Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that, even if insertion of a holder into a body frame is stopped halfway when mounting a developing cartridge on the body frame, can mount the developing cartridge on the body frame with an opening and closing operation of a cover.SOLUTION: A developing cartridge is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to a body frame. When the developing cartridge is at the first position, an electrical contact surface 41 of a memory 40 is not in contact with an electric terminal 113 of the body frame. When the developing cartridge is at the second position, the electric contact surface 41 of the memory 40 is in contact with the electric terminal 113 of the body frame. A cover 13 of an image forming apparatus has projections 14, 15. When the developing cartridge is at the first position, the projections 14, 15 are in contact with a holder 50 while the cover 13 rotates from an opening position to a closing position. The developing cartridge thus moves from the first position to the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Electrophotographic image forming devices such as LED printers have been known. This type of image forming device includes a main body frame with an opening and a developer cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body frame. A conventional image forming device that includes a developer cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body frame is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a cover that can move between an open position that opens an opening and a closed position that closes the opening. The developer cartridge is attached to the main frame through the opening in the main frame. The developer cartridge also includes a housing, a developer roller, a memory having an electrical contact surface, and a holder that holds the electrical contact surface. The holder is movable relative to the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-54058 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this type of image forming apparatus, when a developer cartridge is to be mounted in the main body frame, the insertion of the holder into the main body frame may stop midway, making it impossible to mount the developer cartridge in the main body frame.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus in which, when attaching a developing cartridge to a main frame, even if the insertion of the holder into the main frame stops midway, the developing cartridge can be attached to the main frame by opening and closing a cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first disclosure of the present application relates to a developer cartridge having a housing, a developer roller rotatable about a development axis extending in a first direction, a memory having an electrical contact surface located at one end of the housing in the first direction, and a holder for holding the electrical contact surface, the holder being movable relative to the housing; a main body frame to which the developer cartridge can be attached, the main body frame having an opening that can allow insertion of the developer cartridge, the main body frame having an electric terminal that comes into contact with the electrical contact surface when the developer cartridge is attached to the main body frame; a cover that can be rotated between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening, the cover having a protrusion; and a transfer bell. and a cover, wherein the developer cartridge is movable between a first position where the distance between the developer roller and the transfer belt is a first distance and a second position where the distance between the developer roller and the transfer belt is a second distance shorter than the first distance, and when the developer cartridge is positioned at the first position, the electrical contact surface is separated from the electrical terminal, and when the developer cartridge is positioned at the second position, the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electrical terminal, and when the developer cartridge is positioned at the first position, the protrusion comes into contact with the holder while the cover is rotating from the open position to the closed position, thereby moving the developer cartridge from the first position to the second position.

[0008] The second disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the first disclosure, characterized in that the developing roller is located at one end of the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the electrical contact surface is located at the other end of the housing in the second direction.

[0009] A third disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the second disclosure, wherein the holder is movable in the second direction relative to the housing.

[0010] A fourth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the second or third disclosure, characterized in that the developing cartridge is movable between the first position and the second position in the second direction.

[0011] The fifth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the third disclosure, characterized in that the holder has a first end that holds the electrical contact surface, a second end that is spaced from the first end in a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, and an elastic member that is stretchable in the third direction, and one end of the elastic member in the third direction is connected to the first end, and the other end of the elastic member in the third direction is connected to the second end.

[0012] A sixth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the fifth disclosure, characterized in that the elastic member is a spring.

[0013] The seventh disclosure of the present application is an image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth disclosure, characterized in that the protrusion has a first protrusion capable of contacting the first end of the holder and a second protrusion capable of contacting the second end of the holder.

[0014] The eighth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the seventh disclosure, characterized in that when the cover is positioned in the closed position, the first protrusion protrudes from the cover toward the first end in the second direction, and the second protrusion protrudes from the cover toward the second end in the second direction.

[0015] The ninth disclosure of the present application is an image forming apparatus according to the seventh or eighth disclosure, characterized in that when the developing cartridge is positioned at the first position and the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the second protrusion contacts the holder while the first protrusion is in contact with the holder.

[0016] The 10th disclosure of the present application is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the 5th to 9th disclosures, characterized in that when the cover is positioned in the closed position and the developing cartridge is positioned in the second position, the holder is positioned away from the protrusion in the second direction.

[0017] The 11th disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the 10th disclosure, characterized in that at least one of the holder and the main body frame has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the second direction, and when the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the protrusion comes into contact with the holder, and then the holder moves along the inclined surface due to the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0018] A twelfth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh disclosures, characterized in that the developing cartridge is attached to the main body frame in the second direction.

[0019] A thirteenth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to twelfth disclosures, characterized in that the housing extends in the first direction.

[0020] A fourteenth disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to thirteenth disclosures, characterized in that the thickness of the protrusion decreases from the cover toward the holder.

[0021] The 15th disclosure of the present application is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the 1st to 14th disclosures, characterized in that the developing cartridge is a detachable drum cartridge, and further comprises a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in the first direction, and when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge is detachable from the main body frame.

[0022] The 16th disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the 15th disclosure, characterized in that when the developing cartridge is positioned at the first position, the photosensitive drum is separated from the transfer belt, and when the developing cartridge is positioned at the second position, the photosensitive drum is in contact with the transfer belt.

[0023] A 17th disclosure of the present application is the image forming apparatus of the 15th or 16th disclosure, characterized in that it further comprises an LED unit for exposing the photosensitive drum, the LED unit being movable together with the cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the first to seventeenth disclosures of the present application, when the developing cartridge is in the first position relative to the main body frame, the protrusion comes into contact with the holder while the cover is being rotated from the open position to the closed position, thereby moving the developing cartridge from the first position to the second position relative to the main body frame.

[0025] According to the fifth disclosure of the present application, the elastic force of the elastic member can press the electrical contact surface against the electrical terminal. Furthermore, when the developer cartridge is attached to the main body frame, even if the developer cartridge stops at the first position due to the elastic force of the elastic member, the protrusion can push the holder, allowing the developer cartridge to move from the first position to the second position.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the seventh disclosure of the present application, tilting of the holder can be suppressed.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the ninth disclosure of the present application, tilting of the holder can be further suppressed.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the tenth disclosure of the present application, the protrusion can be prevented from pushing the holder too far.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the fourteenth disclosure of the present application, it is possible to reduce friction between the protrusion and the holder while ensuring the strength of the protrusion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge is located at a first position. [Figure 8] 8 is a view showing a state in which the cover is being rotated from the state in FIG. 7 to the closed position. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cover is located at the closed position and the developing cartridge is located at the second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] In the following, the direction in which the developing roller extends will be referred to as the "first direction." Furthermore, the direction in which one end of the housing of the developing cartridge where the developing roller is located and the other end where the electrical contact surface is located will be referred to as the "second direction." Furthermore, the direction in which the first end and second end of the holder are aligned will be referred to as the "third direction." In the following embodiments, the first direction and the second direction intersect (preferably perpendicular), the second direction and the third direction intersect, and the third direction intersect (preferably perpendicular) with the first direction.

[0033] <1. About the process cartridge> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process cartridge 1 that can be installed in an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the process cartridge 1 has a drum cartridge 2 and a developer cartridge 3. The developer cartridge 3 is detachable from the drum cartridge 2. A user of the image forming apparatus can replace only one of the drum cartridge 2 and the developer cartridge 3 with a new one. Therefore, the lifespan of the drum cartridge 2 and the lifespan of the developer cartridge 3 can each be effectively utilized.

[0034] The drum cartridge 2 transfers toner supplied from the developer cartridge 3 onto printing paper via the photosensitive drum 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum cartridge 2 of this embodiment has a drum frame 21, a photosensitive drum 22, and a gear portion 23.

[0035] The drum frame 21 is a frame onto which the developing cartridge 3 can be attached. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum frame 21 of this embodiment has a first frame 211 and a second frame 212. The second frame 212 is fixed to the first frame 211. The photosensitive drum 22 is located between the first frame 211 and the second frame 212. However, the drum frame 21 may be composed of a single member, or may be composed of three or more members.

[0036] 1 and 2, the drum frame 21 has one end 213 in the second direction and another end 214 that is spaced apart from the one end 213 in the second direction. The one end 213 is closer to the photosensitive drum 22 than the other end 214. The drum frame 21 has a recess 210 between the one end 213 and the other end 214, into which the developing cartridge 3 is inserted.

[0037] The photosensitive drum 22 is a drum that can rotate about a drum axis that extends in the first direction. The photosensitive drum 22 is located at one end 213 of the drum frame 21 in the second direction. The photosensitive drum 22 of this embodiment has a drum main body and a drum shaft. The drum main body is a cylindrical member that extends in the first direction. The outer peripheral surface of the drum main body is covered with a photosensitive material. The drum shaft is a columnar member that extends in the first direction along the drum axis of the photosensitive drum 22. The drum shaft is located at one end of the drum main body in the first direction. The drum main body is fixed to the drum shaft so as not to be rotatable relative to the drum shaft.

[0038] The drum shaft may penetrate the drum body in the first direction. For example, the drum shaft may be inserted into a through-hole in the drum body. Alternatively, a pair of drum shafts may extend in the first direction from opposite ends of the drum body in the first direction.

[0039] The drum shaft is made of a conductive metal, for example, and is connected to the ground terminal of the image forming apparatus, so that the drum shaft is maintained at a reference voltage.

[0040] The gear portion 23 is located at one end of the drum cartridge 2 in the first direction. The gear portion 23 has multiple gears and a coupling 231. The multiple gears are housed in a space formed between the frame main body 211 and the frame cover 212. The coupling 231 is exposed from the drum frame 21. When the process cartridge 1 is mounted in the image forming apparatus, a drive shaft of the image forming apparatus is connected to the coupling 231. Then, rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the multiple gears via the coupling 231.

[0041] The gears of the gear section 23 may transmit rotational force by meshing of teeth, or may transmit rotational force by friction.

[0042] The developer cartridge 3 is attached to a recess 210 in the drum frame 21. The developer cartridge 3 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 22 of the drum cartridge 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developer cartridge 3 of this embodiment has a casing 31, a developing roller 32, a gear portion 33, and a memory assembly 34.

[0043] The casing 31 is a housing capable of containing toner. The casing 31 extends in a first direction. The casing 31 has a first side plate 311 and a second side plate 312. The first side plate 311 is located at one end of the casing 31 in the first direction. The second side plate 312 is located at the other end of the casing 31 in the first direction. The first side plate 311 and the second side plate 312 are spaced apart in the first direction. The gear portion 33 and the memory assembly 34 are located on the outer surface of the first side plate 311.

[0044] The casing 31 has a storage chamber 313. The toner is stored in the storage chamber 313. The casing 31 also has an opening 314. The opening 314 is located at one end of the casing 31 in the second direction. The storage chamber 313 communicates with the outside of the casing 31 via the opening 314.

[0045] The developing roller 32 is a roller that can rotate about a development axis that extends in the first direction. The developing roller 32 is located in the opening 314 of the casing 31. That is, the developing roller 32 is located at one end of the casing 31 in the second direction. When the developing cartridge 3 is attached to the drum cartridge 2, the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 32 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

[0046] The developing roller 32 has a developing roller body and a developing roller shaft. The developing roller body is a cylindrical member extending in a first direction. The developing roller body is made of, for example, elastic rubber. The developing roller shaft is a cylindrical member that penetrates the developing roller body in the first direction. The developing roller shaft is made of, for example, metal or conductive resin. The developing roller body is fixed to the developing roller shaft so as not to rotate relative to it.

[0047] The gear portion 33 has a developing roller gear (not shown). The developing roller gear is fixed to one end of the developing roller shaft in the first direction. Therefore, the developing roller shaft and the developing roller main body are rotated by driving the gear portion 33. Note that the developing roller shaft does not have to penetrate the developing roller main body in the first direction. For example, a pair of developing roller shafts may extend in the first direction from both ends of the developing roller main body in the first direction.

[0048] The developer cartridge 3 also has a supply roller (not shown). The supply roller is located between the developer roller 32 and the storage chamber 313. Toner is supplied from the storage chamber 313 to the outer circumferential surface of the developer roller 32 via the supply roller. At this time, the toner is frictionally charged between the supply roller and the developer roller 32. Meanwhile, a bias voltage is applied to the developer roller shaft of the developer roller 32. Therefore, the toner is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the developer roller 32 by the electrostatic force between the developer roller shaft and the toner.

[0049] The developer cartridge 3 also has a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown). The layer thickness regulating blade shapes the toner supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developer roller 32 to a uniform thickness. The toner on the outer peripheral surface of the developer roller 32 is then supplied to the photosensitive drum 22. At this time, the toner moves from the developer roller main body to the photosensitive drum 22 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

[0050] The gear portion 33 is located on the outer surface of the first side plate 311 of the casing 31. The gear portion 33 has a plurality of gears including the developing roller gear described above, a coupling 331, and a gear cover 332. The gear cover 332 is fixed to the first side plate 311 of the casing 31 by, for example, screws. At least some of the plurality of gears are located between the first side plate 311 and the gear cover 332. The coupling 331 is exposed from the gear cover 332. When the process cartridge 1 is installed in the image forming apparatus, a drive shaft of the image forming apparatus is connected to the coupling 331. Then, rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the plurality of gears via the coupling 331.

[0051] The gears of the gear section 33 may transmit rotational force by meshing of teeth, or may transmit rotational force by friction.

[0052] The memory assembly 34 is located at one end of the casing 31 in the first direction. The memory assembly 34 is located at the other end of the casing 31 in the second direction. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the developer cartridge 3 near the memory assembly 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the memory assembly 34 has a memory 40, which is a storage medium, and a holder 50. The memory 40 is, for example, an IC chip. The memory 40 is held on the outer surface of the holder 50.

[0053] The memory 40 can store various information related to the developer cartridge 3. For example, the memory 40 can store information indicating the lifespan of components such as the developing roller 32. Specifically, the memory 40 stores at least one of the cumulative number of pages printed using the developing roller 32, the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 32, and the cumulative amount of developer consumed. The memory 40 may also store information such as the serial number of the developer cartridge 3 and compatible models. The memory 40 has an electrical contact surface 41. The electrical contact surface 41 is made of metal, which is a conductor.

[0054] 1 and 3, the developer cartridge 3 has a holder cover 35. The holder cover 35 is located at one end of the casing 31 in the first direction. More specifically, the holder cover 35 is fixed to the outer surface of the gear cover 332, for example, by screws. The holder 50 is located between the gear cover 332 and the holder cover 35.

[0055] The holder 50 has a first boss 501, a second boss 502, and a third boss 503. The first boss 501 extends in a first direction from a surface of the holder 50 facing the holder cover 35 toward the holder cover 35. Meanwhile, the holder cover 35 has a first hole 351. The first hole 351 is a through-hole that penetrates the holder cover 35 in the first direction. The first boss 501 is inserted into the first hole 351.

[0056] The second boss 502 and the third boss 503 each extend in a first direction from a surface of the holder 50 facing the gear cover 332 toward the gear cover 332. Meanwhile, the gear cover 332 has a second hole 333 and a third hole 334. The second hole 333 and the third hole 334 are through holes that penetrate the gear cover 332 in the first direction, or recesses that are recessed in the first direction. The second boss 502 is inserted into the second hole 333. The third boss 503 is inserted into the third hole 334.

[0057] The first boss 501, the second boss 502, and the third boss 503 may each have a cylindrical shape or another shape such as a rectangular pillar.

[0058] The size in the second direction (inner dimension) of the first hole 351 is larger than the size in the second direction (outer dimension) of the first boss 501. The size in the second direction (inner dimension) of the second hole 333 is larger than the size in the second direction (outer dimension) of the second boss 502. Furthermore, the size in the second direction (inner dimension) of the third hole 334 is larger than the size in the second direction (outer dimension) of the third boss 503. Therefore, the holder 50, together with the first boss 501, the second boss 502, and the third boss 503, is movable in the second direction relative to the casing 31, the gear cover 332, and the holder cover 35. When the holder 50 moves in the second direction relative to the casing 31, the memory 40 having the electrical contact surface 41 also moves in the second direction relative to the casing 31 together with the holder 50.

[0059] The size in the third direction (inner dimension) of the first hole 351 is larger than the size in the third direction (outer dimension) of the first boss 501. The size in the third direction (inner dimension) of the second hole 333 is larger than the size in the third direction (outer dimension) of the second boss 502. Furthermore, the size in the third direction (inner dimension) of the third hole 334 is larger than the size in the third direction (outer dimension) of the third boss 503. Therefore, the holder 50, together with the first boss 501, the second boss 502, and the third boss 503, is movable in the third direction relative to the casing 31, the gear cover 332, and the holder cover 35. When the holder 50 moves in the third direction relative to the casing 31, the memory 40 having the electrical contact surface 41 also moves in the third direction relative to the casing 31 together with the holder 50.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 3, the holder 50 has a first end 510 and a second end 520. The first end 510 is located at one end of the holder 50 in the third direction. The second end 520 is located at the other end of the holder 50 in the third direction. The first end 510 and the second end 520 are spaced apart in the third direction. The second end 520 is movable in the third direction relative to the first end 510.

[0061] More specifically, the holder 50 of this embodiment has a first holder member 51, a second holder member 52, and a coil spring 53 located therebetween. The first holder member 51 is made of, for example, resin. The second holder member 52 is made of, for example, resin. The first holder member 51 has a first end 510. The memory 40 is fixed to the first end 510. The second holder member 52 has a second end 520.

[0062] Coil spring 53 is an elastic member that can expand and contract in the third direction. Coil spring 53 is located between first end 510 and second end 520 in the third direction. One end of coil spring 53 in the third direction is connected to first end 510 of holder 50. The other end of coil spring 53 in the third direction is connected to second end 520 of holder 50.

[0063] Coil spring 53 expands and contracts in the third direction between a first state and a second state in which it is more compressed than the first state. The length of coil spring 53 in the third direction in the first state is longer than the length of coil spring 53 in the second state. Therefore, the distance in the third direction between first end 510 and second end 520 in the first state is longer than the distance in the third direction between first end 510 and second end 520 in the second state. Furthermore, the length in the third direction of coil spring 53 in at least the second state is shorter than the natural length of coil spring 53.

[0064] 3, the first holder member 51 has a first claw 511 and a second claw 512. The first claw 511 and the second claw 512 each protrude from the first holder member 51 in a direction intersecting with the third direction. On the other hand, the second holder member 52 has a first claw receiving portion (not shown) and a second claw receiving portion (not shown) on its inner surface. The first claw receiving portion and the second claw receiving portion are openings, recesses, or steps.

[0065] When the coil spring 53 is in the first state, the first claw 511 comes into contact with the first claw receiving portion. Furthermore, when the coil spring 53 is in the first state, the second claw 512 comes into contact with the second claw receiving portion. This prevents the length of the coil spring 53 in the third direction from becoming longer than in the first state. Furthermore, the first holder member 51 is prevented from being detached from the second holder member 52. On the other hand, when the coil spring 53 is in the second state, the first claw 511 moves away from the first claw receiving portion, and the second claw 512 moves away from the second claw receiving portion.

[0066] Alternatively, the second holder member 52 may have the claws, and the first holder member 51 may have the claw receiving portions.

[0067] <2. Image forming device> FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100. This image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic printer that forms an image on a printing paper sheet using toner supplied from a process cartridge 1. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 is an LED printer. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 has a main body frame 11, a transfer unit 12, a cover 13, and four LED units 16.

[0068] The main body frame 11 has a plurality of slots 110. Each slot 110 has an opening 111 that allows the insertion of the process cartridge 1. The process cartridge 1 is inserted into the slot 110 through the opening 111. In this way, the process cartridge 1 is attached to the main body frame 11.

[0069] A process cartridge 1 is prepared for each color of toner. Therefore, the main body frame 11 has a slot 110 for each color of toner. The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment uses four colors of toner: K (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). Therefore, the main body frame 11 of this embodiment has four slots 110. The four slots 110 are aligned in the third direction. One process cartridge 1 is attached to each slot 110.

[0070] 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the main body frame 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body frame 11 has a guide frame 112 for each slot 110. The guide frame 112 has a first guide plate 112a and a second guide plate 112b. The first guide plate 112a and the second guide plate 112b face each other in the third direction. The first guide plate 112a also has an electrical terminal 113. The electrical terminal 113 is electrically connected to a control unit provided inside the main body frame 11.

[0071] When the process cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 110, the memory assembly 34 of the process cartridge 1 is sandwiched between the first guide plate 112a and the second guide plate 112b. Then, the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 of the memory assembly 34 comes into contact with the electrical terminal 113. The elastic force of the coil spring 53 presses the electrical contact surface 41 toward the electrical terminal 113. This brings the electrical contact surface 41 and the electrical terminal 113 into electrical continuity. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 can read information from and write information to the memory 40.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 4, the transfer unit 12 has a transfer belt 121 and four transfer rollers 122. The transfer belt 121 and the four transfer rollers 122 are located at the end of each slot 110 opposite the opening 111. The transfer belt 121 is a circular belt. The transfer belt 121 rotates between two pulleys 123. The four transfer rollers 122 are located inside the transfer belt 121. A transfer roller 122 is located for each slot 110. When the process cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 110, the transfer roller 122 is located on the opposite side of the transfer belt 121 from the photosensitive drum 22.

[0073] When the process cartridge 1 is properly installed in the slot 110, the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer belt 121 come into contact with each other. The printing paper passes between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer belt 121. At this time, the image forming apparatus 100 supplies a bias voltage to the transfer roller 122. As a result, the toner adhering to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is transferred to the printing paper.

[0074] The cover 13 is a flat lid that covers the main body frame 11. One end of the cover 13 in the third direction is rotatably connected to the main body frame 11. The cover 13 is rotatable about a cover rotation shaft 130 that extends in the first direction between an open position shown by a solid line in Fig. 4 and a closed position shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 4. When the cover 13 is in the open position, the other end of the cover 13 in the third direction is farther from the main body frame 11 than when the cover 13 is in the closed position.

[0075] The LED units 16 are units for exposing the photosensitive drums 22. The four LED units 16 are located on the surface of the cover 12 facing the housing 11. When the cover 13 rotates about the cover rotation shaft 130, the LED units 16 also move together with the cover 13. The LED units 16 have a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 161. The plurality of LEDs 161 are aligned in a first direction. The LEDs 161 are light sources capable of exposing the photosensitive material on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

[0076] When a user of the image forming apparatus 100 installs the process cartridge 1 in the main body frame 11, the user positions the cover 13 in the open position. When the cover 13 is in the open position, the openings 111 of the four slots 110 are exposed. When the user of the image forming apparatus 100 has completed installation of the process cartridge 1, the user positions the cover 13 in the closed position. When the cover 13 is in the closed position, the openings of the four slots 110 are closed. When the cover 13 is in the closed position, the multiple LEDs 161 of the LED unit 16 face the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

[0077] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cover 13. As shown in Fig. 6, the cover 13 has four first protrusions 14 and four second protrusions 15. The first protrusions 14 are protrusions that can come into contact with the first end 510 of the holder 50 described above when the cover 13 rotates from the open position to the closed position. The second protrusions 15 are protrusions that can come into contact with the second end 520 of the holder 50 described above when the cover 13 rotates from the open position to the closed position.

[0078] When the cover 13 is in the closed position, the four first protrusions 14 and the four second protrusions 15 are aligned in the third direction. When the process cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 110 and the cover 13 is in the closed position, the first protrusions 14 protrude in the second direction from the cover 13 toward the first end 510 of the holder 50. When the process cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 110 and the cover 13 is in the closed position, the second protrusions 15 protrude in the second direction from the cover 13 toward the second end 520 of the holder 50.

[0079] <3. Operation when installing the process cartridge> Next, the operation when the process cartridge 1 is mounted on the main body frame 11 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0080] When mounting the process cartridge 1 in the main body frame 11, first, a user of the image forming apparatus 100 rotates the cover 13 from the closed position to the open position. This opens the opening 111 of the slot 110. Next, the process cartridge 1 is mounted in the second direction relative to the main body frame 11. Specifically, the process cartridge 1 is inserted into the slot 110 through the opening 111.

[0081] At this time, resistance is generated when the holder 50 comes into contact with a part of the guide frame 112. In particular, the holder 50 of this embodiment has a coil spring 53. Therefore, the elastic force of the coil spring 53 increases the frictional resistance between the guide frame 112 and the holder 50. As a result, the movement of the holder 50 may stop before the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 comes into contact with the electrical terminal 113. Then, when the movement of the holder 50 stops, the holder 50 may come into contact with the holder cover 35, and the movement of the process cartridge 1 may also stop. As a result, the insertion of the process cartridge 1 into the slot 110 may stop in an incomplete state.

[0082] In this case, the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is not yet in contact with the transfer belt 121. In other words, the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is separated from the transfer belt 121. The position of the developing cartridge 3 with respect to the main body frame 11 at this time is hereinafter referred to as the "first position." In the first position, the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 is not yet in contact with the electrical terminal 113 of the guide frame 112. In addition, in the first position, the distance between the developing roller 32 and the transfer belt 121 is the first distance.

[0083] On the other hand, when the process cartridge 1 is fully inserted into the slot 110, the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 comes into contact with the transfer belt 121. That is, at least a portion of the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 22 comes into contact with the transfer belt 121. The position of the developing cartridge 3 with respect to the main body frame 11 at this time is hereinafter referred to as the "second position." In the second position, the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 comes into contact with the electrical terminal 113 of the guide frame 112. In addition, in the second position, the distance between the developing roller 32 and the transfer belt 121 is a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.

[0084] That is, the developing cartridge 3 is movable in the second direction relative to the main body frame 11 between the first position and the second position.

[0085] After the developer cartridge 3 attached to the drum cartridge 2 is inserted into the first or second position, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 rotates the cover 13 from the open position to the closed position. The four first protrusions 14 and the four second protrusions 15 rotate together with the cover 13 about the cover rotation shaft 130.

[0086] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the developer cartridge 3 is located at the first position. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the cover 13 is being rotated from the state in Fig. 7 to the closed position. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the cover 13 is located at the closed position and the developer cartridge 3 is located at the second position.

[0087] When the developer cartridge 3 is located in the first position, the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 is still spaced apart from the electrical terminal 113, as shown in Fig. 7. When the cover 13 rotates from the open position to the closed position in this state, the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 15 come into contact with the holder 50 during the rotation, as shown in Fig. 8. Specifically, the first protrusion 14 comes into contact with the first end 510 of the holder 50, and the second protrusion 15 comes into contact with the second end 520 of the holder 50.

[0088] When the first protrusion 14 comes into contact with the first end 510 of the holder 50, the first end 510 receives a pressing force from the first protrusion 14 in the second direction toward the transfer belt 121. When the second protrusion 15 comes into contact with the second end 520 of the holder 50, the second end 520 receives a pressing force from the second protrusion 15 in the second direction toward the transfer belt 121. This causes the holder 50 to move in the second direction toward the transfer belt 121, as shown in FIG. 9 . As a result, the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 comes into contact with the electrical terminal 113.

[0089] Furthermore, when the holder 50 moves to a normal position relative to the main body frame 11, the resistance of the holder 50 disappears, and the developer cartridge 3 also moves from the first position to the second position. As a result, the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 22 comes into contact with the transfer belt 121. In this way, in this image forming apparatus 100, even if the insertion of the process cartridge 1 into the slot 110 is stopped when the developer cartridge 3 is located at the first position due to the resistance of the holder 50, at least one of the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 15 presses the holder 50, allowing the process cartridge 1 to be further inserted into the slot 110. As a result, the developer cartridge 3 can be moved from the first position to the second position.

[0090] In particular, the cover 13 of this embodiment has a first protrusion 14 that can come into contact with the first end 510 of the holder 50, and a second protrusion 15 that can come into contact with the second end 520 of the holder 50. Therefore, a pressing force can be applied to both the first end 510 and the second end 520 of the holder 50. This makes it possible to move the holder 50 to its normal position while preventing the holder 50 from tilting.

[0091] When the cover 13 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 15 simultaneously come into contact with the holder 50. That is, while the first protrusion 14 is in contact with the first end 510 of the holder 50, the second protrusion 15 comes into contact with the second end 520 of the holder 50. This further prevents the holder 50 from tilting.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 9 , the first end 510 of the holder 50 has a first inclined surface 513. The first inclined surface 513 is inclined with respect to the second direction. More specifically, the first inclined surface 513 is inclined so as to approach the electrical terminal 113 in the third direction as it approaches the transfer belt 121 in the second direction. Furthermore, the first guide plate 112a has a second inclined surface 114. The second inclined surface 114 is inclined with respect to the second direction. More specifically, the second inclined surface 114 is inclined so as to approach the electrical terminal 113 in the third direction as it approaches the transfer belt 121 in the second direction.

[0093] When the developer cartridge 3 is located at the first position, the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 15 come into contact with the holder 50, and when the holder 50 moves toward the transfer belt 121, the first inclined surface 513 comes into contact with the second inclined surface 114. Then, as the coil spring 53 expands due to its elastic force, the first inclined surface 513 moves along the second inclined surface 114 toward the electrical terminal 113. As a result, the electrical contact surface 41 of the memory 40 comes into contact with the electrical terminal 113.

[0094] Therefore, when the electrical contact surface 41 contacts the electrical terminal 113 and the developer cartridge 3 is in the second position, the holder 50 is positioned away from the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 15 in the second direction, as shown in Figure 9. This prevents the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 15 from pressing the holder 50 too hard.

[0095] It is not necessary that both the holder 50 and the first guide plate 112a have an inclined surface. It is sufficient that at least one of the holder 50 and the first guide plate 112a has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the second direction.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the first protrusions 14 decreases from the cover 13 toward the holder 50. By increasing the thickness of the first protrusions 14 at the portions close to the cover 13, the strength of the first protrusions 14 can be improved. Furthermore, by reducing the thickness of the first protrusions 14 at the tips thereof, the friction of the first protrusions 14 against the holder 50 can be reduced. Therefore, by decreasing the thickness of the first protrusions 14 from the cover 13 toward the holder 50, the strength of the first protrusions 14 can be ensured while reducing the friction of the first protrusions 14 against the holder 50.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the second protrusions 15 decreases from the cover 13 toward the holder 50. By increasing the thickness of the second protrusions 15 at the portions close to the cover 13, the strength of the second protrusions 15 can be improved. Furthermore, by reducing the thickness of the second protrusions 15 at the tips thereof, the friction of the second protrusions 15 with respect to the holder 50 can be reduced. Therefore, by decreasing the thickness of the second protrusions 15 from the cover 13 toward the holder 50, the strength of the second protrusions 15 can be ensured while reducing the friction of the second protrusions 15 with respect to the holder 50.

[0098] <4. Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the cover 13 has the first protrusion 14 that can come into contact with the first end 510 of the holder 50 and the second protrusion 15 that can come into contact with the second end 520 of the holder 50. However, the number of protrusions that can come into contact with one holder 50 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0100] In the above embodiment, four process cartridges 1 can be attached to the main body frame 11 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the number of process cartridges 1 that can be attached to the main body frame 11 may be one to three, or five or more. In addition, the number of slots 110 that the main body frame 11 has may be one to three, or five or more.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the memory 40 having the electrical contact surface 41 is fixed to the outer surface of the holder 50. However, only the electrical contact surface 41 may be fixed to the outer surface of the holder 50, and the portion of the memory 40 other than the electrical contact surface 41 may be located elsewhere in the developer cartridge 3.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the elastic member is the coil spring 53. However, instead of the coil spring 53, other types of springs such as a leaf spring or a torsion spring may be used.

[0103] Furthermore, the detailed shapes of the developing cartridge 3 and the drum cartridge 2 may differ from those shown in the drawings of the present application. Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Process cartridge 2 drum cartridges 3 Developer cartridge 11 Main frame 12 Transfer unit 13 Cover 14 1st protrusion 15 2nd protrusion 21 Drum Frame 22 Photosensitive drum 31 Casing 32 Developing roller 34 Memory Assembly 35 Holder cover 40 memory 41 Electrical Contact Surface 50 holder 51 first holder member 52 second holder member 53 Coil spring 100 Image forming device 110 Slots 111 Aperture 112 Guide Frame 113 Electrical terminals 114 Second slope 121 Transfer belt 122 Transfer roller 513 1st slope

Claims

1. A developer cartridge, The housing and a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in a first direction; a memory having an electrical contact surface located at one end of the housing in the first direction; a holder for holding the electrical contact surface, the holder being movable relative to the housing; a developer cartridge having the a main body frame into which the developing cartridge can be attached, the main body frame having an opening capable of allowing insertion of the developing cartridge, and an electric terminal that comes into contact with the electric contact surface when the developing cartridge is attached to the main body frame; a cover that is rotatable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening, the cover having a protrusion; A transfer belt; An image forming apparatus comprising: the developer cartridge is movable between a first position where the distance between the developer roller and the transfer belt is a first distance and a second position where the distance between the developer roller and the transfer belt is a second distance that is shorter than the first distance; When the developing cartridge is located at the first position, the electrical contact surface is spaced apart from the electrical terminal; When the developing cartridge is in the second position, the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical terminal; When the developer cartridge is located at the first position, the protrusion comes into contact with the holder while the cover is rotating from the open position to the closed position, thereby moving the developer cartridge from the first position to the second position; the developing roller is located at one end of the housing in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, the electrical contact surface is located at the other end of the housing in the second direction, the holder is movable in the second direction relative to the housing, The holder is a first end portion that holds the electrical contact surface; a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; an elastic member that is stretchable in the third direction; and One end of the elastic member in the third direction is connected to the first end, the other end of the elastic member in the third direction is connected to the second end, The protrusion is a first protrusion capable of contacting the first end of the holder; a second protrusion capable of contacting the second end of the holder; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. A developer cartridge, The housing and a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in a first direction; a memory having an electrical contact surface located at one end of the housing in the first direction; a holder for holding the electrical contact surface, the holder being movable relative to the housing; a developer cartridge having the a main body frame into which the developing cartridge can be attached, the main body frame having an opening capable of allowing insertion of the developing cartridge, and an electric terminal that comes into contact with the electric contact surface when the developing cartridge is attached to the main body frame; a cover that is rotatable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening, the cover having a protrusion; A transfer belt; An image forming apparatus comprising: the developer cartridge is movable between a first position where the distance between the developer roller and the transfer belt is a first distance and a second position where the distance between the developer roller and the transfer belt is a second distance that is shorter than the first distance; When the developing cartridge is located at the first position, the electrical contact surface is spaced apart from the electrical terminal; When the developing cartridge is in the second position, the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical terminal; When the developer cartridge is located at the first position, the protrusion comes into contact with the holder while the cover is rotating from the open position to the closed position, thereby moving the developer cartridge from the first position to the second position; the developing roller is located at one end of the housing in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, the electrical contact surface is located at the other end of the housing in the second direction, the holder is movable in the second direction relative to the housing, The holder is a first end portion that holds the electrical contact surface; a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; an elastic member that is stretchable in the third direction; and One end of the elastic member in the third direction is connected to the first end, the other end of the elastic member in the third direction is connected to the second end, an image forming apparatus, wherein when the cover is in the closed position and the developing cartridge is in the second position, the holder is positioned away from the protrusion in the second direction;

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus, wherein the developing cartridge is movable in the second direction between the first position and the second position.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, When the cover is in the closed position, the first protrusion protrudes in the second direction from the cover toward the first end, The image forming apparatus, wherein the second protrusion protrudes in the second direction from the cover toward the second end.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, when the developer cartridge is located at the first position and the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the second protrusion contacts the holder while the first protrusion contacts the holder.

7. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, At least one of the holder and the main body frame has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the second direction, an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, when the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the protrusion comes into contact with the holder, and then the holder moves along the inclined surface due to the elastic force of the elastic member.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus, wherein the developing cartridge is mounted in the second direction relative to the main body frame.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus, wherein the housing extends in the first direction.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image forming apparatus, wherein the thickness of the protrusion decreases from the cover toward the holder.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The developing cartridge is a detachable drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the first direction. Furthermore, an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing cartridge is detachably mountable to the main body frame in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted in the drum cartridge;

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, When the developing cartridge is located at the first position, the photosensitive drum is spaced from the transfer belt, 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive drum is in contact with the transfer belt when the developing cartridge is in the second position.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, an LED unit for exposing the photosensitive drum, the LED unit being movable together with the cover; The image forming apparatus further comprises:

Images