Connector module, writing unit, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a connector module that improves assemblability of connectors.SOLUTION: A connector module comprises: a connector that holds a plurality of connection terminals including use connection terminals used in transmission of driving signals and unused connection terminals not used in transmission of driving signals; signal lines for transmission that are connected to the use connection terminals to transmit the driving signals; and a bent signal line that is at least partially bent, formed to extend toward the connector at both ends, and connected to the unused connection terminals at both ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector module, a writing unit, and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus is known as an example of an apparatus equipped with multiple processing units. The image forming apparatus includes, for example, an image writing control unit serving as a control unit for controlling the image writing processing operation, and a writing unit serving as an execution unit for executing the image writing operation to form an image on a medium.

[0003] In an image forming apparatus, the number of signal lines used to connect a writing unit for forming color images to a control unit differs from the number of signal lines used to connect a writing unit for forming monochrome images. Therefore, the number of signal lines included in the connector used to connect the units also differs between color and monochrome. Therefore, if the control unit connector is standardized, the connector's usage status will differ depending on whether the color writing unit or the monochrome writing unit is connected, which can result in poor connector connection.

[0004] Image forming devices are known that are equipped with a configuration for detecting poor connector connections (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a configuration for detecting poor connector connections, one connector is provided with a No. 1 connection terminal connected to a control means and an No. n connection terminal to which a pull-up signal is input, and the other connector is provided with a loop signal line (bent signal line) that electrically connects the No. 1 connection terminal and the No. n connection terminal. As a result, if the connectors are properly connected, a pull-up signal is input to the control means via the loop signal line. On the other hand, if the connectors are poorly connected, the loop signal line is not connected to either the No. 1 connection terminal or the No. n connection terminal, and the control means is unable to receive the pull-up signal, thereby detecting the poor connection. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In image forming devices, one of two units with different configurations may be connected to a control unit that controls the operation of each unit, with the aim of reducing costs and standardizing production lines. In this case, it is desirable to use a common connector for connecting the two units with different configurations.

[0006] However, it is assumed that one of the two units connected to the control unit will have a larger number of signal lines transmitting signals than the other unit. If a common connector is used, the connector used for the unit with fewer signal lines transmitting signals will have empty terminals to which no signal lines are connected. When empty terminals exist in a connector, the force connecting the connectors will be uneven. In other words, the force on the connector will be strong at the connection terminals where signal lines are connected, but weak at the empty terminals. This causes one connector to tilt relative to the other, resulting in an oblique insertion state and reducing the ease of assembling the connectors.

[0007] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can detect poor connections in connectors, but cannot improve the ease of assembling the connectors. When there are unused terminals in the connectors, as described above, the force connecting the connectors becomes uneven, which causes a problem in that the ease of assembling the connectors decreases.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector module that improves the ease of assembling connectors together. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a connector that holds a plurality of connection terminals, including used connection terminals that are used to transmit drive signals and unused connection terminals that are not used to transmit drive signals; a transmission signal line that is connected to the used connection terminals and through which the drive signals are transmitted; and a bent signal line that is at least partially bent and has both ends that extend toward the connector, and whose both ends are each connected to the unused connection terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the ease of assembling connectors together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the basic configuration of a writing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the writing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram corresponding to an example of a writing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a conventional writing unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram corresponding to another example of the writing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram corresponding to an example of a connector module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram corresponding to another example of the connector module according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a characteristic configuration of a connector module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an external view showing an example of a conventional connector module. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of a characteristic configuration of the connector module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of a characteristic configuration of the connector module according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0013] [Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus] First, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a front external view of an example of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet S as a medium using an electrophotographic method. Note that the image forming apparatus is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Fig. 1. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may be configured as a single apparatus including a post-processing device.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a feeding unit 11, an optical writing unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a fixing unit 14, and a transport path Tp. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 15 and an image reading unit 16. The ADF 15 automatically supplies original documents Sp, on which images have been formed, to the image reading unit 16. The image reading unit 16 optically reads the original documents Sp sent from the ADF 15. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes an operation panel 17. The operation panel 17 serves as a user interface for the user to enter process execution instructions and set processing conditions and settings, and also as an information display unit that displays the operating status of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0015] The conveying path Tp conveys the sheets S stored in the feeding unit 11 to the imaging unit 13. The feeding unit 11 includes a plurality of storage trays for storing the sheets S, and a pair of feeding rollers for sending the sheets S from each storage tray to the conveying path Tp. The feeding unit 11 sends a predetermined number of sheets S to the conveying path Tp in response to an instruction to execute image formation processing.

[0016] The operation panel 17 is an operation input interface for instructing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, and also functions as an information input interface for the user to set the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus 10. The operation panel 17 has a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and when a start key is pressed to instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to start operating, an image forming process is executed, and an image is formed on the sheet S and then discharged.

[0017] The image reading unit 16 optically reads the document Sp placed on the ADF 15 using a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor, performs photoelectric conversion, and outputs a read signal. The read signal is subjected to image processing by an image processing unit and converted into image data. The image data is then stored in an image storage unit. The stored image data is read out and converted into a control signal, which is used to operate the optical writing unit 12.

[0018] The optical writing unit 12 outputs a laser beam optically modulated by a control signal, and forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 13 by a polygon mirror 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) or the like.

[0019] The image forming unit 13 applies toner as a developing material to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by a developing device, and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum. When the sheet S supplied from the feeding unit 11 is transported to the image forming unit 13 via the transport path Tp, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the sheet S.

[0020] The toner image transferred onto the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by passing through the fixing unit 14. Through this series of steps, a predetermined image is formed on the sheet S.

[0021] It should be noted that the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 10 is not only based on the document Sp read by the image reading unit 16. For example, it is also possible to receive data for image formation from an external device and perform image forming process based on that data.

[0022] The connector module according to this embodiment is incorporated into the optical writing unit 12 serving as a writing unit. The optical writing unit 12 is available as a color writing unit 12A or a monochrome writing unit 12B, and either one of them is connected to the image formation control unit 102 of the image forming device 10 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) depending on the specifications and design of the image forming device 10.

[0023] [Configuration of color writing unit 12A] Next, the configuration of the color writing unit 12A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the color writing unit 12A. Figs. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration and operation of the color writing unit 12A.

[0024] The color writing unit 12A includes a polygon mirror 20, an fθ lens 21, first mirrors 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K, second mirrors 24C, 24M, 24Y, and 24K, third mirrors 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K, laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K, cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K, and a reflecting mirror 28. The color writing unit 12A forms a four-color image consisting of black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M).

[0025] In this specification, the direction in which the polygon mirror 20 deflects the laser beam (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) is referred to as the main scanning direction, and the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in which the cylindrical lens 27 focuses the laser beam (the up-down direction on the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) is referred to as the sub-scanning direction. The direction in which the two fθ lenses 21 are arranged around the polygon mirror 20 (the left-right direction on the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) is referred to as the left-right direction. When viewing the color writing unit 12A in FIG. 2 from the main scanning direction, the upper, lower, left, and right directions (i.e., the up-down, left-right directions on the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) are defined.

[0026] In the color writing unit 12A of this embodiment, a polygon mirror 20 is disposed at the center of the color writing unit 12A, and four color laser beams are deflected in the main scanning direction by one polygon mirror 20. Components such as laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K, first mirrors 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K, second mirrors 24C, 24M, 24Y, and 24K, third mirrors 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K, laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K, and cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K are disposed symmetrically about the polygon mirror 20.

[0027] By laying out optical paths for two color laser beams on the left and right sides of polygon mirror 20, it is possible to deflect four color laser beams with one polygon mirror 20. In one example of this embodiment, optical paths for black and yellow are laid out on the left side of polygon mirror 20, and optical paths for cyan and magenta are laid out on the right side. The laser beams deflected by polygon mirror 20 are reflected by first mirrors 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K.

[0028] The polygon mirror 20 is a rotating polygonal mirror. Specifically, the polygon mirror 20 is formed in a hexagonal prism shape, and the outer peripheral surface serves as a deflection reflection surface that reflects the laser beam. The polygon mirror 20 is connected to a motor (not shown) and rotates at high speed.

[0029] Each color laser diode unit 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K is equipped with a laser diode. Laser beams of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are emitted from the laser diodes of the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K, respectively. The laser beams emitted from the laser diodes are incident on cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K, respectively. The cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K have a fixed refractive index in the sub-scanning direction. The cylindrical lenses 27C and 27M focus the laser beams emitted from the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K in the sub-scanning direction.

[0030] The cyan, magenta, yellow, and black laser beams collected by cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K are incident on the deflection reflection surface of polygon mirror 20. The optical path of the cyan laser beam collected by cylindrical lens 27C is arranged so as to be incident on the right side of polygon mirror 20. The optical path of the magenta laser beam collected by cylindrical lens 27C is arranged so as to be reflected by reflection mirror 28 and to be incident on the right side of polygon mirror 20.

[0031] The optical path of the yellow laser beam focused by the cylindrical lens 27C is arranged to be incident on the left side of the polygon mirror 20. The optical path of the black laser beam focused by the cylindrical lens 27C is arranged to be reflected by the reflecting mirror 28 and to be incident on the left side of the polygon mirror 20.

[0032] Of the laser beams of each color focused by cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K, the cyan and magenta laser beams are reflected to the right side of polygon mirror 20, and the yellow and black laser beams are reflected to the left side of polygon mirror 20. Furthermore, the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black laser beams are reflected by the deflecting reflecting surface of polygon mirror 20 and deflected in the main scanning direction.

[0033] Of the laser beams of each color deflected in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror 20, the cyan and magenta laser beams are incident on the fθ lens 21 located on the right side of the polygon mirror 20, and the yellow and black laser beams are incident on the fθ lens 21 located on the left side of the polygon mirror 20.

[0034] The cyan laser beam is collected by the fθ lens 21 and incident on the first mirror 22C located to the right of the fθ lens 21. The magenta laser beam is collected by the fθ lens 21, passes through the first mirror 22C, and incident on the first mirror 22M located to the right of the first mirror 22C. The yellow laser beam is collected by the fθ lens 21 and incident on the first mirror 22Y located to the left of the fθ lens 21. The black laser beam is collected by the fθ lens 21, passes through the first mirror 22Y, and incident on the first mirror 22K located to the left of the first mirror 22Y.

[0035] The cyan, magenta, yellow, and black laser beams incident on the first mirrors 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K are reflected by the first mirrors 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K, the second mirrors 24C, 24M, 24Y, and 24K, and the third mirrors 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K, respectively, and directed downward toward the color writing unit 120A. The photosensitive drums of the image creating unit 13 are located below the color writing unit 12A. The cyan, magenta, yellow, and black laser beams emitted from the color writing unit 12A form latent images on the photosensitive drums of the image creating unit 13. As described above, the image creating unit 13 deposits toner onto the latent images formed on the photosensitive drums. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drums is transferred to the sheet S, forming a predetermined image on the sheet S.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3(B), the color writing unit 12A includes synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29C, 29M, 29Y, and 29K, a synchronous detection lens 30, and a synchronous detection sensor 31. Note that, in Fig. 3(B), to avoid complication, the first mirrors 22C, 22M, 22Y, and 22K, the third mirrors 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K, the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K, the cylindrical lenses 27C, 27M, 27Y, and 27K, and the reflecting mirror 28 are omitted.

[0037] The synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29C and 29M are located on the right side of the polygon mirror 20 and on the outer side in the main scanning direction of the second mirrors 24C and 24M. The synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29Y and 29K are located on the left side of the polygon mirror 20 and on the outer side in the main scanning direction of the second mirrors 24C and 24M.

[0038] The synchronous detection lens 30 and the synchronous detection sensor 31 are arranged one on each side of the polygon mirror 20. The synchronous detection lens 30 and the synchronous detection sensor 31 are arranged at positions where the cyan and magenta laser beams reflected by the synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29C and 29M are incident. The synchronous detection lens 30 and the synchronous detection sensor 31 are also arranged at positions where the black and yellow laser beams reflected by the second mirrors 24Y and 24K are incident.

[0039] When the cyan and magenta laser beams focused by the right fθ lens 21 are reflected by the second mirrors 24C and 24M at specific positions in the main scanning direction, the cyan and magenta laser beams are incident on the synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29C and 29M, respectively. The cyan and magenta laser beams incident on the synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29C and 29M are reflected by the synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29C and 29M and incident on the right synchronous detection lens 30. The cyan and magenta laser beams incident on the synchronous detection lens 30 are incident on the right synchronous detection sensor 31.

[0040] Furthermore, when the yellow and black laser beams focused by the left fθ lens 21 are reflected by the second mirrors 24Y and 24K at specific positions in the main scanning direction, the yellow and black laser beams are incident on the synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29Y and 29K, respectively. The yellow and black laser beams incident on the synchronous detection reflecting mirrors 29Y and 29K are incident on the left synchronous detection lens 30. The yellow and black laser beams incident on the synchronous detection lens 30 are incident on the left synchronous detection sensor 31.

[0041] The synchronization detection sensors 31 detect the write start times in the main scanning direction for each color laser beam. Each synchronization detection sensor 31 detects the write start times for two color laser beams. That is, the synchronization detection sensor 31 located on the right side detects the write start times in the main scanning direction for the cyan and magenta laser beams, and the synchronization detection sensor 31 located on the left side detects the write start times in the main scanning direction for the black and yellow laser beams. When the synchronization detection sensor 31 detects the write start times in the main scanning direction for each color laser beam, it sends a synchronization detection signal to the image formation control unit 102. The image formation control unit 102 controls the operation of each unit, such as the feeding unit 11, optical writing unit 12, imaging unit 13, and fixing unit 14, in response to the synchronization detection signal.

[0042] [Hardware configuration of Color Writing Unit 12A] Next, the hardware configuration of the color writing unit 12A included in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming control unit 102 includes lighting signal generating units 104C, 104M, 104Y, and 104K, a main body side connector 106, and a synchronization detection I / F (interface) 108. The image forming control unit 102 includes, for example, a CPU as a computing unit. The image forming control unit 102 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0043] The lighting signal generating units 104C, 104M, 104Y, and 104K generate lighting control signals based on image data. The lighting signal generating units 104C, 104M, 104Y, and 104K are connected to a main body side connector 106.

[0044] The color writing unit 12A includes laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K, a synchronization detection sensor 31, writing unit-side connectors 121A and 121B, laser diode boards 122A and 122B, transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y, and 123K, and a writing unit-side connector 124. The laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K include laser diodes 260C, 260M, 260Y, and 260K and laser drivers 261C, 261M, 261Y, and 261K, respectively.

[0045] In the following, when the transmission signal line is being described in general without being limited to a specific color, it will be referred to as "transmission signal line 123", and when the transmission signal line is being limited to the transmission signal lines that transmit laser drive signals for each of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, it will be referred to as "transmission signal line 123C", "transmission signal line 123M", "transmission signal line 123Y", and "transmission signal line 123K".

[0046] For example, the laser diode units 26K and 26C are mounted on one laser diode board 122A, and the laser diode units 26Y and 26M are mounted on another laser diode board 122B. The laser diode units 26K and 26C are electrically connected to a writing unit side connector 121A. The writing unit side connector 121A is fixed to the laser diode board 122A. The laser diode units 26Y and 26M are electrically connected to a writing unit side connector 121B. The writing unit side connector 122 is fixed to the laser diode board 122B.

[0047] The write unit side connectors 121A and 121B are connected to the write unit side connector 124 via transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y and 123K. The transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y and 123K are electrically connected to the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y and 26K, respectively.

[0048] The writing unit connector 124 is electrically and physically connected to the main body connector 106. That is, the image formation control unit 102 is electrically connected to the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K. As a result, the lighting control signals generated by the lighting signal generation units 104C, 104M, 104Y, and 104K are output as laser drive signals to the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K. The laser drive units 261C, 261M, 261Y, and 261K that receive the laser drive signals drive the laser diodes 260C, 260M, 260Y, and 260K, respectively, to output laser beams of the respective colors. Note that the "physical connection" between the writing unit connector 124 and the main body connector 106 refers to, for example, a state in which they are fitted together and integrated.

[0049] The synchronous detection sensor 31 is also connected to a synchronous detection I / F 108. The synchronous detection I / F 108 can transmit and receive signals to and from the synchronous detection sensor 31 via a wired or wireless connection. The synchronous detection sensor 31 transmits a synchronous detection signal to the image formation control unit 102 via the synchronous detection I / F 108.

[0050] [Configuration of conventional monochrome writing unit] 5, the conventional monochrome writing unit 220 includes a laser diode unit 26K, a synchronization detection sensor 31, a writing unit-side connector 221, a transmission signal line 123K, and a writing unit-side connector 222. The black laser diode unit 26K is connected to the writing unit-side connector 221. The monochrome writing unit 220 includes only one synchronization detection sensor 31 that detects the writing start time of the black laser beam.

[0051] The write unit side connector 221 is connected to the write unit side connector 222 via a transmission signal line 123K. The transmission signal line 123K is electrically connected to the laser diode unit 26K.

[0052] The writing unit side connector 222 is electrically connected to the main body side connector 110. That is, the image formation control unit 102 and the laser diode unit 26K are electrically connected. As a result, the lighting control signal generated by the lighting signal generation unit 104K is output as a laser drive signal to the laser diode unit 26K. The laser drive signal drives the laser diode 260K, and a black laser beam is output.

[0053] 5, only the transmission signal line 123K is connected to the writing unit side connector 222, and the only connection terminal is connected to the transmission signal line 123K. Therefore, the color writing unit 12A, which has multiple transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y, and 123K and connection terminals, cannot share the writing unit side connector 222.

[0054] Therefore, in this embodiment, the color writing unit 12A and the monochrome writing unit 12B share common components. As will be described in detail below, the monochrome writing unit 12B is the same as the color writing unit 12A except that the yellow, cyan, and magenta signal lines and the laser diode units 26C, 26M, and 26Y are removed or disabled. This allows the monochrome writing unit 12B to share components with the color writing unit 12A while retaining the function of forming a single-color (black) image. Furthermore, the monochrome writing unit 12B shares connectors with the color writing unit 12A.

[0055] [Hardware configuration of monochrome writing unit 12B] Next, the hardware configuration of a monochrome writing unit 12B, an example of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the monochrome writing unit 12B includes a laser diode unit 26K, a synchronization detection sensor 31, and writing unit-side connectors 121 and 122. These components are similar to those of the color writing unit 12A described above, except that the cyan, magenta, and yellow transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, and 123K and the laser diode units 26C, 26M, and 26Y are omitted or unused. In FIG. 6, the functional blocks indicated by the two-dot chain line indicate those that are omitted or unused.

[0056] Here, for each component of the monochrome writing unit 12B, putting it into an "unused state" may mean, for example, physically disconnecting the signal line or removing a component, or it may be put into an unused state by changing the settings or the like in software.

[0057] In the monochrome writing unit 12B, the laser diode units 26C, 26M, and 26Y are removed or disabled, and only the black laser diode unit 26K is enabled. In other words, the monochrome writing unit 12B has only the function of forming black images. In this embodiment, the lighting signal generating units 104C, 104M, and 104Y connected to the main body side connector 106 may also be removed or disabled. In other words, lighting control signals may not be output from the lighting signal generating units 104C, 104M, and 104Y.

[0058] As described above, the monochrome writing unit 12B has laser diode units 26C, 26M, and 26Y removed or unused, but the other components are the same as those of the color writing unit 12A. Therefore, while laser diode unit 26C is removed or unused, laser diode unit 26K, which is in use, is mounted on the laser diode board 122A, just like the color writing unit 12A. The writing unit-side connector 124 is the same as that of the color writing unit 12A and can be used directly to connect to the main body-side connector 106.

[0059] [Configuration of connector modules 130A and 130B] 7 and 8 show examples of the configurations of connector modules 130A and 130B according to this embodiment. The connector module 130A is a connector module for the color writing unit 12A, and the connector module 130B is a connector module for the monochrome writing unit 12B.

[0060] When the color writing unit 12A is used in the image forming apparatus 10, all of the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black transmission signal lines 125C, 125M, 125Y, and 125K are used, resulting in more transmission signal lines being used than when the monochrome writing unit 12B is used. In other words, the monochrome writing unit 12B uses fewer transmission signal lines than the color writing unit 12A. Therefore, when the writing unit connector 124 is standardized and used in the connector module 123B for the monochrome writing unit 12B, the writing unit connector 124 has multiple connection terminals, including unused connection terminals that are not used to transmit laser drive signals.

[0061] The connector module 130A for the color writing unit 12A includes a writing unit-side connector 124, transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y, and 123K, and multiple use connection terminals 131A. The use connection terminals 131A are used to transmit laser drive signals. The transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y, and 123K each transmit a signal using a potential difference, and are therefore configured as a pair of signal lines, one for applying a positive voltage and the other for applying a negative voltage. The use connection terminals 131A are held by the writing unit-side connector 124. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the writing unit-side connector 124 holds eight use connection terminals 131A, corresponding to the number of transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, 123Y, and 123K.

[0062] The connector module 130B for the monochrome writing unit 12B includes a writing unit-side connector 124, a transmission signal line 123K, a use connection terminal 131A, an unused connection terminal 131B, and a bent signal line 132. As described above, the transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, and 123Y are unused or removed, so in the connector module 130B, only the transmission signal line 123K is used to transmit laser drive signals. The transmission signal line 123K is configured as a pair of signal lines, one signal line for applying a positive voltage and the other signal line for applying a negative voltage, to transmit signals using a potential difference. The use connection terminal 131A is held by the writing unit-side connector 124. In the example shown in FIG. 8, two use connection terminals 131A, one for the number of transmission signal lines 123K, are held by the writing unit-side connector 124.

[0063] The unused connection terminal 131B is held by the writing unit side connector 124. The unused connection terminal 131B is not used for transmitting a laser drive signal. In the example shown in FIG. 8, in the connector module 130A for the color writing unit 12A, the unused connection terminal 131B is disposed in the position where the used connection terminal 131A for cyan was held. This is because, as described above, the transmission signal lines 123C, 123M, and 123Y are unused or have been removed. A bent signal line 132 is connected to the unused connection terminal 131B. The configuration of the bent signal line 132 will be described later.

[0064] In conventional connector modules for monochrome writing units, only the transmission signal line 123K is connected to the writing unit connector, and the only connection terminal is connected to the transmission signal line 123K, so the writing unit connector cannot be standardized. In contrast, in connector module 130B, unused connection terminal 131B is used to bring the number of connection terminals closer to the number of connection terminals of main body connector 106, thereby standardizing writing unit connector 124.

[0065] [First embodiment of connector module 123B] 9 is a plan view of a connector module 130B according to this embodiment. The connector module 130B for the monochrome writing unit 12B includes a writing unit side connector 124, a transmission signal line 123, an in-use connection terminal 131A, an unused connection terminal 131B, and a bent signal line 132. The writing unit side connector 124 has the in-use connection terminals 131A and the unused connection terminals 131B arranged in a straight line. In the example shown in FIG. 9, eight connection terminals are arranged in a row 124A in the writing unit side connector 124, where the connection terminals are arranged in a straight line. The row 124A includes four in-use connection terminals 131A and two unused connection terminals 131B.

[0066] At least one of the unused connection terminals 131B is arranged at one end of the row 124A. In the example shown in Fig. 9, two unused connection terminals 131B are arranged in order from one end of the row 124A. Furthermore, four used connection terminals 131A are arranged in order from the other end of the row 124A. The row 124A also includes, at the third and fourth positions from one end, vacant connection terminals 131C to which neither the transmission signal line nor the bending signal line 132 is connected. Note that this configuration is not limited to this, and the bending signal line 132 may also be connected to the connection terminals at the third and fourth positions from one end.

[0067] The bent signal line 132 is bent at least partially, with both ends 132A and 132B extending toward the connector. Specifically, the bent signal line 132 is bent in a U-shape. Both ends 132A and 132B of the bent signal line 132 are connected to the unused connection terminal 131B. The used connection terminal 131A is connected to the transmission signal line 123 that transmits a drive signal.

[0068] When connecting the connector module 130B to the main body side connector 106, the transmission signal line 123 and the bending signal line 132 are grasped to physically connect the writing unit side connector 124 to the main body side connector 106. This electrically connects the image formation control unit 102 to the laser diode units 26C, 26M, 26Y, and 26K.

[0069] According to the present embodiment described above, the flexible signal line 132 is connected to the unused connection terminal 131B, so that the writing unit-side connector 124 and the main body-side connector 106 can be reliably connected by gripping the transmission signal line 123 and the flexible signal line 132. This improves the ease of assembly of the writing unit-side connector 124 and the main body-side connector 106.

[0070] 10, if the flexible signal line 132 is not provided, the force is biased toward gripping the transmission signal line 123, causing the writing unit side connector 124 to tilt relative to the main body side connector 106, resulting in a so-called oblique insertion state. In contrast, in the connector module 130B of this embodiment, the flexible signal line 132 is connected to the unused connection terminal 131B, so that the oblique insertion state does not occur.

[0071] Furthermore, since the bent signal line 132 is connected to the unused connection terminal 131B arranged at one end of the writing unit connector 124, the writing unit connector 124 is connected to the main body connector 106 while being gripped at a position close to one end thereof. In other words, force is transmitted equally to the one end and the other end of the writing unit connector 124. This improves the ease of assembly of the writing unit connector 124 and the main body connector 106.

[0072] [Second embodiment of connector module 123B] Next, a second embodiment of a connector module according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a connector module 130B according to this embodiment. The connector module 130B includes two bending signal lines 132. One bending signal line 132 is connected to one end of the row 124A and to an unused connection terminal 131B located third from the end. Another bending signal line 132 is connected to a second end of the row 124A and to an unused connection terminal 131B located fourth from the end. That is, one bending signal line 132 and another bending signal line 132 are alternately connected to the unused connection terminals 131B from one end of the row 124A.

[0073] 11, the main body side connector 106 is connected to a ground potential GND and a high impedance HiZ. A high impedance HiZ indicates an electrically isolated component, i.e., a component with a high resistance. The main body side connector 106 is connected to a ground potential GND at one end and at the third position from the end, and to high impedance HiZ at the second and fourth positions from the end. These correspond to the positions of the bent signal line 132.

[0074] According to the present embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, the bending signal line 132 is connected to the unused connection terminal 131B, which improves the ease of assembly between the writing unit connector 124 and the main body connector 106. Furthermore, when the connector module 130B is connected to the main body connector 106, both ends of one bending signal line 132 are connected to ground potential GND, and both ends of another bending signal line 132 are connected to high impedance HiZ. This prevents a potential difference from occurring between the two ends of the bending signal line 132. If a potential difference were to occur between the two ends of the bending signal line 132, a current would flow through the bending signal line 132, which would cause noise. However, in this embodiment, there is no potential difference between the two ends of the bending signal line 132, so no noise is generated.

[0075] [Third embodiment of connector module 123B] Next, a third embodiment of a connector module according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 12 is a plan view of a connector module 130B according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, both ends of a bending signal line 132 are connected to adjacent unused connection terminals 131B. Specifically, one bending signal line 132 is connected to one end of the row 124A and the unused connection terminal 131B located second from the end. Another bending signal line 132 is connected to the unused connection terminals 131B located third from the end of the row 124A and the unused connection terminals 131B located fourth from the end. That is, from one end of the row 124A, both ends of one bending signal line 132 and both ends of another bending signal line 132 are connected to the unused connection terminals 131B in order.

[0076] 12, the main body side connector 106 is connected to a ground potential GND and a high impedance HiZ. The main body side connector 106 has ground potential GND connected to one end and the second position from the end, and high impedance HiZ connected to the third position from the end and the fourth position from the end. These correspond to the positions of the bending signal line 132.

[0077] When the connector module 130B is connected to the main body-side connector 106, as in the second embodiment, one bending signal line 132 has both ends connected to ground potential GND, and another bending signal line 132 has both ends connected to high impedance HiZ. This prevents a potential difference from occurring between the ends of the bending signal line 132. In other words, noise due to a potential difference can be prevented in the bending signal line 132. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, the bending signal line 132 may be connected to non-adjacent unused connection terminals 131B, or as in this embodiment, it may be connected to adjacent unused connection terminals 131B, providing a high degree of freedom in design.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0079] The contents of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> a connector that holds a plurality of connection terminals including a used connection terminal used for transmitting a drive signal and an unused connection terminal that is not used for transmitting a drive signal; a transmission signal line connected to the use connection terminal and through which a drive signal is transmitted; The connector module is characterized by comprising a bent signal line that is at least partially bent and has both ends extending toward the connector, and the both ends are connected to the unused connection terminals. <2> The connector has the used connection terminals and the unused connection terminals arranged in a straight line, At least one of the unused connection terminals is arranged at one end of a row in which the used connection terminals and the unused connection terminals are arranged. The aforementioned <1> 2. A connector module according to claim 1. <3> a ground potential or a high impedance is input to the unused connection terminals to which the both ends of the bent signal line are connected; The aforementioned <1> or the above <2> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <4> The aforementioned <1> and above <3> a connector module according to any one of a laser diode unit to which the transmission signal line is connected and to which a drive signal is transmitted from the transmission signal line, It is a writing unit. <5> The aforementioned <1> and above <3> a connector module according to any one of a laser diode unit to which the transmission signal line is connected and to which a drive signal is transmitted from the control unit via the transmission signal line, It is an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10: Image forming device 12A: Color writing unit 12B: Monochrome writing unit 26: Laser diode unit 123: Transmission signal line 124: Write unit side connector 124A: Column 130A: Connector module 130B: Connector module 131A: Connection terminal used 131B: Unused connection terminal 132: Bent signal line GND: Ground potential HiZ: High impedance [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0081] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-064228

Claims

1. a connector that holds a plurality of connection terminals including a used connection terminal used for transmitting a drive signal and an unused connection terminal that is not used for transmitting a drive signal; a transmission signal line connected to the use connection terminal and through which a drive signal is transmitted; a bent signal line at least partially bent and formed so as to extend toward the connector at both ends, the both ends being connected to the unused connection terminals, respectively.

2. The connector has the used connection terminals and the unused connection terminals arranged in a straight line, The connector module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the unused connection terminals is disposed at one end of a row in which the used connection terminals and the unused connection terminals are arranged.

3. The connector module according to claim 1 , wherein the unused connection terminals to which the both ends of the bent signal line are connected are connected to a ground potential or a high impedance.

4. The connector module according to claim 1; a laser diode unit to which the transmission signal line is connected and to which a drive signal is transmitted from the transmission signal line, Writing unit.

5. A control unit; a writing unit; The writing unit comprises: The connector module according to claim 1; a laser diode unit to which the transmission signal line is connected and to which a drive signal is transmitted from the control unit via the transmission signal line, Image forming device.

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