Image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, in order to replenish toner (developer) consumed during image formation, a toner cartridge containing toner is provided detachably on the image forming apparatus main body. Further, a storage medium is mounted on the toner cartridge, and use information of the toner cartridge, toner color, toner remaining amount, etc. are stored, and by communicating with the image forming apparatus main body, the replacement timing of the toner cartridge is appropriately provided to the user. Generally, the storage medium is mounted on a circuit board attached to the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes one or more electrical contacts that engage with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus in order to facilitate communication with the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body.

[0003] Here, in a color image forming apparatus including toners of different colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, a plurality of toner cartridges having substantially the same or almost the same structure are used. In order to enable the user to mount the appropriate toner cartridge for each color, a method has been proposed in which each toner cartridge has a key function or a shielding function that enables it to be mounted in the mounting port in the corresponding image forming apparatus (Patent Document 1). When the user attempts to mount the toner cartridge in the wrong mounting port, it cannot be fully mounted, and color mixing and contamination associated with the mounting of the wrong color toner cartridge can be prevented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to further develop the conventional configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the main body of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is: In a device body that allows the attachment and detachment of a first toner supply container filled with first toner and a second toner supply container filled with second toner, The first mounting portion is configured such that the first toner supply container is mounted with a second direction intersecting the first direction, which is the direction of gravity, A first toner storage unit configured to receive the first toner supplied from the first toner supply container, The second toner supply container is configured to be mounted with the second direction as the mounting direction, A second toner storage unit configured to receive the second toner supplied from the second toner supply container, Equipped with, The first mounting portion includes a plurality of first terminals that can contact a plurality of first electrical contacts of a first memory provided in the first toner supply container, and a first driving member configured to rotate a first driving force receiving portion provided in the first toner supply container in order to transport the first toner in the first toner supply container. The second mounting portion includes a plurality of second terminals that can contact a plurality of second electrical contacts of a second memory provided in the second toner supply container, and a second drive member configured to rotate a second drive force receiving portion provided in the second toner supply container in order to transport the second toner in the second toner supply container. With the first toner supply container mounted on the first mounting section, the plurality of first terminals each contact a plurality of first electrical contacts of the first memory. The normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of first electrical contacts is the second direction, The first drive member is configured to engage with the first drive force receiving portion, With the second toner supply container mounted on the second mounting section, the plurality of second terminals each contact the plurality of second electrical contacts of the second memory. The normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of second electrical contacts is the second direction, The second drive member is configured to engage with the second drive force receiving portion, The first drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the first drive member is the second direction. The second drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the second drive member is the second direction. When the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are viewed in the second direction, If we define the first imaginary line as the straight line passing through the first rotation center of the first drive member and extending in the first direction, and the second imaginary line as the straight line passing through the second rotation center of the second drive member and extending in the first direction, The characteristic feature is that the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of first terminals align with respect to the first virtual line and the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of second terminals align with respect to the second virtual line are different from each other. To solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is: A first toner supply container having a first memory including a plurality of first electrical contacts, and a first drive force receiving section configured to receive a driving force for transporting the first toner and filled with the first toner, A second toner supply container having a second memory including a plurality of second electrical contacts, and a second drive force receiving section configured to receive a driving force for transporting the second toner and filled with the second toner, The main body of the device, The first toner supply container is mounted with a first mounting portion mounted in a second direction that intersects the first direction which is the direction of gravity, A first toner storage section that receives the first toner supplied from the first toner supply container, The second toner supply container is mounted in a second mounting section with the second direction as the mounting direction, A second toner storage section that receives the second toner supplied from the second toner supply container, The device includes a main body equipped with, The normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of first electrical contacts and the normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of second electrical contacts are both the second direction. The first mounting portion includes a plurality of first terminals that contact the plurality of first electrical contacts, and a first driving member that rotates the first driving force receiving portion. The second mounting portion includes a plurality of second terminals that contact the plurality of second electrical contacts, and a second driving member that rotates the second driving force receiving portion. Each of the plurality of first electrical contacts contacts the plurality of first terminals, and the first driving force receiving portion engages with the first driving member. Each of the plurality of second electrical contacts contacts the plurality of second terminals, and the second driving force receiving portion engages with the second driving member. The first drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the first drive member is the second direction. The second drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the second drive member is the second direction. When the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, the first toner supply container, and the second toner supply container are viewed in the second direction, If we define the first imaginary line as the straight line passing through the first rotation center of the first drive member and extending in the first direction, and the second imaginary line as the straight line passing through the second rotation center of the second drive member and extending in the first direction, The characteristic feature is that the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of first electrical contacts align with respect to the first virtual line and the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of second electrical contacts align with respect to the second virtual line are different from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a function to prevent incorrect installation of toner cartridges can be realized in a space-saving manner, and incorrect installation can be reliably prevented without reducing the capacity of the toner cartridge as much as possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the image forming apparatus according to Example 1. [Figure 3]Perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the front. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the back. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view showing the toner conveyance device. [Figure 6] Overall view showing the memory tag substrate. [Figure 7] Overall view showing the substrate holder. [Figure 8] Overall view showing the memory tag unit. [Figure 9] Overall view showing the memory tag cover. [Figure 10] Perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the back and enlarged view showing the memory tag space. [Figure 11] Perspective view showing the state where the memory tag unit and the memory tag cover are mounted in the memory tag space. [Figure 12] Perspective view showing the toner cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 13] Front view showing each color toner cartridge from the back, front view showing the toner cartridge mounting portion from the front, and enlarged view. [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge mounting portion, and enlarged view near the memory tag. [Figure 15] Enlarged view near the electrical contact explaining the floating configuration. [Figure 16] Perspective view showing the image forming apparatus according to Example 2. [Figure 17] Perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the front. [Figure 18] Perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the back. [Figure 19] Overall view showing the memory tag substrate. [Figure 20] Perspective view showing the state where the memory tag substrate is attached to the substrate holder. [Figure 21] Perspective view showing the toner cartridge from the back and enlarged view showing the memory tag space. [Figure 22]A perspective view showing the memory tag unit and memory tag cover installed in the memory tag space. [Figure 23] A front view showing each color toner cartridge from the rear, a front view showing the toner cartridge mounting area from the front, and an enlarged view. [Figure 24] A cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge mounting area, and a magnified view of the vicinity of the memory tag. [Figure 25] A magnified view of the vicinity of the electrical contacts illustrating the floating configuration. [Figure 26] Diagram illustrating the differences in memory tag placement for each toner cartridge. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, based on examples. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and the multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. In addition, in the attached drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] (Example 1) [Configuration of the image forming apparatus] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10, which is an electrophotographic printer according to Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 1 and the process cartridge 2 are detachable from the main body 10B of the image forming apparatus 10.

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

[0012] In each figure, to distinguish the configurations of the first to fourth image forming units, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K are added to the end of the reference numerals for each part of the image forming unit, indicating the difference in toner color, i.e., yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In this embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same, except that the color of the image formed is different. Therefore, in the following, unless a particular distinction is necessary, the subscripts Y to K will be omitted and the explanation will be generalized.

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

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

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

[0016] The process cartridge 2 is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 via mounting means such as mounting guides (not shown) and positioning members (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. A scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is positioned below the process cartridge 2. Furthermore, a waste toner transport unit is positioned behind the process cartridge 2 in the image forming apparatus 10 (downstream of the process cartridge 2 in the insertion direction of the process cartridge 2 (towards the back in the Z direction)). The first to fourth toner cartridges 1 are arranged as a cartridge set above the process cartridge 2 in a horizontal direction (X direction) (so that their respective longitudinal directions are parallel to each other), in an order corresponding to the color of the toner contained in each process cartridge 2.

[0017] The first toner cartridge 1Y contains yellow (Y) toner, similarly, the second toner cartridge 1M contains magenta (M), the third toner cartridge 2C contains cyan (c), and the fourth toner cartridge 1K contains black (K) toner. Each toner cartridge 1 replenishes the toner in the process cartridge 2, which contains the toner of the same color. The toner replenishment operation (supply operation) by the toner cartridge 1 is performed when a toner level detection unit (not shown) located in the main body 10B of the image forming apparatus 10 detects that the toner level in the process cartridge 2 is insufficient.

[0018] Inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the first to fourth toner transport devices 110 are arranged below the first to fourth toner cartridges 1, corresponding to each toner cartridge 1. Above the process cartridge 2, an intermediate transfer unit 19 is provided as an intermediate transfer body. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is arranged substantially horizontally with the primary transfer section facing downwards. The intermediate transfer belt 18 facing each photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable, endless belt, stretched over a plurality of tension rollers. On the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18, primary transfer rollers 13 are positioned to form the primary transfer section T1 with each photosensitive drum 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18. The secondary transfer roller 17, which is a secondary transfer member, is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 and forms the secondary transfer section T2 with the roller on the opposite side via the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0019] Furthermore, in the horizontal (X) direction, a cleaning unit 5 is positioned on the side of the intermediate transfer belt 18 opposite to the secondary transfer section T2. ​​Above the secondary transfer section, a fixing unit 14 is positioned. The fixing unit 14 consists of a heating unit 15 and a pressure roller 16 that presses against the heating unit 15. Also, an output tray 21 is provided on the top surface of the main body 10B of the device. At the very bottom of the main body 10B of the device is a paper feed tray 3 for accommodating the recording material S.

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

[0021] Figure 2 shows the first toner cartridge 1Y in a removable state, and the second... The fourth toner cartridges 1M to 1K are shown installed in the main unit 10B of the device. The front of the first toner cartridge 1Y, which is in a removable state, protrudes further forward in the Z direction than the front of the other installed toner cartridges 1M to 1K and the waste toner collection container 23.

[0022] [Image Formation Process] The image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. During image forming, the photosensitive drum 7 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B (forward of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

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

[0024] Meanwhile, the recording material S contained in the paper feed tray 3 is fed at a predetermined control timing and transported to the secondary transfer section T2 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. Then, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 18 are transferred collectively onto the recording material S by the secondary transfer roller 17, which is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording material S. After that, the recording material S with the transferred toner images is transported to the fixing unit 14. In the fixing unit 14, the recording material S is heated and pressurized to fix the toner images onto the recording material S. After that, the recording material S with the fixed toner images is transported to the discharge tray 21, completing the image forming operation.

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

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

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

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

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

[0030] The left-right direction is indicated by the X-axis. For convenience, when viewing the image forming apparatus 10 from the front with respect to the Z-direction, the direction to the right is indicated by the arrow X. The surface located at the end in the X-direction is called the right side (right surface, right end, right part), and the surface located at the end in the -X direction is called the left side (left surface, left part, left end). The direction from the left side to the right side (i.e., the extension along the X-axis) is called the short side direction. The X-direction and -X-direction are sometimes collectively referred to as the left-right direction, short side direction, lateral direction, X-direction, X-axis direction, etc.

[0031] In the diagram used to describe this embodiment, the distance between the front and rear surfaces of the toner cartridge 1 is longer than the distance between the right and left surfaces, and also longer than the distance between the top and bottom surfaces. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the distance between the right and left surfaces of the toner cartridge 1 may be the longest, or the distance between the top and bottom surfaces may be the longest.

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

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

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the toner cartridge 1 has a replenishment container 101 as a casing and a front cover 102 on the surface that is positioned at the front when installed in the device body 10B. Furthermore, the front cover 102 is equipped with a handle 103 which also serves as a lever for operating the locking mechanism when removing the toner cartridge 1 installed in the device body 10B. When the handle 103 is pushed down in the -Y direction, a locking member 104 is lowered in the -Y direction, as will be described later.

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1 from the lower rear side. Figure 4(a) shows the state in which toner can be discharged when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, and Figure 4(b) shows the state in which toner cannot be discharged when the toner cartridge 1 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 10. The rear surface of the toner cartridge 1 is provided with a coupling 105 (driving force receiving part) that connects to a drive transmission part located in the main body 10B of the apparatus to transmit power to a drive train (not shown) inside the toner cartridge. Details regarding the drive configuration inside the main body 10B and the toner cartridge 1 will be described later. Toner cartridge 1 The bottom surface is provided with a toner discharge section 107 for supplying toner by connecting to a toner transport device 110 (see Figure 1) corresponding to each toner cartridge 1 when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the main unit 10B.

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

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

[0038] In this embodiment, the shutter member 111 does not have an opening. However, the shutter member 111 may have an opening in a part of it, so that when it is in the open position, the opening and the discharge port 113 overlap to allow toner to be discharged. Furthermore, the shutter member 111 itself is not essential. However, it is preferable to prevent toner from scattering from the discharge port 113 when the toner cartridge 1 is attached to or removed from the device body 10B. From this viewpoint, it is desirable for the toner cartridge 1 to have a shutter member 111 for closing the discharge port 113.

[0039] Referring to Figure 5, the toner transport device 110 in the toner cartridge 1 will be described. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the configuration of the toner transport device 110 inside the toner cartridge 1.

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

[0041] The toner cartridge 1 has a screw unit 160 as a transport member and a stirring unit 170 as a stirring member in the internal space of the supply container 101. As shown in Figure 5, the screw unit 160 has a screw 161 and a discharge sheet 163 fixed to the screw 161. The screw 161 extends in the Z direction. The internal space of the supply container 101 is divided into multiple areas, such as a toner storage chamber and a toner discharge chamber (not shown). The toner discharge chamber is provided with an outlet 113 that opens in a direction intersecting (in this embodiment, it is a perpendicular direction, but is not limited to this) the direction in which the toner cartridge 1 is mounted to the device body 10B.

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

[0043] <Explanation of memory tags> As shown in Figure 4, a memory tag 106 is positioned on the rear surface (end face in the mounting direction) of the toner cartridge 1 between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge section 107 in the Z direction of the toner cartridge 1. The memory tag 106, acting as a memory unit, stores information about the toner cartridge 1, such as whether the toner cartridge 1 is used or unused, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 1. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the device body 10B, the electrical contact 121 (cartridge-side contact) on the memory tag 106 and the electrical contact provided on the device body 10B (hereinafter referred to as the body-side contact to distinguish it from the cartridge-side contact) make electrical contact.

[0044] The position of the memory tag 106 in the Z direction does not have to be between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge unit 107. When placing the memory tag 106 near the toner discharge unit 107, it is preferable to place the memory tag 106 in a direction that is less susceptible to the effects of inadvertently scattered toner, or to protect it with an enclosure, as this could affect electrical contact. Furthermore, it is preferable to avoid placing the memory tag 106 near the aforementioned waste toner collection container 23 or the waste toner transport unit (not shown), as this increases the risk of waste toner contamination affecting electrical contact.

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

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

[0047] When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the device body 10B, the coupling 105 is connected to the main body coupling (driving force application member, drive shaft) of the device body 10B. Therefore, vibration may occur when installing the toner cartridge 1 in the device body 10B, or when drive is transmitted to the toner cartridge 1 via the coupling 105 while it is installed in the device body 10B. Such vibration can be suppressed by the coupling 105, reducing the impact on the memory tag 106. In order to ensure stable electrical contact between the memory tag 106 and the main body contacts provided in the device body 10B for information reading, it is desirable to avoid vibration to the memory tag 106. Furthermore, by suppressing vibration of the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag 106 relative to the main body contacts, wear of the memory tag 106 can be reduced and its lifespan extended, and the electrical connection between the memory tag 106 and the main body contacts can be stabilized.

[0048] [Configuration to prevent incorrect toner cartridge installation] Here, the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K each have a predetermined mounting position on the device body 10B, but they have similar configurations except for the color of the toner they contain. Each toner cartridge 1 has the same shape as the others, including the shape (outer shell shape) when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction on the device body 10B, so there is a possibility of incorrect insertion. The memory tag 106 is also the same shape when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction on each toner cartridge 1. Therefore, for example, if the second toner cartridge 1M is installed in the mounting position where the first toner cartridge 1Y should be installed, and its memory tag 106 is electrically connected to the device body 10B, various malfunctions may occur. For example, magenta toner and yellow toner, which are different colors, may get mixed together, or it may become impossible to form the desired color image. The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment has a characteristic configuration to prevent malfunctions caused by incorrect installation of toner cartridges 1.

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

[0050] Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the memory tag board 120 from the front. Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of the memory tag board 120 of Figure 6(a) from the rear. Figure 6(c) is a perspective view of the memory tag board 120b, another configuration example of the memory tag board 120, from the front. Figure 6(d) is a perspective view of the memory tag board 120b of Figure 6(c) from the rear.

[0051] Here, as an example of the configuration of a memory tag board 120, a memory tag board 120 in which electrical contacts and processing circuits are mounted on a printed circuit board is described. The memory tag board 120 has multiple electrical contacts 121 and a processing circuit 123 mounted on a printed circuit board 122. As described above, the processing circuit 123 can hold and provide information related to the toner cartridge 1. The processing circuit 123 can include hardware and software logic as needed. For example, the processing circuit 123 can include a microprocessor or ASIC, and may also include non-volatile memory or volatile memory. Furthermore, the memory tag board 120 does not need to be a printed circuit board as the base material; as long as it can accommodate the electrical contacts 121, mount electrical components such as the processing circuit 123, and operate without problems when supplying power or communicating, the material and shape are not restricted. Generally, the same shape of memory tag board 120 is used for the first to fourth toner cartridges 1.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6(a), the memory tag board 120 may have a configuration in which the processing circuit 123 and the electrical contacts 121 are arranged on different sides. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6(c), the memory tag board 120b may have the processing circuit 123 and the electrical contacts 121 arranged on the same side. To ensure that the memory tag board 120 is securely held when assembled to the board holder 130 described later, the memory tag board 120 shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b) is provided with two board mounting holes 124 and 125. Here, board mounting hole 124 is a round hole used as a reference for mounting, and board mounting hole 125 is an elongated hole. On the other hand, the memory tag board 120b shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(c) has a portion on the upper part of the board with a width defined by dimension A.

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

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

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

[0056] Furthermore, on the rear side of the substrate holder 130b shown in Figure 7(c), a cylindrical projection 129 is provided on the bottom surface of a recess corresponding to the outer shape of the memory tag substrate 120b shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d), and an opening 128 is provided. The projection 129 is inserted into the substrate mounting hole 124 of the memory tag substrate 120b shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d), which is fitted into the recess, allowing the memory tag substrate 120b to be assembled to the substrate holder 130b. The memory tag substrate 120b is pushed in from the rear side of the substrate holder 130 and fixed with a fixing member (not shown). At that time, a portion having a width defined by dimension A2 is provided in the recess of the substrate holder 130b with respect to the upper dimension A of the memory tag substrate 120b shown in Figure 6(b), and it is designed so that A ≤ A2.

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

[0058] Figure 8 is a perspective view from the front of the memory tag unit 131, in which the memory tag board 120 is assembled to the board holder 130. The electrical contacts 121 are visible through the opening 128. The dashed lines indicate the positions where the protrusions 129 are located. A memory tag unit, in which the memory tag board 120b is assembled to the board holder 130b, is configured in a similar manner.

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

[0060] Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1 from the rear bottom to clearly show the memory tag space 135 for positioning the memory tag 106 in the toner cartridge 1. Figure 10(b) is a magnified perspective view of the vicinity of the memory tag space 135. The memory tag space 135, which serves as the mounting area, consists of a plurality of spaced projections 136 and a memory tag mounting hole 137. The projection 129 of the substrate holder 130 shown in Figure 7(b), or the projection 129 of the substrate holder 130b shown in Figure 7(c), is inserted into this memory tag mounting hole 137.

[0061] Figure 11(a) is a perspective view showing the memory tag unit 131 assembled in the memory tag space 135. The memory tag space 135, which serves as the mounting area to which the memory tag unit 131 is attached, has the same shape in each toner cartridge 1. The projection 129 (positioning part) of the memory tag unit 131 and the memory tag mounting hole 137 (positioning part) of the memory tag space 135 engage with each other so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1. In addition, the projection 127 (rotation restricting part) of the memory tag unit 131 is selectively inserted between two adjacent projections 136 (rotation restricting parts) among the multiple projections 136 arranged in the memory tag space 135. The mounting angle of the memory tag unit 131 relative to the memory tag space 135 is determined by which two projections 127 is engaged with. In other words, the projection 136 is a rotation stopper that engages with the projection 127 to restrict the rotation of the memory tag unit 131 relative to the memory tag space 135, passing through the projection 129 or the memory tag mounting hole 137 and centered on a rotation axis along the mounting direction. Multiple projections 136 are arranged in a line on a virtual arc (virtual arc VC in Figure 10(b)) centered on the rotation axis. With this configuration, it is possible to selectively mount the memory tag unit 131 at different mounting angles relative to the memory tag space 135 around the rotation axis of the projection 129 relative to the memory tag mounting hole 137, that is, around a rotation axis perpendicular to the XY plane. As a result, although the memory tag unit 131 has the same shape when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction in each toner cartridge 1, the angle at which it is mounted relative to the toner cartridge 1 is different for each color of the toner cartridge 1.

[0062] Figure 11(b) is a perspective view showing the state after the memory tag cover 132 has been attached, from the state shown in Figure 11(a). Even if the memory tag unit 131 is attached at multiple different angles, a part of the memory tag unit 131 and the electrical contacts 121 are visible through the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132. The memory tag cover 132 in this embodiment can be the same shape and molded with the same mold for the first to fourth toner cartridges. Alternatively, instead of placing the protrusion 136 in the memory tag space 135, the memory tag cover 132 may be provided with a protrusion so that the memory tag unit 131 can be attached at different angles.

[0063] Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the main unit-side contact 28 located in the toner cartridge mounting section 24. The main unit-side contact 28 is composed of a plurality of contact springs 26 as contact terminals for electrically contacting the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106, and a guide member 27 as a terminal holder surrounding them. The main unit-side contact 28 and the electrical contact 121 as the cartridge-side contact are configured to contact each other via a floating configuration in which at least one of them has a degree of freedom in position (a degree of freedom in relative position that can form a connected state). In other words, even if there is a slight misalignment between the electrical contact 121 and the main unit-side contact 28 when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted in the main unit 10B, electrical contact can be reliably made.

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

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

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

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

[0068] Here, typical positional misalignments in the Z and Y directions have been illustrated, but it is desirable to have a floating configuration that can accommodate positional misalignments in other directions as well. Furthermore, although a floating configuration having a degree of freedom of position due to the expansion and contraction and / or bending of the contact spring 26 has been described here, the guide member 27 may also be configured to have a degree of freedom of position relative to the toner cartridge mounting section 24. Alternatively, the memory tag unit 131 may be configured to have a degree of freedom of position relative to the toner cartridge 1.

[0069] Referring to Figures 13(a) to 13(d), the specific mechanism for preventing incorrect installation of toner cartridge 1 will be explained.

[0070] Figure 13(a) shows the rear side of the toner cartridge 1, i.e., the side where the coupling 105 of the toner cartridge 1 is located, with the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K installed in the device body 10B. The memory tag 106 is located between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge section 107 located on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 1. More specifically, when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 1 to the device body 10B, at least a portion of the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag 106 are It is located above the toner discharge section 107 and below the rotation axis G of the coupling 105. Furthermore, in the direction in which the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the device body 10B, the electrical contacts 121 of the memory tag 106 are located downstream of the toner discharge section 107.

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

[0072] Figure 13(b) is a front view of the first to fourth toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K, which are the positions for mounting the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K in the main body 10B of the device. The main body side coupling 25 and the main body side contact 28 are arranged in the first to fourth toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K. Furthermore, the main body side contact 28, which is provided as a terminal in the toner cartridge mounting section 24, is composed of a contact spring 26 which serves as a plurality of contact terminals for electrically contacting the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106, and a guide member 27 surrounding it.

[0073] The main unit-side contacts 28Y to 28K, like the electrical contacts 121Y to 121K, have different angles to each other when viewed in a direction parallel to the insertion / removal direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 1 into the main unit 10B. That is, in the XY plane, the main unit-side contacts 28Y to 28K are arranged in a position where they are rotated around a rotation axis extending in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (-Y direction) at the toner discharge section 107, and are positioned in a position where they are

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

[0075] This section describes a configuration using a ring-shaped terminal as the contact terminal, but the shape of the contact terminal is not limited to ball-shaped or pin-shaped terminals. The shape of the contact terminal tip is not limited to a specific configuration, but it is desirable that the terminal has spring properties to prevent damage when the contacts come into contact with each other.

[0076] Figure 13(c) shows the case where a suitable toner cartridge 1 from among the four types of toner cartridges 1 is installed in one of the four toner cartridge mounting sections 24. Figure 13(d) shows the case where an incompatible (unsuitable) toner cartridge 1 from among the four types of toner cartridges 1 is inserted (installed) in one of the four toner cartridge mounting sections 24.

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

[0078] In contrast, Figure 13(d) shows a magnified view from the front of a situation where the second toner cartridge 1M, which is incorrectly inserted as an unsuitable cartridge, into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C. When the second toner cartridge 1M is inserted into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C, the guide member 27C surrounding the main unit side contact 26C interferes with the opening 128M (the edge around the opening 128M) provided in the memory tag 106M. As a result, contact between the main unit side contact 26C and the electrical contact 121M of the memory tag 106M is not established.

[0079] If the second toner cartridge 1M is inserted (installed) into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C, the connection between the main unit side contact 26C and the electrical contact 121M is not established, and therefore the control unit of the device main unit 10B cannot control the second toner cartridge 1M. As a result, the control unit can detect that an incompatible cartridge has been inserted (installed) into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C, and it is possible to prevent the image forming operation from being performed with an incompatible cartridge installed. In other words, it is possible to prevent incorrect installation into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C (and prompt the user to correct the incorrect installation).

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

[0081] Figure 14(a) shows the state in which the correct toner cartridge 1 corresponding to the toner cartridge mounting section 24 is installed. Furthermore, Figure 14(b) is an enlarged view showing the state near the memory tag 106 at that time. The coupling 105 is engaged with the main body coupling 25, enabling power from the main body 10B to be transmitted to the toner cartridge 1. In addition, the guide member 27 of the main body contact 28 enters the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 and the opening 128 of the substrate holder 130 on the memory tag 106, and the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 and the contact spring 26 of the main body contact 28 are in contact. In other words, the memory tag 106 and the image forming apparatus 10 are in a state where they can communicate.

[0082] The control unit of the main unit 10B is in a state where it can control the toner cartridge 1, so it can move the shutter member 111 located at the bottom of the toner cartridge 1 to the open position. This allows toner to be supplied from the discharge port 113 towards the toner receiving port 30 provided at the bottom of the toner cartridge mounting section 24. At this time, the locking member 104 connected to the handle 103 provided on the front of the toner cartridge 1 is engaged with the recessed locking hole 31 provided in the toner cartridge mounting section 24 by the biasing force of the spring member 32. The locking member 104, acting as a restricting member, is engaged with the toner cartridge 1. The locking member 104 is configured to restrict movement in the direction away from the toner cartridge mounting section 24. The locking member 104 is configured to have a restricting position that restricts the movement of the toner cartridge 1 and an unrestricted position that does not restrict movement, and can move to the restricting position when the toner cartridge 1 is in a predetermined mounting position (mounting completed position) in the toner cartridge mounting section 24. For the toner cartridge 1 in the predetermined mounting position, a spring member 33 (biasing member) provided in the toner cartridge mounting section 24 biases the toner cartridge 1 in the direction upstream from the predetermined mounting position (direction away from the toner cartridge mounting section 24). The locking member 104 in the restricting position restricts the movement of the toner cartridge 1 against the biasing force of the spring member 33. As a result, the toner cartridge 1 is locked in the mounted state in the device body 10B.

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

[0084] Figure 14(c) is an enlarged view showing the state near the memory tag 106 when an incorrect toner cartridge 1, which is not compatible, is inserted (installed) as an incompatible cartridge into the toner cartridge mounting section 24. As shown in Figure 14(c), the guide member 27 of the main body side contact 28 interferes with the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 or the opening 128 of the substrate holder 130 on the memory tag 106, preventing it from entering. The substrate holder 130, which acts as a contact holder, surrounds the electrical contact 121 and is positioned downstream in the direction in which the toner cartridge 1 is installed on the device body 10B. As a result, the electrical contact 121 of the memory tag 106 and the contact spring 26 of the main body side contact 28 cannot make contact, and the memory tag 106 and the image forming apparatus 10 cannot communicate. Since the control unit of the device body 10B cannot control the toner cartridge 1, the shutter member 111 located at the bottom of the toner cartridge 1 cannot move from the shielded position to the open position, and toner cannot be supplied from the discharge port 113 to the toner receiving port 30. The same situation occurs even in a device configuration in which the shutter member 111 is not controlled by the control unit, but is driven in conjunction with the movement of the toner cartridge 1 being inserted all the way into the mounting section. In other words, due to interference between the guide member 27 of the main body side contact 28 and the memory tag cover 132 or the substrate holder 130, an incompatible toner cartridge 1 cannot reach the predetermined mounting completion position and is configured not to be fully mounted to the device body 10B.

[0085] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating the differences in the arrangement of memory tags 106 for each toner cartridge 1. Here, the configuration of toner cartridges 1C and 1M is shown as a representative example, viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction with respect to the main unit 10B. When viewed in this direction parallel to the mounting direction, consider a two-dimensional coordinate system (first coordinate system) consisting of the rotation axis of coupling 105C as the origin o1, a virtual line VL1 (first virtual line) extending horizontally through the rotation axis, and a virtual line VL2 (second virtual line) extending in the direction of gravity through the rotation axis. Similarly, when viewed in the direction parallel to the mounting direction, consider a two-dimensional coordinate system (second coordinate system) consisting of the rotation axis of coupling 105M as the origin o2, a virtual line VL3 (third virtual line) extending horizontally through the rotation axis, and a virtual line VL4 (fourth virtual line) extending in the direction of gravity through the rotation axis. The coordinates of the electrical contact 121C in the former's first coordinate system and the coordinates of the electrical contact 121M in the latter's second coordinate system will be different when the first and second coordinate systems are superimposed so that their respective origins coincide. In other words, the coordinates of the memory tag substrate 120 on memory tag 106C and memory tag 106M will be different when the first and second coordinate systems are superimposed so that their respective origins coincide. When stacked in this manner, they have different areas from each other. This is true for all four types of toner cartridges, including toner cartridges 1Y and 1K, from 1Y to 1K.

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

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

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

[0089] Furthermore, by surrounding the memory tag 106 with the memory tag cover 132, it is possible to achieve both protection of the electrical contacts 121 and prevention of incorrect installation of the toner cartridge 1.

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

[0091] Similarly, if one of the photosensitive drums 7Y to 7K is designated as the first photosensitive drum, then one or more of the other photosensitive drums become the second photosensitive drum. Similarly, if the longitudinal direction of one of the photosensitive drums 7Y to 7K is designated as the first direction, then one or more of the longitudinal directions of the other photosensitive drums become the second direction. Similarly, if one of the developing rollers 11Y to 11K is designated as the first developing roller, then one or more of the other developing rollers become the second developing roller. Similarly, if one of the developing units 6Y to 6K is designated as the first developing unit, then one or more of the other developing units become the second developing unit. Similarly, if the toner storage section of one of the developing units 6Y to 6K is designated as the first toner storage section, then one or more of the toner storage sections of the other developing units become the second toner storage sections. Similarly, if one of the four toners is designated as the first toner, then the other toners (one or more) become the second toner.

[0092] Similarly, the supplementary toner cartridges included in one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K If the supply container 101 is designated as the first container, then the supply containers 101 (one or more) of the other toner cartridges become the second containers. Similarly, if the outlet 113 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first outlet, then the outlets 113 (one or more) of the other toner cartridges become the second outlets. Similarly, if the screw unit 160 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first transport member, then the screw units 160 (one or more) of the other toner cartridges become the second transport member. Similarly, if the agitation unit 170 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first agitation member, then the agitation units 170 (one or more) of the other toner cartridges become the second agitation member. Similarly, if one of the couplings 105Y to 105K is designated as the first driving force receiving member, then one or more of the other couplings become the second driving force receiving members. Similarly, if the rotation axis G of one of the couplings 105Y to 105K is designated as the first rotation axis, then one or more of the rotation axes G of the other couplings become the second rotation axes. Similarly, if the rear surface (end surface in the mounting direction) of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first end surface, then one or more of the rear surfaces (end surfaces in the mounting direction) of the other toner cartridges become the second end surfaces.

[0093] Similarly, if one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is designated as the first memory means, the other memory tags (one or more) become the second memory means. Similarly, if one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K has a memory tag board 120, then the memory tag boards 120 of the other memory tags (one or more) become the second electrical boards. Similarly, if one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K has a board holder 130, then the board holders 130 of the other memory tags (one or more) become the second contact holders. Similarly, if one of the surfaces of the electrical contacts 121Y to 121K is designated as the first cartridge contact surface, then the other surfaces (one or more) become the second cartridge contact surfaces.

[0094] Similarly, if the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first mounting part, then the memory tag spaces 135 of the other toner cartridges (one or more) become the second mounting parts. Similarly, if the projection 129 of the memory tag unit 131 of one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is designated as the first positioning part, then the projection 129 of the memory tag unit 131 of the other memory tags (one or more) become the second positioning parts. Similarly, if the memory tag mounting hole 137 of the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first positioning part, then the memory tag mounting holes 137 of the memory tag space 135 of the other toner cartridges (one or more) become the second positioning parts. Similarly, if the projection 127 of the memory tag unit 131 of one of the memory tags 106Y to 106K is designated as the first rotation-restricting part, then the projections 127 (one or more) of the memory tag units 131 of the other memory tags become the second rotation-restricting parts. Similarly, if the projection 136 of the memory tag space 135 of one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first rotation-restricting part, then the projections 136 (one or more) of the memory tag space 135 of the other toner cartridges become the second rotation-restricting parts. Similarly, if the axis of rotation that serves as the rotation center of the memory tag unit 131 with respect to the memory tag space 135 in one of the toner cartridges 1Y to 1K is designated as the first axis of rotation, then in the other toner cartridges... The axis of rotation (one or more) that serves as the rotation center of the memory tag unit 131 with respect to the memory tag space 135 becomes the second axis of rotation.

[0095] Similarly, if one of the toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K is designated as the first mounting section, then the other toner cartridge mounting sections (one or more) become the second mounting sections. Similarly, if one of the main body contacts 28Y to 28K is designated as the first terminal, then the other main body contacts (one or more) become the second terminals. Similarly, if one of the main body couplings 25Y to 25K is designated as the first drive member, then the other main body couplings (one or more) become the second drive members. Similarly, if one of the guide members 27Y to 27K is designated as the first terminal holder, then the other guide members (one or more) become the second terminal holders.

[0096] Similarly, if a spring member 33 provided in one of the toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K is designated as the first biasing member, then one or more spring members 33 provided in the other toner cartridge mounting sections become the second biasing members. Similarly, if a predetermined mounting position (completed mounting position) of a toner cartridge in one of the toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K is designated as the first mounting position, then one or more predetermined mounting positions (completed mounting positions) of a toner cartridge in the other toner cartridge mounting sections become the second mounting position. Similarly, if a restricting position of a lock member 104 provided in one of the toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K is designated as the first restricting position, then one or more restricting positions of a lock member 104 provided in the other toner cartridge mounting sections become the second restricting position. Similarly, if the unrestricted position of the locking member 104 in one of the toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K is designated as the first unrestricted position, then the unrestricted positions (one or more) of the locking members 104 in the other toner cartridge mounting sections become the second unrestricted positions.

[0097] The relationship between the present invention and configurations of this embodiment other than those described above may be considered in the same manner as described above.

[0098] (Example 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention will now be described. Since Embodiment 2 is configured by changing some of the components described in Embodiment 1, components similar to those in Embodiment 1 will not be shown in the figures, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the figures. Matters not described here for Embodiment 2 are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

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

[0100] [Overall configuration of the toner cartridge] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1b of this embodiment, seen from the front upper side. The cartridge 1b has a replenishment container 101 as a casing and a front cover 102 on the surface that is positioned at the front when mounted on the device body 10B. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism for the toner cartridge 1b is located on the device body 10B, which reduces the number of components on the toner cartridge 1b side. The recess 141 on the upper part of the toner cartridge 1b is a hole into which the protruding member of the locking mechanism, described later, fits.

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

[0102] In the Z-direction of the toner cartridge 1b, a memory tag 142 is positioned on the rear surface of the toner cartridge 1b between the coupling 105 and the toner discharge section 107. When the toner cartridge 1b is installed in the device body 10B, the electrical contact 121 (cartridge-side contact) on the memory tag 142 and the main body-side contact provided on the device body 10B make electrical contact.

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

[0104] Figure 19 shows a memory tag board 143 according to this embodiment. Similar to Embodiment 1, multiple electrical contacts 121 and a processing circuit 123 are mounted on a printed circuit board 122. Furthermore, to ensure that the board can be assembled into the memory tag holder described later without misalignment, the printed circuit board 122 has an L-shape and is provided with mounting holes 125. The multiple electrical contacts 121 may all be the same size, or some may be different. The processing circuit 123 and the electrical contacts 121 may be arranged on the same side of the printed circuit board 122, or on different sides. The configuration of the memory tag board 143 described here is just one example, and different configurations and materials may be used as long as they have similar functionality.

[0105] Figure 20(a) is a perspective view of a memory tag unit 144, in which the memory tag board 143 is incorporated into a board holder 145 for attachment to a toner cartridge 1b, from a viewpoint where the memory tag board 143 is exposed. Figure 20(b) is a perspective view of the memory tag unit 144 from the opposite viewpoint to that of Figure 20(a). The memory tag unit 144 consists of a board holder 145, a projection 146, a projection 147, and an opening 148. The memory tag board 143 is held with its substrate surface perpendicular to the surface of the opening 148.

[0106] It is desirable that the memory tag unit 144 use an insulating material such as resin to prevent short circuits in the electrical circuits, including the electrical contacts 121 and processing circuit 123 on the printed circuit board 122 of the memory tag board 143. In this embodiment, the memory tag unit 144 is configured to fix the memory tag board 143 between two independent parts of a board holder 145, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it is also acceptable to insert and fix the memory tag board 143 to a single board holder 145, or to use any other configuration.

[0107] Figure 21(a) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1b from the rear bottom to clearly show the memory tag space 150 for arranging the memory tag in the toner cartridge 1b. Figure 21(b) is a magnified perspective view of the vicinity of the memory tag space 150. The memory tag space 150, which serves as the mounting area, is composed of a plurality of spaced projections 149, a cylindrical projection 152 into which the projection 146 of the memory tag unit 144 is inserted, and a base 151 that supports the memory tag unit 144.

[0108] Figure 22(a) is a perspective view showing the memory tag unit 144 assembled in the memory tag space 150. The memory tag space 150, which serves as the mounting area to which the memory tag unit 144 is attached, has the same shape in each toner cartridge 1b. When the memory tag unit 144 is assembled in the memory tag space 150, the projection 146 (positioning part) shown in Figure 20 is inserted into the hole (positioning part) of the cylindrical projection 152 and engages with each other so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1. At the same time, the projection 147 (rotation restricting part) is selectively inserted between two adjacent projections 149 (rotation restricting parts) from among a plurality of projections 149. The mounting angle of the memory tag unit 144 relative to the memory tag space 150 is determined by which two projections 149 the projection 147 is engaged with. In other words, the projection 149 is a rotation stopper that engages with the projection 147 to restrict the rotation of the memory tag unit 144 relative to the memory tag space 150, passing through the hole in the projection 146 or projection 152 and centered on the rotation axis along the mounting direction. Multiple projections 149 are arranged either centered on the rotation axis or on a virtual arc VC. With this configuration, the memory tag unit 144 can be selectively mounted at different angles relative to the memory tag space 150 around the rotation axis of the projection 146 relative to the hole in the projection 152, that is, around a rotation axis perpendicular to the XY plane. As a result, although the memory tag unit 144 has the same shape when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction in each toner cartridge 1b, the angle at which it is mounted relative to the toner cartridge 1b can be configured to differ for each color of the toner cartridge 1b.

[0109] Figure 22(b) is a perspective view showing the state after the memory tag cover 132 has been attached, compared to the state shown in Figure 22(a). Even if the memory tag unit 144 is attached at multiple different angles, a part of the memory tag unit 144 and the memory tag substrate 143 are visible through the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132.

[0110] Here, the memory tag unit 144 has a floating configuration that allows for a degree of freedom of relative position to form a connection with the toner cartridge 1b. That is, the diameter of the projection 146 (see Figure 20) is small enough to form a gap that provides the above degree of freedom relative to the inner diameter of the hole in the cylindrical projection 152. Furthermore, it is desirable that the width (thickness) of the projection 147, which acts as a rotation-restricting part, be small enough to form a gap that provides the above degree of freedom relative to the distance between two adjacent projections 149 among the multiple projections 149. Moreover, when the memory tag cover 132 shown in Figure 22(b) is attached, it is desirable that the dimensions of the memory tag unit 144 relative to the memory tag cover 132 be determined so that it can move within a predetermined range in the Z direction in order to form the above degree of freedom.

[0111] Referring to Figures 23(a) to 23(d), the specific mechanism for preventing incorrect installation of toner cartridge 1b in this embodiment will be explained.

[0112] Figure 23(a) shows the rear side of toner cartridge 1b, that is, the side on which the coupling 105 of toner cartridge 1b is located, with the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K installed in the main unit 10B. Memory tag substrates 143Y to 106K, which are included in the memory tags 106Y to 106K placed in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1bY to 1bK. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1b to the device body 10B, the angles of 143K are different from each other. That is, the memory tag substrate 143 is arranged in the XY plane such that its orientation (angle, posture) is different from each other around a rotation axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (-Y direction) at the toner discharge section 107 (Z direction). The rotation axis in this case is the rotation axis of the projection 146 relative to the hole in the projection 152, as shown in Figure 20.

[0113] Figure 23(b) is a front view of the first to fourth toner cartridge mounting sections 24Y to 24K, which are the positions for mounting the first to fourth toner cartridges 1Y to 1K in the main body 10B of the device. In this embodiment, the main body side contact is a connector 35 that mates with the memory tag substrate 143 of the memory tag 106 to make electrical contact. Here, the first to fourth connectors 35Y to 35K are mounted on a substrate 36 in order to fix the connector 35 to the toner cartridge mounting section 24. Figure 23(b) shows a configuration in which multiple connectors 35 are mounted on a single substrate 36, but a configuration in which connectors are mounted on multiple independent substrates is also acceptable. Alternatively, the connectors 35 may be directly held and fixed to the toner cartridge mounting section 24.

[0114] Figure 23(c) shows the case where a suitable toner cartridge 1b from among the four types of toner cartridges 1b is installed in one of the four toner cartridge mounting sections 24. Figure 23(d) shows the case where an unsuitable (incompatible) toner cartridge 1b from among the four types of toner cartridges 1b is inserted (installed) in one of the four toner cartridge mounting sections 224.

[0115] Figure 23(c) shows a magnified view from the front of the first toner cartridge 1bY, which is a compatible cartridge, correctly installed in the first toner cartridge mounting section 24Y. When the first toner cartridge 1bY is installed in the first toner cartridge mounting section 24Y, the connector 35Y can enter the opening 148Y provided in the memory tag 106Y. This establishes contact between the connector 35Y and the memory tag substrate 143Y of the memory tag 106Y.

[0116] In contrast, Figure 23(d) shows a magnified view from the front of the second toner cartridge 1bM, which is incorrectly inserted as an unsuitable cartridge, into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C. When the second toner cartridge 1bM is inserted into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C, the connector 35C interferes with the opening 148M (the edge around the opening 148M) provided in the memory tag 106M. As a result, contact between the connector 35C and the memory tag substrate 143M of the memory tag 106M is not established.

[0117] If the second toner cartridge 1bM is inserted (installed) into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C, the connection between the connector 35C and the memory tag board 143M is not established, and therefore the control unit of the device body 10B cannot control the second toner cartridge 1bM. As a result, the control unit can detect that an incompatible cartridge has been inserted (installed) into the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C, and it is possible to prevent the image forming operation from being performed with an incompatible cartridge installed. In other words, it is possible to prevent incorrect installation in the third toner cartridge mounting section 24C (and prompt the user to correct the incorrect installation).

[0118] Furthermore, using Figures 24(a) to 24(c), the specific mechanism for preventing incorrect installation of the toner cartridge 1b in this embodiment will be explained. Figures 24(a) to 24(c) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge mounting section 24 and the toner cartridge 1b. In Embodiment 2, parts that overlap with the content of Embodiment 1 explained using Figure 14 will be omitted. ru.

[0119] Figure 24(a) shows the state in which the correct toner cartridge 1b corresponding to the toner cartridge mounting section 24 is installed. Furthermore, Figure 24(b) is an enlarged view showing the state near the memory tag 106 at that time. The connector 35, which is the main unit side contact, fits into the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 and the opening 148 of the substrate holder 145 on the memory tag 106, thereby mating the memory tag substrate 143 of the memory tag 106 with the connector 35. As a result, the memory tag 106 and the image forming apparatus 10 are able to communicate.

[0120] At this time, the locking member 37 provided on the toner cartridge mounting section 24 is engaged with the recess 141 on the upper surface of the toner cartridge 1b by the biasing force of the spring member 38. As a result, the toner cartridge 1b is locked in place in the device body 10B.

[0121] When the user pushes the toner cartridge ejection button 34 in the Z direction, the protrusion 40 connected to the toner cartridge ejection button 34 enters the cavity 37a (between the dashed lines) provided in the locking member 37, against the biasing force of the spring member 39. As a result, the locking member 37 rises in the Y direction against the biasing force of the spring member 38, and the lower part of the locking member 37 comes out of the recess 141. Subsequently, the biasing force of the spring member 33 provided in the toner cartridge mounting section 24 pushes the toner cartridge 1b out in the -Z direction. The toner cartridge 1b remains in a state where it is not mounted in the device body 10B and is not locked.

[0122] Figure 24(c) is an enlarged view showing the state near the memory tag 106 when an incorrect toner cartridge 1b, which is not compatible, is inserted (installed) in the toner cartridge mounting section 24. As shown in Figure 24(c), the connector 35 interferes with the opening 134 of the memory tag cover 132 or the opening 148 of the substrate holder 145 on the memory tag 106, preventing it from fitting in. As a result, the memory tag substrate 143 and the connector 35 cannot be mated, and the memory tag 106 and the image forming apparatus 10 cannot communicate.

[0123] The specific floating configuration in this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 25(a) to 25(c). Figures 25(a) to 25(c) are enlarged views showing the vicinity of the memory tag unit 144 included in the memory tag 106 and the connector 35 fixed to the toner cartridge mounting section 24. Here, as shown in Figures 25(a) to 25(c), the memory tag unit 144 is configured to float so that it can follow the connector 35 fixed to the toner cartridge mounting section 24 within a predetermined range. That is, in this embodiment, the surface of the electrical contact 121 (cartridge contact surface) of the memory tag unit 144 has a normal direction that intersects (in this embodiment, is orthogonal, but is not limited to) the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1 to the device body 10B. Also, the direction in which each surface of the multiple electrical contacts 121 (each cartridge contact surface) aligns is also a direction that intersects (in this embodiment, is orthogonal, but is not limited to) the mounting direction. The alignment direction of these cartridge contact surfaces will differ if the toner cartridge 1 is of a different color.

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

[0125] Figure 25(b) shows the state where the supply container 101 and the toner cartridge mounting section 24 move away from each other, and the distance in the Z direction becomes D2 (>D). As the memory tag unit 144 moves in the Z direction inside the memory tag cover 132, the electrical contact 121 and the connector 35 make contact. This will be maintained.

[0126] Figure 25(c) shows the state where the replenishment container 101 is offset by a distance E in the Y direction relative to the toner cartridge mounting section 24. The movement of the memory tag unit 144 in the Y direction inside the memory tag cover 132 maintains contact between the electrical contact 121 and the connector 35.

[0127] Here, typical positional misalignments in the Z and Y directions have been illustrated, but it is desirable to have a floating configuration that can accommodate positional misalignments in other directions as well. Furthermore, although a floating configuration with freedom of position due to the movement of the memory tag unit 144 has been described here, a floating configuration in which the connector 35 has freedom of position relative to the toner cartridge mounting section 24 is also possible.

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

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

[0130] Furthermore, in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1bY to 1bK, the substrate holders 145 of the memory tags 106, which have the same configuration and shape, are attached to the toner cartridge 1b at different angles for each color. In other words, in the first to fourth toner cartridges 1bY to 1bK, the substrate holders 145 and memory tag covers 132 can be commonly used, both being molded from the same mold and having the same shape. Therefore, this is also effective in reducing the cost of manufacturing parts.

[0131] By positioning the substrate holder 145 perpendicular to the Z-direction, it is possible to make the memory tag space 150 on the rear surface of the toner cartridge 1 relatively smaller compared to the configuration of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, since the substrate holder 145 surrounds the memory tag 106, the protection of the memory tag 106 is enhanced.

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

[0133] The disclosure of embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Composition 1) In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, A device body comprising: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller for supplying toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller for supplying toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the second developing roller; A first toner cartridge having a first container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in a mounting direction that is along the first direction, for supplying toner to the first developing unit, The device comprises a second toner cartridge having a second container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in the mounting direction, and for supplying toner to the second developing unit, The first toner cartridge includes a first memory means including a first electrical circuit board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided, and a first mounting portion to which the first electrical circuit board is attached. The second toner cartridge includes a second memory means, which includes a second electrical circuit board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided, and a second mounting portion to which the second electrical circuit board is attached. The device body includes a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, which is provided with a first terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the first cartridge, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, which is provided with a second terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the second cartridge. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electrical circuit board has the same shape as the second electrical circuit board, the first mounting portion has the same shape as the second mounting portion, and the angle at which the first electrical circuit board is mounted relative to the first mounting portion is different from the angle at which the second electrical circuit board is mounted relative to the second mounting portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Configuration 2) The normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electrical circuit board and the normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electrical circuit board are both directions that intersect with the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 3) The normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electrical circuit board and the normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electrical circuit board are both the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 4) The first discharge port provided in the first container for discharging toner from the first container in order to replenish toner in the first toner storage section of the first developing unit, and the second discharge port provided in the second container for discharging toner from the second container in order to replenish toner in the second toner storage section of the second developing unit, are open in a direction intersecting the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2 or 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 5) The device body comprises a first drive member and a second drive member, The first toner cartridge includes a first transport member for transporting toner within the first container toward the first discharge port, and a first drive force receiving member that engages with the first drive member to receive a driving force from the first drive member for driving the first transport member, and the first drive force receiving member rotates about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, The second toner cartridge includes a second transport member for transporting toner inside the second container toward the second discharge port, and a second drive force receiving member that engages with the second drive member to receive a driving force from the second drive member for driving the second transport member, and the second drive force receiving member rotates about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the first electrical substrate is positioned above the first outlet and below the first axis of rotation. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, at least a portion of the second electrical substrate is positioned above the second outlet and below the second rotation axis. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that... (Composition 6) When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first electrical substrate is positioned above the first discharge port. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the second electrical circuit board is positioned above the second discharge port. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4 or 5, characterized by the above. (Composition 7) In the aforementioned mounting direction, the first electrical substrate is provided downstream of the first discharge port. In the aforementioned mounting direction, the second electrical substrate is provided downstream of the second discharge port. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the configurations 4 to 6 characterized by the above. (Composition 8) The first toner cartridge is provided so as to surround the first cartridge contact surface of the first electrical circuit board when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, and has a first contact holder located downstream in the mounting direction. The second toner cartridge is provided so as to surround the second cartridge contact surface of the second electrical circuit board when viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, and has a second contact holder located downstream in the mounting direction. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the first contact holder has the same shape as the second contact holder, and the angle at which the first contact holder is attached to the first mounting portion is different from the angle at which the second contact holder is attached to the second mounting portion. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the configurations 1 to 7 characterized by the above. (Composition 9) The first mounting portion has a first terminal holder provided so as to surround the first terminal when viewed in the mounting direction, The second mounting portion has a second terminal holder provided so as to surround the second terminal when viewed in the mounting direction, When the first toner cartridge is moved in the mounting direction in the second mounting section, the first contact holder of the first toner cartridge is configured to interfere with the second terminal holder, preventing the first toner cartridge from being mounted in the second mounting section. When the second toner cartridge is moved in the mounting direction within the first mounting section, the second contact holder of the second toner cartridge interferes with the first terminal holder, preventing the second toner cartridge from being mounted in the first mounting section. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, characterized by the above. (Composition 10) The first mounting portion is, A first biasing member that biases the first toner cartridge, which is in the first mounting position in the first mounting portion, toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, A first restricting member that can take a first restricting position that restricts the first toner cartridge, which is in the first mounting position, from moving upstream in the mounting direction, and a first unrestricted position that does not restrict it, It has, The second mounting portion is, A second biasing member that biases the second toner cartridge, which is located at the second mounting position in the second mounting portion, toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, A second restricting member that can take a second restricting position that restricts the second toner cartridge, which is in the second mounting position, from moving upstream in the mounting direction, and a second unrestricted position that does not restrict it, It has, The first toner cartridge is configured such that it cannot reach the second mounting position due to interference between the first contact holder and the second terminal holder in the second mounting portion. The second toner cartridge is configured such that it cannot reach the first mounting position due to interference between the second contact holder and the first terminal holder in the first mounting portion. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described therein. (Composition 11) The first restricting member is configured such that it cannot move to the first restricting position when the second toner cartridge is in the first mounting section. The second restricting member is configured such that it cannot move to the second restricting position when the first toner cartridge is in the second mounting section. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 10, characterized in that... (Composition 12) The first contact holder has a first positioning portion and a first rotation restricting portion, The first mounting portion includes a first positioning portion that engages with the first positioned portion, and a first rotation restricting portion that engages with the first rotation restricting portion to restrict the rotation of the first contact holder relative to the first mounting portion about a first rotation axis passing through the first positioning portion and along the mounting direction, The first rotation restricting section is arranged in a plurality on a virtual circle centered on the first rotation axis, The first rotation-restricting portion is configured to be selectively engaged with one of the plurality of first rotation-restricting portions. The mounting angle of the first electrical substrate with respect to the first mounting portion is determined by the engagement of the first positioning portion of the first contact holder with the first positioning portion of the first mounting portion, and the engagement of the first rotation restricting portion of the first contact holder with one of the plurality of first rotation restricting portions of the first mounting portion. The second contact holder has a second positioning portion and a second rotation restricting portion, The second mounting portion includes a second positioning portion that engages with the second positioned portion, and a second rotation restricting portion that engages with the second rotation restricting portion to restrict the rotation of the second contact holder relative to the second mounting portion about a second rotation axis that passes through the second positioning portion and is along the mounting direction. The second rotation restricting section is arranged in a plurality on an arc centered on the second rotation axis, The second rotation-restricting portion is configured to be selectively engaged with one of the plurality of first rotation-restricting portions. The mounting angle of the second electrical substrate with respect to the second mounting portion is determined by the engagement of the second positioning portion of the second contact holder with the second positioning portion of the second mounting portion, and the engagement of the second rotation restricting portion of the second contact holder with one of the plurality of second rotation restricting portions of the second mounting portion. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the configurations 8 to 11 characterized by the above. (Composition 13) Multiple first cartridge contact surfaces are provided, The plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces include a contact surface for transmitting a power supply voltage to the first memory means, a contact surface for transmitting a clock signal to the first memory means, a contact surface for transmitting data to the first memory means, and a contact surface for installing the first memory means. The elements are included in this order so as to be aligned in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first axis of rotation extends, Multiple second cartridge contact surfaces are provided, The plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second rotation axis extends, and include, in this order, contact surfaces for transmitting power supply voltage to the second memory means, contact surfaces for transmitting clock signals to the second memory means, contact surfaces for transmitting data to the second memory means, and contact surfaces for installing the second memory means, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second rotation axis extends. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the configurations 1 to 12 characterized by the above. (Composition 14) In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, A device body comprising: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller for supplying toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller for supplying toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the second developing roller; A first toner cartridge having a first container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in a mounting direction that is along the first direction, for supplying toner to the first developing unit, The device comprises a second toner cartridge having a second container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in the mounting direction, and for supplying toner to the second developing unit, The first toner cartridge includes a first memory means, which includes a first electrical circuit board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided. The second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electrical circuit board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided. The device body includes a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, which is provided with a first terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the first cartridge, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, which is provided with a second terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the second cartridge. The normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electrical circuit board and the normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electrical circuit board both intersect the mounting direction and are different from each other. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 15) In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, A device body comprising: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller for supplying toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller for supplying toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the second developing roller; A first toner cartridge having a first container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in a mounting direction that is along the first direction, for supplying toner to the first developing unit, The device comprises a second toner cartridge having a second container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in the mounting direction, and for supplying toner to the second developing unit, The first toner cartridge is provided with a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces and front The first memory means includes a first electrical circuit board whose normal direction to the first cartridge contact surface is the mounting direction, The second toner cartridge has a second memory means including a second electrical circuit board provided with a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces, wherein the normal direction of the second cartridge contact surfaces is the mounting direction. The device body includes a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, which is provided with a first terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the first cartridge, and a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, which is provided with a second terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the second cartridge. When viewed in a direction parallel to the aforementioned mounting direction, the direction in which the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned is different from the direction in which the plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 16) In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, A device body comprising: a first photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a second photosensitive drum whose first direction is the longitudinal direction; a first developing unit having a first developing roller for supplying toner to the first photosensitive drum and a first toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the first developing roller; and a second developing unit having a second developing roller for supplying toner to the second photosensitive drum and a second toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the second developing roller; A first toner cartridge having a first container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in a mounting direction that is along the first direction, for supplying toner to the first developing unit, The device comprises a second toner cartridge having a second container for containing toner, which can be mounted on the main body of the device in the mounting direction, and for supplying toner to the second developing unit, The first toner cartridge includes a first memory means including a first electrical circuit board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided, a first stirring member for stirring toner inside the first container, and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force to drive the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the mounting direction, The second toner cartridge includes a second memory means including a second electrical circuit board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided, a second stirring member for stirring toner inside the second container, and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force to drive the second stirring member, the driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the mounting direction. The device body includes: a first mounting portion for mounting the first toner cartridge, which is provided with a first terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the first cartridge; a second mounting portion for mounting the second toner cartridge, which is provided with a second terminal that electrically contacts the contact surface of the second cartridge; a first drive member that engages with the first drive force receiving member to transmit drive force to the first drive force receiving member; and a second drive member that engages with the second drive force receiving member to transmit drive force to the second drive force receiving member. When viewed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction, the coordinates of the first electrical substrate in a two-dimensional first coordinate system, which is composed of the first rotation axis as the origin, a first imaginary line passing through the first rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a second imaginary line passing through the first rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, and the coordinates of the second electrical substrate in a two-dimensional second coordinate system, which is composed of the second rotation axis as the origin, a third imaginary line passing through the second rotation axis and extending horizontally, and a fourth imaginary line passing through the second rotation axis and extending in the direction of gravity, are as follows: When the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are superimposed so that their respective origins coincide, there are regions that are different from each other. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 17) In the cartridge set, The first toner cartridge, A first container for containing a first toner, wherein the first direction is the longitudinal direction, and the first container is provided with a first outlet that opens in a direction intersecting the first direction and for discharging the first toner from the first container, A first memory means provided on a first mounting portion on the end face in the first direction of the first container, the first memory means including a first electrical circuit board on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided, A first toner cartridge equipped with, The second toner cartridge, A second container for containing a second toner of a different color from the first toner, wherein the second direction is the longitudinal direction, the second container has an opening in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is provided with a second discharge port for discharging the second toner from the second container, A second memory means provided on a second mounting portion on the end face of the second container in the second direction, the second memory means including a second electrical circuit board on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided, A second toner cartridge equipped with, Equipped with, The first mounting portion and the first electrical circuit board, when viewed in the first direction, have the same shape as the second mounting portion and the second electrical circuit board when viewed in the second direction. The mounting angle of the first electrical circuit board relative to the first mounting portion when viewed in the first direction is different from the mounting angle of the second electrical circuit board relative to the second mounting portion when viewed in the second direction. A cartridge set characterized by the following features. (Composition 18) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge that is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus, A first container for containing a first toner, wherein the first direction is the longitudinal direction, and the first container is provided with a first outlet that opens in a direction intersecting the first direction and for discharging the first toner from the first container, A first memory means including a first electrical substrate provided on the first end face which is the end face in the first direction of the first container, and on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided, A first toner cartridge equipped with, A second toner cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device, A second container for containing a second toner of a different color from the first toner, wherein the second direction is the longitudinal direction, the second container has an opening in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is provided with a second discharge port for discharging the second toner from the second container, A second memory means including a second electrical substrate provided on the second end face, which is the end face in the second direction of the second container, and on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided, A second toner cartridge equipped with, Equipped with, With the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge mounted in the device body such that the first direction and the second direction are parallel, the normal direction of the first cartridge contact surface of the first electrical circuit board and the normal direction of the second cartridge contact surface of the second electrical circuit board both intersect with the first direction and the second direction and are different from each other. A cartridge set characterized by the following features. (Composition 19) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge that is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus, A first container for containing a first toner, wherein the first direction is the longitudinal direction, and the first container is provided with a first outlet that opens in a direction intersecting the first direction and for discharging the first toner from the first container, A first memory means including a first electrical substrate provided on the first end face which is the end face in the first direction of the first container, and having a plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces, A first toner cartridge equipped with, A second toner cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device, A second container for containing a second toner of a different color from the first toner, wherein the second direction is the longitudinal direction, the second container has an opening in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is provided with a second discharge port for discharging the second toner from the second container, A second memory means including a second electrical substrate provided on the second end face, which is the end face in the second direction of the second container, and having a plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces, A second toner cartridge equipped with, Equipped with, When the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are mounted in the device body such that the first direction and the second direction are parallel, the direction in which the plurality of first cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the first direction is different from the direction in which the plurality of second cartridge contact surfaces are aligned when viewed in the second direction. A cartridge set characterized by the following features. (Composition 20) In the cartridge set, A first toner cartridge that is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus, A first container for containing a first toner, wherein the first direction is the longitudinal direction, and the first container is provided with a first outlet that opens in a direction intersecting the first direction and for discharging the first toner from the first container, A first memory means including a first electrical substrate provided on the first end face which is the end face in the first direction of the first container, and on which a first cartridge contact surface is provided, A first stirring member for stirring toner inside the first container, and a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force to drive the first stirring member, the first driving force receiving member rotating about a first rotation axis extending in the first direction, A first toner cartridge equipped with, A second toner cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device, A second container for containing a second toner of a different color from the first toner, wherein the second direction is the longitudinal direction, the second container has an opening in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is provided with a second discharge port for discharging the second toner from the second container, A second memory means including a second electrical substrate provided on the second end face, which is the end face in the second direction of the second container, and on which a second cartridge contact surface is provided, A second stirring member for stirring toner inside the second container, and a second driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force to drive the second stirring member, the second driving force receiving member rotating about a second rotation axis extending in the second direction, A second toner cartridge equipped with, Equipped with, With the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge mounted in the main body of the device such that the first direction and the second direction are parallel, When viewed in the first direction, the first rotation axis is the origin, and a first imaginary line extends horizontally through the first rotation axis, and a second imaginary line extends in the direction of gravity through the first rotation axis. The coordinates of the first electrical substrate in a two-dimensional first coordinate system composed of two imaginary lines, and the coordinates of the second electrical substrate in a two-dimensional second coordinate system composed of a third imaginary line extending horizontally through the second rotation axis and a fourth imaginary line extending in the direction of gravity through the second rotation axis, when viewed in the second direction, the first and second coordinate systems have different regions when their respective origins are superimposed. A cartridge set characterized by the following features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 10…Image forming apparatus, 10B…Apparatus body, 1…Toner cartridge, 24…Toner cartridge mounting section, 26…Main body side contact, 101…Refill container, 102…Front cover, 103…Locking member, 105…Coupling, 106…Memory tag, 107…Toner discharge section, 120, 143…Memory tag substrate, 121…Electrical contact, 122…Printed circuit board, 123…Processing circuit, 130, 145…Substrate holder, 131, 144…Memory tag unit, 132…Memory tag cover, 135, 150…Memory tag space

Claims

1. In an image forming apparatus, the apparatus body is equipped with a first toner supply container filled with a first toner and a second toner supply container filled with a second toner, which are detachable from each other. The first mounting portion is configured such that the first toner supply container is mounted with a second direction intersecting the first direction, which is the direction of gravity, A first toner storage unit configured to receive the first toner supplied from the first toner supply container, The second toner supply container is configured to be mounted with the second direction as the mounting direction, A second toner storage unit configured to receive the second toner supplied from the second toner supply container, Equipped with, The first mounting portion includes a plurality of first terminals that can contact a plurality of first electrical contacts of a first memory provided in the first toner supply container, and a first driving member configured to rotate a first driving force receiving portion provided in the first toner supply container in order to transport the first toner in the first toner supply container, The second mounting portion includes a plurality of second terminals that can contact a plurality of second electrical contacts of a second memory provided in the second toner supply container, and a second drive member configured to rotate a second drive force receiving portion provided in the second toner supply container in order to transport the second toner in the second toner supply container. With the first toner supply container mounted on the first mounting portion, the plurality of first terminals each contact a plurality of first electrical contacts of the first memory, the normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of first electrical contacts is the second direction, and the first drive member is configured to engage with the first drive force receiving portion. With the second toner supply container mounted on the second mounting portion, the plurality of second terminals each contact a plurality of second electrical contacts of the second memory, the normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of second electrical contacts is the second direction, and the second drive member is configured to engage with the second drive force receiving portion. The first drive member is arranged such that the rotation axis direction of the first drive member is in the second direction. Placed, The second drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the second drive member is the second direction. When the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are viewed in the second direction, If we define the first imaginary line as the straight line passing through the first rotation center of the first drive member and extending in the first direction, and the second imaginary line as the straight line passing through the second rotation center of the second drive member and extending in the first direction, then, The main body of an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of first terminals align with respect to the first virtual line and the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of second terminals align with respect to the second virtual line are different from each other.

2. When viewing the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion in the second direction, With the first rotation center as the first origin, a two-dimensional first coordinate system is formed by the first imaginary line and a third imaginary line extending in a third direction which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction and passes through the first rotation center. The entire set of coordinates of the plurality of first terminals in the first coordinate system is defined as the first terminal coordinates. With the second rotation center as the second origin, a two-dimensional second coordinate system is formed, consisting of the second imaginary line and a fourth imaginary line passing through the second rotation center and extending in the third direction. If we define the entire set of coordinates of the plurality of second terminals in the second coordinate system as the second terminal coordinates, The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are superimposed such that the first origin and the second origin coincide, the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are arranged such that the first terminal coordinates do not perfectly coincide with the second terminal coordinates, regardless of the rotation phase of the first coordinate system with respect to the second coordinate system around the first origin.

3. A first receiving port for receiving the first toner supplied from the first toner supply container is provided in the first mounting portion. When viewing the first mounting portion in the second direction, The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of first terminals are provided above the first receiving port.

4. When the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are viewed in the second direction, In the first direction, the first rotation center of the first drive member and the plurality of first terminals are in different positions. The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the first direction, the second rotation center of the second drive member and the plurality of second terminals are in different positions.

5. An image forming apparatus, A first toner supply container having a first memory including a plurality of first electrical contacts, and a first drive force receiving section configured to receive a driving force for transporting the first toner and filled with the first toner, A second toner supply container having a second memory including a plurality of second electrical contacts, and a second drive force receiving section configured to receive a driving force for transporting the second toner filled with the second toner, The main body of the device, The first toner supply container is mounted with a first mounting portion mounted in a second direction that intersects the first direction which is the direction of gravity, A first toner storage section that receives the first toner supplied from the first toner supply container, The second toner supply container is mounted in the second mounting section with the second direction as the mounting direction, A second toner storage section that receives the second toner supplied from the second toner supply container, The device includes a main body equipped with, The normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of first electrical contacts and the normal direction of each contact surface of the plurality of second electrical contacts are both the second direction. The first mounting portion includes a plurality of first terminals that contact the plurality of first electrical contacts, and a first driving member that rotates the first driving force receiving portion. The second mounting portion includes a plurality of second terminals that contact the plurality of second electrical contacts, and a second driving member that rotates the second driving force receiving portion. Each of the plurality of first electrical contacts contacts the plurality of first terminals, and the first driving force receiving portion engages with the first driving member. Each of the plurality of second electrical contacts contacts the plurality of second terminals, and the second driving force receiving portion engages with the second driving member. The first drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the first drive member is the second direction. The second drive member is arranged such that the direction of the rotation axis of the second drive member is the second direction. When the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, the first toner supply container, and the second toner supply container are viewed in the second direction, If we define the first imaginary line as the straight line passing through the first rotation center of the first drive member and extending in the first direction, and the second imaginary line as the straight line passing through the second rotation center of the second drive member and extending in the first direction, then, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of first electrical contacts align with respect to the first virtual line and the angle formed by the direction in which the plurality of second electrical contacts align with respect to the second virtual line are different from each other.

6. With the first rotation center as the first origin, a two-dimensional first coordinate system is formed by the first imaginary line and a third imaginary line extending in a third direction which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction and passes through the first rotation center. The entire set of coordinates of the plurality of first electrical contacts in the first coordinate system is defined as the first electrical contact coordinates. With the second rotation center as the second origin, a two-dimensional second coordinate system is formed, consisting of the second imaginary line and a fourth imaginary line passing through the second rotation center and extending in the third direction. If we define the entire set of coordinates of the plurality of second electrical contacts in the second coordinate system as the second electrical contact coordinates, When the first toner supply container is mounted on the first mounting part and the second toner supply container is mounted on the second mounting part, and the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are superimposed such that the first origin and the second origin coincide, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of first electrical contacts and the plurality of second electrical contacts are arranged such that the first electrical contact coordinates do not perfectly coincide with the second electrical contact coordinates, regardless of the rotation phase of the first coordinate system with respect to the second coordinate system around the first origin.

7. The first toner supply container is provided with a first discharge port for discharging the first toner to the outside of the first toner supply container. The first memory has a first electrical circuit board on which the plurality of first electrical contacts are provided, When the first toner supply container mounted on the first mounting portion is viewed in the second direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the first electrical substrate is provided above the first discharge port.

8. When the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are viewed in the second direction, In the first direction, the first rotation center of the first drive member and the plurality of first terminals are in different positions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the first direction, the second rotation center of the second drive member and the plurality of second terminals are in different positions.

9. The first mounting portion has a first terminal holder that holds the plurality of first terminals, and the second mounting portion has a second terminal holder that holds the plurality of second terminals. The first terminal holder and the second terminal holder are fixed to the main body of the device. The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the second direction, a part of the first terminal holder is located upstream of the downstream end of the plurality of first terminals, and a part of the second terminal holder is located upstream of the downstream end of the plurality of second terminals.

10. The first mounting portion has a first terminal holder that holds the plurality of first terminals, and the second mounting portion has a second terminal holder that holds the plurality of second terminals. The first terminal holder and the second terminal holder are fixed to the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the second direction, a part of the first terminal holder is located upstream of the downstream end of the plurality of first terminals, and a part of the second terminal holder is located upstream of the downstream end of the plurality of second terminals.

11. A first receiving port for receiving the first toner supplied from the first toner supply container is provided in the first mounting portion. A second receiving port for receiving the second toner supplied from the second toner supply container is provided in the second mounting portion. With the first toner supply container attached to the first mounting portion of the device body, in the second direction, the first receiving port is positioned closer to the downstream end face in the second direction than to the upstream end face in the second direction of the first toner supply container. The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the second toner supply container is attached to the second mounting portion of the apparatus body, the second receiving port is positioned closer to the downstream end face in the second direction than to the upstream end face in the second direction of the second toner supply container in the second direction.

12. A first discharge port for discharging the first toner to the outside of the first toner supply container is provided in the first toner supply container. A second outlet for discharging the second toner to the outside of the second toner supply container is provided in the second toner supply container. In the second direction, the first discharge port is positioned closer to the downstream end face in the second direction than to the upstream end face in the second direction of the first toner supply container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the second direction, the second discharge port is positioned closer to the downstream end face in the second direction than to the upstream end face in the second direction of the second toner supply container.

13. The first mounting portion has a first wall portion provided near the plurality of first terminals and extending along the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned and projecting in the opposite direction to the second direction, and a second wall portion provided near the plurality of first terminals and extending along a direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned and projecting in the opposite direction to the second direction, The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the first wall portion in the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned is longer than the length of the second wall portion in the direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned.

14. The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the plurality of first terminals consist of four first terminals, and the plurality of first electrical contacts consist of four first electrical contacts.

15. The first mounting portion has a first wall portion provided near the plurality of first terminals and extending along the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned and projecting in the opposite direction to the second direction, and a second wall portion provided near the plurality of first terminals and extending along a direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned and projecting in the opposite direction to the second direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the length of the first wall portion in the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned is longer than the length of the second wall portion in the direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of first terminals are aligned.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the plurality of first terminals consist of four first terminals, and the plurality of first electrical contacts consist of four first electrical contacts.

17. The second mounting portion has a third wall portion provided near the plurality of second terminals and extending along the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned and projecting in the direction opposite to the second direction, and a fourth wall portion provided near the plurality of second terminals and extending along a direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned and projecting in the direction opposite to the second direction, The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the length of the third wall portion in the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned is longer than the length of the fourth wall portion in the direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned.

18. The apparatus body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the plurality of second terminals consist of four second terminals, and the plurality of second electrical contacts consist of four second electrical contacts.

19. The second mounting portion has a third wall portion provided near the plurality of second terminals and extending along the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned and projecting in the direction opposite to the second direction, and a fourth wall portion provided near the plurality of second terminals and extending along a direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned and projecting in the direction opposite to the second direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the length of the third wall portion in the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned is longer than the length of the fourth wall portion in the direction intersecting the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are aligned.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the plurality of second terminals consist of four second terminals, and the plurality of second electrical contacts consist of four second electrical contacts.

Images