Image forming apparatus, developer container, process unit

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to prevent damage to the connected parts of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Solution] An image forming apparatus 100 comprising an image forming apparatus main body 100A having a connector 105, and a developing unit 10 and a toner cartridge 20 provided to be connectable and detachable from each other, wherein the developing unit 10 and the toner cartridge 20 in a connected state, or the toner cartridge 20 alone, are provided to be attachable to the image forming apparatus main body 100A, the toner cartridge 20 has a contact 23a that electrically connects to the connector 105, the image forming apparatus main body 100A has a receiving member 107 that holds and attaches the toner cartridge 20, and the receiving member 107 holds the toner cartridge 20 with the contact 23a connected to the connector 105 when the toner cartridge 20 alone is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A without the developing unit 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a developer container, and a process unit.

Background Art

[0002] A developing unit (first unit) including a photoreceptor and a developing device and a toner cartridge (second unit) are attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus while being connected. At this time, by electrically connecting a connection portion provided on the toner cartridge to a connector (connected portion) on the main body side of the image forming apparatus, information on the toner cartridge can be read on the main body side of the image forming apparatus.

[0003] The above toner cartridge can be separated from the developing unit. That is, only the toner cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the toner cartridge can be replaced alone.

[0004] However, in an image forming apparatus having such a configuration, an operator may perform an incorrect operation. That is, there may be a case where the operator attempts to attach a single toner cartridge to the main body portion of the image forming apparatus with the developing unit not attached and connect the connection portion to the connector. In this case, when the developing unit is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the position of the toner cartridge with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus is not determined, and there is a problem that the toner cartridge may collide with various members inside the image forming apparatus during operation, or the connection portion or the connector portion may be damaged or deformed.

[0005] In contrast, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-165266), a cover member for protecting the connector is provided. The cover member is configured to cover and protect the connection terminal on the main body side of the image forming apparatus in a state where the first unit having a photoreceptor or the like is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the operator does not touch the connection terminal. Thereby, damage to the connection terminal can be prevented.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The configuration described in Patent Document 1 requires a cover member and a mechanism for opening and closing the cover member, which increases the cost and complexity of the device. Therefore, it was not necessarily the optimal configuration for protecting the connected part on the image forming apparatus side.

[0007] The objective of this invention is to prevent damage to the connected parts of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming apparatus main body having a connectable portion, and a first unit and a second unit provided to be connectable and separable from each other, wherein the first unit and the second unit in a connected state, or the second unit alone, are provided to be attachable to the image forming apparatus main body, the second unit has a connecting portion that electrically connects to the connectable portion, the image forming apparatus main body has a holding portion that holds and attaches the second unit, and the holding portion holds the second unit with the connecting portion connected to the connectable portion when the second unit alone is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without the first unit being attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This invention makes it possible to prevent damage to the connected parts of the image forming apparatus body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a process unit relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] (A) A perspective view showing the image forming apparatus, and (B) A perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the opening / closing cover in the open position. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the developing unit and toner cartridge separated. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the process unit from the toner cartridge side. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing only the process unit mounting section of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing only the process unit mounting section of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] This is a side view showing the developing unit. [Figure 9] This is a side view showing the process unit. [Figure 10] This is a side view showing the process unit attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing the process unit attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the receiving member on the image forming apparatus side. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of a toner cartridge showing the structure of the part held by the receiving member. [Figure 14] This is a side view showing the toner cartridge being held in the receiving component. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the connector and connector holder of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing the surrounding configuration of the toner cartridge connection area. [Figure 17] This is a diagram showing a stepped screw. [Figure 18] This is a plan view showing the connection point connected to the connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0012] First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an exposure unit 7, a transfer roller 9, a process unit 30, a paper feeder 12, a registration roller 16, a fixing device 17, and the like. The exposure unit 7 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 based on image information input from an input device such as a personal computer. The transfer roller 9 transfers the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to the paper P as a recording medium at the transfer nip portion (transfer position). The paper feeder 12 stores the paper P and supplies the paper P to the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction. The registration roller (timing roller) 16 conveys the paper P to the transfer nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 9. The fixing device 17 includes a fixing roller 18 and a pressure roller 19, and fixes the unfixed image on the paper P.

[0013] The process unit 30 includes a developing unit 10 and a toner cartridge 20. The developing unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier, a charging roller 4, a developing device 5, a cleaning device 2, and a waste toner conveyance unit 6. Around the photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 4, a developing device 5, a cleaning device 2, a waste toner conveyance unit 6, and the like are arranged.

[0014] The developing unit 10 is an example of the first unit of the present invention and includes at least a developing device. The developing unit 10 of the present embodiment includes the photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier, but it may not be included. Further, as a form of the second unit of the present invention, there is a powder container, and in the present embodiment, a toner cartridge 20 is provided as an example of this powder container.

[0015] In this embodiment, a unit in which a toner cartridge 20 is connected (mounted) to a developing unit 10 is referred to as a process unit 30. The process unit 30 is detachable from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge 20 is mounted above the developing unit 10. The toner cartridge 20 is separable from the developing unit 10 and can be removed from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus as a single unit. Toner as a powder is stored inside the toner cartridge 20. When the toner stored inside the toner cartridge 20 runs out, the toner cartridge 20 is replaced with a new one.

[0016] Using FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation during normal image formation in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, first, when image information is transmitted from an input device such as a personal computer to the exposure unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 100, exposure light L (laser light) based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 toward the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotating in the direction of the arrow (clockwise). First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged at the opposing portion with the charging roller 4 (this is the charging process). Thus, a charging potential (about -900 V) is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. After that, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 reaches the irradiation position of the exposure light L. Then, the potential of the portion irradiated with the exposure light L becomes a latent image potential (about 0 to -100 V), and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (this is the exposure process).

[0018] After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed reaches the opposing position with the developing device 5. Then, toner is supplied from the developing device 5 onto the photosensitive drum 1, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed to form a toner image (this is the developing process).

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the developing unit 5 consists of a developing roller 5a, two developing transport screws 5b and 5c, a doctor blade 5d, and the like. Toner (one-component developer) is contained inside the developing unit 5. In addition, in accordance with the toner consumption of the developing unit 5, toner is supplied to the developing unit 5 from the outlet 36 of the toner cartridge 20 (toner storage section 31) via the inlet 64 of the developing unit 5. The supplied toner is then circulated and transported in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper in Figure 2) by the developing transport screws 5b and 5c, while being agitated together with the toner that was originally contained. Then, a portion of the toner transported by one of the developing transport screws 5b is drawn up to the developing roller 5a, and after being adjusted to the appropriate amount by the doctor blade 5d, it reaches the position opposite the photoreceptor drum 1 (developing area). At this time, the toner on the developing roller 5a is triboelectrically charged by sliding contact with the doctor blade 5d. Then, the toner, which has been appropriately sized in the developing area, adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1, and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 1. The developing roller 5a and the two developing transport screws 5b and 5c are driven by a drive motor installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and are rotated in the direction of the arrows in Figure 2.

[0020] After the development process, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 reaches the transfer nip (transfer position) with the transfer roller 9. Meanwhile, the paper P is transported by the registration roller 16 to the transfer nip. At the transfer nip with the transfer roller 9, a transfer bias (a bias with a different polarity from the toner's polarity) is applied from the power supply unit to the transfer roller 9, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred onto the paper P (this is the transfer process).

[0021] Then, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 after the transfer process reaches a position opposite the cleaning device 2. At this position, the cleaning blade 2a physically removes any remaining untransferred toner on the photoreceptor drum 1 and collects it in the cleaning device 2 (this is the cleaning process). In this way, the series of imaging processes on the photoreceptor drum 1 is completed. The untransferred toner collected inside the cleaning device 2 is transported to one end in the width direction (rotation axis direction) by a recovery screw 2b installed inside the cleaning device 2, and then transported diagonally to the upper right in Figure 2 by the waste toner transport unit 6 (which contains a waste toner transport coil 6a). The untransferred toner is then collected as waste toner inside the toner cartridge 20 (waste toner collection unit 32) via the outlet 74 of the waste toner transport unit 6 and the collection port 37 of the toner cartridge 20. A new toner cartridge 20 has new toner filled in the toner storage unit 31, and the waste toner collection unit 32 is empty.

[0022] Meanwhile, the paper P being transported to the transfer nip (transfer position) between the photoreceptor drum 1 and the transfer roller 9 operates as follows: First, the top sheet of paper P stored in the paper feeder 12 is fed towards the transport path by the paper feed roller 15. Then, the paper P reaches the position of the registration roller 16. Once the paper P reaches the position of the registration roller 16, it is transported towards the transfer nip (the contact position between the transfer roller 9 and the photoreceptor drum 1) in time to align with the image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1.

[0023] After the transfer process, the paper P passes through the transfer nip section (transfer roller 9) and then travels along the transport path to reach the fixing device 17. Upon reaching the fixing device 17, the paper P is fed between the fixing roller 18 and the pressure roller 19, where the image is fixed by the heat received from the fixing roller 18 and the pressure received from both components 18 and 19. The paper P with the fixed image is then fed out from between the fixing roller 18 and the pressure roller 19 (which is the fixing nip section), discharged from the image forming apparatus body 100, and placed on the output tray. Thus, the series of image forming processes is completed.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(A), the image forming apparatus 100 is covered by multiple outer covers. And, as shown in Figure 3(B), a part of the front outer cover is configured as a rotatable opening / closing cover 90. More specifically, the opening / closing cover 90 is held on the image forming apparatus body 100 so as to be rotatable around a pivot shaft 90a (rotational center axis). The opening / closing cover 90 can be closed (as shown in Figures 1 and 3(A)) by rotating counterclockwise around the pivot shaft 90a as shown in Figure 1, or opened (as shown in Figure 3(B)) by rotating clockwise around the pivot shaft 90a as shown in Figure 1.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(B), when the opening / closing cover 90 is open, it is possible to attach or detach only the toner cartridge 20, or to attach or detach the toner cartridge 20 and the developing unit 10 as a single process unit 30 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. With the opening / closing cover 90 closed, the image forming process (print operation) described earlier using Figure 1 is performed.

[0026] The configuration and operation of the toner cartridge 20, which are characteristic of this embodiment, will be described in detail below.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 is detachably installed on the developing unit 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the developing unit 10 whether the developing unit 10 is mounted on or removed from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the toner cartridge 20 can be moved in the direction of the white arrow in Figure 4 and attached to the developing unit 10. This allows the process unit 30 to be configured as shown in Figure 5, with the toner cartridge 20 connected to the developing unit 10. However, the configuration can be changed as appropriate, for example, if the developing unit 10 is separate from the photoreceptor unit. The direction opposite to the direction of the white arrow in Figure 4 is the direction for separating the toner cartridge 20 from the developing unit 10. This connection and separation operation of the toner cartridge 20 to and from the developing unit 10 is performed by grasping the handle 21 of the toner cartridge 20. The handle 21 is foldable. Even if the toner cartridge 20 is attached to the image forming apparatus body 100 while the handle 21 is in the upright position (the state in Figure 4), the opening / closing cover 90 closes from the open position, pushing the handle 21 towards the opening / closing cover 90 and storing it along the exterior of the toner cartridge 20.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the toner cartridge 20 has multiple positioning parts 27, 28 and a guide part 26 (see Figure 10), and the developing unit 10 also has multiple guide grooves 77, 79 and a guide receiving part 78. The toner cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the developing unit 10 and positioned as these parts engage with each other. Specifically, two positioning parts 27, 28 (positioning protrusions) formed as protrusions on one end of the toner cartridge 20 in the width direction (+Y direction) are guided by the guide receiving part 78 and the guide groove 79 formed on one end of the developing unit 10 in the width direction, respectively, while the guide part 26 (a substantially rectangular protrusion formed to be inclined upward in the +X direction) formed on the other end of the toner cartridge 20 in the width direction (-Y direction) is guided by the guide groove 77 formed on the other end of the developing unit 10 in the width direction, as the toner cartridge 20 is installed in the developing unit 10. Then, the toner cartridge 20 in the developing unit 10 is positioned when the positioning parts 27 and 28 fit into the end of the guide receiving part 78 and the guide groove 79, and the guide part 26 fits into the end of the guide groove 77.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the toner cartridge 20 is provided with an outlet 36, a collection port 37, a first container-side shutter 40, a second container-side shutter 41, and the like. The outlet 36 of the toner cartridge 20 is an opening for discharging the toner contained in the toner storage section 31 of the toner cartridge 20 toward the developing device 5. When the toner cartridge 20 is set in the developing unit 10, the outlet 36 communicates with the inlet 64 of the developing device 5. The inlet 64 is an opening formed above the second developing transport screw 5c. The collection port 37 of the toner cartridge 20 is an opening for receiving and collecting waste toner (untransferred toner) as powder from outside the toner cartridge 20. When the toner cartridge 20 is set in the developing unit 10, the collection port 37 communicates with the outlet 74 of the waste toner transport section 6. The outlet 74 is an opening formed on the bottom surface of the downstream end of the waste toner transport section 6.

[0031] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 is divided by a partition into a toner storage section 31, which serves as a powder storage section and contains toner (powder) discharged from the discharge port 36, and a waste toner collection section 32, which serves as a powder collection section and collects waste toner (powder) received from the collection port 37.

[0032] Furthermore, the toner storage section 31 (powder storage section) is equipped with a replenishment screw 34 as a transport member that is driven to rotate clockwise in Figure 2, two agitators 33A and 33B that are driven to rotate clockwise in Figure 2, and a coil-shaped agitator 44 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 2 by contact with the first agitator 33A. The replenishment screw 34 as a transport member has its driving timing and rotation time controlled to transport the toner stored in the toner storage section 31 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 2, and discharges a target amount from the discharge port 36. The first and second agitators 33A and 33B (first and second agitators) each rotate in a predetermined direction around their rotation axis (33c) to agitate the toner stored inside the toner storage section 31 so that it does not agglomerate.

[0033] The waste toner collection unit 32 (powder collection unit) is equipped with a waste toner transport screw 35, which is driven to rotate counterclockwise as shown in Figure 2. The waste toner transport screw 35 transports the waste toner so that the waste toner flowing in from the collection port 37 is collected evenly inside the waste toner collection unit 32 without accumulating in its vicinity.

[0034] Next, we will explain in more detail how the process unit is attached to the image forming apparatus. In the following explanation, direction X shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the short-side direction of the toner cartridge, developing unit, and process unit, direction Y is the long-side direction, and direction Z is the height direction. Direction Z is also parallel to the direction of gravity. However, the direction of gravity is not necessarily limited to this direction.

[0035] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing only the process unit mounting section of the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as the main body 100A), and Figure 7 is a side view thereof.

[0036] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the main body 100A is provided with a pair of guide members 101 for guiding the developing unit and a concave positioning recess 102 for positioning the developing unit. A holder frame 103 is provided above the guide members 101 and the positioning recess 102. A connector holder 104 for holding the connector 105 is fixed to the holder frame 103. The holder frame 103 has a pair of retaining members 106 on both sides in its longitudinal direction. The retaining members 106 are convex in the downward direction. The connector 105 is the part to be connected in this embodiment. The connector holder 104 is the holding member in this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 8 is a side view showing the developing unit 10, Figure 9 is a side view showing the process unit 30 with the toner cartridge 20 attached to the developing unit 10 of Figure 8, Figure 10 is a side view showing the process unit 30 of Figure 9 attached to the main body 100A, and Figure 11 is a perspective view thereof.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, the developing unit 10 has a positioning section 10a and a second connection section 10b on the side that is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The second connection section 10b is an information recording device that is electrically connectable to the main body of the image forming apparatus and makes the stored information readable by the image forming apparatus; specifically, it is an IC chip.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4 above, the toner cartridge 20 can be attached (connected) to the developing unit 10 by grasping the handle 21 and moving it in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4, resulting in the state of the process unit 30 shown in Figure 9. Also, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the connection of the toner cartridge 20 to the developing unit 10 can be released by operating the lock lever 22 of the toner cartridge 20, and the toner cartridge 20 can be removed from the developing unit 10. In other words, in this released state, the toner cartridge 20 can be removed from the developing unit 10 by grasping the handle 21 and moving the toner cartridge 20 in the opposite direction of the arrow in Figure 4. As described above, by making the toner cartridge 20 detachable from the developing unit 10, it becomes possible to replace only the toner cartridge 20.

[0040] As shown in Figure 11, when assembling the process unit 30 to the main body 100A, the bottom surface 10c of the developing unit 10 is guided by the guide surface 101a of the guide member 101 and inserted into the main body 100A. Then, the positioning portion 10a of the developing unit 10 fits into the positioning recess 102 of the main body 100A, and the process unit 30 is attached to the main body 100A. In this state, the retaining member 106 contacts the developing unit 10, biasing the process unit 30 downward in Figure 11. As a result, the process unit 30 is attached and positioned relative to the main body 100A.

[0041] In this state, the second connection part 10b of the developing unit 10 contacts the second connected part of the main body 100A, and the second connection part 10b is electrically connected to the main body 100A. This allows the image forming apparatus to read the information in the information recording device of the developing unit 10. In addition, the information recording device 23 (see Figure 10) provided on the toner cartridge 20 is connected to the connector 105, and the toner cartridge 20 is electrically connected to the main body 100A. This allows the image forming apparatus to read the information in the information recording device of the toner cartridge 20.

[0042] Incidentally, the toner cartridge 20 functions when installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus in the state of the process unit 30, and can supply toner to the developing unit. However, as mentioned above, the toner cartridge 20 can also be removed from the developing unit 10, so there is a possibility that an operator may mistakenly try to install only the toner cartridge 20 into the main body of the image forming apparatus. The following explanation describes the case in which the toner cartridge 20 alone is installed into the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0043] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the receiving member provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus, Figure 13 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge showing the structure of the part held by the receiving member on the toner cartridge side, and Figure 14 is a side view showing the toner cartridge held by the receiving member.

[0044] As shown in Figure 12, the receiving member 107 is a plate-shaped member and has a pair of retaining recesses 107a. The receiving member 107 is provided below the guide member 101 of the main body 100A (see Figure 6). The receiving member 107 is the part that places and holds a single toner cartridge 20. The receiving member 107 is the holding part in this embodiment.

[0045] As shown in Figure 13, the toner cartridge 20 is provided with a pair of protrusions 24 on its bottom surface. The protrusions 24 are portions that partially protrude toward the main body of the image forming apparatus from their surroundings and have a convex shape corresponding to the retaining recess 107a (see Figure 12). The protrusions 24 are the retained portions in this embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Figure 14, the projection 24 fits into the holding recess 107a (the holding recess 107a holds the projection 24), and the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 20 is placed on the flat surface of the receiving member 107, so that the toner cartridge 20 is held by the receiving member 107. Because the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 20 is held by the receiving member 107, the toner cartridge 20 can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. In addition, an appropriate configuration can be adopted for the receiving member 107 to hold the toner cartridge 20, such as providing a convex part on the receiving member 107 and inserting it into the concave part of the toner cartridge 20.

[0047] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 20 is electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus by being held in the receiving member 107. The connection configuration between the toner cartridge 20 and the receiving member 107 will be explained with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the connector and connector holder of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the surrounding configuration of the connection part of the toner cartridge.

[0048] The connector holder 104 is positioned above the portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus that holds the process unit, by the holder frame 103 (see Figure 6). As shown in Figure 15, the connector holder 104 is fixed to the holder frame 103 at two points by stepped screws 108. The connector holder 104 has a plurality of connectors 105. The connectors 105 are leaf springs. The plurality of connectors 105 are arranged side by side in direction Y. The connector holder 104 has a positioning rib 104a extending in direction Y. The positioning rib 104a has curved portions 104a1 extending in direction X on both sides in direction Y.

[0049] As shown in Figure 16, the toner cartridge 20 has an information recording device 23 on the image forming apparatus side. The information recording device 23 has a plurality of contacts 23a. The contacts 23a are the connection parts in this embodiment. The contacts 23a are arranged side by side in direction Y. When the contacts 23a contact the connector 105, the information recording device 23 of the toner cartridge 20 is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus side (see Figure 18). The toner cartridge 20 also has positioning protrusions 25 as guide parts. A pair of positioning protrusions 25 are arranged with a gap between them in direction Y.

[0050] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 can be electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus by placing and holding it on the receiving member 107 (see Figure 14). In other words, by placing the toner cartridge 20 on the receiving member 107, the contact 23a of the toner cartridge 20 faces the connector holder 104, and the contact 23a abuts against the connector holder 104, creating an electrically connected position (see Figure 18). Therefore, even if an operator mistakenly tries to attach the toner cartridge 20 to the main body of the image forming apparatus by itself, the toner cartridge 20 can be electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the operator from not knowing where to attach the toner cartridge 20 and damaging it by bumping it against the surrounding area of ​​the main body of the image forming apparatus with their hands. In particular, the connector 105 is thin and spring-like, so its strength is weak, and the contact 23a is also easily damaged. Therefore, with the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the connector 105 or contact 23a, which would prevent the information recording device of the toner cartridge 20 from being electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0051] Furthermore, when only the toner cartridge 20 is held by the receiving member 107 and the contact 23a is electrically connected to the connector 105, the information recording device on the developing unit side is not electrically connected to the image forming apparatus side. Therefore, the main body of the image forming apparatus can recognize that only the toner cartridge is installed and the developing unit is not installed. Accordingly, the display unit of the image forming apparatus can display that the developing unit is not installed. As a result, by seeing this display, the operator can understand that they have mistakenly installed only the toner cartridge 20 into the main body of the image forming apparatus, that is, that the process unit with the toner cartridge 20 installed in the developing unit needs to be installed into the main body of the image forming apparatus. This makes it possible to encourage the operator to correctly install the process unit.

[0052] Next, the positioning of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus will be explained using Figures 14 to 16, and Figures 17 and 18. Figure 17 shows the screws that fix the connector holder to the holder frame, and Figure 18 is a plan view of the connection part connected to the connector.

[0053] The stepped screw 108 (see Figure 15) that secures the connector holder 104 to the holder frame 103 has some play, so the connector holder 104 is not completely fixed to the holder frame 103. Specifically, in Figure 17, the threaded tip 108a of the stepped screw 108 is screwed into the female threaded portion of the holder frame, and the stepped portion 108b is positioned in the hole of the connector holder 104. The height A of the stepped portion 108b is greater than the thickness of the connector holder 104 (especially the hole portion), and the difference between this height A and the thickness of the connector holder 104 gives the connector holder 104 play in direction X relative to the holder frame 103 (see Figure 15). In addition, the diameter B of the stepped portion 108b of the stepped screw 108 is smaller than the diameter of the hole in the connector holder 104. As a result, the connector holder 104 has play in directions Y and Z relative to the holder frame 103. In this embodiment, the play of the connector holder 104 relative to the holder frame 103 in each direction is set to approximately 1 mm.

[0054] As shown in Figure 17, with the toner cartridge 20 held in the main body of the image forming apparatus, a pair of positioning protrusions 25 on the toner cartridge 20 clamp the positioning rib 104a from both sides. In other words, the positioning rib 104a is positioned between the pair of positioning protrusions 25. This positions the toner cartridge 20 in the direction Y relative to the holder frame 103. The positioning protrusions 25 are provided with guide surfaces 25a that are inclined inward in the width direction (see Figure 16).

[0055] Here, we will explain the case where, as shown in Figure 14, the toner cartridge 20 is placed on the receiving member 107 and the toner cartridge 20 is held in the main body of the image forming apparatus, but the toner cartridge 20 and the holder frame 103 are misaligned in the direction Y shown in Figure 15. In this case, the curved portion 104a1 of the positioning rib 104a is guided by the guide surface 25a (see Figure 16), and the positioning rib 104a is positioned between the pair of positioning convex portions 25. In other words, as mentioned above, the holder frame 103 has play with respect to the connector holder 104, and the holder frame 103 can move relative to the connector holder 104, so this relative movement is made possible by the positioning rib 104a being guided by the guide surface 25a. As a result, the relative positions of the toner cartridge 20 and the connector holder 104 in direction Y can be aligned, and the contact 23a can be reliably brought into contact with the connector 105. Furthermore, by configuring the pair of positioning protrusions 25 to both have guide surfaces 25a, and positioning ribs 104a to be positioned between the pair of positioning protrusions 25, alignment can be achieved by the guide surfaces 25a regardless of whether the displacement is to the side in direction Y. However, it is not necessarily required to provide positioning protrusions 25 with guide surfaces 25a on both sides; one side may suffice.

[0056] As shown in Figure 16, the contact 23a has a rectangular shape, shorter in the Y direction and longer in the Z direction, due to its arrangement within the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the positional relationship between the contact 23a and the connector 105 in the Y direction is particularly important for correct contact between the two. Accordingly, by configuring the positioning rib 104a to guide the guide surface 25a, the contact 23a can be reliably brought into contact with the connector 105, as described above.

[0057] The position in which the receiving member 107 holds the toner cartridge 20 in Figure 14 is different from the position of the toner cartridge 20 in the image forming apparatus when the process unit 30 in Figure 11 is mounted on the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in Figure 11, the toner cartridge 20 is positioned above Figure 11 and is not in contact with the receiving member 107. If, unlike this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 were placed on the receiving member 107 in the same way as in Figure 14 when the process unit 30 in Figure 11 is mounted on the main body 100A, the ease of mounting the process unit 30 may be worsened due to part tolerances, etc. For example, if the receiving member 107 is positioned above the target position in Figure 14, the toner cartridge 20 may interfere with the receiving member 107 when the process unit 30 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, by making the toner cartridge 20 not in contact with the receiving member 107 in the state of Figure 11, it is possible to prevent the ease of mounting the process unit 30 to the main body of the image forming apparatus from being worsened. In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 is positioned higher than its normal position in Figure 14. However, as mentioned above, since the contact 23a (see Figure 16) has a vertically elongated shape in direction Z, a slight misalignment in this direction can be tolerated, and the contact 23a can be properly brought into contact with the connector 105 (see Figure 15). Direction Z is perpendicular to direction Y, which is the guide direction of the positioning convex portion 25 with respect to the connector holder 104, and is different from direction X, which is the contact direction of the contact 23a with respect to the connector 105.

[0058] Furthermore, with the process unit 30 shown in Figure 11 mounted on the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus, the receiving member 107 (see Figure 14) is not in contact with the developing unit 10. This prevents the receiving member 107 from deteriorating the ease with which the process unit 30 can be mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0059] Here, as shown in Figure 14, if we define D1 as the distance in direction X from the connection position of the contact 23a (see Figure 16) and the connector 105 (see Figure 15) to the position where the projection 24 is held in the holding recess 107a (in this embodiment, in particular, the central position of the holding recess 107a or the projection 24), and D2 as the distance in direction X from the connection position of the contact and the connector to the center of gravity C of the toner cartridge 20, then D1 ≥ D2 is set. As a result, when the toner cartridge 20 tilts due to its own weight, it is more likely to tilt towards the left side of Figure 14, where the contact and connector come into contact. Therefore, without requiring any special operation, simply by holding the toner cartridge 20 in the receiving member 107, the toner cartridge 20 can be tilted by its own weight, causing the contact 23a to come into contact with the connector 105, and the information recording device 23 of the toner cartridge 20 can be electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The directions of these distances D1 and D2 are the directions in which the length of the toner cartridge 20 is shorter, of the two directions perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and in this embodiment, this is direction X. In other words, in this embodiment, direction Z is parallel to the direction of gravity and is the direction in which freedom acts on the toner cartridge 20. The shorter of the two directions X and Y perpendicular to this height direction is the direction in which the toner cartridge 20 mainly tilts due to its own weight. Note that the left ends of distances D1 and D2 in Figure 14 are the positions where the contact 23a of the toner cartridge 20 (see Figure 16) is provided.

[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0061] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the color image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1, but may also be a monochrome image forming apparatus, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a combination device thereof.

[0062] Recording media include plain paper (P), as well as cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (such as coated paper and art paper), tracing paper, OHP sheets, plastic film, prepreg, copper foil, and the like.

[0063] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> Image forming apparatus main body having a connected portion, An image forming apparatus comprising a first unit and a second unit provided to be connectable and separable from one another, The first unit and the second unit in a connected state, or the second unit alone, are provided so as to be attachable to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The second unit has a connecting portion that is electrically connected to the connected portion, The main body of the image forming apparatus has a holding portion for holding and mounting the second unit, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, with the second unit alone attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus without the first unit being attached, the holding part holds the second unit with the connecting part connected to the connected part. <2> The second unit is a developer container for holding the developer, The first unit is a developing unit including a developing device, The developing unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and is electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. <1> This is the image forming apparatus described. <3> The main body of the image forming apparatus has a holding member that holds the connected portion, The second unit has a guide portion that guides the holding member, The guide portion guides the holding member to move relative to the second unit when the second unit is mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby connecting the connecting portion to the connected portion. <1> or <2> This is the image forming apparatus described. <4> The length of the connecting portion in the direction parallel to the guiding direction by the guide portion is shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to that direction and different from the direction in which the connecting portion abuts the connected portion. <3> This is the image forming apparatus described. <5> With the first unit mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the first unit is not in contact with the holding portion. <1> from <4> It is an image forming apparatus as described in one of the following descriptions. <6> The second unit has a retained portion that protrudes toward the retaining portion, The holding portion has a concave holding recess for holding the portion to be held, In the direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and in the short-side direction of the second unit, the distance from the connection point between the connecting portion and the connected portion to the position where the held portion is held in the holding recess is greater than the distance from the connection point between the connecting portion and the connected portion to the center of gravity of the second unit. <1> from <5> It is an image forming apparatus as described in one of the following descriptions. <7> The connecting part, It has a partially protruding part to be held, A developer container for storing a developer, which is provided so as to be attachable to the main body of an image forming apparatus, either in a state connected to the first unit or independently, The developer container is characterized in that, when the first unit is not mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the part to be held is held in a holding recess provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the connecting part is electrically connected to the part to be connected on the main body of the image forming apparatus. <8> <7> The developer container described, This is a process unit comprising a developing unit having a developing device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 5. Developing device 10. Developing unit (first unit) 20. Toner container (second unit or developer container) 23. Information recording device 23a Contact (connection part) 24 Projection (held part) 25 Positioning convex part (guide part) 30 process units 100 Image forming apparatus 100A Image forming apparatus main unit 104 Connector holder (retaining member) 104a Positioning rib 105 Connector (connected part) 107 Receiving member (holding part) 107a Retaining recess Center of gravity of the C toner cartridge D1 Distance from the connection point between the connection part and the connector to the position where the retained part is held in the retaining recess D2 Distance from the connection point between the connection part and the connector to the center of gravity of the second unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0065] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-165266

Claims

1. Image forming apparatus main body having a connected portion, An image forming apparatus comprising a first unit and a second unit provided to be connectable and separable from one another, The first unit and the second unit in a connected state, or the second unit alone, are provided so as to be attachable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, The second unit has a connection part that is electrically connected to the connected part, The main body of the image forming apparatus has a holding portion for holding and mounting the second unit, An image forming apparatus characterized in that, with the second unit alone attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus without the first unit being attached, the holding part holds the second unit with the connecting part connected to the connected part.

2. The second unit is a developer container for storing the developer, The first unit is a developing unit including a developing device, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

3. The main body of the image forming apparatus has a holding member that holds the connected portion, The second unit has a guide portion that guides the holding member, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion guides the holding member to move relative to the second unit when the second unit is mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and connects the connecting portion to the connected portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the length of the connecting portion in the direction parallel to the guiding direction by the guide portion is shorter than the length of the connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to that direction and different from the direction in which the connecting portion contacts the connected portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and the first unit is not in contact with the holding portion.

6. The second unit has a retained portion that protrudes toward the retaining portion, The holding portion has a concave holding recess for holding the portion to be held, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and in the short-side direction of the second unit, the distance from the connection position between the connecting portion and the connected portion to the position where the held portion is held in the holding recess is greater than the distance from the connection position between the connecting portion and the connected portion to the center of gravity of the second unit.

7. The connecting part, It has a partially protruding part to be held, A developer container for storing a developer, which is provided so as to be attachable to the main body of an image forming apparatus, either in a state connected to the first unit or independently, A developer container characterized in that, when the first unit is not mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the part to be held is held in a holding recess provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the connecting part is electrically connected to the part to be connected on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

8. A developer container according to claim 7, A developing unit having a developing device, and a process unit having a developing device.

Images