Image formation device

Abstract

To provide one embodiment of an image formation device that comprises a mobile unit which can have a cartridge with memory means attached / detached and also has intermediate contact constitution for electrically connecting the memory means and a main body electric contact of a device body to each other.SOLUTION: A mobile unit is movable relative to a device main body between a first position where an image can be formed and a second position where a cartridge is attachable / detachable, wherein a unit electric contact is provided on an upstream-side end face of a frame body located in a direction in which the mobile unit is separated from the device body in a first direction, and a main body electric contact of the device body is provided at a part of the device body which faces the upstream-side end face of the frame body when the mobile unit is at the first position, and also comes into electric contact with the unit electric contact when the mobile unit is at the first position and leaves the unit electric contact when the mobile unit is at the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus is known that has a moving unit that is movable relative to the apparatus main body and that is configured to allow a cartridge equipped with memory means to be attached thereto. Patent Document 1 discloses a moving unit that has an intermediate contact structure for electrically connecting the electrical contacts of the memory means of the cartridge and the main body electrical contacts of the apparatus main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-28346 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a moving unit with the above-described intermediate contact configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] the movable unit is detachably mounted to the apparatus main body and includes a photosensitive drum and a frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum and to which a cartridge having a developing roller and memory means is detachably mounted; a linear conductor that connects an intermediate electrical contact that electrically contacts a memory electrical contact of the memory means of the cartridge and a unit electrical contact that electrically contacts a main body electrical contact of the apparatus main body; and a cover that is provided on the movable unit and covers an opening of the linear conductor so as to enclose at least a part of the linear conductor, the cover having a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to a first direction and attached so that the U-shaped opening faces an end face of the movable unit, and at least a part of the cover fits into a recess in which the linear conductor is disposed; the movable unit is movable with respect to the apparatus main body between a first position where an image can be formed and a second position where the cartridge is detachably mounted; The unit electrical contact is provided on the upstream end face of a frame body that is positioned in the direction in which the movable unit is pulled out from the device main body in the first direction, and the main body electrical contact of the device main body is provided on a part of the device main body that faces the upstream end face of the frame body when the movable unit is in the first position, and the main body electrical contact is in electrical contact with the unit electrical contact when the movable unit is in the first position and is separated from the unit electrical contact when the movable unit is in the second position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide one form of an image forming apparatus that includes a moving unit to which a cartridge equipped with a memory means can be detachably attached, and that has an intermediate contact configuration for electrically connecting the memory means and the main body electrical contacts of the apparatus main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] (a) A perspective view of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge tray pulled out. (b) A perspective view of the image forming apparatus without the cartridge tray. [Figure 3] A perspective view of a cartridge tray and a developing cartridge [Figure 4] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the cartridge tray and the developing cartridge [Figure 5] (a) Perspective view of the cartridge tray. (b) Enlarged perspective view of the front part of the cartridge tray. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tray contact unit and a tray memory contact corresponding to the developing cartridge. [Figure 7] (a) A side view of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge tray installed. (b) A side view of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge tray pulled out. (c) A side view of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge tray pulled out further from the state shown in (b). [Figure 8] (a) A perspective view of the image forming apparatus when the front door is in the closed position. (b) A perspective view of the image forming apparatus when the front door is between the closed position and the open position. (c) A perspective view of the image forming apparatus when the front door is in the open position. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the front door [Figure 10] (a) Perspective view of the multi-tray unit in use. (b) Enlarged perspective view of the multi-tray unit. [Figure 11] Enlarged perspective view of the tray contact unit [Figure 12] Diagram showing door contact unit and tray contact unit [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a door contact unit and its peripheral configuration; [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus in the middle of closing a front door. [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view of the door contact unit and the tray contact unit in contact with each other [Figure 16] (a) Perspective view of the cartridge tray (b) Perspective view of the wiring section [Figure 17] (a) Perspective view of the cartridge tray. (b) Perspective view of the cartridge tray from a different perspective than (a). [Figure 18]1A is a side view showing the contact member and wiring portion of the cartridge tray, FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wiring portion of the cartridge tray in a direction perpendicular to the D3 direction, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first tray charging contact and the wiring portion. [Figure 19] (a) A perspective view of the lid member. (b) A perspective view of the lid member from a different perspective than (a). [Figure 20] Perspective view of the developing cartridge [Figure 21] An exploded perspective view of a longitudinal end portion of the developing cartridge [Figure 22] Perspective view of the developing cartridge [Figure 23] A perspective view of the vicinity of the tray memory contact of the cartridge tray [Figure 24] (a) Top view of the developing cartridge (b) Cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge [Figure 25] Top view of the cartridge tray near the tray memory contacts from the D2 direction [Figure 26] (a) A perspective view showing the wiring part of the cartridge tray. (b) A perspective view of the cartridge tray from a different perspective than (a). [Figure 27] (a) is a perspective view of a cartridge tray with a cover member attached according to the second embodiment; (b) is a perspective view of a cartridge tray with a cover member removed according to the second embodiment; [Figure 28] (a) is a perspective view of a wiring portion of a cartridge tray according to a second embodiment; (b) is a perspective view of the wiring portion of a cartridge tray from a different perspective than (a); [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, with a cartridge tray removed; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the following description, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings and examples. However, the functions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the functions, materials, shapes, etc. of components that have been described in the following description are the same as those described in the initial description unless otherwise specified.

[0009] In the following description, the side of the image forming apparatus where the front door is provided will be referred to as the front side, and the side opposite the front side will be referred to as the rear side. Furthermore, when looking at the image forming apparatus from the front, the left side will be referred to as the left side, and the right side will be referred to as the right side.

[0010] Also, the direction extending on the drum rotation axis of the photosensitive drum of the cartridge tray is defined as direction D1 (second direction). Furthermore, the direction intersecting direction D1 (in this embodiment, the insertion direction of the developing cartridge into the cartridge tray) is defined as direction D2 (third direction). In addition, the direction in which the cartridge tray is inserted into the image forming apparatus is defined as direction D3 (first direction). The D1 and D2 directions intersect or are perpendicular to each other. The D2 and D3 directions intersect or are perpendicular to each other. The D3 and D1 directions intersect or are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, direction D2 is the vertical direction, and direction D3 is the direction perpendicular to both direction D1 and direction D3.

[0011] Example 1 [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an entire image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color full-color laser beam printer that uses an electrophotographic image forming process, and forms a color image on a sheet S.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body 2, a cartridge tray 3 (movable unit) on which photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are provided, and developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K. The cartridge tray 3 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2. The cartridge tray 3 is a tray configured to detachably accommodate the four developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K. The cartridge tray 3 is configured to be movable relative to the apparatus main body 2 with the developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K attached.

[0013] In the following, the cartridge tray 3 with the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K attached thereto will be referred to as the drawer unit 3. The cartridge tray 3 is movable between an image forming position (first position) where the photosensitive drums can form images and a drawer position (second position) where the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 2.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet S (for example, printing paper) using a developer (for example, toner) supplied from the developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K.

[0015] In this embodiment, four developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are mounted on one cartridge tray 3. The four developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K contain developers (hereinafter also referred to as toner) of different colors (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). However, the number of developer cartridges 8 mounted on the cartridge tray 3 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

[0016] The developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K have almost the same configuration except for the color of the toner images. Therefore, the configuration of the developing cartridge 8Y will be mainly described. The differences from 8Y will be described for the other developing cartridges 8M, 8C, and 8K. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge tray 3 and developing cartridge 8Y according to this embodiment.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge tray 3 is provided with a photosensitive drum 4Y corresponding to the developer cartridge 8Y. The photosensitive drum 4Y carries a toner image and rotates around a rotation axis extending in the D1 direction. That is, the D1 direction is the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 4Y. The cartridge tray 3 is equipped with a charging member 5Y that acts on the photosensitive drum 4Y, a first cleaning roller 7Y, and a second cleaning roller 9Y. The charging member 5Y is a stroboscopic corona charger and includes a discharge wire 5aY and a grid electrode 5bY. The developer cartridge 8Y has a developing roller 6Y that develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4Y. The first cleaning roller 7Y and the second cleaning roller 9Y are not shown in FIG. 1. The second cleaning roller 9Y is not provided in other developer cartridges.

[0018] 1, a laser scanner unit LB is provided above the cartridge tray 3. This laser scanner unit LB outputs a laser beam Z corresponding to image information. The laser beam Z passes through an exposure window 10 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0019] An electrostatic attraction belt unit 11 is provided below the developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K and the cartridge tray 3. This electrostatic attraction belt unit 11 has a drive roller 13 and a tension roller 14, and a plastic electrostatic attraction belt 12 is stretched across the drive roller 13 and the tension roller 14. The photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K provided on the cartridge tray 3 are in contact with the upper surface of the electrostatic attraction belt 12.

[0020] Transfer rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are provided at positions facing the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K inside the electrostatic attraction belt 12. The toner images carried on the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are transferred onto the sheet S by applying a transfer bias to the transfer rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K.

[0021] A feeding unit 18 is provided below the electrostatic attraction belt unit 11. This feeding unit 18 has a feeding tray 19 that holds and stores sheets S, and a feeding roller 20, and feeds the sheets S. A fixing unit 21 that fixes an image on the sheets S is disposed on the rear side (right side in FIG. 1) of the electrostatic attraction belt unit 11, and a discharge unit 22 that discharges the sheets S outside the apparatus is disposed above the apparatus main body 2.

[0022] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the cartridge tray 3 removed. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the cartridge tray 3 is installed so as to be movable in the direction D3 (first direction) along a guide rail 41 (guide portion) (see FIG. 2(b)) provided on the apparatus main body 2 after the front door 40 of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened. The moving direction of the cartridge tray 3 is the direction D3. The opening and closing of the front door 40 will be described in detail later. The developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are individually replaceable with respect to the cartridge tray 3.

[0023] The device body 2 has an opening 25 through which the drawer unit 38 passes. The front door 40 is supported by the device body 2 so as to be movable between a closed position that covers the opening 25 and an open position that opens the opening 25.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the cartridge tray 3 and the developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K according to this embodiment. In Fig. 3, one developing cartridge 8C has been removed from the cartridge tray 3. The developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are attached to and detached from four slots S1, S2, S3, and S4 (attachment portions) provided in a tray frame 30 of the cartridge tray 3, which will be described later.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing cartridge 8C as a developing unit includes a memory tag unit 80C to which a memory tag 81C (memory medium) is attached. The memory tag 81C is a contact-type IC chip and has an electrical contact portion. The memory tag 81C can be electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 1 by contacting a memory contact 720C (intermediate electrical contact) (see FIG. 6) provided on the cartridge tray 3. The memory tag 81C stores information related to the developing cartridge 8C.

[0026] 9, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a control board 43 and a display unit 42. The control board 43 has a processor such as a CPU and various memories, and is configured, for example, by a circuit board. The processor operates according to a program to execute various processes in the image forming apparatus 1. The control board 43 is also electrically connected to the memory tags 81Y, 81M, 81C, and 81K, as will be described later, and processes information from the memory tags 81Y, 81M, 81C, and 81K of the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K. This makes it possible to notify the user of information such as the remaining amount of developer in the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K using the display unit 42 provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0027] [Image formation operation] Next, the image forming operation will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4. The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The cartridge tray 3 and the developing cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are completely installed in the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 40 closed.

[0028] When the front door 40 is closed, a drum drive coupling (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 engages with drum couplings 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K (see FIG. 3) connected to the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. The drum couplings 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K are rotationally driven via a drive output motor and gears (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1. The photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are rotationally driven in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 at predetermined speeds via the drum couplings 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K. The electrostatic attraction belt 12 is also rotationally driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K.

[0029] At this time, the laser scanner unit LB is driven and emits light. In synchronization with the light emission of the laser scanner unit LB, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging members 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. The laser scanner unit LB scans and exposes the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K with laser light Z in accordance with the image signal for each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image in accordance with the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum.

[0030] This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 6Y, which is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow E in Fig. 4. The supply roller 70Y is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow F while in contact with the surface of the developing roller 6Y. The agitating member 71Y has a shaft member 71aY and a sheet member 71bY, and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow G.

[0031] Through this electrophotographic image forming process, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4Y. Meanwhile, the sheets S are separated and fed one by one at a predetermined controlled timing by the feeding unit 18. The sheets S are then transported along the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K by the electrostatic adsorption belt 12.

[0032] The sheet S reaches the photosensitive drum 4Y at a predetermined control timing, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4Y is transferred onto the sheet S. Similarly, toner images corresponding to magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the photosensitive drums 4M, 4C, and 4K. Then, these toner images are transferred onto the sheet S in superimposed order of magenta, cyan, and black. In this way, a full-color unfixed toner image of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is formed on the sheet S.

[0033] The toner image transferred onto the sheet S is fixed by the fixing unit 21. Then, the sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 21 is discharged onto a discharge tray 23 by a discharge unit 22.

[0034] Residual toner and paper dust remaining on the photosensitive drum 4Y are physically and electrically removed from the photosensitive drum 4Y by the first cleaning roller 7Y. Part of the residual toner is retained by the first cleaning roller 7Y, and another part is charged by the first cleaning roller 7Y and returned to the photosensitive drum 4Y. The residual toner returned to the photosensitive drum 4Y is returned to the developing roller 6Y. Paper dust is physically and electrically removed from the first cleaning roller 7Y by the second cleaning roller 9Y.

[0035] [Cartridge tray configuration] Next, the configuration of the cartridge tray 3 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 18. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the cartridge tray 3, and Figure 5(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the front side (front portion) of the cartridge tray 3. Figure 18(a) is a right side view of the cartridge tray, and Figure 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1 in Figure 18(a). Figure 18(c) will be described later.

[0036] The cartridge tray 3 has a tray frame 30 (second frame), a through shaft 55, photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, charging members 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, and cleaning frames 27Y, 27M, 27C, and 27K (FIG. 4).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the tray frame 30 has four surfaces: a right side surface 30r, a left side surface 30l, a front surface 30f, and a rear surface 30b. The right side surface 30r is located on the outside of the device in the D1 direction of the cartridge tray 3 and covers the right side. Similarly, the left side surface 30l is located on the outside of the device in the D1 direction of the cartridge tray 3 and covers the left side. The front surface 30f and the rear surface 30b are surfaces that connect the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l, with the front surface 30f located on the front side of the cartridge tray 3 and the rear surface 30b located on the rear side.

[0038] The through shaft 55 is supported by the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l, and both ends thereof protrude outward in the direction D1 beyond the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l. Positioning grooves 56 are formed on the rear sides of the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l (the left side surface 30l side is not shown). Here, the through shaft 55 is supported by a shaft engaging portion 57 of the apparatus main body 2 shown in FIG. 2(b), and the positioning grooves 56 are supported by the positioning shaft 24 of the apparatus main body 2 shown in FIG. 1. This positions the cartridge tray 3 relative to the apparatus main body 2.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5(a), the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are rotatably supported on the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l, and are rotatably attached about rotation shafts extending in the D1 direction. The charging members 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K and the cleaning frames 27Y, 27M, 27C, and 27K (Figure 4) are integrally supported by the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l.

[0040] 18(a), tray development contacts 610Y, 610M, 610C, and 610K, first tray charging contacts 611Y, 611M, 611C, and 611K, and second tray charging contacts 612Y, 612M, 612C, and 612K are provided on the right side surface 30r. Similarly, first tray cleaner contacts 613Y, 613M, 613C, and 613K and a second tray cleaner contact 614 are provided on the right side surface 30r.

[0041] The tray development contacts 610Y, 610M, 610C, and 610K, the first tray charging contacts 611Y, 611M, 611C, and 611K, and the second tray charging contacts 612Y, 612M, 612C, and 612K are in contact with contacts (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2, and a voltage is supplied to them. Similarly, the first tray cleaner contacts 613Y, 613M, 613C, and 613K, and the second tray cleaner contact 614 are in contact with contacts (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2, and a voltage is supplied to them.

[0042] Further explanation will be given using Figure 18(a) and Figure 4. Figure 4 shows a representative configuration for yellow.

[0043] The tray development contacts 610Y, 610M, 610C, and 610K are electrically connected to the development rollers 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, respectively.

[0044] The first tray charging contacts 611Y, 611M, 611C, and 611K are electrically connected to the discharge wires 5aY, 5aM, 5aC, and 5aK, respectively. The second tray charging contacts 612Y, 612M, 612C, and 612K are electrically connected to the grid electrodes 5bY, 5bM, 5bC, and 5bK, respectively.

[0045] The first tray cleaner contacts 613Y, 613M, 613C, and 613K are electrically connected to the first cleaning rollers 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, respectively, which are rotatable about rotation axes extending in the D1 direction.

[0046] The second tray cleaner contact 614 is electrically connected to the second cleaning roller 9Y.

[0047] In this embodiment, a corona charger is used as the charging section, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a charging roller that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 4 may also be used.

[0048] In this embodiment, cleaning rollers 7 and 9 are used, but a rubber blade or sheet may be used to remove the remaining toner and paper dust.

[0049] 5(a) and 5(b), an operating part 30a serving as a handle is provided on the front surface 30f. The front surface 30f serves as an opposing surface and faces the front door 40 when it is in the closed position. The operating part 30a protrudes forward from the front surface 30f.

[0050] The operation unit 30a (grip) is disposed in the center of the front surface 30f in the D1 direction, and has a concave shape at the bottom so that the user can insert their hand from below and grip it.

[0051] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the contact unit 219 and memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K corresponding to each developing cartridge. As shown in Figures 5(a) and 6, the contact unit 219 is attached to the front surface 30f. The memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K are attached to the inside of the right side surface 30r in the D1 direction.

[0052] The memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K are arranged at positions where they can be connected to the electrical contact portions of the memory tags 81Y, 81M, 81C, and 81K (see FIG. 3) of the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, respectively. These memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K are electrically connected to the contact unit 219 via a wiring portion 730.

[0053] [Installing and removing the cartridge tray] Next, the operation of pulling out the cartridge tray 3 from the apparatus main body 2 (mounting and removing operation) will be described with reference to Figures 2, 5(a) and 7. Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) are diagrams showing the behavior of the cartridge tray 3 when it is pulled out from the apparatus main body 2, and show the transition of the state of the cartridge tray 3 and the apparatus main body 2 as viewed from the right side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] 5(a), tray guides 49 (guided portions) that protrude outward in the direction D1 are formed on the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l (the left side surface is not shown). In addition, guide rollers 50 that are rotatably supported relative to the tray frame 30 are provided on the rear side of each tray guide 49 in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0055] 7(a), the lowermost portion 50a of the guide roller 50 is located below the tray guide 49. An inclined surface 49d is formed at the end of the tray guide 49 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. The inclined surface 49d is inclined upward as it approaches the end of the tray guide 49 on the front side.

[0056] 2(b), guide rails 41 (main body guide portions) are provided on both side surfaces of the housing portion for the cartridge tray 3 in the apparatus main body 2. The guide rails 41 support the lower guide portion 49b (first protrusion portion) of the tray guide 49 from below while the cartridge tray 3 is being moved from the first position to the second position.

[0057] 7(a), a rail inclined surface 41b that slopes downward as it approaches the rear end of the guide rail 41 is provided on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. Also, a tray stopper 41c that protrudes upward from the lower surface of the rail is formed on the end of the guide rail 41 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] 7(a), the position of the cartridge tray 3 attached to the apparatus main body 2 is defined as a first position. When the cartridge tray 3 is positioned at the first position, the guide roller 50 is disposed upstream of the rail inclined surface 41b in the direction in which the cartridge tray 3 is pulled out. The tray guide inclined surface 49d is disposed upstream of the tray stopper 41c in the direction in which the cartridge tray 3 is pulled out. When replacing the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, the user opens the front door 40 of the image forming apparatus 1 and pulls the cartridge tray 3 from the first position toward the front of the apparatus main body 2.

[0059] 7(b), the inclined surface 49d comes into contact with the tray stopper 41c, and the guide roller 50 comes into contact with the rail inclined surface 41b. Then, as the cartridge tray 3 is pulled out toward the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, it moves upward in the direction D2 relative to the apparatus main body 2.

[0060] As a result, the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are separated from the electrostatic adsorption belt 12, and the cartridge tray 3 can be pulled out without damaging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. Here, as shown in Figure 7(c), the position of the cartridge tray 3 when the cartridge tray 3 is pulled out from the first position toward the front side relative to the apparatus main body 2 and has risen completely upward in the direction D2 is defined as the second position.

[0061] When the cartridge tray 3 is at the second position or closer to the front than the second position, the lower part 49b of the tray guide comes into contact with the tray stopper 41c, and the guide roller 50 comes into contact with the guide rail 41. As a result, the cartridge tray 3 is pulled out in the direction D3 toward the front of the apparatus main body 2 while maintaining its position in the direction D2. After pulling it out, the upper side, which is the removal direction of the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, is open, allowing the user to easily replace the developer cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K.

[0062] Furthermore, when inserting the cartridge tray 3 into the apparatus main body 2 from an extracted state, the cartridge tray 3 passes through the second position and moves to the first position in the reverse order of the extraction operation. In this case as well, the photosensitive drum 4 and the electrostatic adsorption belt 12 are separated from each other until the cartridge tray 3 is set in the first position, so that the insertion of the cartridge tray 3 can be completed without damaging the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0063] [Opening and closing the front door] Next, the opening and closing operation of the front door 40 will be described with reference to Figures 8(a) to 9. Figures 8(a) to 8(c) are perspective views showing the image forming apparatus 1 when the front door 40 is opened and closed in stages. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the front door 40.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9, a left hinge 201 and a right hinge 202 are attached to the front door 40. The left hinge 201 and the right hinge 202 are disposed at different positions in the D1 direction. The left hinge 201 is provided with a left hinge rotation shaft 201a, and the right hinge 202 is provided with a right hinge rotation shaft 202a. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a left hinge support portion 203 and a right hinge support portion 204, which are engaged with the left hinge rotation shaft 201a and the right hinge rotation shaft 202a, respectively. The front door 40 is held rotatably relative to the apparatus main body 2 around the left hinge rotation shaft 201a and the right hinge rotation shaft 202a.

[0065] The front door 40 is provided with an open / close button 205, a left locking member 206, and a right locking member 207, and the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a left locking member holding portion 208 and a right locking member holding portion 209. When the front door 40 is closed, the left locking member 206 engages with the left locking member holding portion 208, and the right locking member 207 engages with the right locking member holding portion 209. This engagement holds the front door 40 in a closed position relative to the apparatus main body 2. The front door 40 is also provided with a front door biasing member 210. When the front door 40 is closed, the front door biasing member 210 applies a biasing force to the front door 40 and the apparatus main body 2. This biasing force biases the front door 40 in the opening direction relative to the apparatus main body 2.

[0066] When the user opens the front door 40, first, the user presses the open / close button 205 (the state shown in FIG. 8(a)). When the open / close button 205 is pressed, the left locking member 206 and the right locking member 207 move via a link mechanism (not shown), and are disengaged from the left locking member holding portion 208 and the right locking member holding portion 209, respectively. When the left locking member 206 and the right locking member 207 are disengaged, the front door 40 rotates around the left hinge rotation shaft 201a and the right hinge rotation shaft 202a due to the biasing force of the front door biasing member 210 from the position shown in FIG. 8(a) to the position shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0067] By moving the front door 40 to this position, the user can grasp the edge 40c (FIG. 9) of the front door 40. By manipulating this edge 40c, the user can open the front door 40 to a position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the closed position, as shown in FIG. 8(c). Here, a tension spring 306 (see FIG. 9) is provided on the right hinge 202. This tension spring 306 reduces the impact when the user opens the front door 40.

[0068] The left hinge 201 and the right hinge 202 are provided with a left hinge stopper portion and a right hinge stopper portion, not shown, respectively. When the front door 40 rotates to the position shown in Fig. 8(c), the left hinge stopper portion and the right hinge stopper portion each hit stoppers provided on the apparatus main body 2, not shown, and the front door 40 does not open any further and is restricted to this position. When the front door 40 is closed, it rotates in the reverse order to when it is opened, and the left locking member 206 and the right locking member 207 engage with the retaining portions, thereby closing the door.

[0069] 10(a) and 10(b), a width restriction plate 215 is supported on the multi-tray frame 212 so as to be movable in the D1 direction. Sheets are loaded by the user on the loading surface 212e of the multi-tray frame 212 and the multi-tray 214, and the positions of these sheets in the D1 direction are restricted by the width restriction plate 215. During image formation, the sheets loaded on the multi-tray 214 are fed by a feed roller 216 (see FIG. 1).

[0070] [Contact unit configuration] Next, the contact unit 219 will be described with reference to Figures 5(a), 6, and 11. Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the contact unit 219. As described above, when the developer cartridge 8Y is attached to the cartridge tray 3, the memory tag 81Y of the developer cartridge 8Y and the memory contact are electrically connected. The same applies to the developer cartridges 8M, 8C, and 8K.

[0071] 5(a), a contact unit 219 is provided on the front surface 30f of the cartridge tray 3. The contact unit 219 is provided on the downstream end surface of the tray frame 30 of the cartridge tray 3 in the direction D3, in which the cartridge tray 3 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 2.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 11 , the contact unit 219 is made up of a contact substrate 220 (unit electrical contacts), a contact substrate holding member 221, a contact substrate pressing spring 222, and a contact frame 223. The contact substrate 220 is fixed to the contact substrate holding member 221 by any method such as adhesive, double-sided tape, heat caulking, or clamping. The contact substrate pressing spring 222 is a compression spring. In a compressed state, the contact substrate pressing spring 222 abuts against the contact substrate holding member 221 and the cartridge tray 3. Due to the restoring force of the contact substrate pressing spring 222, a holding member restricting portion 221a of the contact substrate holding member 221 is held in a state of abutting against a tray contact frame restricting portion 223a of the tray contact frame 223. The tray contact frame 223 is fixed to the cartridge tray 3.

[0073] Float holding portions 223b are provided on the tray contact frame 223. The float holding portions 223b are arranged on four sides so as to surround the contact substrate holding member 221. A clearance is provided between the float holding portions 223b and the contact substrate holding member 221, and as a result, the contact substrate holding member 221 is held by the tray contact frame 223 so as to be movable a certain amount in the directions D1, D2, and D3.

[0074] [Door contact unit peripheral configuration] Next, the peripheral configuration of the door contact unit 224 provided on the front door 40 will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the door contact unit 224 and the contact unit 219 provided on the cartridge tray. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the door contact unit 224 and its peripheral configuration.

[0075] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the door contact unit 224 as a door contact is arranged so as to come into contact with and be electrically connected to the contact unit 219 provided on the cartridge tray 3 when the front door 40 is closed.

[0076] The door contact unit 224 is provided in an area of ​​the front door 40 that faces the contact unit 219 when the front door 40 is in the closed position.

[0077] The door contact unit 224 has a door contact holder 226 fixed to the front door 40, and a door contact member 225 (main body electrical contact) held by the door contact holder 226. The door contact unit 224 (door contact member 225) is provided on the surface of the front door 40 on the side facing the contact board 220 of the cartridge tray 3 when the front door 40 is in the closed position.

[0078] The door contact holder 226 is formed in a box shape with an open side facing the apparatus main body 2, and the door contact member 225 is housed in the door contact holder 226. The edge of the door contact holder 226 forms a contact positioning portion 226a that is tapered toward the door contact member 225, and the contact positioning portion 226a positions the contact unit 219 when the front door 40 is closed. The door contact member 225 has a metal contact portion and is connected to a cable 305 (see FIG. 12) arranged on the left side of the apparatus main body 2.

[0079] [Door contact operation] Next, the contact operation of the door contact unit 224 with the contact unit 219 will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 when the front door 40 is in the middle of being closed. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the door contact unit 224 has come into contact with the tray contact unit 219.

[0080] When the door contact member 225 is in the open position, it is separated from the contact unit 219 (contact portions provided on the contact board 220). When the front door 40 is closed from the open state, the contact-positioned portion 221b of the contact board holding member 221 engages with the contact positioning portion 226a of the door contact holder 226, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 . As described above, the contact board holding member 221 is held so as to be able to move to some extent in the D1 and D2 directions, but this engagement restricts movement of the contact board holding member 221 in the D1 and D2 directions. Due to this restriction, the contact board 220 held by the contact board holding member 221 and the door contact member 225 held by the door contact holder 226 are aligned in the D1 and D2 directions. With the front door 40 closed, the contact portions provided on the contact board 220 and the contact portions of the door contact member 225 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected.

[0081] In this embodiment, movement of the contact unit 219 in the D1 and D2 directions is restricted by the door contact unit 224, but this is not limiting. For example, the contact board holding member 221 of the door contact unit 224 may be configured to be movable in the D1 and D2 directions, and the movement of the contact board holding member 221 may be restricted by the tray contact unit 219. Furthermore, the configuration of the contact is not limited to a board, and may be something else such as a spring or metal wire.

[0082] [Cartridge tray wiring] Next, the wiring of the cartridge tray 3 will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 19. Figure 16(a) is a perspective view of the cartridge tray 3, showing a state in which the cover member 600 has been removed from the tray guide 49. Figure 16(b) shows a wiring section 730 (linear conductor, cable, conducting wire) that electrically connects memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K (intermediate electrical contacts) of the cartridge tray 3 to the contact unit 219.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 16(a), the cartridge tray 3 has a tray guide 49 (guided portion). The tray guide 49 has an upper guide portion 49a (second protruding portion) in addition to the above-mentioned lower guide portion 49b (first protruding portion). The upper guide portion 49a is provided above the lower guide portion 49b. A recessed portion 49c (see FIG. 18(b)) is provided between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b. The wiring portion 730 is disposed in the recessed portion 49c so as to extend in the D3 direction. The lid member 600 (cover) is attached from the D1 direction so as to close the opening of the recessed portion 49c between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b. The lid member 600 is attached to the tray guide 49 by means of press-fitting, adhesive bonding, welding, a retaining member (not shown), or the like.

[0084] The cross section of the cover member 600 perpendicular to the D3 direction is U-shaped. The opening of the U-shape faces the right side surface 30r of the tray frame of the cartridge tray 3, and at least a portion of the opening is recessed in the recess 49c. The wiring portion 730 is surrounded by the upper guide portion 49a, the lower guide portion 49b, and the cover member 600.

[0085] The right side surface 30r of the cartridge tray 3 has insertion holes 601Y, 601M, 601C, and 601K corresponding to the memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K. The insertion holes 601Y, 601M, 601C, and 601K are open to the outside in the direction D1. The insertion holes 601Y, 601M, 601C, and 601K extend upward in the direction D2 beyond the guide upper portion 49a.

[0086] The guide lower portion 49b has recesses 602Y, 602M, 602C, and 602K (see FIGS. 18(a) and 20(a)). The recesses 602Y, 602M, 602C, and 602K are open to the outside in the D1 direction.

[0087] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the cartridge tray 3. Figure 17(a) shows the state in which the cover member 600 is attached to the tray guide 49. As shown in Figure 17(b), memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K are provided on the inside of the right side surface 30r in the D1 direction. In the cartridge tray 3, the memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K are provided on the right side in the D1 direction. The drum drive couplings 740Y, 740M, 740C, and 740K are provided on the left side in the D1 direction.

[0088] FIG. 18(a) is a right side view of the cartridge tray 3. As shown in FIG. 18(a), the cover member 600 is disposed in a recess 49c formed between the upper guide 49a and the lower guide 49b. The width of the recess 49c in the direction D2 is preferably 5 mm to 10 mm. The right side surface 30r is provided with tray development contacts 610Y, 610M, 610C, and 610K, first tray charging contacts 611Y, 611M, 611C, and 611K, and second tray charging contacts 612Y, 612M, 612C, and 612K. The right side surface 30r is also provided with first tray cleaner contacts 613Y, 613M, 613C, and 613K, and a second tray cleaner contact 614.

[0089] Figure 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the X1-X1 line in Figure 18(a). As shown in Figure 18(b), cover member 600 has a first portion 600a that is rectangular and has one open side and an internal space. Wiring portion 730 is housed inside first portion 600a of cover member 600. The shape of cover member 600 will be described later with reference to Figure 19. A cross section of cover member 600 perpendicular to direction D3 is U-shaped. Cover member 600 is oriented so that the opening of the U-shape faces right side surface 30r, and at least a portion of the opening fits into recess 49c.

[0090] FIG. 18(c) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the first tray charging contact 611Y and the wiring portion 730. As shown in FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c), the first tray charging contact 611Y, which serves as a high-voltage contact, has an exposed surface 611Ya on the outer side, which is to the right in the direction D1. The portion of the exposed surface 611Ya closest to the wiring portion 730 is defined as the closest portion P. At least a portion of the wiring portion 730 is disposed to the right of the closest portion P in the direction D1. When the area PQR (the area formed by points P, Q, and R) formed by the closest portion P and the outermost portion of the wiring portion 730 is defined, point Q is defined as the outer point in the direction D1, and point R is defined as the inner point. In this case, the lower guide portion 49b is disposed so as to cross the line segment PQ. With the above-described configuration, the lower guide portion 49b functions as a shield against electrostatic noise that the wiring portion 730 receives from the first tray charging contact 611Y. This reduces electrostatic noise received by the wiring section 730, improving the stability of electrical communication.

[0091] Although the first tray charging contact 611Y has been used in the description of this embodiment, the tray developing contact 610 and the second tray charging contact 612, which are high-voltage contacts, can be configured in the same manner to achieve the same effect.

[0092] Moreover, by surrounding the wiring section 730 with the cover member 600, the upper guide section 49a, and the lower guide section 49b, electrostatic noise can be further reduced, and the stability of electrical communication is further improved.

[0093] 19(a) and (b) are perspective views seen from the inside of the lid member 600. The lid member 600 has a first portion 600a, second portions 600bY, 600bM, 600bC, and 600bK, and third portions 600cY, 600cM, 600cC, and 600cK.

[0094] The first portion 600a accommodates the wiring portion 730. The second portions 600bY, 600bM, 600bC, and 600bK are inserted into the insertion holes 601Y, 601M, 601C, and 601K (FIG. 16). The third portions 600cY, 600cM, 600cC, and 600cK are inserted into the recesses 602Y, 602M, 602C, and 602K (FIG. 16).

[0095] With the above configuration, the accommodation portion of the tray guide 49 that accommodates the wiring portion 730 is open to the outside of the right side surface 30r, thereby improving the workability when assembling the wiring portion 730 to the tray guide 49. Furthermore, since the recesses 602Y, 602M, 602C, and 602K are open to the outside in the D1 direction, the workability when assembling the memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K to the tray guide 49 is improved.

[0096] The cover member 600 is disposed between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b, thereby improving the rigidity of the tray guide 49. This suppresses deformation of the tray guide 49 when the cartridge tray 3 is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body, allowing the cartridge tray 3 to be stably attached or detached.

[0097] The cover member 600 has a rectangular shape, and is placed between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b, thereby further improving the rigidity of the tray guide 49.

[0098] Next, the developing cartridge 620 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0099] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge 620 as seen from the right rear side. The developer cartridge 620, which serves as a development unit, includes a memory tag unit 622 to which a memory tag 621 is attached as a memory medium. The memory tag unit 622 is located on the right side of the developer cartridge 620. The electrical contacts of the memory tag 621 face the rear side. The holding member 623 is integrally fixed to a developing device frame 624 (first frame) with screws or the like. The developing device frame 624 is a frame that rotatably supports the developing roller 6. The memory tag unit 622 is supported movably in the D1, D2, and D3 directions relative to the holding member 623 and the developing device frame 624 with some play. The developing device frame 624 has a right side surface 624a and a flange 628. The flange 628 protrudes to the right in the D1 direction from the side surface 624a. The developer cartridge 620 also has a developing roller contact 627 on its right side surface that supplies a bias to the developing roller 6.

[0100] 21 is an exploded perspective view seen from the right rear side of the developing cartridge 620. The memory tag unit 622 has a tag holding portion 622a as a first member to which the memory tag 621 is fixed, and a pressure receiving portion 622b as a second member that is movable relative to the tag holding portion 622a.

[0101] The holding member 623 is fixed to the developing frame 624 by fixing means such as screws 626. The developing frame 624 is provided with a receiving portion 625. The receiving portion 625 is formed integrally with the developing frame 624 and movably holds the memory tag unit 622. The memory tag unit 622 is provided near the upper side in the D2 direction in the developing cartridge 620. The memory tag unit 622 is provided above a developing roller contact 627 for applying a bias to the developing roller in the developing cartridge 620. The memory tag 621 is located at the uppermost position among the contact members that the developing cartridge 620 has and that are located at the right end in the D1 direction.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 21(b), the receiving portion 625 may be formed as a separate part from the developing device frame 624. In this case, it is also possible to configure the receiving portion 625 to seal the filling port 624b, through which the developer is filled into the developing device frame 624. The receiving portion 625 is provided between the developing device frame 624 and the memory tag unit 622 in the D1 direction. The memory tag unit 622 is provided between the receiving portion 625 and the holding member 623 in the D1 direction. When the developing cartridge 620 is viewed from the D1 direction, the receiving portion 625, the memory tag unit 622, and the holding member 623 at least partially overlap. Furthermore, the receiving portion 625 as a toner sealing member does not necessarily need to hold the memory tag unit 622, and it may be used solely as a toner sealing member.

[0103] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge 620 as viewed from the left rear side. An end member 630 is fixed integrally to the left end of the developer frame 624 in the D1 direction. Furthermore, a developer roller drive coupling 631, a detectable member 632, and a developer roller gear 633 are provided at the left end of the developer frame 624 in the D1 direction. The developer roller drive coupling 631 receives drive force from the main body of the apparatus and transmits a rotational drive force to the developer roller 6, the supply roller 70, the agitating member 71 (see FIG. 4), and the detectable member 632. The detectable member 632 is a rotating member for identifying the new condition and specifications of the developer cartridge 620. The developer roller gear 633 is provided at the left end of the developer roller 6 in the D1 direction so as to rotate integrally with the developer roller shaft. The detectable member 632 is provided at the upper end of the developer cartridge 620 in the D2 direction. The detected member 632 is disposed at the uppermost position among the rotating members at the left end in the D1 direction.

[0104] The memory tag unit 622 will be further described with reference to Figures 20 and 23 to 25. Figure 23 is an enlarged perspective view of the right side surface 30r of the cartridge tray as seen from the left front side. Figure 24(a) is a view of the developing cartridge 620 as seen from above in the direction D2. Figure 24(b) is a cross section taken along the line X2-X2 in Figure 24(a). Figure 25 is an enlarged view of the cartridge tray 640 with the developing cartridge 620 attached as seen from above.

[0105] 20 and 24(b), a flange portion 628 of the developing frame 624 is provided on the rear side in the D3 direction of the memory tag unit 622. The flange portion 628 protrudes in the D1 direction from a side surface portion 624a on the right side in the D1 direction of the developing frame 624. The flange portion 628 is provided so as to at least partially overlap with the memory tag unit 622 in the D2 direction. In this embodiment, the flange portion 628 is provided so that the entire extent of the existence of the memory tag unit 622 overlaps with it in the D2 direction.

[0106] Figure 23 is a perspective view of the right side surface 30r of the cartridge tray 3 as seen from the inside. The memory contact 720Y protrudes inward in the direction D1 from the inner surface of the right side surface 30r. The memory contact 720Y has four electrodes aligned in the direction D1 and electrically connected to the memory tag 621 (Figure 22). The memory contact 720Y has a front surface 720Ya in the direction D3, a back surface 720Yb, an upper surface 720Yc in the direction D2, and an inner surface 720Yd in the direction D1. A recess 720Ya1 is provided in the front surface 720Ya. The upper surface 720Yc has an inclined portion that slopes downward as it approaches the front in the direction D3.

[0107] The configuration of the developing cartridge 620 will be described using Figures 24(a) and (b). As shown in Figure 24(a), at least a portion of the memory tag unit 622 overlaps with the flange portion 628 in the direction D1. As shown in Figure 24(b), an elastic member 622c is provided between the tag holding portion 622a and the pressure force receiving portion 622b, and applies pressure in a direction separating the tag holding portion 622a and the pressure force receiving portion 622b.

[0108] 25 is a view from above in the direction D2 when the developer cartridge 620 is attached to the cartridge tray 3. The memory tag unit 622 of the developer cartridge 620 engages with a recess 720Ya1 provided in the front surface 720Ya of the memory contact 720Y. The back surface 720Yb of the memory contact 720Y faces the flange portion 628 in the direction D3. The inner surface 720Yd faces the side surface portion 624a of the developing frame 624. The memory contact 720Y has a portion that overlaps with the flange portion 628 in the direction D1.

[0109] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the wiring of the contact substrate 220. As shown in FIG. 26(a), the contact substrate 220 is electrically connected to memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K through a wiring portion 730. The contact substrate 220 has multiple electrode portions 220a. In this embodiment, eight electrode portions 220a are provided. As shown in FIG. 26(b), tray memories 220b and connectors 220c are provided on the back surface of the contact substrate 220. The multiple electrode portions 220a, tray memories 220b, and connectors 220c are aligned in the D1 direction and positioned to overlap in the D2 direction. The width of the tray memory 220b in the D1 direction is preferably 30 to 50 mm, and the width in the D2 direction is preferably 10 to 15 mm. The tray memory 220b stores information related to the cartridge tray, such as the total number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 4, sensitivity, and product type.

[0110] The effects of the above configuration will be explained below.

[0111] The memory tag 621 is located at the top of the contact members at the right end of the developer cartridge 620 in the D1 direction. The detected member 632 is also located at the top of the rotating members at the left end in the D1 direction. As a result, the memory contact 720 on the right side surface 30r and the detection unit (not shown) on the left side surface 30l can be located upward in the D2 direction. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in rigidity of the right side surface 30r and the left side surface 30l.

[0112] By configuring the developer filling port 624b in the developing frame 624 to be sealed by the receiving portion 625, the toner filling port is not exposed to the outside of the cartridge, reducing the possibility of a user accidentally opening the toner sealing portion and causing toner leakage. With such a configuration, precision positioning between the memory tag unit 622 and the receiving portion 625 is not required, so priority can be given to dimensional precision between the toner sealing member and the filling port, improving toner sealing performance. By providing the receiving portion 625 as a toner sealing member between the side portion 624a of the developing frame and the memory tag unit 62, a user will not accidentally remove the receiving portion 625, reducing the possibility of toner leakage. Furthermore, by providing the receiving portion 625 as a toner sealing member between the side portion 624a of the developing frame and the holding member 623, the possibility of the receiving portion 625 coming off and causing toner leakage when a user accidentally drops the cartridge is reduced. At least a portion of the memory tag unit 622 overlaps with the flange portion 628 in the D1 direction. Therefore, when the user accidentally drops the cartridge, the flange portion 628 protects the memory tag unit 622, reducing damage to the memory tag unit.

[0113] By overlapping the memory contact 720Y of the cartridge tray 3 with the developing cartridge 620 in the D1 direction, it is possible to mount a memory tag on the developing cartridge 620 while reducing the size of the cartridge tray in the D1 direction.

[0114] As described above, it is possible to provide an embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a moving unit to which a cartridge equipped with memory means can be detachably attached, the moving unit having an intermediate contact configuration for electrically connecting the memory means and the main body electrical contacts of the apparatus main body. In particular, by providing a linear conductor that electrically connects the intermediate electrical contact that comes into contact with the memory electrical contact of the memory means and the unit electrical contact within the guided portion on the side of the moving unit, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization of the moving unit and the main body of the apparatus.

[0115] <Example 2> 27 is a diagram for explaining Example 2. In Example 2, explanations of parts common to Example 1 will be omitted.

[0116] 27(a) and (b) are perspective views of the cartridge tray 640. The cartridge tray 640 has a tray guide 49, as in the first embodiment. The tray guide 49 has an upper guide portion 49a and a lower guide portion 49b. The wiring portion 643a is disposed between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b. The guide lid 600 is attached between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b from the D1 direction. A tray side connector 644 is provided on a tray rear surface 645. The tray rear surface 645 is the upstream end surface of the frame of the cartridge tray 640 in the direction D3 in which the cartridge tray 640 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 650.

[0117] The tray-side connector 644 is a connector member for electrically connecting with the main body-side connector 652. The position of the tray-side connector 644 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0118] 28(a) and (b) are perspective views showing a wiring section 643 for electrically connecting the cartridge memory 621 (FIG. 20) to the apparatus main body 650. The memory tag 621 is electrically connected to the memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K. The memory contacts 720Y, 720M, 720C, and 720K are electrically connected to the tray-side connector 644 through the wiring section 643. A relay board 646 is provided between the wiring sections 643b and 643c. The relay board 646 is provided with connectors 646a and 646b and a tray memory 646c. The tray memory 646c and the connectors 646a and 646b are aligned in the D1 direction and are positioned to overlap in the D2 direction. The tray memory 646c stores information related to the cartridge tray, such as the total number of rotations and sensitivity of the photosensitive drum 4 and the product type.

[0119] Figure 29 is a perspective view of an apparatus main body 650 of an image forming apparatus corresponding to the second embodiment. In Figure 29, the image forming apparatus 650 has a front door 651 open. The image forming apparatus 650 has a main body connector 652 on the rear side in the D3 direction inside the apparatus. The main body connector 652 is provided in a part of the apparatus main body 650 opposite the tray side connector 644 of the cartridge tray 640.

[0120] The effects of the above configuration will be explained below.

[0121] In the second embodiment, the tray-side connector 644 is connected to the main body connector 652 as the cartridge tray 640 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 650. When the cartridge tray 640 is attached to the image forming apparatus 650, a force that deforms the tray guide 49 may be generated due to the weight of the cartridge tray 640 itself or an operating force by the user. This causes a deviation in the relative position when the tray-side connector 644 is connected to the main body connector 652. Therefore, by disposing the cover member 600 between the upper guide portion 49a and the lower guide portion 49b, it is possible to increase the strength of the tray guide and improve the stability when the tray-side connector 644 and the main body connector 652 are connected.

[0122] As described above, it is possible to provide an embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a moving unit to which a cartridge equipped with memory means can be detachably attached, the moving unit having an intermediate contact configuration for electrically connecting the memory means and the main body electrical contacts of the apparatus main body. In particular, by providing a linear conductor that electrically connects the intermediate electrical contact that comes into contact with the memory electrical contact of the memory means and the unit electrical contact within the guided portion on the side of the moving unit, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization of the moving unit and the main body of the apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1. Image forming device 2. Device body 3 Cartridge tray 4 Photosensitive drum 6 Developing roller 8 Developer cartridge 30 Tray frame 40 Front door 41 Guide rail 43 Control board 49 Tray guide 49a Guide top 49b Guide bottom 49c recess 80 Memory Tag Unit 81 Memory Tag 219 Contact Unit 220 Contact board 600 Lid member 620 Developer Cartridge 649 Tray Guide 720C Memory Contact 730 Wiring section

Claims

1. A device body, a moving unit detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus, the moving unit having a photosensitive drum and a frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum and detachably attachable to a cartridge including a developing roller and a memory means; a linear conductor connecting an intermediate electrical contact electrically contacting a memory electrical contact of the memory means of the cartridge with a unit electrical contact electrically contacting a main body electrical contact of the device main body; a cover provided on the moving unit and covering an opening of the linear conductor so as to enclose at least a part of the linear conductor; the cover has a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the cover is attached so that an opening of the U-shaped cross section faces an end face of the moving unit, and at least a portion of the cover is fitted into a recess in which a linear conductor is disposed, the moving unit is movable with respect to the apparatus main body between a first position where an image can be formed and a second position where the cartridge can be attached and detached; the unit electrical contact is provided on an upstream end surface of a frame that is positioned in a direction in which the moving unit is pulled out from the device main body in the first direction, the main body electrical contact of the main body is provided on a portion of the main body that faces the upstream end surface of the frame when the moving unit is at the first position, The main body electrical contact is in electrical contact with the unit electrical contact when the moving unit is in the first position, and is separated from the unit electrical contact when the moving unit is in the second position.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a resin material different from that of the frame, and is elastically deformable when the moving unit is attached or detached.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear conductor comprises a plurality of conductor wires.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachable from the frame only when the moving unit is in the second position.

Images