state is made smaller than the clearance in the detectable state. The configuration related to clearance control will be described below with reference to Figures 7(a)(b) and 8(a)(b).

[0076] First, the X-direction clearance will be described with reference to Figures 7(a) and (b). Figure 7(a) is a top view showing the detection unit assembly 198 in a detectable state. Figure 7(b) is a top view showing the detection unit assembly 198 in a retracted state.

[0077] 7(a), the second boss hole 203b is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape such that the X-direction clearance with the second boss 201b changes depending on the position in the Y direction. In other words, the X-direction width Xa of the second boss hole 203b at a first position on the +Y direction side is wider than the X-direction width Xb of the second boss hole 203b at a second position on the -Y direction side of the first position (Xa>Xb).

[0078] In other words, the detection unit 199 has a convex portion that protrudes in a second direction (Z direction) perpendicular to both the first direction (Y direction) and the third direction (X direction). The support member has a hole portion (second boss hole 203b) through which the convex portion is inserted. When the detection unit is located at the second position, the width (Xb) of the hole portion in the third direction at the position of the convex portion in the first direction is narrower than the width (Xa) of the hole portion in the third direction at the position of the convex portion in the first direction when the detection unit is located at the first position.

[0079] Therefore, the X-direction clearance in the retracted state shown in FIG. 7(b) is smaller than the X-direction clearance in the detectable state shown in FIG. 7(a).

[0080] 7(a), the position of the detection unit 199 in the X direction is determined with reference to the toner cartridge T by the engagement of the positioning boss 201s with the positioning hole 61. Therefore, by increasing the X direction clearance in the detection state, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the positioning of the detection unit 199 will be hindered due to interference with the base holder 203.

[0081] On the other hand, in the retracted state shown in FIG. 7B, a smaller X-direction clearance is advantageous for the following reasons. In this embodiment, the detection unit 199 moves from the retracted position to the detectable position in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275 by an interlocking mechanism described later. When the detection unit 199 is in the retracted position, that is, when the main body door 275 is open, the opening 274 of the apparatus main body 100A is open. Therefore, the user's hand or the like may come into contact with the detection unit 199, and the position of the detection unit 199 may be shifted within the range of the X-direction clearance. In addition, when the image forming apparatus 100 is tilted by the user or the like, the position of the detection unit 199 may also be shifted within the range of the X-direction clearance. If the main body door 275 is closed in a state in which the detection unit 199 is significantly shifted, the positioning boss 201s may not be able to smoothly fit into the positioning hole 61, and the detection unit 199 may malfunction.

[0082] In this embodiment, the X-direction clearance in the retracted state is smaller than that in the detectable state. In other words, the range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the third direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than the range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the third direction when the detection unit is located at the first position. This makes it possible to prevent the X-direction position of the detection unit 199 from being significantly shifted in the retracted state. This reduces the possibility of malfunction occurring when the detection unit assembly 198 transitions from the retracted state to the detectable state, thereby achieving more stable operation.

[0083] Next, the Z direction clearance will be described with reference to Figures 8(a) and (b). Figure 8(a) is a combination of a side view of the detection unit assembly 198 in a detectable state seen from the +X direction, and a cross section of a part of the device main body 100A and a part of the toner cartridge T in a cartridge mounted state. Figure 8(b) is a combination of a side view of the detection unit assembly 198 in a retracted state seen from the +X direction, and a cross section of a part of the device main body 100A and a part of the toner cartridge T before mounting to the device main body 100A is completed.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the Z-direction width of the first boss hole 202a of the rocking lever 202 is greater than the Z-direction width of the first boss 201a of the substrate holder 201. The periphery on the +Y-direction side of the first boss hole 202a includes a first surface 202a1 and a second surface 202a2 that are at different angles. Between the first surface 202a1 and the second surface 202a2, a recess 202ab is formed that is recessed toward the +Y-direction side based on the angle of the rocking lever 202 when the detection unit 199 is in the retracted position (FIG. 8(b)).

[0085] 8(a), the position of the detection unit 199 in the Z direction is determined with reference to the toner cartridge T by the engagement of the positioning boss 201s with the positioning hole 61. In the detectable state, the first boss 201a is not in contact with the first surface 202a1 and the second surface 202a2 of the first boss hole 202a, and the detection unit 199 is movable in the Z direction within the range of the Z direction clearance. Therefore, by increasing the Z direction clearance in the detectable state, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the positioning of the detection unit 199 will be hindered due to interference with the base holder 203.

[0086] On the other hand, in the retracted state shown in FIG. 8(b), for the same reason as the X-direction clearance, it is advantageous to have a smaller Z-direction clearance. In this embodiment, in the retracted state, the swing lever 202 swings counterclockwise in the figure with the detectable state as a reference, so that the first boss 201a comes into contact with the first surface 202a1 and the second surface 202a2 of the first boss hole 202a. The first boss 201a is pressed against the first surface 202a1 and the second surface 202a2 of the first boss hole 202a by the biasing force of the compression spring 204. The reaction force that the first boss 201a receives from the first surface 202a1 includes a component downward in the Z direction, and the reaction force that the first boss 201a receives from the second surface 202a2 includes a component upward in the Z direction. Therefore, in the retracted state, the first boss 201a is held in the recess 202ab, so that the position of the detection unit 199 in the Z direction is determined.

[0087] That is, the periphery of the hole of the pivotable member includes a concave shape (concave 202ab) that contacts the convex portion and positions the convex portion in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position, and when the detection unit is located at the first position, the convex portion does not contact the concave shape.

[0088] Thus, in this embodiment, the Z-direction clearance in the retracted state is smaller than that in the detectable state. In other words, when the detection unit is located at the second position, the range in which the oscillating member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction is narrower than the range in which the oscillating member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the first position. This makes it possible to prevent the Z-direction position of the detection unit 199 from being significantly shifted in the retracted state. This reduces the possibility of malfunction occurring when the detection unit assembly 198 transitions from the retracted state to the detectable state, and makes it possible to achieve more stable operation.

[0089] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the rocking lever 202 supports the detection unit 199 movably in the Z direction, and the base holder supports the detection unit 199 movably in the X direction. As a modified example, the rocking lever 202 may support the detection unit 199 movably in the X direction, and the base holder may support the detection unit 199 movably in the Z direction. For example, a boss hole whose hole shape as viewed in the Z direction is the same as the shape of the first boss hole 202a in this embodiment as viewed in the X direction may be disposed in the rocking lever 202, and the second boss 201b may be engaged with the boss hole. Also, a boss hole whose hole shape as viewed in the X direction is the same as the shape of the second boss hole 203b in this embodiment as viewed in the Z direction may be disposed in the base holder 203, and the first boss 201a may be engaged with the boss hole. In other words, in a configuration in which the rocking member allows the detection unit to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second direction may be, for example, the X direction. In addition, in a configuration in which a support member allows movement of the detection unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, the third direction may be, for example, a Z direction.

[0090] <Interlocking mechanism> 9(a) and (b), the interlocking mechanism 270 that moves the detection unit 199 between the detection position and the retreated position in conjunction with the opening and closing of the main body door 275 will be described. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a part of the apparatus main body 100A and a part of the toner cartridge T when the main body door 275 is in the closed position. FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing a part of the apparatus main body 100A and a part of the toner cartridge T when the main body door 275 is in the open position. In FIG. 9(a) and (b), only the light guide member 110 and the side cover 60 of the toner cartridge T are shown, and other parts of the toner cartridge T are not shown. Furthermore, in order to clarify the positional relationship with the positioning boss 201s, the side cover 60 is shown in a state of being cut by a plane passing through the center of the positioning hole 61.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the device main body 100A has an interlocking mechanism 270. The interlocking mechanism 270 includes a first link 271 and a second link 272. The first link 271 is a link member interlocked with the main body door 275. In this embodiment, the first link 271 is connected to the main body door 275 via the second link 272. As described below, the first link 271 slides in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main body door 275, and the first link 271 presses or releases the claw portion 202t of the swing lever 202, causing the detection unit assembly 198 to transition between a detection enabled state and a retracted state. The first link 271 may be configured to be directly connected to the main body door 275 so as to be interlocked with the main body door 275.

[0092] The first link 271 is disposed on the inside of the left side plate 250 (the side of the mounting space in which the toner cartridge T is mounted). The first link 271 is supported by a frame (the left side plate 250 and a core frame, not shown) of the apparatus main body 100A so as to be slidable in the X direction. The first link 271 has a pressing portion 271a capable of pressing the claw portion 202t of the swing lever 202. The pressing portion 271a is an inclined surface capable of pressing the claw portion 202t in the +Z direction when the first link 271 slides in the +X direction. In addition, an end portion of the first link 271 on the +X direction side is rotatably connected to the second link 272.

[0093] The second link 272 is rotatable about an axis in the Y direction around a connecting portion 272a with the first link 271. The second link 272 also has an elongated hole 272b into which a boss 275a of the main body door 275 is fitted.

[0094] The detection unit assembly 198 is attached to the outer surface (the surface on the -Y direction side) of the left side plate 250. Openings 250a, 250b penetrating in the Y direction are formed in the left side plate 250. Opening 250a allows positioning boss 201s of substrate holder 201 to protrude inward (+Y direction side) of the left side plate 250. In addition, opening 250b allows claw portion 202t of swing lever 202 to protrude inward (+Y direction side) of the left side plate 250.

[0095] In other words, the device body is disposed on the second side (-Y direction side) in the first direction with respect to the removable unit in a state where it is attached to the device body, and has a side plate (left side plate 250) that extends so as to intersect with the first direction. The detection unit is attached to a surface of the side plate on the second side (-Y direction side) in the first direction. Then, when the detection unit is in the first position (FIG. 9(a)), the protrusion (positioning boss 201s) penetrates a hole (opening 250a) provided in the side plate and protrudes to the first side (+Y direction side) in the first direction with respect to the side plate.

[0096] In addition, cartridge guides 260, 261 are attached to the inner surface of the left side plate 250. When the toner cartridge T is mounted to the apparatus main body 100A, the guided portion of the toner cartridge T is guided by the cartridge guides 260, 261, so that the movement direction of the toner cartridge T is restricted to the mounting direction.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 9(a), when the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the first link 271 is in a position on the -X direction side. In this case, the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271 is not in contact with the claw portion 202t of the swing lever 202. Since the claw portion 202t is not pressed, the detection unit assembly 198 is in a detection enabled state (Figs. 6(a), 7(a), and 8(a)).

[0098] In the detectable state, the positioning boss 201s protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the left side plate 250. When the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A and the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the positioning boss 201s fits into the positioning hole 61 of the side cover 60 of the toner cartridge T. This allows the position of the detection unit 199 in the X and Z directions to be determined based on the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T. In other words, the positioning accuracy of the light-emitting portion 200a and the light-receiving portion 200b relative to the light-guiding member 110 can be improved.

[0099] If the positional deviation of the light-emitting unit 200a and the light-receiving unit 200b relative to the light-guiding member 110 is large, the amount of light reaching the light-receiving unit 200b may decrease due to a shift in the optical axis or a variation in the optical path length, which may reduce the accuracy of detecting the amount of waste toner in the waste toner storage unit 40. According to the present embodiment, by improving the positioning accuracy of the light-emitting unit 200a and the light-receiving unit 200b relative to the light-guiding member 110, it is possible to achieve more stable accuracy in detecting the amount of waste toner.

[0100] The position of detection unit 199 in the Y direction is determined by the biasing force of compression spring 204 causing substrate holder 201 to abut against the outer surface of left side plate 250. That is, in the detection enabled state, the position of detection unit 199 in the Y direction is determined with reference to left side plate 250.

[0101] 9(a) toward the open position, the boss 275a of the main door 275 slides inside the long hole 272b of the second link 272, causing the second link 272 to rotate counterclockwise in the figure. In addition, the first link 271 receives a force from the connecting portion 272a of the second link 272 and slides in the +X direction.

[0102] 9(b), before the main body door 275 reaches the open position, the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271 comes into contact with the claw portion 202t and presses the claw portion 202t in the +Z direction. This causes the swing lever 202 to swing, and the substrate holder 201 moves in the -Y direction in conjunction with the swing of the swing lever 202. As the substrate holder 201 moves in the -Y direction, the positioning boss 201s disengages from the positioning hole 61 in the -Y direction.

[0103] In this way, the interlocking mechanism 270, in conjunction with the operation of opening the main body door 275, moves the substrate holder 201 in the direction (-Y direction) opposite to the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 201s, and retracts the positioning boss 201s from the positioning hole 61. As a result, when the main body door 275 is in the open position, the positioning boss 201s of the apparatus main body 100A does not interfere with the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T, allowing the user to insert or remove the toner cartridge T.

[0104] 9(b), the boss 275a of the main door 275 slides inside the long hole 272b of the second link 272, causing the second link 272 to rotate in the clockwise direction in the figure. In addition, the first link 271 receives a force from the connecting portion 272a of the second link 272 and slides in the -X direction.

[0105] 9(a), before the main body door 275 reaches the open position, the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271 disengages from the claw portion 202t, and the swing lever 202 is released from the pressing force from the first link 271. Then, the detection unit 199 moves in the +Y direction due to the biasing force of the compression spring 204, and the positioning boss 201s protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the left side plate 250 and fits into the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T. As a result, the position of the detection unit 199 in the X and Z directions is determined based on the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T.

[0106] In this way, the interlocking mechanism 270 moves the substrate holder 201 in the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 201s in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275, and engages the positioning boss 201s with the positioning hole 61. As a result, by closing the main body door 275 after the user mounts the toner cartridge T in the apparatus main body 100A, it is possible to realize a state in which the detection unit 199 is positioned relative to the toner cartridge T.

[0107] As described above, the interlocking mechanism 270 retracts the detection unit 199 from the detectable position to the retracted position in conjunction with the operation of opening the main body door 275, and moves the detection unit 199 from the retracted position to the detectable position in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275. In other words, the interlocking mechanism moves the detection unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. Also, the interlocking mechanism moves the detection unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position.

[0108] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of achieving both ease of attachment and detachment of the detachable unit and high positioning accuracy of the detection unit 199 serving as an interface section.

[0109] <Modification> In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which, in the detectable state, the position of the detection unit 199 in the Y direction is determined based on the left side plate 250. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which, in the detectable state, the position of the detection unit 199 in the Y direction is determined based on the toner cartridge T may also be used. For example, in the detectable state, the substrate holder 201 may abut against the side cover 60 by the biasing force of the compression spring 204.

[0110] Second Embodiment An image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10(a)(b) and 11(a)(b). In this embodiment, a part of a detection unit assembly 298 is different from the detection unit assembly 198 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, elements having the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment will have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and the following description will focus on the parts that differ from the first embodiment.

[0111] <Detection unit> The configuration of the detection unit assembly 298 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10(a) is an exploded view of the detection unit assembly 298. Fig. 10(b) is a perspective view of the detection unit assembly 298. As shown in Fig. 10(a), the detection unit assembly 298 includes a detection unit 299 consisting of a sensor board 300 and a board holder 301, a swing lever 302, a base holder 303, and a compression spring 304.

[0112] The sensor substrate 300 has a light emitting portion 300a, a light receiving portion 300b, an insulating substrate 300c, and a connector 300d. The sensor substrate 300 is fixed to a substrate holder 301 with screws 305 or the like, and moves integrally with the substrate holder 301. A detection unit 299 including the sensor substrate 300 and the substrate holder 301 is movable between a detectable position (first position) and a retracted position (second position) retracted from the detectable position in the -Y direction.

[0113] The substrate holder 301 has a positioning boss 301s protruding in the +Y direction, a first boss 301a protruding in the X direction, a second boss 301b protruding in the Z direction, an abutment portion 301c, and an optical path hole 301d. The substrate holder 301 of this embodiment has two positioning bosses 301s, two first bosses 301a, one second boss 301b, two abutment portions 301c, and two optical path holes 301d.

[0114] The positioning boss 301s is a positioning shape for positioning the sensor substrate 300 with respect to the toner cartridge T when the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. The positioning boss 301s is an example of a positioned portion that engages with a positioning portion of the toner cartridge T. The positioning boss 301s is also an example of a protrusion that engages with a positioning hole 61 (hole portion) of the toner cartridge T. The positioning boss 301s protrudes in the +Y direction from the end face of the substrate holder 301 in the +Y direction. The positioning boss 301s is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the light path hole 301d.

[0115] The first bosses 301a are fitted into first boss holes 303a of the base holder 303 so as to be movable in the Y and Z directions and rotatable. One of the first bosses 301a protrudes in the +X direction from the +X end face of the substrate holder 301. The other first boss 301a protrudes in the -X direction from the -X end face of the substrate holder 301.

[0116] The second boss 301b is fitted into a second boss hole 303b of the base holder 303 so as to be movable in the X and Y directions and rotatable therein. The second boss 301b protrudes in the +Z direction from the end face of the substrate holder 301 in the +Z direction.

[0117] The contact portion 301c has an inclined surface formed in a spiral shape so as to be inclined toward the -Y direction side toward the swing direction R of the swing lever 302 described later. The contact portion 301c comes into contact with a contact portion 302b of the swing lever 302 described later.

[0118] One of the light path holes 301d faces the light-emitting unit 300a. The other light path hole 301d faces the light-receiving unit 300b. When the toner cartridge T is mounted in the apparatus main body 100A, the light-emitting unit 300a and the light-receiving unit 300b face the incident unit 112a and the exit unit 113a (FIG. 4) of the light-guiding member 110 through the light path hole 301d.

[0119] The compression spring 304 is an example of a biasing means for biasing the detection unit 299. The compression spring 304 of this embodiment biases the detection unit 299 in the -Y direction. The compression spring 304 is disposed between the substrate holder 301 and the left side plate 250 in the Y direction. The compression spring 304 is fixed, for example, by being pressed into a convex portion of the substrate holder 301. The compression spring 304 is not fixed to the left side plate 250. Note that a spring member other than a compression spring or an elastomer may be used as the biasing means.

[0120] The compression springs 304 of this embodiment are disposed on both sides of the first boss 301a in the +Z direction and the -Z direction. Moreover, the compression springs 304 of this embodiment are disposed at positions in the X direction that overlap with the center of the third boss 201b in the X direction. This makes it possible to reduce the inclination of the sensor board 300 when the detection unit 299 is positioned in the Y direction by the biasing force of the compression springs 304.

[0121] The base holder 303 is an example of a support member. The base holder 303 has a first boss hole 303a, a second boss hole 303b, and a support shaft 303c. A first boss 301a of the substrate holder 301 is fitted into the first boss hole 303a. A second boss 301b of the substrate holder 301 is fitted into the second boss hole 303b. A hole 302a of the swing lever 302 is fitted into the support shaft 303c. The base holder 203 is fixed to the left side plate 250 of the apparatus main body 100A.

[0122] The swing lever 302 is an example of a swing member. The swing lever 302 has a hole 302a, an abutment portion 302b, and a groove portion 302c. The swing lever 302 swings around the shaft 303c extending in the Y direction by fitting the hole 302a with the shaft 303c of the base holder 303. The abutment portion 302b has an inclined surface formed in a spiral shape so as to be inclined toward the -Y direction side toward a predetermined swing direction R around the shaft 303c. The abutment portions 302b are arranged on opposite sides of the hole 302a. The groove portion 302c is a force receiving portion that receives a force from an interlocking mechanism 370 that is interlocked with the opening of the main body door 275.

[0123] The interlocking mechanism 370 of the present embodiment has a first link 371 having a boss 371a that fits into a groove portion 302c of the swing lever 302, and a second link 272 (FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)) similar to that of the first embodiment. The interlocking mechanism 370 switches the detection unit assembly 298 between a detection enabled state and a retracted state in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main body door 275.

[0124] 11(a) and (b), the operation of opening and closing the main body door 275 will be described. Fig. 11(a) is a diagram showing a part of the main body 100A when the main body door 275 is in the closed position. Fig. 11(b) is a diagram showing a part of the main body 100A when the main body door 275 is in the open position.

[0125] As shown in Fig. 11(a), when the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the first link 371 is in a position on the -X direction side. The swing lever 302 is held at the angle shown in Figs. 10(a) and 10(b) by the boss 371a of the first link 371. In this case, the abutting portion 302b of the swing lever 302 presses the abutted portion 301c of the substrate holder 301, so that the detection unit 299 is held at a detectable position against the biasing force of the compression spring 304. In other words, when the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the detection unit 299 is in a detectable state.

[0126] In the detectable state, the positioning boss 301s protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the left side plate 250. When the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A and the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the positioning boss 301s fits into the positioning hole 61 of the side cover 60 of the toner cartridge T. This determines the position of the detection unit 299 in the X and Z directions based on the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T. In other words, the positioning accuracy of the light-emitting portion 300a and the light-receiving portion 300b relative to the light-guiding member 110 can be improved, and more stable detection accuracy of the amount of waste toner can be achieved.

[0127] The position of the detection unit 299 in the Y direction is determined by the substrate holder 301 being pressed against the swing lever 302 by the biasing force of the compression spring 304 in the -Y direction.

[0128] 11(a), when the main body door 275 is opened, the first link 371 slides in the +X direction via the second link 272. As shown in FIG. 11(b), since the boss 371a of the first link 371 fits into the groove 302c of the swing lever 302, the swing lever 302 swings in the swing direction R in accordance with the sliding of the first link 371.

[0129] When the rocking lever 302 rocks in the rocking direction R, the inclined surface of the abutting portion 302b of the rocking lever 302 slides against the inclined surface of the abutted portion 301c of the substrate holder 301, allowing the substrate holder 301 to move in the -Y direction. This causes the detection unit 299 to move in the -Y direction due to the biasing force of the compression spring 304. As the detection unit 299 moves to the retracted position, the positioning boss 301s separates from the positioning hole 61 in the -Y direction.

[0130] In this way, the interlocking mechanism 370 moves the detection unit 299 from the detectable position (first position) to the retracted position (second position) in conjunction with the operation of opening the main body door 275. That is, the interlocking mechanism 370 moves the substrate holder 301 in the opposite direction (-Y direction) to the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 301s in conjunction with the operation of opening the main body door 275, and disengages the positioning boss 301s from the positioning hole 61. As a result, when the main body door 275 is in the open position, the user can insert or remove the toner cartridge T without the positioning boss 301s of the apparatus main body 100A interfering with the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T.

[0131] When the main body door 275 is closed from the state shown in FIG. 11B, the first link 371 slides in the +X direction via the second link 272. As shown in FIG. 11A, the boss 371a of the first link 371 fits into the groove 302c of the swing lever 302, so that the swing lever 302 swings in the opposite direction to the swing direction R as the first link 371 slides. When the swing lever 302 swings in the opposite direction to the swing direction R, the inclined surface of the abutting portion 302b of the swing lever 302 slides against the inclined surface of the abutted portion 301c of the substrate holder 301, and the substrate holder 301 moves in the +Y direction against the biasing force of the compression spring 304. As the substrate holder 301 moves in the +Y direction, the positioning boss 301s protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the left side plate 250 and fits into the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T. As a result, the position of the detection unit 299 in the X and Z directions is determined with reference to the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T.

[0132] In this way, the interlocking mechanism 370 moves the detection unit 299 from the retracted position (second position) to the detectable position (first position) in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275. That is, the interlocking mechanism 370 moves the substrate holder 301 in the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 301s in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275, and fits the positioning boss 301s into the positioning hole 61. This makes it possible to realize a state in which the detection unit 299 is positioned relative to the toner cartridge T by closing the main body door 275 after the user mounts the toner cartridge T in the apparatus main body 100A.

[0133] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of achieving both ease of attachment and detachment of the detachable unit and high positioning accuracy of the detection unit 299 serving as an interface section.

[0134] <Clearance Control> In this embodiment as well, the clearance of the detection unit 299 in the retracted state is made smaller than the clearance in the detection enabled state.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the first boss hole 303a of the base holder 303 is formed in a substantially trapezoid shape such that the Z-direction clearance between the first boss 301b and the first boss changes depending on the position in the Y direction. That is, the Z-direction width of the first boss hole 303a at a first position on the +Y direction side is wider than the Z-direction width of the first boss hole 303a at a second position on the -Y direction side with respect to the first position. The first boss hole 303a of this embodiment is formed in a substantially trapezoid shape with the side (bottom side) on the +Y direction side longer than the side (top side) on the -Y direction side. The Z-direction clearance in the retracted state shown in FIG. 11(b) is smaller than the Z-direction clearance in the detectable state shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0136] Similarly, the second boss hole 303b of the base holder 303 is formed in a substantially trapezoid shape such that the X-direction clearance with the second boss 301b changes depending on the position in the Y direction. That is, the X-direction width Xa of the second boss hole 203b at a first position on the +Y direction side is wider than the X-direction width Xb of the second boss hole 203b at a second position on the -Y direction side with respect to the first position (Xa>Xb). The second boss hole 203b of this embodiment is formed in a substantially trapezoid shape with the side (bottom side) on the +Y direction side longer than the side (top side) on the -Y direction side. The X-direction clearance in the retracted state shown in FIG. 11(b) is smaller than the X-direction clearance in the detectable state shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0137] Thus, in this embodiment, the X-direction clearance and the Z-direction clearance of the detection unit 299 are set by the base holder 303. That is, the support member is configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is further configured to allow movement of the detection unit in the second direction. Then, when the detection unit is located at the second position, the range in which the support member allows movement of the detection unit in the second direction is narrower than the range in which the support member allows movement of the detection unit in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the first position.

[0138] In the detectable state, the position of the detection unit 299 in the X and Z directions is determined with reference to the toner cartridge T by the engagement of the positioning boss 301s with the positioning hole 61. Therefore, by increasing the X-direction clearance and the Z-direction clearance in the detectable state, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the positioning of the detection unit 299 will be hindered due to interference with the base holder 303.

[0139] On the other hand, the X-direction clearance and the Z-direction clearance in the retracted state are smaller than those in the detectable state. This makes it possible to prevent the X-direction position or the Z-direction position of the detection unit 299 from being significantly shifted in the retracted state. This reduces the possibility of malfunction occurring when the detection unit 299 transitions from the retracted state to the detectable state, making it possible to achieve more stable operation.

[0140] Third Embodiment An image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12(a)(b) and 13(a)(b). In this embodiment, a part of a detection unit assembly 398 is different from the detection unit assembly 198 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, elements with the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment will have substantially the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and the following description will focus on the parts that differ from the first embodiment.

[0141] <Detection unit> The configuration of the detection unit assembly 398 will be described with reference to Figures 12(a) and (b). Figure 12(a) is an exploded view of the detection unit assembly 398. Figure 12(b) is a perspective view of the detection unit assembly 398. As shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), the detection unit assembly 398 includes a detection unit 399 consisting of a sensor substrate 400 and a substrate holder 401, a swing holder 402, a base holder 403, and a compression spring 404.

[0142] The sensor substrate 400 has a light emitting portion 400a, a light receiving portion 400b, an insulating substrate 400c, and a connector 400d. The sensor substrate 400 is fixed to a substrate holder 401 with screws 405 or the like, and moves integrally with the substrate holder 401. A detection unit 399 consisting of the sensor substrate 400 and the substrate holder 401 is movable between a detectable position (first position) and a retracted position (second position) retracted from the detectable position in the -Y direction.

[0143] The substrate holder 401 has a positioning boss 401s protruding in the +Y direction, a first rib 401a protruding in the X direction, a second rib 401b protruding in the Z direction, and an optical path hole 401d. The substrate holder 401 of this embodiment has two positioning bosses 401s, two first ribs 401a, one second rib 401b, and two optical path holes 401d.

[0144] One of the light path holes 401d faces the light-emitting unit 400a. The other light path hole 401d faces the light-receiving unit 400b. When the toner cartridge T is mounted in the apparatus main body 100A, the light-emitting unit 400a and the light-receiving unit 400b face the incident unit 112a and the exit unit 113a (FIG. 4) of the light-guiding member 110 through the light path hole 401d.

[0145] The positioning boss 401s is a positioning shape for positioning the sensor substrate 400 with respect to the toner cartridge T when the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. The positioning boss 401s is an example of a positioned portion that engages with a positioning portion of the toner cartridge T. The positioning boss 401s is also an example of a protrusion that engages with a positioning hole 61 as a hole portion. The positioning boss 401s protrudes in the +Y direction from the end face of the substrate holder 401 in the +Y direction. The positioning boss 401s is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the light path hole 401d.

[0146] The first rib 401a is fitted to the first slit 402a of the oscillating holder 402 so as to be slidable in the Z direction. One of the first ribs 401a protrudes in the +X direction from the +X direction end face of the substrate holder 401 and extends in the Z direction. The other first rib 401a protrudes in the -X direction from the -X direction end face of the substrate holder 401 and extends in the Z direction.

[0147] The second rib 401b is fitted to be slidable in the X direction in the second slit 402b of the swing holder 402. The second rib 401b protrudes in the +Z direction from the end face of the substrate holder 401 in the +Z direction and extends in the X direction.

[0148] The base holder 403 is an example of a support member. The base holder 403 is fixed to the left side plate 250 of the apparatus main body 100A. The base holder 403 has a support hole 403a that supports the swingable holder 402 so that the swingable holder 402 can swing.

[0149] The swing holder 402 is an example of a swing member. The swing holder 402 has a first slit 402a, a second slit 402b, a rotation shaft 402c, and a claw portion 402t. The swing holder 402 has a substantially box shape that is open toward the +Y direction side, and houses the detection unit 399 inside. The swing holder 402 can swing around an axis in the X direction around a rotation shaft 402c that is fitted into a support hole 403a of the base holder 403. The claw portion 402t is a force receiving portion that receives a force from an interlocking mechanism 470 that is interlocked with the opening of the main body door 275.

[0150] The first slit 402a is provided with a Z-direction clearance with respect to the first rib 401a. Also, the second slit 402b is provided with an X-direction clearance with respect to the second rib 401b. Therefore, the detection unit 399 is movable in the X-direction and the Z-direction with respect to the swing holder 402. On the other hand, the Y-direction widths of the first slit 402a and the second slit 402b are set so that the detection unit 399 does not substantially move in the Y-direction with respect to the swing holder 402. Also, when the swing holder 402 swings around the rotation shaft 402c, the detection unit 399 swings together with the swing holder 402.

[0151] The compression spring 404 is an example of a biasing means for biasing the detection unit 399. The compression spring 404 of this embodiment is arranged so as to bias the detection unit 399 in the +Y direction. Specifically, the compression spring 404 of this embodiment is arranged between the oscillating holder 402 and the base holder 403 on the -Z direction side of the rotation shaft 402c of the oscillating holder 402. The compression spring 404 is pressed into a convex portion provided on the surface of the oscillating holder 402 on the +Y direction side, and the other end is supported by a convex portion provided on the base holder 403. The compression spring 404 biases the oscillating holder 402 in the -Y direction on the -Z direction side of the rotation shaft 402c, so that the detection unit 399 held on the +Z direction side of the rotation shaft 402c is biased in the +Y direction. Note that a spring member other than a compression spring or an elastomer may be used as the biasing means.

[0152] In this embodiment, the oscillating holder 402 is supported by the base holder 403. However, this is not limiting, and the oscillating holder 402 may be supported to be oscillable by a bearing portion provided on the left side plate 250.

[0153] The interlocking mechanism 270 of this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271 presses the claw portion 402t of the swing holder 402.

[0154] The operation of opening and closing the main body door 275 will be described with reference to Figures 13(a) and 13(b). Figure 13(a) is a diagram showing a part of the main body 100A when the main body door 275 is in the closed position. Figure 13(b) is a diagram showing a part of the main body 100A when the main body door 275 is in the open position.

[0155] 13(a), when the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the first link 271 is in a position on the -X direction side. In this case, the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271 is not in contact with the claw portion 402t of the swing holder 402. Therefore, the swing holder 402 is in a position rotated in accordance with the biasing force of the compression spring 404, and the detection unit 399 is positioned in a position on the +Y direction side. In other words, when the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the detection unit 299 is in a detectable position.

[0156] In the detectable state, the positioning boss 401s protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the left side plate 250. When the toner cartridge T is attached to the apparatus main body 100A and the main body door 275 is in the closed position, the positioning boss 401s fits into the positioning hole 61 of the side cover 60 of the toner cartridge T. This determines the position of the detection unit 399 in the X direction and the Z direction based on the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T. In other words, the positioning accuracy of the light-emitting portion 400a and the light-receiving portion 400b relative to the light-guiding member 110 can be improved, and more stable detection accuracy of the amount of waste toner can be achieved.

[0157] The position of the detection unit 399 in the Y direction is determined by the substrate holder 401 being pressed against the left side plate 250.

[0158] 13(a), when the main body door 275 is opened, the first link 271 slides in the +X direction via the second link 272. Then, as shown in Fig. 13(b), the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271 presses the claw portion 402t of the swing holder 402, swinging the swing holder 402 against the biasing force of the compression spring 404. As a result, the detection unit 399 moves in the -Y direction, and the positioning boss 401s comes out of the positioning hole 61 in the -Y direction.

[0159] In this way, the interlocking mechanism 470 moves the detection unit 399 from the detectable position (first position) to the retracted position (second position) in conjunction with the operation of opening the main body door 275. That is, the interlocking mechanism 470 moves the substrate holder 401 in the opposite direction (-Y direction) to the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 401s in conjunction with the operation of opening the main body door 275, and retracts the positioning boss 401s from the positioning hole 61. As a result, when the main body door 275 is in the open position, the user can insert or remove the toner cartridge T without the positioning boss 401s of the apparatus main body 100A interfering with the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T.

[0160] 13(b), when the main body door 275 is closed, the first link 271 slides in the +X direction via the second link 272. Then, the claw portion 402t of the swing holder 402 is released from the pressing portion 271a of the first link 271, so that the swing holder 402 swings according to the biasing force of the compression spring 404. As a result, the detection unit 399 moves in the +Y direction. As the board holder 401 moves in the +Y direction, the positioning boss 401s protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the left side plate 250 and fits into the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T. As a result, the position of the detection unit 399 in the X and Z directions is determined based on the positioning hole 61 of the toner cartridge T.

[0161] In this way, the interlocking mechanism 470 moves the detection unit 399 from the retracted position (second position) to the detectable position (first position) in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275. That is, the interlocking mechanism 470 moves the substrate holder 401 in the protruding direction (+Y direction) of the positioning boss 401s in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275, and fits the positioning boss 401s into the positioning hole 61. This makes it possible to realize a state in which the detection unit 399 is positioned relative to the toner cartridge T by closing the main body door 275 after the user mounts the toner cartridge T in the apparatus main body 100A.

[0162] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of achieving both ease of attachment and detachment of the detachable unit and high positioning accuracy of the detection unit 399 serving as an interface section.

[0163] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the detection unit that detects the amount of waste toner has been described as an example of an interface unit on the device body side for the detachable unit that is detachable from the device body of the image forming apparatus. However, examples of the interface unit are not limited to this.

[0164] For example, as shown in Fig. 14, the present technology may be applied to a contact unit 499 for acquiring information from a storage medium (memory tag) attached to a cartridge. The cartridge may be a toner cartridge T or a process cartridge P. In this modification, the contact unit 499 has a tag connector 500 and a connector holder 501. Except for replacing the detection unit with the contact unit 499, the same configuration of the detection unit assembly as in the above-described embodiment may be used.

[0165] The tag connector 500 has a positioning boss 500a and a main body contact portion 500b. The tag connector 500 is fixed to the connector holder 501 and moves integrally therewith. The positioning boss 500a is a positioning shape (engagement portion) that protrudes in the +Y direction. The positioning boss 500a is an example of a positioned portion that engages with a positioning portion of the toner cartridge T. The connector holder 501 is configured similarly to the support configuration of the board holder in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, and is movable in the Y direction, and clearances are set in the X and Z directions.

[0166] On the other hand, a positioning hole 510a and a tag substrate 511 are provided in the side cover 510 of the cartridge. The positioning hole 510a is an example of a positioning portion (a hole portion for receiving a protrusion portion) that engages with the positioning boss 500a. The tag substrate 511 has a memory chip that stores information, and an electrical contact surface is exposed toward the outside of the cartridge. Information stored in the memory chip includes, for example, the cartridge model, individual identification number, manufacturing lot, and amount of toner contained therein. When the tag connector 500 of the contact unit 499 comes into contact with the contact surface of the tag substrate 511, the control unit 109 (FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 100A is electrically connected to the tag substrate 511, and the control unit 109 is able to obtain information from the tag substrate 511.

[0167] By using the same interlocking mechanism as in each of the above-described embodiments, the tag connector 500 and the connector holder 501 move in the +Y direction in conjunction with the opening of the main body door 275. That is, in conjunction with the opening of the main body door 275, the contact unit 499 moves from the retracted position to the detectable position. As a result, the positioning bosses 500a fit into the positioning holes 510a, respectively, and the positions of the tag connector 500 and the connector holder 501 in the X and Z directions are determined with reference to the cartridge. This allows the main body contact portion 500b to more reliably come into contact with the tag substrate 511 for electrical continuity.

[0168] Furthermore, in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275, the tag connector 500 and the connector holder 501 move in the -Y direction. That is, in conjunction with the operation of closing the main body door 275, the contact unit 499 moves from the detectable position to the retracted position. This causes the positioning bosses 500a to disengage from the positioning holes 510a. Then, when the main body door 275 is in the open position, the user can insert or remove a cartridge without the positioning bosses 500a of the apparatus main body 100A interfering with the positioning holes 510a of the cartridge.

[0169] In this way, according to this modification, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of achieving both ease of attachment and detachment of the detachable unit and high positioning accuracy of the contact unit 499 serving as an interface portion.

[0170] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiments, the positioning bosses 201s, 301s, 401s, and 500a as the positioned parts provided on the main body 100A of the apparatus have a shape protruding in the first direction (Y direction). That is, the positioned parts are protruding parts protruding in the first direction. The present invention is not limited to this, and the positioning part provided on the removable unit may be a protruding part protruding in the first direction. In this case, the positioned part may be a hole part that determines the position of the detection unit or the contact unit when viewed in the first direction (Y direction) relative to the removable unit by engaging with the positioning part as a protruding part. Specifically, for example, a positioning boss protruding in the -Y direction may be arranged instead of the positioning hole 61 of the embodiment, and a positioning hole opening in the +Y direction may be arranged instead of the positioning boss 201s of the embodiment.

[0171] The detection unit in each embodiment and the contact unit 499 described above are merely examples of the interface section, and other detection mechanisms may be used. For example, it may be a detection unit that detects the amount of fresh toner in the toner supply unit 30 of the toner cartridge T. It may also be a detection unit that detects the amount of toner in the development unit 15 of the process cartridge P. In addition, the method for detecting the amount of contents (toner or waste toner) in the cartridge is not limited to the light transmission type detection mechanism described in each embodiment, and for example, a known capacitance type or magnetic permeability detection type sensor may be used.

[0172] Furthermore, the removable unit that is removable from the apparatus main body is not limited to the process cartridge P and the toner cartridge T. For example, the removable unit may be a collection container (waste toner container) that collects waste toner recovered from the photosensitive drum, which is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body independently of the toner cartridge T. The removable unit may also be an intermediate transfer belt unit. The intermediate transfer belt unit is a unit that integrates an intermediate transfer belt and multiple rollers that stretch the intermediate transfer belt in an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material from a photosensitive drum via an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer body.

[0173] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following configurations or methods.

[0174] (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus including a device body including an opening, and a detachable unit that is detachable from the device body through the opening, The device body includes: an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; a detection unit for detecting a state of the removable unit, the detection unit being arranged to face a side surface that is an end surface of the removable unit in a first direction that intersects with a mounting direction of the removable unit relative to the device body when the removable unit is mounted to the device body; a linkage mechanism that moves the detection unit in conjunction with the opening / closing member; having The detachable unit has a positioning portion provided on the side surface, the detection unit has a positioned portion that is engaged with the positioning portion so as to determine a position of the detection unit relative to the attachment / detachment unit when viewed in the first direction; one of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a protruding portion protruding in the first direction, and the other of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a hole portion engaging with the protruding portion, the detection unit is movable between a first position where the positioned portion is engaged with the positioning portion and a second position where the positioned portion is retracted from the first position in the first direction so as to be separated from the positioning portion, the interlocking mechanism moves the detection unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and moves the detection unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0175] (Configuration 2) a swing member supporting the detection unit and swinging so that the detection unit moves between the first position and the second position; The interlocking mechanism causes the swinging member to swing in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

[0176] (Configuration 3) the pivot member is configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a range in which the oscillating member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the oscillating member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the first position; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

[0177] (Configuration 4) the detection unit has a protrusion protruding in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, the swing member has a hole through which the protrusion is inserted, and a width of the hole in the second direction is wider than a width of the protrusion in the second direction; a periphery of the hole portion includes a recessed shape that comes into contact with the protrusion portion and positions the protrusion portion in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position; When the detection unit is located at the first position, the convex portion does not contact the concave portion. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

[0178] (Configuration 5) a biasing means for biasing the detection unit toward the first position; the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 2 to 4.

[0179] (Configuration 6) Further comprising a biasing means for biasing the detection unit toward the second position, the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 2 to 4.

[0180] (Configuration 7) a support member that supports the detection unit and is fixed to a frame of the device body, the support member is configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the third direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the third direction when the detection unit is located at the first position; 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6.

[0181] (Configuration 8) the detection unit has a convex portion that protrudes in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction, The support member has a hole through which the protrusion is inserted, when the detection unit is located at the second position, a width of the hole in the third direction at a position of the convex portion in the first direction is narrower than a width of the hole in the third direction at a position of the convex portion in the first direction when the detection unit is located at the first position. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

[0182] (Configuration 9) the support member is further configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction; a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the first position; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8.

[0183] (Configuration 10) the positioned portion is the protrusion, The positioning portion is the hole portion into which the protrusion fits. 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9.

[0184] (Configuration 11) the device body has a side plate that is disposed on one side in the first direction with respect to the mounting / removal unit in a state where the mounting / removal unit is attached to the device body and that extends in a direction intersecting with the first direction, the detection unit is attached to the one surface of the side plate in the first direction, When the detection unit is in the first position, the protrusion penetrates a hole provided in the side plate and protrudes from the one side to the other side in the first direction with respect to the side plate. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,

[0185] (Configuration 12) the removable unit has a storage section that stores toner or waste toner, The detection unit has a light emitting section that emits light, and a light receiving section that is arranged so that the light that has passed through the inside of the storage section is incident thereon and that emits a detection signal according to the amount of light. 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9.

[0186] (Configuration 13) A protruding direction of the positioned portion or the positioning portion is parallel to an optical axis direction of the light emitting portion. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12,

[0187] (Configuration 14) the detection unit includes a sensor substrate including the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, and a substrate holder that holds the sensor substrate and moves integrally with the sensor substrate; the detachable unit includes a first light guide that guides the light from the light emitting portion into the interior of the storage portion, a second light guide that guides the light that has passed through the interior of the storage portion to the light receiving portion, and a cover member having an opening formed therein that fits into the first light guide and the second light guide, the positioned portion is provided on the substrate holder, The positioning portion is provided on the cover member. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 or 13.

[0188] (Configuration 15) An image forming apparatus including a device body including an opening, and a detachable unit that is detachable from the device body through the opening, the removable unit has a storage medium that stores information relating to the removable unit; The device body includes: an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; A control means for acquiring the information from the storage medium; a contact unit for electrically connecting the control means and the storage medium when the removable unit is attached to the device body, the contact unit being arranged to face a side surface that is an end face of the removable unit in a first direction that intersects with a mounting direction of the removable unit to the device body when the removable unit is attached to the device body; an interlocking mechanism that moves the contact unit in conjunction with the opening and closing member; having The detachable unit has a positioning portion provided on the side surface, the contact unit has a positioned portion that is engaged with the positioning portion so as to determine a position of the contact unit relative to the detachable unit when viewed in the first direction; one of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a protruding portion protruding in the first direction, and the other of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a hole portion engaging with the protruding portion, the contact unit is movable between a first position where the positioned portion is engaged with the positioning portion and a second position where the positioned portion is retracted from the first position in the first direction so as to be separated from the positioning portion, the interlocking mechanism moves the contact unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and moves the contact unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0189] (Configuration 16) a swing member supporting the contact unit and swinging so that the contact unit moves between the first position and the second position, The interlocking mechanism causes the swinging member to swing in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15,

[0190] (Configuration 17) the pivot member is configured to allow movement of the contact unit in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a range in which the pivot member allows the contact unit to move in the second direction when the contact unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the pivot member allows the contact unit to move in the second direction when the contact unit is located at the first position; 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

[0191] (Configuration 18) a biasing means for biasing the contact unit toward the first position, the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16 or 17,

[0192] (Configuration 19) a biasing means for biasing the contact unit toward the second position, the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16 or 17,

[0193] (Configuration 20) a support member that supports the contact unit and is fixed to a frame of the device main body, the support member is configured to allow movement of the contact unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; a range in which the support member allows movement of the contact unit in the third direction when the contact unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the support member allows movement of the contact unit in the third direction when the contact unit is located at the first position; 20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 15 to 19.

[0194] (Configuration 21) the positioned portion is the protrusion, The positioning portion is the hole portion into which the protrusion fits. 21. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 15 to 20.

[0195] (Configuration 22) the device body has a side plate that is disposed on one side in the first direction with respect to the mounting / removal unit in a state where the mounting / removal unit is attached to the device body and that extends so as to intersect with the first direction, the contact unit is attached to the one surface of the side plate in the first direction, When the contact unit is in the first position, the protrusion penetrates a hole provided in the side plate and protrudes from the one side to the other side in the first direction with respect to the side plate. 21. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 15 to 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 61... Positioning portion, hole portion (positioning hole) / 100A... Device body / 199, 299, 399... Detection unit / 201s, 301s, 401s... Positioned portion, protruding portion (positioning boss) / 270, 370, 470... Interlocking mechanism / 275... Opening and closing member (main body door) / 499... Contact unit / T... Detachable unit (toner cartridge T)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus including a device body including an opening, and a detachable unit that is detachable from the device body through the opening, The device body includes: an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; a detection unit for detecting a state of the removable unit, the detection unit being arranged to face a side surface that is an end surface of the removable unit in a first direction that intersects with a mounting direction of the removable unit relative to the device body when the removable unit is mounted to the device body; a linkage mechanism that moves the detection unit in conjunction with the opening / closing member; having The detachable unit has a positioning portion provided on the side surface, the detection unit has a positioned portion that is engaged with the positioning portion so as to determine a position of the detection unit relative to the attachment / detachment unit when viewed in the first direction; one of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a protruding portion protruding in the first direction, and the other of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a hole portion engaging with the protruding portion, the detection unit is movable between a first position where the positioned portion is engaged with the positioning portion and a second position where the positioned portion is retracted from the first position in the first direction so as to be separated from the positioning portion, the interlocking mechanism moves the detection unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and moves the detection unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a swing member supporting the detection unit and swinging so that the detection unit moves between the first position and the second position; The interlocking mechanism causes the swinging member to swing in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The pivot member is configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a range in which the oscillating member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the oscillating member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the first position; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. the detection unit has a protrusion protruding in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, the swing member has a hole through which the protrusion is inserted, and a width of the hole in the second direction is wider than a width of the protrusion in the second direction; a periphery of the hole portion includes a recessed shape that comes into contact with the protrusion portion and positions the protrusion portion in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position; When the detection unit is located at the first position, the convex portion does not contact the concave portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. a biasing means for biasing the detection unit toward the first position; the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

6. a biasing means for biasing the detection unit toward the second position; the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

7. a support member that supports the detection unit and is fixed to a frame of the device body, the support member is configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the third direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the third direction when the detection unit is located at the first position; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

8. the detection unit has a convex portion that protrudes in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction, The support member has a hole through which the protrusion is inserted, when the detection unit is located at the second position, a width of the hole in the third direction at a position of the convex portion in the first direction is narrower than a width of the hole in the third direction at a position of the convex portion in the first direction when the detection unit is located at the first position.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. the support member is further configured to allow movement of the detection unit in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction; a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the support member allows the detection unit to move in the second direction when the detection unit is located at the first position; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

10. the positioned portion is the protrusion, The positioning portion is the hole portion into which the protrusion fits.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

11. the device body has a side plate that is disposed on one side in the first direction with respect to the mounting / removal unit in a state where the mounting / removal unit is attached to the device body and that extends in a direction intersecting with the first direction, the detection unit is attached to the one surface of the side plate in the first direction, When the detection unit is in the first position, the protrusion penetrates a hole provided in the side plate and protrudes from the one side to the other side in the first direction with respect to the side plate.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. the removable unit has a storage section that stores toner or waste toner, The detection unit has a light emitting section that emits light, and a light receiving section that is arranged so that the light that has passed through the inside of the storage section is incident thereon and that emits a detection signal according to the amount of light.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

13. A protruding direction of the positioned portion or the positioning portion is parallel to an optical axis direction of the light emitting portion.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the detection unit includes a sensor substrate including the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, and a substrate holder that holds the sensor substrate and moves integrally with the sensor substrate; the detachable unit includes a first light guide that guides the light from the light emitting portion into the interior of the storage portion, a second light guide that guides the light that has passed through the interior of the storage portion to the light receiving portion, and a cover member having an opening formed therein that fits into the first light guide and the second light guide, the positioned portion is provided on the substrate holder, The positioning portion is provided on the cover member.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

15. An image forming apparatus including a device body including an opening, and a detachable unit that is detachable from the device body through the opening, the removable unit has a storage medium that stores information relating to the removable unit; The device body includes: an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; A control means for acquiring the information from the storage medium; a contact unit for electrically connecting the control means and the storage medium when the removable unit is attached to the device body, the contact unit being arranged to face a side surface that is an end face of the removable unit in a first direction that intersects with a mounting direction of the removable unit to the device body when the removable unit is attached to the device body; an interlocking mechanism that moves the contact unit in conjunction with the opening and closing member; having The detachable unit has a positioning portion provided on the side surface, the contact unit has a positioned portion that is engaged with the positioning portion so as to determine a position of the contact unit relative to the detachable unit when viewed in the first direction; one of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a protruding portion protruding in the first direction, and the other of the positioned portion and the positioning portion is a hole portion engaging with the protruding portion, the contact unit is movable between a first position where the positioned portion is engaged with the positioning portion and a second position where the positioned portion is retracted from the first position in the first direction so as to be separated from the positioning portion, the interlocking mechanism moves the contact unit from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and moves the contact unit from the second position to the first position when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

16. a swing member supporting the contact unit and swinging such that the contact unit moves between the first position and the second position; The interlocking mechanism causes the swinging member to swing in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

17. the pivot member is configured to allow movement of the contact unit in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a range in which the pivot member allows the contact unit to move in the second direction when the contact unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the pivot member allows the contact unit to move in the second direction when the contact unit is located at the first position; 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. a biasing means for biasing the contact unit toward the first position; the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

19. a biasing means for biasing the contact unit toward the second position; the interlocking mechanism has a link member that is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member, the link member has a pressing portion that presses the swinging member when the opening / closing member is moved from the open position to the closed position, thereby swinging the swinging member against the biasing force of the biasing means.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

20. a support member that supports the contact unit and is fixed to a frame of the device main body, the support member is configured to allow movement of the contact unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; a range in which the support member allows movement of the contact unit in the third direction when the contact unit is located at the second position is narrower than a range in which the support member allows movement of the contact unit in the third direction when the contact unit is located at the first position; 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

21. the positioned portion is the protrusion, The positioning portion is the hole portion into which the protrusion fits.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15,

22. the device body has a side plate that is disposed on one side in the first direction with respect to the mounting / removal unit in a state where the mounting / removal unit is attached to the device body and that extends so as to intersect with the first direction, the contact unit is attached to the one surface of the side plate in the first direction, When the contact unit is in the first position, the protrusion penetrates a hole provided in the side plate and protrudes from the one side to the other side in the first direction with respect to the side plate.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15,

Images