Cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve the stability of electrical connection between a cartridge and an image forming apparatus body.SOLUTION: A cartridge has a contact member, a support member supporting the contact member, and an electrical component. The support member has a resin molding part that constitutes at least part of a conduction path electrically connecting the contact member and the electrical component to each other. The resin molding part has a first surface extending along a first direction and a second surface extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The contact member is formed of a metal plate. The contact member has a first portion extending along the first direction, a bent part, a second portion extending in a direction along the second direction from the bent part, and a regulation part configured to regulate the movement of the first portion. The contact member is attached to the support member in a state where the bent part is elastically deformed and a contact part is pressed against the second surface of the resin molding part with a restoring force of the bent part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge that is detachably mounted in a main body of an image forming apparatus, and to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a capacitance type toner remaining amount detection mechanism in which electrodes in the process cartridge are electrically connected to a detection circuit in the image forming device body when a contact in the image forming device body comes into contact with a contact in the process cartridge. Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a resin molded part made of conductive resin is disposed in a development unit, and when an end face of the resin molded part comes into contact with a contact in the image forming device body, voltage can be applied to the development blade. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-121762 [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-63200 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention is a further development of the conventional configuration, and can improve the stability of the electrical connection between the cartridge and the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a cartridge that is detachably mounted to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: a contact member that contacts a main body contact portion of the main body when the cartridge is mounted to the main body; a support member that supports the contact member; and an electrical component configured to be electrically connected to an electrical circuit of the main body via the contact member, the support member being a resin molded portion formed of a resin material, the resin molded portion being conductive and constituting at least a part of a conduction path that electrically connects the contact member and the electrical component, the resin molded portion having a first surface extending along a first direction and a second surface extending in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, the contact member being formed of a metal plate, the first portion extending along the first direction being a conductive resin molded portion, a contact surface that comes into contact with the main body contact portion, a first portion that contacts the first surface on the back side of the contact surface, a bent portion where the metal plate is bent at one end of the first portion in the first direction, a second portion that extends from the bent portion in a direction along the second direction, the second portion having a contact portion that contacts the second surface from a first side in the first direction, and a regulating portion that abuts against a part of the support member from a second side opposite the first side in the first direction and is configured to regulate movement of the first portion toward the first side, and is attached to the support member with the bent portion in an elastically deformed state and the contact portion pressed against the second surface of the resin molded portion by the restoring force of the bent portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the stability of the electrical connection between the cartridge and the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 3A to 3C are explanatory views of metal contacts according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a developing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are exploded perspective views illustrating a method for assembling the process cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a remaining toner amount detection mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an end portion of the process cartridge on the non-drive side according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 13A is a diagram showing a state in which the non-drive side cover of the process cartridge is removed from the state shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the non-drive side cover as viewed from the drive side. [Figure 14] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a conductive path in a development unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a method for attaching a metal contact according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing metal contacts and electrode members of the device main body according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment, as viewed from the non-drive side. [Figure 18] 3A to 3C are explanatory views of a non-drive side bearing according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a power supply path of a developing blade according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a developing unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment, as viewed from the drive side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] An image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. The image forming apparatus 1 is a full-color laser beam printer that uses an electrophotographic process to form a color image on a recording material 3. A variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used as the recording material 3 (recording medium), 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, and the like.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body 2) and four process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K that are detachably mountable to the apparatus main body 2. The process cartridges 100Y to 100K are examples of "cartridges" that are detachably mountable to the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 refers to the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the four process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K. The number of process cartridges that can be mounted in the apparatus main body 2 may be three or less, or five or more.

[0011] The apparatus main body 2 has a housing 2B having an opening 2A, and a front door 10 as an opening / closing member that is movable (openable and closable) between a closed position that closes the opening 2A and an open position that opens the opening 2A. As will be described later, when the front door 10 is moved to the open position (and in this embodiment, the cartridge tray 20 is pulled out to the outer position), the process cartridges 100Y to 100K can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2.

[0012] The side of the image forming apparatus 1 where the front door 10 is provided is referred to as the front side or front, and the side opposite the front side is referred to as the back side or rear. When viewing the image forming apparatus 1 from the front side, the right side may be referred to as the drive side and the left side as the non-drive side. Furthermore, based on the orientation of the image forming apparatus 1 when it is installed on a horizontal surface, the vertically upward direction is referred to as up, and the vertically downward direction (the direction of gravity) is referred to as down. Note that the arrangement and shape of elements such as the process cartridges 100Y to 100K that are detachable or movable with respect to the apparatus main body 2 will be described based on the state when the image forming apparatus 1 is performing an image forming operation (during image formation).

[0013] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 as seen from the non-drive side. That is, in FIG. 2, the front side of the page is the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus 1, the right side of the page is the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the page is the drive side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0014] The left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101 of the process cartridge 100. The "driving side" refers to the side in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101 where a drum coupling 125 (FIG. 7) described later is arranged so that the process cartridge 100 receives a driving force from the apparatus main body 2.

[0015] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming section 1A that forms an image (toner image) on a recording material 3. The image forming section 1A includes process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K, a laser scanner unit 11, an intermediate transfer unit 5, and a secondary transfer roller 6. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a feeding unit 4, a fixing device 7, a discharge unit 8, a discharge tray 9, and a cartridge tray 20.

[0016] The four process cartridges 100Y to 100K are arranged side by side in a substantially horizontal direction (substantially in the front-to-rear direction). Each of the process cartridges 100Y to 100K is a process unit that creates a toner image using toner as a developer. The process cartridges 100Y to 100K have substantially the same configuration, except for the color of the toner contained therein. Hereinafter, any one of the process cartridges 100Y to 100K may be referred to as "process cartridge 100."

[0017] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 is the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0018] 3, the process cartridge 100 of this embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 101 and at least one process unit that acts on the photosensitive drum 101 to perform each step of the electrophotographic process. The process unit is, for example, a charging unit that charges the photosensitive drum 101, or an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive drum 101. The process unit is, for example, a developing unit that develops a latent image on the photosensitive drum 101, a transfer unit that transfers a toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 to a transfer target, or a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0019] The process cartridge 100 of this embodiment has a photosensitive drum 101, a charging roller 102 as charging means, and a developing unit 150 as developing means. The photosensitive drum 101 and the charging roller 102 constitute a drum unit 120. In other words, the process cartridge 100 is roughly composed of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150. A cleaning blade as cleaning means may be disposed in the drum unit 120. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are connected so as to be able to move relative to each other.

[0020] The developing unit 150 has a developing frame 150B which is a frame of the developing unit 150. A storage space for storing toner is formed inside the developing frame 150B.

[0021] The first process cartridge 100Y accommodates yellow (Y) toner in the developing frame 150B and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The second process cartridge 100M accommodates magenta (M) toner in the developing frame 150B and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The third process cartridge 100C accommodates cyan (C) toner in the developing frame 150B and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The fourth process cartridge 100K accommodates black (K) toner in the developing frame 150B and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0022] A rotational driving force is transmitted to the process cartridges 100Y to 100K from a driving output unit (details of which will be described later) of the apparatus main body 2, and bias voltages (charging bias, developing bias, electrostatic residual detection bias, etc.) (not shown) are supplied from contacts of the apparatus main body 2. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, a laser scanner unit 11 serving as an exposure means is disposed above the process cartridges 100Y to 100K. The laser scanner unit 11 includes a laser light source and an exposure optical system that guides the laser light emitted by the laser light source to each photosensitive drum 101. The process cartridge 100 (Fig. 3) is formed with an exposure window 128 that allows the laser light 12 from the laser scanner unit 11 to be incident on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0024] The intermediate transfer unit 5 is disposed below the process cartridges 100Y to 100K. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes a drive roller 5e, a turn roller 5c, a tension roller 5b, a transfer belt 5a, and four primary transfer rollers 5d. The transfer belt 5a is stretched across the drive roller 5e, the turn roller 5c, and the tension roller 5b, and is driven to rotate by the rotation of the drive roller 5e. The primary transfer rollers 5d are disposed in contact with the inner surface of the transfer belt 5a and facing the corresponding photosensitive drums 101 across the transfer belt 5a. A primary transfer portion is formed as a nip between the photosensitive drums 101 and the transfer belt 5a.

[0025] The secondary transfer roller 6 is disposed so as to sandwich the transfer belt 5a together with the drive roller 5e, and a secondary transfer portion is formed as a nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 5a.

[0026] The feeding unit 4 is disposed below the intermediate transfer unit 5. The feeding unit 4 has a tray 4a on which the recording material 3 is stacked and stored, and a feeding roller 4b as a feeding member.

[0027] The fixing device 7 is disposed in front of the process cartridges 100Y to 100K and above the secondary transfer portion. The fixing device 7 has a heating member (fixing member) that comes into contact with the toner image on the recording material 3, a pressure member that forms a nip portion (fixing nip) together with the heating member, and a heat source that heats the heating member. The heating member is, for example, a cylindrical film, a cylindrical roller, or an endless belt stretched over multiple rollers. The heat source is, for example, a ceramic heater in which a pattern of heating resistors is printed on a ceramic substrate, a halogen lamp that emits radiant heat, or a coil unit that generates Joule heat by inducing eddy currents in a conductive layer in the heating member.

[0028] The discharge unit 8 is, for example, a pair of rollers that sandwich the recording material 3 and discharge it to the outside of the apparatus main body 2. The discharge tray 9 is a stacking section on which the recording material 3 on which an image has been formed is stacked. In this embodiment, the discharge tray 9 forms part of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2.

[0029] <Image formation operation> A series of operations (image forming operations) in which the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the recording material 3 while conveying the recording material 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] The control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 starts an image forming operation when it receives an image formation instruction (print instruction) together with image data from, for example, an external computer. During the image forming operation, the photosensitive drum 101 of each of the process cartridges 100Y to 100K is rotated in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3) at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). The transfer belt 5a is also rotated in the forward direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101 at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed).

[0031] In each of the process cartridges 100Y to 100K, the charging roller 102 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 11 is driven based on an image signal that is generated by a control unit based on image data and sent to the laser scanner unit 11, and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a monochromatic image obtained by separating the image data into its respective color components is formed on each photosensitive drum 101.

[0032] The developing roller 103 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the forward direction (the direction of arrow C in Figure 3) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101. The developing roller 103 carries and supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 101, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 into a toner image.

[0033] In the process cartridge 100Y, the yellow toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 5a at the primary transfer portion. Similarly, in the process cartridges 100M, 100C, and 100K, the magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 101 are primarily transferred to the transfer belt 5a at the primary transfer portion so as to be superimposed on the yellow toner image. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the transfer belt 5a.

[0034] Meanwhile, in the feeding unit 4, a feeding roller 4b feeds recording materials 3 one by one from a tray 4a. The fed recording materials 3 are transported to the secondary transfer section in time with the toner image on the transfer belt 5a reaching the secondary transfer section. Then, at the secondary transfer section, the toner image is secondarily transferred from the transfer belt 5a onto the recording material 3.

[0035] The recording material 3 that has passed through the secondary transfer unit is sent to a fixing device 7. The fixing device 7 fixes the toner image on the recording material 3 to the recording material 3 by applying heat and pressure while nipping and conveying the recording material 3 at a fixing nip. The recording material 3 that has passed through the fixing device 7 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 2 by a discharge unit 8 and stacked on a discharge tray 9.

[0036] <Process cartridge installation / removal configuration> The configuration of the process cartridges 100Y-100K will be described with reference to Figures 4-6. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 when the cartridge tray 20 is pulled out to the outer position from the state shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 when the process cartridge 100 is removed from the cartridge tray 20 from the state shown in Figure 5.

[0037] 4 and 5, the cartridge tray 20 is movable in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling out direction) relative to the apparatus main body 2. That is, the cartridge tray 20 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, the pushing direction (X1) and the pulling out direction (X2) are substantially horizontal. That is, when the apparatus main body 2 is installed on a horizontal surface, the cartridge tray 20 is configured so as to be able to move in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0038] The cartridge tray 20 is movable relative to the device main body 2 between an inner position (Figures 2 and 4) in which it is housed within the device main body 2 and an outer position (Figures 5 and 6) in which it is pulled out from the inner position toward the outside of the device main body 2.

[0039] The cartridge tray 20 has a mounting portion 20a into which the process cartridge 100Y can be detached (i.e., removably mounted) (FIG. 6). Similarly, the cartridge tray 20 has mounting portions 20a corresponding to the other process cartridges 100M, 100C, and 100K, respectively. When the cartridge tray 20 is in the outer position, the process cartridge 100 can be attached to and detached from the mounting portion 20a.

[0040] When replacing the process cartridge 100, the user opens the front door 10 to expose the opening 2A (FIG. 4). Next, the user grasps the cartridge tray 20 and pulls it out in the pulling direction (X2). As a result, the cartridge tray 20 and the process cartridges 100Y to 100K move from the inner position to the outer position through the opening 2A (FIG. 5). Then, the user removes the desired process cartridge 100 from the mounting portion 20a (FIG. 6) and mounts a new process cartridge 100 in the mounting portion 20a. Furthermore, the user pushes the cartridge tray 20 in the pushing direction (X1). As a result, the cartridge tray 20 and the process cartridges 100Y to 100K move from the outer position to the inner position through the opening 2A. Finally, the user closes the front door 10. With the front door 10 closed, the image forming apparatus 1 is permitted to perform an image forming operation.

[0041] The position of the process cartridge 100 when the cartridge tray 20 is located at the inner position and the front door 10 is closed is defined as the image forming position. The image forming position is the position of the process cartridge 100 when the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation (during image formation). The position of the process cartridge 100 when the cartridge tray 20 is pulled out from the inner position to the outer position (FIG. 5) is defined as the removal position. The removal position is the position where removal of the process cartridge 100 from the cartridge tray 20 is permitted.

[0042] In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is connected to the front door 10 via a link mechanism and moves in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door 10. That is, when the front door 10 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 5 moves downward in the direction of arrow Z2 in conjunction with the movement of the front door 10, and moves to a position where the transfer belt 5a is separated from each photosensitive drum 101. When the front door 10 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 5 moves upward in the direction of arrow Z1 in conjunction with the movement of the front door 10, and moves to a position where the photosensitive drums 101 and the transfer belt 5a contact each other (the position during image formation). Furthermore, like the cartridge tray 20, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is movable between an inner position (FIG. 4) and an outer position (FIGS. 5 and 6) relative to the apparatus main body 2. The intermediate transfer unit 5 and the cartridge tray 20 can move to the inner position and the outer position independently of each other.

[0043] In this embodiment, the fixing device 7 is movable between a use position (FIGS. 2 and 4), which is the position during image formation, and a retracted position (FIGS. 5 and 6), relative to the apparatus main body 2. The retracted position is a position retracted upward from the use position. When the front door 10 is open, the fixing device 7 retracts from the use position to the retracted position, thereby increasing the vertical width of the opening 2A and allowing the cartridge tray 20 and the process cartridges 100Y to 100K to pass below the fixing device 7.

[0044] As described above, the plurality of process cartridges 100100Y can be moved collectively to the image forming position and the removal position by the cartridge tray 20. That is, in this embodiment, the process cartridges 100 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 by attaching and detaching them to and from the cartridge tray 20.

[0045] <Process cartridge> The configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit 120. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the developing unit 150. Figure 9 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge 100. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100.

[0046] In the following description, the "longitudinal direction Y" of the process cartridge 100, the drum unit 120, or the developing unit 150 refers to the direction of the rotation axis 101a of the photosensitive drum 101. The longitudinal direction Y may also be referred to as the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103. Furthermore, the aforementioned drive side is the same as one end side Y1 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the aforementioned non-drive side is the same as the other end side Y2 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0047] (drum unit) As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the drum unit 120 has a photosensitive drum 101, a charging roller 102, a drum frame 121, bearings 126a and 127a, pressure springs 126b and 127b, a drive side cover 122, and a non-drive side cover 123.

[0048] In the longitudinal direction Y, the drive side end of the photosensitive drum 101 is engaged with a drum support hole 122a of the drive side cover 122, and the non-drive side end of the photosensitive drum 101 is engaged with a drum support hole 123a of the non-drive side cover 123 (FIG. 9). The photosensitive drum 101 is rotatably supported by the drive side cover 122 and the non-drive side cover 123.

[0049] A drum coupling 125 is formed at the drive side end of the photosensitive drum 101 as an input member to which the driving force of a motor arranged in the apparatus main body 2 is input. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with four main body couplings 30 (FIG. 5) as output members that output the driving force of the motor. The main body couplings 30 are arranged so as to engage with the drum couplings 125 of each process cartridge when the process cartridges 100Y to 100K are positioned at the image forming position. The driving force is transmitted via the main body couplings 30 and the drum couplings 125, so that the photosensitive drum 101 is rotated in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3).

[0050] The charging roller 102 is rotatably supported by bearings 126a and 127a supported by the drum frame 121. The charging roller 102 is urged toward the photosensitive drum 101 (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3 ) by pressure springs 126b and 127b pressing the bearings 126a and 127a. The charging roller 102 rotates (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3 ) following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101. In the longitudinal direction Y, the driving side end of the drum frame 121 is connected to a driving side cover 122, and the non-driving side end of the drum frame 121 is connected to a non-driving side cover 123.

[0051] (developing unit) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the developing unit 150 has a developing frame 150B, a developing roller 103, a supply roller 104, a developing blade 156, an agitating member 161, and a drive train (157, 158, 159).

[0052] The developing frame 150B includes a first frame 151, a second frame 152, a drive-side bearing 153, a non-drive-side bearing 154, and a drive-side cover 155. The first frame 151 and the second frame 152 form a toner storage section 162 (FIG. 3) as a storage space for storing toner. The edge of the first frame 151 and the edge of the second frame 152 are joined together using, for example, ultrasonic welding or a hot-melt adhesive.

[0053] The first frame 151 and the second frame 152 are frame members that form a container (developer container) inside which a toner storage portion 162 is formed. The drive-side bearing 153 is attached to one end (drive side) of the developer container in the longitudinal direction Y, and the non-drive-side bearing 154 is attached to the other end (non-drive side) of the developer container in the longitudinal direction Y. The drive-side bearing 153 and the non-drive-side bearing 154 are fixed to the first frame 151 and the second frame 152 by, for example, screwing.

[0054] The drive-side cover 155 is disposed further outside (further toward the drive side) than the drive-side bearing 153 in the longitudinal direction Y. The drive-side cover 155 is fixed (fastened together) to the first frame 151 and the second frame 152 together with the drive-side bearing 153, for example, by screwing. In this embodiment, the first frame 151, the second frame 152, the drive-side bearing 153, the non-drive-side bearing 154, and the drive-side cover 155 are integrated into a structure to form a developing frame 150B as a frame of the developing unit 150.

[0055] Both ends of the developing roller 103 in the longitudinal direction Y are rotatably supported by bearing members, namely, a drive-side bearing 153 and a non-drive-side bearing 154. In addition, the ends of the supply roller 104 in the longitudinal direction Y are rotatably supported by the drive-side bearing 153 and the non-drive-side bearing 154.

[0056] The developing blade 156 includes an elastic member 156b as a blade main body, and a support member 156a that supports the elastic member 156b. The elastic member 156b is, for example, a sheet metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The support member 156a is, for example, a highly rigid metal member with an L-shaped cross section. The elastic member 156b is fixed to the support member 156a by welding or other methods. Furthermore, both ends of the support member 156a in the longitudinal direction Y are fixed to the developing frame 150B (first frame 151) using, for example, screws 156c.

[0057] The agitating member 161 has a rotating shaft 161a extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103, and agitating sheets 161b and 161c formed of flexible sheet material. One end (fixed end) of the agitating sheets 161b and 161c is attached to the rotating shaft 161a, and the other end of the agitating sheets 161b and 161c is free end. The agitating member 161 is configured so that the agitating sheets 161b and 161c rotate around the rotating shaft 161a as the rotating shaft 161a rotates, thereby agitating the toner in the toner storage section 162. Furthermore, as the rotating shaft 161a rotates, the agitating sheets 161b and 161c, which serve as conveying sections for conveying toner, convey the toner toward the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104.

[0058] The drive transmission configuration of the developing unit 150 will now be described. The drive train described above includes an input gear 159, a developing roller gear 157, a supply roller gear 158, and an agitating gear 160, and is disposed at the drive side end of the developing unit 150 (FIG. 8). At least a portion of this drive train is housed in a space formed between the drive side bearing 153 and the drive side cover 155.

[0059] The developing roller gear 157, the supply roller gear 158, and the agitating gear 160 are directly or indirectly connected to the input gear 159, and are configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the input gear 159. The developing roller gear 157 is provided at the drive side end of the developing roller 103. The supply roller gear 158 is provided at the drive side end of the supply roller 104. The agitating gear 160 is provided at the drive side end of the agitating member 161.

[0060] The input gear 159 has a developing coupling 159a. The input gear 159 functions as an input member to which the driving force of a motor arranged in the apparatus main body 2 is input. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with four main body couplings 40 (FIG. 5) as output members that output the driving force of the motor. The main body couplings 40 are arranged so as to engage with the developing couplings 159a of each process cartridge when the process cartridges 100Y to 100K are positioned at the image forming position. By transmitting the driving force via the main body couplings 40 and the developing couplings 159a, the developing roller 103, the supply roller 104, and the agitating member 161 are each driven to rotate in a predetermined direction (the directions of arrows C, D, and G in FIG. 3).

[0061] (How to assemble the cartridge) A method of assembling the process cartridge 100 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. As shown in Figure 9, the drive-side cover 122 and the non-drive-side cover 123 are provided with developing unit support holes 122b, 123b for supporting the developing unit 150 so that it can swing (move). Meanwhile, the drive-side cover 155 of the developing unit 150 is provided with a cylindrical portion 155a that engages with the developing unit support hole 122b. The non-drive-side bearing 154 of the developing unit 150 is also provided with a cylindrical portion 154a that engages with the developing unit support hole 123b. In other words, the developing frame 150B of the developing unit 150 is provided with cylindrical portions 154a, 155a as engaging portions.

[0062] When assembling the process cartridge 100, the cylindrical portions 154a and 155a of the developing frame 150B are engaged with the developing unit support holes 122b and 123b of the drive-side cover 122 and non-drive-side cover 123. At the same time, both ends of the photosensitive drum 101 are engaged with the drum support holes 122a and 123a of the drive-side cover 122 and non-drive-side cover 123. Then, the drive-side cover 122 and non-drive-side cover 123 are fixed to the drum frame 121 using screws, adhesive, or the like.

[0063] As a result, the process cartridge 100 is assembled in a state in which the developing unit 150 can swing relative to the drum unit 120 (FIG. 10). The swinging of the developing unit 150 around the axis 150a relative to the drum unit 120 allows the developing roller 103 to move toward and away from the photosensitive drum 101. For example, during image formation, the developing roller 103 is held in a position in contact with the photosensitive drum 101 or in a position facing the photosensitive drum 101 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and during non-image formation (period in which image formation operation is not performed), the developing roller 103 is held in a position spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 101.

[0064] The axis 150a of the developing unit 150 is an imaginary line connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 122b in the drive-side cover 122 and the center of the developing unit support hole 123b in the non-drive-side cover 123. The axis 150a is substantially the same as the rotation axis of the developing coupling 159a of the developing unit 150. In other words, the driving force is transmitted to the developing unit 150 from the apparatus main body 2 via an input member that is arranged coaxially with the axis 150a of the developing unit 150.

[0065] In the above, it has been described that the drum unit 120 having the drive-side cover 122 and the non-drive-side cover 123 is connected to the developing unit 150. On the other hand, it can also be considered that the drum unit including the photosensitive drum 101, the charging roller 102, and the drum frame 121 and the developing unit are connected by the drive-side cover 122 and the non-drive-side cover 123, which serve as cover members for the entire process cartridge.

[0066] <Power supply path for electrical components> Next, the configuration of the power supply path of the electrical components provided in the process cartridge 100 will be described. First, the non-drive-side bearing 154 having a contact portion will be described using Figures 18(a) to 18(c) and 19. Figure 18(a) is a view of the non-drive-side bearing 154 seen from the non-drive side, and Figure 18(b) is a view of the non-drive-side bearing 154 seen from the drive side. Figure 18(c) is a cross-sectional view parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sliding portion of the developing roller 103, the supply roller 104, and the non-drive-side bearing 154 that rotatably supports them. Figure 19 is a perspective view for explaining the power supply path of the developing blade 156.

[0067] The non-drive side bearing 154 has a base member 1541 made of PC+ABS or the like, and one or more contact portions made of conductive resin fixed to the base member 1541 by two-color molding. The contact portions in this embodiment are composed of a developing roller contact portion 1542, a supply roller contact portion 1543, a developing blade contact portion 1544, a first detection contact portion 1545, and a second detection contact portion 1546.

[0068] Each contact point (1542 to 1546) may be made of only conductive resin fixed to base member 1541, or may be made of conductive resin and a metal plate (metal contact) attached to non-drive-side bearing 154 so as to cover the conductive resin. In this embodiment, at least first detection contact point 1545 and second detection contact point 1546 include conductive resin and a metal contact.

[0069] In the following, the configurations of the developing roller contact portion 1542, the supply roller contact portion 1543, and the developing blade contact portion 1544 will be described, and the first detecting contact portion 1545 and the second detecting contact portion 1546 will be described later.

[0070] The developing roller contact portion 1542 is electrically connected to the developing roller 103, and is capable of contacting an electrode on the apparatus body 2 corresponding to the developing roller contact portion 1542 when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the apparatus body 2. The supply roller contact portion 1543 is electrically connected to the supply roller 104, and is capable of contacting an electrode on the apparatus body 2 corresponding to the supply roller contact portion 1543 when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the apparatus body 2. The developing blade contact portion 1544 is electrically connected to the developing blade 156, and is capable of contacting an electrode on the apparatus body 2 corresponding to the developing blade contact portion 1544 when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the apparatus body 2. The first detection contact portion 1545 is electrically connected to the electrode sheet 175 (FIG. 3), and is capable of contacting an electrode (electrode member 50, described below) on the apparatus body 2 corresponding to the first detection contact portion 1545 when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the apparatus body 2. The second detection contact portion 1546 is electrically connected to the electrode sheet 175, which is the second conductor, and can come into contact with the electrode (electrode member 50 described below) corresponding to the second detection contact portion 1546 of the device main body 2 when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the device main body 2.

[0071] The developing roller contact portion 1542 has a developing roller support portion 15421, a contact surface 15422, and a connecting portion 15423 connecting them. The developing roller support portion 15421 functions as a bearing portion 154b that rotatably supports the developing roller 15421. The developing roller support portion 15421 supports the developing roller core portion 103a (FIG. 18(c)) at the longitudinal end of the developing roller 103. The contact surface 15422 abuts against an electrode (e.g., a contact spring) corresponding to the developing roller contact portion 1542 for applying a developing roller bias from the apparatus main body 2 to the developing roller 103. The developing bias applied via the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 is supplied to the developing roller 103 via the contact surface 15422, the connecting portion 15423, and the developing roller support portion 15421.

[0072] The supply roller contact portion 1543 has a supply roller support portion 15431, a supply roller contact surface 15432, and a connecting portion 15433 connecting them. The supply roller support portion 15431 functions as a bearing portion 154c that rotatably supports the supply roller 15431. The supply roller support portion 15431 supports the supply roller core portion 104a (FIG. 18(c)) at the longitudinal end of the supply roller 104. The supply roller contact surface 15432 abuts against an electrode (e.g., a contact spring) corresponding to the supply roller contact portion 1543, which applies a supply roller bias from the device main body 2 to the supply roller 104. The supply roller bias applied via the electrode of the device main body 2 is supplied to the supply roller 104 via the supply roller contact surface 15432, the connecting portion 15433, and the supply roller support portion 15431.

[0073] To increase the stability of the electrical contact path, a conductive lubricant is applied to the developing roller support portion 15421 and the developing roller core portion 103a, and to the supply roller support portion 15431 and the supply roller core portion 104a.

[0074] The developing blade contact portion 1544 has a contact spring support portion 15441, a developing blade contact surface 15442, and a connection portion 15443 connecting them. The contact spring support portion 15441 supports a contact spring 166, which will be described later. The developing blade contact surface 15442 abuts against an electrode (e.g., a contact spring) corresponding to the developing blade contact portion 1544, which is for applying a developing blade bias from the apparatus main body 2 to the developing blade 156.

[0075] One end of contact spring 166 is press-fitted and supported in contact spring support portion 15441, and the other end is disposed so as to abut against non-drive side end portion 156a1 of support member 156a with a predetermined pressure (FIG. 19). Here, non-drive side end portion 156a1 of support member 156a is the cutting surface when support member 156a is manufactured, so a conductive lubricant is applied to the contact point between contact spring 166 and support member 156a to increase the stability of the electrical contact path.

[0076] The developing blade bias applied via an electrode (for example, a contact spring) for applying the developing blade bias in the apparatus main body 2 is supplied to the developing blade 156 via the developing blade contact surface 15442, the connection portion 15443, and the contact spring 166.

[0077] <Developing unit movement direction and contact point arrangement> Next, the movement direction of the developing unit 150 and the arrangement of the contact points will be described with reference to Figures 17, 21, and 22. Figure 17 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the non-drive side, and Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 at a longitudinal position where the non-drive side bearing 154 of the developing unit 150 is supported by the non-drive side cover 123. Also, Figure 22 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0078] In the process cartridge 100 of this embodiment, the drum unit 120 (drum frame) supports one longitudinal end of the developing unit 150 (developing frame) so that it can rotate about an axis 150a parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103. The drum unit 120 (drum frame) also supports the other longitudinal end of the developing unit 150 (developing frame) so that it can rotate about the axis 150a parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 and move in a direction perpendicular to the axis 150a (direction P in FIGS. 17 and 21). The developing roller 103 can move between a contact position and a separation position by the drum unit 120 (drum frame) rotating about the axis 150a relative to the developing unit 150 (developing frame) and moving in the direction P. At the contact position, the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 are in contact with each other with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 parallel to each other. At the separated position, the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 are separated from each other. Here, the state in which the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 are parallel to each other and the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 are in contact with each other is referred to as the contact state. The P direction is a direction that is approximately parallel to a straight line L1 that connects the rotation axis 101a of the photosensitive drum 101 and the rotation axis (center of rotation) of the developing roller 103 in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axes of the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 in the contact state (see FIG. 21). This will be described in detail below.

[0079] As described above, the drive-side cover 155 of the developing unit 150 is provided with a cylindrical portion 155a that is supported in the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive-side cover 122 (FIGS. 9 and 22). On the other hand, the non-drive-side bearing 154 is provided with a cylindrical portion 154g that is supported in the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive-side cover 123 (FIG. 21). The cylindrical portion 155a of the drive-side cover 155 and the cylindrical portion 154g provided on the non-drive-side bearing 154 are provided coaxially.

[0080] The cross-sectional shape of the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive-side cover 122 in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 101 is circular. The cross-sectional shape of the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive-side cover 123 in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 101 is oval. This oval is formed by two straight lines extending in the P direction, a semicircle connecting one end of each straight line, and a semicircle connecting the other end of each straight line.

[0081] The cylindrical portion 155a is a cylindrical first protrusion that protrudes from one end of the developing frame 150B in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103, and the cylindrical portion 155a constitutes a first supported portion. The cylindrical portion 154g is a cylindrical second protrusion that protrudes from the other end of the developing frame 150B in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103, and the cylindrical portion 154g constitutes a second supported portion. The developing unit support hole 122b is a first recess into which the cylindrical portion 155a can fit. The developing unit support hole 122b constitutes a first support portion that supports the cylindrical portion 155a rotatably about the axis 150a parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 when the cylindrical portion 155a is fitted in the developing unit support hole 122b. The developing unit support hole 123b is a second recess into which the cylindrical portion 154g can fit. The developing unit support hole 123b constitutes a second support portion that supports the cylindrical portion 154g so that it can rotate around an axis 150a parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 and move in the P direction when the cylindrical portion 154g is engaged with the developing unit support hole 123b.

[0082] As a result, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the developing frame 150B and the drum frame 121 are connected so that the developing frame 150B is rotatable relative to the drum frame 121 and movable in the direction P. In other words, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the developing unit 150 and the drum unit 120 are connected so that the developing unit 150 is rotatable relative to the drum unit 120 and movable in the direction P. The developing roller 103 can move between the contact position and the separation position by rotating the developing frame 150B (developing unit 150) relative to the drum frame 121 (drum unit 120) and moving in the direction P. At the contact position, the developing roller 103 contacts the photosensitive drum 101, and at the separation position, the developing roller 103 is separated from the photosensitive drum 101.

[0083] If the developing unit support holes 122b and 123b both have circular cross sections, variations in the dimensions of the cylindrical portions 155a and 154g in the P direction may cause the rotational axes of the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 to become non-parallel. In this case, the developing roller 103 may not abut uniformly against the photosensitive drum 101 over the entire area in the rotational axis direction at the abutment position, which may result in a decrease in the quality of image formation. Furthermore, a biasing member may be provided that biases the developing roller 103 toward the photosensitive drum 101. In this case, if the rotational axis of the developing roller 103 is not parallel to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 101, the biasing force may deform the developing unit 150, and the drum unit 120 may no longer be able to stably support the developing unit 150.

[0084] In this embodiment, the developing unit support hole 123b has an oval shape that is long in the P direction, which can absorb dimensional variations in the P direction between the cylindrical portion 155a of the drive-side cover 155 and the cylindrical portion 154g of the non-drive-side bearing 154. Specifically, even if there is dimensional variations in the P direction between the cylindrical portion 155a and the cylindrical portion 154g, when the cylindrical portion 154g is at a predetermined position in the P direction in the developing unit support hole 123b, the rotational axis of the developing roller 103 and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 101 become parallel. In other words, the length of the oval shape of the developing unit support hole 123b in the P direction is determined so that the rotational axes of the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 become parallel when the cylindrical portion 154g is at any position in the P direction in the developing unit support hole 123b. At this time, the length of the oval shape in the P direction can be determined taking into account manufacturing tolerances of parts, etc. This prevents the developing unit 150 from being deformed in the P direction, and allows the developing unit 150 to be stably supported.

[0085] The position of the developing unit 150 relative to the drum unit 120 when the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 are in the contact position is referred to as the first position. The position of the developing unit 150 relative to the drum unit 120 when the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 are in the separated position is referred to as the second position. When the developing unit 150 is moved between the first and second positions, the cylindrical portion 154g moves in the P direction inside the developing unit support hole 123b, causing a movement in which the cylindrical portion 154g comes into contact with one of the ends of the developing unit support hole 123b in the P direction. In addition, the cylindrical portion 154g rotates inside the developing unit support hole 123b, and the cylindrical portion 155a rotates inside the developing unit support hole 122b. These rotational movements and linear movement in the P direction cause the developing unit 150 to move relative to the drum unit 120. Furthermore, since the developing unit 150 is movable in the P direction relative to the drum unit 120, the developing roller 103 can be brought into contact with and separated from the photosensitive drum 101 with good movement efficiency.

[0086] Furthermore, the non-drive-side cover 123 and the non-drive-side bearing 154 are provided with spring-hook boss portions 123h, 154h, and a spring 169 is provided to stably press the developing roller 103 against the photosensitive drum 101 (FIG. 17). The spring 169 is an example of a biasing member having one end connected to the drum frame and the other end connected to the developing frame 150B. The spring 169 applies force to the drum frame 121 and the developing frame 150B so as to bias the developing roller 103 toward the photosensitive drum 101.

[0087] Next, the arrangement of the contact points in this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 17, at least two of the contact points provided on the process cartridge 100 are arranged to overlap when viewed in the minor axis direction (S direction) perpendicular to the major axis direction P direction of the developing unit support hole 123b.

[0088] Here, two components overlap when viewed in the S direction means that the two areas obtained when the two components are projected in the S direction have a common portion. In other words, at least a part of one of the two components is included in the area sandwiched between two straight lines S1 and S2 extending in the S direction and passing through the outermost point of the other component in the P direction. It can also be said that a two-dimensional figure consisting of a set of straight lines passing through one of the two components and parallel to the S direction has a common portion with the other component.

[0089] 17, at least a portion of the developing blade contact portion 1544 and the supply roller contact portion 1543 is included in an area (shown by diagonal lines) sandwiched between lines S1 and S2 extending in the S direction and passing through the outermost point in the P direction of the developing roller contact portion 1542. Therefore, it can be said that the developing roller contact portion 1542, the developing blade contact portion 1544, and the supply roller contact portion 1543 overlap when viewed in the S direction.

[0090] In this embodiment, the size of each contact point is set to satisfy the following. Width in the P direction > P direction dimension of the electrode of the device body + variation in part tolerance + movement amount of the development unit 150 Width in S direction > S direction dimension of device body electrode + component tolerance variation

[0091] Here, the movement amount of the developing unit 150 refers to the movement amount of the developing unit 150 in the P direction when the position of the developing unit 150 relative to the drum unit 120 moves between a first position and a second position. As described above, the developing unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120 by linear movement along the P direction and rotation about the axis 150a. The dimension of the contact portion in the P direction is the sum of the dimension of the electrode in the main body of the apparatus corresponding to the contact portion in the P direction and the distance it can move in the P direction by linear movement and rotation, plus a length that takes into account variations due to component tolerances. The electrode in the main body of the apparatus corresponding to the contact portion is an electrode provided in the main body of the apparatus 2 so as to be able to contact the contact portion when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the main body of the apparatus 2. The electrode is biased toward the process cartridge 100 by, for example, a spring, and thus comes into contact with the contact portion when the process cartridge 100 is installed. For example, when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the developing roller contact portion 1542 comes into contact with the developing roller contact portion 1542, thereby supplying electricity to the developing roller 103 via the developing roller contact portion 1542. By setting the contact portion to the size as described above, it is possible to prevent the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 (for example, a contact spring) from falling off the contact portion on the process cartridge side, even if the developing unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120. This makes it possible to stably supply power from the apparatus main body 2 to the process cartridge 100.

[0092] Furthermore, by arranging contact points whose width in the S direction is narrower than their width in the P direction so that they overlap when viewed in the S direction, it is possible to reduce the space required to arrange multiple contact points. According to this embodiment, it is possible to arrange the contact points in a space-saving manner while ensuring that the contact points have sufficient dimensions to prevent the electrodes of the apparatus main body 2 from falling off the contact points when the development unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the three contact portions, supply roller contact portion 1543, developing blade contact portion 1544, and developing roller contact portion 1542, are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the S direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained even if at least two of supply roller contact portion 1543, developing blade contact portion 1544, and developing roller contact portion 1542 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the S direction.

[0094] In this embodiment, the first detection contact 1545 and the second detection contact 1546 are arranged to at least partially overlap when viewed in the S direction ( FIG. 17 ). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17 , at least a portion of the first detection contact 1545 is included in the area (shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 17 ) between lines S3 and S4 extending in the S direction and passing through the outermost point of the second detection contact 1546 in the P direction. In other words, the area of ​​the first detection contact 1545 projected in the S direction and the area of ​​the second detection contact 1546 projected in the S direction have a common area. This common area is shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 17 . This allows the installation space for the first detection contact 1545 and the second detection contact 1546 in the developing unit 150 to be reduced. Note that the first detection contact 1545 and the second detection contact 1546 do not necessarily have to be arranged to at least partially overlap when viewed in the S direction.

[0095] 17, the spring 169, the supply roller contact portion 1543, the developing blade contact portion 1544, and the developing roller contact portion 1542 are arranged so as to overlap at least partially when viewed in the S direction. This makes it possible to reduce the installation space required for the spring 169, the supply roller contact portion 1543, the developing blade contact portion 1544, and the developing roller contact portion 1542 in the developing unit 150. Note that the spring 169 does not have to be arranged so as to overlap at least partially with the supply roller contact portion 1543, the developing blade contact portion 1544, and the developing roller contact portion 1542 when viewed in the S direction.

[0096] Furthermore, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the supply roller contact portion 1543, the developing blade contact portion 1544, and the developing roller contact portion 1542 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction. As described above, the developing roller contact portion 1542 is connected to the developing roller support portion 15421 via the connection portion 15423. The supply roller contact portion 1543 is connected to the supply roller support portion 15431 via the connection portion 15433. The developing blade contact portion 1544 is connected to the contact spring support portion 15441 via the connection portion 15443. Because the supply roller contact portion 1543, the developing blade contact portion 1544, and the developing roller contact portion 1542 are formed by two-color molding, it is preferable that the total length of the connection portions 15423, 15433, and 15443 be short. It is preferable to arrange the contact points so that the total length of the connection points 15423, 15433, and 15443 is as short as possible, depending on the layout of the electrodes of the developing roller 103, the supply roller 104, the developing blade 156, and the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, by arranging the contact points in the vertical direction in the order of the supply roller contact point 1543, the developing blade contact point 1544, and the developing roller contact point 1542, it was possible to shorten the total length of the connection points 15423, 15433, and 15443.

[0097] According to the process cartridge 100 of this embodiment, when viewed in a direction (S direction) perpendicular to the movement direction (P direction) of the development unit 150, at least two or more contact points are arranged so as to overlap, thereby making it possible to arrange the contact points in a space-saving manner.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2 and viewed from the non-drive side (as viewed from the perspective of FIG. 17), the detection contact portions (1545, 1546) and the other contact portions (1542, 1543, 1544) are aligned in a substantially horizontal direction. Below, the positional relationship between the detection contact portions (1545, 1546) and the other contact portions (1542, 1543, 1544) will be described based on the posture when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2 (referred to as the mounted posture; see FIG. 2).

[0099] The first detection contact portion 1545 and the second detection contact portion 1546 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction V. In other words, the first detection contact portion 1545 and the second detection contact portion 1546 overlap when viewed in the vertical direction V. In addition, the developing roller contact portion 1542, the supply roller contact portion 1543, and the developing blade contact portion 1544 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction V. In other words, when viewed in the vertical direction V, any two selected from the developing roller contact portion 1542, the supply roller contact portion 1543, and the developing blade contact portion 1544 overlap.

[0100] The first detection contact 1545 and the second detection contact 1546 are collectively referred to as the "detection electrode," and the "developing roller contact 1542, supply roller contact 1543, and developing blade contact 1544" are collectively referred to as the "process electrode." The detection electrode and the process electrode are aligned in the horizontal direction H and overlap each other when viewed in the horizontal direction H (corresponding to the left-right direction in FIG. 2). In other words, the range from the upper end position to the lower end position of the detection electrode in the vertical direction V at least partially overlaps with the range from the upper end position to the lower end position of the process electrode in the vertical direction V. In this embodiment, the upper end position of the detection electrode is the upper end position of the first detection contact 1545, and the lower end position of the detection electrode is the lower end position of the second detection contact 1546. In this embodiment, the upper end position of the process electrode is the upper end position of the supply roller contact 1543, and the lower end position of the process electrode is the lower end position of the developing roller contact 1542.

[0101] With the above configuration, the process cartridge 100 can be made smaller in the vertical direction V than, for example, a configuration in which the detection electrode portion and the process electrode portion are aligned in the vertical direction V. Furthermore, because the contact portion belonging to the detection electrode portion and the contact portion belonging to the process electrode portion are arranged together, it is easier to design a shorter conduction path to the electrical component of the power supply target (detection target).

[0102] The arrangement of the contact points in this embodiment will be described in more detail. When the process cartridge 100 in the attached attitude is viewed in the horizontal direction H, the first detection contact point 1545 overlaps with at least one of the developing roller contact point 1542, the supply roller contact point 1543, and the developing blade contact point 1544. When viewed in the horizontal direction H, the second detection contact point 1546 overlaps with at least one of the developing roller contact point 1542, the supply roller contact point 1543, and the developing blade contact point 1544. In this embodiment, the first detection contact point 1545 overlaps with each of the developing roller contact point 1542, the supply roller contact point 1543, and the developing blade contact point 1544. Furthermore, the second detection contact point 1546 overlaps with at least the supply roller contact point 1543.

[0103] The positional relationship between the contact portions (contact layout) described above is useful in reducing the size of the process cartridge 100.

[0104] The developing roller 103, the supply roller 104, or the developing blade 156 can be used as an electrode for detecting the remaining toner amount. In this case, one of the first detecting contact 1545 and the second detecting contact 1546 may be omitted. Even in such a configuration, the above-described contact layout can be applied to the first detecting contact 1545 or the second detecting contact 1546 as the detecting contact.

[0105] <Toner remaining amount detection mechanism> The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a toner remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the amount of toner (hereinafter referred to as remaining toner amount) contained in the development unit 150 (inside the process cartridge 100). Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the toner remaining amount detection mechanism in this embodiment.

[0106] The toner remaining amount detection mechanism includes a CPU 51, a remaining amount detection circuit 52, a voltage application unit 53, and two electrode members 50, which are all arranged in the apparatus main body 2. The toner remaining amount detection mechanism also includes two metal contacts 170, two electrode sheets 175, and two conductive paths CP, which are all arranged in the process cartridge 100.

[0107] The electrode member 50 is a contact portion (main body contact portion) on the side of the apparatus main body 2. The metal contact 170 is a contact member on the side of the process cartridge 100 configured to come into contact with the electrode member 50. When the electrode member 50 comes into contact with the metal contact 170, the circuit of the apparatus main body 2 and the circuit of the process cartridge 100 are electrically connected. In other words, the electrode sheet 175, which is an electrical component inside the process cartridge 100, is electrically connected to the circuit (51, 52, 53) of the image forming apparatus main body via the metal contact 170 as a contact member.

[0108] The remaining amount detection circuit 52 is electrically connected to one of the electrode members 50, and the voltage application unit 53 is electrically connected to the other electrode member 50. The CPU 51 is electrically connected to the remaining amount detection circuit 52. The CPU 51 and the remaining amount detection circuit 52 may be part of a control unit (control board) mounted in the device main body 2.

[0109] The two metal contacts 170 are electrically connected to two electrode sheets 175 via conductive paths CP, respectively. The electrode sheets 175 are exposed to the toner storage section 162 inside the developing frame 150B. The electrode sheets 175 are an example of electrical components that perform their intended functions by being electrically connected to the electrical circuits (51, 52, 53) of the apparatus main body 2. The metal contacts 170, the conductive paths CP, and the electrode sheets 175 will be described in detail below.

[0110] When the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 and the front door 10 is closed (hereinafter referred to as the "attachment complete state of the process cartridge 100"), the two electrode members 50 come into contact with the two metal contacts 170, respectively. This connects the electrical circuit of the apparatus main body 2 and the electrical circuit of the process cartridge 100, enabling power to be supplied to the electrode sheet 175. Hereinafter, the electrode sheet 175 to which voltage is applied from the voltage application unit 53 will be referred to as the "input side electrode sheet 175," and the electrode sheet 175 electrically connected to the remaining amount detection circuit 52 will be referred to as the "output side electrode sheet 175."

[0111] The remaining toner amount detection mechanism according to this embodiment is a capacitance-type detection mechanism that detects the remaining toner amount based on the detection result of the capacitance between two electrode sheets 175. CPU 51 applies an AC voltage to input-side electrode sheet 175 (first electrode) using voltage application unit 53, thereby inducing capacitance between electrode sheets 175. The magnitude of the capacitance between electrode sheets 175 changes depending on the amount of dielectric material present between electrode sheets 175, i.e., the amount of toner.

[0112] The remaining amount detection circuit 52 outputs a detection signal according to the capacitance between the electrode sheets 175. As a specific example, the remaining amount detection circuit 52 obtains a reference voltage by applying the same AC voltage as that applied to the input electrode sheet 175 to a reference capacitance element having a known capacitance. The remaining amount detection circuit 52 also compares the voltage value of the output electrode sheet 175 (second electrode) with the reference voltage, and outputs a voltage value as a detection signal that is the difference between the two.

[0113] The CPU 51 executes control based on the remaining toner amount, based on a detection signal from the remaining toner amount detection circuit 52. For example, when the remaining toner amount falls below a preset threshold, the CPU 51 notifies the user of information (cartridge replacement information) urging the user to replace the process cartridge 100. The notification method may be a screen display on an operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus 1, or a notification may be sent to an external information processing terminal connected to the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0114] <Detection contact part> The first detection contact 1545 and the second detection contact 1546 of the process cartridge 100 according to this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 12 and Figs. 13(a) and (b). Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the non-drive side end of the process cartridge 100. Fig. 13(a) is a view showing the state in which the non-drive side cover 123 and the metal contact 170 of the process cartridge 100 have been removed from the state shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 13(b) is a view of the non-drive side cover 123 as seen from the drive side.

[0115] The process cartridge 100 of this embodiment has a first detection contact 1545 and a second detection contact 1546 as elements that constitute the remaining toner amount detection mechanism described above. The two detection contacts (1545, 1546) basically have the same structure. Therefore, in the following description, any one of the two detection contacts (1545, 1546) will be referred to as the "detection contact 169."

[0116] 12 and 13(a), the process cartridge 100 has a detection contact portion 169. The detection contact portion 169 is a contact structure formed by a contact support portion 171 that is a part of the developing frame 150B, and a metal contact 170 attached to the contact support portion 171.

[0117] 12, the detection contact portion 169 is disposed so as to be exposed on the non-drive side surface of the process cartridge 100. The non-drive side cover 123 of the process cartridge 100 is provided with an opening 123c (contact window) that penetrates in the longitudinal direction Y. When the process cartridge 100 is viewed in the direction (Y1) from the non-drive side toward the drive side, at least a portion of the metal contact 170 is exposed through the opening 123c.

[0118] In this embodiment, the developing unit 150 is held between the drive-side cover 122 and the non-drive-side cover 123 in the longitudinal direction Y. In this configuration, the opening 123c of the non-drive-side cover 123 allows the electrode member 50 on the apparatus main body 2 side, which will be described later, to reach the metal contact 170 from the further non-drive side (outside the process cartridge 100) of the non-drive-side cover 123. Note that instead of the hole-shaped opening 123c, a notch shape for exposing the metal contact 170 may be provided in the non-drive-side cover 123. Furthermore, the process electrode portion described above is exposed through an opening (contact window) separate from the opening 123c through which the detection contact portion 169 is exposed.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 1(c), the metal contact 170 is attached to a contact support portion 171 that is a part of the developing frame 150B. The contact support portion 171 is a part of the non-drive-side bearing 154 of the developing unit 150. More specifically, the contact support portion 171 is provided on the non-drive-side end face of the non-drive-side bearing 154, and has a convex shape that protrudes toward the non-drive side. The non-drive-side bearing 154 is an example of a support member that supports the metal contact 170 (contact member).

[0120] The contact support 171 includes a conductive resin portion 172. The conductive resin portion 172 is formed of a resin material and is conductive. Meanwhile, at least a portion of the non-drive-side bearing 154 (including the portion adjacent to the conductive resin portion 172) is the aforementioned base member 1541 formed of an insulating resin material. The base member 1541 of the non-drive-side bearing 154 may be made of, for example, PS (polystyrene), PC (polycarbonate), or POM (polyacetal). The conductive resin material constituting the conductive resin portion 172 may be, for example, a base material made of PS, PC, or POM with carbon black dispersed therein as a conductive agent. When PS is used, HIPS (high impact polystyrene) is preferred. The above materials are merely examples, and other resin materials and conductive agents may also be used.

[0121] 13(b), the conductive resin portion 172 of this embodiment is formed integrally with other portions of the non-drive-side bearing 154 (for example, the bearing portions 154b and 154c of the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104; see also FIG. 8). For example, after the conductive resin portion 172 is formed in a primary molding step in two-color molding, the portions of the non-drive-side bearing 154 other than the conductive resin portion 172 are molded in a secondary molding step.

[0122] The resistance value of the conductive resin part 172 is 2.0×10 5 Ω or less, preferably 1.0×10 3 Ω or less 1.0×10 5Ω or less. Furthermore, when the conductive resin part 172 is molded integrally with the other parts of the non-drive-side bearing 154, it is preferable that the resin material of the conductive resin part 172 is compatible with the resin material of the other parts of the non-drive-side bearing 154. This makes it difficult for the conductive resin part 172 to separate from the other parts.

[0123] The metal contact 170 of this embodiment is formed by bending a single metal plate. The metal plate may be, for example, a 0.15 mm thick plate of C5210 alloy (a copper alloy containing 7.0 to 9.0% tin and 0.03 to 0.35% phosphorus, etc.; phosphor bronze for springs). The C5210 alloy plate is suitable for this embodiment in terms of springiness, conductivity, and wear resistance. However, the metal contact 170 may be formed from other metal materials.

[0124] Here, it is also possible that the conductive resin portion 172 is not covered by the metal contact 170, and the electrode member 50 on the apparatus main body 2 side is brought into direct contact with the exposed surface of the conductive resin portion 172. In this case, however, repeated contact between the electrode member 50 and the conductive resin portion 172 may wear the conductive resin portion 172, potentially reducing the stability of the electrical connection between the apparatus main body 2 and the process cartridge 100. In contrast, in this embodiment, the conductive resin portion 172 is covered by the metal contact 170, and therefore the conductive resin portion 172 can be protected from friction with the electrode member 50. In other words, by using the metal contact 170, it is possible to reduce wear of the conductive resin portion 172 caused by repeated contact with and separation from the electrode member 50, and the resulting problems such as poor connection.

[0125] <Conduction path> The conductive path CP that electrically connects the metal contact 170 and the electrode sheet 175 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 14(a)(b) and 20(a)(b). FIGS. 14(a)(b) are perspective views showing the portion of the developing unit 150 related to the conductive path CP. FIG. 20(a) is a side view of the developing unit 150 as seen from the non-drive side. For ease of explanation, only parts related to the remaining toner amount detection mechanism are shown. Also, FIG. 20(b) is a cross section taken along the line FA-FA in FIG. 20(a). The metal contact 170 is not shown in FIGS. 14(a)(b) and 20(a)(b).

[0126] As shown in Figures 14(a)(b) and 20(a)(b), the conductive path CP in this embodiment includes a conductive resin part 172 of the non-drive side bearing 154, a spring member 173, and a conductive resin part 174 of the first frame 151.

[0127] The conductive resin portion 172 has a first flat surface 172a (first surface), a second flat surface 172b (second surface), a connecting portion 172c, and a spring receiving portion 172d. The first flat surface 172a is a surface facing the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction Y of the process cartridge 100. The second flat surface 172b is a surface facing a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the longitudinal direction Y.

[0128] The first flat surface 172a (first surface) extends in a first direction D1, and the second flat surface 172b (second surface) extends in a second direction D2 that intersects with the first direction D1 (FIG. 1(b)). The first flat surface 172a (first surface) also extends in a third direction D3 that intersects with both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are preferably perpendicular to one another. In this embodiment, the second direction D2 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction Y, and the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 are both substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y.

[0129] As shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 20(a), at least a portion of the first flat surface 172a is exposed on the outer surface of the non-drive side of the non-drive-side bearing 154. The second flat surface 172b extends in a second direction D2 from the first flat surface 172a toward the drive side (Y1) in the longitudinal direction Y. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 13(b) and 20(b), at least a portion of the second flat surface 172b is exposed on the outer surface of the non-drive side of the non-drive-side bearing 154. As will be described below, the first flat surface 172a is configured to contact a portion of the metal contact 170, and the second flat surface 172b is configured to contact another portion of the metal contact 170.

[0130] 13(b) and 20(b), at least a portion of spring receiving portion 172d is exposed on the outer surface of the drive side of non-drive-side bearing 154. Spring member 173 is attached to spring receiving portion 172d by a method such as press-fitting in a state in which spring member 173 protrudes from non-drive-side bearing 154 toward the drive side. Furthermore, first flat portion 172a, second flat portion 172b, and spring receiving portion 172d are formed as a physically continuous, integrated part via connecting portion 172c.

[0131] When the non-drive-side bearing 154 is fixed to the first frame 151 and the second frame 152, the end of the spring member 173 opposite the spring receiving portion 172d comes into contact with the conductive resin portion 174 of the first frame 151 (FIG. 20(b)). The spring member 173 comes into contact with both the spring receiving portion 172d and the conductive resin portion 174 while being compressed between the first frame 151 and the non-drive-side bearing 154. The elastic deformation of the spring member 173 can absorb dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances of the first frame 151 and the non-drive-side bearing 154. In other words, the spring member 173 can improve the stability of the electrical connection between the conductive resin portion 174 (molded resin portion) of the first frame 151 and the conductive resin portion 172 (second molded resin portion) of the non-drive-side bearing 154, and therefore the stability of the connection between the electrode sheet 175 and the circuitry of the device main body 2.

[0132] 14(b), the conductive resin portion 174 of the developing frame 150B is part of the first frame 151. A part of the conductive resin portion 174 is exposed to the outer surface of the first frame 151, and another part of the conductive resin portion 174 is exposed to the inner surface of the first frame 151 (the inner wall of the toner accommodating portion 162).

[0133] The conductive resin portion 174 is formed of a resin material having conductivity. Meanwhile, at least a portion of the first frame 151 excluding the conductive resin portion 174 (including the portion adjacent to the conductive resin portion 174) is formed of an insulating resin material. For example, PS, PC, or POM can be used as the insulating resin material forming at least a portion of the first frame 151. For example, a material in which carbon black is dispersed as a conductive agent in a base material of PS, PC, or POM can be used as the conductive resin material forming the conductive resin portion 174. When PS is used, HIPS (high impact polystyrene) is preferable. The above materials are merely examples, and other resin materials and conductive agents may also be used.

[0134] The resistance value of the conductive resin part 174 is 2.0×10 5 Ω or less, preferably 1.0×10 3 Ω or less 1.0×10 5 Ω or less. When the conductive resin portion 174 is molded integrally with the other portions of the first frame 151, the resin material of the conductive resin portion 174 is preferably compatible with the resin material of the other portions of the first frame 151.

[0135] In this embodiment, the conductive resin portion 174 is formed integrally with other portions of the first frame 151. For example, after the conductive resin portion 174 is formed in a primary molding step in two-color molding, the portions of the first frame 151 other than the conductive resin portion 174 are molded in a secondary molding step.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 14(a), the electrode sheet 175 is a sheet-like electrode fixed to the inner surface of the first frame 151. The electrode sheet 175 extends in the longitudinal direction Y of the developing unit 150. In this embodiment, two electrode sheets 175 are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction of the agitating member 161 (see also FIG. 3). The electrode sheet 175 is formed of a conductive sheet material. For example, the electrode sheet 175 may be a conductive sheet material formed by carbon-coating a sheet base material made of PS resin. However, the electrode sheet 175 may also be, for example, a metal foil. Also, an electrode other than a sheet may be used.

[0137] The electrode sheet 175 is attached to the inner surface of the first frame 151 using, for example, a conductive adhesive. At this time, the electrode sheet 175 is positioned so that a portion of the electrode sheet 175 contacts the exposed region 1741 of the conductive resin portion 174 on the inner surface of the first frame 151. The electrode sheet 175 may be electrically connected to the conductive resin portion 174 via the adhesive, for example, by being bonded with an adhesive containing a conductive agent. This electrically connects the electrode sheet 175 and the conductive resin portion 174. In addition, the electrode sheet 175 and the metal contact 170 are electrically connected by a conduction path CP that includes the conductive resin portion 174 of the first frame 151, the spring member 173, and the conductive resin portion 172 of the non-drive-side bearing 154.

[0138] <Details of metal contacts> The detailed shape of the metal contact 170 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c), 15, and 16(a) to 16(c). FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the metal contact 170. FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the attachment portion (contact support portion 171 described later) of the metal contact 170 in the developing frame 150B. FIG. 1(c) is a perspective view showing the metal contact 170 attached to the contact support portion 171. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a method for attaching the metal contact 170. FIG. 16(a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrode member 50 on the apparatus main body 2 side and the detection contact portion 169 on the process cartridge 100 side. FIGS. 16(b) and 16(c) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the electrode member 50.

[0139] The configuration of the metal contact 170 and the contact support portion 171 described below may be applied to each of the contact portions (1542, 1543, 1544) of the process electrode portion described above.

[0140] 1(a) and 1(c), the metal contact 170 of this embodiment roughly has a flat portion 1701 (first portion), a second bent piece 1702 (second portion), and a third bent piece 1703 (third portion). The metal contact 170 also has a first protrusion 170f, a second protrusion 170g, and bent portions 170c1, 170c2, 170c3, and 170c4. The flat portion 1701 has a power-receiving surface 170a and a resin contact surface 170b. The first bent piece 1702 has a pressing portion 170d. The second bent piece 1703 has a retaining portion 170e.

[0141] The flat portion 1701 is an example of a first portion of the metal contact 170 (contact member). The first bent piece 1702 is an example of a second portion of the metal contact 170 (contact member). The second bent piece 1703 is an example of a third portion of the metal contact 170 (contact member). Below, the shape and the like of the metal contact 170 will be described based on the state in which the metal contact 170 is attached to the contact support portion 171.

[0142] Metal contact 170 in this embodiment is formed by bending a single metal plate (raw sheet metal) that is punched or the like from an original metal plate. That is, pressing portion 170d, retaining portion 170e, first protrusion 170f, and second protrusion 170g are continuous with flat portion 1701, and are formed by bending a portion of the metal plate relative to flat portion 1701.

[0143] The power-supplied surface 170a is a contact surface that comes into contact with the electrode member 50 of the apparatus main body 2. The power-supplied surface 170a is a surface facing the non-drive side (Y2) in the longitudinal direction Y of the process cartridge 100 and is a surface that comes into contact with the electrode member 50. The resin contact surface 170b is a surface on the back side of the power-supplied surface 170a and is a surface (area) that faces and comes into contact with a first flat surface portion 172a of the conductive resin portion 172 of the non-drive-side bearing 154. The resin contact surface 170b and the first flat surface portion 172a are preferably parallel to each other. In other words, the flat surface portion 1701 (first portion) of the metal contact 170 extends in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 along the first flat surface portion 172a (first surface of the resin-formed portion) of the conductive resin portion 172.

[0144] Note that a part of the flat surface portion 1701 (first portion) may be provided with an uneven shape such as an uneven shape formed by drawing (embossing) or holes formed by punching. The power-supply surface 170a may be a partial area of ​​the surface of the flat surface portion 172a facing the non-driving side (Y2). The resin contact surface 170b may be a partial area of ​​the surface of the flat surface portion 172a facing the driving side (Y1).

[0145] The power-supply surface 170a and the resin contact surface 170b form a substantially rectangular planar portion 1701 when viewed in the longitudinal direction Y. The first direction D1 is a direction along one side of the substantially rectangular planar portion 1701. The third direction D3 is a direction along the other side of the planar portion 1701. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is one of the directions along the power-supply surface 170a, and the third direction D3 is a direction along the power-supply surface 170a that is perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0146] The metal contact 170 in this embodiment has a shape in which the length of the flat portion 1701 in the first direction D1 is shorter than the length of the flat portion 1701 in the third direction D3. The first direction D1 can be referred to as the short side direction of the flat portion 1701, and the third direction D3 can be referred to as the long side direction of the flat portion 1701. However, the metal contact 170 may have a shape in which the length of the flat portion 1701 in the first direction D1 is longer than the length of the flat portion 1701 in the third direction D3.

[0147] The electrode member 50 presses the power-supply surface 170a in a second direction D2 that intersects (preferably perpendicular to) both the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The pressing direction (D2) in which the electrode member 50 presses the power-supply surface 170a is substantially parallel to the attachment direction DA (FIG. 15) of the metal contacts 170 relative to the contact support portion 171. Note that the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 may change depending on the orientation of the contact support portion 171. For example, the first direction D1 for the upper metal contact 170 in FIG. 12 is different from the first direction D1 for the lower metal contact 170.

[0148] 1(a), the first bent piece 1702 (second portion) extends in the second direction D2 from a bent portion 170c1 formed at one end (first end) of the flat portion 1701 in the first direction D1. In other words, the metal plate forming the metal contact 170 is bent at the bent portion 170c1 between the first bent piece 1702 and the flat portion 1701. The first bent piece 1702 extends toward the driving side in the longitudinal direction Y relative to the flat portion 1701.

[0149] A pressing portion 170d that presses the second flat portion 172b of the conductive resin portion 172 is provided as at least a part of the first bent piece 1702. The pressing portion 170d contacts the second flat portion 172b from one side in the first direction D1 (the right side in FIG. 1(c)). In other words, the first bent piece 1702 (second portion) has the pressing portion 170d as a contact portion that contacts the second surface from the first side in the first direction D1.

[0150] In a state before the metal contact 170 is attached to the contact support portion 171 (FIGS. 1(a) and 15), the pressing portion 170d protrudes inward from the end (bent portion 170c1) of the flat portion 1701 in the first direction D1. When viewed in the third direction D3 (when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 15), the pressing portion 170d in this embodiment is a ridge portion of a V-shaped bent portion in which a part of the first bent piece 1702 protrudes toward the second bent piece 1703 in the first direction D1. However, the pressing portion 170d may be another portion of the first bent piece 1702 (for example, the end portion farther from the bent portion 170c1).

[0151] 1(a), the second bent piece 1703 (third portion) extends in the second direction D2 from a bent portion 170c2 formed at the other end (second end) of the flat portion 1701 in the first direction D1. The second bent piece 1703 is bent at the bent portion 170c2 approximately perpendicular to the flat portion 1701, and extends toward the driving side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0152] The retaining portion 170e is provided at the tip of the second bent piece 1703. Before the metal contact 170 is attached to the contact support portion 171, the retaining portion 170e protrudes inward from the end (bent portion 170c2) of the flat portion 1701 in the first direction D1. In other words, the retaining portion 170e is an example of a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting with the second direction D2. The retaining portion 170e is a protrusion that prevents the metal contact 170 from being removed from the contact support portion 171 by engaging with a recess 171d of the contact support portion 171, which will be described later.

[0153] The first protrusion 170f and the second protrusion 170g are provided on one end side and the other end side of the flat surface portion 1701 in the third direction D3. Each of the first protrusion 170f and the second protrusion 170g is an example of a protrusion that protrudes in the second direction D1 from one end of the flat surface portion 1701 (first portion) in the third direction D2 that intersects with both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The first protrusion 170f can be called the first protrusion, and the second protrusion 170g can be called the second protrusion.

[0154] The first protrusion 170f is bent at a bent portion 170c3 substantially perpendicular to the flat portion 1701 and protrudes in a second direction relative to the flat portion 1701. The second protrusion 170g is bent at a bent portion 170c4 substantially perpendicular to the flat portion 1701 and protrudes in the second direction relative to the flat portion 1701. The first protrusion 170f and the second protrusion 170g extend toward the driving side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0155] An end face 170f1 (end face of the protrusion) of the first protrusion 170f comes into contact with the positioning protrusion 171b1 from the other side in the first direction D1 (the side opposite to the side where the pressing portion 170d is located with respect to the second flat surface portion 172b, the left side of the positioning protrusion 171b1 in FIG. 1(c)). Similarly, an end face 170g1 of the second protrusion 170g comes into contact with the positioning protrusion 171c1 from the other side in the first direction D1 (the left side of the positioning protrusion 171c1 in FIG. 1(c)). Each of the end faces 170f1, 170g1 functions as a restricting portion that restricts movement of the flat surface portion 1701 (first portion) of the contact member against the restoring force of the bent portion 170c1.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the contact support portion 171 has a protrusion portion 171a, a pair of positioning protrusions 171b1 and 171b2, a pair of positioning protrusions 171c1 and 171c2, and a conductive resin portion 172 (molded resin portion).

[0157] The protrusion 171a is provided on one end side of the contact support 171 in the first direction D1. The protrusion 171a is formed at a position corresponding to the second bent piece 1703 of the metal contact 170. A recess 171d that engages with the retaining portion 170e is formed on the rear side of the protrusion 171a in the attachment direction DA of the metal contact 170. The protrusion 171a and the second flat surface portion 172b of the conductive resin portion 172 are arranged on different side surfaces of the contact support 171, which has a convex shape that protrudes toward the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, the second flat surface portion 172b is provided on the other end side of the contact support 171 in the first direction D1, that is, on the opposite side to the protrusion 171a in the first direction D1.

[0158] The pair of positioning protrusions 171b1, 171b2 are arranged in the first direction D1 at intervals equal to or slightly wider than the width of the first protrusion 170f of the metal contact 170. The pair of positioning protrusions 171c1, 171c2 are arranged in the first direction D1 at intervals equal to or slightly wider than the width of the second protrusion 170g of the metal contact 170. The positioning protrusions 171b1, 171b2, 171c1, 171c2 are examples of engaged portions that engage with the first protrusion 170f and second protrusion 170g of the metal contact 170.

[0159] 15, the metal contact 170 is attached to the contact support part 171 by being fitted into the contact support part 171 in the mounting direction DA. In this embodiment, the mounting direction DA is substantially parallel to the second direction D2. That is, in this embodiment, the mounting direction DA is substantially the same direction as the driving side (Y2) of the longitudinal direction Y.

[0160] During the process of attaching the metal contacts 170 to the contact support part 171, the retaining portion 170e climbs over the protrusion 171a of the contact support part 171 and reaches the recess 171d (FIG. 16(a)). The retaining portion 170e is caught on the protrusion 171a and held by 171d, thereby restricting movement of the metal contacts 170 in the opposite direction to the attachment direction DA, and restricting the metal contacts 170 from falling off the contact support part 171. In other words, the engagement between the retaining portion 170e (protrusion) and the recess 171d of the non-drive-side bearing 154 (support member) restricts the metal contacts 170 from coming off the contact support part 171 in the direction in which the flat portion 1701 moves away from the first flat portion 172a of the conductive resin part 172.

[0161] 1(c), when the metal contact 170 is attached to the contact support 171, the first protrusion 170f of the metal contact 170 is inserted between the pair of positioning protrusions 171b1 and 171b2. Similarly, the second protrusion 170g of the metal contact 170 is inserted between the pair of positioning protrusions 171c1 and 171c2.

[0162] The position of the metal contact 170 (particularly the position of the flat portion 1701) relative to the contact support portion 171 is determined by the engagement between the first protrusion 170f and the positioning protrusions 171b1 and 171b2, and the engagement between the second protrusion 170g and the positioning protrusions 171c1 and 171c2. Specifically, the metal contact 170 is positioned in the first direction D1 by the edges on both sides of the first protrusion 170f and the second protrusion 170g engaging with the positioning protrusions 171b1, 171b2, 171c1, and 171c2. Furthermore, the metal contact 170 is positioned in the third direction D3 by the two first protrusions 170f and the two second protrusions 170g sandwiching at least a portion of the contact support portion 171 from both sides in the third direction D3.

[0163] The electrode member 50 presses the power-receiving surface 170a of the metal contact 170 against the process cartridge 100 attached to the apparatus main body 2 in a pressing direction that intersects with the power-receiving surface 170a. As a result, the contact portion 50a of the electrode member 50 and the power-receiving surface 170a come into contact with each other, and the resin contact surface 170b on the back side of the power-receiving surface 170a is pressed against the first flat surface portion 172a of the conductive resin portion 172. In other words, the metal contact 170 of this embodiment comes into contact with the first flat surface portion 172a of the conductive resin portion 172 at the resin contact surface 170b.

[0164] Here, as shown in Fig. 16(a), the metal contacts 170 of this embodiment are attached to the contact support 171 mainly with the bent portion 170c1 elastically deformed. Specifically, when the metal contacts 170 are attached to the contact support 171 (Fig. 16(a)), the distance in the first direction D1 between the pressing portion 170d and the opposing surface 170e1 of the pressing portion 170d in the second bent piece 1703 is defined as a gap W2. When the metal contacts 170 are in a state before being attached to the contact support 171 (Fig. 15), the distance in the first direction D1 between the pressing portion 170d and the opposing surface 170e1 is defined as a gap W1. The gap W2 after attachment is wider than the gap W1 before attachment.

[0165] Therefore, in the attached state (FIGS. 1(c) and 16(a)), the elastic force (restoring force) of the bent portion 170c1 presses the pressing portion 170d (contact portion) against the second flat portion 172b (second surface) of the conductive resin portion 172. In other words, the metal contact 170 of this embodiment is configured to contact the first flat portion 172a of the conductive resin portion 172 at the resin contact surface 170b, and to contact the second flat portion 172b of the conductive resin portion 172 at the pressing portion 170d.

[0166] After attachment, the end faces 170f1 and 170g1 (restriction portions) of the first protrusion 170f and the second protrusion 170g come into contact with the positioning protrusions 171b1 and 171c1, thereby restricting the movement of the flat portion 1701 against the restoring force of the bent portion 170c1. The pressing portion 170d presses the second flat portion 172b from one side (first side) in the first direction D1. In response to this, the end faces 170f1 and 170g1 of the first protrusion 170f and the second protrusion 170g abut against the positioning protrusions 171b1 and 171c1 that are part of the support member from the other side (second side) in the first direction D1. Therefore, the metal contact 170 does not move due to the reaction force that the pressing portion 170d receives from the second flat portion 172b, and the pressing portion 170d maintains contact with the second flat portion 172b.

[0167] Furthermore, the second flat portion 172b that comes into contact with the pressing portion 170d extends in a direction that intersects with the first flat portion 172a that faces the resin contact surface 170b of the metal contact 170. Therefore, even if the electrode member 50 presses the metal contact 170 and the position of the metal contact 170 changes slightly, contact between the pressing portion 170d and the second flat portion 172b is likely to be maintained.

[0168] <Interlocking of front door and electrode parts> In this embodiment, the electrode member 50 comes into contact with and separates from the metal contact 170 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door 10. Figures 16(b) and 16(c) schematically show an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the electrode member 50 with the front door 10.

[0169] 16(b), the electrode member 50 is a spring member having a coil portion 50b which is an elastic portion, and a contact portion 50a which comes into contact with the power-receiving surface 170a of the metal contact 170. By the expansion and contraction of the coil portion 50b, the contact portion 50a can move in a direction approaching or moving away from the power-receiving surface 170a.

[0170] The electrode member 50 is held by a holder 501. The holder 501 has a cam surface 501a. Meanwhile, the apparatus main body 2 has a slider member 59 connected to the front door 10 via a link member. The slider member 59 has a cam surface 59a and is configured to move rightward in the drawing in conjunction with the opening operation of the front door 10, and move leftward in the drawing in conjunction with the closing operation of the front door 10. The movement direction of the slider member 59 is a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction Y of the process cartridge 100, and is, for example, a direction substantially parallel to the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0171] 16(b) shows a state in which the front door 10 is closed. When the front door 10 is opened from a closed state, the slider member 59 moves rightward in the figure in conjunction with the front door 10. The slider member 59 moves the holder 501 downward in the figure against the elastic force of the coil portion 50b due to the sliding of the cam surfaces 59a and 501a. As a result, the contact portion 50a moves downward in the figure together with the holder 501, as shown in FIG. 16(c), and separates from the metal contact 170.

[0172] When the open front door 10 is closed, the slider member 59 moves leftward in the figure in conjunction with the front door 10. Then, the holder 501 is released from the slider member 59 and moves upward in the figure due to the elastic force of the coil portion 50b. As a result, the contact portion 50a moves upward in the figure together with the holder 501, as shown in FIG. 16(b), and comes into contact with the metal contact 170.

[0173] The above-described interlocking mechanism is one example of a mechanism for moving the electrode member 50 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door 10 (opening and closing member), and other interlocking mechanisms may also be used.

[0174] As described above, the flat portion 1701 of the metal contact 170 comes into contact with the first flat portion 172a of the conductive resin portion 172, and the elastic force of the bent portion 170c1 causes the pressing portion 170d of the metal contact 170 to come into contact with the second flat portion 172b of the conductive resin portion 172. In other words, the first portion of the contact member comes into contact with the first surface of the resin-forming portion, and the elastic force of the bent portion causes the second portion of the contact member to come into contact with the second surface of the resin-forming portion.

[0175] According to this embodiment, the metal contacts 170 and the conductive resin portion 172 are in contact with each other at multiple locations, thereby improving the stability of the electrical connection between the cartridge and the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0176] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge 100 is used as an example of a "cartridge." However, the present technology can be applied to other cartridges. For example, when the developing unit 150 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 as an independent cartridge (developing cartridge), the configuration of the detection contact 169 described in the embodiment may be applied to the contact of the developing cartridge. The developing cartridge is a cartridge that has a toner storage section that stores toner and a developing roller that rotates while carrying the toner stored in the toner storage section, but does not have a photosensitive drum 101 (photosensitive element). Furthermore, the configuration of the detection contact 169 described in the embodiment may be applied to the contact of a toner cartridge that stores toner to replenish the developing unit and that includes an electrical component (e.g., a memory tag) that connects to the circuitry of the apparatus main body. In addition, the configuration of the detection contact 169 described in the embodiment may be applied to the contact of a unit (e.g., cartridge tray 20) that is detachable or movable relative to the apparatus main body 2.

[0177] In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is described as including a process cartridge 100 that is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 via a cartridge tray 20 that is movable between an inner position and an outer position relative to the apparatus main body 2. However, the present technology is not limited to this, and may be applied to a process cartridge that is detachable directly from the apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus that does not have a cartridge tray.

[0178] In the above-described embodiment, the electrode sheet 175 used for capacitance-type toner remaining amount detection was cited as an example of an "electrical component." However, the present technology can also be applied to other electrical components. For example, the electrical component may be the developing roller 103 to which a voltage (developing voltage) for developing a toner image is applied, or the developing blade 156 to which a voltage for charging the toner carried on the developing roller 103 is applied. The electrical component may also be the photosensitive drum 101, the core of which is grounded by a circuit in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, or the charging roller 102 to which a voltage (charging voltage) for charging the photosensitive drum 101 is applied. The electrical component may also be a storage medium (memory chip) that stores information about the process cartridge 100 (e.g., identification information such as a serial number or information about the toner filling amount). The electrical component may also be a component of a detection mechanism that detects the state of the process cartridge 100 (e.g., the amount of remaining toner) using a method other than capacitance-type toner remaining amount detection. Additionally, the electrical component broadly includes components that perform their intended functions by being connected to the electrical circuit of the main body of the image forming apparatus via metal contacts 170.

[0179] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the non-drive-side bearing 154 is provided as an example of a "support member" has been described, but the metal contact 170 may also be attached to another member provided in the process cartridge 100. For example, the metal contact 170 may be attached to the drive-side cover 122 or the non-drive-side cover 123 of the process cartridge 100, or to the first frame 151 or the second frame 152 of the developing unit 150. In this case, by providing a contact support portion 171 including a conductive resin portion 172 on the member (support member) to which the metal contact 170 is attached, advantages similar to those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0180] In the above-described embodiment, the pressing portion 170d is provided only on one side of the flat portion 172a in the first direction D1. However, for example, the pressing portion 170d may be provided on both sides of the flat portion 172a in the first direction D1. In this case, the distance between the two pressing portions 170d before being attached to the contact support portion 171 may be narrower than the width of the contact support portion 171 in the first direction D1. This allows the two pressing portions 170d to sandwich the contact support portion 171 and at least one of the pressing portions 170d to come into contact with the conductive resin portion 172. In this modification, the two pressing portions 170d also function as restricting portions that restrict movement of the metal contact 170 in the first direction D1. Therefore, the configuration for positioning the metal contact 170 in the first direction D1 (first protrusion 170f, second protrusion 170g, positioning protrusions 171b1, 171b2, 171c1, 171c2) may be omitted.

[0181] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following: (Configuration 1) A cartridge that is detachably mounted to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a contact member that comes into contact with a main body contact portion of the main body of the apparatus when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus; a support member for supporting the contact member; an electrical component configured to be electrically connected to an electrical circuit of the device main body via the contact member; and the support member is a resin molded portion formed of a resin material, has electrical conductivity, and includes a resin molded portion that forms at least a part of a conduction path electrically connecting the contact member and the electrical component, the resin molding portion has a first surface extending along a first direction and a second surface extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The contact member is formed of a metal plate, The contact member is a first portion extending along the first direction, the first portion having a contacted surface that comes into contact with the main body contact portion, the first portion contacting the first surface on a back side of the contacted surface; a bent portion formed by bending the metal plate at one end of the first portion in the first direction; a second portion extending from the bent portion in the second direction and having a contact portion that contacts the second surface from a first side in the first direction; a restricting portion configured to contact a part of the support member from a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction and restrict movement of the first part toward the first side; and the bent portion is attached to the support member in a state where the bent portion is elastically deformed and the contact portion is pressed against the second surface of the resin molded portion by a restoring force of the bent portion. A cartridge characterized by: (Configuration 2) the contact member has a protruding portion that protrudes in the second direction from one end of the first portion in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and the second direction, The restricting portion is an end surface of the protruding portion in the first direction. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1. (Configuration 3) the support member has a pair of protrusions aligned in the first direction, The protruding portion is inserted between the pair of convex portions, thereby positioning the first portion of the contact member in the first direction. 3. The cartridge according to claim 2. (Configuration 4) the protrusion is a first protrusion, the contact member has a second protruding portion protruding in the second direction from the other end of the first portion in the third direction, the first protrusion and the second protrusion sandwich a part of the support member from both sides in the third direction, thereby positioning the first part of the contact member in the third direction. 4. The cartridge according to configuration 2 or 3. (Configuration 5) the support member has a recess; the contact member has a third portion bent from a second end of the first portion in the first direction toward a direction along the second direction, the third portion having a protrusion protruding in a direction intersecting the second direction, the support member has a recess that engages with the protrusion, The engagement between the protrusion and the recess restricts the contact member from being separated from the support member. 5. A cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. (Configuration 6) The toner cartridge further includes a frame provided with a toner storage section for storing toner, the electrical component is an electrode for detecting the amount of toner contained in the toner container; 6. A cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) a developing roller that carries the toner and rotates around a rotation axis; the frame has a bearing member that rotatably supports an end of the developing roller in the direction of the rotation axis, The support member is the bearing member. 7. The cartridge according to claim 6. (Configuration 8) the electrode is a conductive sheet material fixed to the inner surface of the toner storage unit, the frame body has a frame member that forms the toner storage portion, the frame member has a second resin molded portion that is conductive and formed of a resin material, the second resin molded portion being in contact with the sheet material and constituting the conductive path together with the resin molded portion; 8. The cartridge according to claim 7. (Configuration 9) The spring member is disposed between the bearing member and the frame member, and electrically connects the resin molded portion and the second resin molded portion. 9. The cartridge according to claim 8. (Configuration 10) The cartridge is a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum and at least one process means acting on the photosensitive drum. 10. The cartridge of any one of configurations 1 to 9. (Configuration 11) The cartridge is a developing cartridge having a toner storage section that stores toner, and a developing roller that rotates while carrying the toner stored in the toner storage section. 10. The cartridge of any one of configurations 1 to 9. (Configuration 12) 12. A cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 11; an apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attached; and forming an image on a recording material with the cartridge attached to the main body of the apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 13) the electrical component is a first electrode; the cartridge has a toner storage section that stores toner, and a second electrode that is arranged so as to be exposed to the toner storage section together with the first electrode, The device body includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the first electrode; a detection circuit that detects the amount of toner contained in the toner container based on a detection result of the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode when the voltage application unit applies a voltage to the first electrode; having 13. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 12. (Configuration 14) the device body includes a housing having an opening, and an opening / closing member that moves between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening, When the opening / closing member is in the open position, the cartridge is permitted to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body; the main body contact portion is configured to come into contact with the contact member in conjunction with movement of the opening / closing member from the closed position to the open position, and to move away from the contact member in conjunction with movement of the opening / closing member from the open position to the closed position. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 or 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 100, 100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K... Cartridge / 154... Support member (non-drive side bearing) / 170... Contact member (metal contact) / 1701... First part (flat part) / 1702... Second part (first bent piece) / 1703... Third part (second bent piece) / 170a... Contacted surface (power-receiving surface) / 170c1... Bent part / 170d... Contact Contact portion (pressure portion) / 170e... convex portion (retaining portion 170e) / 170f... protrusion, first protrusion (first protrusion) / 170f1, 170g1... restricting portion / 170g... second protrusion (second protrusion) / 172... resin molded portion (conductive resin portion) / 172a... first surface (first flat portion) / 172b... second surface (second flat portion) / 175... electrical component (electrode sheet)

Claims

1. A cartridge that is detachably mounted to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a contact member that comes into contact with a main body contact portion of the main body of the apparatus when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus; a support member for supporting the contact member; an electrical component configured to be electrically connected to an electrical circuit of the device main body via the contact member; and the support member is a resin molded portion formed of a resin material, has electrical conductivity, and includes a resin molded portion that forms at least a part of a conduction path electrically connecting the contact member and the electrical component, the resin molded portion has a first surface extending along a first direction and a second surface extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The contact member is formed of a metal plate, The contact member is a first portion extending along the first direction, the first portion having a contacted surface that comes into contact with the main body contact portion, the first portion contacting the first surface on a back side of the contacted surface; a bent portion formed by bending the metal plate at one end of the first portion in the first direction; a second portion extending from the bent portion in the second direction, the second portion having a contact portion that contacts the second surface from a first side in the first direction; a restricting portion configured to contact a portion of the support member from a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction and restrict movement of the first portion toward the first side; the bent portion is attached to the support member in a state where the bent portion is elastically deformed and the contact portion is pressed against the second surface of the resin molded portion by a restoring force of the bent portion. A cartridge characterized by:

2. the contact member has a protruding portion that protrudes in the second direction from one end of the first portion in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and the second direction, The restricting portion is an end surface of the protruding portion in the first direction.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

3. the support member has a pair of protrusions aligned in the first direction, The protruding portion is inserted between the pair of convex portions, thereby positioning the first portion of the contact member in the first direction.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2.

4. the protrusion is a first protrusion, the contact member has a second protruding portion protruding in the second direction from the other end of the first portion in the third direction, the first protrusion and the second protrusion sandwich a part of the support member from both sides in the third direction, thereby positioning the first part of the contact member in the third direction.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2.

5. the support member has a recess; the contact member has a third portion bent from a second end of the first portion in the first direction toward a direction along the second direction, the third portion having a protrusion protruding in a direction intersecting the second direction, the support member has a recess that engages with the protrusion, The engagement between the protrusion and the recess restricts the contact member from being separated from the support member.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

6. The toner cartridge further includes a frame provided with a toner storage section for storing toner, the electrical component is an electrode for detecting the amount of toner contained in the toner container; 2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

7. a developing roller that carries the toner and rotates around a rotation axis; the frame has a bearing member that rotatably supports an end of the developing roller in the direction of the rotation axis, The support member is the bearing member.

7. The cartridge according to claim 6.

8. the electrode is a conductive sheet material fixed to the inner surface of the toner storage unit, the frame body has a frame member that forms the toner storage portion, the frame member has a second resin molded portion that is conductive and made of a resin material, the second resin molded portion being in contact with the sheet material and constituting the conductive path together with the resin molded portion; 8. The cartridge according to claim 7.

9. a spring member disposed between the bearing member and the frame member, the spring member electrically connecting the resin molded portion and the second resin molded portion; 9. The cartridge according to claim 8.

10. the cartridge is a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum and at least one process means acting on the photosensitive drum; 10. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The cartridge is a developing cartridge having a toner storage section that stores toner, and a developing roller that rotates while carrying the toner stored in the toner storage section.

10. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The cartridge according to claim 1; an apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attached; and forming an image on a recording material with the cartridge attached to the main body of the apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

13. the electrical component is a first electrode; the cartridge has a toner storage section that stores toner, and a second electrode that is disposed so as to be exposed to the toner storage section together with the first electrode, The device body includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the first electrode; a detection circuit that detects the amount of toner contained in the toner container based on a detection result of electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode when the voltage application unit applies a voltage to the first electrode; having 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the device body includes a housing having an opening, and an opening / closing member that moves between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening, When the opening / closing member is in the open position, the cartridge is permitted to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body; the main body contact portion is configured to come into contact with the contact member in conjunction with movement of the opening / closing member from the closed position to the open position, and to move away from the contact member in conjunction with movement of the opening / closing member from the open position to the closed position.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 or 13.

Images