JP2021032963A - Cartridge and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cartridge which can be easily attached with a memory member and can prevent the dropping of the attached memory member.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: a memory member 100; a memory storage member 200 which stores the memory member; and a memory attachment part 300 which stores and fixes the memory storage member. The memory attachment part comprises: a storage part which stores the memory storage member; and a first engagement part 303 which is engaged with the memory storage member stored in the storage part. The memory storage member comprises: flexible second engagement parts 205a, 205b which are brought into contact and engaged with the first engagement part when stored in the storage part; and regulation parts 206a, 206b which are deformable and flexible and regulate the dropping of the memory member from the memory storage member with the contact of at least a portion of the regulation parts to a surface on the side where the contact point is provided on the memory member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

The present invention relates to a cartridge that is detachably attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, and an image forming apparatus that uses the cartridge.

For example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus or the like has conventionally been accompanied by replenishment of a developer and maintenance of various process means. As a means for facilitating the developer replenishment work and maintenance, all or part of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging device, the developing device, the cleaning device, etc. are put together in a cartridge. Then, a cartridge method is adopted in which the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

According to this cartridge method, the maintenance of the device can be performed by the user himself in the form of replacing the cartridge, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this cartridge method is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

In such a cartridge, a memory (IC memory or the like) for storing the information of the cartridge is mounted so that the device main body and the cartridge can exchange information when the cartridge is attached to the device main body. There is something. Information such as the lot number of the cartridge, the characteristics of the image forming apparatus, and the characteristics of the process means is registered in the memory mounted on the cartridge. This makes it possible to facilitate the maintenance of the device main body or the cartridge. Further, by controlling the image formation according to the information recorded in the memory, the image formation can be performed under the best conditions.

Various methods are known as a method of fixing the memory to the cartridge. For example, it is a method of fixing the memory to the frame of the cartridge with double-sided tape or the like. It is effective when a relatively wide surface can be provided on the sticking surface.

In addition, as a method that does not use tape, the cartridge is provided with a regulating portion that regulates the movement of the memory in the width direction and the thickness direction, and the memory can be inserted through an opening provided on one side in the height direction of the memory. Cartridges with accommodating portions have been proposed. In this configuration, the memory can be easily attached by inserting the memory into the memory accommodating portion (Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-293003

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge capable of easily attaching a memory member and preventing the attached memory member from falling off, and an image forming apparatus using the cartridge. It is to provide.

A typical configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body having an electric contact of the main body, a memory member having a contact that can be contacted with the electric contact of the main body, and the memory. It has a memory accommodating member for accommodating a member and a memory mounting portion for accommodating and fixing the memory accommodating member, and the memory mounting portion accommodates the accommodating portion accommodating the memory accommodating member and the accommodating portion. It has a first engaging portion that engages with the memory accommodating member, and the memory accommodating member comes into contact with and engages with the first engaging portion when it is accommodated in the accommodating portion. A second engaging portion having matching flexibility and a restricting portion having deformable flexibility, at least a part of the restricting portion on a surface of the memory member on the side where the contact is provided. It is characterized by having a regulating portion for restricting the memory member from falling off from the memory accommodating member when the memory member comes into contact with the memory member.

In the present invention, the memory member is housed in the memory accommodating member, and the memory member can be easily attached by attaching the memory member to the memory attachment portion, and the memory member can be prevented from falling off.

Schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus Schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge Perspective view of the cartridge Cartridge mounting explanatory diagram Explanatory drawing of cartridge contacts Perspective view of memory member Perspective view of memory accommodating member Perspective view of memory mounting part Cross-sectional view of mounting the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member to the memory mounting portion Cross-sectional view during installation of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member to the memory attachment portion Cross-sectional view during installation of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member to the memory attachment portion Cross-sectional view of completion of attachment of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member to the memory attachment portion A perspective view of the completion of attachment of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member to the memory attachment portion. Perspective view of the memory accommodating member according to the second embodiment Cross-sectional view of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member according to the second embodiment during attachment to the memory attachment portion. Cross-sectional view of completion of attachment of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member according to the second embodiment to the memory attachment portion. Cross-sectional view of completion of attachment of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member according to the second embodiment to the memory attachment portion. Perspective view of another example of the memory accommodating member Perspective view of the memory accommodating member according to the third embodiment Cross-sectional view of completion of attachment of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member according to the third embodiment to the memory attachment portion. Perspective view of the memory accommodating member according to the fourth embodiment Cross-sectional view of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member according to the fourth embodiment during attachment to the memory attachment portion. Cross-sectional view of completion of attachment of the memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member according to the fourth embodiment to the memory attachment portion.

Hereinafter, a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<Overall configuration of image forming device>
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described together with the image forming operation with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a full-color laser beam printer, which is an aspect of a multicolor image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “device main body”) 90 shown in FIG. 1 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C) which is four drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive members arranged side by side in the vertical direction. , 1K). The electrophotographic photosensitive member drum (hereinafter referred to as “photoreceptor drum”) 1 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving means (not shown). Around the photoconductor drum 1, in order according to the rotation direction, a charging device 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 1 are formed. A developing device 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) that adheres toner and develops it as a toner image (developer image), a transfer device 5 that transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drum 1 to a recording medium S, and a transfer device 5 after transfer. A cleaning device 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) or the like for removing the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 is provided.

Here, the photoconductor drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 are integrally formed into a cartridge to form a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge”) 7 (7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K). ..

Further, a scanner unit 3 for selectively exposing the photoconductor drum 1 based on image information and forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 1 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 90.

The transfer device 5 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 11 that circulates and moves so as to face and contact all the photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is stretched on a drive roller 13, a turn roller 14, and a tension roller 15.

Primary transfer rollers 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) are arranged side by side at positions facing the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 11 and facing the four photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K. By applying a bias opposite to the toner image on the photoconductor drum 1 to these primary transfer rollers 12 during transfer, the toner images formed on each photoconductor drum 1 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 for primary transfer. And a color image is formed. The secondary transfer roller 10 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11 so as to face the turn roller 14, and a secondary transfer portion is formed at the nip portion.

The transport unit 16 transports the recording medium S to the secondary transfer unit. A feed cassette 17 containing a plurality of recording media S is mounted on the transport unit 16. At the time of image formation, the feeding roller 18 and the registration roller 19 are driven and rotated according to the image forming operation. As a result, the recording media S in the feeding cassette 17 are separately fed one by one. Then, it is conveyed to the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the registration roller 19. By applying a transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 10 at the timing when the recording medium S is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred to the recording medium S, and the toner image is transferred. The recorded recording medium S is conveyed to the fixing unit 20.

The fixing portion 20 includes a rotating heating roller 21a and a pressure roller 21b that presses against the rotating heating roller 21a to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium S. When the recording medium S passes through the nip portions of the heating roller 21a and the pressurizing roller 21b, the toner image is fixed by heating and pressurizing, and the recording medium S is ejected to the ejection portion 23 by the ejection roller 22.

<Cartridge configuration>
Next, the cartridge according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3 show a main cross section and a perspective view of the cartridge 7 containing the developer. The cartridges 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K have the same configuration except that the colors of the toners containing the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners are different. ..

The cartridge 7 is divided into a photoconductor drum 1, a cleaner unit 50 provided with a charging device and a cleaning device, and a developing unit 4 constituting a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 1.

In the cleaner unit 50, the photoconductor drum 1 is rotatably attached to the cleaning frame 51 via a bearing member. On the circumference of the photoconductor drum 1, a charging device 2 for uniformly charging the photosensitive layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1 is provided. Further, a cleaning blade 52 is provided on the periphery of the photoconductor drum 1 and for removing the developer (residual toner) remaining on the photoconductor drum 1 after transfer. Further, the residual toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 by the cleaning blade 52 is stored in the residual toner storage portion.

In the developing unit 4, a developing roller 40 that rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 while holding a minute gap with the photoconductor drum 1 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 45 via a bearing member. The developing frame 45 is a developing agent accommodating portion for accommodating the developing agent. Further, on the circumference of the developing roller 40, a developing agent supply roller 43 and a developing blade 44, which are in contact with the developing roller 40 and rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, are arranged.

The developing unit 4 and the cleaner unit 50 are swingably coupled by a shaft W1 and are constantly urged by a spring (not shown) so that the developing roller 40 comes into contact with the photoconductor drum 1.

<Cartridge mounting configuration for the device body>
Next, the configuration of the mounting portion for mounting each cartridge 7 on the apparatus main body 90 will be described with reference to FIG. In the apparatus main body 90 of this embodiment, the replacement of each cartridge 7 is a method in which the user puts each cartridge 7 on the pull-out unit 61 and replaces each cartridge 7 by front access.

The drawer unit 61 detachably supports each cartridge 7. The drawer unit 61 pushes the cartridge 7 into the rail member 62 (see FIG. 1) between the drawer position where the cartridge 7 can be attached and detached on the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 90 and the attachment position where the cartridge 7 is attached inside the apparatus main body 90. It is configured to be retractable.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the drawer unit 61 is moved to a mounting position where each cartridge 7 is mounted inside the device main body 90, and the device opening / closing door 63 is closed. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the device opening / closing door 63 is opened and the drawer unit 61 is moved to a drawer position where each cartridge 7 can be attached / detached on the outside of the device main body 90. The arrow D2 in FIG. 4 is the pull-out moving direction of the drawer unit 61, and the arrow D1 is the pushing-moving direction of the pull-out unit 61. The pull-out movement direction D2 and the push-in movement direction D1 of the pull-out unit 61 are substantially horizontal.

When each cartridge 7 is taken out from the device main body 90, the user rotates the device opening / closing door 63 around the hinge shaft 63a (see FIG. 1) to open the cartridge 7. Then, the drawer unit 61 in the device main body 90 is pulled out and moved so as to be positioned on the outside of the device main body 90 at a drawer position where each cartridge 7 can be attached and detached.

Here, in conjunction with the opening operation of the device opening / closing door 63, the connection between the coupling on the cartridge side and the coupling on the device main body side for transmitting the driving force for driving the photoconductor drum and the developing roller 40 of each cartridge 7. Is released. Further, the pressing for positioning each cartridge 7 with the device main body is released, and the connection of the bias output unit on the device main body side to each cartridge 7 is released. Further, although a memory member is attached to each cartridge 7 of the present embodiment as described later, the connection of the main body electric contact to the electric contact of the memory is released.

Further, the movement of the rail member 62 or the unitized intermediate transfer belt 11 separates the photoconductor drum 1 of each cartridge 7 from the intermediate transfer belt 11. In this state, the drawer unit 61 is moved from the mounting position in the apparatus main body 90 to the drawer position.

With the drawer unit 61 moved to the drawer position, the cartridge 7 can be attached to and detached from the drawer unit 61.

After performing the old and new replacement operations for the necessary cartridges 7 corresponding to the predetermined cartridge mounting portions 61a of the drawer unit 61, the drawer unit 61 is sufficiently pushed into the apparatus main body 90 to move. Then, the device opening / closing door 63 is closed.

In conjunction with the closing operation of the device opening / closing door 63, the intermediate transfer belt 11 comes into contact with the photoconductor drum 1 in the opposite direction to the opening operation, and the drive transmission coupling on the cartridge side becomes the drive transmission coupling on the device main body side. It is coupled and various electrical contacts are connected.

<Installation of memory members>
The cartridge of the present embodiment is the upper surface of the cleaning frame 51, and the memory member 100 is attached to one end of the cartridge in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 3). The memory member 100 stores the lot number of the cartridge, the characteristic information of the cartridge, the characteristic information of the image forming apparatus to be mounted, and the like, whereby the maintenance of the apparatus main body or the cartridge can be facilitated. ..

(Positioning with the electrical contacts of the main body)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a positioning configuration of a memory member 100 provided on the cartridge 7 and an electric contact 70 of the main body provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus. The apparatus main body 90 is provided with a main body electrical contact 70 that can be electrically connected to the memory member 100 of the cartridge 7. The main body electrical contact 70 is provided with a main body contact portion 71 capable of contacting the contact portion 101 provided on the memory member 100, and contact positioning portions 72a and 72b formed in slits on both sides of the main body contact portion 71. Is provided.

On the other hand, positioning ribs 301a and 301b are formed on both sides of the memory mounting portion 300 formed on the cleaning frame 51 for mounting the memory member 100 so as to face the contact positioning portions 72a and 72b.

When the drawer unit 61 in which the cartridge 7 is set is pushed in, the positioning ribs 301a and 301b and the contact positioning portions 72a and 72b face each other, and the main body electrical contact 70 is lowered in conjunction with the closing operation of the device opening / closing door 63 to form a slit-shaped contact. The positioning portions 72a and 72b engage with the positioning ribs 301a and 301b, and the X direction shown in FIG. 5 is positioned. Further, the contact positioning portions 72a and 72b sandwich the outer diameter portion of the memory mounting portion 300 so that the Y direction shown in FIG. 5 is positioned. By this positioning, the main body contact portion 71 comes into contact with the memory contact portion 101 to make an electrical connection.

Further, the main body electrical contact 70 rises in conjunction with the opening operation of the device opening / closing door 63, the main body contact portion 71 is separated from the memory contact portion 101, and the contact positioning portions 72a and 72b and the positioning ribs 301a and 301b are separated from each other. The engagement is disengaged.

Next, the configuration for attaching the memory member 100 to the cartridge 7 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the memory member 100, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the memory accommodating member 200. Further, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the memory mounting portion 300 formed on the cleaning frame body 51. The memory member 100 of the present embodiment is housed in the memory accommodating member 200, and is attached to the cartridge 7 by fixing the memory accommodating member 200 to the memory mounting portion 300.

(Memory member)
As shown in FIG. 6, the memory member 100 of the present embodiment is formed by exposing the contact portion 101 on the upper surface of a 5.5 mm × 5 mm memory base 102 to which a storage element (not shown) is attached. The memory board 102 is integrally provided with a protection unit 103 that protects the storage element.

(Memory accommodating member)
The memory accommodating member 200 accommodating the memory member 100 is formed by forming a sheet metal (SUS having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm in the present embodiment) into a predetermined shape by punching or the like and bending the sheet metal. .. As shown in FIG. 7, the memory accommodating member 200 is formed so that the side wall portions 202a and 202b face each other from the bottom surface portion 201, and the side wall portions 203a and 203b facing the side wall portions 202a and 202b in the direction orthogonal to the side wall portions 202a and 202b. It is formed upright and has a box shape. An opening 204 is formed in the upper part of the box shape so that the memory member 100 can be inserted (passed through).

Further, in the substantially center of the bottom surface portion 201, a long cutout portion 201a continuous to a predetermined height of the side wall portions 203a and 203b is formed, and the notch portion 201a projects so as to face the substantially center in the longitudinal direction. Joint portions 205a and 205b are formed. The engaging portions 205a and 205b are formed by being bent diagonally upward, and their respective tip portions are formed in a sawtooth shape. Further, since the engaging portions 205a and 205b are formed by bending a sheet metal, they have flexibility that can be elastically deformed at the bent portion, and their respective tips facing each other separate the gap L1. It is configured like this.

Since the side wall portions 202a, 202b and 203a, 203b are also formed by bending the sheet metal, they have flexibility that can be elastically deformed at the bent portion so as to spread diagonally upward from the bottom portion. It is configured as a sloping side wall. Then, the regulation protrusions 206a and 206b are bent inward on the peripheral edge of the opening, that is, at both ends of the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 202a and 202b facing each other to form the regulation portion.

Further, notched portions 207 are formed in the adjacent portions of the side wall portions 202a, 202b, 203a, 203b, that is, the four corners of the box shape. The notch 207 is an insertion portion through which the support portion of the attachment portion 300, which will be described later, is inserted.

(Memory mounting part)
The memory mounting portion 300 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 51 which is the exterior portion of the cartridge 7 (see FIG. 3), and accommodates and fixes the memory accommodating member 200 accommodating the memory member 100. , The memory member 100 can be attached to the cartridge 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the memory mounting portion 300 is formed as a substantially quadrangular recess whose upper surface is open at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the cleaning frame 51 which is a cartridge frame, and this recess accommodates the memory accommodating member. It is configured as a housing unit 301. A rib 302 extending from one inner wall surface to the other inner wall surface facing each other in the recess is provided at substantially the center of the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 301, and an engaging portion 303 (first engaging portion) thicker than the rib is provided at the center of the rib. ) Is formed. The engaging portions 205a and 205b (second engaging portion) of the memory accommodating member 200 are engaged with the engaging portion 303. The rib 302 extends from one inner wall surface facing the concave portion to the other inner wall surface, thereby suppressing a decrease in strength of the frame due to the formation of the concave portion.

The size of the upper surface opening of the accommodating portion 301 is larger than the size of the bottom portion L5 (see FIG. 9) in the state before the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted, and the side wall portions 202a, 202b, 203a, 203b are widened. It is set smaller than the upper size L4 (see FIG. 9). Further, a tapered portion 304 is formed at the edge of the opening so that the memory accommodating member 200 can be easily inserted.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, support portions 305 having predetermined heights are provided at the four corners of the accommodating portion 301. The support portion 305 supports the lower surface 104 of the attached memory member.

(Relationship between memory member, memory accommodating member, and memory mounting part)
Here, the size relationship between the memory member 100, the memory accommodating member 200, and the memory mounting portion 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view in which the memory member 100, the memory accommodating member 200, and the memory mounting portion 300 are arranged vertically.

The tip spacing L1 of the engaging portions 205a and 205b of the memory accommodating member 200 is slightly smaller than the width L2 of the engaging portion 303 of the memory mounting portion 300 (L1 <L2). Therefore, when the flexible engaging portions 205a and 205b are fitted to the engaging portion 303, they come into pressure contact with the engaging portion 303 while elastically deforming.

The distance L3 between the upper ends of the facing side wall portions 202a, 202b and 203a, 203b of the memory accommodating member 200 before mounting on the memory mounting portion 300 is larger than the dimension L4 of the facing inner wall spacing between the opening and the recess of the memory mounting portion 300. .. The bottom dimension L5 of the memory accommodating member 200 is smaller than the dimension L4 (L5 <L4 <L3). Therefore, when the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the accommodating portion 301 of the memory mounting portion 300, the side wall portions 202a, 202b and 203a, 203b are pushed by the inner wall of the accommodating portion 301 and elastically deformed.

The width dimension L6 of the memory member 100 is smaller than the distance L7 between the facing regulation protrusions 206a and 206b of the memory accommodating member 200 before being attached to the memory attachment portion 300 (L6 <L7). Therefore, the memory member 100 can be inserted through the opening 204 at the top of the memory accommodating member 200. As will be described later, the gap L7 between the regulation protrusions 206a and 206b is narrowed by elastically deforming the upper ends of the side wall portions 202a and 202b inward when the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the memory mounting portion 300. As a result, the distance between the regulation protrusions 206a and 206b becomes narrower from L7 to L8 (see FIG. 12) (L8 <L7). The modified interval L8 is configured to be smaller than the memory member width L6 (L8 <L6). That is, before and after the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the memory mounting portion 300, the side wall portions 202a and 202b are deformed and the positions of the regulating protrusions 206a and 206b are such that the memory member 100 passes through the opening of the memory accommodating member 200. The memory member 100 can be displaced from the position of the obtained interval L7 (first position) to the position of the interval L8 (second position) where the memory member 100 cannot pass through the opening.

(Installation procedure of memory member)
Next, a case where the memory member 100 is attached to the memory attachment portion 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

First, as shown in FIG. 10, the memory member 100 is inserted through the opening 204 of the memory accommodating member 200 with the contact portion 101 facing up. At this time, since the opening dimension L7 of the memory accommodating member 200 and the memory width L6 have a relationship of L6 <L7 as described above, the memory member 100 is accommodated in the memory accommodating member 200.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the memory accommodating member 200 accommodating the memory member 100 is inserted into the accommodating portion 301 of the memory mounting portion 300 from the bottom side. At this time, the side wall portions 202a, 202b, 203a, 203b inclined so as to spread upward from the lower portion are pushed by the inner wall of the accommodating portion 301 and elastic inward so that the upper end dimension L3 becomes the same as the opening dimension L4. Deform. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, as the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the memory mounting portion 300, the distance between the regulation protrusions 206a and 206b formed at the upper ends due to the deformation of the side wall portions 202a and 202b is L7 to L8. It becomes narrower than the memory member width L6.

Further, as the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted, the engaging portions 205a and 205b of the memory accommodating member 200 are pushed and expanded to the engaging portion 303 of the memory mounting portion 300 to fit while elastically deforming. Then, when the insertion of the memory accommodating member 200 into the accommodating portion 301 is completed, as shown in FIG. 12, the engaging portions 205a and 205b of the memory accommodating member 200 are pressed against the engaging portion 303 of the memory mounting portion 300 and are upwardly contacted. The memory accommodating member 200 is fixed to the memory mounting portion 300 by biting into the memory mounting portion 300.

Further, when the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the accommodating portion 301, the support portions 305 provided at the four corners of the accommodating portion 301 insert the notch portion 207 (see FIG. 7). The support portion 305 positions and supports the lower surface 104 when the lower surface 104 of the inserted memory member 100 comes into contact with the support portion 305, and the position of the surface on which the contact portion 101 is provided is positioned and supported. Therefore, the contact with the main body contact portion 71 (see FIG. 5) is surely performed, and the position of the memory member 100 does not shift downward even if the main body contact portion 71 is pressed from above.

Then, by inserting the memory accommodating member 200, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the regulation protrusion 206a is formed on the upper surface of the memory member 100 whose lower surface 104 is supported by the support portion 305, that is, the surface provided with the contact portion 101. , 206b can be brought into contact with each other, and the upward movement of the memory member 100 is suppressed. As a result, the memory member 100 is restricted from coming out upward, and the memory member 100 is restricted from falling out from the memory accommodating member 200.

As described above, the memory member 100 can be easily attached by simply inserting it into the accommodating portion 301 which is accommodated in the memory accommodating member 200 formed by bending the sheet metal and formed in the frame of the cartridge. And can prevent it from coming out.

In the above-described embodiment, the memory member is attached to the process cartridge including the photoconductor drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing unit 4, and the cleaning device 6 as the cartridge. However, the memory mounting configuration of the present embodiment is the process cartridge. It can also be applied to cartridges other than. Examples of other cartridges include a drum cartridge having a photoconductor drum, a developer carrier for supplying a developer to an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, and a developer accommodating portion containing the developer. A developing cartridge, a developing agent cartridge containing a developing agent, an inkjet cartridge containing ink used in an inkjet recording device, etc., and an image is printed on a recording medium in a state where it is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming device. It contributes to the image formation process to be formed.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus using the cartridge of the present embodiment also uses an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by using an image forming process such as the above-mentioned electrophotographic image forming method or electrostatic recording image forming method, or an inkjet recording method. It can be applied to the image forming device that was used.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the mounting configuration of the memory member according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the memory accommodating member 200 is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same. Here, the members having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and only the configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a perspective explanatory view of the memory accommodating member 200 according to the second embodiment. In the memory accommodating member 200 of the present embodiment, the inner protruding portions 208a and 208b, which are bent pieces protruding inward and diagonally upward, are bent and formed on the facing side wall portions 202a and 202b. On the other hand, the side wall portions 203a and 203b facing the side wall portions 202a and 202b in the direction orthogonal to the side wall portions 202a and 202b are formed by bending outer projecting portions 209a and 209b which are bent pieces projecting diagonally upward outward.

When the memory member 100 is accommodated in the memory accommodating member 200, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower surface of the memory member 100 is supported by the inner protrusions 208a and 208b and does not fall to the bottom of the memory accommodating member 200. Therefore, the memory member 100 is accommodated in the memory accommodating member 200 without being tilted. When the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the memory mounting portion 300, the lower surface 104 of the memory member 100 is positioned and supported by the support portion 305 as shown in FIG. At this time, the lower surface of the memory member 100 is separated from the inner protrusions 208a and 208b. That is, the inner protruding portions 208a and 208b function as temporary support portions when the memory member 100 is accommodated in the memory accommodating member 200.

Further, when the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the memory mounting portion 300, as shown in FIG. 17, the outer protruding portions 209a and 209b are pushed by the inner wall of the recess of the accommodating portion 301 and elastically deformed inward to form the inner wall of the recess. It is pressure-welded and bites into the inner wall of the recess in the pull-out direction of the memory accommodating member 200. As a result, the memory accommodating member 200 is securely fixed without coming off the accommodating portion 301 and without rattling against the inner wall of the recess.

Further, the regulation protrusions 206a and 206b of the present embodiment are bent and formed so as to cover the entire upper ends of the side wall portions 202a and 202b (see FIG. 14). As a result, even if the side wall portions 202a and 202b are formed with notched inner protrusions 208a and 208b, the strength of the upper ends of the side wall portions 202a and 202b is not weakened.

The temporary support portion of the memory member provided in the memory accommodating member 200 can also be configured as shown in FIG. The memory accommodating member 200 shown in FIG. 18 has cuts formed at predetermined positions on both sides of the side wall portions 203a and 203b facing each other, and the portion below the cuts is bent inward to form an inward protruding portion 210a. , 210b is formed. Even in this way, the lower surface 104 of the memory member 100 can be temporarily supported by the inner protrusions 210a and 210b, and the memory member can be easily attached. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, in the configuration in which the inner protrusions 210a and 210b are provided, the lower surface of the memory member 100 housed in the memory accommodating member 200 is supported by the inner protrusions 210a and 210b at four points, so that it is stable. Can support the memory member 100.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the memory accommodating member 200 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the memory member is attached. Even in the present embodiment, the members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and only the configurations different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 19, the memory accommodating member 200 of the present embodiment is orthogonal to the engaging portions 205a and 205b in which the engaging portions formed on the bottom surface portion 201 are opposed to each other as in the first embodiment. The engaging portions 205c and 205d facing in the direction are formed by bending diagonally upward, and the respective tip portions are formed in a sawtooth shape. Further, since the engaging portions 205c and 205d are also formed by bending the sheet metal like the engaging portions 205a and 205b, they have flexibility that can be elastically deformed at the bent portion and face each other. The tips of each other are configured to be separated by a predetermined distance.

On the other hand, the engaging portion 303 formed in the memory mounting portion 300 with which the engaging portions 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d are engaged is formed as a rod-shaped protrusion instead of a rib shape as in the first embodiment. , As shown in FIG. 20, the inside is formed hollow.

In the above configuration, when the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted into the accommodating portion 301 of the memory mounting portion 300, the engaging portions 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d are elastically deformed and press-contacted with the engaging portion 303 from all sides, and upward. The memory accommodating member 200 is fixed to the memory mounting portion 300 by biting into the memory mounting portion 300.

[Fourth Embodiment]
21 to 23 are cross-sectional views showing a mounting configuration of the memory accommodating member 200 according to the fourth embodiment. Even in the present embodiment, the members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and only the configurations different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 21, the memory accommodating member 200 of the present embodiment is configured such that one side wall portion 202a is high and the other side wall portion 202b is low among the side wall portions 202a and 202b facing each other. Further, the side wall portions 203a and 203b that face each other so as to be orthogonal to the side wall portions 203a and 203b are configured so that their upper ends are inclined so that the heights of the side wall portions 202a and 202b are the same as those of the side wall portions 202a and 202b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the memory mounting portion 300 into which the memory accommodating member 200 is inserted is configured as a recess in which the accommodating portion 301 is inclined at an angle, and the engaging portion 303 and the support portion 305 are formed therein. Is also inclined. The height of the upper end of the support portion 305 is configured to be the same in the horizontal direction.

In the above configuration, when the memory accommodating member 200 accommodating the memory member 100 is inserted into the accommodating portion 301, it is inserted obliquely along the inclination of the recess. Then, when the memory accommodating member 200 is completely inserted, as shown in FIG. 23, the memory member 100 is attached in a state where the lower surface 104 is supported by the support portion 305 and is supported in a substantially horizontal state. Further, the side wall portions 202a and 202b are elastically deformed so that the regulating protrusions 206a and 206b can come into contact with the upper surface of the memory member 100 to prevent the memory member 100 from falling off.

By changing the heights of the side wall portions 202a, 202b, 203a, and 203b as described above, the memory accommodating member 200 accommodating the memory member 100 is inserted into the memory mounting portion 300 even in the obliquely formed recesses. It can be easily installed by itself, and its dropout is restricted.

7 ... Cartridge 16 ... Conveying part 45 ... Developing frame body 51 ... Cleaning frame body 61a ... Cartridge mounting part 70 ... Main body electrical contact 71 ... Main body contact part 90 ... Device main body 100 ... Memory member 101 ... Contact part 200 ... Memory accommodating member 202a , 202b, 203a, 203b ... Side wall 204 ... Opening 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d ... Engaging part 206a, 206b ... Regulatory protrusion 300 ... Memory mounting part 301 ... Accommodating part 303 ... Engaging part 305 ... Support part

Claims (15)

In a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming device main body that has electrical contacts in the main body
A memory member having a contact that can be contacted with the electric contact of the main body,
A memory accommodating member accommodating the memory member and
A memory mounting portion for accommodating and fixing the memory accommodating member,
Have,
The memory mounting part is
An accommodating portion for accommodating the memory accommodating member and
A first engaging portion that engages with the memory accommodating member accommodated in the accommodating portion,
Have,
The memory accommodating member
A second engaging portion having flexibility to abut and engage with the first engaging portion when housed in the accommodating portion,
A restrictable portion having deformability, and the memory member falls off from the memory accommodating member when at least a part of the restricting portion comes into contact with a surface of the memory member on the side where the contact is provided. And the regulatory department to regulate
A cartridge characterized by having. The memory accommodating member is provided with an opening through which the memory member can pass when the memory accommodating member is not accommodated in the accommodating portion.
The restricting portion is arranged on a part of the peripheral edge of the opening, and can be deformed from a first position where the memory member can pass through the opening to a second position where the memory member cannot pass through the opening. The cartridge according to claim 1. When the memory accommodating member is inserted into the accommodating portion, the second engaging portion engages with the first engaging portion, and the restricting portion is second from the first position. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge is displaced to the position of. When the restricting portion is in the first position, the width of the opening is wider than the width of the memory member, and when it is in the second position, the width of the opening is the width of the memory member. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge is located in a narrower position. The cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the regulating portion can be displaced to the first position and the second position by elastic deformation. Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the memory mounting portion has a support portion that supports a surface on the side opposite to the surface on which the contact point of the memory member is provided, which is regulated by the regulation unit. The cartridge according to one item. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the memory accommodating member has an insertion portion through which the support portion can be inserted. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the accommodating portion is a recess formed in the cartridge frame. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the first engaging portion is a rib extending from one inner wall surface to the other inner wall surface facing each other in the recess. The first engaging portion is formed by the inner wall of the recess.
The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the second engaging portion is a bent piece that abuts and engages with the inner wall of the recess. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the memory accommodating member is formed by bending with a sheet metal. A developer carrier for supplying a developer to an image carrier on which a developer image is formed, and a developer carrier.
A developer accommodating unit accommodating a developer and a developer accommodating portion
The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cartridge has. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an image carrier on which a developer image is formed. An image carrier on which a developer image is formed and
A developing apparatus having a developer carrier for supplying a developer to the image carrier and a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer.
The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cartridge has. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium,
The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
A mounting part for mounting the cartridge detachably,
A transport unit for transporting the recording medium and
With the electrical contacts of the main body
An image forming apparatus characterized by having.

Images