Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that facilitates handling of harnesses.SOLUTION: A sub substrate 16 provided in a printer 10 is arranged with a photosensor 83 of an encoder 81. The sub substrate 16 has a connector for a main substrate CN0 that is connected to a main substrate 15 via a first harness 87, a connector for an output part CN1 that is connected to a sheet width sensor 93 via a second harness 95, and a connector for an output part CN2 that is connected to memory terminals 151-153 via a second harness 99. The printer 10 transmits, in addition to a photosensor signal S1, an output part signal S2 from the sheet width sensor 93 and an output part signal S3 from a non-volatile memory 97A to the connector for a main substrate CN0 via the first harness 87.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technology of harnesses in an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus having a motor for driving a roller of a fixing unit or a conveyance roller, and an encoder for detecting rotation information such as the rotation speed and rotation position of the motor. For example, the image forming apparatus described in JP-A-2019-165632 has a DC brushless motor, a photosensor for detecting the rotation amount and rotation direction of the output shaft of the DC brushless motor, and an encoder disk.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, in addition to a photosensor, various other sensors are also required. The image forming apparatus needs to connect the harnesses from various sensors and the harness from the photosensor to the main board respectively. There is a problem that if the harnesses are connected separately, the handling of the harnesses becomes complicated.

[0005] This application is proposed in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the handling of the harness is easy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present application is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and includes a roller for conveying the sheet, a motor for driving the roller, an output unit that outputs an output unit signal indicating information of the image forming apparatus, a main board having a control unit for controlling the motor, a rotating body provided on a rotation shaft of the motor for detecting rotation of the rotation shaft, and a photosensor that detects rotation of the rotating body and outputs a photosensor signal according to the detection content. The encoder includes a sub-board on which the photosensor is disposed, the sub-board having a main-board connector connected to the main board via a first harness, the main-board connector being electrically connected to the photosensor. The sub-board further includes an output-unit connector through which an output unit signal is input via a second harness connected to the output unit, the output-unit connector being electrically connected to the main-board connector. The image forming apparatus transmits the output unit signal to the main board via the first harness in addition to the photosensor signal from the photosensor via the first harness.

[0007] According to this, the photosensor signal of the photosensor is transmitted from the main-board connector of the sub-board to the main board via the first harness. Further, the output unit signal of the output unit is input from the output unit to the sub-board via the second harness and the output-unit connector. Then, the output unit signal is transmitted from the main-board connector to the main board via the first harness. Therefore, the harness for transmitting the photosensor signal of the photosensor to the main board and the harness for transmitting the output unit signal of the output unit to the main board can be combined into the first harness by the sub-board. By combining a plurality of harnesses, the handling of the harnesses becomes easy. Further, by reducing the number of harnesses, the space required for the wiring of the harnesses can be reduced, and thus, the image forming apparatus can be downsized.

[0008] Further, the output unit includes a sheet width sensor for detecting the width of the sheet, the output unit signal includes a signal from the sheet width sensor, and the control unit may be configured to detect the width of the sheet based on the output unit signal of the sheet width sensor.

[0009] According to this, the width of the sheet for forming an image can be detected using the sheet width sensor. It is possible to determine whether the detected sheet width is the sheet width set in the print job. Alternatively, processing (such as image correction) according to the detected sheet width can also be executed. And the signal of the sheet width sensor can be transmitted by the first harness used for the transmission of the photosensor signal. Therefore, the harness required for the transmission of the output unit signal of the sheet width sensor can be integrated into the harness used for the transmission of the photosensor signal.

[0010] Furthermore, an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet is provided, which can mount a process cartridge and the mounted process cartridge is replaceable. The output unit includes a new product detection sensor for detecting whether the process cartridge is new. The output unit signal includes a signal from the new product detection sensor. The control unit determines whether the process cartridge has been replaced with a new one based on the output unit signal of the new product detection sensor. The output unit connector may have a sheet width sensor connector connected to the sheet width sensor and a new product detection connector connected to the new product detection sensor.

[0011] According to this, by using the new product detection sensor, it is possible to determine whether the process cartridge has been replaced with a new one, and then it is possible to determine the timing for replacing the process cartridge. And the harness necessary for transmitting the signal of the new product detection sensor can be integrated into the first harness. Therefore, the harness for transmitting the signal of the new product detection sensor can be further integrated into the harness for transmitting the signal of the sheet width sensor and the photosensor signal. Also, as the output unit connector, by providing the sheet width sensor connector and the new product detection connector separately, the second harness connected to each sensor can be wired to appropriate positions respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, there is an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet, the image forming unit being equipped with a process cartridge that can be mounted and the mounted process cartridge being replaceable. The process cartridge has a developing roller and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can store at least one of the information on the rotation speed of the developing roller and the information on the number of printed sheets. The output unit includes a memory terminal connected to the non-volatile memory. The output unit signal includes a signal from the non-volatile memory. The control unit may be configured to determine the replacement timing of the process cartridge based on the output unit signal of the non-volatile memory.

[0013] According to this, by using the non-volatile memory of the process cartridge, at least one of the information on the rotation speed of the developing roller and the number of printed sheets can be managed. Also, the control unit can determine the replacement timing of the process cartridge based on the information stored in the non-volatile memory. And the harness necessary for transmitting the signal of the non-volatile memory can be integrated into the first harness. Therefore, the harness for transmitting the signal necessary for determining the replacement timing of the process cartridge can be integrated into the harness for the photosensor signal.

[0014] Further, the output unit includes a sheet width sensor for detecting the width of the sheet, the output unit signal includes a signal from the sheet width sensor, the control unit detects the width of the sheet based on the output unit signal of the sheet width sensor, and the output unit connector may be configured to include a memory terminal connector connected to the memory terminal and a sheet width sensor connector connected to the sheet width sensor.

[0015] According to this, it is possible to execute determination of the sheet width set in the print job and the like using the sheet width sensor. And the harness necessary for transmission of the signal of the sheet width sensor can be grouped into the first harness. The harness necessary for transmission of the signal of the sheet width sensor can be further grouped into the harnesses of the non-volatile memory signal and the photosensor signal. Further, by providing separately a memory terminal connector connected to the non-volatile memory and a sheet width sensor connector as the output unit connector, the second harnesses connected to the respective devices can be wired to appropriate positions.

[0016] Further, the plane of the sub-board may be configured to be along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the motor, and the main board connector may be arranged in a state standing in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the sub-board.

[0017] According to this, the sub-board can be arranged to be parallel to the rotation axis of the motor. Also, by providing the main board connector perpendicular to the board plane, the first harness can be inserted and removed from a direction perpendicular to the sub-board. In the image forming apparatus, the space required to arrange the sub-board can be reduced, and the operation of inserting and removing the first harness to and from the main board connector can be made easier.

[0018] Furthermore, there is an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet, the image forming unit including a photosensitive drum and a laser unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light for exposure. The main board connector is disposed at a position between the rotating body and the laser unit in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the motor. The main board may be provided at a position on the opposite side of the main board connector with the laser unit interposed therebetween.

[0019] According to this, a plurality of harnesses for wiring from the main board to the sub-board at a position on the opposite side with the laser unit interposed therebetween can be integrated into one harness. The wiring around the laser unit can be reduced.

[0020] Furthermore, there is an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet, the image forming unit being capable of mounting a process cartridge and the mounted process cartridge being replaceable. The output unit includes a new product detection sensor for detecting whether the process cartridge is new, or a memory terminal connected to a non-volatile memory included in the process cartridge. The sub-board can be configured to selectively include either circuit wiring for connecting the output unit connector and the main board connector and connecting the new product detection sensor to the main board, or circuit wiring for connecting the output unit connector and the main board connector and connecting the memory terminal to the main board.

[0021] According to this, since two circuit wirings are selectable, it is possible to cope with both the case of having a non-volatile memory and the case of having a new product detection sensor as a configuration for determining the replacement timing of the process cartridge. Also, as a sub-board that can be used in both cases, the sub-board can be made common. By enhancing the versatility of the sub-board, the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

[0022] Further, when the circuit wiring that can be selectively connected to any of them includes a memory terminal to which the output unit is connected to the non-volatile memory, the circuit wiring includes a terminal of the main board connector to which power is supplied from the main board via the first harness, and a terminal of the output unit connector that supplies power to the non-volatile memory via the second harness, and the circuit wiring that connects the terminal of the output unit connector to which data read from the non-volatile memory is input via the second harness and the terminal of the main board connector that outputs the read data to the control unit via the first harness. When the output unit includes the new product detection sensor, the circuit wiring includes a terminal of the main board connector to which power is supplied from the main board via the first harness, and a terminal of the output unit connector that supplies power to the light emitting unit of the new product detection sensor via the second harness, and the circuit wiring that connects the terminal of the output unit connector to which a detection signal is input from the light receiving unit of the new product detection sensor via the second harness and the terminal of the main board connector that outputs the detection signal to the control unit via the first harness. It may be configured to include

[0023] According to this, when the output unit includes a memory terminal, power can be supplied to the non-volatile memory from the main board via the circuit wiring of the sub-board. Further, the data read from the non-volatile memory can be output to the control unit via the circuit wiring of the sub-board. Also, when the output unit includes a new product detection sensor, power can be supplied to the light emitting unit of the new product detection sensor from the main board via the circuit wiring of the sub-board. Further, the detection signal of the light receiving unit of the new product detection sensor can be output to the control unit via the circuit wiring of the sub-board. At least a part of the circuit wiring in each configuration can be made common.

[0024] An image forming apparatus to which either a first process cartridge or a second process cartridge is attached, wherein the first process cartridge has a non-volatile memory and a first cartridge terminal connected to the non-volatile memory, the second process cartridge has a new product detection sensor and a second cartridge terminal connected to the new product detection sensor, the main board has a main terminal connected to the control unit and a power terminal for outputting power, the main board connector has a main side sub-terminal connected to the main terminal via the first harness and a power sub-terminal connected to the power terminal via the first harness, the output unit connector has an output unit side sub-terminal connected to the first cartridge terminal or the second cartridge terminal via the second harness, and in the sub-board, circuit wiring is provided such that either connecting the output unit side sub-terminal to the main side sub-terminal or connecting the output unit side sub-terminal to the power sub-terminal can be selected.

[0025] According to this, by selecting the circuit wiring that connects the output unit side sub-terminal to the main side sub-terminal, a signal can be input from the non-volatile memory when the first process cartridge is attached or the new product detection sensor when the second process cartridge is attached to the control unit of the main board via the circuit wiring. Also, by selecting the circuit wiring that connects the output unit side sub-terminal to the power sub-terminal, power can be supplied from the main board to the non-volatile memory when the first process cartridge is attached or the new product detection sensor when the second process cartridge is attached via the circuit wiring. The circuit wiring provided on the sub-board can be selectively used for signal transmission or power supply.

[0026] An image forming apparatus in which either a first process cartridge or a second process cartridge is mounted. The first process cartridge has a non-volatile memory, a power terminal for supplying power to the non-volatile memory, and an RW terminal for reading and writing to the non-volatile memory. The second process cartridge has a new product detection sensor, a light receiving part terminal for outputting a signal from the light receiving part of the new product detection sensor, and a light emitting part terminal for supplying power to the light emitting part of the new product detection sensor. The main board has a first main terminal connected to the control part, a first power terminal for outputting power, a second main terminal connected to the control part, and a second power terminal for outputting power. The main board connector has a first main side sub-terminal connected to the first main terminal via the first harness, a first power sub-terminal connected to the first power terminal via the first harness, a second main side sub-terminal connected to the second main terminal via the first harness, and a second power sub-terminal connected to the second power terminal via the first harness. The output part connector has a first output part side sub-terminal connected to the power terminal of the first process cartridge or the light receiving part terminal of the second process cartridge, and a second output part side sub-terminal connected to the RW terminal of the first process cartridge or the light emitting part terminal of the second process cartridge. The sub-board may be configured such that circuit wiring that can be selectively connected between the first output part side sub-terminal and the second main side sub-terminal or between the first power sub-terminal is wired, and circuit wiring that can be selectively connected between the second output part side sub-terminal and the first main side sub-terminal or between the second power sub-terminal is wired.

[0027] According to this, in the case of an image forming apparatus to which the first process cartridge is attached, power can be supplied from the first power terminal of the main board to the first output unit side sub-terminal via the circuit wiring of the sub-board, and power can be supplied to the non-volatile memory via the power terminal. Also, the RW terminal of the first process cartridge and the first main terminal of the main board can be connected via the circuit wiring of the sub-board. Reading of data from the non-volatile memory to the main board and writing of data from the main board to the non-volatile memory can be executed. Also, in the case of an image forming apparatus to which the second process cartridge is attached, power can be supplied from the second power terminal of the main board to the second output unit side sub-terminal via the circuit wiring of the sub-board, and power can be supplied to the light emitting unit via the light emitting unit terminal. Also, the signal of the light receiving unit can be transmitted from the light receiving unit terminal of the second process cartridge to the second main side sub-terminal via the circuit wiring of the sub-board. The main board can input the signal of the light receiving unit from the second main terminal. In the case of manufacturing either an image forming apparatus to which the first process cartridge is attached or an image forming apparatus to which the second process cartridge is attached, signal transmission and power supply can be executed by appropriately using the circuit wiring provided on the same sub-board. The sub-boards of image forming apparatuses using different process cartridges can be made common.

Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the image forming apparatus according to the present application, the routing of the harness can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the monochrome laser printer according to the first embodiment, which is one embodiment in which the image forming apparatus of the present application is embodied, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the monochrome laser printer 10 according to the first embodiment, showing a cross-sectional view of the monochrome laser printer 10 as seen from the right side. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the control configuration of the monochrome laser printer 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the monochrome laser printer (hereinafter simply referred to as "printer") 10 includes a main body cover 11, a sheet conveying device 12, an image forming unit 13, a main board 15 (see FIG. 2), and a sub-board 16 (see FIG. 2). In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the side where the openable tray 21 of the printer 10 is provided is defined as the front (front) of the printer 10, and when the printer 10 is viewed from the front, the left side is defined as the left side of the printer 10, and the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions will be defined and described. That is, the left side in FIG. 1 will be referred to as "front", the right side as "rear", the upper side as "up", the lower side as "down", the front side as "right", and the back side as "left" for explanation.

[0031] The main body cover 11 has a box shape and houses the sheet conveyance device 12 and the image forming unit 13. The openable and closable tray 21 is provided on the front surface of the main body cover 11 and is rotatably supported with respect to the lower end portion on the front surface of the main body cover 11. The openable and closable tray 21 rotates to the front side to release the opening 22 on the front surface of the main body cover 11, and rotates to the rear side to close the opening 22. The openable and closable tray 21 is provided with a sheet guide 25 that contacts the placed sheet from the width direction (left - right direction) of the sheet and an end guide (not shown) that contacts the rear end of the sheet. The sheet guide 25 is attached to the openable and closable tray 21 so as to be slidable in the left - right direction and contacts the side surface of the placed sheet.

[0032] Also, a pressure plate 23 is provided at the lower part of the main body cover 11. The user can open the openable and closable tray 21 and place a plurality of sheets on the pressure plate 23 and the openable and closable tray 21. The sheets are, for example, standard - sized papers such as A4 size. Note that the sheets are not limited to paper media such as plain paper and thick paper, and may also be other recording media such as OHP films. The pressure plate 23 is rotatably held by the main body cover 11 with its front end as the center. Below the pressure plate 23, a displacement mechanism (not shown) for raising and lowering the rear end side of the pressure plate 23 is provided. The pressure plate 23 is lifted at its rear end by this displacement mechanism prior to printing and assumes an inclined state in which the rear end approaches a pickup roller 27 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] The sheet conveyance device 12 includes a pickup roller 27, a separation roller 28, a pair of conveyance rollers 29, and a pair of discharge rollers 31. The pickup roller 27, the separation roller 28, the conveyance rollers 29, and the discharge rollers 31 are rotatably held by the main body cover 11 about a rotation axis parallel to the left - right direction. Each of the pickup roller 27, the separation roller 28, the conveyance rollers 29, and the discharge rollers 31 is connected to an output gear 33B (see FIG. 4) attached to a rotation shaft 33A (see FIG. 4) of a main motor 33 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the main body cover 11 and rotates as the main motor 33 rotates.

[0034] The pickup roller 27 is provided above the rear end portion of the pressure plate 23. The sheet placed on the pressure plate 23 is discharged from above the pressure plate 23 by the pickup roller 27, and then conveyed upward to the image forming unit 13 along the conveyance path P1 shown in FIG. 1, and discharged from the image forming unit 13 to the discharge tray 34 provided on the upper surface of the front side of the main body cover 11. An openable and closable auxiliary tray 35 is provided at the front end portion of the discharge tray 34.

[0035] The separation roller 28 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 27 in the conveyance path P1, and conveys the sheet while sandwiching it between the separation roller 28 and a conveyance chute 37 provided at the lower end portion at the rear of the main body cover 11. A separation pad is provided on the conveyance chute 37 at a position corresponding to the separation roller 28. The sheet placed on the pressure plate 23 is sent out by the rotation of the pickup roller 27 after driving the above-described displacement mechanism to move the pressure plate 23 closer to the pickup roller 27 side. At this time, the sheets placed on the pressure plate 23 are separated one by one by the separation pad and the separation roller 28 and conveyed.

[0036] A pair of conveyance rollers 29 are provided above the separation roller 28. The pair of conveyance rollers 29 are provided at positions facing each other with the conveyance path P1 sandwiched therebetween in the front-rear direction, and convey the sheets separated by the separation roller 28 to the image forming unit 13.

[0037] The image forming unit 13 includes a laser unit 41, a first process cartridge 43, and a fixing unit 45. The laser unit 41 is provided on the front side within the main body cover 11, at a position above the platen 23, and is attached to a holding frame 107 (see FIG. 3) described later. The laser unit 41 has a laser emitting unit 47 that emits laser light, a polygon mirror 48 that polarizes the laser light emitted from the laser emitting unit 47, a polygon motor 49 that rotates the polygon mirror 48, and so on. The laser unit 41 has a coupling lens, a condenser lens, an fθ lens, a reflecting mirror, etc., converts the laser light emitted from the laser emitting unit 47 into a beam, and irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 51 of the first process cartridge 43 located behind with the beam polarized by the polygon mirror 48. The laser unit 41 irradiates the photosensitive drum 51 with a beam (laser light) to form an electrostatic latent image based on image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0038] The first process cartridge 43 is provided above the pickup roller 27 and has a box shape that is long in the left-right direction. The image forming unit 13 is configured to be detachable from the first process cartridge 43, and the first process cartridge 43 to be installed can be replaced. The first process cartridge 43 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a transfer roller 52, a toner storage unit 53, a supply roller 55, a developing roller 57, a charger 58, and so on. The photosensitive drum 51 is a cylindrical member that extends in the left-right direction. The transfer roller 52 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 51 with the conveyance path P1 interposed therebetween in the front-rear direction. The sheet carried out upward from the conveyance roller 29 is conveyed upward through the first process cartridge 43. The photosensitive drum 51 is rotated by transmitting the rotational driving force of the main motor 33, and conveys the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path P1 upward while sandwiching it between the transfer roller 52.

[0039] The charger 58 is provided above the photoreceptor drum 51 and is, for example, a scorotron type charger having a charging wire or a grid. As shown in FIG. 2, the charger 58 is connected to the high-voltage power supply board 59, and a voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply board 59 to the charging wire. The main board 15 is connected to the high-voltage power supply board 59, and by controlling the high-voltage power supply board 59, the magnitude of the voltage applied from the high-voltage power supply board 59 to the charging wire of the charger 58 is changed. The charger 58 generates a corona discharge by applying a voltage from the high-voltage power supply board 59 to the charging wire, and uniformly positively charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 51. After the photoreceptor drum 51 is positively charged, it is exposed by the laser unit 41 to form an electrostatic latent image. Note that the device for charging the photoreceptor drum 51 is not limited to a scorotron type charger, and other devices such as a roller type charging roller may be used. Also, the polarity for charging the photoreceptor drum 51 is not limited to positive charging, and negative charging may be used.

[0040] The toner storage portion 53 of the first process cartridge 43 stores the toner to be supplied to the photoreceptor drum 51. The supply roller 55 supplies the toner from the toner storage portion 53 to the developing roller 57. The developing roller 57 is rotated by transmitting the rotational driving force of the main motor 33, supplies the toner to the photoreceptor drum 51, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 51, and carries the toner image. The toner carried on the developing roller 57 moves to the electrostatic latent image of the photoreceptor drum 51 due to the potential difference between the developing roller 57 and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 51 to form a toner image. This toner image is transferred onto the sheet by applying a negative voltage to the transfer roller 52 with the photoreceptor drum 51 in contact with the sheet on the conveyance path P1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 45 is provided above the first process cartridge 43 and includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62 provided on the rear side of the heating roller 61 with the transport path P1 therebetween. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred by the first process cartridge 43 is further transported upward along the transport path P1 and reaches the fixing device 45. The heating roller 61 has a heater 61A (see FIG. 2) and heats the sheet by the heat of the heater 61A. Further, the pressure roller 62 is rotated by transmitting the rotational driving force of the main motor 33, presses the sheet toward the heating roller 61, and pressurizes the sheet. Thereby, the fixing device 45 fixes the toner image onto the sheet.

[0042] A pair of discharge rollers 31 are provided above the rear end portion of the discharge tray 34. The pair of discharge rollers 31 are respectively provided at opposing positions with the transport path P1 therebetween in the vertical direction, and are rotated by transmitting the rotational driving force of the main motor 33. The pair of discharge rollers 31 discharge the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 45 to the discharge tray 34.

[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the above-described configuration, the printer 10 has a low-voltage substrate 69. The low-voltage substrate 69 supplies, for example, a DC voltage of 3.3V to the main substrate 15 and supplies a DC voltage of 24V to each part of the printer 10 such as the image forming unit 13.

[0044] The main substrate 15 is a control substrate that comprehensively controls the printer 10 and includes an ASIC 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, an NVRAM 74, and motor drivers 75, 76. The ASIC 71 is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit and has a CPU 77. The ASIC 71 is an example of the control unit of the present application. Note that the control unit of the present application is not limited to an ASIC and may be another device such as a SoC (System on a Chip).

[0045] The ROM 72 stores various control programs for controlling the printer 10, various setting information, and the like. The RAM 73 is, for example, a DRAM, and is used as a work area for reading out various control programs and a storage area for temporarily storing image data based on a print job. The NVRAM 74 is used for storing setting values (such as flag values) used for various processes. The CPU 77 executes processing in accordance with the control program read from the ROM 72, signals input from various sensors (such as the sheet width sensor 93 described later), and the like, and controls each part of the printer 10 while storing the processing results in the RAM 73 and the NVRAM 74.

[0046] Note that the configuration of the main board 15 shown in FIG. 2 is an example. For example, the printer 10 may have an HDD, an SSD, or the like as a non-volatile storage device. Further, the storage medium for storing the control program and the like may be an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0047] The motor drivers 75 and 76 are driver circuits for driving motors. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the mounting states of the main motor 33, the sub-board 16, and the laser unit 41. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the mounting states of the main motor 33, the sub-board 16, and the laser unit 41.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the printer 10 has an encoder 81 that detects the rotation of the main motor 33. The encoder 81 is, for example, an optical encoder and has a rotating body 82 and a photosensor 83. The rotating body 82 is used to detect the rotation of the rotation shaft 33A of the main motor 33, is fixed to the rotation shaft 33A, and rotates together with the rotation shaft 33A. The photosensor 83 is mounted on the sub-board 16 and has, for example, a light-emitting part 83A that is a light-emitting diode and a light-receiving part 83B that is a phototransistor. The photosensor 83 detects the rotation of the rotating body 82 and outputs a photosensor signal S1 according to the detection content. The rotating body 82 is a so-called code wheel, has a disc shape, and has a plurality of slits formed therein. A part of the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 82 is disposed between the light-emitting part 83A and the light-receiving part 83B, and the slit disposed between the light-emitting part 83A and the light-receiving part 83B is changed according to the rotation. Thereby, the state in which light passes from the light-emitting part 83A to the light-receiving part 83B and the state in which the light is blocked are switched, and light pulses are generated. The photosensor 83 outputs an electric signal corresponding to this light pulse as the photosensor signal S1.

[0049] In addition to the above-described photosensor 83, the sub-board 16 has a main-board connector CN0, two output-part connectors CN1 and CN2, a solenoid connector CN3, and a main-motor connector CN4. The main-board connector CN0 is connected to the main board 15 via a first harness 87. The photosensor 83 is electrically connected to the main-board connector CN0 by circuit wiring formed on the sub-board 16, and outputs the photosensor signal S1 to the main board 15 via the first harness 87.

[0050] The motor driver 75 is connected to the main motor connector CN4 via the first harness 87 and the main board connector CN0. The main motor connector CN4 is connected to the main motor 33 via the control line 89. The motor driver 75 outputs the control signal S6 to the main motor 33 via the first harness 87. The main motor 33 is provided with, for example, an amplifier circuit that switches the current supplied to the motor winding. This amplifier circuit has a plurality of switching elements that switch the current, is connected to the control line 89, and performs switching based on the control signal S6 input from the motor driver 75 to switch the current supplied to the winding. The ASIC 71 controls the motor driver 75 based on the photosensor signal S1 input from the photosensor 83 of the encoder 81, that is, based on the encoder information. The motor driver 75 changes the control signal S6 based on the control of the ASIC 71, controls the current supplied to the winding of the main motor 33, and controls the rotation of the main motor 33. Thereby, the rotational operation of each roller (such as the conveyance roller 29) driven by the main motor 33 can be controlled.

[0051] Also, the motor driver 76 is connected to the laser unit 41 via the laser unit harness 91. The main board 15 controls the rotational operation of the polygon motor 49 via the motor driver 76.

[0052] Further, the printer 10 has a sheet width sensor 93 that detects the width of the sheet in the left - right direction. The sheet width sensor 93 has, for example, an optical sensor or the like and is attached near the pickup roller 27. The sheet width sensor 93 outputs different output signals S2 according to the size of the sheet width. For example, when a sheet with a size less than a predetermined sheet width is conveyed, the sheet width sensor 93 outputs a low - level output signal S2, and when a sheet with a size equal to or greater than the predetermined sheet width is conveyed, the sheet width sensor 93 outputs a high - level output signal S2. The output connector CN1 is connected to the sheet width sensor 93 via the second harness 95 and inputs the output signal S2 from the sheet width sensor 93. The output connector CN1 is electrically connected to the main - board connector CN0 by the circuit wiring of the sub - board 16. The sheet width sensor 93 outputs the output signal S2 to the ASIC 71 on the main board 15 via the output connector CN1, the main - board connector CN0, and the first harness 87. Therefore, the sub - board 16 transmits the output signal S2 to the main board 15 via the first harness 87 in addition to the photosensor signal S1 from the photosensor 83. The ASIC 71 detects the width of the sheet supplied from the platen 23 to the image forming unit 13 based on the output signal S2 of the sheet width sensor 93.

[0053] Also, the first process cartridge 43 of the first embodiment has a toner - cartridge substrate 97. The toner - cartridge substrate 97 is provided with a non - volatile memory 97A. Further, the image forming unit 13 is provided with external terminals (not shown) at a portion where the first process cartridge 43 is mounted. These external terminals are connected to the second harness 99 and electrically connect the first process cartridge 43 and the second harness 99 when the first process cartridge 43 is mounted on the image forming unit 13. Thereby, the second harness 99 is electrically connected to the non - volatile memory 97A of the toner - cartridge substrate 97.

[0054] The non-volatile memory 97A is connected to the output unit connector CN2 via the second harness 99. Also, the output unit connector CN2 is electrically connected to the main board connector CN0 by the circuit wiring of the sub-board 16. Therefore, the non-volatile memory 97A is connected to the ASIC 71 on the main board 15 via the second harness 99, the sub-board 16, and the first harness 87, and transmits and receives the output unit signal S3 to and from the ASIC 71. The ASIC 71 measures the rotation speed of the developing roller 57, outputs the measured rotation speed information as the output unit signal S3, and writes it to the non-volatile memory 97A. The ASIC 71 increases the rotation speed stored in the non-volatile memory 97A in response to the driving of the developing roller 57. Also, the ASIC 71 measures the number of printed sheets, outputs the measured printed sheet number information as the output unit signal S3, and writes it to the non-volatile memory 97A. The ASIC 71 increases the printed sheet number stored in the non-volatile memory 97A in response to the execution of printing. Then, the ASIC 71 reads out the rotation speed information and the printed sheet number information of the developing roller 57 from the non-volatile memory 97A as the output unit signal S3 based on a predetermined condition, and determines the replacement timing of the first process cartridge 43. The predetermined condition here is, for example, the condition that the power of the printer 10 is turned on and the system startup is completed, or the condition that a print job is received. The ASIC 71 determines that the replacement of the first process cartridge 43 is necessary and notifies the user when, for example, the rotation speed or the printed sheet number read from the non-volatile memory 97A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Note that the ASIC 71 may store at least one of the rotation speed and the printed sheet number information in the non-volatile memory 97A and determine the replacement timing of the first process cartridge 43 based on at least one of the information.

[0055] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 has a solenoid 101. The solenoid 101 is a so-called electromagnetic clutch, and can switch between a transmission state in which the rotational driving force of the main motor 33 is transmitted to the separation roller 28 and the pickup roller 27, and a non-transmission state in which the rotational driving force of the main motor 33 is not transmitted to the separation roller 28 and the pickup roller 27. The solenoid 101 is connected to the solenoid connector CN3 via a solenoid harness 103. The solenoid connector CN3 is connected to the main board connector CN0 by the circuit wiring of the sub-board 16. The ASIC 71 outputs a control signal S4 to the solenoid 101 via the first harness 87, and switches between the transmission state and the non-transmission state of the solenoid 101.

[0056] Further, the sub-board 16 is connected to the fuser 45 via a fuser harness 105. The ASIC 71 outputs a control signal S5 to the fuser 45 via the first harness 87, the main board connector CN0, and the fuser harness 105, and switches the on / off of the heater 61A. Thereby, the temperature of the heater 61A can be controlled to a predetermined target temperature.

[0057] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the sub-board 16, the main motor 33, and the laser unit 41 are attached to a resin holding frame 107. Note that FIG. 4 omits the illustration of the holding frame 107. Further, a first process cartridge 43 is detachably attached to the rear side of the holding frame 107. The second harness 99 is wired from the output unit connector CN2 to the mounting position of the first process cartridge 43.

[0058] The holding frame 107 is held on both left and right sides in the lateral direction by two resin frames 108 and 109. The resin frame 108 is provided on the left side of the holding frame 107. A sheet width sensor 93, a solenoid 101, etc. are attached to the resin frame 108. The second harness 95 is wired from the output unit connector CN1 to the sheet width sensor 93 of the resin frame 108. Also, the solenoid harness 103 is wired from the solenoid connector CN3 to the solenoid 101 of the resin frame 108. Further, the resin frame 109 is provided on the right side of the holding frame 107. The main board 15 is attached to the right side (outer side) of the resin frame 109. The laser unit 41 is attached to the upper surface of the holding frame 107. The laser unit harness 91 connects the laser unit 41 and the main board 15 through a through hole 109A formed in the resin frame 109.

[0059] Also, the main motor 33 is held by a motor case 111 (see FIG. 4) attached to the upper surface of the holding frame 107. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state where the motor case 111 is removed. The sub-board 16 is attached to the motor case 111. The sub-board 16 is attached to the motor case 111 in a state where the plane of the sub-board 16 is along a direction parallel to the axial direction (in the lateral direction in the present embodiment) of the rotation shaft 33A of the main motor 33. On the rear surface of the sub-board 16, in order from the right side, a main board connector CN0, output unit connectors CN1 and CN2, a solenoid connector CN3, and a main motor connector CN4 are provided. Therefore, the main board connector CN0 is provided at the rightmost position in the lateral direction among the five connectors, that is, at the position closest to the laser unit 41 and the resin frame 109.

[0060] The main board connector CN0 is arranged in a state of standing perpendicular to the plane of the sub-board 16. The main board connector CN0 is attached to the sub-board 16 so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the sub-board 16. Further, when the sub-board 16 is attached to the motor case 111, the main board connector CN0 is arranged at a position between the rotating body 82 and the laser unit 41 in the axial direction of the rotation axis 33A of the main motor 33 (in the left-right direction in this embodiment). Therefore, the main board 15 is provided at a position on the right side, with the laser unit 41 interposed therebetween, and on the opposite side of the main board connector CN0 in the left-right direction. The first harness 87 is drawn from the main board 15 on the right side of the resin frame 109 to the left side of the resin frame 109 through the through hole 109B formed in the resin frame 109, and then wired on the upper surface of the laser unit 41 from the right side to the left side. Then, the first harness 87 is connected to the sub-board 16 via the main board connector CN0 at a position on the left side of the laser unit 41 and between the rotating body 82 and the laser unit 41.

[0061] Next, the circuit wiring of the sub-board 16 that is connected to the second harness 99 will be described. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the connection between the main board 15 and the first process cartridge 43. The sub-board 16 has circuit wirings 131, 136, 133, 137, 135 for connecting the second harness 99 connected to the toner cartridge substrate 97 (non-volatile memory 97A) of the first process cartridge 43 of the first embodiment to the main board 15, and also has circuit wirings 132, 134 for connecting the new product detection sensor 181 (see FIG. 6) of the second process cartridge 43A of the second embodiment to the main board 15. And the sub-board 16 can be compatible with both the first and second process cartridges 43, 43A by changing the connection of the circuit wirings 131 to 137. For this reason, in the following description, the circuit wirings and terminals related to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the circuit wirings and terminals related to the second embodiment will be described later in the second embodiment.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the ASIC 71 has a data terminal 113 and a sensor terminal 114. The main board 15 has a first power terminal 120, a second main terminal 121 connected to the sensor terminal 114, a first main terminal 122 connected to the data terminal 113, a second power terminal 123, and a ground terminal 124 for the reference potential. The main board connector CN0 has a first power sub-terminal 125, a second main-side sub-terminal 126, a first main-side sub-terminal 127, a second power sub-terminal 128, and a main-side ground terminal 129. Each of the first power terminal 120, the second main terminal 121, the first main terminal 122, the second power terminal 123, and the ground terminal 124 is connected to the first power sub-terminal 125, the second main-side sub-terminal 126, the first main-side sub-terminal 127, the second power sub-terminal 128, and the main-side ground terminal 129 of the main board connector CN0 via the first harness 87 in this order.

[0063] Circuit wirings 131 to 137 are formed on the sub-board 16. The output connector CN2 has a first output-side sub-terminal 141, a second output-side sub-terminal 142, and an output-side ground terminal 143. Further, the toner cartridge board 97 has three memory terminals 151 to 153. The memory terminal 151 is connected to a power supply terminal 161 of the non-volatile memory 97A. The memory terminal 151 is connected to the first output-side sub-terminal 141 of the output connector CN2 via the second harness 99. One end of the circuit wiring 131 is connected to the first power sub-terminal 125 of the main-board connector CN0, and the other end is connected to the circuit wiring 136 via the jumper wire 171. One end of the circuit wiring 136 is connected to the jumper wire 171, and the other end is connected to the first output-side sub-terminal 141. Therefore, the first power terminal 120 of the main board 15 is connected to the terminal 161 of the non-volatile memory 97A via the first harness 87, the circuit wirings 131 and 136, the jumper wire 171, and the second harness 99. The main board 15 supplies 3.3 V of power from the first power terminal 120 to the terminal 161 of the non-volatile memory 97A. In other words, the sub-board 16 has the circuit wirings 131 and 136 that connect the first power sub-terminal 125 of the main-board connector CN0, to which power is supplied from the main board 15 via the first harness 87, and the first output-side sub-terminal 141 of the output connector CN2, which supplies power to the non-volatile memory 97A via the second harness 99. Incidentally, a wiring branched from the circuit wiring 136 is wired to a position where it can be connected to the circuit wiring 132, but is not connected to the circuit wiring 132. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, this end of the circuit wiring 136 is connected to the circuit wiring 132 via the jumper wire 201. Thereby, the circuit wiring 136 functions as a circuit wiring that connects the ASIC 71 and the new product detection sensor 181.

[0064] Also, the memory terminal 152 of the first process cartridge 43 is connected to the data terminal 162 of the non-volatile memory 97A. The memory terminal 152 is connected to the second output section side sub-terminal 142 of the output section connector CN2 via the second harness 99. One end of the circuit wiring 133 is connected to the first main side sub-terminal 127 of the main board connector CN0, and the other end is connected to the circuit wiring 137 via the jumper wire 172. One end of the circuit wiring 137 is connected to the circuit wiring 137, and the other end is connected to the second output section side sub-terminal 142 of the output section connector CN2. Therefore, the first main terminal 122 of the ASIC 71 is connected to the terminal 162 of the non-volatile memory 97A via the first harness 87, the circuit wirings 133 and 137, the jumper wire 172, and the second harness 99. The ASIC 71 inputs the output section signal S3 output from the terminal 162 to the data terminal 113 and executes reading of data from the non-volatile memory 97A. Also, the ASIC 71 outputs the output section signal S3 from the data terminal 113 to the terminal 162 and executes writing of data to the non-volatile memory 97A. In other words, the sub-board 16 has the circuit wirings 133 and 137 that connect the output section signal S3 read from the non-volatile memory 97A to the second output section side sub-terminal 142 of the output section connector CN2 input via the second harness 99 and to the first main side sub-terminal 127 of the main board connector CN0 that outputs the read output section signal S3 to the ASIC 71 via the first harness 87. Although a wiring branched from the circuit wiring 137 is wired to a position where it can be connected to the circuit wiring 134, it is not connected to the circuit wiring 134. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, this end portion of the circuit wiring 137 is connected to the circuit wiring 134 via the jumper wire 202. Thereby, the circuit wiring 137 functions as a circuit wiring that supplies power from the main board 15 to the new product detection sensor 181.

[0065] Furthermore, the method of electrically connecting circuit wiring 131 and circuit wiring 136, and circuit wiring 133 and circuit wiring 137 is not limited to the method using jumper wires 171 and 172. For example, other conductive members such as Japan pins may be used for connection. Alternatively, a member for switching the connection of rotational wiring such as a slide switch may be used. In this case, using a slide switch, the circuit wiring connected to circuit wiring 136 may be made switchable between circuit wiring 131 and circuit wiring 132. Also, using a slide switch, the circuit wiring connected to circuit wiring 137 may be made switchable between circuit wiring 133 and circuit wiring 134. Alternatively, each circuit wiring may be connected by a wiring pattern formed on the substrate. The same applies to the jumper wires 201 and 202 of the second embodiment.

[0066] Also, the ground terminal 124 of the main board 15 is connected to the main-side ground terminal 129 of the main-board connector CN0 via the first harness 87. The main-side ground terminal 129 is connected to the output-side ground terminal 143 of the output-unit connector CN2 via the circuit wiring 135. The output-side ground terminal 143 is connected to the memory terminal 153 of the first process cartridge 43 via the second harness 99. The memory terminal 153 is connected to the reference-potential terminal 163 of the nonvolatile memory 97A. The ground (GND), which is the reference potential of the main board 15, is connected to the terminal 163 via the ground terminal 124, the first harness 87, the circuit wiring 135, and the second harness 99. The nonvolatile memory 97A executes data writing and reading with reference to the reference potential supplied to the terminal 163.

[0067] As described above, according to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The sub-board 16 included in the printer 10 of this embodiment is provided with a photo-sensor 83 of an encoder 81. Further, the sub-board 16 has a main-board connector CN0 connected to the main board 15 via a first harness 87, an output-section connector CN1 connected to a sheet-width sensor 93 via a second harness 95, and an output-section connector CN2 connected to memory terminals 151 to 153 via a second harness 99. Then, the printer 10 transmits, via the first harness 87, in addition to the photo-sensor signal S1, the output-section signal S2 of the sheet-width sensor 93 and the output-section signal S3 of the non-volatile memory 97A to the main-board connector CN0.

[0068] According to this, the harness for transmitting the photo-sensor signal S1 of the photo-sensor 83 to the main board 15 and the harnesses for transmitting the output-section signals S2 and S3 of the sheet-width sensor 93 and the non-volatile memory 97A to the main board 15 can be integrated into the first harness 87 by the sub-board 16. By integrating a plurality of harnesses, the handling of the harnesses becomes easy. Also, by reducing the number of harnesses, the space required for the wiring of the harnesses can be reduced, and thus, the printer 10 can be downsized.

[0069] (2) Also, in the first embodiment, the output-section signal S2 of the sheet-width sensor 93 is input to the ASIC 71 via the sub-board 16 and the first harness 87. The ASIC 71 detects the width of the sheet based on the output-section signal S2 of the sheet-width sensor 93. According to this, the ASIC 71 can determine, based on the output-section signal S2 of the sheet-width sensor 93, whether the detected width of the sheet is the sheet width set in the print job. And the output-section signal S2 of the sheet-width sensor 93 can be transmitted by the first harness 87 used for transmitting the photo-sensor signal S1. Therefore, the harness required for transmitting the output-section signal S2 of the sheet-width sensor 93 can be integrated into the harness used for transmitting the photo-sensor signal S1.

[0070] (3) Further, the non-volatile memory 97A of the first process cartridge 43 can store information on the rotation speed of the developing roller 57 and the number of printed sheets. The toner cartridge substrate 97 has memory terminals 151 to 153 connected to the non-volatile memory 97A. The ASIC 71 determines the replacement timing of the first process cartridge 43 based on the output unit signal S3 input from the non-volatile memory 97A via the memory terminal 152.

[0071] According to this, the ASIC 71 can determine the replacement timing of the first process cartridge 43 based on the information stored in the non-volatile memory 97A. And the harness necessary for transmitting the output unit signal S3 of the non-volatile memory 97A can be grouped into the first harness 87. Therefore, the harness for transmitting the signal necessary for determining the replacement timing of the first process cartridge 43 can be grouped into the harness of the photosensor signal S1. In addition to the information on the rotation speed of the developing roller 57 and the number of printed sheets, the non-volatile memory 97A may store information such as the compatible models of the first process cartridge 43, the specifications of the first process cartridge 43, the toner capacity, the life of the developing roller 57, and information indicating whether the first process cartridge 43 is new.

[0072] (4) Further, the sub-board 16 has an output unit connector CN2 connected to the memory terminals 151 to 153 and an output unit connector CN1 connected to the sheet width sensor 93. According to this, by separately providing the output unit connector CN2 connected to the non-volatile memory 97A and the output unit connector CN1 connected to the sheet width sensor 93, the second harnesses 95 and 99 connected to each device can be wired to appropriate positions.

[0073] (5) Also, the plane of the sub-board 16 is along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotation axis 33A of the main motor 33 (see FIG. 4). The main-board connector CN0 is arranged in a state standing perpendicular to the plane of the sub-board 16. According to this, the sub-board 16 can be arranged to be parallel to the rotation axis 33A of the main motor 33. Also, by providing the main-board connector CN0 perpendicular to the board plane, the first harness 87 can be inserted and removed from a direction perpendicular to the sub-board 16. In the printer 10, the space required to arrange the sub-board 16 can be reduced, and the operation of inserting and removing the first harness 87 to and from the main-board connector CN0 can be made easier.

[0074] (6) Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the main-board connector CN0 is arranged at a position between the rotating body 82 and the laser unit 41 in the axial direction of the rotation axis 33A of the main motor 33. The main board 15 is provided at a position on the opposite side of the main-board connector CN0 with the laser unit 41 interposed therebetween. According to this, a plurality of harnesses for wiring from the main board 15 to the sub-board 16 at a position on the opposite side with the laser unit 41 interposed therebetween can be grouped into one harness. The wiring around the laser unit 41 can be reduced.

[0075] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present application will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, the printer 10 including the first process cartridge 43 having the non-volatile memory 97A was described. In contrast, the second process cartridge 43A included in the printer 10A of the second embodiment is different from the first process cartridge 43 of the first embodiment in that it does not have the non-volatile memory 97A and has a new product detection sensor 181. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the printer 10A (monochrome laser printer) according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the mounting states of the main motor 33, the sub-board 16, and the laser unit 41 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the connection between the main board 15 and the second process cartridge 43A according to the second embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the second process cartridge 43A is different from the first process cartridge 43 of the first embodiment in that it does not have the toner cartridge substrate 97 (non-volatile memory 97A). On the other hand, the second process cartridge 43A of the second embodiment has a new product detection sensor 181 and a new product detection gear 182 as devices for determining the replacement timing. The new product detection sensor 181 is connected to the output unit connector CN2 of the sub-board 16 via the second harness 99. The new product detection gear 182 is, for example, a gear provided in the second process cartridge 43A and used for determining the newness or oldness of the second process cartridge 43A. The new product detection gear 182 is connected to the output gear 33B of the main motor 33 via a gear mechanism (not shown) provided in the second process cartridge 43A, and receives a rotational driving force from the main motor 33. The new product detection gear 182 is provided with a toothless gear at a predetermined position in the rotational direction. This toothless gear is arranged at a position (hereinafter referred to as the power transmission position) where it meshes with the gear mechanism connected to the output gear 33B when a new second process cartridge 43A is mounted on the image forming unit 13.

[0077] When the ASIC 71 executes a new product detection operation to determine whether the second process cartridge 43A is new, it drives the main motor 33 to drive the gear mechanism. The new product detection gear 182 is arranged at the above-described power transmission position when a new second process cartridge 43A is mounted on the image forming unit 13, that is, in the case of the new product detection gear 182 of the new second process cartridge 43A, and is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle by having power transmitted through the toothless gear.

[0078] On the other hand, the new product detection gear 182 of the second process cartridge 43A for which the new product detection operation has been executed once, that is, the second process cartridge 43A that is not new, is in a state where the toothless gear has rotated by a predetermined rotation angle from the power transmission position. For this reason, when the second process cartridge 43A that is not new is mounted on the image forming unit 13, the new product detection gear 182 is not at the operation transmission position even if the new product detection operation is executed, and thus does not receive the rotational driving force from the main motor 33 and does not rotate.

[0079] The new product detection gear 182 is provided with a detected portion at a predetermined rotational position. This detected portion is, for example, a rod-shaped member that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral portion of the new product detection gear 182. The new product detection sensor 181 is, for example, a photo sensor, and as shown in FIG. 8, it has a light emitting portion 184 that is a light emitting diode and a light receiving portion 185 that is a photo transistor. As described above, when the new second process cartridge 43A is mounted on the image forming unit 13 and the new product detection operation is executed, the new product detection gear 182 rotates by a predetermined rotation angle, and the detected portion crosses the detection area of the new product detection sensor 181. That is, the light traveling from the light emitting portion 184 toward the light receiving portion 185 is blocked. Thereby, the ASIC 71 can determine whether or not the new second process cartridge 43A has been replaced based on the output unit signal S7 of the new product detection sensor 181. Further, the ASIC 71 can determine the replacement timing of the second process cartridge 43A by measuring the rotation speed of the developing roller 57 and the number of printed sheets with reference to the time point when it is determined that the new second process cartridge 43A has been replaced. Specifically, for example, when the rotation speed and the number of printed sheets after replacement become equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, the ASIC 71 determines that the second process cartridge 43A needs to be replaced and notifies the user. Note that the configuration of the device used for determining whether or not it is a new product as described above is an example. For example, the device for detecting the rotation of the new product detection gear 182 is not limited to a photo sensor, and may be a magnetic sensor or an electromagnetic induction sensor.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 8, the second process cartridge 43A has a light-receiving unit terminal 193, a light-emitting unit terminal 194, and a ground terminal 195. When the second process cartridge 43A is mounted on the image forming unit 13, the light-receiving unit terminal 193, the light-emitting unit terminal 194, and the ground terminal 195 are electrically connected to the second harness 99 via external terminals (not shown) provided in the mounting unit. The collector terminal of the light-receiving unit 185 is connected to the light-receiving unit terminal 193, and the emitter terminal is connected to the ground terminal 195. The light-receiving unit terminal 193 is connected to the first output unit side sub-terminal 141 of the output unit connector CN2 via the second harness 99. One end of the circuit wiring 136 of the second embodiment is connected to the first output unit side sub-terminal 141 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the other end is connected to the circuit wiring 132 via the jumper wire 201. Also, unlike the first embodiment, the circuit wiring 136 of the second embodiment is not connected to the circuit wiring 131. One end of the circuit wiring 132 is connected to the jumper wire 201, and the other end is connected to the second main side sub-terminal 126 of the main board connector CN0. The second main side sub-terminal 126 is connected to the second main terminal 121 of the main board 15 via the first harness 87 and is connected to the sensor terminal 114 of the ASIC 71. Also, the sensor terminal 114 is connected to a 3.3V power supply via the pull-up resistor 115. Further, the ground terminal 195 of the second process cartridge 43A is connected to the circuit wiring 135 via the second harness 99 and the output unit side ground terminal 143, and is connected to the ground (GND) of the main board 15 via the ground terminal 124.

[0081] Also, the anode terminal of the light emitting unit 184 is connected to the light emitting unit terminal 194, and the cathode terminal is connected to the ground terminal 195. The light emitting unit terminal 194 is connected to the second output unit side sub-terminal 142 of the output unit connector CN2 via the second harness 99. One end of the circuit wiring 137 of the second embodiment is connected to the second output unit side sub-terminal 142, similar to the first embodiment, and the other end is connected to the circuit wiring 134 via the jumper wire 202. Different from the first embodiment, the circuit wiring 137 of the second embodiment is not connected to the circuit wiring 133. One end of the circuit wiring 134 is connected to the jumper wire 202, and the other end is connected to the second power sub-terminal 128 of the main board connector CN0. The second power sub-terminal 128 is connected to the second power terminal 123 of the main board 15 via the first harness 87, and is supplied with 3.3V power from the main board 15.

[0082] The ASIC 71 causes the light emitting unit 184 to emit light by applying a voltage from the second power terminal 123 of the main board 15 to the light emitting unit 184 in accordance with the execution of the new product detection operation. When the light receiving unit 185 is in a state of receiving the light from the light emitting unit 184, the phototransistor of the light receiving unit 185 is turned on. Therefore, the ASIC 71 inputs the output unit signal S7 of the reference potential from the sensor terminal 114. On the other hand, when the new product detection gear 182 rotates and the light from the light emitting unit 184 to the light receiving unit 185 is blocked, the phototransistor is turned off while it is blocked. The ASIC 71 inputs the output unit signal S7 of 3.3V from the sensor terminal 114 via the pull-up resistor 115. For example, when the potential of the output unit signal S7 is maintained at the reference potential in the new product detection operation, the ASIC 71 determines that the second process cartridge 43A is not a new product. Also, in the new product detection operation, when the output unit signal S7 rises from the reference potential to 3.3V and then falls back to the reference potential again, the ASIC 71 determines that it is a new second process cartridge 43A. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the replaced second process cartridge 43A is a new product.

[0083] According to the above-described second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved. Further, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (1) The second process cartridge 43A of the second embodiment has a new product detection sensor 181 for detecting whether the second process cartridge 43A is new. The ASIC 71 determines whether the second process cartridge 43A has been replaced with a new one based on the output signal S7 of the light receiving portion 185 of the new product detection sensor 181. The sub-board 16 has an output connector CN1 connected to the sheet width sensor 93 and an output connector CN2 connected to the new product detection sensor 181.

[0084] According to this, the harness necessary for transmitting the output signal S7 of the new product detection sensor 181 can be integrated into the first harness 87. Therefore, the harness for transmitting the output signal S2 of the sheet width sensor 93 and the photo sensor signal S1 can be further integrated with the harness for transmitting the output signal S7 of the new product detection sensor 181. Further, by separately providing the output connector CN1 for the sheet width sensor 93 and the output connector CN2 for the new product detection sensor 181, the second harnesses 95 and 99 connected to each sensor can be wired to appropriate positions.

[0085] Also, as described above, the printers 10 and 10A of the first and second embodiments have common circuit wirings 131 to 137 on the sub-board 16 (see FIGS. 5 and 8). By changing the circuit wirings 131 to 137 connected by the jumper wires 171, 172, 201, and 202, it is possible to be compatible with both the configuration for connecting the first process cartridge 43 of the first embodiment and the configuration for connecting the second process cartridge 43A of the second embodiment. The printers 10 and 10A of the first and second embodiments have the following effects.

[0086] (1) The first process cartridge 43 of the first embodiment has memory terminals 151 to 153 connected to the non-volatile memory 97A. The second process cartridge 43A of the second embodiment has a new product detection sensor 181 for detecting whether the second process cartridge 43A is new. Then, the sub-board 16 has circuit wirings 131, 133, 135, 136, 137 for connecting the output unit connector CN2 and the main board connector CN0 and connecting the memory terminals 151 to 153 to the main board connector CN0 (see FIG. 5), and circuit wirings 132, 134, 135, 136, 137 for connecting the output unit connector CN2 and the main board connector CN0 and connecting the new product detection sensor 181 to the main board connector CN0 (see FIG. 8), and either one can be selected.

[0087] According to this, since two sets of circuit wirings 131 to 137 can be selected, as a configuration for determining the replacement timing of the first and second process cartridges 43 and 43A, it is possible to correspond to both the case of having the non-volatile memory 97A and the case of having the new product detection sensor 181. In addition, as the sub-board 16 that can be used in both cases, the sub-board 16 can be made common. By enhancing the versatility of the sub-board 16, the manufacturing cost of the printer 10 can be reduced.

[0088] (2) Further, in the first embodiment, the circuit wirings 131 and 136 connect the first power sub-terminal 125 of the main board connector CN0 to which power is supplied from the main board 15 via the first harness 87, and the first output unit side sub-terminal 141 of the output unit connector CN2 that supplies power to the non-volatile memory 97A via the second harness 99. Also, the circuit wirings 133 and 137 connect the second output unit side sub-terminal 142 to which data (output unit signal S3) read from the non-volatile memory 97A is input via the second harness 99, and the first main side sub-terminal 127 that outputs the read data to the ASIC 71 via the first harness 87. Also, in the second embodiment, the circuit wirings 134 and 137 connect the second power sub-terminal 128 of the main board connector CN0 to which power is supplied from the main board 15 via the first harness 87, and the second output section side sub-terminal 142 of the output section connector CN2 that supplies power to the light emitting section 184 of the new product detection sensor 181 via the second harness 99. Further, the circuit wirings 132 and 136 connect the first output section side sub-terminal 141 to which the output section signal S7 is input from the light receiving section 185 of the new product detection sensor 181 via the second harness 99, and the second main side sub-terminal 126 that outputs the output section signal S7 to the ASIC 71 via the first harness 87.

[0089] According to this, in the first embodiment, power can be supplied from the main board 15 to the non-volatile memory 97A via the circuit wirings 131 and 136 of the sub-board 16. Further, the data read from the non-volatile memory 97A can be output to the ASIC 71 via the circuit wirings 133 and 137 of the sub-board 16. Also, in the second embodiment, power can be supplied from the main board 15 to the light emitting section 184 of the new product detection sensor 181 via the circuit wirings 134 and 137 of the sub-board 16. Further, the output section signal S7 of the light receiving section 185 of the new product detection sensor 181 can be output to the ASIC 71 via the circuit wirings 132 and 136 of the sub-board 16. The circuit wirings 136 and 137 in each configuration can be made common.

[0090] (3) Further, the main board 15 has a second main terminal 121 connected to the ASIC 71, a first main terminal 122, a first power terminal 120, and a second power terminal 123. The main board connector CN0 has a second main side sub-terminal 126 connected to the second main terminal 121 via the first harness 87, and a first main side sub-terminal 127 connected to the first main terminal 122 via the first harness 87. Further, the main board connector CN0 has a first power sub-terminal 125 connected to the first power terminal 120 via the first harness 87, and a second power sub-terminal 128 connected to the second power terminal 123 via the first harness 87. Also, the output unit connector CN2 has a first output unit side sub-terminal 141 connected to the memory terminal 151 of the first process cartridge 43 or the light receiving unit terminal 193 of the second process cartridge 43A via the second harness 99. Further, the output unit connector CN2 has a second output unit side sub-terminal 142 connected to the memory terminal 152 of the first process cartridge 43 or the light emitting unit terminal 194 of the second process cartridge 43A via the second harness 99. And in the sub-board 16, circuit wirings 133, 134 are formed such that either connecting the second output unit side sub-terminal 142 to the first main side sub-terminal 127 or connecting the second output unit side sub-terminal 142 to the second power sub-terminal 128 can be selected. Also, in the sub-board 16, circuit wirings 131, 132 are formed such that either connecting the first output unit side sub-terminal 141 to the second main side sub-terminal 126 or connecting the first output unit side sub-terminal 141 to the first power sub-terminal 125 can be selected.

[0091] According to this, by selecting the circuit wirings 131 to 137, a signal can be input from the non-volatile memory 97A when the first process cartridge 43 is mounted, or from the new product detection sensor 181 when the second process cartridge 43A is mounted, to the ASIC 71 of the main board 15 via the circuit wirings 131 to 137. Also, by selecting the circuit wirings 131 to 137, power can be supplied from the main board 15 to the non-volatile memory 97A or the new product detection sensor 181 via the circuit wirings 131 to 137. The circuit wirings 131 to 137 provided on the sub-board 16 can be selectively used for signal transmission or power supply.

[0092] (4) Also, on the sub-board 16, circuit wirings 131, 132, 136 are formed that can be selectively connected between the first output section side sub-terminal 141 and the second main side sub-terminal 126, or between the first power sub-terminal 125. Also, on the sub-board 16, circuit wirings 133, 134, 137 are formed that can be selectively connected between the second output section side sub-terminal 142 and the first main side sub-terminal 127, or between the second power sub-terminal 128.

[0093] According to this, in the case of the first embodiment, power can be supplied from the first power terminal 120 of the main board 15 to the first output section side sub-terminal 141 via the circuit wirings 131, 136 of the sub-board 16, and power can be supplied to the non-volatile memory 97A via the memory terminal 151. Also, the memory terminal 152 of the first process cartridge 43 and the first main terminal 122 of the main board 15 can be connected via the circuit wirings 133, 137 of the sub-board 16. Reading of data from the non-volatile memory 97A to the main board 15 and writing of data from the main board 15 to the non-volatile memory 97A can be executed. Also, in the case of the second embodiment, power can be supplied from the second power terminal 123 of the main substrate 15 to the second output unit side sub-terminal 142 via the circuit wirings 134 and 137 of the sub-substrate 16, and power can be supplied to the light emitting unit 184 via the light emitting unit terminal 194. Further, the signal of the light receiving unit 185 can be transmitted from the light receiving unit terminal 193 of the second process cartridge 43A to the second main side sub-terminal 126 via the circuit wirings 132 and 136 of the sub-substrate 16. The main substrate 15 can input the output unit signal S7 of the light receiving unit 185 from the second main terminal 121. In the case of manufacturing either the printer 10 that mounts the first process cartridge 43 or the printer 10A that mounts the second process cartridge 43A, signal transmission and power supply can be executed by appropriately using the circuit wirings 131 to 137 provided on the same sub-substrate 16. The sub-substrate 16 used in the printers 10 and 10A that use different process cartridges can be made common.

[0094] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the sheet width sensor 93, the memory terminals 151 to 153, and the new product detection sensor 181 are employed as the output unit that outputs the output unit signal indicating the information of the image forming apparatus of the present application, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the output unit of the present application may be a sensor for detecting the rear end position (sheet length) of the sheet. Alternatively, as the output unit, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet, a sensor for detecting the loading amount of sheets, or the like can be employed. Further, one output unit may execute a plurality of functions. For example, the output unit may be a sensor used for both a sheet width sensor that detects the sheet width and a sheet length sensor that detects the rear end position of the sheet. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the pickup roller 27, separation roller 28, conveyance roller 29, transfer roller 52, pressure roller 62, and discharge roller 31 are adopted as the "rollers for conveying the sheet" of the present application, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the printer 10 is a printer capable of duplex printing, a roller for inverting the sheet may be adopted as the "roller for conveying the sheet" of the present application. Therefore, as the "roller for conveying the sheet" of the present application, various rollers that convey the sheet and are driven by a motor can be adopted.

[0095] In addition, in the above second embodiment, a configuration in which the second process cartridge 43A has a new product detection sensor 181 is adopted, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second process cartridge 43A may have a new product detection gear 182. Then, a new product detection sensor substrate having a light emitting unit 184 and a light receiving unit 185 may be arranged in the monochrome laser printer 10. When the second process cartridge 43A is attached to the image forming unit 13, that is, in the case of the new product detection gear 182 of the new second process cartridge 43A, it is arranged at the power transmission position and configured to be rotated by a predetermined rotation angle by transmitting power through a missing tooth gear. And instead of the second process cartridge 43A, the new product detection sensor substrate may have a light receiving unit terminal 193, a light emitting unit terminal 194, and a ground terminal 195. The output unit connector CN2 of the sub-substrate 16 may be configured to be connected to the light receiving unit terminal 193, the light emitting unit terminal 194, and the ground terminal 195 of the new product detection sensor substrate, respectively.

[0096] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the image forming unit of the present application employs the image forming unit 13 that executes monochrome printing, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the image forming unit may be a printing unit that can mount a plurality of first process cartridges 43 and is capable of executing color printing. Also, the printing method is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and other methods such as the inkjet method may be used. Further, the image forming unit of the present application is not limited to a printing unit that executes printing, and may be an image forming unit that forms other images such as FAX data on a sheet. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present application is not limited to a printer, and may be a FAX apparatus. Also, the image forming apparatus of the present application may be a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a printing function, a copying function, a FAX function, and a scanning function. Therefore, the configuration of the image forming unit is appropriately changed according to the functions provided in the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of Signs

[0097] 10 Monochrome laser printer (image forming apparatus), 13 Image forming unit, 15 Main board, 16 Sub-board, 27 Pickup roller (roller), 28 Separation roller (roller), 29 Conveyor roller (roller), 31 Discharge roller (roller), 33 Main motor (motor), 33A Rotation shaft, 41 Laser unit, 43 First process cartridge (process cartridge), 43A Second process cartridge (process cartridge), 51 Photoconductor drum, 52 Transfer roller (roller), 57 Developing roller (roller), 62 Pressure roller (roller), 71 ASIC (control unit), 81 Encoder, 82 Rotating body, 83 Photosensor, 87 First harness, 93 Sheet width sensor (output unit), 95 Second harness, 97A Non-volatile memory, 99 Second harness, 131 - 137 Circuit wiring, 120 First power terminal (power terminal), 121 Second main terminal (main terminal), 122 First main terminal (main terminal), 123 Second power terminal (power terminal), 125 First power sub-terminal (power sub-terminal), 126 Second main side sub-terminal (main side sub-terminal), 127 First main side sub-terminal (main side sub-terminal), 128 Second power sub-terminal (power sub-terminal), 141 First output unit side sub-terminal (output unit side sub-terminal), 142 Second output unit side sub-terminal (output unit side sub-terminal), 151 Memory terminal (output unit, power terminal, first cartridge terminal), 152 Memory terminal (output unit, RW terminal, first cartridge terminal), 153 Memory terminal (output unit), 181 New product detection sensor (output unit), 193 Light receiving unit terminal (second cartridge terminal), 194 Light emitting unit terminal (second cartridge terminal), CN0 Main board connector, CN1 Output unit connector (sheet width sensor connector), CN2 Output unit connector (memory terminal connector, new product detection connector), S1 Photosensor signal, S2 Output unit signal (signal from sheet width sensor), S3 Output unit signal (signal from non-volatile memory), S7 Output unit signal (detection signal).

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: rollers for conveying the sheet; a motor for driving the rollers; an output unit that outputs an output unit signal indicating information of the image forming apparatus; a main board having a control unit for controlling the motor; an encoder having a rotating body provided on the rotation shaft of the motor for detecting the rotation of the rotation shaft, and a photosensor for detecting the rotation of the rotating body and outputting a photosensor signal according to the detection content; a sub-board on which the photosensor is disposed, having a main board connector connected to the main board via a first harness, the main board connector being electrically connected to the photosensor; and comprising: The sub-board further has an output unit connector to which an output unit signal is input via a second harness connected to the output unit, the output unit connector being electrically connected to the main board connector, and transmits the output unit signal to the main board via the first harness in addition to the photosensor signal from the photosensor. An image forming apparatus.

2. The output unit includes a sheet width sensor for detecting the width of the sheet, The output unit signal includes a signal from the sheet width sensor, The control unit detects the width of the sheet based on the output unit signal of the sheet width sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Furthermore, an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet, comprising an image forming unit capable of mounting a process cartridge and having a replaceable process cartridge to be mounted, The output unit includes a new product detection sensor for detecting whether the process cartridge is new, The output unit signal includes a signal from the new product detection sensor, The control unit judges whether the process cartridge has been replaced with a new one based on the output unit signal of the new product detection sensor, The output unit connector has a sheet width sensor connector connected to the sheet width sensor and a new product detection connector connected to the new product detection sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Furthermore, an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet, comprising an image forming unit capable of mounting a process cartridge and having a replaceable process cartridge to be mounted, The process cartridge It has a developing roller and a non-volatile memory, The non-volatile memory can store at least one of the information on the rotation speed of the developing roller and the information on the number of printed sheets, The output unit includes a memory terminal connected to the non-volatile memory, The output unit signal includes a signal from the non-volatile memory, The control unit determines the replacement time of the process cartridge based on the output unit signal of the non-volatile memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The output unit includes a sheet width sensor for detecting the width of the sheet, The output unit signal includes a signal from the sheet width sensor, The control unit detects the width of the sheet based on the output unit signal of the sheet width sensor, The output unit connector has a memory terminal connector connected to the memory terminal and a sheet width sensor connector connected to the sheet width sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The plane of the sub-board is along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the motor, The main board connector is arranged in a state standing perpendicular to the plane of the sub-board. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. Furthermore, it is an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet, and includes an image forming unit having a photosensitive drum and a laser unit for irradiating the photosensitive drum with laser light for exposure, The main board connector is arranged at a position between the rotating body and the laser unit in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the motor, The main board is provided at a position on the opposite side of the main board connector with the laser unit interposed therebetween. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. Furthermore, it is an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet, and includes an image forming unit capable of mounting a process cartridge and replacing the mounted process cartridge, The output unit includes a memory terminal connected to the non-volatile memory of the process cartridge or a new product detection sensor for detecting whether the process cartridge is new, The sub-board Circuit wiring for connecting the output unit connector and the main board connector to connect the memory terminals to the main board, and circuit wiring for connecting the output unit connector and the main board connector to connect the new product detection sensor to the main board, and any one of them is selectable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

9. The circuit wiring that can be selected for any one of them is When the output unit includes a memory terminal connected to the non-volatile memory, Circuit wiring connecting a terminal of the main board connector to which power is supplied from the main board via the first harness and a terminal of the output unit connector that supplies power to the non-volatile memory via the second harness, Circuit wiring connecting a terminal of the output unit connector to which data read from the non-volatile memory is input via the second harness and a terminal of the main board connector that outputs the read data to the control unit via the first harness, including When the output unit includes the new product detection sensor, Circuit wiring connecting a terminal of the main board connector to which power is supplied from the main board via the first harness and a terminal of the output unit connector that supplies power to the light emitting unit of the new product detection sensor via the second harness, Circuit wiring connecting a terminal of the output unit connector to which a detection signal is input from the light receiving unit of the new product detection sensor via the second harness and a terminal of the main board connector that outputs the detection signal to the control unit via the first harness, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, including

10. The image forming apparatus in which either the first process cartridge or the second process cartridge is mounted, The first process cartridge has a non-volatile memory and a first cartridge terminal connected to the non-volatile memory, The second process cartridge has a new product detection sensor and a second cartridge terminal connected to the new product detection sensor, The main board has a main terminal connected to the control unit and a power terminal that outputs power, The main board connector has a main side sub-terminal connected to the main terminal via the first harness and a power sub-terminal connected to the power terminal via the first harness, The output unit connector having the first cartridge terminal or the output unit side sub-terminal connected to the second cartridge terminal via the second harness; In the sub-board, circuit wiring is provided such that either connecting the output unit side sub-terminal to the main side sub-terminal or connecting the output unit side sub-terminal to the power sub-terminal can be selected; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

11. An image forming apparatus in which either a first process cartridge or a second process cartridge is mounted, wherein the first process cartridge has a non-volatile memory, a power terminal for supplying power to the non-volatile memory, and an RW terminal for reading and writing to the non-volatile memory; wherein the second process cartridge has a new product detection sensor, a light receiving unit terminal for outputting a signal from the light receiving unit of the new product detection sensor, and a light emitting unit terminal for supplying power to the light emitting unit of the new product detection sensor; wherein the main board has a first main terminal connected to the control unit, a first power terminal for outputting power, a second main terminal connected to the control unit, a second power terminal for outputting power; and wherein the main board connector has a first main side sub-terminal connected to the first main terminal via the first harness, a first power sub-terminal connected to the first power terminal via the first harness, a second main side sub-terminal connected to the second main terminal via the first harness, a second power sub-terminal connected to the second power terminal via the first harness; and wherein the output unit connector has a first output unit side sub-terminal connected to the power terminal of the first process cartridge or the light receiving unit terminal of the second process cartridge, a second output unit side sub-terminal connected to the RW terminal of the first process cartridge or the light emitting unit terminal of the second process cartridge; and wherein on the sub-board, circuit wiring is provided that can be selectively connected between the first output unit side sub-terminal and the second main side sub-terminal or between the first power sub-terminal, and circuit wiring is provided that can be selectively connected between the second output unit side sub-terminal and the first main side sub-terminal or between the second power sub-terminal; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

Images