Image formation device and cartridge

Abstract

To provide an image formation device formed by further improving the prior art, and a cartridge.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes a device body, a first unit attachable to / detachable from the device body, a second unit attachable to / detachable from the first unit, and a protective member. The first unit has a photoreceptor, a transfer part, and a first unit memory part. The second unit has a developing roller, a storage part storing a developer, and a second unit memory part. The device body has a first body contact part which is electrically connectable to the first unit memory part, and a second body contact part which is electrically connectable to the second unit memory part. In a state in which the image formation device is packaged, the second unit is mounted on the first unit, and in a state in which the protective member is mounted on the first unit and the second unit, the first unit and the second unit are mounted on the device body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, and a cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, image forming apparatuses equipped with a process cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the apparatus are known. Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which the process cartridge is composed of a photosensitive unit and a developing unit that is detachably supported by the photosensitive unit, and the process cartridge is protected by a protective member when the image forming apparatus is transported (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The protective member has a spacer portion disposed between the photoconductor unit and the developing cartridge to prevent the developing unit from rattling, thereby preventing toner leakage from the process cartridge even if the image forming apparatus is subjected to vibrations or shocks during transportation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-145853 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a cartridge which are further improved over the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising an apparatus main body, a first unit detachably attached to the apparatus main body, a second unit detachably attached to the first unit, and a protective member detachably supported by the first unit and the second unit, wherein the first unit has a photoconductor carrying an electrostatic latent image, a transfer section that transfers a toner image formed on the photoconductor, and a first unit memory section that stores information about the first unit, the second unit has a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image carried on the photoconductor as a toner image, a container section that contains a developer, and a second unit memory section that stores information about the second unit, the apparatus main body has a first body contact section that can be electrically connected to the first unit memory section, and a second body contact section that can be electrically connected to the second unit memory section, and wherein when the image forming apparatus is in a packaged state, the second unit is attached to the first unit, and the first unit and the second unit are attached to the apparatus main body with the protective member attached to the first unit and the second unit.

[0007] The present invention is also characterized in that it is a cartridge comprising a photosensitive member that carries an electrostatic latent image, a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to a sheet, a transport roller that transports the sheet toward the transfer unit, a memory unit that stores information regarding the cartridge, and a discharge unit that removes the electric potential of the photosensitive member. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and a cartridge which are further improved over the prior art. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with a cartridge door closed, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with a cartridge door open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the process cartridge has been removed from the apparatus main body, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the process cartridge has been attached to the apparatus main body. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a state in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are separated, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing cartridge is removed from the drum cartridge. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the left side of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge. [Figure 8] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a drum memory unit and a developing memory unit, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the inside of the drum memory unit and the developing memory unit. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drum memory unit and a developing memory unit are supported by a drum memory housing and a developing memory housing. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] (a) is a side view showing the drum memory electrode and drum memory contact just before the process cartridge is completely installed in the device main body, and (b) is a side view showing the drum memory electrode and drum memory contact when the process cartridge has been completely installed in the device main body. [Figure 12] (a) is a side view showing the initial state where the drum memory unit and the developing memory unit have entered inside the memory guide groove, (b) is a side view showing the state where the drum memory unit and the developing memory unit have further entered inside the memory guide groove, and (c) is a side view showing the drum memory unit and the developing memory unit when the process cartridge has been completely installed in the main body of the apparatus. [Figure 13]1A is a schematic diagram showing a packaging method for a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge according to a comparative example, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a packaging method for a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] 1A is a perspective view of the protective member as viewed from the left side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the protective member as viewed from the right side. [Figure 15] 1A is a perspective view of a protective member attached to a process cartridge, as viewed from the left side; FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a protective member attached to a process cartridge, as viewed from the right side; [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge to which the protective member is attached is removed from the main body of the apparatus. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge to which the protective member is attached is mounted in the main assembly of the apparatus. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a memory protection portion of a protection member according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] 10A is a perspective view of a protection member according to a second embodiment as viewed from the left side, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the protection member as viewed from the right side. [Figure 20] 20(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge to which the protective member is attached, and FIG. 20(b) is an enlarged view showing the circled portion in FIG. 20(a). [Figure 21] 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a drum cartridge according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view and an enlarged perspective view showing the drum cartridge. [Figure 22] 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a developing cartridge according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view and an enlarged perspective view showing the developing cartridge. [Diagram 23] 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge to which a protective member is attached, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view showing a developer separation engagement portion. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a process cartridge to which a protective member according to a modified example of the second embodiment is attached is mounted in an apparatus main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <First embodiment> [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10. In Fig. 1, the directions on the paper surface are defined as follows. The upper direction on the paper surface is called the upper direction. The lower direction on the paper surface is called the lower direction. The left direction on the paper surface is called the rear direction. The right direction on the paper surface is called the front direction. Also, the front direction on the paper surface is called the left direction, and the back direction on the paper surface is called the right direction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an electrophotographic laser beam printer that forms a monochrome toner image. Note that the image forming apparatus includes printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines, and refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet used as a recording medium based on image information input from an external PC or image information read from an original. In addition, an image forming apparatus may be connected to an optional feeder, an image reader, a sheet processing device, and other auxiliary devices in addition to a main body having an image forming function, and the entire system to which such auxiliary devices are connected is also a type of image forming apparatus.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 10 has an apparatus main body 1 and a process cartridge 100 supported removably in the apparatus main body 1. The image forming apparatus 10 also has a feeding section 2, a transport section 3 that transports the sheet S fed by the feeding section, and an image forming section 4 that forms an image on the sheet S transported by the transport section 3. The image forming apparatus 10 also has a fixing section 5 that fixes the image transferred to the sheet S, a discharge section 6 that discharges the sheet S to the outside of the apparatus main body 1, and a control section 800. The sheet S includes paper such as paper and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHP sheets), cloth, etc.

[0013] The feeding section 2 is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1, and includes a cassette 20 that stores sheets S, and a pickup roller 21 that feeds the sheets S stored in the cassette 20. The conveying section 3 includes a pair of conveying rollers 30a, 30b, and a drive roller 321 of a pair of conveying rollers 32 described later.

[0014] The image forming section 4 has a process cartridge 100 and a laser scanner 40 provided in the apparatus main body 1. The process cartridge 100 has a drum cartridge 41 as a first unit, and a developing cartridge 42 as a second unit detachably supported by the drum cartridge 41. The drum cartridge 41 has a photosensitive drum 411 that is rotatably configured and carries an electrostatic latent image, a charging section 412 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 411, and a transfer roller 413 that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 411 to the sheet S. The charging section 412 is configured, for example, by a corona charger or a charging roller.

[0015] The drum cartridge 41 also has a cleaning unit 414 that cleans off residual matter adhering to the photosensitive drum 411, a recovery unit 415 that recovers the residual matter cleaned by the cleaning unit 414, a discharging unit 416 that removes the potential of the photosensitive drum 411, and a driven roller 322. Examples of the residual matter include residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 411 and paper dust. The discharging unit 416 removes the potential of the photosensitive drum 411 by, for example, irradiating the photosensitive drum 411 with light. The driven roller 322 constitutes the transport roller pair 32 together with the driving roller 321 of the transport unit 3 described above, and is rotated by the driving roller 321 as a first transport roller.

[0016] The developing cartridge 42 has a developing roller 421 that develops the electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 411 into a toner image by supplying developer to the electrostatic latent image, and a developing blade 422 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developing roller 421. The developing cartridge 42 also has a supply roller 423 that supplies developer to the developing roller 421, a transport paddle 424 that transports the developer to the supply roller 423, and a developer storage section 425 that stores the developer.

[0017] The fixing unit 5 has a fixing frame 50, and a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52 rotatably supported by the fixing frame 50. The heating roller 51 has a built-in heater (not shown), and the surface is heated by the heat of the heater. The pressure roller 52 is pressed toward the heating roller 51 by a pressure spring (not shown). Note that instead of the heating roller 51, a heating unit that heats an endless belt or film by a heater such as a ceramic heater may be used. Also, instead of the heating roller 51, a heating member having a heat generating layer that is heated by induction heating may be used.

[0018] The discharge section 6 has a pair of conveying rollers 60 that convey the sheet S that has passed through the fixing section 5, a pair of discharge rollers 62 that discharges the sheet S conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 60 outside the image forming apparatus 10, and a discharge tray 71 on which the discharged sheet S is stacked.

[0019] [Image formation operation] Next, an image forming operation in which the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the sheet S will be described. When an image forming command is output to the image forming apparatus 10, an image forming process is started by the image forming unit 4 based on image information input from an external computer or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 10. The laser scanner 40 irradiates the photosensitive drum 411 with laser light L based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 411 is charged in advance by the charging unit 412, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 411 by irradiating it with the laser light L. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner carried by the developing roller 421, and a monochrome toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 411.

[0020] In parallel with the above-mentioned image forming process, a sheet S is fed from the feeding section 2. The sheet S stored in the cassette 20 of the feeding section 2 is fed by a pickup roller 21, and the sheet S fed by the pickup roller 21 is conveyed by a conveying roller pair 30a, 30b toward a conveying roller pair 32. The conveying roller pair 32 may have a function of correcting skew of the sheet S.

[0021] The toner image on the photosensitive drum 411 is transferred onto the sheet S conveyed at a predetermined conveying timing by the conveying roller pair 32 by an electrostatic load bias applied to a transfer roller 413 as a transfer unit. Residual matter remaining on the photosensitive drum 411 is cleaned by a cleaning unit 414 and collected in a collection unit 415.

[0022] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is applied with a predetermined heat and pressure by the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 of the fixing unit 5, so that the toner is melted and fixed. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 5 is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 60 to the discharge roller pair 62, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 71 by the discharge roller pair 62.

[0023] In this embodiment, a method (so-called direct transfer method) in which the toner image (developer image) carried on the photosensitive drum 411 is directly transferred to the sheet S has been described. However, it is also possible to select a method (so-called indirect transfer method) in which the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 411 is transferred to an intermediate transfer body (not shown) and then transferred to the sheet S. The direct transfer method has the advantage of a simple configuration since the toner image is directly transferred from the photosensitive drum 411 to the sheet S. On the other hand, the indirect transfer method has the advantage of reducing damage to the photosensitive drum 411 from the sheet S since the sheet S does not come into direct contact with the photosensitive drum 411.

[0024] [Process cartridge detailed configuration] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge 100. As described above, the process cartridge 100 is composed of a drum cartridge 41 and a developing cartridge 42, as shown in Fig. 2. The drum cartridge 41 has a drum frame 410 as a first housing that supports a photosensitive drum 411, a charging section 412, a transfer roller 413, a cleaning section 414, a collecting section 415, a discharging section 416, and a driven roller 322. In other words, the drum cartridge 41 is a unit integrated by the drum frame 410.

[0025] When the above-described image forming operation is repeatedly performed, the photosensitive drum 411 and the transfer roller 413 gradually deteriorate. In addition, the collection section 415 is filled with collected residue. The drum cartridge 41 is integrated with the drum frame 410, and is therefore easily replaceable.

[0026] The developing cartridge 42 supports a developing roller 421, a developing blade 422, a supply roller 423, and a transport paddle 424, and has a developing frame 420 as a second housing in which a developer accommodating portion 425 is formed. In other words, the developing cartridge 42 is an integrated unit formed by the developing frame 420.

[0027] When the above-described image forming operation is repeatedly performed, the developing roller 421 and the supply roller 423 gradually deteriorate. In addition, the developer contained in the developer container 425 is consumed. The developing cartridge 42 is integrated with the developing frame 420, and is therefore easily replaceable.

[0028] The drum cartridge 41 also has a developer pressure member 417 and a developer pressure spring 418 assembled to the drum frame 410. In this embodiment, the developer pressure member 417 and the developer pressure spring 418 are provided in pairs (see FIG. 6). The developer pressure member 417 comes into contact with a pressure receiving surface 4201 formed on the developer frame 420 when the developer cartridge 42 is attached to the drum cartridge 41. The developer pressure spring 418 is made of a compression spring and presses the developer pressure member 417 toward the pressure receiving surface 4201. The developer pressure member 417 and the developer pressure spring 418 constitute an urging section 500. The urging section 500 presses the developer cartridge 42 to urge the developer roller 421 toward the photosensitive drum 411. As a result, the developer roller 421 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 411 with a predetermined pressure.

[0029] [Installing and removing the process cartridge] Next, the attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 100 to the apparatus main body 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3(a) to 5(b). Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 10 with the cartridge door 11 closed, and Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 10 with the cartridge door 11 open. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the process cartridge 100 is removed from the apparatus main body 1, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 1. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are separated, and Fig. 5(b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing cartridge 42 is attached to the drum cartridge 41.

[0030] 3(a), the image forming apparatus 10 has a cartridge door 11 that is supported in an openable and closable manner on the apparatus main body 1, and the cartridge door 11 is attached to the front of the apparatus main body 1. When the cartridge door 11 is in the closed position, it is possible to prevent light and foreign matter from entering the inside of the apparatus main body 1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when a user opens the cartridge door 11, the opening 12 of the apparatus body 1 is exposed. In the opening 12, cartridge guide grooves 121a and 121b and a memory guide groove 123 are formed. The cartridge guide groove 121a and the memory guide groove 123 are formed on the left side wall of the opening 12, and the cartridge guide groove 121b is formed on the right side wall of the opening 12. As will be described later, when the cartridge door 11 is open, the process cartridge 100 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body 1 through the opening 12. In addition, by removing the process cartridge 100 from the apparatus body 1, a sheet S that is jammed inside the apparatus body 1 can be removed.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3(b), a drum positioning pin 4100a and a drum guide pin 4101a protrude leftward, that is, in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 411, from the left side surface 410a of the drum frame 410. Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a drum positioning pin 4100b and a drum guide pin 4101b protrude rightward from the right side surface 410b of the drum frame 410. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(a), cartridge positioning portions 122a and 122b are formed at the rear ends of the cartridge guide grooves 121a and 121b. The cartridge guide grooves 121a and 121b extend in the mounting direction AD. The mounting direction AD is a direction toward the rear and downward.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the mounting direction AD toward the opening 12 with the developer cartridge 42 mounted in the drum cartridge 41. Then, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the drum positioning pin 4100a and the drum guide pin 4101a formed in the drum cartridge 41 enter the cartridge guide groove 121a. Also, the drum positioning pin 4100b and the drum guide pin 4101b enter the cartridge guide groove 121b. As a result, the process cartridge 100 is guided in the mounting direction AD. Then, the drum positioning pins 4100a and 4100b abut against the cartridge positioning portions 122a and 122b, completing the mounting of the process cartridge 100 to the apparatus main body 1. That is, the drum positioning pins 4100a and 4100b as positioning pins engage with the apparatus main body 1 to position the drum cartridge 41 relative to the apparatus main body 1. The drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 that constitute the process cartridge 100 can be mounted in the apparatus main body 1 with a protective member 83, which will be described later, removed.

[0034] The drum positioning pin 4100a and the drum guide pin 4101a, and the drum positioning pin 4100b and the drum guide pin 4101b engage with the cartridge guide groove 121a, respectively, to maintain the posture of the process cartridge 100. When removing the process cartridge 100 from the apparatus main body 1, the reverse operation to that when mounting the process cartridge 100 to the apparatus main body 1 is performed.

[0035] The process cartridge 100 is removed from the apparatus main body 1, for example, when either the drum cartridge 41 or the developing cartridge 42 of the process cartridge 100 reaches the end of its life, or when a sheet S is jammed inside the apparatus main body 1. In this embodiment, since the process cartridge 100 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1 with the developing cartridge 42 attached to the drum cartridge 41, replacement of the process cartridge 100 and handling of jams can be easily performed.

[0036] [Installing and removing the developing cartridge] Next, the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge 42 to and from the drum cartridge 41 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 5(a) and 5(b), and 6. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing cartridge 42 has been detached from the drum cartridge 41. In Figure 6, a part of the drum frame 410 has been cut away along the break line BL so that the urging portion 500 can be seen.

[0037] 5(a) to 6, developing guide grooves 4102a and 4102b are formed on the inner wall of the drum frame 410. In addition, a pair of developing pressure members 417 and developing pressure springs 418 are provided on the left and right sides in front of the drum frame 410. As described above, the developing pressure members 417 and developing pressure springs 418 constitute the urging portion 500.

[0038] A developing unit positioning pin 4200a protrudes leftward, i.e., in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 411, from a left side surface 420a as a side surface of the developing unit frame 420. A developing unit positioning pin 4200b and a protection member engaging pin 4205 protrude rightward from a right side surface 420b of the developing unit frame 420. The protection member engaging pin 4205 will be described later. The developing unit frame 420 also has a pressure receiving surface 4201 that is pressed by the developing unit pressure member 417.

[0039] When the developer cartridge 42 is attached to the drum cartridge 41, the developer positioning pins 4200a, 4200b engage with the developer guide grooves 4102a, 4102b of the drum frame 410. The outer diameters of the developer positioning pins 4200a, 4200b and the widths of the developer guide grooves 4102a, 4102b are set so that these pins and grooves fit into each other.

[0040] When the developer cartridge 42 is pushed toward the photosensitive drum 411 of the drum cartridge 41, the developer pressure member 417 is pressed by the pressure receiving surface 4201. When the developer positioning pins 4200a, 4200b abut against the rear ends of the developer guide grooves 4102a, 4102b, the installation of the developer cartridge 42 into the drum cartridge 41 is completed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the developer roller 421 of the developer cartridge 42 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 411 of the drum cartridge 41 by the action of the urging portion 500. When the developer cartridge 42 is removed from the drum cartridge 41, the reverse operation to that for installation into the drum cartridge 41 is performed.

[0041] [Memory Unit] Next, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 will be described with reference to Figs. 3(a)(b), 7, and 8(a)(b). Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the left side surfaces 410a, 420a of the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42. Fig. 8(a) is a perspective view showing the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426, and Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view showing the inside of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426. In Fig. 8(b), the drum memory holder 4192 and the developing memory holder 4262 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0042] 3(b) and 7, a drum memory housing 4103 is provided on the left side surface 410a of the drum frame 410, and a drum memory guide hole 4104 is formed in the drum memory housing 4103 as a first holding portion. In addition, a developing memory housing 4202 is provided on the left side surface 420a of the developing frame 420, and a developing memory guide hole 4203 is formed in the developing memory housing 4202 as a second holding portion.

[0043] 8(a) and 8(b), the drum memory unit 419 as the first unit memory portion has a drum memory chip 4190, a drum memory holder 4192, a drum memory piece 4195, and a drum memory spring 4197. Four tapered surfaces 4193 as first positioned portions are formed on the upper portion of the drum memory holder 4192 as the first moving member, and a drum holder pin 4194 is formed on the left side surface of the drum memory holder 4192. The drum memory chip 4190 is supported on the upper portion of the drum memory holder 4192 so that the periphery is surrounded by the tapered surface 4193.

[0044] The drum memory piece 4195 is supported by the drum memory holder 4192 so as to be movable in the pressure direction PD, and a part of the drum memory piece 4195 is housed in the drum memory holder 4192. An arc portion 4196 is formed at the bottom of the drum memory piece 4195, and the arc portion 4196 is exposed from the drum memory holder 4192. A drum memory spring 4197 is disposed between the drum memory holder 4192 and the drum memory piece 4195 as a first elastic member, and the drum memory spring 4197 is covered by the drum memory holder 4192.

[0045] The developing memory unit 426 as the second unit memory portion has a developing memory chip 4260, a developing memory holder 4262, a developing memory top 4265, and a developing memory spring 4267. Four tapered surfaces 4263 as second positioned portions are formed on the upper portion of the developing memory holder 4262 as the second moving member, and a developing holder pin 4264 is formed on the left side surface of the developing memory holder 4262. The developing memory chip 4260 is supported on the upper portion of the developing memory holder 4262 so that the periphery is surrounded by the tapered surface 4263.

[0046] The developing memory piece 4265 is supported by the developing memory holder 4262 so as to be movable in the pressure direction PD, and a part of the developing memory piece 4265 is housed in the developing memory holder 4262. An arc portion 4266 is formed at the bottom of the developing memory piece 4265, and the arc portion 4266 is exposed from the developing memory holder 4262. A developing memory spring 4267 is disposed between the developing memory holder 4262 and the developing memory piece 4265 as a second elastic member, and the developing memory spring 4267 is covered by the developing memory holder 4262.

[0047] Next, we will explain the drum memory chip 4190 and the developing memory chip 4260. Since the drum memory chip 4190 and the developing memory chip 4260 have basically the same configuration, we will explain the drum memory chip 4190. In the explanation of the developing memory chip 4260, we will omit parts that are common to the drum memory chip 4190 and will only explain its unique parts.

[0048] The drum memory chip 4190 has a plurality of drum memory contacts 4191 and an information storage unit (not shown) that stores information related to the drum cartridge 41. In this embodiment, two drum memory contacts 4191 are provided. However, the number of drum memory contacts 4191 may be two or more. For example, when there are four drum memory contacts 4191, it is possible to distribute electrical signals such as ground, power, clock, and signal to the drum memory contacts 4191 by function. When there are two drum memory contacts 4191, it is possible to distribute a reference signal and an electrical signal that is a mixture of power, clock, and signal to the drum memory contacts 4191.

[0049] The information storage unit built into the drum memory chip 4190 can include rewritable information and non-rewritable information. Examples of rewritable information include information that is rewritable depending on the usage status of the drum cartridge 41. Specific examples include usage history information such as the number of printed sheets and the period of use, image information such as the printing ratio, and environmental information such as the temperature, humidity, and altitude of the place where the image forming apparatus is used. Examples of non-rewritable information include information unique to the drum cartridge 41. Examples of the unique information include a unique ID of the drum cartridge 41, a manufacturing lot, physical characteristics of the photosensitive drum 411, the transfer roller 413, and the cleaning unit 414, and characteristic value information for optimizing the image forming operation. Note that examples of the unique information of the developing cartridge 42 include the characteristic values ​​of the developing roller 421, the supply roller 423, and the developer contained in the developer container 425.

[0050] The drum memory chip 4190 can communicate information stored in the information storage unit with the control unit 800 (see FIG. 1) provided in the device main body 1 via the drum memory contact 4191. The drum memory contact 4191 can be electrically connected to a drum memory electrode 1235 (see FIG. 10) provided in the device main body 1, which will be described later.

[0051] In this way, by storing the unique information of the drum cartridge 41 in the information storage unit, it is possible to perform control suitable for the unique characteristics of the drum cartridge 41. For example, by combining the usage history information, the environmental information, and the characteristic value information, it is possible to optimize the applied bias, the amount of light, and the like required for the image forming operation. As a specific example, it is possible to calculate the deterioration level of the charging unit 412 from the usage history information and the environmental information, and adjust the applied bias applied to the charging unit 412. As the charging unit 412 deteriorates, the discharge characteristics change, which affects the charging potential of the photosensitive drum 411. In order to optimize the potential of the photosensitive drum 411 by the charging unit 412, it is effective to adjust the applied bias in accordance with the deterioration of the charging unit 412.

[0052] As another specific example, it is possible to calculate the degree of deterioration of the photosensitive drum 411 from usage history information and environmental information, and adjust the amount of laser light L irradiated by the laser scanner 40. As deterioration of the photosensitive drum 411 progresses, the sensitivity of the photosensitive drum 411 changes. In order to optimize the latent image potential of the photosensitive drum 411 by the laser scanner 40, it is effective to adjust the amount of light of the laser scanner 40 in accordance with the deterioration.

[0053] As another specific example, the deterioration level of the photosensitive drum 411 can be calculated from the usage history information and the environmental information, and the charge removal unit 416 can adjust the amount of light irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 411. In order to optimize the potential of the photosensitive drum 411 by the charge removal unit 416, the amount of light of the charge removal unit 416 can be adjusted according to the deterioration of the photosensitive drum 411, thereby achieving optimization. As another specific example, the deterioration level of the transfer roller 413 can be calculated from the usage history information and the environmental information, and the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 413 can be adjusted. As the deterioration of the transfer roller 413 progresses, the electrical resistance of the transfer roller 413 changes. In order to optimize the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 413, it is effective to adjust the transfer bias according to the deterioration of the transfer roller 413.

[0054] As another specific example, it is possible to calculate the degree of deterioration of cleaning unit 414 from usage history information and environmental information, and adjust the bias applied to cleaning unit 414. As cleaning unit 414 deteriorates or becomes contaminated by toner or the like, the electrical resistance of cleaning unit 414 may change. In order to optimize the bias applied to cleaning unit 414, it is effective to adjust the bias applied to cleaning unit 414 in accordance with the deterioration of cleaning unit 414.

[0055] By storing the unique information of the developer cartridge 42 in the information storage section of the developer memory chip 4260, it is possible to perform control suited to the unique characteristics of the developer cartridge 42. As a specific example, it is possible to calculate the degree of deterioration of the developer roller 421 and the developer blade 422 from the usage history information and the environmental information, and adjust the development bias applied to the developer roller 421. As the development roller 421 and the development blade 422 deteriorate, the regulating force for regulating the developer layer thickness and the development efficiency change. By optimizing the development bias applied to the development roller 421, it is possible to optimize the developer layer thickness and the development efficiency.

[0056] [Float support for drum memory unit and developing memory unit] Next, the support of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are supported by the drum memory housing 4103 and the developing memory housing 4202.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, the drum memory unit 419 is assembled to the drum memory housing 4103. Here, the width of the drum memory guide hole 4104 in the mounting direction AD is width D1, and the diameter of the drum holder pin 4194 is diameter D2. In addition, the width of the drum memory holder 4192 in the mounting direction AD is width D3, and the distance between the inner walls 4105 of the drum memory housing 4103 is distance D4. In this embodiment, it is set so that D1-D2>D4-D3. Therefore, the drum memory unit 419 is supported movably in the drum memory housing 4103 within the range in which the drum holder pin 4194 can move in the drum memory guide hole 4104. Hereinafter, such a movable support is referred to as a float support.

[0058] The developing memory unit 426 is assembled to the developing memory housing 4202. Here, the width of the developing memory guide hole 4203 in the mounting direction AD is width D5, and the diameter of the developing holder pin 4264 is diameter D6. In the mounting direction AD, the width of the developing memory holder 4262 is width D7, and the distance between the inner walls 4204 of the developing memory housing 4202 is distance D8. In this embodiment, it is set so that D5-D6>D8-D7. Therefore, the developing memory unit 426 is float-supported by the developing memory housing 4202.

[0059] [Memory guide groove] Next, the memory guide groove 123 will be described with reference to Fig. 3(b) and Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the memory guide groove 123. As shown in Fig. 3(b) and Fig. 10, the memory guide groove 123 is formed above the cartridge guide groove 121 and on the left inner wall of the opening 12. When the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the memory guide groove 123 guides the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 in the mounting direction AD.

[0060] The memory guide groove 123 has a frame contact surface 1230 formed at the bottom and a holder contact surface 1233 formed at the top. A drum memory electrode 1235 as a first main body contact portion and a development memory electrode 1236 as a second main body contact portion are assembled to the holder contact surface 1233. In addition, the holder contact surface 1232 is formed with four tapered surfaces 1234a formed to surround the drum memory electrode 1235 and four tapered surfaces 1234b formed to surround the development memory electrode 1236.

[0061] A tapered surface 1234a serving as a first positioning portion of the holder abutment surface 1232 engages with a tapered surface 4193 of the drum memory holder 4192 when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 1. In this embodiment, the tapered surface 1234a and the tapered surface 4193 are formed with the same inclination, but they do not necessarily have to be the same inclination.

[0062] A tapered surface 1234b serving as a second positioning portion of the holder abutment surface 1232 engages with a tapered surface 4263 of the developing memory holder 4262 when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 1. In this embodiment, the tapered surface 1234b and the tapered surface 4263 are formed with the same inclination, but they do not necessarily have to be the same inclination.

[0063] The piece abutting surface 1230 is formed with a slope 1232a, a piece positioning portion 1231a, a slope 1232b, and a piece positioning portion 1231b in this order from upstream to downstream in the mounting direction AD of the process cartridge 100.

[0064] When the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the piece positioning portion 1231a engages with an arc portion 4196 of a drum memory piece 4195 serving as a first contact member of the drum memory unit 419. In this embodiment, the piece positioning portion 1231a formed in an arc shape and the arc portion 4196 are formed with the same curvature, but they do not necessarily have to have the same curvature.

[0065] Similarly, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the piece positioning portion 1231b engages with an arc portion 4266 of the developing memory piece 4265 serving as a second contact member of the developing memory unit 426. In this embodiment, the piece positioning portion 1231b formed in an arc shape and the arc portion 4266 are formed with the same curvature, but they do not necessarily have to have the same curvature.

[0066] In this manner, the tapered surface 4193 and the arc portion 4196 of the drum memory unit 419 engage with the tapered surface 1234a and the frame positioning portion 1231a of the memory guide groove 123, respectively, so that the drum memory unit 419 is positioned relative to the apparatus body 1. In this state, the drum memory contact 4191 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the drum memory unit 419 abuts against the drum memory electrode 1235 and is electrically connected to the drum memory electrode 1235.

[0067] Furthermore, the tapered surface 4263 and the arcuate portion 4266 of the developing memory unit 426 engage with the tapered surface 1234b and the frame positioning portion 1231b of the memory guide groove 123, respectively, so that the developing memory unit 426 is positioned relative to the apparatus body 1. In this state, the developing memory contact 4261 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the developing memory unit 426 abuts against the developing memory electrode 1236 and is electrically connected to the developing memory electrode 1236. Then, information stored in each information storage portion of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 becomes communicable to the control portion 800 (see FIG. 1).

[0068] [Connection between drum memory contacts and drum memory electrodes] Next, the connection between the drum memory contact 4191 and the drum memory electrode 1235 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 11(a) and 11(b). Note that the configuration of the connection portion between the drum memory contact 4191 and the drum memory electrode 1235 is the same as the connection portion between the development memory contact 4261 and the development memory electrode 1236. For this reason, the connection portion between the drum memory contact 4191 and the drum memory electrode 1235 will be described as an example, and a description of the connection portion between the development memory contact 4261 and the development memory electrode 1236 will be omitted.

[0069] Fig. 11(a) is a side view showing the drum memory electrode 1235 and the drum memory contact 4191 immediately before the process cartridge 100 is completely mounted in the apparatus main body 1. Fig. 11(b) is a side view showing the drum memory electrode 1235 and the drum memory contact 4191 in a state in which the process cartridge 100 has been completely mounted in the apparatus main body 1.

[0070] 11(a), the drum memory electrode 1235 is composed of a leaf spring, and the leaf spring is in a released state when separated from the drum memory contact 4191. The drum memory contact 4191 is provided at a position recessed toward the upstream side in the pressure direction PD from the top surface 4193A of the tapered surface 4193.

[0071] 11(b), when the process cartridge 100 is completely mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the tapered surface 4193 of the drum memory holder 4192 and the tapered surface 1234a of the holder abutment surface 1232 so as to overlap each other. This determines the position of the drum memory unit 419 relative to the memory guide groove 123 of the apparatus main body 1, as described above. At this time, the drum memory electrode 1235 is elastically deformed by being pressed by the drum memory contact 4191, and the drum memory electrode 1235 and the drum memory contact 4191 abut with an appropriate pressure.

[0072] Furthermore, the tapered surface 4193 and the tapered surface 1234a come into contact with each other, thereby fixing the distance between the drum memory electrode 1235 and the drum memory contact 4191. Therefore, the drum memory electrode 1235 and the drum memory contact 4191 can come into contact with each other with an appropriate pressure without being affected by the contact pressure between the tapered surface 1234a and the tapered surface 4193. Furthermore, since the drum memory contact 4191 is set at a position recessed from the top surface 4193A of the tapered surface 4193, when the drum memory unit 419 moves in the memory guide groove 123, the holder contact surface 1233 and the drum memory contact 4191 do not rub against each other.

[0073] [Movement of drum memory unit and developing memory unit] Next, the movements of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIGS. 12(a) to 12(c).

[0074] Fig. 12(a) is a side view showing an initial state where the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 have entered inside the memory guide groove 123. Fig. 12(b) is a side view showing a state where the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 have further entered inside the memory guide groove 123. Fig. 12(c) is a side view showing the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 when the process cartridge 100 has been completely mounted in the apparatus main body 1. In Fig. 12(c), the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are positioned in the memory guide groove 123.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 12(a), the drum memory unit 419 is lowered by its own weight with respect to the drum memory housing 4103. At this time, the drum holder pin 4194 abuts against the lowermost portion of the drum memory guide hole 4104, and the downward movement of the drum memory unit 419 is restricted. Similarly, the developer holder pin 4264 of the developer memory unit 426 abuts against the lowermost portion of the developer memory guide hole 4203, and the downward movement of the developer memory unit 426 is restricted. Also, since the drum memory unit 419 and the developer memory unit 426 are not abutting against the memory guide groove 123 in Fig. 12(a), the drum memory spring 4197 and the developer memory spring 4267 (see Fig. 8(b)) are in an open state.

[0076] 12(b), when the drum memory unit 419 moves in the memory guide groove 123 in the mounting direction AD, the slope 1232a comes into contact with the arc portion 4196 of the drum memory piece 4195 of the drum memory unit 419. When the drum memory unit 419 further moves in the memory guide groove 123 in the mounting direction AD, the drum memory piece 4195 of the drum memory unit 419 moves in the pressure direction PD along the slope 1232a. The pressure direction PD is a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction AD.

[0077] Similarly, the developing memory piece 4265 of the developing memory unit 426 moves in the pressure direction PD along the slope 1232b as a result of the slope 1232b coming into contact with the arc portion 4266 of the developing memory piece 5265. Note that before coming into contact with the slope 1232b, the developing memory piece 4265 comes into contact with the slope 1232a, and moves in the mounting direction AD while rubbing against the piece contact surface 1230.

[0078] As the drum memory piece 4195 moves in the pressure direction PD along the inclined surface 1232a, the drum memory holder 4192 is pressed in the pressure direction PD by the drum memory piece 4195 via the drum memory spring 4197 (see FIG. 8(b)). As a result, the drum memory holder 4192 abuts against the holder abutment surface 1233 of the memory guide groove 123. When the drum memory piece 4195 moves in the pressure direction PD along the inclined surface 1232a with the drum memory piece 4195 abutting against the inclined surface 1232a and the drum memory holder 4192 abutting against the holder abutment surface 1233, the drum memory spring 4197 is compressed. Then, the length of the drum memory unit 419 in the pressure direction PD is shortened.

[0079] Similarly, when the developing memory top 4265 abuts against the inclined surface 1232b and the developing memory holder 4262 abuts against the holder abutment surface 1233, and the developing memory top 4265 moves in the pressure direction PD along the inclined surface 1232b, the developing memory spring 4267 is compressed. Then, the length of the developing memory unit 426 in the pressure direction PD becomes shorter.

[0080] The drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are respectively supported in a floating manner with respect to the drum memory housing 4103 and the developing memory housing 4202. Therefore, the movements of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 described above are not hindered.

[0081] 12(c), when the process cartridge 100 is completely mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are positioned relative to the memory guide groove 123 of the apparatus main body 1 as described above. Specifically, the drum memory unit 419 is positioned relative to the memory guide groove 123 by the tapered surface 4193 and the arcuate portion 4196 engaging with the tapered surface 1234a and the frame positioning portion 1231a of the memory guide groove 123, respectively. At this time, the drum memory unit 419 presses the frame positioning portion 1231a and the tapered surface 1234a by the elastic force of the drum memory spring 4197. Therefore, the drum memory unit 419 can be stably positioned at a predetermined position in the memory guide groove 123.

[0082] Furthermore, because the drum memory unit 419 is float-supported, even if the position of the drum cartridge 41 changes, the position of the drum memory unit 419 can be maintained in the memory guide groove 123. In this way, by supporting the drum memory unit 419 in a float manner, the drum memory electrode 1235 and the drum memory contact 4191 can maintain a stable contact state even if the position of the drum cartridge 41 changes.

[0083] Similarly, the developing memory unit 426 is positioned relative to the memory guide groove 123 by the tapered surface 4263 and the arcuate portion 4266 engaging with the tapered surface 1234b and the frame positioning portion 1231b of the memory guide groove 123, respectively. At this time, the developing memory unit 426 presses the frame positioning portion 1231b and the tapered surface 1234b by the elastic force of the developing memory spring 4267. Therefore, the developing memory unit 426 can be stably positioned at a predetermined position in the memory guide groove 123.

[0084] Furthermore, because the developing memory unit 426 is float-supported, even if the position of the developing cartridge 42 fluctuates, the position of the developing memory unit 426 can be maintained in a state where it is positioned in the memory guide groove 123. In this way, by float-supporting the developing memory unit 426, even if the position of the developing cartridge 42 fluctuates, the developing memory electrode 1236 and the developing memory contact 4261 can maintain a stable abutment state.

[0085] As described above, the developing cartridge 42 becomes one with the drum cartridge 41 when it is attached to the drum cartridge 41. Therefore, the fluctuation of the developing cartridge 42 may be added to the fluctuation of the drum cartridge 41. For this reason, it is desirable to satisfy D5-D6>D1-D2 (see FIG. 9).

[0086] As described above, in this embodiment, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are float-supported. This allows the drum memory electrode 1235 and the developing memory electrode 1236 to stably contact the drum memory contact 4191 and the developing memory contact 4261 even if the positions of the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 fluctuate.

[0087] [Packing method for drum cartridges and developing cartridges] Next, a method for packaging the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 will be described with reference to Figures 13(a) and (b). Figure 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing a method for packaging the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 according to a comparative example, and Figure 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing a method for packaging the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 according to the present embodiment.

[0088] 13(a), in the comparative example, the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are packed outside the apparatus main body 1. More specifically, in FIG. 13(a), the apparatus main body 1, the drum cartridge 41, and the developing cartridge 42 are packed in a packaging material 811, and the packaging material 811 has an individual box 812 and cushioning materials 821, 822, 823, 824, and 825.

[0089] The individual packaging box 812 is a box for packaging the image forming apparatus. The cushioning materials 821, 822, 823, 824, and 825 are cushioning materials that cushion shocks and vibrations during transportation. The apparatus main body 1 is housed in the individual packaging box 812 with its periphery protected by the cushioning materials 821, 822, and 823. The cushioning material 823 arranged above the apparatus main body 1 is provided with a drum cartridge housing section 821a and a developing cartridge housing section 821b, each of which is open only at the top.

[0090] When the drum cartridge 41 is accommodated in the drum cartridge accommodating portion 821a, the upper part of the drum cartridge 41 is covered with a cushioning material 824. When the developer cartridge 42 is accommodated in the developer cartridge accommodating portion 821b, the upper part of the developer cartridge 42 is covered with a cushioning material 825.

[0091] In this way, the apparatus main body 1, the drum cartridge 41, and the developing cartridge 42 are packed and shipped in an individual packaging box 812 with the periphery protected by the cushioning materials 821, 822, 823, 824, and 825. Therefore, even if there is vibration or impact during transportation, damage to the apparatus main body 1, the drum cartridge 41, and the developing cartridge 42 is reduced because they are protected by the cushioning materials 821, 822, 823, 824, and 825. Hereinafter, this packaging form will be referred to as "packaged outside the cartridge."

[0092] As shown in FIG. 13(b), in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is packaged in a package 8, which includes an individual packaging box 81 and cushioning materials 821, 822, 826, and 827. In this embodiment, the process cartridge 100, in which the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are integrated, is packaged in a state in which it is accommodated inside the apparatus main body 1. For this reason, it is not necessary to form a drum cartridge accommodating portion 821a and a developing cartridge accommodating portion 821b in the cushioning material in the individual packaging box 81 as in the comparative example described above. Hereinafter, this packaging form is referred to as "packaged inside the cartridge."

[0093] Packing inside the cartridge allows the packaging size to be more compact than packing outside the cartridge. Here, the height of the packaging material 811 in the case of packing outside the cartridge shown in FIG. 13(a) is height h1, and the height of the packaging material 8 in the case of packing inside the cartridge shown in FIG. 13(b) is height h2. In this case, packing inside the cartridge, which does not require the drum cartridge storage section 821a and the developing cartridge storage section 821b to be formed in the cushioning material, allows the height of the packaging material 8 to be lower than that in the case of packing outside the cartridge. Therefore, h1>h2 can be satisfied. In other words, packing inside the cartridge allows the volume of the packaging material 8 to be reduced, improving transportation efficiency.

[0094] [Protective material] Next, the protective member 83 for protecting the process cartridge 100 during packaging will be described with reference to Figs. 5(b), 7, 14(a)(b), and 15(a)(b). Fig. 14(a) is a perspective view of the protective member 83 as seen from the left side, and Fig. 14(b) is a perspective view of the protective member 83 as seen from the right side. Fig. 15(a) is a perspective view of the protective member 83 attached to the process cartridge 100 as seen from the left side, and Fig. 15(b) is a perspective view of the protective member 83 attached to the process cartridge 100 as seen from the right side.

[0095] 5(b), a drum positioning pin 4100b and a drum guide pin 4101b are exposed on the right side surface of the process cartridge 100 in a state in which the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are combined. In addition, a shaft portion 322b of the driven roller 322 serving as a second conveying roller and a protection member engagement pin 4205 are exposed on the right side surface of the process cartridge 100.

[0096] 7, a drum positioning pin 4100a and a drum guide pin 4101a are exposed on the left side surface of the process cartridge 100 in a state in which the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are combined. In addition, a shaft portion 322a of the driven roller 322, a drum memory housing 4103, and a developing memory housing 4202 are exposed on the left side surface of the process cartridge 100.

[0097] 14(a), the protection member 83 is an integrated member including a left surface protection portion 831, a right surface protection portion 832, and a connecting portion 833. The left surface protection portion 831 is formed with two drum cartridge engaging portions 8311a, 8311b, and a drum housing engaging portion 8312. The left surface protection portion 831 is also formed with a developing housing engaging portion 8313, four memory protection portions 8314a, 8314b, 8314c, and 8314d, and a conveying roller engaging portion 8315.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 14(b), the right surface protection part 832 is formed with two drum cartridge engagement parts 8321a and 8321b, a developer cartridge engagement part 8322, and a transport roller engagement part 8323. As shown in Fig. 14(a) and (b), the connecting part 833 connects the left surface protection part 831 and the right surface protection part 832. The connecting part 833 also has two expandable parts 8331a and 8331b.

[0099] 15(a) and 15(b), the protective member 83 is detachably supported by the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 of the process cartridge 100. When assembling the protective member 83 to the process cartridge 100, an operator (packer) pulls the left surface protective portion 831 and the right surface protective portion 832 of the protective member 83 toward each other. This causes the expandable portions 8331a and 8331b to extend in the left-right direction, and the left surface protective portion 831 and the right surface protective portion 832 can be assembled from the outside of both side surfaces of the process cartridge 100.

[0100] A drum positioning pin 4100a and a drum guide pin 4101a on the left side surface of the process cartridge 100 engage with drum cartridge engaging portions 8311a and 8311b formed on the left side protective portion 831. A drum memory housing 4103, a developer memory housing 4202, and a shaft portion 322a of a driven roller 322 on the left side surface of the process cartridge 100 engage with a drum housing engaging portion 8312, a developer housing engaging portion 8313, and a conveying roller engaging portion 8315 formed on the left side protective portion 831, respectively.

[0101] In addition, the drum cartridge engagement portions 8321a, 8321b, the developing cartridge engagement portion 8322, and the transport roller engagement portion 8323 formed on the right surface protection portion 832 engage with the drum positioning pin 4100b, the drum guide pin 4101b, the protection member engagement pin 4205, and the shaft portion 322b of the driven roller 322 on the right surface of the process cartridge 100, respectively.

[0102] As described above, when the protection member 83 is attached to the process cartridge 100, the memory protection portions 8314a and 8314b as first memory engagement portions protect the upper and lower portions of the drum memory unit 419. Also, the memory protection portions 8314c and 8314d as second memory engagement portions protect the upper and lower portions of the developing memory unit 426.

[0103] As described above, the left surface protection portion 831 of the protection member 83 engages with some of the components that make up the drum cartridge 41, namely, the drum positioning pin 4100a, the drum guide pin 4101a, the drum memory housing 4103, and the shaft portion 322a of the driven roller 322. In addition, the left surface protection portion 831 of the protection member 83 engages with some of the components that make up the developer cartridge 42, namely, the developer memory housing 4202.

[0104] Similarly, the right surface protection portion 832 of the protection member 83 engages with some of the components that configure the drum cartridge 41, namely, the drum positioning pin 4100b, the drum guide pin 4101b, and the shaft portion 322b of the driven roller 322. In addition, the right surface protection portion 832 of the protection member 83 engages with some of the components that configure the developer cartridge 42, namely, the protection member engagement pin 4205.

[0105] The drum positioning pins 4100a, 4100b, drum guide pins 4101a, 4101b, drum memory housing 4103, and shaft portions 322a, 322b of the driven roller 322 provided on the drum cartridge 41 constitute a first engaged portion. The developing memory housing 4202 and protective member engaging pin 4205 provided on the developing cartridge 42 constitute a second engaged portion. A portion of the protective member 83 that engages with the first engaged portion constitutes a first engaging portion, and a portion of the protective member 83 that engages with the second engaged portion constitutes a second engaging portion.

[0106] In this way, the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 can fix their relative positional relationship by assembling the protective member 83. In other words, the protective member 83 defines the relative position of the developing cartridge 42 with respect to the drum cartridge 41. Then, the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 with the protective member 83 assembled thereto can be packed inside the cartridge as shown in FIG. 13(b). Therefore, even if the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are subjected to vibrations or impacts during transportation of the image forming apparatus 10, damage to the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 can be suppressed.

[0107] [Protection of drum memory unit and developing memory unit] Next, protection of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 will be described with reference to Figures 15(a) to 17. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge 100 to which the protective member 83 is attached is removed from the apparatus main body 1. Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge 100 to which the protective member 83 is attached is attached to the apparatus main body 1.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 15(a), the upper and lower parts of the drum memory unit 419 are engaged with the memory protection parts 8314a and 8314b, and the upper and lower parts of the developing memory unit 426 are engaged with the memory protection parts 8314c and 8314d. As described above, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are expandable and contractible in a direction parallel to the pressure direction PD. The upper and lower parts of the drum memory unit 419 are pressed by the memory protection parts 8314a and 8314b, and the developing memory unit 426 is in a contracted state in the pressure direction PD compared to a state in which the protection member 83 is not assembled to the process cartridge 100. Similarly, the upper and lower parts of the developing memory unit 426 are pressed by the memory protection parts 8314c and 8314d, and the developing memory unit 426 is in a contracted state in the pressure direction PD compared to a state in which the protection member 83 is not assembled to the process cartridge 100.

[0109] 16, the distance between the frame contact surface 1230 behind the developing memory electrode 1236 and the holder contact surface 1233 is set as distance L1. The distance between the frame contact surface 1230 in front of the drum memory electrode 1235 and the holder contact surface 1233 is set as distance L2. The distance between the memory protection portions 8314c and 8314d that engage with the developing memory unit 426 is set as distance L3. The distance between the memory protection portions 8314a and 8314b that engage with the drum memory unit 419 is set as distance L4. At this time, in this embodiment, the distances are set so as to satisfy L1>L3 and L2>L4.

[0110] 17, the process cartridge 100 can be mounted in the apparatus main body 1 with the protective member 83 attached. At this time, when the process cartridge 100 with the protective member 83 attached is mounted in the apparatus main body 1, there is a gap between the memory protection parts 8314a, 8314b, 8314c, 8314d and the memory guide groove 123. Therefore, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the memory protection parts 8314a, 8314b, 8314c, 8314d do not interfere with the memory guide groove 123, and the process cartridge 100 can be mounted in the apparatus main body 1 smoothly.

[0111] When the protection member 83 is attached to the process cartridge 100, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are in a contracted state by the memory protection parts 8314a, 8314b, 8314c, and 8314d, as described above. Therefore, when packed inside the cartridge, the drum memory contact 4191 of the drum memory unit 419 is spaced apart from the drum memory electrode 1235 provided on the holder abutting surface 1233. Also, the developing memory contact 4261 of the developing memory unit 426 is spaced apart from the developing memory electrode 1236 provided on the holder abutting surface 1233.

[0112] As a result, when the process cartridge 100 in which the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 are combined is shipped with the protective member 83 attached, damage to the drum memory unit 419, the developing memory unit 426, the drum memory electrode 1235, and the developing memory electrode 1236 can be suppressed even if the process cartridge 100 is subjected to vibrations or impacts during transportation.

[0113] As described above, by assembling and packaging the protective member 83 to the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42, the relative positional relationship between the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 can be fixed, and damage to the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 caused by vibrations and shocks during transportation can be suppressed. For example, rubbing between the photosensitive drum 411 and the developing roller 421 due to vibrations and shocks during transportation can be suppressed, and damage to the photosensitive drum 411 and the developing roller 421 can be suppressed.

[0114] Furthermore, when the drum cartridge 41 and the developer cartridge 42 to which the protective member 83 is attached are packed together inside the apparatus main body 1, the drum memory unit 419 and the developer memory unit 426 are spaced apart from the drum memory electrode 1235 and the developer memory electrode 1236, respectively. Therefore, damage to the drum memory unit 419, the developer memory unit 426, the drum memory electrode 1235, and the developer memory electrode 1236 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by packing the process cartridge 100 inside the main body 1 of the apparatus, the volume of the individual packaging box 81 can be reduced, and transportation efficiency can be improved.

[0115] <Modification of the first embodiment> Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. In this modified example, the memory protection unit of the protection member 83 of the first embodiment described above is partially modified. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustration or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a memory protection unit 8314d of the protection member 283 according to this modified example.

[0116] The protection member 283 is configured by omitting the memory protection units 8314a and 8314c of the protection member of the first embodiment. Below, the function of the memory protection unit 8314d and the developing memory unit 426 will be described, but since the function of the memory protection unit 8314b and the drum memory unit 419 is similar, the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0117] 18, in a state in which the protection member 283 is assembled to the process cartridge 100, the memory protection portion 8314d pushes up the development memory top 4265 of the development memory unit 426 in the pressure direction PD. That is, in a state in which the process cartridge 100 to which the protection member 283 is assembled is packed inside the main body 1 of the apparatus, the memory protection portion 8314d as the second pressure portion presses the development memory top 4265 toward the development memory holder 4262 against the urging force of the development memory spring 4267. In other words, the memory protection portion 8314d presses the development memory top 4265 toward the development memory holder 4262 against the elastic force of the development memory spring 4267, thereby pressing the tapered surface 4263 of the development memory holder 4262 against the tapered surface 1234b.

[0118] As a result, the tapered surface 4263 of the developing memory holder 4262 is pressed against the tapered surface 1234b of the memory guide groove 123 more strongly than when the image forming apparatus 10 is forming an image, i.e., when the process cartridge 100 with the protective member 283 removed is attached to the apparatus main body 1.

[0119] Similarly, the memory protection portion 8314b pushes up the drum memory piece 4195 of the drum memory unit 419 in the pressure direction PD when the protection member 283 is attached to the process cartridge 100. That is, when the process cartridge 100 to which the protection member 283 is attached is packed inside the main body 1, the memory protection portion 8314b as the first pressure portion presses the drum memory piece 4195 toward the drum memory holder 4192 against the urging force of the drum memory spring 4197. In other words, the memory protection portion 8314b presses the drum memory piece 4195 toward the drum memory holder 4192 against the elastic force of the drum memory spring 4197, thereby pressing the tapered surface 4193 of the drum memory holder 4192 against the tapered surface 1234a.

[0120] As a result, the tapered surface 4193 of the drum memory holder 4192 is pressed against the tapered surface 1234a of the memory guide groove 123 more strongly than when the image forming apparatus 10 is forming an image, i.e., when the process cartridge 100 with the protective member 283 removed is attached to the apparatus main body 1.

[0121] As described above, in this modification, the drum memory holder 4192 and the developing memory holder 4262 are strongly pressed against the tapered surfaces 1234a, 1234b of the memory guide groove 123, so that the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 can be more firmly positioned. Therefore, even if they are subjected to vibrations or shocks during transportation, the drum memory holder 4192 and the developing memory holder 4262 can maintain contact with the tapered surfaces 1234a, 1234b. This suppresses positional fluctuations of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 relative to the drum memory electrode 1235 and the developing memory electrode 1236, and suppresses damage to them.

[0122] As described above, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are float-supported. Therefore, even if the positions of the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 are displaced due to vibration or impact, the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 can maintain a state of contact with the tapered surfaces 1234a and 1234b.

[0123] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which a developer separation engagement portion 8332 is added to the protective member 83 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustrations or will be described by using the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0124] [Protective material] Fig. 19(a) is a perspective view of a protective member 383 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the left side, and Fig. 19(b) is a perspective view of the protective member 383 as viewed from the right side. As shown in Figs. 19(a) and 19(b), the protective member 383 according to the present embodiment is provided with a developer separation engagement portion 8332 at a connecting portion 833. The developer separation engagement portion 8332 extends upward from the connecting portion 833 and also extends in the left-right direction.

[0125] [Development separation] FIG. 20(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 to which the protection member 383 is attached, and FIG. 20(b) is an enlarged view showing the circled portion in FIG. 20(a).

[0126] 2, when the image forming apparatus 10 performs an image forming operation, the developing cartridge 42 is pressurized by the biasing portion 500, so that the developing roller 421 abuts against the photosensitive drum 411 at a predetermined pressure. If the image forming apparatus 10 is subjected to vibrations or shocks during transportation in this state, the photosensitive drum 411 and the developing roller 421 may rub against each other and be damaged.

[0127] In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 is fixed by the protective member 383. In the present embodiment, as shown in Figures 20(a) and 20(b), the relative positional relationship between the drum cartridge 41 and the developing cartridge 42 is fixed with the developing roller 421 spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 411. This reduces the possibility that the photosensitive drum 411 and the developing roller 421 will be damaged during transportation. In the following description, separating the photosensitive drum 411 and the developing roller 421 from each other in this manner will be referred to as "developer separation."

[0128] [Development separation by protective material] Next, the developer separation by the protective member 383 will be described with reference to Figs. 19(a) to 23(b). Fig. 21(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the drum cartridge 41 according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 21(b) is a perspective view and an enlarged perspective view showing the drum cartridge 41. In Fig. 21(b), the circled part in the perspective view is enlarged and shown at the lower right. Fig. 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the developer cartridge 42 according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 22(b) is a perspective view and an enlarged perspective view showing the developer cartridge 42. In Fig. 22(b), the circled part in the perspective view is enlarged and shown at the lower right. Fig. 23(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge 100 to which the protective member 383 is assembled, and Fig. 23(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the developer separation engagement part 8332.

[0129] In this embodiment, the positions of the drum cartridge engaging portions 8311a and 8311b provided on the left surface protection portion 831 of the protection member 383 and the developer housing engaging portion 8313 are set so as to separate the developer. Similarly, the positions of the drum cartridge engaging portions 8321a and 8321b and the developer cartridge engaging portion 8322 of the right surface protection portion 832 are set so as to separate the developer. With this setting, the protection member 383 is engaged with the drum cartridge 41 and the developer cartridge 42, so that the photosensitive drum 411 and the developer roller 421 are separated from each other.

[0130] As shown in Fig. 21(a), the drum frame 410 is formed with a developer separation opening 4106 into which the developer separation engagement portion 8332 can be inserted, and a separation rib receiving portion 4107. As shown in Fig. 21(b), the developer separation opening 4106 and the separation rib receiving portion 4107 extend in the left-right direction. The developer separation opening 4106 and the separation rib receiving portion 4107 are configured to be shorter than the length of the photosensitive drum 411 in the left-right direction (the direction of the rotation axis).

[0131] As shown in Fig. 22(a), a spaced abutment surface 4206 is formed on the bottom of the developing frame 420. As shown in Fig. 22(b), the spaced abutment surface 4206 is a surface that is formed over the entire area of ​​the developing frame 420 in the left-right direction.

[0132] 23(a), when the protective member 383 is attached to the drum cartridge 41 and the developer cartridge 42, the developer separation engagement portion 8332 is inserted into the developer separation opening 4106 from below. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the developer separation engagement portion 8332 penetrates the developer separation opening 4106 and is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 411. In addition, the developer separation engagement portion 8332 is disposed at a position facing the separation rib receiving portion 4107.

[0133] As shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), the developer separation engagement portion 8332 of the protection member 383 is sandwiched between the spacing rib receiving portion 4107 serving as a sandwiching portion of the drum cartridge 41 and the spacing abutment surface 4206 of the developer cartridge 42. More specifically, the developer separation engagement portion 8332 serving as an abutment portion receives a part of the force applied when the developer cartridge 42 is pressed by the urging portion 500 from the spacing abutment surface 4206. In other words, the developer separation engagement portion 8332 receives the urging force of the urging portion 500 by abutting against the spacing abutment surface 4206 of the developer cartridge 42. The spacing rib receiving portion 4107 receives the force from the developer separation engagement portion 8332. In this way, since the force from the biasing portion 500 is received by the developer separation engagement portion 8332 and the separation rib receiving portion 4107, damage to the developer separation engagement portion 8332 can be suppressed even if the developer separation engagement portion 8332 is formed in a thin plate shape.

[0134] Furthermore, in the developer separation state in which the protective member 383 is attached to the process cartridge 100, the developer pressure spring 418 is compressed more than in the state in which the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the sheet S. In this manner, in the present embodiment, the left surface protective portion 831, the right surface protective portion 832, and the developer separation engagement portion 8332 can fix the relative positional relationship between the drum cartridge 41 and the developer cartridge 42 in the developer separation state.

[0135] In the present embodiment, the developer separation is performed by the left surface protection portion 831, the right surface protection portion 832, and the developer separation engagement portion 8332, but is not limited to this. For example, depending on the size and weight of the developer cartridge 42, the developer separation engagement portion 8332 may be omitted, and the developer separation may be performed only by the left surface protection portion 831 and the right surface protection portion 832. However, by applying the developer separation engagement portion 8332, it becomes possible to withstand stronger impacts and vibrations.

[0136] In the present embodiment, the positions of the drum cartridge engaging portions 8311a and 8311b and the developing housing engaging portion 8313 are set so as to separate the developer from the developing portion, but this is not limiting. For example, the positions of the drum housing engaging portion 8312 and the developing housing engaging portion 8313 may be set so as to separate the developer from the developing portion. With this configuration, the drum cartridge engaging portions 8311a and 8311b can be omitted, leading to size reduction and cost reduction.

[0137] [Modification of the second embodiment] Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. In this modified example, the memory protection portion of the protection member 383 of the second embodiment described above is partially modified, as in the modified example of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configurations as those in the second embodiment will not be illustrated or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge 100 to which the protection member 483 according to this modified example is assembled is mounted in the apparatus main body 1.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 24, the protection member 483 according to the modified example of the second embodiment is configured by omitting the memory protection parts 8314a and 8314c of the protection member of the second embodiment. The action of omitting the memory protection parts 8314a and 8314c of the protection member is the same as that of the modified example of the first embodiment described in FIG. 18. That is, when the process cartridge 100 to which the protection member 483 is assembled is packed in the main body 1, the following action is achieved. The memory protection parts 8314b and 8314d strongly press the tapered surface 4193 of the drum memory holder 4192 and the tapered surface 4263 of the developing memory holder 4262 against the tapered surface 1234a and the tapered surface 1234b of the memory guide groove 123. This allows the drum memory unit 419 and the developing memory unit 426 to be more firmly positioned relative to the memory guide groove 123.

[0139] To perform the developer separation in this state, D5-D6 must be optimized. That is, the developer memory guide hole 4203 must take into account the fluctuation due to the developer separation in addition to the fluctuation due to the developer pressure, the fluctuation of the drum cartridge 41, and the fluctuation of the developer cartridge 42. The developer pressure means that the photosensitive drum 411 and the developer roller 421 come into contact with each other with a predetermined pressure.

[0140] On the other hand, since the drum memory guide hole 4104 does not need to take all of these into consideration, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 24, D1-D2 does not need to be set as large as D5-D6.

[0141] As described above, with the simple configuration of using the protective member 483 to separate the developing rollers, it is possible to suppress damage to the photosensitive drum 411 and the developing roller 421 caused by vibrations and impacts during transportation, etc.

[0142] <Other embodiments> Any of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined in any manner. That is, the function of protecting the drum memory unit 419 and the development memory unit 426 described in the first embodiment and its modifications may be combined with the function of the development separation unit described in the second embodiment and its modifications.

[0143] In any of the above-described embodiments, the drum positioning pins 4100a, 4100b, the drum guide pins 4101a, 4101b, the drum memory housing 4103, and the shafts 322a, 322b of the driven roller 322 provided in the drum cartridge 41 engage with the protective members 83, 283, 383, 483, but are not limited to this. That is, it is sufficient that at least one of the drum positioning pins 4100a, 4100b, the drum guide pins 4101a, 4101b, the drum memory housing 4103, and the shafts 322a, 322b of the driven roller 322 provided in the drum cartridge 41 engage with the protective members 83, 283, 383, 483.

[0144] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the developing memory housing 4202 and the protective member engagement pin 4205 provided in the developing cartridge 42 engage with the protective member 83, 283, 383, 483, but this is not limiting. In other words, it is sufficient that at least one of the developing memory housing 4202 and the protective member engagement pin 4205 engages with the protective member 83, 283, 383, 483.

[0145] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following configuration examples and method examples. (Configuration 1) A device body, A first unit that is detachable from the device body; A second unit that is detachable from the first unit; a protection member detachably supported by the first unit and the second unit, the first unit has a photoconductor that carries an electrostatic latent image, a transfer section that transfers a toner image formed on the photoconductor, and a first unit memory section that stores information related to the first unit; the second unit includes a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image carried on the photoconductor into a toner image, a container that contains a developer, and a second unit memory that stores information related to the second unit; the device body has a first body contact portion electrically connectable to the first unit memory portion and a second body contact portion electrically connectable to the second unit memory portion, When the image forming apparatus is packaged, the second unit is attached to the first unit, and when the protection member is attached to the first unit and the second unit, the first unit and the second unit are attached to the apparatus main body. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 2) The first unit has a first engaged portion, The second unit has a second engaged portion, the protective member has a first engaging portion that engages with the first engaged portion and a second engaging portion that engages with the second engaged portion, and determines a relative position of the second unit with respect to the first unit when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) the first unit has a first housing that rotatably supports the photoconductor; the second unit has a second housing that includes the container and rotatably supports the developing roller, the first engaged portion is formed to protrude from a side surface of the first housing in a direction of a rotation axis of the photosensitive member, the second engaged portion is formed so as to protrude from a side surface of the second housing in a rotational axis direction of the developing roller, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, (Configuration 4) the first engaged portion includes a first holding portion that holds the first unit memory portion, The second engaged portion includes a second holding portion that holds the second unit memory portion. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. (Configuration 5) the first engaged portion includes a positioning pin that engages with the device body when the first unit is attached to the device body to position the first unit with respect to the device body; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. (Configuration 6) the device body has a first conveying roller for conveying a sheet, the first unit has a second conveying roller that conveys a sheet by nipping the sheet together with the first conveying roller, the first engaged portion includes a shaft portion of the second conveying roller; 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 2 to 5. (Configuration 7) the developing roller is spaced apart from the photoconductor in a state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the protective member are engaged with the first engaged portion of the first unit and the second engaged portion of the second unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 2 to 6. (Configuration 8) the first unit has a biasing portion that biases the second unit so that the developing roller approaches the photoconductor; The protective member has a contact portion that receives the biasing force of the biasing portion by contacting the second unit. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, (Configuration 9) The first unit has a clamping portion that clamps the abutment portion together with the second unit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, (Configuration 10) The biasing portion has a compression spring, the compression spring is compressed in a state where the protection member is attached to the first unit and the second unit, more than in a state where the image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, (Configuration 11) the first unit has a first holding section that movably holds the first unit memory section, the second unit has a second holding section that movably holds the second unit memory section, the protection member has a first memory engagement portion that engages with the first unit memory portion and a second memory engagement portion that engages with the second unit memory portion, the first unit memory portion is engaged with the first memory engagement portion when the image forming apparatus is packaged, and is separated from the first main body contact portion; the second unit memory portion is engaged with the second memory engagement portion and is spaced from the second main body contact portion when the image forming apparatus is packaged. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) the first unit has a first holding section that movably holds the first unit memory section, the second unit has a second holding section that movably holds the second unit memory section, the first unit memory portion has a first positioned portion that is positioned with respect to a first positioning portion of the device body by abutting against the first positioning portion, the second unit memory portion has a second positioned portion that is positioned with respect to a second positioning portion of the device body by abutting against the second positioning portion, the protection member has a first pressing portion for pressing the first positioned portion of the first unit memory portion against the first positioning portion of the device body and a second pressing portion for pressing the second positioned portion of the second unit memory portion against the second positioning portion of the device body when the image forming apparatus is packaged. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 13) the first unit memory portion includes a first moving member having the first positioned portion, a first contact member, and a first elastic member disposed between the first moving member and the first contact member, the second unit memory portion includes a second moving member having the second positioned portion, a second contact member, and a second elastic member disposed between the second moving member and the second contact member, the first pressing unit, in a state in which the image forming apparatus is packaged, presses the first contact member toward the first moving member against an elastic force of the first elastic member, thereby pressing the first positioned portion of the first moving member against the first positioning portion; the second pressing portion presses the second contact member toward the second moving member against the elastic force of the second elastic member when the image forming apparatus is packaged, thereby pressing the second positioned portion of the second moving member against the second positioning portion. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, (Configuration 14) the first unit memory portion is electrically connected to the first body contact portion in a state in which the first positioned portion is positioned in the first positioning portion of the device body; the second unit memory portion is electrically connected to the second body contact portion in a state in which the second positioned portion is positioned in the second positioning portion of the device body; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 or 13. (Configuration 15) The first unit has a charge removing section that removes the electric potential of the photoconductor. 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 14. (Configuration 16) The first unit and the second unit can be attached to the device body with the protective member removed. 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 14. (Configuration 17) A cartridge comprising: a photoreceptor carrying an electrostatic latent image; a transfer section that transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a sheet; A conveying roller that conveys the sheet toward the transfer unit; a memory unit that stores information about the cartridge; A charge removing unit that removes the potential of the photoconductor. A cartridge characterized by: (Configuration 18) the charge removing unit removes the potential of the photoconductor by irradiating the photoconductor with light, and adjusts the amount of light irradiated onto the photoconductor based on the information stored in the memory unit. 18. A cartridge according to claim 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 1: device body / 41: first unit (drum cartridge) / 42: second unit (developing cartridge) / 83,283,383,483: protective member / 321: first transport roller (driving roller) / 322: second transport roller (driven roller) / 322b: shaft / 410: drum frame (first housing) / 410a,420a: side (left side) / 411: photosensitive member / 413: transfer section (transfer roller) / 416: static elimination part / 418: compression spring (developing pressure spring) / 419: drum memory unit (first unit memory part) / 420: developing frame body (second housing) / 426: developing memory unit (second unit memory part) / 500: biasing part / 1234a: first positioning part (tapered surface) / 1234b: second positioning part (tapered surface) / 1235: first main body contact part (drum memory electrode) / 1236: second main body contact part (developing memory electrode ) / 4100a, 4100b: positioning pin (drum positioning pin) / 4103: first holding portion (drum memory housing) / 4107: clamping portion (separating rib receiving portion) / 4192: first moving member (drum memory holder) / 4193: first positioned portion (tapered surface) / 4195: first contact member (drum memory frame) / 4197: first elastic member (drum memory spring) / 4202: second holding portion (developing memory housing) / 4262: second moving member (developing memory holder) / 4263: second positioning portion (tapered surface) / 4265: second contact member (developing memory piece) / 4267: second elastic member (developing memory spring) / 8314a, 8314b: first memory engagement portion, first pressure portion (memory protection portion) / 8314c, 8314d: second memory engagement portion, second pressure portion (memory protection portion) / 8332: abutment portion (developing separation engagement portion)

Claims

1. A device body, A first unit that is detachable from the device body; A second unit that is detachable from the first unit; a protection member detachably supported by the first unit and the second unit, the first unit has a photoconductor that carries an electrostatic latent image, a transfer section that transfers a toner image formed on the photoconductor, and a first unit memory section that stores information related to the first unit; the second unit includes a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image carried on the photoconductor into a toner image, a container that contains a developer, and a second unit memory that stores information related to the second unit; the device body has a first body contact portion electrically connectable to the first unit memory portion and a second body contact portion electrically connectable to the second unit memory portion, in a state where the image forming apparatus is packaged, the second unit is attached to the first unit, and in a state where the protection member is attached to the first unit and the second unit, the first unit and the second unit are attached to the apparatus main body; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The first unit has a first engaged portion, The second unit has a second engaged portion, the protective member has a first engaging portion that engages with the first engaged portion and a second engaging portion that engages with the second engaged portion, and defines a relative position of the second unit with respect to the first unit in a state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. the first unit has a first housing that rotatably supports the photoconductor; the second unit has a second housing that includes the container and rotatably supports the developing roller, the first engaged portion is formed to protrude from a side surface of the first housing in a direction of a rotation axis of the photosensitive member, the second engaged portion is formed so as to protrude from a side surface of the second housing in a rotational axis direction of the developing roller, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. the first engaged portion includes a first holding portion that holds the first unit memory portion, the second engaged portion includes a second holding portion that holds the second unit memory portion; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

5. the first engaged portion includes a positioning pin that engages with the device body when the first unit is attached to the device body to position the first unit with respect to the device body; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

6. the device body has a first conveying roller for conveying a sheet, the first unit includes a second conveying roller that conveys a sheet by nipping the sheet together with the first conveying roller, the first engaged portion includes a shaft portion of the second conveying roller; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

7. the developing roller is spaced apart from the photoconductor in a state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the protective member are engaged with the first engaged portion of the first unit and the second engaged portion of the second unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

8. the first unit has a biasing portion that biases the second unit so that the developing roller approaches the photoconductor; The protective member has a contact portion that receives the biasing force of the biasing portion by contacting the second unit.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. The first unit has a clamping portion that clamps the abutment portion together with the second unit.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. The biasing portion has a compression spring, the compression spring is compressed in a state where the protection member is attached to the first unit and the second unit, more than in a state where the image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

11. the first unit has a first holding section that movably holds the first unit memory section, the second unit has a second holding section that movably holds the second unit memory section, the protection member has a first memory engagement portion that engages with the first unit memory portion and a second memory engagement portion that engages with the second unit memory portion, the first unit memory portion is engaged with the first memory engaging portion when the image forming apparatus is in a packaged state, and is separated from the first main body contact portion; the second unit memory portion is engaged with the second memory engaging portion and is spaced from the second main body contact portion when the image forming apparatus is packaged; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

12. the first unit has a first holding section that movably holds the first unit memory section, the second unit has a second holding section that movably holds the second unit memory section, the first unit memory portion has a first positioned portion that is positioned with respect to a first positioning portion of the device body by abutting against the first positioning portion, the second unit memory portion has a second positioned portion that is positioned with respect to a second positioning portion of the device body by abutting against the second positioning portion, the protection member has a first pressure section for pressing the first positioned portion of the first unit memory section against the first positioning portion of the device body when the image forming apparatus is packaged, and a second pressure section for pressing the second positioned portion of the second unit memory section against the second positioning portion of the device body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

13. the first unit memory portion includes a first moving member having the first positioned portion, a first contact member, and a first elastic member disposed between the first moving member and the first contact member, the second unit memory portion includes a second moving member having the second positioned portion, a second contact member, and a second elastic member disposed between the second moving member and the second contact member, the first pressing portion presses the first contact member toward the first moving member against an elastic force of the first elastic member in a state in which the image forming apparatus is packaged, thereby pressing the first positioned portion of the first moving member against the first positioning portion; the second pressing portion presses the second contact member toward the second moving member against the elastic force of the second elastic member when the image forming apparatus is packaged, thereby pressing the second positioned portion of the second moving member against the second positioning portion.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the first unit memory portion is electrically connected to the first body contact portion in a state in which the first positioned portion is positioned in the first positioning portion of the device body, the second unit memory portion is electrically connected to the second body contact portion in a state in which the second positioned portion is positioned in the second positioning portion of the device body; 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

15. the first unit has a charge removing section that removes a potential of the photoconductor; 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

16. The first unit and the second unit are mountable to the device body with the protective member removed.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

17. A cartridge comprising: a photoreceptor carrying an electrostatic latent image; a transfer section that transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a sheet; A conveying roller that conveys the sheet toward the transfer unit; a memory unit that stores information about the cartridge; A charge removing unit that removes the potential of the photoconductor. A cartridge characterized by:

18. the charge removing unit removes the potential of the photoconductor by irradiating the photoconductor with light, and adjusts the amount of light irradiated onto the photoconductor based on the information stored in the memory unit.

18. A cartridge according to claim 17.

Images