Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To achieve a toner cartridge erroneous mounting prevention function in a reduced space and reliably prevent erroneous mounting without decreasing the capacity of the toner cartridge as much as possible.SOLUTION: An apparatus body of an image forming apparatus has a first mounting part for mounting a first toner cartridge, the first mounting part provided with a first terminal in electrical contact with a first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting part for mounting a second toner cartridge, the second mounting part provided with a second terminal in electrical contact with a second cartridge contact surface. When seen in a direction parallel to a mounting direction, a first electric substrate has the same shape as that of a second electric substrate; a first attachment part has the same shape as that of a second attachment part; and an angle at which the first electric substrate is attached to the first attachment part is different from an angle at which the second electric substrate is attached to the second attachment part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In general, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are known to have a toner cartridge containing toner detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body to replenish the toner (developer) consumed during image formation. Furthermore, a configuration is also known in which the toner cartridge is equipped with a storage medium that stores toner cartridge usage information, toner color, remaining toner amount, etc., and communicates with the image forming apparatus main body to appropriately inform the user of the timing for toner cartridge replacement, etc. Generally, the storage medium is mounted on a circuit board attached to the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes one or more electrical contacts that engage with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus to facilitate communication with the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body.

[0003] In a color image forming apparatus containing toners of different colors, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, multiple toner cartridges with substantially the same or nearly the same structure are used. To allow users to install the appropriate toner cartridge for each color, a method has been proposed in which each toner cartridge has a key function or a shielding function that allows it to be installed in the corresponding installation port in the image forming apparatus (Patent Document 1). If a user attempts to install a toner cartridge in the wrong installation port, it will not be installed completely, preventing color mixing and contamination that may occur when installing a toner cartridge of the wrong color. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-134524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further develop the conventional arrangement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; The first toner cartridge includes a first memory means including a first electric board provided with a first cartridge contact surface, a first mounting portion to which the first electric board is attached, and and the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board provided with a second cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion to which the second electric board is attached; the apparatus main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electric board has the same shape as the second electric board, the first mounting portion has the same shape as the second mounting portion, and an angle at which the first electric board is mounted relative to the first mounting portion is different from an angle at which the second electric board is mounted relative to the second mounting portion. It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electrical board having a first cartridge contact surface; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electrical board having a second cartridge contact surface; the device main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board both intersect with the mounting direction and are different from each other; It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first container for storing toner, the first container being oriented in the first direction relative to the device body; a first toner cartridge that can be mounted in a mounting direction of the first developing unit and that supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board on which a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided, and a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surfaces is the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board on which a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided, and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surfaces is the mounting direction; the device main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the direction in which the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned is different from the direction in which the plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned. It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board provided with a first cartridge contact surface, a first stirring member for stirring the toner inside the first container, and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board provided with a second cartridge contact surface, a second stirring member for stirring the toner inside the second container, and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the apparatus main body has: a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface; a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface; a first driving member that engages with the first driving force receiving member to transmit a driving force to the first driving force receiving member; and a second driving member that engages with the second driving force receiving member to transmit a driving force to the second driving force receiving member; When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, coordinates of the first electric board in a two-dimensional first coordinate system formed with the first rotation axis as its origin, a first virtual line passing through the first rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a second virtual line passing through the first rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, and coordinates of the second electric board in a two-dimensional second coordinate system formed with the second rotation axis as its origin, a third virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a fourth virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, have different regions when the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are overlaid so that their origins coincide. It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cartridge set of the present invention comprises: In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first mounting portion on an end surface of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge electrical contact is provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: A second toner cartridge, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second mounting portion on an end surface of the second container in the second direction, the second memory means including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge electrical contact is provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with the first mounting portion and the first electric board when viewed in the first direction have the same shapes as the second mounting portion and the second electric board when viewed in the second direction, an attachment angle of the first electric board with respect to the first attachment portion when viewed in the first direction is different from an attachment angle of the second electric board with respect to the second attachment portion when viewed in the second direction; It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cartridge set of the present invention comprises: In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first end face including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end face of the second container in the second direction, the second end face including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with When the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the apparatus main body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, a normal direction to the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction to the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board both intersect with the first direction and the second direction and are different from each other. It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cartridge set of the present invention comprises: In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board on which a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end surface of the second container in the second direction, the second end surface including a second electrical board on which a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with When the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are attached to the apparatus main body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, the direction in which the first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the first direction is different from the direction in which the second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the second direction. It is characterized by: In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cartridge set of the present invention comprises: In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first end face including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first stirring member for stirring the toner inside the first container; and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the first direction; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end face of the second container in the second direction, the second end face including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second stirring member for stirring the toner inside the second container; and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the second direction; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with In a state where the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the device body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, When viewed in the first direction, coordinates of the first electric board in a two-dimensional first coordinate system formed with the first rotation axis as its origin, a first virtual line passing through the first rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a second virtual line passing through the first rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, and coordinates of the second electric board in a two-dimensional second coordinate system formed with the second rotation axis as its origin, a third virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a fourth virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, when viewed in the second direction, have mutually different regions when the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are overlaid so that their respective origins coincide. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a function for preventing erroneous installation of a toner cartridge in a space-saving manner, and it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous installation without reducing the capacity of the toner cartridge as much as possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the rear. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a memory tag board. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a memory tag unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the memory tag cover. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are a perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the rear and an enlarged view showing the memory tag space. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the memory tag unit and memory tag cover attached to the memory tag space. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 13] 3A and 3B are a front view showing the toner cartridges of each color from the rear, a front view showing the toner cartridge mounting portion from the front, and an enlarged view. [Figure 14] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a toner cartridge and a toner cartridge mounting portion, and an enlarged view of the vicinity of a memory tag. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the electrical contacts illustrating the floating configuration. [Figure 16]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the front. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the rear. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a memory tag board. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the memory tag substrate is attached to the substrate holder. [Figure 21] 3A and 3B are a perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the rear and an enlarged view showing the memory tag space. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the memory tag unit and memory tag cover attached to the memory tag space. [Figure 23] 3A and 3B are a front view showing the toner cartridges of each color from the rear, a front view showing the toner cartridge mounting portion from the front, and an enlarged view. [Figure 24] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a toner cartridge and a toner cartridge mounting portion, and an enlarged view of the vicinity of a memory tag. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the electrical contacts illustrating the floating configuration. [Figure 26] Diagram explaining the differences in memory tag placement for each toner cartridge DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] Example 1 [Configuration of image forming device] The overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10, which is an electrophotographic printer according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a toner cartridge 1 and a process cartridge 2 are detachably mounted to a main body 10B of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0011] The portion of the image forming apparatus 10 excluding the toner cartridge 1 and the process cartridge 2 may be referred to as the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 or the apparatus main body 10B. The apparatus main body 10B is configured to receive the toner discharged from the toner cartridge 1.

[0012] In each figure, to distinguish between the configurations of the first to fourth image forming units, the reference numerals of the image forming units are suffixed with Y, M, C, or K to indicate the difference in toner color, i.e., yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), or black (K). In this embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same except for the difference in the colors of the images they form. Therefore, in the following, unless a particular distinction is required, the suffixes Y to K will be omitted and the units will be generally described.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is placed on a horizontal installation surface, which is a commonly assumed installation state. The X and Z directions in the figure are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Y direction is the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] The first to fourth process cartridges 2 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, more specifically in the X direction. Each process cartridge 2 is formed of a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 has a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier, a charging roller 8 as charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 9 as cleaning means. The developing unit 6 has a developing roller 11 as a developer carrier for carrying developer (hereinafter, toner) T, and developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7, which has a toner storage section for storing toner T. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are supported so as to be able to swing relative to each other.

[0015] The first process cartridge 2Y contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing unit 6. Similarly, the second process cartridge 2M contains magenta (M) toner, the third process cartridge 2C contains cyan (C) toner, and the fourth process cartridge 2K contains black (K) toner.

[0016] The process cartridge 2 is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 via mounting means such as a mounting guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. A scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is disposed below the process cartridge 2. A waste toner transport unit is disposed behind the process cartridge 2 in the image forming apparatus 10 (downstream of the process cartridge 2 in the insertion direction of the process cartridge 2 (rearward in the Z direction)). The first to fourth toner cartridges 1 are disposed as a cartridge set above the process cartridge 2 in a row in the horizontal direction (X direction) (with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other) in an order corresponding to the color of toner contained in each process cartridge 2.

[0017] The first toner cartridge 1Y contains yellow (Y) toner, the second toner cartridge 1M contains magenta (M), the third toner cartridge 2C contains cyan (C), and the fourth toner cartridge 1K contains black (K). Each toner cartridge 1 supplies toner to the process cartridge 2 that contains toner of the same color. The toner supply operation (supply operation) by the toner cartridge 1 is performed when a remaining amount detection unit (not shown) provided in the device main body 10B of the image forming device 10 detects that the remaining toner in the process cartridge 2 is low.

[0018] Within the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, first to fourth toner conveying devices 110 are disposed below the first to fourth toner cartridges 1 so as to correspond to each toner cartridge 1. An intermediate transfer unit 19 serving as an intermediate transfer body is provided above the process cartridge 2. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is disposed substantially horizontally with the primary transfer portion facing downward. An intermediate transfer belt 18 facing each photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable, endless belt that is stretched over multiple tension rollers. Primary transfer rollers 13 serving as primary transfer members are disposed on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18 at positions that form a primary transfer portion T1 with each photosensitive drum 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18. A secondary transfer roller 17 serving as a secondary transfer member contacts the intermediate transfer belt 18 and forms a secondary transfer portion T2 with an opposing roller via the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0019] Furthermore, a cleaning unit 5 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 18 from the secondary transfer portion T2 in the horizontal direction (X). A fixing unit 14 is disposed above the secondary transfer portion. The fixing unit 14 is composed of a heating unit 15 and a pressure roller 16 that comes into pressure contact with the heating unit 15. An ejection tray 21 is disposed on the top surface of the apparatus main body 10B. A paper feed tray 3 for accommodating recording material S is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 10B.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, when a front cover 22 covering the front of the image forming apparatus 10 is opened, the toner cartridge 1 can be attached and detached via attachment means such as an attachment guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. The toner cartridge 1 is detachable (mountable) in the Z direction relative to the main body 10B of the apparatus. The attachment direction of the toner cartridge 1 relative to the main body 10B is along the longitudinal direction (first direction) of the photosensitive drum 7. Furthermore, a waste toner collection container 23 is disposed below the toner cartridge 1. The waste toner collection container 23 is located on the front side (the front side in the Z direction) of the process cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 1. The waste toner collection container 23 is configured to collect waste toner collected by the cleaning unit 4 provided in the process cartridge 2 and the cleaning unit 5 provided adjacent to the intermediate transfer unit 19.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the first toner cartridge 1Y in a removable state, and the second toner cartridges 1Y to 1Y are in a removable state. The fourth toner cartridges 1M-1K are shown installed in the apparatus main body 10B. The front surface of the first toner cartridge 1Y, which is in a removable state, is positioned protruding forward in the Z direction from the front surfaces of the other installed toner cartridges 1M-1K and the waste toner collection container 23.

[0022] [Image formation process] 1 and 2, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. During image formation, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is rotated in the direction of arrow B (the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

[0023] First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 8. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is scanned and exposed to laser light emitted from the scanner unit 12, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 based on image information. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed into a toner image by the developing unit 6. At this time, the developing unit 6 is pressurized by a developing pressure unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 10B. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is then primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 13. For example, when a full-color image is formed, the above-described process is sequentially performed in the image forming units TY to TK, which are the first to fourth primary transfer units, so that toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0024] Meanwhile, the recording material S accommodated in the paper feed tray 3 is fed at a predetermined control timing and transported to the secondary transfer portion T2 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. Then, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is secondarily transferred collectively onto the recording material S by a secondary transfer roller 17 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording material S. Thereafter, the recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 14. The fixing unit 14 applies heat and pressure to the recording material S, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material S. Thereafter, the recording material S onto which the toner image has been fixed is transported to the discharge tray 21, completing the image forming operation.

[0025] After the primary transfer process, the primary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning blade 9. After the secondary transfer process, the secondary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is removed by the cleaning unit 5. The waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 9 and the cleaning unit 5 is conveyed by a waste toner conveyance unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 10B and accumulated in the waste toner collection container 23. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 can also form a monochromatic or multi-color image using only a desired single or some (not all) of the image forming units.

[0026] [Overall Configuration of Toner Cartridge] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the overall configuration of the toner cartridge 1 mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0027] <Explanation of XYZ Directions> Here, when explaining the image forming apparatus 10 and the toner cartridge 1, unless otherwise specified, the following directions are defined on the premise that the toner cartridge 1 is in its normal posture, that is, the posture when it is mounted inside the apparatus main body 10B.

[0028] The vertical direction is indicated by the Y axis. The arrow Y indicates the upward direction. The surface provided at the end in the Y direction is called the top surface (upper surface), and conversely, the surface provided at the end in the -Y direction is called the bottom surface (bottom, lower, lower end). The Y direction and the -Y direction are collectively referred to as the vertical direction, height direction, vertical direction, gravitational direction, or sometimes called the Y-axis direction.

[0029] The front-to-rear direction is indicated by the Z axis. In the installation direction when installing the toner cartridge 1 into the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the direction toward downstream is indicated by arrow Z, and the direction toward the downstream side of the installation direction is referred to as the Z direction. For convenience, the Z direction is referred to as the rear, and the -Z direction is referred to as the front. The surface at the end in the Z direction is called the rear surface (back surface, rear end, rear part), and the surface at the end in the -Z direction is called the front surface (front part, front end). In addition, the Z direction side of the toner cartridge 1 is sometimes called the drive side, and the -Z direction side of the toner cartridge 1 is sometimes called the non-drive side. The extension from the front surface to the rear surface (extension in the Z axis direction) is referred to as the longitudinal direction. The Z direction and -Z direction are sometimes collectively referred to as the front-to-rear direction, longitudinal direction, vertical direction, or Z direction or Z axis direction.

[0030] The left-right direction is indicated by the X axis. For convenience, the direction to the right when the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front in the Z direction is indicated by the arrow X. The surface at the end in the X direction is called the right side (right side, right end, right part), and the surface at the end in the -X direction is called the left side (left side, left part, left end). The direction from the left side to the right side (i.e., the extent of the X axis) is called the short side direction. The X direction and -X direction may be collectively called the left-right direction, short side direction, horizontal direction, X direction, X-axis direction, etc.

[0031] In the drawings used to explain this embodiment, the distance between the front and rear of the toner cartridge 1 is longer than the distance between the right and left sides, and also longer than the distance between the top and bottom. However, this is not a limitation. For example, the distance between the right and left sides of the toner cartridge 1 may be the longest, or the distance between the top and bottom may be the longest.

[0032] The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. For example, the X-axis is perpendicular to both the Y-axis and the Z-axis. A plane perpendicular to the X-axis is sometimes called the YZ-plane, a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis is sometimes called the ZX-plane, and a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis is sometimes called the XY-plane. For example, the ZX-plane is a horizontal plane. The X-direction and Z-direction are directions along the horizontal ZX-plane, i.e., the horizontal direction.

[0033] 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1 as seen from above the front. The toner cartridge 1 is a container that stores toner (developer) in its internal space, and is attached to the apparatus main body 10B (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 10 in order to supply (replenish) the toner to the apparatus main body 10B. The toner replenished to the apparatus main body 10B of the image forming apparatus 10 by the toner cartridge 1 is replenished to the process cartridge 2 by the toner conveying device 110 (see FIG. 1), as described above. In other words, the toner cartridge 1 stores toner to be supplied (replenished) to the process cartridge 2.

[0034] 3, the toner cartridge 1 has a supply container 101 as a casing, and a front cover 102 on the surface that is disposed in front when the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the apparatus main body 10B. Furthermore, the front cover 102 is provided with a handle 103 that also serves as a lever for operating a locking mechanism when removing the toner cartridge 1 attached to the apparatus main body 10B. When the handle 103 is pushed down in the -Y direction, a locking member 104 is lowered in the -Y direction, as will be described later.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1 as seen from the bottom rear side. FIG. 4(a) shows the toner cartridge 1 in a state where toner can be discharged when it is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, and FIG. 4(b) shows the toner cartridge 1 in a state where toner cannot be discharged when it is not installed in the image forming apparatus 10. On the rear side of the toner cartridge 1, a coupling 105 (driving force receiving portion) is provided, which is connected to a drive transmission portion arranged in the device main body 10B and transmits power to a drive train (not shown) inside the toner cartridge. Details regarding the device main body 10B and the drive configuration inside the toner cartridge 1 will be described later. Toner cartridge 1 On the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 1, a toner discharge section 107 is provided for connecting to a toner conveying device 110 (see FIG. 1) corresponding to each toner cartridge 1 to supply toner when the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the device main body 10B.

[0036] The toner discharge portion 107 is provided with a shutter member 111 and a shutter guide 112 that guides the movement of the shutter member 111 in the Z direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a part of the shutter guide 112 is provided with an outlet 113 through which toner is discharged downward (in the -Y direction) when toner is discharged. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the shutter member 111 is pressed by a pressing portion (not shown) that is provided in the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the shutter member 111 moves from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of a shutter spring (not shown).

[0037] When the toner cartridge 1 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the shutter member 111 is positioned at the blocking position by the biasing force of a shutter spring (not shown). At this time, the shutter member 111 blocks the discharge port 113 formed on the bottom surface of the supply container 101, and restricts the discharge of toner from the toner cartridge 1. In other words, when the shutter member 111 is positioned at the blocking position, the shutter member 111 is positioned so as to overlap the discharge port 113 in a bottom view.

[0038] Here, the shutter member 111 in this embodiment is configured not to have an opening, but it may have an opening in part of the shutter member 111 so that when it is in the open position, the opening overlaps with the discharge port 113 to allow toner to be discharged. Also, the shutter member 111 itself is not essential. However, it is preferable to prevent toner from scattering from the discharge port 113 when the toner cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 10B. From this perspective, it is desirable for the toner cartridge 1 to have a shutter member 111 for closing the discharge port 113.

[0039] The toner conveying device 110 in the toner cartridge 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the configuration of the toner conveying device 110 inside the toner cartridge 1.

[0040] The toner cartridge 1 is mounted in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 of the apparatus main body 10B. At this time, the coupling 105 (driving force receiving portion, driving force receiving member) of the toner cartridge 1 is connected to a main body side coupling (driving force applying member, drive shaft, driving member) provided in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. The coupling 105 rotates around a rotation axis G. A gear 164 linked to the coupling 105 drives multiple units inside the toner cartridge 1 via the gear 165.

[0041] The toner cartridge 1 has a screw unit 160 as a conveying member and an agitation unit 170 as an agitation member in the internal space of the supply container 101. As shown in FIG. 5, the screw unit 160 has a screw 161 and an output sheet 163 fixed to the screw 161. The screw 161 extends in the Z direction. The internal space of the supply container 101 is divided into multiple areas, such as a toner storage chamber and a toner output chamber (not shown). The toner output chamber has an output port 113 that opens in a direction intersecting (in this embodiment, perpendicular to, but not limited to) the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1 in the device main body 10B.

[0042] The discharge sheet 163 rotates in the R direction around a rotation axis (not shown) together with the screw 161 linked to the gear 166, and the toner in the toner discharge chamber is forcefully discharged from the discharge port 113 into the toner cartridge. The agitation unit 170 has a function of discharging the toner to the outside of the toner cartridge 1. The agitation unit 170 has an agitation shaft 172 rotatably supported by the supply container 101 and an agitation sheet 171 fixed to the agitation shaft 172. The agitation shaft 172 extends in the Z direction. The agitation unit 170 rotates in conjunction with the gear 167 to agitate the toner contained in a toner storage chamber (not shown) and transport the toner toward the screw 161. The screw 161 has a first blade portion 162a and a second blade portion 162b formed integrally with the rotation shaft. The first blade portion 162a and the second blade portion 162b are each provided to extend spirally on the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft. The first blade portion 162a transports the toner in the Z direction from the front to the rear of the toner cartridge 1. The second blade portion 162b transports the toner in the -Z direction from the rear to the front of the toner cartridge 1. The toner transported in the toner discharge chamber by the first blade portion 162 a of the screw 161 is forcefully discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 1 through the discharge opening 113 by the discharge sheet 163 .

[0043] <Memory tag description> 4, in the Z direction of the toner cartridge 1, a memory tag 106 is disposed on the rear surface (end surface in the mounting direction) of the toner cartridge 1 between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge portion 107. The memory tag 106, which serves as a storage portion (memory means), stores information about the toner cartridge 1, such as information about whether the toner cartridge 1 is used or unused, and the amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge 1. When the toner cartridge 1 is mounted in the device main body 10B, electrical contacts 121 (cartridge-side contacts) provided on the memory tag 106 come into electrical contact with electrical contacts provided on the device main body 10B (hereinafter referred to as body-side contacts to distinguish them from the cartridge-side contacts).

[0044] The position of the memory tag 106 in the Z direction does not have to be between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge portion 107. When arranging the memory tag 106 near the toner discharge portion 107, there is a possibility that accidentally scattered toner may affect the electrical contact, so it is preferable to arrange the memory tag 106 in an orientation that is less susceptible to such effects or to protect it by enclosing it. Furthermore, it is preferable to avoid arranging the memory tag 106 near the aforementioned waste toner collection container 23 or a waste toner transport unit (not shown) because there is a higher risk that waste toner contamination may affect the electrical contact.

[0045] A plurality of electrical contacts 121 and a plurality of main body side contacts are provided, and in this embodiment, there are four of each. The four electrical contacts are electrical contact (VCC) 121-1, electrical contact (CLK) 121-2, electrical contact (DATA) 121-3, and electrical contact (GND) 121-4, and are arranged in this order in a direction intersecting with the direction along which the toner cartridge 1 is attached. The electrical contact (VCC) 121-1 is an electrical contact for transmitting a power supply voltage to the memory tag 106. The electrical contact (CLK) 121-2 is an electrical contact for transmitting a clock signal to the memory tag 106. The electrical contact (DATA) 121-3 is an electrical contact for transmitting data from the memory tag 106. The electrical contact (GND) 121-4 is an electrical contact for grounding the memory tag 106. In the following explanation, the electrical contact (VCC) 121-1, the electrical contact (CLK) 121-2, the electrical contact (DATA) 121-3, and the electrical contact (GND) 121-4 will be collectively referred to as the electrical contacts 121. In this embodiment, the configuration is provided with four types of electrical contacts, but it may be provided with two or more electrical contacts using different communication methods.

[0046] A control unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 10 supplies power and communicates via electrical contacts to read information about the toner cartridge 1 stored in the memory tag 106. Details regarding the power supply and communication between the memory tag 106 and the control unit of the image forming apparatus 10 will not be described in this embodiment.

[0047] When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the device main body 10B, the coupling 105 is connected to the device main body 10B's main body coupling (drive force applying member, drive shaft). Therefore, vibrations may occur when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the device main body 10B or when drive is transmitted to the toner cartridge 1 via the coupling 105 while the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the device main body 10B. Such vibrations are suppressed by the coupling 105, thereby reducing their impact on the memory tag 106. To ensure stable electrical contact of the memory tag 106 with the device main body contacts provided on the device main body 10B for information reading, it is desirable to prevent vibrations from being applied to the memory tag 106. Furthermore, suppressing vibration of the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag 106 relative to the device main body contacts reduces wear on the memory tag 106, extending its lifespan, and stabilizing the electrical connection between the memory tag 106 and the device main body contacts.

[0048] [Configuration to prevent incorrect toner cartridge installation] Here, the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y-1K are each installed in a predetermined unique installation position relative to the device main body 10B, but they have the same configuration except for the color of the toner they contain. Each toner cartridge 1 has the same shape, including its outer shape when viewed parallel to the installation direction relative to the device main body 10B, which reduces the possibility of the cartridge being inserted in the wrong installation position. Furthermore, the memory tags 106 of each toner cartridge 1 also have the same shape when viewed parallel to the installation direction. Therefore, for example, if the second toner cartridge 1M is installed in the installation position where the first toner cartridge 1Y should be installed and its memory tag 106 is electrically connected to the device main body 10B, various problems may occur. For example, magenta toner and yellow toner, which are different colors, may be mixed, or the desired color image may not be formed. The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment has a unique configuration designed to prevent problems caused by incorrect installation of the toner cartridge 1.

[0049] The memory tag 106 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(d), 7(a) to 7(c), 8, and 9. The memory tag 106 is composed of a memory tag board 120 as an electric board, a memory tag unit 131 composed of a board holder 130 as a contact holder, a memory tag cover 132, etc.

[0050] Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the memory tag substrate 120 as seen from the front side. Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the memory tag substrate 120 of Fig. 6(a) as seen from the rear side. Fig. 6(c) is a perspective view of a memory tag substrate 120b, which is another configuration example of the memory tag substrate 120, as seen from the front side. Fig. 6(d) is a perspective view of the memory tag substrate 120b of Fig. 6(c) as seen from the rear side.

[0051] Here, as an example of the configuration of the memory tag substrate 120, a memory tag substrate 120 having electrical contacts and a processing circuit mounted on a printed circuit board will be described. The memory tag substrate 120 has multiple electrical contacts 121 and a processing circuit 123 mounted on a printed circuit board 122. As described above, the processing circuit 123 can store and provide information about the toner cartridge 1. The processing circuit 123 can include hardware and software logic as needed. For example, the processing circuit 123 can include a microprocessor or an ASIC, and may also include non-volatile memory or volatile memory. Furthermore, the memory tag substrate 120 does not need to be a printed circuit board; any material or shape is acceptable as long as the electrical contacts 121 can be arranged, electrical components such as the processing circuit 123 can be mounted, and power supply and communication functions can be performed without any problems. Generally, memory tag substrates 120 of the same shape are used for the first to fourth toner cartridges 1.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the memory tag substrate 120 may be configured such that the processing circuit 123 and the electrical contacts 121 are arranged on different surfaces. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the processing circuit 123 and the electrical contacts 121 may be arranged on the same surface, as in the memory tag substrate 120b shown in FIG. 6(c). The memory tag substrate 120 shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) has two substrate mounting holes 124 and 125 so that the memory tag substrate 120 can be securely held when assembled to the substrate holder 130 (described later). Here, the substrate mounting hole 124 is a round hole that serves as a reference for mounting, and the substrate mounting hole 125 is an elongated hole. On the other hand, the memory tag substrate 120b shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(c) has a portion at the top of the substrate having a width defined by dimension A.

[0053] The substrate holder 130 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7(a) to 7(c). Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the substrate holder 130 used to attach the memory tag substrate 120 to the toner cartridge 1, seen from the front side. Figure 7(b) is a perspective view of the substrate holder 130, seen from the rear side, corresponding to the memory tag substrate 120 configured as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). Figure 7(c) is a perspective view of the substrate holder 130b, seen from the rear side, corresponding to the memory tag substrate 120b configured as shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d). The configuration of the front side of the substrate holder 130b is the same as the configuration of the substrate holder 130 shown in Figure 7(a).

[0054] 7(a), the substrate holder 130 is composed of a holder housing 126, a protrusion 127, and an opening 128. The memory tag substrate 120 is attached from the rear side of the substrate holder 130 and fixed so that the electrical contacts 121 on the memory tag substrate 120 are visible through the opening 128 of the substrate holder 130.

[0055] On the rear side of the substrate holder 130 shown in Figure 7(b), cylindrical protrusions 129, 138 are provided on the bottom surface of a recess that corresponds to the external shape of the memory tag substrate 120 shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), and an opening 128 is formed. These protrusions 129, 138 are inserted into substrate mounting holes 124, 125, respectively, of the memory tag substrate 120 shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b) that is fitted into the recess, allowing the memory tag substrate 120 to be assembled to the substrate holder 130. The protrusion 129 is higher than the protrusion 138 so that it can fit into a memory tag mounting hole provided in the memory tag space of the toner cartridge, which will be described later. The protrusion 127 is provided to protrude in a direction intersecting the mounting direction (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction).

[0056] Furthermore, on the rear side of the substrate holder 130b shown in FIG. 7(c), a cylindrical protrusion 129 is provided on the bottom of a recess corresponding to the external shape of the memory tag substrate 120b shown in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d), forming an opening 128. The protrusion 129 is inserted into the substrate mounting hole 124 of the memory tag substrate 120b shown in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d), which is fitted into the recess, allowing the memory tag substrate 120b to be assembled to the substrate holder 130b. The memory tag substrate 120b is pushed into the rear side of the substrate holder 130 and fixed with a fixing member (not shown). In this case, the recess of the substrate holder 130b is designed to have a portion with a width defined by dimension A2, with respect to dimension A of the upper part of the memory tag substrate 120b shown in FIG. 6(b), and A≦A2.

[0057] The substrate holders 130, 130b are preferably made of an insulating material such as resin so as to prevent short circuits in the electrical circuits including the electrical contacts 121 and processing circuit 123 on the memory tag substrates 120, 120b. The substrate holders 130, 130b of this embodiment can be molded in the same mold and have the same shape for the first to fourth toner cartridges.

[0058] 8 is a perspective view of a memory tag unit 131 in which the memory tag substrate 120 is assembled to the substrate holder 130, as seen from the front side. The dotted circle indicates the position where the protrusion 129 is located. A memory tag unit in which the memory tag substrate 120b is assembled to the substrate holder 130b is similarly configured.

[0059] 9 is a perspective view, seen from the front, of the memory tag cover 132 that secures and protects the memory tag unit 131 when the memory tag unit 131 is attached to the toner cartridge 1. The memory tag cover 132 has a cover housing 133. The cover housing 133 has an opening 134. When the memory tag unit 131 is attached to the toner cartridge 1, the memory tag cover 132 is attached to cover the memory tag unit 131 so that a portion of the memory tag unit 131, particularly the area including the electrical contacts 121, can be seen from the outside through the opening 134. The memory tag cover 132 may be made of an insulating material such as resin, or a metallic material.

[0060] Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1 as seen from below the rear, in order to clearly show the memory tag space 135 for arranging the memory tag 106 in the toner cartridge 1. Figure 10(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the memory tag space 135. The memory tag space 135 as an attachment section is composed of a plurality of protrusions 136 arranged at intervals and a memory tag attachment hole 137. The protrusion 129 of the substrate holder 130 shown in Figure 7(b) or the protrusion 129 of the substrate holder 130b shown in Figure 7(c) is inserted into this memory tag attachment hole 137.

[0061] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view showing the memory tag unit 131 assembled in the memory tag space 135. The memory tag space 135, which serves as the mounting portion to which the memory tag unit 131 is attached, has the same shape in each toner cartridge 1. The protrusion 129 (positioned portion) of the memory tag unit 131 and the memory tag mounting hole 137 (positioning portion) of the memory tag space 135 are engaged with each other so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1. Furthermore, the protrusion 127 (rotation restricted portion) of the memory tag unit 131 is selectively inserted between two adjacent protrusions 136 among the multiple protrusions 136 (rotation restricted portions) arranged in the memory tag space 135. The mounting angle of the memory tag unit 131 relative to the memory tag space 135 is determined by which two protrusions 136 the protrusion 127 is engaged between. That is, the protrusion 136 is a rotation stopper that engages with the protrusion 127 to restrict rotation of the memory tag unit 131 relative to the memory tag space 135 around a rotation axis that passes through the protrusion 129 or the memory tag mounting hole 137 and is aligned with the mounting direction. The protrusions 136 are arranged in a line on an imaginary arc (the imaginary arc VC in FIG. 10(b)) centered on the rotation axis. This configuration allows the memory tag unit 131 to be mounted at selectively different mounting angles relative to the memory tag space 135 around the rotation axis of the protrusion 129 relative to the memory tag mounting hole 137, i.e., around a rotation axis perpendicular to the XY plane. This allows the memory tag units 131 to be configured so that, although they have the same shape when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction for each toner cartridge 1, the angle at which they are mounted relative to the toner cartridge 1 varies depending on the color of the toner cartridge 1.

[0062] FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view showing the state in which the memory tag cover 132 has been attached, following the state shown in FIG. 11(a). Even if the memory tag unit 131 is attached at a number of different angles, part of the memory tag unit 131 and the electrical contacts 121 are visible through the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132. The memory tag covers 132 of this embodiment are molded in the same shape using the same mold and can be used for the first to fourth toner cartridges. Note that instead of providing the protrusion 136 in the memory tag space 135, a protrusion may be provided on the memory tag cover 132, allowing the memory tag unit 131 to be attached at different angles.

[0063] 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body contact 28 disposed in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. The main body contact 28 is composed of contact springs 26 as multiple contact terminals for electrically contacting the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag 106, and a guide member 27 as a terminal holder surrounding the contact springs. The main body contact 28 and the electrical contact 121 as the cartridge contact are configured to contact each other via a floating structure in which at least one of them has a degree of freedom in position (a degree of freedom in the relative position that allows a connection state to be formed). In other words, when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted in the apparatus main body 10B, electrical contact can be reliably achieved even if there is some positional misalignment between the electrical contact 121 and the main body contact 28.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 15(a) to 15(c), a specific floating configuration will be described. FIGS. 15(a) to 15(c) are enlarged views showing the vicinity of the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 and the main body side contact 28. Here, a floating configuration is adopted such that the contact between the two contacts can follow within a predetermined range due to the expansion, contraction, and / or bending of the contact spring 26 of the main body side contact 28. That is, in the memory tag 106 of this embodiment, the surface of the electrical contact 121 (cartridge contact surface) has a normal direction that is the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1 with respect to the apparatus main body 10B. Also, the direction in which the surfaces (each cartridge contact surface) of the plurality of electrical contacts 121 are aligned is a direction that intersects the mounting direction (in this embodiment, it is a perpendicular direction, but it is not limited to this). This alignment direction of the cartridge contact surfaces will be different if the color of the toner cartridge 1 is different.

[0065] FIG. 15(a) shows a state in which the electrical contact 121 and the main body side contact 28 are in contact at the design tolerance standard position. At this time, let the Z-direction interval between the supply container 101 of the toner cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 at a representative position be B.

[0066] FIG. 15(b) shows a state in which the supply container 101 and the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 approach each other and the Z-direction interval becomes B2 (<B). By the contraction of the contact spring 26, the contact between the electrical contact 121 and the main body side contact 28 is maintained.

[0067] FIG. 15(c) shows a state in which the supply container 101 is displaced by a distance C in the Y direction with respect to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. By the bending of the contact spring 26, the contact between the electrical contact 121 and the main body side contact 28 is maintained.

[0068] Here, typical positional deviations in the Z and Y directions have been described as examples, but it is desirable to have a floating configuration that can accommodate positional deviations in other directions as well. Also, here, a floating configuration that allows positional freedom due to the expansion and / or contraction of contact spring 26 has been described, but a floating configuration in which guide member 27 has positional freedom relative to toner cartridge mounting portion 24 may also be used. Alternatively, a floating configuration in which memory tag unit 131 has positional freedom relative to toner cartridge 1 may also be used.

[0069] A specific mechanism for preventing the incorrect installation of the toner cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13(a) to 13(d).

[0070] FIG. 13(a) is a view of the rear side of the toner cartridge 1, that is, the side where the coupling 105 of the toner cartridge 1 is arranged, with the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K attached to the apparatus main body 10B. The memory tag 106 is arranged between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge part 107 arranged on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 1. More specifically, when viewed in a direction parallel to the attachment direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 1 to the apparatus main body 10B, at least a part of the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 is in contact with the toner cartridge 1. The memory tag 106 is provided above the toner discharge portion 107 and below the rotation axis G of the coupling 105. In addition, the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 is provided downstream of the toner discharge portion 107 in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1 to the apparatus main body 10B.

[0071] Furthermore, the electrical contacts 121Y-121K included in the memory tags 106Y-106K arranged in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y-1K are angled differently when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 1 into the apparatus main body 10B. That is, the electrical contacts 121Y-121K are arranged so that their orientations (angles, postures) around a rotation axis extending in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (-Y direction) in the toner discharge portion 107 are different in the XY plane. The rotation axis in this case is the rotation axis of the protrusion 129 relative to the memory tag mounting hole 137, as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0072] 13(b) is a front view of the first to fourth toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K, which are positions in the apparatus main body 10B where the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K are mounted. The first to fourth toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K are provided with a main body coupling 25 and a main body contact 28. Furthermore, the main body contact 28, which serves as a terminal provided in the toner cartridge mounting section 24, is composed of contact springs 26, which serve as a plurality of contact terminals for electrically contacting the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag 106, and a guide member 27 that surrounds the contact springs.

[0073] Like the electrical contacts 121Y-121K, the body-side contacts 28Y-28K are angled differently when viewed in a direction parallel to the insertion / removal direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 1 relative to the apparatus main body 10B. That is, the body-side contacts 28Y-28K are rotated around a rotation axis extending in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (-Y direction) in the toner discharge section 107 in the XY plane, and are arranged in different orientations (different angles). The manner in which these orientations are changed corresponds to the manner in which the orientations of the electrical contacts 121Y-121K are changed. That is, the body-side contacts 28Y-28K are arranged at different angles on the XY plane so that they can come into contact with the electrical contacts 121Y-121K included in the memory tags 106Y-106K of the toner cartridges 1 of the corresponding colors.

[0074] More specifically, the attitude (angle) or contact structure of body-side contact 28Y is determined so that it can come into contact with electrical contact 121Y among electrical contacts 121Y-121K but cannot come into contact with electrical contacts 121M, 121C, and 121K. Similarly, the attitude (angle) or contact structure of body-side contact 28M is determined so that it can come into contact with electrical contact 121M among electrical contacts 121Y-121K but cannot come into contact with electrical contacts 121Y, 121C, and 121K. Similarly, the attitude (angle) or contact structure of body-side contact 28C is determined so that it can come into contact with electrical contact 121C among electrical contacts 121Y-121K but cannot come into contact with electrical contacts 121Y, 121M, and 121K. Similarly, the attitude (angle) or contact structure of the main body side contact 28K is determined so that it can come into contact with the electrical contact 121K among the electrical contacts 121Y to 121K, but cannot come into contact with the electrical contacts 121Y, 121M, and 121C.

[0075] Here, a configuration using a terminal with a ring-shaped tip will be described as the contact terminal, but the shape of the contact terminal is not limited to a ball-shaped terminal, a pin-shaped terminal, etc. The tip shape of the contact terminal is not limited to a specific configuration, but it is desirable that the terminal have spring properties to prevent damage when the contacts come into contact with each other.

[0076] Fig. 13(c) is a diagram showing a case where a compatible toner cartridge 1 out of the four types of toner cartridges 1 is installed in one of the four toner cartridge installation sections 24. Fig. 13(d) is a diagram showing a case where an incompatible (mismatched) toner cartridge 1 out of the four types of toner cartridges 1 is inserted (installed) in one of the four toner cartridge installation sections 24.

[0077] 13(c) shows an enlarged view from the front side of the first toner cartridge 1Y properly installed as a compatible cartridge in the first toner cartridge mounting portion 24Y. When the first toner cartridge 1Y is installed in the first toner cartridge mounting portion 24Y, the guide member 27Y surrounding the main body contact 26Y can enter the opening 128Y provided in the memory tag 106Y. This establishes contact between the main body contact 26Y and the electrical contact 121Y of the memory tag 106Y.

[0078] In contrast, Figure 13(d) shows an enlarged view from the front side of the printer when the second toner cartridge 1M, an incompatible cartridge, has been mistakenly inserted into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C. When the second toner cartridge 1M is inserted into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C, the guide member 27C surrounding the main body contact 26C interferes with the opening 128M (the edge around the opening 128M) in the memory tag 106M. As a result, contact is not established between the main body contact 26C and the electrical contact 121M of the memory tag 106M.

[0079] When the second toner cartridge 1M is inserted (mounted) into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C, the connection between the main body contact 26C and the electrical contact 121M is not established, and the control unit of the device main body 10B cannot control the second toner cartridge 1M. This allows the control unit to detect that an incompatible cartridge has been inserted (mounted) into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C, and makes it possible to prevent image formation operations from being performed with the incompatible cartridge mounted. In other words, it is possible to prevent incorrect mounting of the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C (prompting the user to correct the incorrect mounting state).

[0080] 14(a) to 14(c) will be used to explain a specific mechanism for preventing erroneous installation of the toner cartridge 1. Figures 14(a) to 14(c) are cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge installation section 24 and the toner cartridge 1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0081] FIG. 14(a) shows a state in which the correct toner cartridge 1 corresponding to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 is mounted. FIG. 14(b) is an enlarged view showing the state of the memory tag 106 and its vicinity at that time. The coupling 105 is engaged with the main-body coupling 25, enabling power to be transmitted from the apparatus main body 10B to the toner cartridge 1. The guide member 27 of the main-body contact 28 is inserted into the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 of the memory tag 106 and the opening 128 of the board holder 130, bringing the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 into contact with the contact spring 26 of the main-body contact 28. In other words, the memory tag 106 and the image forming apparatus 10 are capable of communicating with each other.

[0082] The control unit of the device main body 10B is in a state where it can control the toner cartridge 1, so it can move the shutter member 111 located at the bottom of the toner cartridge 1 to the open position. This allows toner to be supplied from the discharge port 113 toward the toner receiving port 30 located at the bottom of the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. At this time, the locking member 104 connected to the handle 103 located at the front of the toner cartridge 1 is inserted into the concave locking hole 31 located in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 by the biasing force of the spring member 32. The locking member 104 as a restricting member prevents the toner cartridge 1 from The locking member 104 is configured to restrict movement of the toner cartridge 1 in the direction of removal from the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. The locking member 104 is configured to be capable of taking a restricting position in which it restricts movement of the toner cartridge 1 and a non-restricting position in which it does not restrict movement, and can move to the restricting position when the toner cartridge 1 is in a predetermined mounting position (mounting completion position) in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. When the toner cartridge 1 is in the predetermined mounting position, a spring member 33 (biasing member) provided in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 biases the toner cartridge 1 in a direction from the predetermined mounting position toward the upstream side in the mounting direction (in the direction of removal from the toner cartridge mounting portion 24). The locking member 104 in the restricting position restricts movement of the toner cartridge 1 against the biasing force of the spring member 33. As a result, the toner cartridge 1 is locked in the mounted state in the device main body 10B.

[0083] When the user presses down on the handle 103 in the -Y direction, the locking member 104 also moves down in the -Y direction against the biasing force of the spring member 32, and the upper part of the locking member 104 comes out of the locking hole 31. Next, the biasing force of the spring member 33, which serves as a biasing member provided in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24, pushes the toner cartridge 1 out in the -Z direction. The toner cartridge 1 remains in a state where it is not mounted in the device main body 10B, and is in an unlocked state.

[0084] FIG. 14(c) is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the memory tag 106 when an incorrect toner cartridge 1 is inserted (mounted) as an incompatible cartridge into the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. As shown in FIG. 14(c), the guide member 27 of the main body-side contact 28 interferes with and cannot fit into the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 of the memory tag 106 or the opening 128 of the board holder 130. The board holder 130, which serves as a contact holder, surrounds the electrical contact 121 and is positioned downstream in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1 into the device main body 10B. This prevents contact between the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 and the contact spring 26 of the main body-side contact 28, preventing communication between the memory tag 106 and the image forming device 10. Because the control unit of the device main body 10B cannot control the toner cartridge 1, the shutter member 111 located at the bottom of the toner cartridge 1 cannot move from the closed position to the open position, and toner cannot be supplied from the discharge port 113 to the toner receiving port 30. Note that the same situation occurs even in a device configuration in which the shutter member 111 is not controlled by the control unit but is provided with a mechanism that drives the shutter member 111 in conjunction with the action of inserting the toner cartridge 1 all the way into the mounting portion. In other words, due to interference between the guide member 27 of the body-side contact 28 and the memory tag cover 132 or the board holder 130, an incompatible toner cartridge 1 cannot reach the predetermined mounting completion position and cannot be fully mounted in the device main body 10B.

[0085] FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating the differences in the arrangement of the memory tag 106 for each toner cartridge 1. Here, the configuration of the toner cartridges 1C and 1M is shown as a representative view when viewed in a direction parallel to the installation direction of the toner cartridges 1C and 1M relative to the apparatus main body 10B. When viewed in a direction parallel to the installation direction, a two-dimensional coordinate system (first coordinate system) is considered, with the rotation axis of the coupling 105C as the origin o1, a virtual line VL1 (first virtual line) passing through the rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a virtual line VL2 (second virtual line) passing through the rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity. Similarly, when viewed in a direction parallel to the installation direction, a two-dimensional coordinate system (second coordinate system) is considered, with the rotation axis of the coupling 105M as the origin o2, a virtual line VL3 (third virtual line) passing through the rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a virtual line VL4 (fourth virtual line) passing through the rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity. The coordinates of the electrical contact 121C in the first coordinate system and the coordinates of the electrical contact 121M in the second coordinate system are different from each other when the first and second coordinate systems are superimposed so that their origins coincide. That is, the coordinates of the memory tag substrate 120 included in each of the memory tags 106C and 106M are different from each other when the first and second coordinate systems are superimposed so that their origins coincide. When they are stacked like this, there are different areas. This is the same for the four types of toner cartridges 1Y to 1K, including the toner cartridges 1Y and 1K.

[0086] [Effects of this Example] As explained above, by using the image forming apparatus 10 and the toner cartridge 1 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0087] By assembling the memory tag 106 so that the electrical contacts 121 are positioned on the XY plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z axis) of the toner cartridge 1, it is possible to increase the amount of toner that can be stored in the toner cartridge 1. In addition, by arranging the angles of the electrical contacts 121 and the corresponding angles of the contact springs 26 of the main body side contacts 28 in the XY plane so that they are different for each color, it is possible to reliably prevent the incorrect installation of toner cartridges 1 of different colors.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K, the substrate holders 130 of the memory tags 106, which have the same configuration and shape, are attached to the toner cartridge 1 at different angles for each color. In other words, in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K, the substrate holders 130 and memory tag covers 132 can be molded in the same mold and have the same shape. This is also effective in reducing the cost of manufacturing parts.

[0089] Furthermore, by enclosing the memory tag 106 with the memory tag cover 132, it is possible to both protect the electrical contacts 121 and prevent the toner cartridge 1 from being installed incorrectly.

[0090] In relation to this embodiment and the present invention, for example, if toner cartridge 1Y of toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first toner cartridge, then any one (or more) of toner cartridges 1M, 1C, and 1K excluding toner cartridge 1Y will be the second toner cartridge. Similarly, if toner cartridge 1M is the first toner cartridge, then any one (or more) of toner cartridges 1Y, 1C, and 1K excluding toner cartridge 1M will be the second toner cartridge. Similarly, if toner cartridge 1C is the first toner cartridge, then any one (or more) of toner cartridges 1M, 1Y, and 1K excluding toner cartridge 1C will be the second toner cartridge. Similarly, if toner cartridge 1K is the first toner cartridge, then any one (or more) of toner cartridges 1M, 1Y, and 1C excluding toner cartridge 1K will be the second toner cartridge.

[0091] Similarly, if one of the photosensitive drums 7Y to 7K is defined as a first photosensitive drum, the other photosensitive drum (may be one or more) becomes a second photosensitive drum. Similarly, if the longitudinal direction of one of the photosensitive drums 7Y to 7K is defined as a first direction, the longitudinal directions of the other photosensitive drums (may be one or more) become a second direction. Similarly, if one of the developing rollers 11Y to 11K is defined as a first developing roller, the other developing roller (may be one or more) becomes a second developing roller. Similarly, if one of the developing units 6Y to 6K is defined as a first developing unit, the other developing unit (may be one or more) becomes a second developing unit. Similarly, if the toner storage portion of one of the developing units 6Y to 6K is defined as a first toner storage portion, the toner storage portion (may be one or more) of the other developing unit becomes a second toner storage portion. Similarly, if one of the four color toners is designated as the first toner, the other toners (which may be one or more) are designated as the second toner.

[0092] Similarly, the auxiliary cartridge included in one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K If the supply container 101 is the first container, the supply containers 101 (which may be one or more) provided in the other toner cartridges will be the second containers. Similarly, if the discharge port 113 provided in one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first discharge port, the discharge ports 113 (which may be one or more) provided in the other toner cartridges will be the second discharge ports. Similarly, if the screw unit 160 provided in one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first conveying member, the screw units 160 (which may be one or more) provided in the other toner cartridges will be the second conveying member. Similarly, if the agitation unit 170 provided in one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first agitation member, the agitation units 170 (which may be one or more) provided in the other toner cartridges will be the second agitation members. Similarly, if one of the couplings 105Y to 105K is defined as a first driving force receiving member, the other couplings (which may be one or more) will be second driving force receiving members. Similarly, if the rotation axis G of one of the couplings 105Y to 105K is defined as a first rotation axis, the rotation axis G of the other couplings (which may be one or more) will be second rotation axes. Similarly, if the rear surface (end surface in the mounting direction) of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is defined as a first end surface, the rear surfaces (end surfaces in the mounting direction) of the other toner cartridges (which may be one or more) will be second end surfaces.

[0093] Similarly, when one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is the first memory means, the other memory tags (which may be one or more) are the second memory means. Similarly, if the memory tag substrate 120 included in one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is defined as a first electric substrate, the memory tag substrates 120 (which may be one or more) included in the other memory tags will be second electric substrates. Similarly, if the substrate holder 130 included in one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is defined as a first contact holder, the substrate holders 130 (which may be one or more) included in the other memory tags will be second contact holders. Similarly, if one surface of the electrical contacts 121Y to 121K is defined as a first cartridge contact surface, the other surface (which may be one or more) will be second cartridge contact surfaces.

[0094] Similarly, if the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first mounting portion, the memory tag spaces 135 (which may be one or more) of the other toner cartridges are the second mounting portion. Similarly, if the protrusion 129 of the memory tag unit 131 of one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is the first positioned portion, the protrusions 129 (which may be one or more) of the memory tag units 131 of the other memory tags are the second positioned portions. Similarly, if the memory tag mounting hole 137 of the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first positioning portion, the memory tag mounting hole 137 (which may be one or more) of the memory tag spaces 135 of the other toner cartridges are the second positioning portion. Similarly, if the protrusion 127 of the memory tag unit 131 of one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is the first rotation-regulated portion, the protrusions 127 (which may be one or more) of the memory tag units 131 of the other memory tags become the second rotation-regulated portion. Similarly, if the protrusion 136 of the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first rotation-regulated portion, the protrusions 136 (which may be one or more) of the memory tag spaces 135 of the other toner cartridges become the second rotation-regulated portion. Similarly, if the rotation axis that is the rotation center of the memory tag unit 131 relative to the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is the first rotation axis, the protrusions 136 of the other toner cartridges become the second rotation-regulated portion. The rotation axis (or axes) that are the center of rotation of the memory tag unit 131 relative to the memory tag space 135 are the second rotation axes.

[0095] Similarly, if one of the toner cartridge mounting portions 24Y to 24K is defined as a first mounting portion, the other toner cartridge mounting portions (which may be one or more) become second mounting portions. Similarly, if one of the main body side contacts 28Y to 28K is defined as a first terminal, the other main body side contacts (which may be one or more) become second terminals. Similarly, if one of the main body side couplings 25Y to 25K is defined as a first driving member, the other main body side couplings (which may be one or more) become second driving members. Similarly, if one of the guide members 27Y to 27K is defined as a first terminal holder, the other guide members (which may be one or more) become second terminal holders.

[0096] Similarly, if the spring member 33 provided in one of the toner cartridge mounting portions 24Y to 24K is defined as the first biasing member, the spring members 33 (which may be one or more) provided in the other toner cartridge mounting portions will be the second biasing member. Similarly, if the predetermined mounting position (mounting completion position) of the toner cartridge in one of the toner cartridge mounting portions 24Y to 24K is defined as the first mounting position, the predetermined mounting positions (mounting completion positions) (which may be one or more) of the toner cartridge in the other toner cartridge mounting portions will be the second mounting positions. Similarly, if the restricting position of the locking member 104 provided in one of the toner cartridge mounting portions 24Y to 24K is defined as the first restricting position, the restricting position (which may be one or more) of the locking member 104 provided in the other toner cartridge mounting portions will be the second restricting position. Similarly, if the non-restricted position of the locking member 104 provided in one of the toner cartridge mounting portions 24Y to 24K is defined as the first non-restricted position, the non-restricted positions (which may be one or more) of the locking members 104 provided in the other toner cartridge mounting portions are defined as the second non-restricted positions.

[0097] The relationship of the present invention to the configuration of this embodiment other than the above can be considered in the same manner as above.

[0098] Example 2 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the second embodiment is configured by partially changing the configuration described in the first embodiment, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings. The matters not described here regarding the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0099] [Configuration of image forming device] As shown in Fig. 16, when front cover 22 covering the front of image forming apparatus 10 is opened, toner cartridge 1b can be attached or detached via attachment means such as an attachment guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided on the main body of image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, by pressing toner cartridge removal button 34 provided on device main body 10B above toner cartridge 1b, the corresponding toner cartridge 1b moves to a position where it can be removed. Fig. 16 shows a state in which first toner cartridge 1bY can be removed by pressing first toner cartridge removal button 34Y, and shows the states in which second to fourth toner cartridges 1bM to 1bK are attached to device main body 10B.

[0100] [Overall configuration of toner cartridge] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1b of this embodiment as seen from above the front. The toner cartridge 1b has a supply container 101 as a casing and a front cover 102 on the surface that is located at the front when the toner cartridge 1b is attached to the apparatus main body 10B. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism for the toner cartridge 1b is provided in the apparatus main body 10B, thereby reducing the number of components on the toner cartridge 1b side. A recess 141 on the top of the toner cartridge 1b is a hole that fits a protruding member of the locking mechanism, which will be described later.

[0101] Figure 18 is a perspective view of toner cartridge 1b as seen from the bottom rear side. Figure 18(a) shows a state in which toner cartridge 1b is installed in image forming apparatus 100 and toner can be discharged, while Figure 18(b) shows a state in which toner cartridge 1b is not installed in image forming apparatus 10 and toner cannot be discharged. The rear surface of toner cartridge 1b is provided with coupling 105 (driving force receiving portion). The bottom surface of toner cartridge 1b is provided with toner discharge portion 107.

[0102] In the Z direction of the toner cartridge 1b, a memory tag 142 is disposed on the rear surface of the toner cartridge 1b between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge portion 107. When the toner cartridge 1b is attached to the apparatus main body 10B, an electrical contact 121 (cartridge-side contact) provided on the memory tag 142 comes into electrical contact with a main body-side contact provided on the apparatus main body 10B.

[0103] [Configuration to prevent incorrect toner cartridge installation] In this embodiment, a configuration is described that makes it possible to prevent the first to fourth toner cartridges 1bY to 1bK from being installed incorrectly in an installation position that does not correspond to the device main body 10B (prompting the user to correct the incorrect installation state).

[0104] FIG. 19 shows a memory tag substrate 143 according to this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, a plurality of electrical contacts 121 and a processing circuit 123 are mounted on a printed circuit board 122. The printed circuit board 122 is L-shaped and has a board mounting hole 125 so that the board can be inserted correctly into a memory tag holder (described later). The sizes of the plurality of electrical contacts 121 may all be the same, or some may be different. The processing circuit 123 and the electrical contacts 121 may be arranged on the same surface of the printed circuit board 122, or on different surfaces. The configuration of the memory tag substrate 143 described here is an example, and different configurations and materials may be used as long as they have similar functions.

[0105] Figure 20(a) is a perspective view of memory tag unit 144, in which memory tag substrate 143 is incorporated into substrate holder 145 in order to attach memory tag substrate 143 to toner cartridge 1b, as seen from a viewpoint where memory tag substrate 143 is exposed. Figure 20(b) is a perspective view of memory tag unit 144 as seen from a viewpoint opposite to that of Figure 20(a). Memory tag unit 144 is composed of substrate holder 145, protrusions 146 and 147, and opening 148. Memory tag substrate 143 is held with the substrate surface perpendicular to the surface of opening 148.

[0106] The memory tag unit 144 is preferably made of an insulating material such as resin to prevent short circuits in the electrical circuit, including the electrical contacts 121 and processing circuit 123 on the printed circuit board 122 of the memory tag substrate 143. In this embodiment, the memory tag unit 144 is configured such that the memory tag substrate 143 is sandwiched between and fixed to a substrate holder 145 made up of two independent parts, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the memory tag substrate 143 may be inserted into and fixed to a single substrate holder 145, or another configuration may be used.

[0107] Figure 21(a) is a perspective view of toner cartridge 1b seen from the underside of the rear surface to clearly show memory tag space 150 for arranging a memory tag in toner cartridge 1b. Figure 21(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of memory tag space 150. Memory tag space 150 as a mounting portion is made up of multiple projections 149 arranged at intervals, a cylindrical projection 152 into which projection 146 of memory tag unit 144 is inserted, and a base 151 that supports memory tag unit 144.

[0108] FIG. 22(a) is a perspective view showing the memory tag unit 144 assembled in the memory tag space 150. The memory tag space 150, which serves as the mounting portion to which the memory tag unit 144 is attached, has the same shape in each toner cartridge 1b. When the memory tag unit 144 is assembled in the memory tag space 150, the protrusion 146 (positioned portion) shown in FIG. 20 is inserted into the hole (positioning portion) of the cylindrical protrusion 152, and they engage with each other to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1. At the same time, the protrusion 147 (rotation restricted portion) is selectively inserted between two adjacent protrusions 149 out of multiple protrusions 149 (rotation restricted portions). The mounting angle of the memory tag unit 144 relative to the memory tag space 150 is determined by which two protrusions 149 the protrusion 147 is engaged between. That is, protrusion 149 is a rotation stopper that engages with protrusion 147 to restrict rotation of memory tag unit 144 relative to memory tag space 150 around a rotation axis that passes through the hole of protrusion 146 or protrusion 152 and extends along the mounting direction. Protrusions 149 are arranged around the rotation axis or arranged in a row on imaginary arc VC. This configuration makes it possible to mount memory tag unit 144 at selectively different angles relative to memory tag space 150 around the rotation axis of protrusion 146 relative to the hole of protrusion 152, i.e., around a rotation axis perpendicular to the XY plane. This allows memory tag units 144 to have the same shape when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction for each toner cartridge 1b, but the angle at which they are mounted relative to toner cartridge 1b can be configured to vary depending on the color of toner cartridge 1b.

[0109] 22(b) is a perspective view showing the state in which the memory tag cover 132 has been attached from the state shown in Fig. 22(a). Even if the memory tag unit 144 is attached at a number of different angles, part of the memory tag unit 144 and the memory tag board 143 can be seen through the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132.

[0110] Here, the memory tag unit 144 has a floating configuration that allows for a degree of freedom in its relative position to establish a connection state with the toner cartridge 1b. That is, the diameter of the protrusion 146 (see FIG. 20) is smaller than the inner diameter of the hole of the cylindrical protrusion 152 so as to form a gap that provides the above-mentioned degree of freedom. Furthermore, it is desirable that the width (thickness) of the protrusion 147, which serves as the rotation-restricted portion, is smaller than the distance between two adjacent protrusions 149 among the multiple protrusions 149 so as to form a gap that provides the above-mentioned degree of freedom. Furthermore, it is desirable that the dimensions of the memory tag unit 144 relative to the memory tag cover 132 be determined so that it can move within a predetermined range in the Z direction when the memory tag cover 132 shown in FIG. 22(b) is attached, thereby providing the above-mentioned degree of freedom.

[0111] A specific mechanism for preventing erroneous installation of the toner cartridge 1b in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23(a) to 23(d).

[0112] 23(a) is a view showing the rear side of the toner cartridge 1b, that is, the side where the coupling 105 of the toner cartridge 1b is arranged, when the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K are attached to the apparatus main body 10B. 143K have different angles when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction of toner cartridge 1b to apparatus main body 10B. That is, memory tag substrates 143 are arranged so that their orientations (angles, postures) around a rotation axis extending in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (-Y direction) in toner discharge portion 107 are different in the XY plane. The rotation axis in this case is the rotation axis of protrusion 146 with respect to the hole in protrusion 152, as shown in FIG. 20.

[0113] FIG. 23(b) is a front view of the first to fourth toner cartridge mounting portions 24Y-24K, which are positions in the device main body 10B where the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y-1K are mounted. In this embodiment, the main body contact is a connector 35 that mates with the memory tag board 143 of the memory tag 106 to establish electrical contact. Here, the first to fourth connectors 35Y-35K are mounted on a board 36 to secure the connector 35 to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. While FIG. 23(b) shows a configuration in which multiple connectors 35 are mounted on a single board, i.e., board 36, a configuration in which each connector is mounted on a plurality of independent boards is also acceptable. Furthermore, the connector 35 may be directly held and secured in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24.

[0114] Figure 23(c) is a diagram showing a case where a compatible toner cartridge 1b out of four types of toner cartridges 1b is mounted in one of the four toner cartridge mounting portions 24. Figure 23(d) is a diagram showing a case where an incompatible (mismatched) toner cartridge 1b out of four types of toner cartridges 1b is inserted (mounted) in one of the four toner cartridge mounting portions 224.

[0115] 23(c) is an enlarged front view of the first toner cartridge 1bY properly installed in the first toner cartridge mounting portion 24Y. When the first toner cartridge 1bY is installed in the first toner cartridge mounting portion 24Y, the connector 35Y can fit into the opening 148Y in the memory tag 106Y. This establishes contact between the connector 35Y and the memory tag board 143Y of the memory tag 106Y.

[0116] In contrast, Figure 23(d) shows an enlarged view from the front side of the state in which the second toner cartridge 1bM, an incompatible cartridge, has been mistakenly inserted into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C. When the second toner cartridge 1bM is inserted into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C, the connector 35C interferes with the opening 148M (the edge around the opening 148M) provided in the memory tag 106M. As a result, contact is not established between the connector 35C and the memory tag board 143M of the memory tag 106M.

[0117] When the second toner cartridge 1bM is inserted (mounted) into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C, the connection between the connector 35C and the memory tag board 143M is not established, and the control unit of the apparatus main body 10B cannot control the second toner cartridge 1bM. This allows the control unit to detect that an incompatible cartridge has been inserted (mounted) into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C, and makes it possible to prevent image formation operations from being performed with the incompatible cartridge mounted. In other words, it is possible to prevent incorrect mounting into the third toner cartridge mounting portion 24C (prompting the user to correct the incorrect mounting state).

[0118] Furthermore, a specific mechanism for preventing erroneous installation of the toner cartridge 1b in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 24(a) to 24(c). Figs. 24(a) to 24(c) are cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge installation section 24 and the toner cartridge 1b in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, portions that overlap with the contents of the embodiment 1 described with reference to Fig. 14 will be omitted. do.

[0119] Figure 24(a) shows the state in which the correct toner cartridge 1b corresponding to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 is mounted. Figure 24(b) is an enlarged view showing the state of the memory tag 106 and its vicinity at that time. The connector 35, which is the main body side contact, fits into the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 of the memory tag 106 and the opening 148 of the board holder 145, thereby fitting the memory tag board 143 of the memory tag 106 with the connector 35. This enables communication between the memory tag 106 and the image forming device 10.

[0120] At this time, the locking member 37 provided in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 is inserted into the recess 141 provided on the top surface of the toner cartridge 1b by the biasing force of the spring member 38. As a result, the toner cartridge 1b is locked in the mounted state in the apparatus main body 10B.

[0121] When the user presses the toner cartridge removal button 34 in the Z direction, the protrusion 40 connected to the toner cartridge removal button 34 enters the hollow portion 37a (between the dashed lines) provided in the locking member 37 against the biasing force of the spring member 39. This causes the locking member 37 to rise in the Y direction against the biasing force of the spring member 38, and the lower portion of the locking member 37 comes out of the recess 141. Next, the biasing force of the spring member 33 provided in the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 pushes the toner cartridge 1b in the -Z direction. The toner cartridge 1b remains in an unlocked state, being not mounted in the device main body 10B.

[0122] Figure 24(c) is an enlarged view showing the state of the vicinity of the memory tag 106 when an incompatible, incorrect toner cartridge 1b is inserted (mounted) as an incompatible cartridge into the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. As shown in Figure 24(c), the connector 35 cannot fit into the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 of the memory tag 106 or the opening 148 of the board holder 145, causing interference. As a result, the memory tag board 143 and the connector 35 cannot be mated, and communication between the memory tag 106 and the image forming device 10 is not possible.

[0123] A specific floating configuration in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25(a) to 25(c). FIGS. 25(a) to 25(c) are enlarged views showing the memory tag unit 144 included in the memory tag 106 and the connector 35 fixed to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 in the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIGS. 25(a) to 25(c), the memory tag unit 144 has a floating configuration that allows it to follow the connector 35 fixed to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 within a predetermined range. That is, in this embodiment, the memory tag unit 144 has the surface of the electrical contact 121 (cartridge contact surface) whose normal direction intersects with the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1 into the device main body 10B (perpendicular in this embodiment, but not limited to this). Furthermore, the direction in which each surface of the multiple electrical contacts 121 (each cartridge contact surface) is aligned also intersects with the mounting direction (perpendicular in this embodiment, but not limited to this). The alignment direction of the cartridge contact surfaces differs depending on the color of the toner cartridge 1.

[0124] 25(a) shows a state in which the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag unit 144 and the connector 35 are in contact at a position that meets the design tolerance standard. At this time, the distance in the Z direction between the supply container 101 of the toner cartridge 1b and the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 at a representative position is defined as D.

[0125] 25(b) shows a state in which the supply container 101 and the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 are separated from each other, and the distance in the Z direction is D2 (>D). As the memory tag unit 144 moves in the Z direction inside the memory tag cover 132, the electrical contact 121 and the connector 35 come into contact with each other. is maintained.

[0126] 25(c) shows a state in which the supply container 101 is shifted by a distance E in the Y direction relative to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24. As the memory tag unit 144 moves in the Y direction inside the memory tag cover 132, contact between the electrical contact 121 and the connector 35 is maintained.

[0127] While typical positional deviations in the Z and Y directions have been described as examples here, it is desirable to provide a floating configuration that can accommodate positional deviations in other directions as well. Also, while a floating configuration that allows for positional freedom by moving the memory tag unit 144 has been described here, a floating configuration in which the connector 35 has positional freedom relative to the toner cartridge mounting portion 24 may also be used.

[0128] [Effects of this Example] As described above, by using the image forming apparatus 10 and toner cartridge 1b according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0129] Even in a configuration in which the substrate holder 145 of the memory tag 106 is positioned vertically in the Z direction and engages with the connector 35 on the device main body 10B side, by arranging the angle of the substrate holder 145 and the corresponding angle of the connector 35 in the XY plane to be different for each color, it is possible to reliably prevent incorrect installation of toner cartridges 1b of different colors.

[0130] Furthermore, in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1bY to 1bK, the substrate holder 145 of the memory tag 106, which has the same configuration and shape, is attached to the toner cartridge 1b at a different angle for each color. In other words, in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1bY to 1bK, the substrate holder 145 and memory tag cover 132 can be molded in the same mold and have the same shape. This is also effective in reducing the cost of manufacturing parts.

[0131] By arranging the substrate holder 145 vertically in the Z direction, it is possible to make the memory tag space 150 on the rear surface of the toner cartridge 1 relatively small compared to the configuration of Example 1. Furthermore, since the substrate holder 145 is surrounded by the substrate holder 145, protection of the memory tag 106 is strengthened.

[0132] The above embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0133] The disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board provided with a first cartridge contact surface, and a first mounting portion to which the first electric board is attached; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board provided with a second cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion to which the second electric board is attached; the apparatus main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electric board has the same shape as the second electric board, the first mounting portion has the same shape as the second mounting portion, and an angle at which the first electric board is mounted relative to the first mounting portion is different from an angle at which the second electric board is mounted relative to the second mounting portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 2) a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board are both directions that intersect with the mounting direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board are both the mounting direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 4) a first discharge port provided in the first container for discharging toner from the first container in order to replenish toner in the first toner storage section of the first developing unit, and a second discharge port provided in the second container for discharging toner from the second container in order to replenish toner in the second toner storage section of the second developing unit, both of which open in a direction intersecting the mounting direction; 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2 or 3. (Configuration 5) the device body has a first drive member and a second drive member, the first toner cartridge has a first transport member for transporting toner inside the first container toward the first discharge port, and a first driving force receiving member that engages with the first driving member to receive a driving force for driving the first transport member from the first driving member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the second toner cartridge has a second transport member for transporting toner inside the second container toward the second discharge port, and a second driving force receiving member that engages with the second driving member to receive a driving force for driving the second transport member from the second driving member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the first electric board is provided above the first discharge port and below the first rotation axis, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the second electric board is provided above the second outlet and below the second rotation axis. 5. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electric board is provided above the first outlet, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the second electric board is provided above the second outlet. 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4 or 5. (Configuration 7) the first electric board is provided downstream of the first discharge port in the mounting direction; In the mounting direction, the second electric board is provided downstream of the second discharge port. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 4 to 6. (Configuration 8) the first toner cartridge has a first contact holder that is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction and that is downstream in the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second contact holder that is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction and is located downstream in the mounting direction; When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first contact holder has the same shape as the second contact holder, and an angle at which the first contact holder is attached to the first mounting portion is different from an angle at which the second contact holder is attached to the second mounting portion. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) the first mounting portion has a first terminal holder provided so as to surround the first terminal when viewed in the mounting direction; the second mounting portion has a second terminal holder provided so as to surround the second terminal when viewed in the mounting direction, When the first toner cartridge is moved in the mounting direction in the second mounting portion, the first contact holder of the first toner cartridge interferes with the second terminal holder, making it impossible to mount the first toner cartridge in the second mounting portion, When the second toner cartridge is moved in the mounting direction in the first mounting portion, the second contact holder of the second toner cartridge interferes with the first terminal holder, making it impossible to mount the second toner cartridge in the first mounting portion. 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, (Configuration 10) The first mounting portion includes: a first biasing member that biases the first toner cartridge, which is in a first mounting position in the first mounting portion, toward an upstream side in the mounting direction; a first restricting member that can take a first restricting position that restricts the first toner cartridge, which is in the first mounting position, from moving upstream in the mounting direction, and a first non-restricting position that does not restrict the movement; and The second mounting portion includes: a second biasing member that biases the second toner cartridge, which is in a second mounting position in the second mounting portion, toward an upstream side in the mounting direction; a second restricting member that can take a second restricting position that restricts the second toner cartridge, which is in the second mounting position, from moving upstream in the mounting direction, and a second non-restricting position that does not restrict the second toner cartridge; and the first toner cartridge is configured so as not to reach the second mounting position due to interference between the first contact holder and the second terminal holder in the second mounting portion, The second toner cartridge is configured so as not to reach the first mounting position due to interference between the second contact holder and the first terminal holder in the first mounting portion. 10. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, (Configuration 11) the first regulating member is configured so as not to be able to move to the first regulating position when the second toner cartridge is in the first mounting portion; The second regulating member is configured so as not to be able to move to the second regulating position when the first toner cartridge is in the second mounting portion. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, (Configuration 12) the first contact holder has a first positioned portion and a first rotation restricted portion, the first mounting portion has a first positioning portion that engages with the first positioned portion, and a first rotation restricting portion that engages with the first rotation restricted portion so as to restrict rotation of the first contact holder relative to the first mounting portion about a first rotation axis that passes through the first positioning portion and is along the mounting direction; a plurality of the first rotation restricting portions are arranged on a virtual circle centered on the first rotation axis, the first rotation restricted portion is configured to be able to selectively engage with one of the plurality of first rotation restricting portions, an attachment angle of the first electric board to the first attachment portion is determined by the first positioned portion of the first contact holder engaging with the first positioning portion of the first attachment portion and the first rotation restricted portion of the first contact holder engaging with one of the plurality of first rotation restricted portions of the first attachment portion; the second contact holder has a second positioned portion and a second rotation restricted portion, the second mounting portion has a second positioning portion that engages with the second positioned portion, and a second rotation restricting portion that engages with the second rotation restricted portion so as to restrict rotation of the second contact holder relative to the second mounting portion about a second rotation axis that passes through the second positioning portion and is along the mounting direction, a plurality of the second rotation restricting portions are arranged on an arc centered on the second rotation axis, the second rotation restricted portion is configured to be able to selectively engage with one of the plurality of first rotation restricted portions, the second positioned portion of the second contact holder engages with the second positioning portion of the second mounting portion, and the second rotation restricted portion of the second contact holder engages with one of the plurality of second rotation restricted portions of the second mounting portion, thereby determining an attachment angle of the second electric board with respect to the second mounting portion. 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 8 to 11. (Configuration 13) a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided; the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces include a contact surface for transmitting a power supply voltage to the first memory means, a contact surface for transmitting a clock signal to the first memory means, a contact surface for transmitting data to the first memory means, and a contact surface for installing the first memory means; and arranged in this order in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first rotation axis extends, a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided; The plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second rotation axis extends, and include a contact surface for transmitting a power supply voltage to the second memory means, a contact surface for transmitting a clock signal to the second memory means, a contact surface for transmitting data to the second memory means, and a contact surface for installing the second memory means, arranged in this order in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second rotation axis extends. 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. (Configuration 14) In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electrical board having a first cartridge contact surface; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electrical board having a second cartridge contact surface; the device main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board both intersect with the mounting direction and are different from each other; An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 15) In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; The first toner cartridge is provided with a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces and a front a first memory means including a first electric board, the normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface being the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board on which a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided, and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surfaces is the mounting direction; the device main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the direction in which the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned is different from the direction in which the plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 16) In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge that has a first container that contains toner, is attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and supplies toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board provided with a first cartridge contact surface, a first stirring member for stirring the toner inside the first container, and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board provided with a second cartridge contact surface, a second stirring member for stirring the toner inside the second container, and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the apparatus main body has: a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface; a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface; a first driving member that engages with the first driving force receiving member to transmit a driving force to the first driving force receiving member; and a second driving member that engages with the second driving force receiving member to transmit a driving force to the second driving force receiving member; When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the coordinates of the first electric board in a two-dimensional first coordinate system are formed by a first virtual line having the first rotation axis as its origin, passing through the first rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a second virtual line passing through the first rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity; and the coordinates of the second electric board in a two-dimensional second coordinate system are formed by a third virtual line having the second rotation axis as its origin, passing through the second rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a fourth virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity. When the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are superimposed so that their origins coincide with each other, there are mutually different regions. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 17) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first mounting portion on an end surface of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: A second toner cartridge, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second mounting portion on the end surface of the second container in the second direction, the second memory means including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with the first mounting portion and the first electric board when viewed in the first direction have the same shapes as the second mounting portion and the second electric board when viewed in the second direction, an attachment angle of the first electric board with respect to the first attachment portion when viewed in the first direction is different from an attachment angle of the second electric board with respect to the second attachment portion when viewed in the second direction; A cartridge set characterized by: (Configuration 18) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first end face including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end face of the second container in the second direction, the second end face including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with When the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the apparatus main body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, a normal direction to the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction to the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board both intersect with the first direction and the second direction and are different from each other. A cartridge set characterized by: (Configuration 19) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board on which a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end surface of the second container in the second direction, the second end surface including a second electrical board on which a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with When the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are attached to the apparatus main body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, the direction in which the first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the first direction is different from the direction in which the second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the second direction. A cartridge set characterized by: (Configuration 20) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first end face including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first stirring member for stirring the toner inside the first container; and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the first direction; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end face of the second container in the second direction, the second end face including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second stirring member for stirring the toner inside the second container; and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the second direction; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with In a state where the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the device body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, When viewed in the first direction, a first imaginary line is defined, which has the first rotation axis as its origin and extends horizontally through the first rotation axis, and a second imaginary line is defined which passes through the first rotation axis and extends in the direction of gravity. and a second virtual line, when viewed in the second direction, the coordinates of the first electric board in a first two-dimensional coordinate system formed by the second rotation axis as the origin, a third virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the horizontal direction, and a fourth virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, have mutually different regions when the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are overlaid so that their respective origins coincide. A cartridge set characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 10...image forming apparatus, 10B...apparatus main body, 1...toner cartridge, 24...toner cartridge mounting portion, 26...main body side contact, 101...supply container, 102...front cover, 103...locking member, 105...coupling, 106...memory tag, 107...toner discharge portion, 120, 143...memory tag board, 121...electrical contact, 122...printed circuit board, 123...processing circuit, 130, 145...board holder, 131, 144...memory tag unit, 132...memory tag cover, 135, 150...memory tag space

Claims

1. In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge having a first container for storing toner, being attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and for replenishing toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board provided with a first cartridge contact surface, and a first mounting portion to which the first electric board is attached; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board provided with a second cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion to which the second electric board is attached; the device main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electric board has the same shape as the second electric board, the first mounting portion has the same shape as the second mounting portion, and an angle at which the first electric board is mounted relative to the first mounting portion is different from an angle at which the second electric board is mounted relative to the second mounting portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board are both directions that intersect with the mounting direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board are both the mounting direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. a first discharge port provided in the first container for discharging toner from the first container in order to replenish toner to the first toner storage section of the first developing unit, and a second discharge port provided in the second container for discharging toner from the second container in order to replenish toner to the second toner storage section of the second developing unit, both of which open in a direction intersecting the mounting direction; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. a first discharge port provided in the first container for discharging toner from the first container in order to replenish the toner in the first toner storage section of the first developing unit; a second discharge port provided in the second container for discharging toner from the second container in order to replenish the toner in the second toner storage section of the second developing unit, the second discharge port opening in a direction intersecting the mounting direction; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. the device body has a first drive member and a second drive member, the first toner cartridge has a first transport member for transporting toner inside the first container toward the first discharge opening, and a first driving force receiving member that engages with the first driving member to receive a driving force for driving the first transport member from the first driving member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the second toner cartridge has a second transport member for transporting toner inside the second container toward the second discharge port, and a second driving force receiving member that engages with the second driving member to receive a driving force for driving the second transport member from the second driving member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the first electric board is provided above the first discharge port and below the first rotation axis, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the second electric board is provided above the second outlet and below the second rotation axis.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

7. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electric board is provided above the first outlet, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the second electric board is provided above the second outlet.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

8. the device body has a first drive member and a second drive member, the first toner cartridge has a first transport member for transporting toner inside the first container toward the first discharge opening, and a first driving force receiving member that engages with the first driving member to receive a driving force for driving the first transport member from the first driving member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the second toner cartridge has a second transport member for transporting toner inside the second container toward the second discharge port, and a second driving force receiving member that engages with the second driving member to receive a driving force for driving the second transport member from the second driving member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the first electric board is provided above the first discharge port and below the first rotation axis, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the second electric board is provided above the second outlet and below the second rotation axis.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

9. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electrical board It is located above the mouth, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the second electric board is provided above the second outlet.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

10. the first electric board is provided downstream of the first discharge port in the mounting direction, In the mounting direction, the second electric board is provided downstream of the second discharge port.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

11. the first electric board is provided downstream of the first discharge port in the mounting direction, In the mounting direction, the second electric board is provided downstream of the second discharge port.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

12. the first toner cartridge has a first contact holder that is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction and is located downstream in the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second contact holder that is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction and is located downstream in the mounting direction; When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first contact holder has the same shape as the second contact holder, and an angle at which the first contact holder is attached to the first mounting portion is different from an angle at which the second contact holder is attached to the second mounting portion.

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

13. the first mounting portion has a first terminal holder provided so as to surround the first terminal when viewed in the mounting direction; the second mounting portion has a second terminal holder provided so as to surround the second terminal when viewed in the mounting direction, When the first toner cartridge is moved in the mounting direction in the second mounting portion, the first contact holder of the first toner cartridge interferes with the second terminal holder, making it impossible to mount the first toner cartridge in the second mounting portion, When the second toner cartridge is moved in the mounting direction in the first mounting portion, the second contact holder of the second toner cartridge interferes with the first terminal holder, making it impossible to mount the second toner cartridge in the first mounting portion.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The first mounting portion includes: a first biasing member that biases the first toner cartridge, which is in a first mounting position in the first mounting portion, toward an upstream side in the mounting direction; a first restricting member that can take a first restricting position that restricts the first toner cartridge, which is in the first mounting position, from moving upstream in the mounting direction, and a first non-restricting position that does not restrict the first toner cartridge; and The second mounting portion includes: a second biasing member that biases the second toner cartridge, which is in a second mounting position in the second mounting portion, toward an upstream side in the mounting direction; a second restricting member that can take a second restricting position that restricts the second toner cartridge, which is in the second mounting position, from moving upstream in the mounting direction, and a second non-restricting position that does not restrict the second toner cartridge; and the first toner cartridge is configured so as not to reach the second mounting position due to interference between the first contact holder and the second terminal holder in the second mounting portion, the second toner cartridge is configured so as not to reach the first mounting position due to interference between the second contact holder and the first terminal holder in the first mounting portion; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. the first regulating member is configured so as not to be able to move to the first regulating position when the second toner cartridge is in the first mounting portion, The second regulating member is configured so as not to be able to move to the second regulating position when the first toner cartridge is in the second mounting portion.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.

16. the first contact holder has a first positioned portion and a first rotation restricted portion, the first mounting portion has a first positioning portion that engages with the first positioned portion, and a first rotation restricting portion that engages with the first rotation restricted portion so as to restrict rotation of the first contact holder relative to the first mounting portion about a first rotation axis that passes through the first positioning portion and is along the mounting direction; a plurality of the first rotation restricting portions are arranged on a virtual circle centered on the first rotation axis, the first rotation restricted portion is configured to be able to selectively engage with one of the plurality of first rotation restricting portions, an attachment angle of the first electric board to the first attachment portion is determined by the first positioned portion of the first contact holder engaging with the first positioning portion of the first attachment portion and the first rotation restricted portion of the first contact holder engaging with one of the plurality of first rotation restricted portions of the first attachment portion; the second contact holder has a second positioned portion and a second rotation restricted portion, the second mounting portion has a second positioning portion that engages with the second positioned portion, and a second rotation restricting portion that engages with the second rotation restricted portion so as to restrict rotation of the second contact holder relative to the second mounting portion about a second rotation axis that passes through the second positioning portion and is along the mounting direction, a plurality of the second rotation restricting portions are arranged on an arc centered on the second rotation axis, the second rotation restricted portion is configured to be able to selectively engage with one of the plurality of first rotation restricted portions, the second positioned portion of the second contact holder engages with the second positioning portion of the second mounting portion, and the second rotation restricted portion of the second contact holder engages with one of the plurality of second rotation restricted portions of the second mounting portion, thereby determining an attachment angle of the second electric board with respect to the second mounting portion.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

17. a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided; the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces include a contact surface for transmitting a power supply voltage to the first memory means, a contact surface for transmitting a clock signal to the first memory means, a contact surface for transmitting data to the first memory means, and a contact surface for installing the first memory means, aligned in this order in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first rotation axis extends; a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided; The plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second rotation axis extends, and include a contact surface for transmitting a power supply voltage to the second memory means, a contact surface for transmitting a clock signal to the second memory means, a contact surface for transmitting data to the second memory means, and a contact surface for installing the second memory means, aligned in this order in the direction intersecting the direction in which the second rotation axis extends.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge having a first container for storing toner, being attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and for replenishing toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electrical board having a first cartridge contact surface; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electrical board having a second cartridge contact surface; the apparatus main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board both intersect with the mounting direction and are different from each other; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

19. In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge having a first container for storing toner, being attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and for replenishing toner to the first developing unit; a second container for storing toner, the second container being attachable to the device body in the attachment direction; a second toner cartridge for replenishing toner to the second developing unit, the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board on which a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided, and a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surfaces is the mounting direction; the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board on which a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided, and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surfaces is the mounting direction; the apparatus main body has a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the direction in which the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned is different from the direction in which the plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

20. In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, an apparatus main body including: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is a longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner containing portion that contains toner to be carried by the second developing roller; a first toner cartridge having a first container for storing toner, being attachable to the device main body in an attachment direction that is a direction along the first direction, and for replenishing toner to the first developing unit; a second toner cartridge that has a second container that stores toner, is attachable to the device main body in the attachment direction, and supplies toner to the second developing unit; the first toner cartridge has a first memory means including a first electric board provided with a first cartridge contact surface, a first stirring member for stirring the toner inside the first container, and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electric board provided with a second cartridge contact surface, a second stirring member for stirring the toner inside the second container, and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, the apparatus main body has: a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, the first mounting portion having a first terminal that electrically contacts the first cartridge contact surface; a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, the second mounting portion having a second terminal that electrically contacts the second cartridge contact surface; a first driving member that engages with the first driving force receiving member to transmit a driving force to the first driving force receiving member; and a second driving member that engages with the second driving force receiving member to transmit a driving force to the second driving force receiving member, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first rotation axis is defined as the origin of a first virtual line that passes through the first rotation axis and extends in the horizontal direction, and a second virtual line that passes through the first rotation axis and extends in the direction of gravity. the coordinates of the electric board and the coordinates of the second electric board in a two-dimensional second coordinate system formed by the second rotation axis as the origin, a third virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a fourth virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, have different regions when the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are superimposed so that their respective origins coincide with each other; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

21. In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first mounting portion on an end surface of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board provided with a first cartridge contact surface; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second mounting portion on the end surface of the second container in the second direction, the second memory means including a second electrical board provided with a second cartridge contact surface; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with the first mounting portion and the first electric board when viewed in the first direction have the same shapes as the second mounting portion and the second electric board when viewed in the second direction, an attachment angle of the first electric board with respect to the first attachment portion when viewed in the first direction is different from an attachment angle of the second electric board with respect to the second attachment portion when viewed in the second direction; A cartridge set characterized by:

22. In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end face of the second container in the second direction, the second end face including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with In a state where the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the device body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, a normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the electric board and a normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electric board both intersect with the first direction and the second direction and are different from each other; A cartridge set characterized by:

23. In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end surface of the first container in the first direction, the first memory means including a first electrical board on which a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are provided; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end surface of the second container in the second direction, the second end surface including a second electrical board on which a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are provided; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with When the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the apparatus main body so that the first direction and the second direction are parallel to each other, the direction in which the first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the first direction is different from the direction in which the second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the second direction. A cartridge set characterized by:

24. In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first container for storing a first toner, the first container having a longitudinal direction, an opening in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a first outlet for discharging the first toner from the first container; a first memory means provided on a first end face of the first container in the first direction, the first end face including a first electrical board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided; a first stirring member for stirring the toner inside the first container; and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the first direction; a first toner cartridge comprising: a second toner cartridge detachably attached to the device body, a second container for storing a second toner having a color different from that of the first toner, the second direction being a longitudinal direction, the second container being open in a direction intersecting the second direction and having a second outlet for discharging the second toner from the second container; a second memory means provided on a second end face of the second container in the second direction, the second end face including a second electrical board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided; a second stirring member for stirring the toner inside the second container; and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for driving the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the second direction; a second toner cartridge comprising: Equipped with The first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are aligned in the first direction and In a state where the device is attached to the device body so that the second direction is parallel, When viewed in the first direction, coordinates of the first electric board in a two-dimensional first coordinate system constituted by a first virtual line having the first rotation axis as its origin, passing through the first rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a second virtual line passing through the first rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, and coordinates of the second electric board in a two-dimensional second coordinate system constituted by a third virtual line having the second rotation axis as its origin, passing through the second rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a fourth virtual line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, when viewed in the second direction, have mutually different regions when the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are overlaid so that their respective origins coincide. A cartridge set characterized by:

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