Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in a new form comprising a configuration capable of detecting the state of a connector.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure has: an apparatus body that has a control section, and a wiring member electrically connected to the control section and provided with a first connector at its end; and a unit that has a second connector insertable into and withdrawable from the first connector. The wiring member has a fuse that is fused on the basis of a command from the control section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that when the connector of the charger is connected to the connector of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a fuse attached to the charger is blown, and the CPU of the main body of the apparatus detects that a new charger has been installed. Patent Document 2 describes that the degree of deterioration of the connector is determined based on the number of times the connector of the fixing unit and the connector of the main body of the apparatus are inserted and removed, and the conditions at the time of insertion and removal (insertion and removal speed, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-131864 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-101276 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a configuration in which a connector on the device main body and a connector on a unit attached to the device main body are connected and disconnected, a new configuration was needed that could detect the state of the connector (replacement with a new one or degree of deterioration).

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new type of image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the state of a connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an apparatus main body having a control unit, a wiring member electrically connected to the control unit and having a first connector at an end thereof, and a unit having a second connector that can be inserted into and removed from the first connector, wherein the wiring member has a fuse that is blown based on a command from the control unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an apparatus main body having a control unit and a first connector electrically connected to the control unit, and a unit having a second connector that can be inserted into and removed from the first connector and that is detachable from the apparatus main body, wherein the unit has a memory unit that stores information regarding deterioration of the second connector, and is configured to be electrically connected to the control unit via the first connector and the second connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new type of image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the state of a connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are explanatory views of an interrupting element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a fusing circuit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a control method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are perspective views showing a terminal of the drawer connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]3A to 3C are cross-sectional views showing terminals of the drawer connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A graph showing the change in AC contact resistance with respect to the number of times the connector is inserted and removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a control method according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are explanatory views of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0011] First Embodiment As a first embodiment, an embodiment in which a fuse is disposed in a wiring member (main body cable) on the main body side of an image forming apparatus will be described. First, an outline of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser beam printer that uses electrophotography. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a recording material S based on image data received from, for example, an external device. The recording material S (recording medium) can be a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, surface-treated sheet materials such as coated paper, specially shaped sheet materials such as envelopes and index paper, plastic film, cloth, etc.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1A, a process cartridge 20, a scanner unit 22, a transfer roller 21, a fixing device 27, a motor 33, a power supply device 34, and a control unit 35. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a cassette 11, a feed roller 12, a pair of conveying rollers 13, a pair of registration rollers 15, a pair of conveying rollers 29, a pair of discharge rollers 31, and a discharge tray 32.

[0014] In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1A includes a frame member that forms the frame of the image forming apparatus 1 and a cover member that forms the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, the apparatus main body 1A includes a housing formed by the frame member and the cover member. The above-mentioned elements (20, 21, 22, 27, 33, 34, 35, 13, 15, 29, 31) are attached to the apparatus main body 1A and are housed inside the apparatus main body 1A during image formation. Furthermore, at least the process cartridge 20 and the fixing device 27 are detachable from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0015] The process cartridge 20 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material S. The process cartridge 20 is a unit that integrates a photosensitive drum 19 as an image carrier and at least one process member that acts on the photosensitive drum 19. The process member is involved in any of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and cleaning in the electrophotographic process. The process cartridge 20 of this embodiment has a charging roller 16 as a charging member, a developing roller 17 as a developing member, and a cleaning blade 18 as a cleaning member. The process cartridge 20 also contains toner as a developer. Instead of the process cartridge 20, a process unit that has the same functions as the process cartridge 20 and is fixed to the apparatus main body 1A in a manner that does not anticipate user attachment or detachment may be used.

[0016] The scanner unit 22 is an example of an exposure device that exposes the photosensitive drum 19. The scanner unit 22 includes a laser diode 23 as a light source, and a polygon mirror 24 and a reflecting mirror 25 that constitute an optical system for scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum 19 using laser light. The exposure device may be an LED exposure device that uses LEDs arranged side by side in the main scanning direction of the photosensitive drum 19 as a light source.

[0017] The transfer roller 21 is a transfer member for transferring a toner image onto the recording material S. Between the transfer roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 19, a transfer nip is formed as a transfer portion where the toner image is transferred.

[0018] The fixing device 27 includes a heating member 27a (fixing member), a pressure member 27b in contact with the heating member 27a, and a heat source 27c that heats the heating member 27a. The fixing device 27 is an image heating device that heats and pressurizes a toner image on a recording material S while sandwiching the recording material S between the nip (fixing nip) between the heating member 27a and the pressure member 27b and transporting the recording material. The fixing device 27 is, for example, a film heating type. The film heating type fixing device 27 includes a flexible cylindrical film as the heating member 27a, a heater as the heat source 27c disposed in the internal space of the film, and a pressure roller as the pressure member 27b disposed to sandwich the film together with the heater. The heater is, for example, a ceramic heater having a pattern of a heating element RH1 (FIG. 2) printed on a ceramic substrate that generates Joule heat when energized. Note that a cylindrical fixing roller may also be used as the heating member 27a. Alternatively, the heat source 27c may be, for example, a halogen lamp that emits radiant heat when energized.

[0019] The fixing device 27 also includes a fixing-side connector 107, a relay board PCB1, and thermistors TH1 and TH2 (FIG. 2), which will be described later.

[0020] The motor 33 is a drive source that supplies a driving force for rotating the rotating members in the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the motor 33 can supply a driving force to, for example, the pressure roller of the fixing device 27, the photosensitive drum 19, and each roller (12, 13, 15, 29, 31) that conveys the recording material S.

[0021] The power supply device 34 receives power from an AC power source 10 (for example, a commercial power source) external to the image forming apparatus 1, and supplies power to each part inside the image forming apparatus 1, including the heater of the fixing device 27, the control unit 35, and the motor 33. The power supply device 34 also generates various high voltages (charging voltage, developing voltage, transfer voltage) required to execute the electrophotographic process, and applies them to the charging roller 16, the developing roller 17, and the transfer roller 21.

[0022] The control unit 35 is a control means that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 35 includes a CPU 111 and a memory MM1 (FIG. 2). The memory MM1 includes volatile and non-volatile storage units. The memory MM1 stores programs for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and holds various data used to control the image forming apparatus 1. The CPU 111 reads and executes the programs from the memory MM1 and controls the motor 33, the power supply device 34, etc., to realize various operations such as image formation.

[0023] The cassette 11 is a storage section in which the recording material S is stacked and stored. The feed roller 12 (pickup roller), the conveying roller pair 13, the registration roller pair 15, the conveying roller pair 29, and the discharge roller pair 31 are each a conveying member that conveys the recording material S. The discharge tray 32 is a stacking section in which the recording material S on which an image has been formed is stacked.

[0024] In addition, sensors for the recording material are arranged in the apparatus main body 1A along the conveying path of the recording material S. A top sensor 14 is arranged between the conveying roller pair 13 and the registration roller pair 15. A loop sensor 26 is arranged between the transfer nip and the fixing nip. A post-fixing sensor 28 is arranged between the fixing nip and the conveying roller pair 29. A control unit 35 is connected to these sensors (14, 26, 28), monitors the state of the recording material S based on the detection signals of the sensors, and manages the progress of the image forming operation.

[0025] (Image formation operation) A series of operations (image forming operation, printing operation) in which the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the recording material S while conveying the recording material S one sheet at a time will be described.

[0026] In the image forming operation, the recording material S loaded in the cassette 11 is fed one by one by the feeding roller 12, conveyed by the conveying roller pair 13, passes through the top sensor 14, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 15. The registration roller pair 15 conveys the recording material S to the transfer nip in synchronization with the creation of the toner image in the process cartridge 20.

[0027] In the process cartridge 20, the photosensitive drum 19 is driven to rotate, and the charging roller 16 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 19. The scanner unit 22 is driven by an image signal (video signal) generated based on image data, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 19 with laser light. This exposes the photosensitive drum 19, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the surface of the photosensitive drum 19. The developing roller 17 carries toner and supplies it to the photosensitive drum 19, developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 19 is transferred by a transfer roller 21 to a recording material S transported to a transfer nip.

[0028] The recording material S that has passed through the transfer nip is transported to the fixing device 27. The fixing device 27 heats and pressurizes the toner image on the recording material S while nipping and transporting the recording material S between a heating member 27a and a pressure member 27b, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording material S to the recording material S. The transport speed of the recording material S by the fixing device 27 is adjusted based on a detection signal from a loop sensor 26 so that the recording material S is not pulled between the transfer nip and the fixing nip. The recording material S that has been discharged from the fixing device 27 passes a post-fixing sensor 28, is transported by a pair of transport rollers 29, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A by a pair of discharge rollers 31 and stacked on a discharge tray 32.

[0029] (Main unit cable) 2 is a diagram showing an electric circuit including a main body cable 100 (wiring member) according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the fixing device 27 is electrically connected to the control unit 35 and the power supply device 34 via the main body cable 100. The main body cable 100 is a part of the device main body 1A. Note that the main body cable 100 is not limited to being physically and electrically connected to the control unit 35 and the power supply device 34, and may be electrically connected to the control unit 35 and the power supply device 34 via another wiring member or a relay board.

[0030] The main cable 100 includes a main connector 102, an AC connector 105, a DC connector 101, AC lines HACL and HACN, a DC cable 103, and a cutoff element 104 (fuse). The cutoff element 104 is a cutoff means capable of cutting off the conduction of a portion of the electric wires in the main cable 100.

[0031] The main body side connector 102 is removably connected to a fixing side connector 107 provided in the fixing device 27. The main body cable 100 is an example of a wiring member having a first connector (main body side connector 102) provided at an end thereof, and the fixing side connector 107 is an example of a second connector that is removably insertable into the first connector. The main body side connector 102 of this embodiment is a connector that integrates an AC connector portion 102A for AC voltage and a DC connector portion 102D for transmitting DC voltage or DC signals.

[0032] One of the main body side connector 102 and the fixation side connector 107 is a receptacle type (female type), and the other of the main body side connector 102 and the fixation side connector 107 is a plug type (male type). In this embodiment, the connector unit consisting of the main body side connector 102 and the fixation side connector 107 is a drawer connector Cn1. A drawer connector is a connector unit that has, for example, a resin housing for guiding provided on the outside of the contact members (terminals) and a floating mechanism that absorbs misalignment between the connectors, enabling a stable connection even when the connectors are frequently inserted and removed.

[0033] In this embodiment, the drawer connector Cn1 is inserted (connected) at least when the fixing device 27 is attached (mounted) to the apparatus main body 1A, and is pulled out when the fixing device 27 is detached (removed). In addition, as in a fourth embodiment described later, the drawer connector Cn1 may be inserted (connected) when the fixing device 27 moves from the use position to the retracted position, and may be pulled out when the fixing device 27 moves from the retracted position to the use position.

[0034] The AC connector 105 is a connector for alternating current. The DC connector 101 is a connector for transmitting DC voltage, ground potential, and DC signals. The AC connector 105 is connected to an AC connector 106 of the power supply device 34. The DC connector 101 is connected to a DC connector 108 of the control unit 35.

[0035] The AC lines HACL and HACN are electric wires for alternating current. One end of the AC lines HACL and HACN is connected to an AC connector portion 102A of the main body connector 102. The other end of the AC lines HACL and HACN is connected to an AC connector 105. The AC line HACL is electrically connected to one end of the heating element RH1 of the fixing device 27 via the main body connector 102 and the fuser side connector 107. The AC line HACN is also electrically connected to the other end of the heating element RH1 of the fixing device 27 via the main body connector 102 and the fuser side connector 107. The AC lines HACL and HACN are electric wires for supplying power to the heating element RH1 of the fixing device 27.

[0036] The DC cable 103 is a direct current electric wire. One end of the DC cable 103 is connected to the DC connector portion 102D of the main body side connector 102. The other end of the DC cable 103 is connected to the DC connector 101. The DC cable 103 is made up of a plurality of wires. The DC cable 103 of this embodiment includes signal lines STH1, STH2, SIG, SIGR, LP, LPR, and a ground line SGND.

[0037] The signal lines STH1 and STH2 and the ground line SGND are electrically connected to the connector of the relay board PCB1 via the main body side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107. The thermistors TH1 and TH2 are connected to the connector of the relay board PCB1. Inside the relay board PCB1, the ground terminals of the thermistors TH1 and TH2 are combined into one. This combined ground terminal is connected to the ground line SGND of the DC cable 103. The thermistors TH1 and TH2 are temperature detection elements for detecting the temperature of the heating element RH1. The signals output by the thermistors TH1 and TH2 change depending on the temperature of the heating element RH1. Based on the signals from the thermistors TH1 and TH2, the control unit 35 controls the power supply from the power supply device 34 to the heating element RH1 so as to maintain the fixing nip at a predetermined target temperature (fixing temperature) suitable for fixing an image.

[0038] The signal line LP is electrically connected to the signal line LPR via the main body side connector 102 and the fixing device side connector 107. Among the multiple terminals of the fixing device side connector 107, the terminals corresponding to the signal lines LP and LPR are short-circuited by a short-circuit line 107S.

[0039] The signal line SIG is connected to one end of the interrupting element 104, and the signal line SIGR is connected to the other end of the interrupting element 104. The signal line SIGR is electrically connected to the connector of the relay board PCB1 via the main body side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107, and further passes through the relay board PCB1 to be electrically connected to the ground line SGND of the DC cable 103. The configuration of the interrupting element 104 will be described later.

[0040] The control unit 35 is a control board on which a CPU 111, a memory MM1, a fusing circuit 110, an insertion / removal detection circuit 120, etc. are mounted. The memory MM1 stores information (connector deterioration information) relating to deterioration of the main body connector 102 (first connector). In this embodiment, the count value of the number of insertions and removals of the drawer connector Cn1 is stored in the memory MM1 as the connector deterioration information. The number of insertions and removals is reset when the main body cable 100 is replaced (S107 in FIG. 5), so the connector deterioration information in this embodiment is the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 has been inserted and removed after the interrupter element 104 (fuse) of the main body cable 100 has been blown. The fusing circuit 110 and the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 will be described later.

[0041] The number of times the drawer connector Cn1 is inserted or removed may be based on any of the following: the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 is inserted, the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 is removed, or the number of times a set of insertion and removal of the drawer connector Cn1. In the example of this embodiment, the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 is inserted is taken as the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 is inserted (see S102 in FIG. 5).

[0042] In this embodiment, when the fixing device 27 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 1A, the fixing-side connector 107 of the fixing device 27 and the main body-side connector 102 of the apparatus main body 1A are inserted into or removed from each other. That is, when the fixing device 27 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the fixing-side connector 107 and the main body-side connector 102 are inserted into (connected with) each other. Also, when the fixing device 27 is detached from (disconnected from) the apparatus main body 1A, the fixing-side connector 107 and the main body-side connector 102 are pulled out (disconnected with) each other.

[0043] Each of the fixing side connector 107 and the main body side connector 102 has an AC contact through which AC current supplied from the power supply device 34 to the heating element RH1 flows, and a DC contact through which DC voltage and signals pass.

[0044] (AC contact) An example of an AC contact is shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b). The fixing-side connector 107 has a tab contact 107-AC as an AC contact. The main-body-side connector 102 has a receptacle contact 102-AC (receptacle contact) as an AC contact. The tab contact 107-AC and the receptacle contact 102-AC are made of a copper alloy with nickel or tin plating applied over it. Nickel plating may be used as an underplating, and gold plating may be applied over that. In addition to having a contact shape that engages with a mating part, the tab contact 107-AC and the receptacle contact 102-AC also have a shape that crimps and holds the AC wire.

[0045] The tab contact 107-AC has a contact portion c2 formed in a flat plate shape and a connection portion d2 that is connected to the end of an electric wire in the fixing device 27 by crimping or the like. The contact portion c2 may be, for example, rod-shaped. The receptacle contact 102-AC has a contact portion c1 that comes into contact with the flat contact portion c2 of the tab contact 107-AC and a connection portion d1 that is connected to the end of the AC wires HACL and HACN by crimping or the like (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0046] FIG. 8(a) shows the internal structure of the receptacle contact 102-AC. FIG. 8(b) shows the state in which the contact portion c2 of the tab contact 107-AC is inserted into the receptacle contact 102-AC. FIG. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view of the tab contact 107-AC and the receptacle contact 102-AC at the contact point between the contact portions c1 and c2. As shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c), the contact portion c1 has an elastic (springy) shape and is configured to press the flat-shaped contact portion c2 at multiple positions so as to sandwich and hold it. This achieves stable conduction.

[0047] 9 shows the results of an example of checking the change in resistance at the AC contacts when the fixing-side connector 107 and the main-body-side connector 102 are repeatedly inserted and removed. The tab contact 107-AC and receptacle contact 102-AC used in the experiment have contact portions c1 and c2 made of copper alloy with a nickel undercoat and gold-plated on top of that. In other words, the tab contact 107-AC and receptacle contact 102-AC used in the experiment have relatively high durability against insertion and removal.

[0048] As shown in Figure 9, no particular change in resistance was observed up to about 5,000 insertions and removals, but an increase in resistance was observed once the number of insertions and removals exceeded 5,000. This is because the resistance increased due to scratches on the contact points c1 and c2 and wear and peeling of the plating caused by insertion and removal.

[0049] The AC contact consisting of tab contact 107-AC and receptacle contact 102-AC is a power supply path to heating element RH1 of fixing device 27, and a relatively large current flows through it. If the resistance of the AC contact increases, energy loss due to Joule heat at contact points c1 and c2 and an increase in wiring temperature may occur. In addition, scratches on contact points c1 and c2, or wear or peeling of the plating, may increase the coefficient of friction between contact points c1 and c2, requiring greater force to insert or remove the connector, potentially reducing workability.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, by arranging the interrupting element 104 described below in the main body cable 100, the number of insertions and removals of the drawer connector Cn1 can be counted, and part replacement can be performed at an appropriate number of insertions and removals. In particular, in this embodiment, in a configuration in which the main body connector 102 may deteriorate due to repeated attachment and removal of the fixing device 27, it is possible to replace the main body connector 102 and the main body cable 100 at an appropriate number of replacements.

[0051] (interrupter) 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an interrupting element 104 according to one example of this embodiment. The interrupting element 104 of this example is configured by a lead-type fuse FU1. One end of the lead-type fuse FU1 is connected to the signal line SIG by a crimp terminal CNT1, and the other end of the lead-type fuse FU1 is connected to the signal line SIGR by a crimp terminal CNT2. The interrupting element 104 interrupts the continuity between the signal lines SIG and SIGR when the lead-type fuse FU1 is melted by energization.

[0052] 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an interrupting element 104 according to another example of this embodiment. The interrupting element 104 includes a chip-type fuse FU2. The signal lines SIG and SIGR are connected to the connector of the chip-type fuse FU2. When a current is passed through the interrupting element 104, a fusible element on the chip of the chip-type fuse FU2 melts, thereby interrupting the conduction between the signal lines SIG and SIGR.

[0053] The lead-type fuse FU1 and the chip-type fuse FU2 may be fuse resistors that normally function as normal resistance elements (allowing a current less than the rated current to flow) and melt when a current greater than the rated current flows.

[0054] In this way, the blocking element 104 of this embodiment is arranged in the main cable 100, midway along the wiring (SIG, SIGR) that connects the terminal of the main body side connector 102 (first connector) and the terminal of the DC connector 101 (third connector) on the control unit 35 side.

[0055] (Fusing circuit) 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fusing circuit 110. The signal line (MELT signal) of the CPU 111 is connected to one end of a resistor R4. The other end of the resistor R4 is connected to the base terminal of a transistor Tr2. A resistor R3 is connected between the base terminal and emitter terminal of the transistor Tr2. The emitter terminal of the transistor Tr2 and the resistor R3 are also connected to the ground GND.

[0056] One end of resistor R2 is connected to the collector terminal of transistor Tr2, and the other end of resistor R2 is connected to the base terminal of transistor Tr1. Resistor R1 is connected between the base terminal and emitter terminal of transistor Tr1. One end of resistor R1 and the emitter terminal of transistor Tr1 are connected to power supply V1. Power supply V1 is a DC power supply that supplies a voltage of 24 V in this embodiment. The collector terminal of transistor Tr1 is connected to the cathode terminal of diode D1 and one end of resistor R5. The other end of resistor R5 is connected to signal line HSIG.

[0057] The anode terminal of the diode D1 is connected to one end of a resistor R6, one end of a resistor R7, and one end of a signal line SIGD. The other end of the resistor R6 is connected to a power supply V2. The power supply V2 is a DC power supply and supplies a voltage of 3.3 V in this embodiment. The other end of the resistor R7 is connected to the ground GND. The voltage of the power supply V2 is divided by the resistors R6 and R7, and the divided voltage is input to the CPU 111 via the signal line SIGD. The other end of the signal line HSIG is connected to the DC connector 108 and is electrically connected to the signal line SIG of the DC connector 101. The ground line SGND is electrically connected to the ground GND in the control unit 35 via the DC connector 101 and the DC connector 108.

[0058] Next, the operation of the fusing circuit 110 will be described. When the CPU 111 outputs a high-level MELT signal, the transistors Tr2 and Tr1 are turned on, and a current flows through the signal line HSIG. A current also flows through a circuit consisting of the signal lines SIG, SIGR, and the interrupting element 104 of the main cable 100, the relay board PCB1 of the fixing device 27, and the ground line SGND of the main cable 100. The current value flowing through the signal line SIG and the like in response to the high-level MELT signal is greater than the rated current of the interrupting element 104. Therefore, the interrupting element 104 is blown (the fuse is blown). In other words, the interrupting element 104 (fuse) is configured to blow based on a command from the control unit 35.

[0059] Next, meltdown detection by the CPU 111 will be described. When the MELT signal is at a low level, the CPU 111 reads an input signal (SIGD signal) from the signal line SIGD. If the interrupter element 104 is not melted, a low-level SIGD signal is input to the CPU 111. The low-level SIGD signal is a voltage value obtained by dividing the voltage of the power supply V2 by resistor R6 and the combined resistance of resistors R5 and R7. The resistance values ​​of resistors R5, R6, and R7 are set so that the low-level SIGD signal is, for example, 0.5 V or less. The low-level signal should be designed to match Vil (Input low voltage) of the CPU 111, but is not limited to this.

[0060] On the other hand, if the interrupter element 104 is not blown, a high-level SIGD signal is input to the CPU 111. The high-level SIGD signal is a voltage value obtained by dividing the voltage of the power supply V2 by resistors R6 and R7. The resistance values ​​of resistors R6 and R7 are set so that the high-level signal is, for example, 2.4 V or higher. The high-level SIGD signal should be designed to match the Vih (Input high voltage) of the CPU 111, but is not limited to this.

[0061] As described above, fusing circuit 110 functions as a detection circuit that detects whether or not interrupting element 104 (fuse) is in a blown state. CPU 111 can detect whether or not interrupting element 104 is in a blown state (whether or not the fuse is blown) based on an input signal (SIGD signal) from fusing circuit 110. CPU 111 can also fuse interrupting element 104 via fusing circuit 110.

[0062] (insertion detection circuit) Next, the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The insertion / removal detection circuit 120 of this embodiment is an insertion / removal detection means for detecting insertion and removal of the drawer connector Cn1, which is composed of the main body side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107.

[0063] The insertion / removal detection circuit 120 includes an input terminal LPIN of the CPU 207, a resistor R10 (pull-up resistor), a resistor R20, and a ground GND. The input terminal LPIN of the CPU 207 is connected to one end of the resistor R10 and one end of the resistor R20. The other end of the resistor R10 is connected to a 3.3V DC power supply. The other end of the resistor R20 is electrically connected to a signal line LP of the main cable 100 via DC connectors 101 and 108. The ground GND is electrically connected to a signal line LPR of the main cable 100 via the DC connectors 101 and 108.

[0064] The fixing device 27 is also provided with a short-circuit line 107S that short-circuits the signal lines LP and LPR. The short-circuit line 107S functions as a switch that opens and closes the insertion / removal detection circuit 120. That is, when the main body-side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107 are connected, the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 is closed, and a low-level voltage is input to the input terminal LPIN of the CPU 207. When the main body-side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107 are disconnected, the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 is open, and a high-level voltage is input to the input terminal LPIN of the CPU 207.

[0065] As described above, the CPU 111 can detect whether the drawer connector Cn1 is in an inserted state (connected state) or a removed state (disconnected state) based on the input signal from the insertion / removal detection circuit 120. Furthermore, the CPU 111 can detect an insertion event or a removal event of the drawer connector Cn1 based on a change in the input signal from the insertion / removal detection circuit 120.

[0066] In this embodiment, the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 is arranged in the device main body 1A as an insertion / removal detection means for detecting the insertion and removal of the drawer connector Cn1, but a circuit having the same function as the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 may also be arranged in the fixing device 27.

[0067] (Control method) Next, a description will be given of a control method for the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control in this embodiment. Each step in the flowchart is realized by the CPU 111 reading and executing a program from the memory MM1.

[0068] The CPU 111 starts executing this flow when the control unit 35 is started up by power supply from the power supply device 34. That is, this flow is continuously processed while the main power of the image forming apparatus 1 is ON.

[0069] In S100, the CPU 111 reads the input signal (SIGD signal) from the fusing circuit 110 with the MELT signal at a low level, and detects whether the main cable 100 is new. If the input signal from the fusing circuit 110 indicates that the interrupting element 104 has not been blown (if the SIGD signal is at a low level), the CPU 111 determines that the main cable 100 is new, and proceeds to S101. In S101, the CPU 111 outputs a MELT signal at a high level, causing the interrupting element 104 to fuse. After the interrupting element 104 has fused, the CPU 111 determines that the main cable 100 is not new (is an old product), and proceeds to S102. On the other hand, if the input signal from the fusing circuit 110 indicates that the interrupting element 104 has already been blown (if the SIGD signal is at a high level) in S100, the CPU 111 determines that the main cable 100 is not new, and proceeds to S102.

[0070] In this embodiment, the interrupting element 104 is blown immediately after it is determined that the main cable 100 is new, but the interrupting element 104 may be blown when the main connector 102 and the fixing connector 107 are plugged and unplugged a predetermined number of times after the main cable 100 is determined to be new. This allows the device to be operated without blowing the interrupting element as a temporary operation, for example, when the main cable 100 is assembled during manufacturing or when the main cable 100 is replaced after installation in the user environment.

[0071] In S102, the CPU 111 monitors the insertion or removal of the drawer connector Cn1 based on an input signal (LPIN signal) from the insertion / removal detection circuit 120. If the LPIN signal changes from low level to high level, the CPU 111 determines that the drawer connector Cn1 has been inserted or removed, and proceeds to S103. Note that it may also be determined that the drawer connector Cn1 has been inserted or removed if the LPIN signal changes from high level to low level.

[0072] In S103, the CPU 111 updates the connector deterioration information by adding 1 to the count value of the number of insertions and removals of the drawer connector Cn1 stored in the memory MM1, storing the added number of insertions and removals in the memory MM1, and then proceeds to S104.

[0073] In S104, the CPU 111 determines whether the main body side connector 102 has reached the end of its life. Specifically, the CPU 111 determines whether the count value of the number of insertions and removals of the drawer connector Cn1 stored in the MM1 exceeds a predetermined number A. The predetermined number A is set in advance as an upper limit of the number of insertions and removals of the main body side connector 102. In the first embodiment, the predetermined number A is set to, for example, 5000 times. The predetermined number A may be a number other than 5000 times. If the number of insertions and removals is less than the predetermined number A, the process returns to S102, and if the number of insertions and removals is equal to or greater than the predetermined number A, the process proceeds to S105.

[0074] In S105, the CPU 111 notifies the user or the like of information (replacement warning) urging the replacement of the main body cable 100. The content of the notification may be, for example, a message that "the main body cable 100 needs to be replaced because there is a possibility of contact failure due to deterioration of the connector." The notification method may be a message displayed on an operation panel (liquid crystal panel) serving as an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1, a voice notification, or a pop-up screen displayed on an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The target of the notification may be the user or a service person in charge of maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0075] In S106, the CPU 111 reads the input signal (SIGD signal) from the fusing circuit 110 while the MELT signal is at a low level, and determines whether the main cable 100 has been replaced. If the SIGD signal is at a low level, the CPU 111 determines that the main cable 100 has been replaced with a new one, and proceeds to S107. On the other hand, if the SIGD signal is at a high level in S106, the CPU 111 determines that the main cable 100 has not been replaced, and waits. Note that if completion of replacement of the main cable 100 is not detected in S106, the process may return to S102, thereby allowing insertion and removal of the drawer connector Cn1 even when a replacement warning has been issued.

[0076] In S107, the CPU 111 resets the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 has been inserted or removed, which is stored in the memory MM1, and the process returns to S101.

[0077] (Summary of the first embodiment) As described above, in the first embodiment, the main body cable 100 of the apparatus main body 1A is provided with the interrupting element 104 (fuse). This makes it possible to detect whether the main body cable 100 is new or not by checking whether the interrupting element 104 has been blown. In addition, the degree of deterioration of the main body side connector 102 can be detected based on the number of times the connector has been inserted and removed since the interrupting element 104 was blown, and it is possible to determine, for example, that the main body cable 100 has reached the end of its life and issue a warning to replace it.

[0078] That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new type of image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the state of the connector.

[0079] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the details of the interrupting element (fuse) in the wiring member. Hereinafter, elements with the same reference symbols as the first embodiment will have basically the same configuration and function as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0080] 6 is a diagram showing an electric circuit including a main body cable 200 (wiring member) according to the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the fixing device 27 is electrically connected to the control unit 35 and the power supply device 34 via the main body cable 200. The main body cable 200 is a part of the device main body 1A.

[0081] The main body cable 200 includes a main body connector 102, an AC connector 105, a DC connector 101, AC lines HACL and HACN, a DC cable 203, and a cutoff element (fuse) 104. The DC cable 203 includes signal lines STH1, STH2, SIG, SIGR, LP, and LPR, and a ground line SGND.

[0082] Compared to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the signal line SIGR connected to the other end (the terminal opposite to the terminal connected to the signal line SIG) of the interrupting element 104 is connected to the DC connector 101 instead of the main body side connector 102. The signal line SIGR is electrically connected to the ground GND in the control unit 35 via the DC connector 101 and a DC connector 108 of the control unit 35.

[0083] There are cases where the number of terminals of the AC connector portion 102A and the DC connector portion 102D of the main body side connector 102 is fixed. Therefore, if the number of terminals of the AC connector portion 102A or the DC connector portion 102D is increased to add a wiring structure including the interrupting element 104, the external shape of the main body side connector 102 becomes larger, and the size of the fixing device 27 may also become larger.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the interrupting element 104 is disposed in the loop-shaped wiring structure (SIG, SIGR) that connects the terminals of the DC connector 101 (third connector). Therefore, there is no need to increase the number of terminals of the AC connector portion 102A or the DC connector portion 102D in order to dispose the interrupting element 104. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the main body side connector 102 from becoming large, which can contribute to the miniaturization of the fixing device 27.

[0085] The control performed by the control unit 35 with respect to the interrupting element 104 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the CPU 111 of the control unit 35 can detect whether the interrupting element 104 is in a blown state (whether the fuse is blown) based on an input signal (SIGD signal) from the fusing circuit 110. The CPU 111 can also blow the interrupting element 104 via the fusing circuit 110. Then, for example, according to the flow described with reference to FIG. 5, it can detect whether the main cable 200 is new or not based on whether the interrupting element 104 is blown, and can prompt the user to replace the main cable 200 at an appropriate time.

[0086] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new type of image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the state of the connector.

[0087] Third Embodiment As a third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a storage unit that stores information (deterioration information) related to the deterioration of the connector on the unit side is disposed in a unit that is attached to the device main body. Below, elements that are given the same reference symbols as in the first embodiment have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0088] 10 is a diagram showing an electric circuit including a main body cable 300 according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the fixing device 37 is electrically connected to the control unit 35 and the power supply device 34 via the main body cable 300. The main body cable 300 is a part of the device main body 1A.

[0089] The fixing device 37 has a fixing-side connector 107, a relay board PCB2, thermistors TH1 and TH2, and a heating element RH1. A memory MM2 is mounted on the relay board PCB2 (memory board). The memory MM2 is a storage unit that stores information (connector deterioration information) related to deterioration of the fixing-side connector 107, which is the unit-side connector (second connector). When the fixing device 37 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the memory MM2 is electrically connected to the control unit 35 via the fixing-side connector 107 and the main body-side connector 102. In addition to the connector deterioration information, the memory MM2 may also store information related to the fixing device 37, such as the serial number of the fixing device 37.

[0090] Meanwhile, information (connector deterioration information) relating to deterioration of the main body side connector 102, which is the first connector, is stored in memory MM1 in control unit 35. If memory MM2 in fixing device 37 is considered to be the first storage unit, memory MM1 in apparatus main body 1A is the second storage unit.

[0091] In this embodiment, the number of times the connector has been inserted and removed is used as the connector deterioration information to be stored in memories MM1 and MM2. The connector deterioration information (number of times the main body-side connector 102 has been inserted and removed) stored in memory MM1 of the apparatus main body 1A does not necessarily match the connector deterioration information (number of times the fixing side connector 107 has been inserted and removed) stored in MM2 of the fixing device 37. This is because when the fixing device 37 or the main body cable 300 is replaced, only one of the number of times the main body-side connector 102 has been inserted and removed or the number of times the fixing side connector 107 has been inserted and removed is reset.

[0092] The main body cable 300 includes a main body connector 102, a DC connector 101, a DC cable 303, an AC connector 105, and AC lines HACL and HACN. The DC cable 303 includes signal lines STH1, STH2, SDA, SCL, WP, and CON, a power line POW, and a ground line SGND. Compared to the first embodiment, the power line POW and the signal lines SDA, SCL, WP, and CON have been added.

[0093] The power supply line POW, signal lines SDA, SCL, WP, CON, and ground line SGND are electrically connected to the connector of the relay board PCB2 of the fixing device 37 via the main body side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107. The power supply line POW and ground line SGND are used to supply power to the memory MM2. Within the relay board PCB2, the ground parts of the thermistors TH1 and TH2 and the ground part of the memory MM2 are combined into one. The combined ground part is electrically connected to the ground line SGND of the DC cable 303.

[0094] In this embodiment, an EEPROM compatible with I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication is used as an example of the memory MM2. The signal line SDA is for a serial data signal of I2C communication. The signal line SCL is for a serial clock signal of I2C communication. The signal line WP is for a write protect signal of the memory MM2 and is used for write instructions. The signal line CON is used to detect insertion / removal of the drawer connector Cn1.

[0095] The image forming apparatus 1 has an operation panel 301 as a user interface (operation display unit). The operation panel 301 is communicably connected to the control unit 35. The operation panel 301 has, for example, a liquid crystal panel (display unit) and operation switches. The operation panel 301 displays a message on the liquid crystal panel based on a signal from the control unit 35, and also receives input from a user who views the message (such as an operation of an operation switch) and transmits the input to the control unit 35.

[0096] In this embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, no interrupting element is provided in the main body cable 300 of the device main body 1A. Also, the control unit 35 does not have a fusing circuit for the interrupting element. However, in this embodiment, the configuration related to the interrupting element 104 described in the first or second embodiment may be used in combination.

[0097] In this embodiment, instead of using a cutoff element and a fusing circuit to detect whether the main body cable 300 is new or to notify the user that it is time to replace it, when replacing the main body cable 300, a user or a service technician operates the operation panel 301 to input a message indicating that the replacement has been completed. The control unit 35 detects that the main body cable 300 has been replaced based on the input information acquired from the operation panel 301. In this embodiment, the cutoff element and the fusing circuit can be omitted, thereby simplifying the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0098] (Control method) 11 is a flowchart showing an example of control in this embodiment. Each step of the flowchart is realized by the CPU 111 reading and executing a program from the memory MM1.

[0099] The CPU 111 starts executing this flow when the control unit 35 is started up by power supply from the power supply device 34. That is, this flow is continuously processed while the main power of the image forming apparatus 1 is ON.

[0100] In S301, CPU 111 detects whether drawer connector Cn1 is inserted. Detection of insertion or removal of drawer connector Cn1 using signal line CON is performed as follows: The 3.3V power supply in control unit 35 is connected to relay board PCB2 of fixing device 37 via power line POW, and is further connected to signal line CON via a circuit in relay board PCB2. Signal line CON is also electrically connected to a port of CPU 111 through DC connectors 101 and 108 and a circuit in control unit 35.

[0101] Therefore, when the drawer connector Cn1 is inserted, a high-level signal (CON signal) is input to the port of the CPU 111 via the signal line CON. When the drawer connector Cn1 is removed, the CON signal goes low. The CPU 111 detects that the drawer connector Cn1 has been inserted based on the CON signal changing from low to high.

[0102] In S302, the CPU 111 reads connector deterioration information of the main body side connector 102 stored in the memory MM1 of the apparatus main body 1A and connector deterioration information of the fixing side connector 107 stored in the memory MM2 of the fixing device 37. In this embodiment, the count value of the number of times the fixing side connector 107 or the main body side connector 102 is inserted and removed is used as the connector deterioration information.

[0103] In S303, the CPU 111 determines whether the read connector deterioration information has reached a predetermined value (a value representing the connector's lifespan, hereinafter referred to as the lifespan value). In this embodiment, the count value of the number of insertions and removals, 5000 times, is set as the lifespan value. The lifespan value for the connector deterioration information of the main body side connector 102 and the connector deterioration information of the fixing side connector 107 are not necessarily limited to the same value, but in this embodiment, both are set to 5000 times.

[0104] If the connector deterioration information is equal to or greater than the lifespan value in S303, the CPU 111 determines that the main body-side connector 102 or the fixing side connector 107 needs to be replaced, and proceeds to S310. In S310, the CPU 111 notifies the user, etc., of information urging the user to replace the main body cable 100 or the fixing device 37 (hereinafter collectively referred to as a replacement warning). If the connector deterioration information of the main body-side connector 102 has reached its lifespan value, a replacement warning for the main body cable 100 (wiring member) is issued. If the connector deterioration information of the fixing side connector 107 has reached its lifespan value, a replacement warning for the fixing device 37 is issued. In other words, the control unit 35 notifies the user, etc., of information urging the user to replace a unit (fixing device 37) detachable from the apparatus main body 1A, based on information about the deterioration of the second connector (fixing side connector 107).

[0105] As an example of a method for notifying the replacement warning, in this embodiment, a message urging the user to replace the main body cable 300 or the fixing device 37 is displayed on the operation panel 301. The notification method is not limited to this, and may be an audio notification via a speaker unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1, or a pop-up screen display on an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The content of the notification may be, for example, a message that "the main body cable 100 or the fixing device 37 needs to be replaced because there is a possibility of contact failure due to deterioration of the connector." The target of the notification may be a user or a service person in charge of maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0106] Upon receiving the replacement warning, the user or service person replaces the main body cable 300 or the fixing device 37. When the replacement work is completed and it is detected that the replacement completion has been input on the operation panel 301, the CPU 111 resets the connector deterioration information in S312. That is, if the main body cable 100 has been replaced, the connector deterioration information of the main body side connector 102 stored in memory MM1 is reset (the number of insertions and removals is set to 0). If the fixing device 37 has been replaced, the connector deterioration information of the fixing side connector 107 stored in memory MM2 is reset (the number of insertions and removals is set to 0).

[0107] On the other hand, if the connector deterioration information indicates that the lifespan is less than the limit in S303, the CPU 111 determines that there is no need to replace the main body-side connector 102 or the fixing-side connector 107, and proceeds to S304. In S304, the CPU 111 waits until it detects insertion or removal of the drawer connector Cn1. The CPU 111 detects insertion or removal of the drawer connector Cn1 based on the CON signal changing from low level to high level.

[0108] If insertion or removal of the drawer connector Cn1 is detected in S304, the CPU 111 updates the connector deterioration information of the main body-side connector 102 and the fixing device-side connector 107 in S305. That is, the CPU 111 adds 1 to the connector deterioration information (number of insertions and removals) of the main body-side connector 102 stored in the memory MM1 of the apparatus main body 1A, and stores the result in the memory MM1 as new connector deterioration information. The CPU 111 also adds 1 to the connector deterioration information (number of insertions and removals) of the fixing device-side connector 107 stored in the memory MM2 of the fixing device 37, and stores the result in the memory MM2 as new connector deterioration information. After updating the connector deterioration information, the CPU 111 returns to S301.

[0109] (Summary of the third embodiment) In the third embodiment, the fixing device 37, which is a unit detachable from the apparatus main body 1A, is provided with a memory MM2 that stores connector deterioration information for the fixing-side connector 107. This allows the control unit 35 of the image forming apparatus 1 to correctly grasp the degree of deterioration of the fixing-side connector 107, even when, for example, the fixing device 37 is removed from one apparatus main body 1A and attached to another apparatus main body 1A.

[0110] That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new type of image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the state of the connector.

[0111] (Variation) In this embodiment, the count value of the number of insertions and removals of the drawer connector Cn1 is used as is as the connector deterioration information. However, for example, the connector deterioration information may be a value obtained by multiplying the number of insertions and removals by a coefficient and counting up the result. For example, when the number of insertions and removals is still low, the deterioration of the contacts c1 and c2 (such as scratches or peeling plating) is low, so the degree of deterioration of the contacts per insertion and removal is relatively small. Conversely, when the number of insertions and removals is already high, the deterioration of the contacts c1 and c2 is significant, so the degree of deterioration of the contacts per insertion and removal may be relatively large. Therefore, for example, when the number of insertions and removals is low, the count value per insertion and removal may be incremented by "1," and when the number of insertions and removals is high, the count value per insertion and removal may be incremented by a value greater than 1 (for example, "2").

[0112] Instead of the configuration in which the increment of the count value is switched discontinuously (in stages) as described above, the increment of the count value per insertion / removal may be increased continuously in accordance with the number of insertions / removals.

[0113] The connector deterioration information is not limited to the amount based on the number of times the drawer connector Cn1 has been inserted and removed. For example, a circuit for monitoring changes in the resistance of the AC contacts in the drawer connector Cn1 (see FIG. 9) may be added, and the current resistance value of the AC contacts may be used as the connector deterioration information.

[0114] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a lifespan value is set corresponding to each of the connector deterioration information of the main-body-side connector 102 and the connector deterioration information of the fixing-side connector 107. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a lifespan value may be set for the sum of the connector deterioration information of the main-body-side connector 102 and the connector deterioration information of the fixing-side connector 107, and a warning to replace the fixing device 37 and the main-body cable 300 may be issued when the sum exceeds the lifespan value.

[0115] Furthermore, instead of the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 described in this embodiment, insertion / removal of the drawer connector Cn1 may be detected, for example, by whether the control unit 35 can read information (such as a serial number) stored in the memory MM2. In this case, the signal line CON is unnecessary, and the number of pins on the drawer connector Cn1 (the number of pins on the DC connector unit 102D) can be reduced compared to this embodiment. Furthermore, the insertion / removal detection circuit 120 described in the first embodiment may be used as an insertion / removal detection means for detecting insertion / removal of the drawer connector Cn1.

[0116] Fourth Embodiment As the fourth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the fixing device is movable relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the connector is inserted and removed when the fixing device moves. Below, elements with the same reference symbols as the first embodiment have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0117] In the following description and drawings, the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the up-down direction, and is illustrated by the up-down arrow V. The horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface, which is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 61 provided in the image forming apparatus 1, is referred to as the horizontal direction, and is illustrated by the left-right arrow H. One side of the horizontal direction (the side where the door 1D is located, the right side in FIG. 1) is referred to as the "front" or "forward," and the other side of the horizontal direction is referred to as the "rear" or "rearward."

[0118] The image forming apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body 1A, a scanner 2 as an exposure device, a door 1D as an opening / closing member, a sheet feeding section 130, a transfer unit 40, a cartridge tray unit 50, a fixing device 80, and a control section 35.

[0119] In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1A refers to the portion of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the door 1D, scanner 2, sheet feeding section 130, transfer unit 40, cartridge tray unit 50, fixing device 80, and control section 35. The door 1D is an opening / closing member provided so as to be able to open and close relative to the apparatus main body 1A. The door 1D is movable between a closed position where it closes an opening 1A1 (opening) of the apparatus main body 1A, and an open position where it opens the opening 1A1.

[0120] The apparatus main body 1A is provided with a door sensor 91 for detecting whether the door 1D is open or closed. The door sensor 91 is configured so that an output signal from the door sensor 91 differs depending on whether the door 1D is in the closed position or the open position. The sheet feeding section 130 has a stacking tray 131 (sheet storage section, cassette) on which the recording material S is stacked, a feeding roller 132 as a feeding member, and a separation roller that forms a separation nip between the feeding roller 132 and itself.

[0121] The cartridge tray unit 50 has a tray 51 and the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. The tray 51 is a support member that supports the cartridges PY to PK. The tray 51 is also a drawer unit that is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A so as to be able to be pulled out.

[0122] The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK contain yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner (developer), respectively. The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK have the same configuration except for the toner colors they contain. Therefore, the configuration and operation of only one of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK will be described, and descriptions of the others may be omitted. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, any one of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK may be simply referred to as cartridge P.

[0123] The cartridge tray unit 50 has four photosensitive drums 61 as image carriers, four charging rollers 62 as charging members, and four developing rollers 71 as developer carriers or developing members. The cartridge tray unit 50 also has four cleaning blades as cleaning members. The rotational axes of the photosensitive drums 61, the developing rollers 71, and the charging rollers 62 are parallel to each other.

[0124] The photosensitive drum 61, charging roller 62, developing roller 71, and cleaning member may be provided in either the cartridge P or the tray 51. In other words, the cartridge P, which has at least one member selected from the group including the photosensitive drum 61, charging roller 62 (charging member), developing roller 71 (developing member), and cleaning member, is an example of a "unit" in the present disclosure. In this embodiment, each of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK has one photosensitive drum 61, one charging roller 62, one developing roller 71, and one cleaning member.

[0125] The transfer unit 40 has a transfer belt 41 as an intermediate transfer body, four primary transfer rollers 42, a cleaning unit 43, a drive roller 46 that drives the transfer belt 41, and a tension roller (driven roller) 47. The image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment also has an optical sensor 44 that detects the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 41. In this embodiment, the transfer belt 41 is disposed below the four photosensitive drums 61 and abuts against the photosensitive drums 61 so as to form a primary transfer portion between the transfer belt 41 and the photosensitive drums 61.

[0126] The image forming apparatus 1 also has a secondary transfer roller 45 that contacts the transfer belt 41 to form a secondary transfer portion. The rotational axes of the primary transfer roller 42, drive roller 46, tension roller 47, and secondary transfer roller 45 are parallel to each other. A registration roller pair 4 is disposed before the secondary transfer portion (upstream in the sheet conveying direction).

[0127] The fixing device 80 includes a fixing section 81 and a reversing section 5. The fixing section 81 includes a pair of rotating bodies that sandwich and transport the recording material S, and a heating section for heating the toner image on the recording material S. In this embodiment, the pair of rotating bodies is a pair of rollers consisting of a heating roller (fixing roller) and a pressure roller, and the heating section is a halogen lamp that heats the heating roller. The rotating bodies that make up the pair of rotating bodies may be a cylindrical film or an endless belt stretched over multiple rollers. The heating section may also be a heater substrate with a heating element pattern printed on a ceramic substrate, or a coil unit that heats a conductive layer in the heating roller or film by induction heating. The reversing section 5 includes a pair of reversing rollers that reversibly transport the recording material S for double-sided printing, and a guide section that guides the recording material S that has passed through the fixing section 81 to a pair of discharge rollers or a pair of reversing rollers.

[0128] (Relationship between the cartridge tray unit and the fixing unit) Next, movement of the cartridge tray unit 50 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The cartridge tray unit 50 is movable from the inside to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A. The apparatus main body 1A has a first end 1b1 (front end) provided with an opening 1A1 and a second end 1b2 (rear end) opposite the first end 1b1. The cartridge tray unit 50 is movable through the opening 1A1 between an inner position where it is housed inside the apparatus main body 1A and an outer position where it protrudes outside the apparatus main body 1A. The inner position is the position of the cartridge tray unit 50 when the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation. The outer position is the position of the cartridge tray unit 50 where attachment and detachment of the cartridge P to and from the tray 51 is permitted. The cartridge tray unit 50 of this embodiment can be removed toward the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the horizontal direction (H) and can be attached toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0129] The direction in which the cartridge tray unit 50 moves from the inner position to the outer position is called the tray removal direction Dd1, and the opposite direction to the tray removal direction Dd1 is called the tray attachment direction Da1. The tray removal direction Dd1 can be said to be the direction from the second end 1b2 toward the first end 1b1. In the horizontal direction, the fixing device 80 is disposed at one end side of the apparatus main body 1A (the side where the first end 1b1 is disposed).

[0130] The transfer unit 40 is also movable from the inside to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A. The transfer unit 40 is movable through the opening 1A1 between an inner position where it is housed inside the apparatus main body 1A and an outer position where it protrudes outside the apparatus main body 1A. The inner position is the position of the transfer unit 40 when the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image formation operation. The direction in which the transfer unit 40 moves from the inner position to the outer position is called the transfer removal direction Dd2, and the direction opposite to the transfer removal direction Dd2 is called the transfer attachment direction Da2. The transfer removal direction Dd2 can be said to be the direction from the second end 1b2 toward the first end 1b1.

[0131] (Image formation operation) Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The image forming operation is a series of operations in which the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the recording material S while transporting the recording material S one sheet at a time. In the image forming operation, each photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer belt 41 are rotationally driven. A charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 62, and the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged. The scanner 2 irradiates each photosensitive drum 61 with laser light corresponding to image information, exposing the surface of each photosensitive drum 61. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 61.

[0132] The developing roller 71 carries toner and supplies it to the corresponding photosensitive drum 61. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 71, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the corresponding photosensitive drum 61 is developed with the toner supplied from the developing roller 71. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 61. In this embodiment, a contact development method is used in which development is performed with the developing roller 71 in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drum 61, but a jumping development method in which development is performed with a gap between the developing roller 71 and the corresponding photosensitive drum 61 may also be used.

[0133] When a full-color image is formed, a toner image of each color is formed on each photosensitive drum 61. The toner image of each color formed on each photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the transfer belt 41 by the corresponding primary transfer roller 42, and is transported toward a secondary transfer portion formed between the transfer belt 41 and a secondary transfer roller 45. Toner that has not been transferred to the transfer belt 41 is removed from the photosensitive drum 61 by a cleaning member.

[0134] Meanwhile, in the sheet feeding section 130, a single sheet of recording material S is fed from a stack of recording materials S stacked on a stacking tray 131 by a feeding roller 132 and a separation roller, and is transported toward the secondary transfer section. In the secondary transfer section, a toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) from the transfer belt 41 to the recording material S. Toner that has not been transferred to the recording material S is removed from the transfer belt 41 by a cleaning blade 43A serving as a cleaning member provided in the cleaning section 43.

[0135] The recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer unit is transported to the fixing device 80. The fixing unit 81 conveys the recording material S while nipping it at the nip portion (fixing nip) of a pair of rotating bodies, and heats and pressurizes the toner image on the recording material S to fix it to the recording material S. After passing through the fixing nip, the recording material S is discharged by a pair of discharge rollers in the reversing unit 5 onto a discharge tray 133 provided on the top surface of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0136] In the case of double-sided printing, in which images are formed on both sides of the recording material S, the recording material S, having passed through the fixing nip with an image formed on its first side, is guided to a pair of reversing rollers in the reversing unit 5. The recording material S is then switched back by the pair of reversing rollers and transported again toward the secondary transfer unit via a double-sided transport path formed inside the door 1D. Then, after an image is formed on the second side of the recording material S while passing through the secondary transfer unit and the transfer nip for the second time, the recording material S is discharged onto the discharge tray 133 by a pair of discharge rollers.

[0137] (Relationship between the cartridge tray unit and the fixing unit) Next, the positional relationship between the cartridge tray unit 50 and the fixing device 80 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 shows the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the door 1D is in the open position, and also shows the movement space of the cartridge tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 and the movement trajectory of the fixing device 80.

[0138] The cartridge tray unit 50 passes through a predetermined space when moving from the inner position to the outer position. This predetermined space is called the movement space or movement trajectory of the cartridge tray unit 50. Also, the space that the transfer unit 40 passes through when moving from the inner position to the outer position is called the movement space or movement trajectory of the transfer unit 40.

[0139] Furthermore, the fixing device 80 is movable relative to the apparatus main body 1A between a use position (first position) and a retracted position (second position). The use position is the position of the fixing device 80 when the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation, that is, when the fixing device 80 performs a fixing operation to fix an image on a recording material. The retracted position is a position where the fixing device 80 is retracted upward from the use position.

[0140] The use position of the fixing device 80 overlaps with the movement space of the cartridge tray unit 50. In other words, when the fixing device 80 is in the use position, at least a part of the fixing device 80 is inside the movement space of the cartridge tray unit 50. Therefore, when the fixing device 80 is in the use position, movement of the cartridge tray unit 50 from the inside position to the outside position is prevented. In other words, when the fixing device 80 is in the use position, the cartridge P cannot be attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0141] When the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position, the entire fixing device 80 is outside the movement space of the cartridge tray unit 50. Therefore, when the fixing device 80 is in the use position, it is permitted to move from an inner position to an outer position of the cartridge tray unit 50. In other words, when the door 1D is in the open position and the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position (second position), the cartridge P (unit) is permitted to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0142] The fixing device 80 has a fixing frame 80a that supports a fixing section 81. When the fixing device 80 moves from the use position to the retracted position, the fixing frame 80a displaces relative to the apparatus main body 1A while supporting the fixing section 81. The fixing frame 80a forms the outer surface of the fixing device 80, and the movement space when the fixing device 80 moves between the use position and the retracted position is generally the same as the movement trajectory of the fixing frame 80a.

[0143] (Retraction mechanism of fixing device) Next, the retraction mechanism of the fixing device 80 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 13. To pull out the cartridge tray unit 50 to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A, first, the door 1D is moved to the open position. Next, the fixing device 80 is moved to a retracted position outside the movement space of the cartridge tray unit 50.

[0144] The image forming apparatus 1 has a connecting member 85 (fixing connecting member, fixing link) movably connected to the apparatus main body 1A. The fixing device 80 is connected to the apparatus main body 1A via the connecting member 85. The connecting member 85 is rotatable around a rotation center 85A. When the cartridge tray unit 50 is pulled out to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A, the connecting member 85 is moved to the outside of the movement space of the cartridge tray unit 50. While supported by the connecting member 85, the fixing device 80 is movable from a use position to a retracted position and from the retracted position to the use position in accordance with the movement of the cartridge tray unit 50.

[0145] In this embodiment, movement of the fixing device 80 to the retracted position is initiated by a user operating an operating lever 92 serving as an operating unit. When a user operates the operating lever 92 to receive an instruction, the control unit 35 rotates the connecting member 85 to move the fixing device 80 from the use position to the retracted position, or from the retracted position to the use position. The operating lever 92 is disposed in the apparatus main body 1A. The control unit 35 moves the fixing device 80, for example, by driving a motor connected to the connecting member 85 to rotate the connecting member 85. This motor functions as an actuator (drive unit) for moving the fixing device 80.

[0146] The trigger for the retraction mechanism to move the fixing device 80 is not limited to the user's operation of the operation lever 92. For example, the retraction mechanism may move the fixing device 80 in response to a user's operation of a button on an operation panel. Alternatively, the retraction mechanism may move the fixing device 80 when the control unit 35 receives, from an external host device communicably connected to the control unit 35, a user's operation on an operation screen (driver screen) of the host device.

[0147] Furthermore, the mechanical configuration of the retraction mechanism for fixing device 80 is not limited to the one described above. For example, fixing device 80 may be attached to a sliding member that can slide up and down, and a retraction mechanism may be used in which a pinion gear that meshes with a rack portion of the sliding member is rotated by a motor. Alternatively, fixing device 80 may be supported in a manner that allows it to slide in a predetermined direction along a rail of the apparatus main body 1A, and the user may manually move fixing device 80 in the predetermined direction.

[0148] In this embodiment, the position of the fixing device 80 is detected by a retraction sensor 90 provided in the apparatus main body 1A. The retraction sensor 90 is configured to output different signals depending on whether the fixing device 80 is in the use position or the retracted position. In other words, the retraction sensor 90 is a sensor that outputs a signal according to the position of the fixing device 80.

[0149] As described above, in this embodiment, the cartridge tray unit 50 is removed and the cartridge P is replaced in a state in which the fixing device 80 is retracted from the use position to the retracted position.

[0150] In this embodiment, the movement trajectory of the transfer unit 40 does not overlap with the fixing device 80 in the use position. However, the transfer unit 40 may be removed and replaced or maintained with the fixing device 80 retracted from the use position to the retracted position. Also, the movement trajectory of the transfer unit 40 may be configured to overlap with the fixing device 80 in the use position.

[0151] In addition, instead of a configuration in which cartridge P is replaced while the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position, i.e., while it is still attached to the device main body 1A, cartridge P may be replaced while the fixing device 80 is removed from the device main body 1A.

[0152] (Cartridge replacement procedure) Next, the cartridge replacement procedure in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14(a) to 14(c). Figure 14(a) is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the door 1D open. Figure 14(b) is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the fixing device 80 retracted from the use position to the retracted position from the state shown in Figure 14(a). Figure 14(c) is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the cartridge tray unit pulled out from the state shown in Figure 14(b).

[0153] When replacing the cartridge P, the user first moves the door 1D from the closed position to the open position as shown in Fig. 14(a). The control unit 35 detects that the door 1D has moved from the closed position to the open position based on a signal from the door sensor 91.

[0154] Next, when the user operates the operating lever 92, the control unit 35 moves the fixing device 80 from the use position to the retracted position, as shown in Fig. 14(b). The control unit 35 detects that the fixing device 80 has moved from the use position to the retracted position based on a signal from the retraction sensor 90.

[0155] Next, as shown in Figure 14(c), the user pulls out the cartridge tray unit 50 from the inside position to the outside position of the apparatus main body 1A. The user replaces any cartridge P in the cartridge tray unit 50. After replacing the cartridge P, the user pushes the cartridge tray unit 50 back from the outside position to the inside position (Figure 14(b)).

[0156] After pushing back the cartridge tray unit 50, the user operates the operating lever 92. The control unit 35 moves the fixing device 80 from the retracted position to the use position (FIG. 14(a)). The control unit 35 detects that the fixing device 80 has moved from the retracted position to the use position based on a signal from the retraction sensor 90.

[0157] Finally, the user moves the door 1D from the open position to the closed position. The control unit 35 detects that the door 1D has moved from the open position to the closed position based on a signal from the door sensor 91. This completes the cartridge P replacement procedure.

[0158] (Control method) The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a drawer connector Cn1 and main body cables 100 to 300 similar to those of any of the first to third embodiments. That is, the apparatus main body 1A has any of the main body cables 100 to 300 described in the first to third embodiments. The fixing device 80 has a fixing side connector 107 that is connected to a main body side connector 102 of the main body cable provided in the apparatus main body 1A (see FIG. 2, for example). The drawer connector Cn1 is composed of the main body side connector 102 and the fixing side connector 107.

[0159] In this embodiment, when the fixing device 80 moves from the use position to the retracted position, the fixing-side connector 107 (second connector) is pulled out from the main body-side connector 102 (first connector). Also, when the fixing device 80 moves from the retracted position to the use position, the fixing-side connector 107 (second connector) is inserted into the main body-side connector 102 (first connector). The insertion and removal of the drawer connector Cn1 may be performed by a link member that moves the fixing-side connector 107 or the main body-side connector 102 in conjunction with the movement of the fixing device 80. Also, the insertion and removal of the drawer connector Cn1 may be performed by a link member that moves in conjunction with an opening and closing member of the apparatus main body 1A that is opened and closed when accessing the fixing device 27, or may be performed manually by the user.

[0160] The main body cable of the device main body 1A may be provided with the interrupting element 104 (fuse) described in the first or second embodiment. In this case, the control unit 35 can execute the same control as in the first or second embodiment, and can obtain the same advantages as in the first or second embodiment.

[0161] The fixing device 80 may be provided with the memory MM2 described in the third embodiment. In this case, the control unit 35 can execute the same control as in the third embodiment, and can obtain the same advantages as in the third embodiment.

[0162] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new type of image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of detecting the state of the connector.

[0163] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0164] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following: (Configuration 1) a device main body having a control unit and a wiring member electrically connected to the control unit and having a first connector at an end thereof; a unit having a second connector that is insertable into and removable from the first connector; An image forming apparatus having: The wiring member has a fuse that is blown based on a command from the control unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 2) Further, a storage unit is provided to store information regarding deterioration of the first connector, The control unit notifies information prompting replacement of the wiring member based on the information. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) the information regarding the deterioration of the first connector is the number of times the first connector and the second connector have been inserted and removed after the fuse has been blown; 3. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) the control unit has a detection circuit that outputs a signal according to whether the fuse is blown or not, and detects that the wiring member is new based on the signal from the detection circuit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. (Configuration 5) When the control unit detects that the wiring member is new, the control unit blows the fuse before the first connector and the second connector are inserted or removed. 5. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) When the control unit detects that the wiring member is new, the control unit blows the fuse after the first connector and the second connector have been inserted and removed a predetermined number of times. 5. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4. (Configuration 7) the wiring member has a third connector electrically connected to the control unit, The fuse is disposed midway along a wire connecting a terminal of the first connector and a terminal of the third connector. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) the wiring member has a third connector electrically connected to the control unit, The fuse is disposed midway along a loop-shaped wiring that connects the terminals of the third connector. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 9) a device body having a control unit and a first connector electrically connected to the control unit; a unit having a second connector that is insertable into and detachable from the first connector and that is detachable from the device body; An image forming apparatus having: The unit includes a storage unit configured to store information related to deterioration of the second connector, the storage unit being electrically connected to the control unit via the first connector and the second connector. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 10) the information regarding the deterioration of the second connector is the number of times the second connector has been inserted and removed; 10. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, (Configuration 11) The control unit notifies information prompting replacement of the unit based on the information regarding deterioration of the second connector. 11. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9 or 10. (Configuration 12) The device body has a second storage unit that stores information regarding deterioration of the first connector. 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 9 to 11. (Configuration 13) the device body has a wiring member having the first connector provided at an end thereof, The control unit notifies information prompting replacement of the wiring member based on the information regarding deterioration of the first connector. 13. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 12. (Configuration 14) the first connector and the second connector are drawer connectors; 14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13. (Configuration 15) When the unit is attached to or detached from the device body, the first connector and the second connector are inserted and removed. 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 14. (Configuration 16) When the unit is moved relative to the device body, the first connector and the second connector are inserted and removed. 17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 16. (Configuration 17) the unit is a fixing device that fixes an image formed on a recording material to the recording material; 17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 16. (Configuration 18) the fixing device has a heating member that contacts the image on the recording material, a pressure member that contacts the heating member and forms a nip portion between the heating member and the pressure member, and a heat source that heats the heating member, and heats and pressurizes the image while sandwiching and conveying the recording material in the nip portion; 18. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 17. (Configuration 19) the heat source includes a heating element that generates Joule heat when electricity is applied via the first connector and the second connector. 19. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 18. (Configuration 20) further comprising a cartridge detachable from the device body, the fixing device is movable between a first position where an image is fixed to a recording material and a second position where the fixing device is retracted from the first position, When the fixing device is in the second position, the cartridge is permitted to be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus, When the fixing device is moved from the first position to the second position, the second connector is pulled out from the first connector, When the fixing device is moved from the second position to the first position, the second connector is inserted into the first connector. 20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 17 to 19. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1A... device main body / 27, 37... unit, fixing device / 35... control unit / 100, 200, 300... wiring member (main body cable) / 102... first connector (main body side connector) / 104... fuse (breaking element) / 107... second connector (fixing side connector) / MM1, MM2... storage unit (memory)

Claims

1. a device main body having a control unit and a wiring member electrically connected to the control unit and having a first connector at an end thereof; a unit having a second connector that is insertable into and removable from the first connector; An image forming apparatus having: The wiring member has a fuse that is blown based on a command from the control unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The device further includes a storage unit that stores information regarding deterioration of the first connector, The control unit notifies information prompting replacement of the wiring member based on the information.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. the information regarding the deterioration of the first connector is the number of times the first connector and the second connector have been inserted and removed after the fuse has been blown; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. the control unit has a detection circuit that outputs a signal according to whether the fuse is blown or not, and detects that the wiring member is new based on the signal from the detection circuit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. When the control unit detects that the wiring member is new, the control unit blows the fuse before the first connector and the second connector are inserted or removed.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When the control unit detects that the wiring member is new, the control unit blows the fuse after the first connector and the second connector have been inserted and removed a predetermined number of times.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

7. the wiring member has a third connector electrically connected to the control unit, the fuse is disposed midway along a wire connecting a terminal of the first connector and a terminal of the third connector; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. the wiring member has a third connector electrically connected to the control unit, The fuse is disposed midway along a loop-shaped wiring that connects the terminals of the third connector.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

9. a device body having a control unit and a first connector electrically connected to the control unit; a unit having a second connector that is insertable into and detachable from the first connector and that is detachable from the device body; An image forming apparatus having: The unit includes a storage unit configured to store information related to deterioration of the second connector, the storage unit being electrically connected to the control unit via the first connector and the second connector. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

10. the information regarding the deterioration of the second connector is the number of times the second connector has been inserted and removed; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,

11. The control unit notifies information prompting replacement of the unit based on the information regarding deterioration of the second connector.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,

12. the device body has a second storage unit that stores information regarding deterioration of the first connector; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,

13. the device body has a wiring member having the first connector provided at an end thereof, The control unit notifies information prompting replacement of the wiring member based on the information regarding deterioration of the first connector.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the first connector and the second connector are drawer connectors; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

15. When the unit is attached to or detached from the device body, the first connector and the second connector are inserted and removed.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

16. When the unit is moved relative to the device body, the first connector and the second connector are inserted and removed.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

17. the unit is a fixing device that fixes an image formed on a recording material to the recording material; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

18. the fixing device has a heating member that contacts the image on the recording material, a pressure member that contacts the heating member and forms a nip portion between the heating member and the pressure member, and a heat source that heats the heating member, and heats and pressurizes the image while sandwiching and conveying the recording material in the nip portion; 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

19. the heat source includes a heating element that generates Joule heat when electricity is applied via the first connector and the second connector.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

20. further comprising a cartridge detachable from the device body, the fixing device is movable between a first position where an image is fixed to a recording material and a second position where the fixing device is retracted from the first position, When the fixing device is in the second position, the cartridge is permitted to be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus, When the fixing device is moved from the first position to the second position, the second connector is pulled out from the first connector, When the fixing device is moved from the second position to the first position, the second connector is inserted into the first connector.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

Images