JP2006053581A - Image forming apparatus and its cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which has small-sized and simple constitution and can discriminates the kind of a number of cartridges. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming apparatus main body, a cartridge which is freely attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and a discrimination means for discriminating the suitability between the cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the discrimination means includes a first discrimination means provided with an electric key between a plurality of slit pores or recessed parts and a second discrimination means provided with a mechanical key composed of recessed and protruded parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine of these, and more particularly to a technology for identifying a cartridge that is detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is widely known that some components of an image forming apparatus are made into cartridges so that they can be easily replaced, used, or used. For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image carrier, a charger, a developing device, a cleaning body, etc. are integrated into a cartridge to form a cartridge or only powder toner is made into a cartridge. Uses these cartridges.

  By the way, in order to guarantee the image quality and life of the image forming apparatus, it is desirable to use a cartridge that has a structure and standards that are compatible with the image forming apparatus main body, that is, a so-called genuine product.

  On the other hand, there are actually so-called third party cartridges on the market that are compatible with such genuine cartridges. Third-party cartridges do not necessarily conform to the structure and standards of the main body of the image forming apparatus. In some cases, the desired image quality and life cannot be achieved, and the profits of users and manufacturers may be impaired. is there.

  Therefore, conventionally, a technique for identifying the compatibility between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-152307 proposes a technique for electrically identifying the type of cartridge by turning on / off a switch. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-185311 proposes a technique for identifying the type of cartridge by a concavo-convex pattern. With these techniques, the type of cartridge is identified, and even if an incompatible cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  However, in order to determine the suitability of many cartridges by applying these techniques, there is a problem that an electrical circuit becomes complicated or a concavo-convex pattern becomes large. On the other hand, in recent years, manufacturing of image forming apparatuses by OEM (original equipment manufacturing method) is prosperous. However, there is a request from an original manufacturer that the cartridge between the original manufacturers is not compatible. The types of cartridges to be increased are increasing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of identifying many types of cartridges with a small and simple configuration.

  That is, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; a cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body; and an identification unit that identifies whether the cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body are appropriate. The identification means includes a first identification means having an electric electric key between a plurality of slit hole shapes or recesses, and a second identification means having a mechanical key having a concavo-convex portion. (Claim 1).

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 schematically illustrate examples of identification methods between the first identification unit and the second identification unit, respectively. In these drawings, a portion indicated by a right oblique line indicates a fitting portion, and a portion indicated by a left oblique line indicates a fitting portion.

  FIGS. 1A and 1C show the state before the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and FIGS. 1B and 1D both show the cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The attached state (mounted state) is shown. FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example in which the fitting portion provided on the cartridge side and the to-be-fitted portion provided on the image forming apparatus main body side are two-dimensionally configured. c) (d) shows an example in which the fitting portion and the fitted portion are both uneven.

  In FIG. 1A, there are five positions on the cartridge side where fitting portions can be provided. In this case, the fitting portion is provided at the second position from the left. Further, there are five positions where the fitted portion can be provided on the image forming apparatus main body side. In this case, the fitted portion is provided at the second position from the left. When the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, as shown in FIG. 1B, it can be seen that the positional relationship between the fitting portion and the portion to be fitted is equal.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 1C, the cartridge side has five positions where fitting portions can be provided, and in this case, the fitting portion is provided at the fourth position from the left. Further, a fitting portion is provided at the second position from the left on the image forming apparatus main body side. When the cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1C, the positional relationship between the fitting portion and the fitting portion is different (position where the fitting portion and the fitting portion are provided). Is shifted by two).

  A 1st identification means prescribes | regulates the positional relationship in the fitting surface of such a fitting part and a to-be-fitted part. It should be noted that either the case of considering only one mating surface (see FIG. 1B) or the case of thinking about two (see FIG. 1C) may be used.

  2A to 2D show a state where the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and FIGS. 2A and 2B show the fitting portion and the image provided on the cartridge side. FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D show examples in which the mating portion provided on the forming apparatus main body side is configured in a planar manner, and both the mating portion and the mating portion are configured to be uneven. An example is shown.

  FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) both show a mode in which the positional relationship on the fitting surface between the fitting portion and the fitted portion is the same by the first identification means, but FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). ) Differ in the positional relationship in the fitting direction between the fitting portion and the portion to be fitted. That is, in FIG. 2A, it can be seen that the fitting portion and the portion to be fitted are in contact with each other, whereas in FIG.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 2 (c) and 2 (d) show a mode in which the positional relationship on the fitting surface between the fitting portion and the fitted portion is different depending on the first identification means. (D) differs in the positional relationship in the fitting direction of a fitting part and a to-be-fitted part. That is, in FIG. 2C, the positional relationship between the fitting portion and the fitted portion is relatively close to the fitting direction, whereas in FIG. 2D, it is relatively far.

  The second discriminating means defines the positional relationship between the fitting part and the fitted part in the fitting direction.

  In the present invention, a number of types of cartridges can be identified with a small and simple configuration by the action of the first and second identifying means. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, there are five types of image forming apparatus main body based on the coincidence or non-coincidence of the positional relationship between the fitting portion and the fitting portion (by the first identification unit). Only one matching cartridge can be identified from among the cartridges. On the other hand, when the second identification unit is provided in addition to the first identification unit, the positional relationship between the mating part and the mating part matches or does not match, and the positional relation in the mating direction is based on the perspective. Thus, it is possible to identify one cartridge that matches the image forming apparatus main body from among the ten types of cartridges.

  That is, the number of states of the positional relationship on the fitting surface between the fitting part and the fitted part defined by the first identifying means is N [pieces], and the fitting part and the fitted part defined by the second identifying means are One state in which the number of positional relations in the fitting direction is M [pieces] and the cartridge image forming apparatus main body fits out of a total of N × M [pieces] (fitting between the fitting portion and the fitting portion) Status).

  This also means that the number of process cartridges to be recognized increases and the need to reassemble the electrical circuit is reduced. In this example, the number of states of the positional relationship on the mating surface is five and the number of states of the positional relationship in the mating direction is two.

  There is no particular limitation on the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. For example, the image forming method can be applied to various types of image forming apparatuses such as an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a thermal transfer ribbon method, and the types of the image forming devices include printers, facsimiles, copiers, and the like. The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine.

  Further, there is no particular limitation on such a cartridge that can be mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an ink jet image forming apparatus such as a toner cartridge in which powder toner is filled, a process cartridge in which functional parts around the image carrier are partly or entirely integrated, etc. In the thermal transfer ribbon type image forming apparatus, such as an ink cartridge in which liquid ink is filled, a cartridge integrated with an ink head as well as an ink, a ribbon cartridge in which a ribbon is accommodated may be cited. it can.

  The characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge characteristics include, for example, the image forming apparatus main body in addition to technical characteristics such as the type of toner filled in the cartridge and the type of developing device of the image forming apparatus main body. Even if the technical characteristics of the cartridge are the same, for example, commercial characteristics such as differences in OEM suppliers are also included.

  As an aspect of the first identification unit of such an image forming apparatus, the first identification unit includes a plurality of first recesses provided on the image forming apparatus main body side and the image among the plurality of first recesses. A switch button provided in one first recess according to the characteristics of the forming apparatus main body, and one of the plurality of first recesses provided on the cartridge side according to the characteristics of the cartridge. The first concave portion and the first convex portion that can be fitted may be included (claim 2). Although it is possible to provide a switch button on the cartridge side, it is preferable to provide a switch button on the image forming apparatus side in order to increase the complexity and cost of the cartridge structure.

  FIG. 3 explains one aspect of the first identification means. FIG. 3A shows a state before the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3B shows a state where the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus from the state shown in FIG. Then, the first convex portion according to the characteristics of the cartridge is engaged with one first concave portion according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body, and the first convex portion is pressing the switch button in the first concave portion. is there. That is, when the switch button is pressed, it can be identified that the characteristics of the cartridge and the image forming apparatus match each other.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3C shows a state in which the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus as in FIG. 3B, but the first convex portion corresponding to the characteristics of the cartridge is the characteristic of the image forming apparatus main body. In this state, the first convex portion does not press the switch button. That is, it is possible to identify that the characteristics of the cartridge and the image forming apparatus do not match each other because the switch button is not pressed. Further, even when the switch is not pressed as described above, the first convex portion is fitted into another first concave portion, so there is no possibility that the first convex portion may be broken due to excessive force during mounting or damage the cartridge or the image forming apparatus. .

  Further, on the premise of such a first concave portion and a first convex portion, the first concave portion is a slit hole that is long in the attaching / detaching direction of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge, and the first convex portion is connected to the image forming apparatus main body. It may be a projection that is long in the direction of attachment to and detachment from the cartridge.

  By configuring the image forming apparatus in this way, the first convex portion and the first concave portion can be easily fitted together with the attaching / detaching operation of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge. Furthermore, the first convex portion and the first concave portion are less likely to be damaged during attachment / detachment.

  In the present invention, the second identifying means is provided on the image forming apparatus main body side according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body, and on the cartridge side according to the characteristics of the cartridge. The cartridge-side second uneven portion may be configured so that the second uneven portion is fitted when at least the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge match. ).

  The image forming apparatus main body defines the positional relationship in the fitting direction between the fitting portion and the fitted portion depending on whether or not the main body side uneven portion and the cartridge side second uneven portion are fitted. And the suitability of the cartridge can be identified.

  Note that, when at least the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge match, both the second uneven portions are fitted. When both the characteristics do not match, both the second uneven portions are fitted. Means that there can be. Even in such a case, it is possible to identify the suitability between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge by the above-described first identifying means.

  Based on such second identification means, the main body side second uneven portion may be configured to be retractable in the uneven direction with respect to the cartridge and biased toward the cartridge. 5).

  By configuring the image forming apparatus in this way, even if the main body side second uneven portion and the cartridge side second uneven portion do not fit together, the main body side second uneven portion resists the urging force and the image forming apparatus main body side. Therefore, the second uneven portions are not subjected to excessive force, and there is no possibility of damaging both the uneven portions, the cartridge, and the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, when the main body side second uneven portion and the cartridge side second uneven portion are engaged, it is easier to engage with the aid of the urging force, and it is difficult to come off if the one end is engaged.

  Furthermore, on the premise of such second identification means, the plurality of first concave portions and the main body side second concave and convex portions may be configured integrally (Claim 6).

  By configuring the image forming apparatus in this way, when the first concave portion and the first convex portion are further fitted, it is easier to fit with the aid of the urging force, and it is difficult to come off once fitted.

  The present invention is also a cartridge of an image forming apparatus mounted on these image forming apparatuses.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of identifying many types of cartridges with a small and simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described based on examples with appropriate reference to the drawings.

Embodiment FIG. 4 illustrates the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This image forming apparatus is roughly divided into an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “main body”) 1 and a process cartridge (hereinafter simply referred to as “cartridge”) that is detachable from the main body 1. 2). The image forming apparatus main body 1 includes a sheet tray 101, a pickup roll 102, transport rolls 104 and 108a to c, a registration roll 105, a transfer roll 106, a fixing unit 107, a ROS unit 109, and the like.

  An image forming operation of this image forming apparatus will be briefly described. Based on an image forming signal transmitted from a personal computer or the like outside the image forming apparatus, the ROS unit 109 writes a latent image on the photosensitive drum in the process cartridge 2, and the latent image is visualized with toner. The image is held on the photosensitive drum and rotated to a position (transfer position) facing the transfer roll 106. On the other hand, the recording sheets are taken out one by one from the sheet tray 101 by the pickup roll 102 and conveyed to the registration roll 105 by the conveyance roll 104. The registration roll 105 rotates at the timing when the toner image on the photosensitive drum reaches the transfer position, and conveys the recording sheet to the transfer position.

  At the transfer position, the toner image is electrostatically transferred from the photosensitive drum to the recording sheet. The recording sheet holding the toner image transferred to the surface passes through the fixing unit 107. In the fixing unit 107, the toner image is fixed on the recording sheet by the action of heat and pressure when passing through the nip between the heating roll and the pressure roll, and becomes a permanent image. Thereafter, the recording sheet is conveyed by the conveying rolls 108a to 108c and discharged from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an attaching / detaching operation between the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2. In the figure, the image forming apparatus main body 1 shows only its skeleton portion 1 ′. The image forming apparatus main body 1 (frame portion 1 ′) includes a side guide 110 and an upper guide 120 for mounting the cartridge 2 at a predetermined position of the main body 1. In addition, the main body 1 (frame portion 1 ′) and the cartridge 2 have a main body side identification unit 31 and a cartridge side identification unit 32, respectively, in order to identify their suitability. The main body side identification unit 31 and the cartridge side identification unit 32 are provided at positions facing each other in the mounted state. In the figure, an arrow A indicates the mounting direction of the cartridge 2, and an arrow B in the figure indicates the direction in which the cartridge 2 is detached.

Figure 6 shows a main body 1 as seen from the arrow V ₁ direction in FIG 5. 7 illustrates the main body side identification unit 31 in more detail. FIG. 7A illustrates one side of the main body side identification unit 31, FIG. 7B illustrates the upper part thereof, and FIG. FIG. 7 (c) shows one side section, FIG. 7 (d) shows the other side section, and FIG. 7 (e) shows the other side section. Based on these FIG.6 and FIG.7, the structure of the main body side identification part 31 is demonstrated in detail.

  The main body side identification unit 31 includes a holder 310, holder springs 315a and 315b that are fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1 at one end and holder shafts 314a and 314b that are fixed to both ends of the holder 310, and a holder shaft 314a. , B is configured by holder bearings 313a, b. Further, the holder 310 has, as second identification means, a pattern main body side second uneven portions 312a and 312b corresponding to characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1, a plurality of first concave portions 311 as first identification means, and a plurality of them. An actuator (switch button, engaged portion) 316 provided at a position corresponding to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and an electrical switch 317 that is turned on when the actuator 316 is pressed. is doing. The plurality of first recesses 311 have a slit hole shape that is long in the direction in which the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 are attached and detached (see arrow AB in FIG. 5).

  Here, the holder 310 is retractable from the cartridge side to the image forming apparatus main body side along the holder bearings 313a and 313b. An arrow C in FIG. 7 indicates the retracting direction of the holder 310. The holder 310 is biased from the image forming apparatus main body side to the cartridge side by the action of the holder springs 315a and 315b. Note that the biasing direction (and the retracting direction of the holder 310) substantially coincides with the concave and convex directions of the main body side second concave and convex portions 312a and 312b and the plurality of first concave portions 311.

  FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration of the cartridge 2 in detail with reference to a cross-sectional view thereof. The process cartridge 2 includes a photosensitive drum 200 on which a latent image and a visible image of toner are formed and held, and a charging roll 201 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 in the longitudinal direction. A developing roller 202 that visualizes a latent image formed by a potential difference on the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 with toner, and a cleaner blade 203 that scrapes off toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 after transfer.

  The cartridge 2 has a first space portion 210 and a second space portion 220. The first space portion 210 is filled with a developer in an unused state. The second space 220 is a space for storing toner that is scraped off by the cleaner blade 203 in use. The latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 is formed by the laser light L from the ROS unit 109 included in the image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG.

Figure 9 shows a cartridge 2 as viewed from the arrow V ₂ direction in FIG. 8. Here, the cartridge side identification part 32 is a first plate provided at a position corresponding to the characteristics of the cartridge 2 on the key plate 320 as a first identification unit and a key plate 320 attached as a separate component from the cartridge 2 main body. And a cartridge side second concavo-convex part 322a, 322b provided at a position corresponding to the characteristics of the cartridge 2 on the key plate 320 as a second identification means. The first convex portion 321 is a protrusion that is long in the direction in which the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 are attached and detached (see arrow AB in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration for identifying whether or not a cartridge is appropriate in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment and performing subsequent processing. Here, the identification unit 3 including the main body side identification unit 31 and the cartridge side identification unit 31 described above, the identification information from the identification unit 3 is received, the image forming operation is controlled according to the suitability of the cartridge 2, and the user described later 2 shows a main control unit that displays an interface (UI) appropriately, and a UI unit that displays information to the user in response to a command from the main control unit.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows the configuration of the identification means 3 shown in FIG. 10, that is, the configuration around the holder 310 and the key plate 320. An identification circuit 318 is provided that transmits the output from the switch 317 as identification information to the main control unit of the image forming apparatus. For other configurations, the same components as those described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in this figure, the plurality of first recesses 311 constituting the first identification means have recesses at five locations. For convenience, these five concave portions are denoted by reference numerals 1 to 5. An actuator 316 is provided in one specific recess (here, No. 1) among these five recesses in accordance with the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  Similarly, there are five positions where the first convex portion 321 constituting the first identification means can be provided, and these positions are denoted by reference numerals 1 to 5 for convenience. The first convex portion 321 is provided at one specific location (here, No. 1) among the positions where the five first convex portions 321 can be provided according to the characteristics of the cartridge 2.

  On the other hand, one (312a or 312b) of the main body side second concavo-convex portions 312a and 3b constituting the second identification means has three positions where the convex portions can be provided. Or the code | symbol of df is attached | subjected. Of the positions where these three convex portions can be provided according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the convex portions are provided at two specific locations (here, a and c, or d and f). .

  Similarly, one (322a or 322b) of the cartridge side second concave and convex portions 322a and 322b constituting the second identification means has three positions where convex portions can be provided, and for convenience, a to c ( Or the code | symbol of df is attached | subjected. And the convex part is provided in one specific place (here b or e) among the positions where these three convex parts can be provided according to the characteristics of the cartridge 2.

  In this embodiment, the concave / convex pattern of one main body side second concave / convex portion 312a and the other main body side second concave / convex portion 312b, one cartridge side second concave / convex portion 322a and the other cartridge side second concave / convex portion 322b. The concave / convex pattern is the same.

  In the following, how the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 are identified as appropriate by the first identification unit and the second identification unit will be described.

表１は、画像形成装本体１とカートリッジ２との特性が互いに適合する場合における第一及び第二の識別手段の組み合わせを示したものである。これらの各組み合わせにはＦ−１〜Ｆ−５、Ｇ−１〜Ｇ−５、Ｈ−１〜Ｈ−５というキーナンバーが便宜上付けられている。そして、ＣＲＵ側キーとして電気キー接点及びメカニカルキー、ＩＯＴ側キーとして電気キー接点及びメカニカルキーとの組み合わせが記載されている。なお、ＣＲＵ側キーとは上述のカートリッジ側識別部３２のことを、ＩＯＴ側キーとは上述の本体側識別部３１のことをいい、電気キー接点とは上述の第一の識別手段のことを、メカニカルキーとは上述の第二の識別手段のことをいう。

Table 1 shows combinations of the first and second identification means when the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 are compatible with each other. For each of these combinations, key numbers F-1 to F-5, G-1 to G-5, and H-1 to H-5 are assigned for convenience. A combination of an electric key contact and a mechanical key as the CRU side key and a combination of an electric key contact and a mechanical key as the IOT side key are described. The CRU side key refers to the cartridge side identification unit 32 described above, the IOT side key refers to the body side identification unit 31 described above, and the electric key contact refers to the first identification unit described above. The mechanical key refers to the second identification means described above.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows, by way of example, several aspects of the first and second identification means when the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 match each other. Here, FIG. 12A shows F-1 in Table 1, FIG. 12B shows F-2 in Table 1, FIG. 12C shows G-1 in Table 1, and FIG. Corresponds to H-1 in Table 1, respectively. For example, in FIG. 12A, the positions of the actuator 316 as the first identification means and the first convex portion 321 coincide (number 1 with each other), and the main body side second unevenness as the second identification means. The concave and convex portions of the portions 312a and 3b and the cartridge side second concave and convex portions 322a and b can be fitted.

  On the other hand, FIG. 13 schematically shows three modes of the first and second identification means when the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 do not match each other. Here, FIG. 13 (a) shows a mode in which the first identification means do not match although the second identification means can be fitted, and FIG. 13 (b) shows the first identification means. FIG. 13 (c) shows an aspect in which the second identification means does not match but the second identification means does not match even though the second identification means is not compatible despite the match. Respectively.

  That is, in FIG. 13A, the positions of the actuator 316 as the first identification means and the first convex portion 321 do not coincide with each other in the first and third positions, and the main body side second as the second identification means. The unevenness | corrugation of the 2 uneven | corrugated | grooved part 312a, b and the cartridge side 2nd uneven | corrugated | grooved part 322a, b can be fitted.

  In FIG. 13 (b), the positions of the actuator 316 as the first identification means and the first convex portion 321 coincide with each other (No. 1), and the main body side second uneven portion 312a as the second identification means. , B and the cartridge side second uneven portions 322a, b are not compatible with each other (the convex portions at the positions a, d interfere with each other).

  In FIG. 13C, the positions of the actuator 316 as the first identification means and the first convex portion 321 do not coincide with the third and first positions, and the main body side second unevenness as the second identification means. The protrusions and recesses of the portions 312a and 3b and the cartridge-side second protrusions and recesses 322a and b cannot be fitted to each other (the protrusions at the positions a and d interfere with each other).

  FIG. 14 illustrates the mounting state in the vicinity of the main body side identification portion 31 and the cartridge side identification portion 32 in each aspect of the first and second identification means shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. 14A shows a case where the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge 2 are suitable (the mode shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D), and FIGS. 14B and 14C show the image forming apparatus. A case where the characteristics of the main body 1 and the cartridge 2 do not match is shown. FIG. 14B shows the case where the second identification means is fitted (the mode shown in FIG. 13A), and FIG. 14C shows the case where the second identification means is not fitted (FIG. 13B). ) (The embodiment shown in (c)).

  That is, in FIG. 14A, since the main body side second uneven portions 312a, 3b and the cartridge side second uneven portions 322a, b as the second identification means can be fitted to each other, The holder 310 is urged from the main body side to the cartridge side by the holder springs 315a and 315b, and the actuator 316 as the first identification means can be pushed by the first convex portion 321. Furthermore, the actuator 316 is pushed by the first convex portion 321 because the positions of the actuator 316 and the first convex portion 321 coincide with each other.

  Then, the switch 317 is turned on, the identification circuit 318 is energized, and identification information indicating “conformity” is transmitted from the identification circuit 318 to the main control unit of the image forming apparatus. Then, the main control unit recognizes that the appropriate cartridge 2 is mounted, and enables image formation (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

  In FIG. 14B, the main body side second uneven portion 312a, b as the second identification means and the cartridge side second uneven portion 322a, b can be engaged with each other. Is urged from the main body side to the cartridge side by the holder springs 315a and 315b, and the actuator 316 as the first identification means can be pushed by the first convex portion 321. However, since the positions of the actuator 316 and the first convex portion 321 do not coincide with each other, the actuator 316 is not pushed by the first convex portion 321.

  Therefore, the switch 317 is not turned on, the identification circuit 318 is not energized, and identification information indicating “nonconformity” is transmitted from the identification circuit 318 to the main control unit of the image forming apparatus. Then, the main control unit cannot recognize that the appropriate cartridge 2 is mounted, and displays information such as “No appropriate cartridge is mounted” on the UI unit (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

  In FIG. 14C, the main body side second uneven portions 312a and 3b as the second identification means and the cartridge side second uneven portions 322a and b are not compatible with each other. The two uneven portions 312a, b, 322a, b interfere with each other, the holder 310 is retracted from the cartridge side to the main body side against the urging force of the holder springs 315a, b, and the actuator 316 as the first identification means It is not in a state where it can be pushed by one convex portion 321.

  Therefore, the switch 317 is not turned on, the identification circuit 318 is not energized, and identification information indicating “nonconformity” is transmitted from the identification circuit 318 to the main control unit of the image forming apparatus. Then, the main control unit cannot recognize that the appropriate cartridge 2 is mounted, and displays information such as “No appropriate cartridge is mounted” on the UI unit (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

FIG. 1 explains the function of the first identification means. FIG. 2 explains the function of the second identification means. FIG. 3 illustrates the fitting between the first convex portion and the first concave portion. FIG. 4 illustrates the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates an attaching / detaching operation between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge. 6 is a view of the main body of the image forming apparatus viewed from the direction of the arrow V ₁ in FIG. FIG. 7 illustrates the configuration of the main body side identification unit in detail. FIG. 8 explains the configuration of the cartridge in detail. Figure 9 is a view of the cartridge in the direction of the arrow V ₂ of FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functions for cartridge identification. FIG. 11 schematically shows the configuration of the identification means. FIG. 12 schematically shows an aspect of the first and second identification means when the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge are matched. FIG. 13 schematically shows aspects of the first and second identification means when the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge do not match. FIG. 14 shows an aspect of the main body side identification unit and the cartridge side identification unit when the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge are matched or not.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus main body, 2 ... Cartridge, 3 ... Identification means, 31 ... Main body side identification part, 310 ... Holder, 311 ... First recessed part, 316 ... Actuator, 312a, b ... Main body side second uneven part, 315a, b ... Spring, 32 ... Cartridge side identification part, 320 ... Key plate, 321 ... First convex part, 322a, b ... Cartridge side second uneven part

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; a cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body; and an identification unit that identifies whether the cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body are appropriate.
The identification means includes a first identification means having an electrical key between a plurality of slit holes or recesses, and a second identification means having a mechanical key having an uneven portion. An image forming apparatus.   The first identifying means is provided in a plurality of first recesses provided on the image forming apparatus main body side and one first recess corresponding to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body among the plurality of first recesses. The switch button and a first convex portion that is provided on the cartridge side and can be fitted with one first concave portion corresponding to the characteristics of the cartridge among the plurality of first concave portions on the image forming apparatus main body side. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   3. The first concave portion is a slit hole that is long in the attaching / detaching direction of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge, and the first convex portion is a protrusion that is long in the attaching / detaching direction of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge. Image forming apparatus.   The second identification means includes a main body side second uneven portion provided on the image forming apparatus main body side according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body, and a cartridge side second protrusion provided on the cartridge side according to the characteristics of the cartridge. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second uneven portion is configured to be fitted when at least the characteristics of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge coincide with each other. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the main body side second uneven portion is configured to be retractable in the uneven direction with respect to the cartridge and biased toward the cartridge side.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of first concave portions and the main body side second uneven portion are configured integrally.   A cartridge of an image forming apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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