Substrate unit, attachment / detachment unit, image forming apparatus, and toner container

Abstract

To facilitate normal contact of a terminal of a substrate with a body terminal of an apparatus body without displacement.SOLUTION: The substrate unit includes the substrate 81, and the plurality of terminals 82a to 82d installed on the substrate 81 and configured to come into conductive contact with the plurality of main body terminals 111 to 114 of the image forming device main body 100, respectively, in conjunction with the mounting operation of the substrate unit 80 to the image forming device main body 100. The insulating member 83 (guide portion) that guides the contact between the main body terminals 111 to 114 and the terminals 82a to 82d in conjunction with the attachment operation of the substrate unit 80 to the image forming device main body 100 is provided between the terminals and other terminals adjacent to the terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a substrate unit on which a substrate such as an ID chip is installed, a detachable unit such as a toner container equipped with the same, and an image forming device such as a copier, printer, facsimile, or a combination machine or printing machine of these. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, image forming apparatuses (devices) such as copying machines in which a detachable (replaceable) detachable unit such as a toner container is installed have been widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). More specifically, in Patent Document 1 and the like, an ID chip (substrate) that stores information about the toner container is installed in such a toner container (detachable unit). When the toner container is attached to the image forming device main body (device main body), the ID chip of the toner container and a main body terminal of the image forming device main body come into communicable contact, enabling the exchange of information between the toner container and the image forming device main body. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] With conventional technology, when a detachable unit is attached to the device main body (image forming device main body), the positional relationship between the terminals on the board installed in the detachable unit and the main body terminals on the device main body can become misaligned, resulting in poor contact or deformation of the terminals or main body terminals.

[0004] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a board unit, a detachable unit, and an image forming apparatus in which the terminals of the board can easily make normal contact with the main body terminals of the device main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The board unit of this invention is a board unit that is installed in a manner that allows it to be attached and detached in a predetermined direction relative to the device main body, and comprises: a board; a plurality of terminals that are installed on the board and that come into conductive contact with a plurality of main body terminals of the device main body in conjunction with the installation operation of the board unit to the device main body; and an insulating support member that extends along the entire longitudinal direction of the terminals and is capable of supporting the side portions of the terminals that are away from the board in the predetermined direction, and a guide portion that guides the contact between the main body terminals and the terminals in conjunction with the installation operation of the board unit to the device main body is provided between the terminals and other terminals adjacent to the terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a board unit, a detachable unit, and an image forming apparatus in which the terminals of the board are likely to come into normal contact with the main body terminals of the device main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner supply device. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner-container storage unit. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner container and a main part of a toner supply device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cap portion of the toner container. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing main body terminals of the image forming apparatus main body. [Figure 8] (A) A side view showing the substrate unit, (B) A top view showing the substrate unit, (C) A cross-sectional view showing the AA cross-section of Figure 8(B), and (D) A cross-sectional view showing the BB cross-section (CC cross-section, DD cross-section) of Figure 8(B). [Figure 9]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a defect in a substrate unit as a comparative example. [Figure 10] 1A is a side view showing a board unit according to a first modification, and FIG. 1B is a top view showing the board unit according to a first modification. [Figure 11] 10A is a side view showing a board unit according to a second modification, and FIG. 10B is a top view showing the board unit according to a second modification. [Figure 12] 10A is a side view showing a part of the terminals of a board unit serving as a third modified example, and FIG. 10B is a top view showing the terminals. [Figure 13] 10A is a side view showing a part of the terminals of a board unit serving as a fourth modified example, and FIG. 10B is a top view showing the terminals. [Figure 14] 13A is a side view showing a part of the terminals of a board unit serving as a fifth modified example, and FIG. 13B is a top view showing the terminals. [Figure 15] 13A is a side view showing a part of the terminals of a board unit serving as a sixth modified example, and FIG. 13B is a top view showing the terminals. [Figure 16] 13A is a side view showing a board unit according to a seventh modification, and FIG. 13B is a top view showing the board unit according to a seventh modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0009] First, the overall configuration and operation of image forming apparatus 100 as a device will be described. As shown in Figure 1 (and Figure 3), toner container storage section 70, located above image forming device main body 100 as the device main body, has four detachable (replaceable) toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (storage containers) corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) installed in a detachable (replaceable) manner. An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container storage section 70. Opposite the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15, image forming sections 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged side by side. Toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are installed below toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, respectively. The toner stored in toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (storage containers) is supplied to the developing devices of image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively.

[0010] 2, the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow is made up of a photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning device 2Y, a static eliminator, etc., which are respectively installed around the photosensitive drum 1Y. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process, static eliminator process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0011] The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K are configured in a manner similar to that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow, except that they use different toner colors, and form images corresponding to their respective toner colors. Below, we will omit the explanation of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K as appropriate, and will only explain the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow.

[0012] 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated by a motor in the clockwise direction in Fig. 2. Then, at the position of the charging device 4Y, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged (charging step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position irradiated with laser light L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure process).

[0013] Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, where the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a yellow toner image (developing step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, where the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (the primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0014] Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, where the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning step). Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a charge eliminating device (not shown), where the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is eliminated. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

[0015] The above-described image forming process is also performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as in the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, laser light L based on image information is irradiated from an exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming units onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Thereafter, the toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum through the development process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner, thereby forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0016] 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer opposing roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning device, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is moved endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of one roller member 12.

[0017] The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between themselves and the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively, to form primary transfer nips. A transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. The intermediate transfer belt 8 then travels in the direction of the arrow and passes sequentially through the primary transfer nips of the four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of each color on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner.

[0018] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8, onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred and superimposed, reaches a position facing a secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, a secondary transfer nip is formed between the secondary transfer opposing roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 8. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are then transferred onto a sheet P, such as paper, that has been transported to the position of this secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device, where untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected. Thus, the series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

[0019] Here, the sheet P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feed device 26 arranged below the device main body 100 via a paper feed roller 27, a pair of registration rollers 28, etc. More specifically, a plurality of sheets P such as paper are stacked and stored in the paper feed device 26. When the paper feed roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the topmost sheet P is fed toward between the pair of registration rollers 28.

[0020] The sheet P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 stops temporarily at the roller nip position of the registration roller pair 28, which has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotated in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0021] Thereafter, the sheet P onto which the color image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip position is transported to the position of the fixing device 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred onto the surface is fixed onto the sheet P by the heat and pressure of the fixing roller and pressure roller. Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The sheets P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 are sequentially stacked on a stack unit 30 as output images. In this way, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

[0022] Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The developing device 5Y is composed of a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two transport screws 55Y arranged in developer containers 53Y and 54Y, and a concentration detection sensor 56Y that detects the toner concentration in the developer. The developing roller 51Y is composed of a magnet fixed inside and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. A two-component developer G consisting of carrier and toner is stored inside the developer containers 53Y and 54Y. The developer container 54Y communicates with a toner transport pipe 64Y (toner transport path) through an opening formed above it.

[0023] The developing device 5Y configured in this manner operates as follows. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field generated by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

[0024] Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) falls within a predetermined range. Specifically, in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y as the developer is replenished into the developer accommodating unit 54Y via a toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIGS. 3, 5, etc.). The configuration and operation of toner supply device 60Y will be described in detail later.

[0025] Thereafter, the toner supplied to the developer storage section 54Y is circulated between the two developer storage sections 53Y and 54Y (moving in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) while being mixed and stirred by the two transport screws 55Y together with the developer G. The toner in the developer G is then attracted to the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

[0026] The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is then adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, and then transported to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (the developing area). The toner is then attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by an electric field formed in the developing area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer container 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is released from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

[0027] Next, the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Referring to Figure 3 etc., the toner as developer contained in each toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K installed in the toner container storage section 70 of the device main body 100 is appropriately replenished into each developing device by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K provided for each toner color according to the toner consumption in the developing device of each color. The four toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have almost the same structure except for the color of toner used in the image creation process. Therefore, only the toner supply device 60Y and toner container 32Y corresponding to yellow will be described, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60M, 60C, and 60K and toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted as appropriate.

[0028] 4, when toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached to toner container holder 70 of apparatus main body 100 (movement along arrow Q), shutter members 34d (see FIG. 3) of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move in conjunction with the attachment operation to open toner outlets W, and toner refill ports 72w (see FIG. 3) of toner container holder 70 (toner refill devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) communicate with toner outlets W. As a result, toner contained in toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from toner outlets W and flows from toner refill ports 72w of toner container holder 70 (toner refill devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) to be stored in toner tank unit 61Y. 3, 6, etc., when the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body), in conjunction with the attachment operation, the board unit 80 installed on the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y is connected to the main body terminal unit 110 (see FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, information can be exchanged between the board 81 (ID chip) of the board unit 80 and the control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, based on the information acquired from the board 81, the control unit 90 displays the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 32Y (remaining toner amount) on an operation display panel (installed on the exterior of the image forming apparatus main body 100), determines the timing of toner replenishment from the toner container 32Y to the developing device 5Y, and performs a recovery operation from a toner end state. Furthermore, when the toner container 32Y is removed (taken out) from the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body), the connection between the board unit 80 and the main body terminal unit 110 is released in conjunction with the removal operation.

[0029] Here, referring to Figures 3, 5, etc., the toner container 32Y as a removable unit (storage container) is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, and is mainly composed of a cap portion 34Y that is held non-rotatably in the toner container storage portion 70, and a container body 33Y (bottle body) that has a gear 33c integrally formed therewith. The container body 33Y is held rotatably relative to the cap portion 34Y and is driven to rotate in the directions of the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 5 by a drive mechanism (comprised of a drive motor 91, gears 92, 93, etc.). When the container body 33Y itself rotates around the axis X, the toner contained inside the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) is transported in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) (from left to right in FIG. 3) by a spiral protrusion 33b (see FIG. 5) formed on the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) of the container body 33Y. The toner is then discharged from the opening 33a of the container body 33Y to the cap portion 34Y and further discharged to the outside of the container from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y. That is, when the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y is driven to rotate by the drive motor 91, the toner is supplied to the toner tank portion 61Y. Each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is replaced with a new one when it reaches the end of its life (when the toner contained therein is almost all consumed and it becomes empty).

[0030] 6 and other figures, a board unit 80 is fitted (installed) in an installation portion 34c formed on an end surface of the cap portion 34Y. A board 81 (see FIG. 8 and other figures) serving as an information storage device is installed in this board unit 80. This substrate 81 is an ID chip or the like, and is used to exchange various information with the control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, information such as the manufacturing date, manufacturing lot number, color, and type of toner contained in the toner container 32Y, as well as information such as the manufacturing date, destination, manufacturing plant, and whether or not the toner container 32Y itself is recycled, is stored in advance on the substrate 81. This information is then sent to the control unit 90 (apparatus main body). Furthermore, information such as the usage history of the image forming apparatus 100 is also sent from the control unit 90 (apparatus main body) to the substrate 81 (1C chip), and this information is stored appropriately on the substrate 81. The configuration and operation of the board unit 80 on which such a board 81 is installed will be described in more detail later.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the end face of the cap portion 34Y is formed with positioning holes 34a and 34b for determining the position of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container storage portion 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100). When the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body), the attachment operation causes the positioning holes 34a and 34b formed in the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y to fit into the positioning pins 120 and 121 (see FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus main body 100. This determines the position of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container storage portion 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100). With the cap portion 34Y positioned in this manner, the board unit 80 is properly connected to the main body terminal unit 110 (see FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

[0032] 3 and 5, the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are composed of a toner container storage section 70, a toner tank section 61Y, a conveying coil 62Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a drive motor 91, gears 92 to 95, and the like. The toner tank unit 61Y is installed below the toner discharge outlet W of the toner container 32Y, and stores the toner discharged from the toner discharge outlet W of the toner container 32Y. The bottom of the toner tank unit 61Y is connected to the upstream part of the toner transport pipe 64Y. A toner end sensor 66Y is provided on the wall surface of the toner tank 61Y (at a predetermined height from the bottom) to detect when the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y falls below a predetermined level. A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. When the controller 90 detects that the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y falls below the predetermined level (toner end detection), the controller 90 controls the drive motor 91 to rotate the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y for a predetermined time, thereby replenishing toner into the toner tank 61Y. If the toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is not canceled even after repeated control operations, the controller 90 determines that there is no toner left in the toner container 32Y and displays a message on a display panel mounted on the exterior of the device main body 100 urging the user to replace the toner container 32Y.

[0033] 3 and 5, the transport coil 62Y is rotatably disposed within the toner transport pipe 64Y and transports the toner stored in the toner tank unit 61Y toward the developing device 5Y via the toner transport pipe 64Y. Specifically, the transport coil 62Y is driven to rotate by the drive motor 91, thereby transporting the toner from the bottom (lowest point) of the toner tank unit 61Y toward above the developing device 5Y along the toner transport pipe 64Y. The toner transported by the transport coil 62Y is then replenished into the developing device 5Y (developer storage unit 54Y). In this embodiment, the driving source of the conveying coil 62Y is the same as the driving source of the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y). That is, when the drive motor 91 is driven to rotate, the toner container 32Y rotates, and the conveying coil 62Y also rotates.

[0034] 4, the toner container storage unit 70 is mainly composed of a cap receiving portion 73 for holding the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y, a bottle receiving portion 72 for holding the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y, and a main body terminal unit 110 (see FIGS. 3 and 7). The main body terminal unit 110 is provided with a plurality of main body terminals 111-114. 1, when a main body cover (not shown) installed above the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) is opened, the toner container storage unit 70 is exposed. Then, with the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K set horizontally, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached and detached from above the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the attaching and detaching operation is performed with the longitudinal direction of the toner container as the attaching and detaching direction). Specifically, when installing toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in the device main body 100, each toner container is placed on the toner container storage unit 70 from above the device main body 100 with the main body cover open, and then the cap 34Y is pushed in horizontally (movement along arrow Q in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when removing toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K from the device main body 100, the operation reverse to that for installation is performed.

[0035] The configuration and operation of the characteristic substrate unit 80 installed in the toner container 32Y (storage container) as the detachable unit in this embodiment will be described in detail below. 3, 6, 7, etc., toner container 32Y, which serves as a storage container containing toner therein, functions as a detachable unit that is detachably installed in image forming apparatus main body 100, which serves as the device main body. A substrate unit 80, on which a substrate 81 (an ID chip in this embodiment) is installed, is installed in cap portion 34Y of toner container 32Y, which serves as the detachable unit, so as to be able to communicate with control portion 90 of image forming apparatus main body 100. Therefore, the substrate unit 80 is detachably installed in a predetermined direction (left and right directions in Figures 3 and 8(A), and perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 8(B)) relative to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body).

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the substrate unit 80 is mainly composed of a substrate 81 (ID chip), terminals 82a to 82d, an insulating member 83 (partition member) as a guide portion, and the like.

[0037] 8(A) to 8(D), substrate 81 is disposed in a single unit state so that terminals 82a to 82d are exposed. In particular, in this embodiment, the substrate 81 is an ID chip serving as an information storage device provided with an information storage unit (not shown) capable of communicating information with the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body).

[0038] The plurality of terminals 82a to 82d are mounted on the substrate 81 and are brought into conductive contact with the plurality of main body terminals 111 to 114 (see FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in response to the mounting operation of the substrate unit 80 (toner container 32Y) to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body). In this embodiment, the substrate 81 is provided with the plurality of terminals 82a to 82d (four terminals). 8(A) and 8(B), four terminals, a clock signal terminal 82b, a ground terminal 82a, a serial data terminal 82c, and a power supply terminal 82d, are arranged side by side with gaps (intervals) between them. The clock signal terminal 82b is a terminal for receiving a clock signal for aligning transmission and reception timing within the board 81. The ground terminal 82a is a terminal for grounding the base of the board 81 via the image forming apparatus main body 100. The serial data terminal 82c is a terminal for performing serial communication with the image forming apparatus main body 100. The power supply terminal 82d is a terminal for supplying power from the image forming apparatus main body 100 to operate the board 81. The surface of the substrate 81 is covered with an insulating material (non-conductive material) except for the areas where the four terminals 82a to 82d are exposed.

[0039] Here, in this embodiment, terminals 82a to 82d are provided with relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 (see Figures 8(C), (D), etc.) that enable contact with main body terminals 111 to 114 at a position away from substrate 81 in a predetermined direction (the position to the right in Figure 8(A)). In detail, the terminals 82a to 82d are composed of terminal main portions 82a1 to 82d1 embedded so as to be exposed on the surface of the substrate 81, and relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 installed so as to be in contact with (or integral with) the terminal main portions 82a1 to 82d1. In particular, in this embodiment, the plurality of relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 (four relay portions) corresponding to the plurality of terminals 82a to 82d, respectively, are provided with gaps between them so as not to come into contact with one another. The relay portions 82a2-82d2 are each a leaf spring member made of a metal material that has been bent, and in particular, are formed into a substantially square ring shape in this embodiment. The relay portions 82a2-82d2 are in direct contact with the main terminals 111-114 at positions spaced apart from the terminal main portions 82a1-821 (substrate 81), respectively. The substantially square-shaped relay portions 82a2-82d2 may be formed by bending a flat leaf spring, with a gap formed in part of the square. The relay portions 82a2-82d2 are not limited to the substantially square-shaped configuration, and may be, for example, a substantially U-shaped configuration or a substantially Z-shaped configuration.

[0040] 8(C), the terminal main portion 82a1 of the ground terminal 82a is electrically connected to the shaft-shaped main body terminal 111 (grounded in the image forming apparatus main body 100) via the first relay portion 82a2. Specifically, the contact portion Z1 of the first relay portion 82a2 is an opening that opens in the attachment / detachment direction and is formed so that the shaft-shaped main body terminal 111 can be fitted thereto. Fitting the shaft-shaped main body terminal 111 into the hole-shaped ground terminal 82a (the inner peripheral surface of the hole serves as the contact surface and functions as a terminal) makes it easier to determine the position of the board unit 80 relative to the main body terminal unit 110 (see FIG. 7). 8(D), the main terminal portion 82b1 of the clock signal terminal 82b is electrically connected to the plate-shaped main body terminal 112 (a terminal to which a clock signal is sent from the control unit 90) via the second relay portion 82b2. Specifically, the contact portion Z2 of the second relay portion 82b2 is a flat portion that is approximately perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction. 8(D), the main terminal portion 82c1 of the serial data terminal 82c is electrically connected to the plate-shaped main body terminal 113 (a terminal to which serial data is sent from the control unit 90) via the third relay portion 82c2. Specifically, the contact portion Z2 of the third relay portion 82c2 is a flat portion that is approximately perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction. 8(D), the main terminal portion 82d1 of the power supply terminal 82d is electrically connected to the plate-shaped main body terminal 114 (the terminal to which power is sent from the control unit 90) via the fourth relay portion 82d2. Specifically, the contact portion Z2 of the fourth relay portion 82d2 is a flat portion that is approximately perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction.

[0041] In this way, in the substrate unit 80 of this embodiment, the terminal main portions 82a1 to 82d1 of the substrate 81 are not directly connected to the main body terminals 111 to 114, but rather the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 are connected to the main body terminals 111 to 114, and the terminal main portions 82a1 to 82d1 are electrically connected to the main body terminals 111 to 114 via the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2. Therefore, compared to when the terminal main portions 82a1-82d1 are directly connected to the main body terminals 111-114, the problem of the board 81 itself coming into contact with the main body terminals 111-114 and being damaged when the toner container 32Y (board unit 80) is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 is reduced. In particular, even when the toner container 32Y (board unit 80) is repeatedly attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100, such a problem is less likely to occur. Generally, the board 81 (ID chip) (particularly the terminal main portions 82a1-82d1) ​​does not have sufficient mechanical strength against external forces, which is why the configuration of this embodiment is useful. In particular, in this embodiment, since the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 are formed of leaf spring members, they function as buffer materials that absorb the force even if they come into contact with the main body terminals 111 to 114 with a strong force when attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100. Therefore, the effects of the present invention described above are more easily achieved. In this embodiment, the lengths (lengths based on the board surface of the board 81) of the four relay parts 82a2 to 82d2 in the attachment / detachment direction (left and right direction in Figure 8(A)) are all set to be approximately equal.

[0042] 8(A) and (B), in the substrate unit 80 of this embodiment, an insulating member 83 is provided between the terminal and another terminal adjacent to the terminal, as a guide portion for guiding the contact between the main body terminals 111-114 and the terminals 82a-82d in conjunction with the mounting operation of the substrate unit 80 (toner container 32Y) to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body). Specifically, the insulating members 83 serving as guide portions are disposed adjacent to the terminals 82a to 82d on the substrate 81. Specifically, a pair of insulating members 83 are disposed so as to sandwich one of the terminals 82a to 82d therebetween. Furthermore, the insulating member 83 (guide portion) is a wall-like member (for example, a rectangular pillar-like member made of an insulating resin material and having a certain thickness) that is formed to stand up and protrude further in a predetermined direction (to the right in Figure 8(A)) than the terminals 82a to 82d.

[0043] In this embodiment, a plurality of terminals 82a to 82d are arranged side by side with gaps between them so as to be able to come into contact with a plurality of main body terminals 111 to 114, respectively. A plurality of insulating members 83 are installed in all of these gaps, respectively. Specifically, two insulating members 83 (each of which has a length in the attachment / detachment direction that is longer than that of the second relay portion 82b2) are provided to sandwich the short side direction (the vertical direction in Figures 8(A) and (B)) of the terminal 82b (second relay portion 82b2) of the clock signal terminal 82b. Two insulating members 83 (each of which has a length in the attachment / detachment direction longer than that of the first relay portion 82a2) are provided on either side of the short side of the terminal 82a (first relay portion 82a2) of the ground terminal 82a. Of the two insulating members 83, one insulating member 83 is shared in the gap between the clock signal terminal 82b and the ground terminal 82a. Two insulating members 83 (each having a length in the attachment / detachment direction longer than that of the third relay portion 82c2) are provided on either side of the short side of the terminal 82c (third relay portion 82c2) of the serial data terminal 82c. Of the two insulating members 83, one insulating member 83 is shared in the gap between the clock signal terminal 82b and the serial data terminal 82c. Two insulating members 83 (each of which has a length in the attachment / detachment direction longer than that of the fourth relay portion 82d2) are provided on either side of the short side of the power supply terminal 82d (fourth relay portion 82d2). Of the two insulating members 83, one insulating member 83 is shared in the gap between the serial data terminal 82c and the power supply terminal 82d. In this way, by arranging insulating members 83 in the gaps between the multiple terminals 82a to 82d (by arranging five insulating members 83 alternately for four terminals 82a to 82d), the number of insulating members 83 can be reduced compared to when two insulating members 83 are arranged to sandwich each of the multiple terminals 82a to 82d (in this embodiment, eight is reduced to five).

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, there is provided an insulating member 83 (guide portion) that guides contact between the main body terminals 111-114 and the terminals 82a-82d in conjunction with the mounting operation of the board unit 80 (toner container 32Y) to the image forming apparatus main body 100. This reduces the problem that the terminals 82a-82d (relay portions 82a2-82d2) of the board unit 80 are misaligned relative to the main body terminals 111-114 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, resulting in failure to make normal contact. 9 as a comparative example, in which the insulating member 83 (guide portion) is not provided, when the toner container 32Y (substrate unit 180) is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the positional relationship between the terminals 82a-82d of the substrate unit 180 and the main body terminals 111-114 may become misaligned, resulting in poor contact or deformation of the terminals 82a-82d and the main body terminals 111-114. Note that FIG. 9 shows an example in which two of the four main body terminals 111-114, 113 and 114, are deformed due to a relative positional misalignment between the terminals 82a-82d and the main body terminals 111-114. In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, insulating member 83 is provided as a guide portion, so even if there is a positional misalignment between terminals 82a-82d of board unit 180 and main body terminals 111-114 when toner container 32Y (board unit 180) is attached to image forming apparatus main body 100, the positional misalignment is corrected by insulating member 83 (guide portion). Consequently, terminals 82a-82d and main body terminals 111-114 ultimately come into normal conductive contact without misalignment, poor contact, deformation, or the like.

[0045] In particular, the terminals 82a to 82d of the board unit 80 in this embodiment are provided with relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 that extend in the attachment / detachment direction, and relative positional misalignment of the board unit 80 (terminals 82a to 82d) with respect to the main terminal unit 110 (main terminals 111 to 114) is likely to occur (such as positional misalignment in a direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction due to component accuracy or assembly accuracy, or positional misalignment due to tilt relative to the attachment / detachment direction). Therefore, a configuration that provides an insulating member 83 (guide portion) as in this embodiment is useful. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insulating member 83 (guide portion) is longer than the terminals 82a-82d and is disposed adjacent to the terminals 82a-82d, so that even if the main body terminals 111-114 or the terminals 82a-82d are likely to be deformed due to misalignment during the process of mounting the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the deformation is corrected by the insulating member 83 (guide portion), and the main body terminals 111-114 are smoothly moved relative to the terminals 82a-82d. This further enhances the effect of the terminals 82a-82d and the main body terminals 111-114 being in proper contact without misalignment. Furthermore, since at least the surface of the insulating member 83 (guide portion) is formed from an insulating material, even if the insulating member 83 comes into contact with the main body terminals 111-114 or terminals 82a-82d when the toner container 32Y is finally attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, no electrical problems such as poor power supply or short circuits from the main body terminals 111-114 to the terminals 82a-82d will occur. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insulating member 83 (guide portion) is configured to sandwich the terminals 82a to 82d in the short direction, rather than sandwiching the terminals 82a to 82d in the longitudinal direction. This is because the main terminals 111 to 114 and the terminals 82a to 82d are primarily deformed in the short direction due to misalignment. On the other hand, if the main terminals 111 to 114 and the terminals 82a to 82d are also deformed in the longitudinal direction due to misalignment, the insulating member 83 may be configured to sandwich the terminals 82a to 82d in the long direction as well (to surround the terminals 82a to 82d on all four sides).

[0046] As described above with reference to FIG. 8, in the board unit 80 of this embodiment, one of the plurality of terminals 82a to 82d is the ground terminal 82a. The orientation of the contact surface where earth terminal 82a comes into contact with corresponding main body terminal 111 among the plurality of main body terminals is configured to be different from the orientation of the contact surface where terminals 82b to 82d other than earth terminal 82a among the plurality of terminals come into contact with corresponding main body terminals 112 to 114 among the plurality of main body terminals. Specifically, the contact surface (contact portion Z1) of the ground terminal 82a is formed in a curved (hole-shaped) shape so as to contact the side surface of the shaft-shaped main terminal 111. That is, the contact surface of the ground terminal 82a is formed so as to extend in a direction (a predetermined direction, which is the attachment / detachment direction) substantially perpendicular to the board surface of the board 81. In contrast, the contact surfaces (contact portions Z2) of the other terminals 82b to 82d are flat surfaces that are substantially parallel to the board surface of the board 81. That is, the contact surfaces of the other terminals 82b to 82d are formed so as to extend in a direction (a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the board surface of the board 81 extends) that is substantially perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction (predetermined direction). When the substrate unit 80 configured in this manner is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the moment the terminals 82a-82d come into contact with the main body terminals 111-114, forces are applied in different directions (a force in the attachment / detachment direction and a force in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto), which tends to cause a relative positional deviation between the main body terminals 111-114 and the terminals 82a-82d. For this reason, the configuration in which the insulating member 83 (guide portion) is provided as in this embodiment is useful.

[0047] As explained so far, the toner container 32Y (toner storage container) in this embodiment is a toner container 32Y equipped with a substrate unit 80 that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to the main body terminals 111 to 114 as main body side receiving members of the device main body (image forming device main body 100), and can also be said to have the following characteristic configuration. First, the substrate unit 80 is (1) a substrate 81; (2) Three terminals, namely, a clock signal terminal 82b, a serial data terminal 82c, and a power supply terminal 82d, each of which has a flat surface for contacting the main body side receiving member (a contact portion for contacting the main body terminals 112 to 114) that is formed to protrude from the substrate 81 in the attachment / detachment direction and is approximately parallel to a predetermined surface (substrate surface) of the substrate 81; (3) A ground terminal 82a is formed so as to protrude from the substrate 81 in the attachment / detachment direction and has a flat surface for contacting the main body side receiving member (a contact portion for contacting the main body terminal 111 for grounding) that is substantially perpendicular to the predetermined surface (substrate surface) described above; is provided. Furthermore, a guide portion (insulating member 83) is provided between the main body side receiving member contact surface (contact portion) of a predetermined one of the clock signal terminal 82b, earth terminal 82a, serial data terminal 82c, and power supply terminal 82d and the main body side receiving member contact surface (contact portion) of another terminal adjacent to the predetermined one, so as to protrude in a predetermined direction beyond the main body side receiving member contact surface (contact portion), which is approximately parallel to a predetermined surface (substrate surface) of the substrate 81. This makes it easier for the terminals 82a to 82d of the substrate 81 to come into proper contact with the main body terminals 111 to 114 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 without misalignment.

[0048] <Variation 1> As shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the ground terminal 82a of the board unit 80 in the first modification is different from that shown in FIG. More specifically, in variant 1, the earth terminal 82a is a plate-shaped member having obtuse angle bends formed at both ends, and the shaft-shaped main body terminal 111 is in conductive contact with the inner wall surface (on the left side of Figure 10(B)). When the ground terminal 82a configured in this manner is used, unlike the case of FIG. 8, when the shaft-shaped main body terminal 111 comes into contact with it, a force acts on the ground terminal 82a in approximately one direction (the left direction in FIG. 10(B)) (rather than a force that acts uniformly in multiple directions perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction). Therefore, when the terminals 82a to 82d come into contact with the main body terminals 111 to 114 during attachment to the image forming apparatus main body 100, they receive forces in different directions (a force in the attachment / detachment direction and a force in approximately one direction perpendicular to that), which tends to cause a relative positional deviation between the main body terminals 111 to 114 and the terminals 82a to 82d. For this reason, a configuration in which an insulating member 83 (guide portion) is provided as in Modification 1 is useful. That is, also in the first modification, the terminals 82a to 82d of the substrate 81 tend to come into normal contact with the main body terminals 111 to 114 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 without misalignment.

[0049] <Variation 2> As shown in FIG. 11, the board unit 80 in the second modification differs from that in FIG. 8 in that the terminals 82a to 82d are not provided with the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2. More specifically, in the second modification, terminals 82a to 82d are exposed from the surface of substrate 81, but are formed so that the exposed surfaces are substantially flush with the surface of the substrate (so that they do not protrude significantly from the surface of the substrate). In particular, ground terminal 82a is formed in the shape of a hole that penetrates substrate 81, and comes into contact with the side surface (outer peripheral surface) of rod-shaped main terminal 111 that fits through substrate 81. Five insulating members 83 serving as guides are placed to sandwich the four terminals 82a to 82d in the short direction and to be shared in the gaps between the terminals 82a to 82d. Here, although the length of the insulating members 83 (guide parts) in the attachment / detachment direction is set to be longer than the length of the terminals 82a to 82d in the attachment / detachment direction, the terminals 82a to 82d do not protrude much in the attachment / detachment direction, so the length of the terminals 82a to 82d in the attachment / detachment direction is shorter by the length of the relay parts compared to that in Figure 8. Also in the second modification, the terminals 82a to 82d of the substrate 81 tend to come into proper contact with the main body terminals 111 to 114 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 without misalignment.

[0050] <Variation 3> As shown in FIG. 12, in the substrate unit 80 of the third variant, a recess (V-shaped groove 82m) formed on the contact surface of the terminals (particularly, terminals 82b to 82d other than the earth terminal 82a) that come into contact with the main body terminals 112 to 114 functions as a guide portion that guides the contact between the main body terminals 112 to 114 and the terminals 82b to 82d in conjunction with the mounting operation of the substrate unit 80 (toner container 32Y) to the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, V-grooves 82m recessed in a direction away from the main body terminals 112-114 are formed on the tip surfaces (surfaces that come into contact with the main body terminals 112-114) of the relay portions 82b2-82d2 of the terminals 82b-82d. By forming such V-grooves 82m, even if there is a relative positional misalignment between the main body terminals 112-114 and the terminals 82b-82d during the process of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the main body terminals 111-114 are guided along the inclined surface of the V-groove 82m and come into smooth contact with the terminals 82b-82d. This makes it easier for the terminals 82b-82d and the main body terminals 112-114 to come into normal contact without any positional misalignment. In the third modification, V-shaped grooves 82m (guide portions) may be formed as recesses in the terminals 82b to 82d, and insulating members 83 may also be provided as guide portions similar to those shown in FIGS.

[0051] <Variation 4> As shown in FIG. 13, in the substrate unit 80 of the fourth variant, holes (slits 82n) formed in the contact surfaces of the terminals (particularly, terminals 82b to 82d other than the earth terminal 82a) that come into contact with the main body terminals 112 to 114 function as guide portions that guide the contact between the main body terminals 112 to 114 and the terminals 82b to 82d in conjunction with the mounting operation of the substrate unit 80 (toner container 32Y) to the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, a substantially rectangular slit 82n (hole) that penetrates in the attachment / detachment direction is formed in the tip surfaces (surfaces that come into contact with the main body terminals 112-114) of the relay portions 82b2-82d2 of the terminals 82b-82d. By forming such a slit 82n, even if there is a relative positional misalignment between the main body terminals 112-114 and the terminals 82b-82d during the process of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the main body terminals 111-114 are guided along the slit 82n and come into smooth contact with the terminals 82b-82d. This makes it easier for the terminals 82b-82d and the main body terminals 112-114 to come into normal contact without any positional misalignment. In the fourth modification, slits 82n (guide portions) as holes may be formed in the terminals 82b to 82d, and insulating members 83 may also be provided as guide portions similar to those shown in FIGS.

[0052] <Variation 5> As shown in FIG. 14, in the substrate unit 80 of the fifth variant, the terminals (particularly the terminals 82b-82d other than the earth terminal 82a) have recesses (bent portions 82r) formed so as to protrude in a direction approaching the main body terminals 112-114 from the contact surfaces that contact the main body terminals 112-114, and these recesses function as guide portions that guide the contact between the main body terminals 112-114 and the terminals 82b-82d in conjunction with the mounting operation of the substrate unit 80 (toner container 32Y) to the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, bent portions 82r (protruding portions) that protrude toward the main body terminals 112-114 are formed on the tip surfaces (surfaces that come into contact with the main body terminals 112-114) of the relay portions 82b2-82d2 of the terminals 82b-82d. By forming such bent portions 82r, even if there is a relative positional misalignment between the main body terminals 112-114 and the terminals 82b-82d during the process of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the main body terminals 111-114 are guided along the bent portions 82r and come into smooth contact with the terminals 82b-82d. This makes it easier for the terminals 82b-82d and the main body terminals 112-114 to come into normal contact without any positional misalignment. In the fifth modification, the terminals 82b to 82d may be formed with bent portions 82r (guide portions) as recesses, and insulating members 83 may also be provided as guide portions similar to those shown in FIGS.

[0053] <Variation 6> As shown in Figure 15, the substrate unit 80 in variant example 6 differs from that shown in Figure 14 in that the opening width of the bent portion 82r as a recess (the distance between two opposing bent portions 82r in the vertical direction in Figure 15) is formed so as to gradually increase (widen) along the direction approaching the main terminals 112 to 114 (to the right in Figure 15(A)). When the bent portion 82r (recess) is formed at an incline in this manner, the main body terminals 111 to 114 are guided along the inclined surface of the bent portion 82r during the process of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100, resulting in smoother contact with the terminals 82b to 82d. In the sixth modification, the opening width of the bent portion 82r as a recess is formed so as to gradually increase (widen) along the direction approaching the main terminals 112 to 114. On the other hand, the opening width of the hole portion (for example, the slit 82n shown in FIG. 13) formed in the terminal can also be formed so as to gradually increase (widen) along the direction approaching the main terminals.

[0054] <Variation 7> As shown in Figure 16, the substrate unit 80 in variant example 7 differs from that shown in Figure 10 in that an insulating support member 84 is provided at the longitudinal end of the substrate 81 instead of a guide portion (insulating member 83). 16(B), in the substrate unit 80 of the seventh modification, an insulating support member 84 made of an insulating material extends along the entire longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 8(B)) of the terminal 82d (the terminal 82d, of the multiple terminals 82a to 82d, that is located at the longitudinal end of the substrate 81). The insulating support member 84 is capable of supporting a portion (tip) of the side of the terminal 82d that is separated from the substrate 81 in the left-right direction (a predetermined direction) in FIG. 8(A). In detail, the insulating support member 84 is an approximately L-shaped plate-like member consisting of a support portion 84a extending in a direction away from the side of the terminal 82d (downward in Figure 16), and a support portion 84b extending from the support portion 84a to the side of the substrate 81 in the left-right direction (a specified direction) in Figure 8(A). In this way, by providing insulating support member 84 capable of supporting the side portion of the tip of terminal 82d along the longitudinal direction, terminal 82d does not bend (deform) in the longitudinal direction, and it is possible to efficiently prevent terminal 82d from falling over, even if an external force acts on terminal 82d due to contact with main body terminal 114. Therefore, terminal 82d of substrate 81 can easily come into normal contact with main body terminal 114 of image forming apparatus main body 100 without misalignment. In addition, when a case is provided that completely covers the board unit 80 (with openings for contact between the main body terminals 111 to 114 and the terminals 82a to 82d), an insulating support member 84 can be integrally provided with the case (a part of the case can also function as the insulating support member 84).

[0055] As described above, board unit 80 in this embodiment is a board unit that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to image forming apparatus main body 100 (device main body), and is provided with board 81 and a plurality of terminals 82a-82d that are installed on board 81 and that come into conductive contact with a plurality of main body terminals 111-114 of image forming apparatus main body 100, respectively, in conjunction with the installation operation of board unit 80 relative to image forming apparatus main body 100. Insulating member 83 (guide portion) that guides the contact between main body terminals 111-114 and terminals 82a-82d in conjunction with the installation operation of board unit 80 relative to image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided between the terminal and another terminal adjacent to that terminal. This makes it easier for the terminals 82a to 82d of the substrate 81 to come into proper contact with the main body terminals 111 to 114 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 without misalignment.

[0056] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the board unit 80 installed in the toner container 32Y, which is a storage container containing toner therein. However, the present invention can also be applied to a board unit installed in a storage container containing ink therein (for example, an ink cartridge detachably installed in an inkjet image forming apparatus). Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to storage containers containing toner or ink, but can be applied to all board units installed in detachable units detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body (for example, developing device 5Y or process cartridge). Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to all board units detachably installed in devices (device main bodies) other than the image forming apparatus 100 (image forming apparatus main body). In addition, in this embodiment, an ID chip is used as the substrate 81, but the substrate 81 is not limited to this, nor is it limited to a substrate that stores information; for example, an IC chip, RFID, printed circuit board, IC tag, etc. can also be used as the substrate. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a board unit 80 in which four terminals 82a to 82d, namely, a clock signal terminal, a ground terminal, a serial data terminal, and a power supply terminal, are provided on a board 81. However, the board unit 80 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, a board provided with a board including at least four terminals, namely, a clock signal terminal, a ground terminal, a serial data terminal, and a power supply terminal (a board provided with four or more terminals). Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a board unit having a board provided with three or fewer terminals. In this embodiment, all of the plurality of terminal main portions 82a1-82d1 are configured to be electrically connected to the main terminals 111-114 via the relay portions 82a2-82d2, but it is also possible to configure the plurality of terminal main portions 82a1-82d1 so that some (for example, only the earth terminal main portion 82a1) are electrically connected to the main terminals via the relay portions, with the other terminal main portions being directly connected to the main terminals. Such a configuration is useful in cases where the main terminals are susceptible to damage if only some of the plurality of terminal main portions come into direct contact with them. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 are formed from a metal material (conductive material), but the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 may be formed to provide electrical conductivity between the contact portions with the terminal main portions 82a1 to 82d1 and the contact portions with the main terminals 111 to 114, and for example, the surfaces of the relay portions 82a2 to 82d2 other than the contact portions may be coated with an insulating material. In addition, in this embodiment, the terminals 82a to 82d are configured such that the terminal main portions 82a1 to 821 and the relay portions 82a2 to 822 are separate components, but the terminals 82a to 82d can also be configured such that the terminal main portions 82a1 to 821 and the relay portions 82a2 to 822 are integrated into one component. In addition, in this embodiment, five insulating members 83 are arranged alternately for the four terminals 82a to 82d, but in cases where there is a terminal (main terminal) among the four terminals 82a to 82d (main terminals 111 to 114) that is hardly subject to positional misalignment, the insulating members can also be arranged adjacent to only the other terminals, excluding that terminal. Even in such cases, the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be obtained.

[0057] It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is clear that the present embodiment can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention in addition to the modifications suggested in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, etc. of the components can be any number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for implementing the present invention.

[0058] (Addendum) (Appendix 1) A board unit that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to a device body, A substrate; a plurality of terminals that are installed on the board and that are electrically connected to a plurality of main body terminals of the device main body in response to an attachment operation of the board unit to the device main body; Equipped with A board unit characterized in that a guide portion that guides contact between the main body terminal and the terminal in conjunction with the mounting operation of the board unit to the device main body is provided between the terminal and another terminal adjacent to the terminal. (Appendix 2) The substrate unit described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the guide portion is an insulating member that is installed adjacent to the terminal on the substrate and stands upright so as to protrude in the specified direction beyond the terminal. (Appendix 3) The plurality of terminals are arranged side by side with gaps between them, A substrate unit as described in Appendix 2, characterized in that a plurality of the insulating members are installed in each of the gaps. (Appendix 4) A board unit that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to a device body, A substrate; a terminal that is installed on the board and that electrically contacts a main body terminal of the device main body in response to an attachment operation of the board unit to the device main body; Equipped with a guide portion is provided to guide contact between the main body terminal and the terminal in conjunction with the mounting operation of the board unit to the device main body; The substrate unit is characterized in that the guide portion is a recess or hole formed on a contact surface of the terminal that contacts the main body terminal. (Appendix 5) The substrate unit described in Appendix 4, characterized in that the recess or hole is formed so that its opening width gradually increases along the direction approaching the main body terminal. (Appendix 6) A substrate unit described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5, characterized in that the terminal has a relay portion that enables contact with the main body terminal at a position away from the substrate in the specified direction. (Appendix 7) The plurality of terminals are arranged side by side with gaps between them so as to be able to come into contact with the plurality of main body terminals, One of the plurality of terminals is a ground terminal, A substrate unit described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 6, characterized in that the orientation of the contact surface where the earth terminal contacts the corresponding one of the plurality of main body terminals is different from the orientation of the contact surface where a terminal other than the earth terminal contacts the corresponding one of the plurality of main body terminals. (Appendix 8) the contact surface of the ground terminal is formed to extend in the predetermined direction; The substrate unit described in Appendix 7, wherein the contact surfaces of the terminals other than the earth terminal are formed to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction. (Appendix 9) the substrate is an ID chip including a plurality of the terminals and an information storage unit capable of communicating information with the device body, 9. The board unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of terminals include at least four terminals: a clock signal terminal, a ground terminal, a serial data terminal, and a power supply terminal. (Appendix 10) A substrate unit described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 9, characterized in that it is provided with an insulating support member that extends along the entire longitudinal direction of the terminal and is capable of supporting a side portion of the terminal that is away from the substrate in the specified direction. (Appendix 11) A board unit that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to a device body, A substrate; a terminal that is installed on the board and that electrically contacts a main body terminal of the device main body in response to an attachment operation of the board unit to the device main body; an insulating support member that extends along the entire longitudinal direction of the terminal and is capable of supporting a side portion of the terminal that is spaced apart from the board in the predetermined direction; A substrate unit comprising: (Appendix 12) The insulating support member is a support portion extending in a direction away from the side portion of the terminal; a support portion extending in the predetermined direction from the support portion to a side portion of the substrate; 12. The substrate unit according to claim 10 or 11, comprising: (Appendix 13) a detachable unit that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body as the device main body, A detachable unit having the board unit according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12 installed therein. (Appendix 14) The detachable unit according to claim 13, wherein the detachable unit is a container that contains toner or ink. (Appendix 15) An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the detachable unit according to Supplementary Note 13 or Supplementary Note 14 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body. (Appendix 16) A toner container including a substrate unit that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to a main body side receiving member of a device main body, The substrate unit includes: A substrate; three terminals, namely, a clock signal terminal, a serial data terminal, and a power terminal, which are formed so as to protrude from the board in the attachment / detachment direction and each have a flat surface for contacting a main body side receiving member that is approximately parallel to a predetermined surface of the board; a ground terminal formed to protrude from the board in the attachment / detachment direction and having a flat surface for contacting a main body side receiving member that is substantially perpendicular to the predetermined surface; Equipped with A toner container characterized in that a guide portion is provided between a main body side receiving member contact plane of a predetermined one of the clock signal terminal, the earth terminal, the serial data terminal, and the power supply terminal, and a main body side receiving member contact plane of another terminal adjacent to the predetermined one, the guide portion standing upright so as to protrude in the predetermined direction beyond the main body side receiving member contact plane that is approximately parallel to the predetermined surface of the substrate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container (detachable unit, storage container), 80 board units, 81 board (ID chip), Terminals 82a to 82d, 82a1~82d1 Terminal main part, 82a2~82d2 relay section, 82m V-groove (recess, guide part), 82n Slit (hole, guide), 82r Bent section (recess, guide section), 83 Insulating member (guide part), 84 insulating support member; 100 Image forming apparatus (equipment), 111~114 Main unit terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0060] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4886084

Claims

1. A board unit that is detachably installed in a predetermined direction relative to a device body, A substrate; a plurality of terminals that are installed on the board and that are electrically connected to a plurality of main body terminals of the device main body in response to an attachment operation of the board unit to the device main body; an insulating support member that extends along the entire longitudinal direction of the terminal and is capable of supporting a side portion of the terminal that is spaced apart from the board in the predetermined direction; Equipped with A board unit characterized in that a guide portion that guides contact between the main body terminal and the terminal in conjunction with the mounting operation of the board unit to the device main body is provided between the terminal and another terminal adjacent to the terminal.

2. 2. The board unit according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is an insulating member that is disposed adjacent to the terminal on the board and stands upright so as to protrude beyond the terminal in the predetermined direction.

3. The plurality of terminals are arranged side by side with gaps between them, 3. The substrate unit according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the insulating members are respectively installed in all of the gaps.

4. A board unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the terminal is provided with a relay portion that enables contact with the main body terminal at a position away from the board in the specified direction.

5. The plurality of terminals are arranged side by side with gaps between them so as to be able to come into contact with the plurality of main body terminals, One of the plurality of terminals is a ground terminal, A board unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the orientation of the contact surface where the earth terminal contacts the corresponding one of the plurality of main body terminals is different from the orientation of the contact surface where a terminal other than the earth terminal contacts the corresponding one of the plurality of main body terminals.

6. the contact surface of the ground terminal is formed to extend in the predetermined direction; 6. The board unit according to claim 5, wherein the contact surfaces of the terminals other than the ground terminal are formed so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

7. the substrate is an ID chip including a plurality of the terminals and an information storage unit capable of communicating information with the device main body, 7. The board unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminals include at least four terminals: a clock signal terminal, a ground terminal, a serial data terminal, and a power supply terminal.

8. The insulating support member is a support portion extending in a direction away from the side portion of the terminal; a support portion extending in the predetermined direction from the support portion to a side portion of the substrate; The substrate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises:

9. a detachable unit that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body as the device main body, A detachable unit comprising the board unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 10. The detachable unit according to claim 9, wherein the detachable unit is a container that contains toner or ink.

11. 11. An image forming apparatus, wherein the detachable unit according to claim 9 or 10 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body.

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