JP2022071259A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent contact failure between a unit-side terminal and a main body-side terminal.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a developing unit 34 that is removably attached to an apparatus main body. A terminal holding member 104 holding the main body-side terminal is provided with a terminal cover 120 that openably and closably covers the main body-side terminal. In association with an attachment operation of the developing unit, the terminal cover is displaced to an open position and a support projection 132 of the terminal cover rotates to press a pressing force receiving part 102a of the apparatus main body, and thereby the terminal holding member is moved and the main body-side terminal is brought into contact with the unit-side terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and in particular, for example, a detachable unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus is provided, and when the detachable unit is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the terminal on the unit side and the terminal on the main body come into contact with each other and electrically. It relates to an image forming apparatus to be connected.

An example of a conventional image forming apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a detachable device (detachable unit) that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The detachable device is provided with a holding unit that holds the information storage device. The information storage device holds an information storage unit and a plurality of terminals, and also has a positioning notch for engaging with a positioning protrusion installed on the main body of the device to determine the positions of the plurality of terminals. Is provided on the substrate on which the above is formed. Further, the holding unit holds the information storage device so that it can move on a virtual plane intersecting the attachment / detachment direction of the detachable device with respect to the apparatus main body.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-180558

In the technique of Patent Document 1, since the main body side terminal is exposed when the detachable unit is removed from the main body of the device, dirt such as dust and toner adheres to the main body side terminal, and the unit side terminal and the main body side terminal There is a risk of poor contact.

Further, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the unit side terminal and the main body side terminal come into contact with each other in the same direction as the moving direction of the detachable unit, but the positioning of the detachable unit in the moving direction tends to be incomplete, and the unit side terminal and the main body are likely to be incomplete. Poor contact with the side terminals is likely to occur.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a novel image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately preventing poor contact between the unit-side terminal and the main body-side terminal.

The first invention is an image forming apparatus including a detachable unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and is provided on a unit side terminal provided on the detachable unit and the apparatus main body, and the detachable unit is attached to the apparatus main body. Occasionally, it is provided on the main body side terminal that comes into contact with the unit side terminal, the terminal holding member that is provided on the main body of the device and holds the main body side terminal, and is rotatably provided on the terminal holding member, and by rotating the shaft portion as a fulcrum. For the terminal cover that can be displaced between the closed position that covers the main body side terminal and the open position that exposes the main body side terminal, the first urging member that urges the terminal cover in the direction returning from the open position to the closed position, and the terminal cover. A support protrusion that is provided and rotates together with the terminal cover, and a pressing receiving portion that is provided on the main body of the device and locks the support protrusion, and the terminal holding member can move in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the attachment / detachment unit. The terminal cover is displaced from the closed position to the open position by being pushed by the detachable unit as the attachment / detachment unit is attached, and the support protrusion rotates to press the pressing receiving portion. This is an image forming apparatus that moves the terminal holding member in a predetermined direction and in a direction approaching the detachable unit to bring the main body side terminal into contact with the unit side terminal.

In the first invention, the image forming apparatus includes a detachable unit such as a developing unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The detachable unit and the main body of the device are provided with a unit-side terminal and a main body-side terminal that come into contact with each other when the detachable unit is attached to the main body of the device. Further, the terminal holding member for holding the terminal on the main body side is not fixed to the main body of the device, but is provided on the main body of the device so as to be movable in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the detachable unit. This terminal holding member has a terminal cover that can be displaced between the closed position that covers the main body side terminal by rotating the shaft as a fulcrum and the open position that exposes the main body side terminal, and returns from the open position to the closed position. A first urging member for urging the terminal cover in the direction is provided. Further, the terminal cover is provided with a support protrusion that rotates together with the terminal cover, and the apparatus main body is provided with a pressing receiving portion for locking the support protrusion.

When the attachment / detachment unit is attached to the main body of the device, the terminal cover is displaced from the closed position to the open position by being pushed by the attachment / detachment unit. Further, the support protrusion rotates with the displacement of the detachable unit to press the pressing receiving portion, so that the terminal holding member intersects the mounting direction of the detachable unit in a predetermined direction and approaches the detachable unit. Move it so that the terminal on the main body side comes into contact with the terminal on the unit side. Further, when the detachable unit is not attached to the main body of the apparatus, the terminal cover is kept in the closed position by the first urging member.

According to the first invention, when the detachable unit is not attached to the main body of the apparatus, the terminals on the main body side are covered with the terminal cover, so that it is possible to prevent dust, toner, and other stains from adhering to the terminals on the main body side. In addition, the terminal holding member can be moved in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the detachable unit by the support protrusion, and the main body side terminal is pressed against the unit side terminal, so that the unit side terminal and the main body side terminal are reliably contacted. Can be made to. Therefore, poor contact between the unit-side terminal and the main body-side terminal can be appropriately prevented.

The second invention is dependent on the first invention, in which the support protrusion is provided on the shaft portion of the terminal cover, and the contact surface from the shaft center of the shaft portion to the pressing receiving portion as the support protrusion rotates. It has a cam shape that changes the distance to.

The third invention is dependent on the first invention, and the support protrusion is formed in an arm shape protruding from the cover body of the terminal cover in the direction of opening the terminal cover.

The fourth invention is dependent on any one of the first to third inventions, is provided on the terminal holding member, and when the detachable unit is attached to the main body of the apparatus, it comes into contact with the detachable unit and comes into contact with the detachable unit and the terminal. It is provided with a pressing protrusion that defines a distance in a predetermined direction that intersects the mounting direction of the attachment / detachment unit with the holding member.

The fifth invention is dependent on any one of the first to fourth inventions, and is provided on the main body of the apparatus and has a terminal holding member in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the detachable unit and in a direction away from the detachable unit. A second urging member for urging is provided.

According to the present invention, when the detachable unit is not attached to the main body of the apparatus, the terminals on the main body side are covered with the terminal cover, so that it is possible to prevent dirt such as dust and toner from adhering to the terminals on the main body side. In addition, the terminal holding member can be moved in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the detachable unit by the support protrusion, and the main body side terminal is pressed against the unit side terminal, so that the unit side terminal and the main body side terminal are reliably contacted. Can be made to. Therefore, poor contact between the unit-side terminal and the main body-side terminal can be appropriately prevented.

The above-mentioned object, other object, feature and advantage of the present invention will be further clarified from the detailed description of the examples described below with reference to the drawings.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the development unit included in the image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the rear end part of the developing unit seen from diagonally below. It is sectional drawing which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member before mounting a developing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member. It is a perspective view which shows the front side of the terminal holding member. It is a perspective view which shows the back side of the terminal holding member. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal holding member with the terminal cover open. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal cover. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member just before the completion of mounting of a developing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member at the time of completion of mounting of a developing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member in the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the back side of the terminal holding member. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal holding member with the terminal cover open. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal cover. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member just before the completion of mounting of a developing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member at the time of completion of mounting of a developing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the peripheral part of the terminal holding member just before the completion of mounting of the development unit in the image forming apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

[First Example]
With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multifunction device (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) having a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like, and is an electrophotographic system. Form a multicolor or monochromatic image on paper (recording medium). As will be described in detail later, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a developing unit 34, which is an example of a detachable unit. The developing unit 34 is detachable (removable) in the longitudinal direction of the device main body 12 of the image forming apparatus 10, and when the developing unit 34 is attached to the device main body 12, the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal are attached. The 108 and the development unit 34 come into contact with each other in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34.

First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be schematically described. In this first embodiment, the surface facing the standing position of the user who operates the image forming apparatus 10, that is, the surface on the side where the operation panel is provided is set as the front surface (front surface), and the front and rear of the image forming apparatus 10 and its constituent members. Specify the direction (depth direction). Further, the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the image forming apparatus 10 and its constituent members is defined with reference to a state in which the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 12 including an image forming unit 30 and the like, and an image reading device 14 arranged above the apparatus main body 12.

The image reading device 14 includes a document mounting table 16 formed of a transparent material. A document holding cover 18 can be opened and closed above the document mounting table 16 via a hinge or the like. The document holding cover 18 is provided with an ADF (automatic document feeder) 24 that automatically feeds the documents placed on the document placing tray 20 one by one to the image reading position 22. Although not shown, an operation panel for receiving input operations such as printing instructions by the user is provided on the front side of the document mounting table 16. The operation panel is appropriately provided with a display with a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like.

Further, the image reading device 14 has a built-in image reading unit 26 including a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and the like. The image reading unit 26 exposes the surface of the document with a light source, and guides the reflected light reflected from the surface of the document to the imaging lens by a plurality of mirrors. Then, the reflected light is imaged on the light receiving element of the line sensor by the imaging lens. The line sensor detects the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light imaged on the light receiving element, and generates image data based on the image on the surface of the document. As the line sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), or the like is used.

A control unit (not shown) including a CPU, a memory, and the like, an image forming unit 30, and the like are built in the device main body 12. The control unit transmits a control signal to each part of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to an input operation to the operation panel or the like, and causes the image forming apparatus 10 to perform various operations.

The image forming unit 30 includes an exposure unit 32, a developing unit 34, a photoconductor drum 36, a cleaner unit 38, a charger 40, an intermediate transfer belt unit 42, a transfer roller 44, a fixing unit 46, and the like, and is provided from a paper feed tray 48 and the like. An image is formed on the conveyed paper, and the image-formed paper is ejected to the output tray 50. As the image data for forming an image on the paper, the image data read by the image reading unit 26, the image data transmitted from an external computer, or the like is used.

The image data handled by the image forming apparatus 10 corresponds to four color images of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, each of the developing unit 34, the photoconductor drum 36, the cleaner unit 38, and the charger 40 is provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to each color, whereby four image stations are provided. It is composed. The four image stations are arranged in a horizontal row along the traveling direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 52. Further, the photoconductor drum 36, the cleaner unit 38, and the charger 40 are unitized, and the photoconductor unit is composed of these. Each of the developing unit 34 and the photoconductor unit can be individually attached and detached from the front surface side of the apparatus main body 12. However, the developing unit 34 and the photoconductor unit may be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 12 in an integrated state.

The photoconductor drum 36 is an electrostatic latent image carrier in which a photosensitive layer is formed on the surface of a cylindrical substrate having conductivity, and is made rotatable about an axis by a drive unit (not shown). The charger 40 is a member that charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 36 to a predetermined potential. Further, the exposure unit 32 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser emitting unit, a reflection mirror, and the like, and by exposing the surface of the charged photoconductor drum 36, the electrostatic latency corresponding to the image data is obtained. An image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 36. The cleaner unit 38 removes and recovers the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 36 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 52.

The developing unit 34 visualizes (forms a toner image) an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 36 with toner of four colors (YMCK), and the toner is formed on the photoconductor drum 36. A developing roller 66 or the like is provided. Further, a developer (two-component developer) composed of a toner and a carrier is housed in the developing housing 60 of the developing unit 34, and the toner contained in the developer is transferred to the photoconductor drum 36 via the developing roller 66. Be supplied. The specific configuration of the developing unit 34 will be described later.

The intermediate transfer belt unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 52, a drive roller, a driven roller, four intermediate transfer rollers 54, and the like, and is arranged above the photoconductor drum 36. The intermediate transfer belt 52 is provided so as to be in contact with each photoconductor drum 36, and the toner images of each color formed on each photoconductor drum 36 are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 52 by using the intermediate transfer roller 54. By transferring the toner, a multicolored toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 52. Further, a transfer roller 44 is arranged in the vicinity of the drive roller, and a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 52 by passing the paper through the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 52 and the transfer roller 44. Is transferred to the paper.

The fixing unit 46 includes a heat roller and a pressure roller, and is arranged above the transfer roller 44. The heat roller is set to a predetermined fixing temperature, and when the paper passes through the nip area between the heat roller and the pressure roller, the toner image transferred to the paper is melted, mixed, and pressure-welded. The toner image is thermally fixed to the paper.

Further, in the apparatus main body 12, a first paper transport path L1 for sending paper from the paper feed tray 48 or the like to the paper output tray 50 via the resist roller 56, the transfer roller 44, and the fixing unit 46 is formed. To. Further, when double-sided printing is performed on paper, the paper after single-sided printing is completed and has passed through the fixing unit 46 is returned to the first paper transport path L1 on the upstream side of the transfer roller 44 in the paper transport direction. The second paper transport path L2 is formed. A plurality of transport rollers 58 for additionally applying a propulsive force to the paper are appropriately provided in the first paper transport path L1 and the second paper transport path L2.

Next, the configuration of the developing unit 34 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the developing unit 34 includes a first transport member 62, a second transport member 64, a developing roller 66, a doctor blade (not shown), and the like, which are arranged in a predetermined arrangement by the developing housing 60. It is held integrally.

Specifically, inside the developing housing 60, a first transport member 62 and a second transport member 64 are provided so that their respective rotation axes are parallel to each other, and a developer in which toner and a carrier are mixed is accommodated. Will be done. The first transport member 62 and the second transport member 64 are auger screws having spiral blades formed on the outer peripheral surface of a columnar rotating shaft (screw shaft). The first transport member 62 and the second transport member 64 circulate the developer in a predetermined direction in the developing housing 60 by transporting the developer while stirring.

Further, in the developing housing 60, the developing roller 66 is arranged above the second transport member 64. The developing roller 66 is a magnet roller that functions as a developer carrier, and the rotation axes of the developing rollers 66 are aligned in parallel with each other at a position close to the horizontal direction with respect to the photoconductor drum 36, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the developing rollers 66 are close to each other. Arranged like this. The developing roller 66 supports the developer in the developing housing 60 on the surface, and supplies the toner contained in the supported developer to the surface of the photoconductor drum 36. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 36 is visualized.

Further, the developing housing 60 is provided with a doctor blade so as to have a predetermined gap with respect to the surface of the developing roller 66. The doctor blade is a plate-shaped member extending in the axial direction of the developing roller 66. The doctor blade limits the amount of the developer carried on the developing roller 66 to a predetermined amount.

Furthermore, on the lower surface of the developing housing 60, a rectangular plate-shaped substrate 68 is provided at the rear end portion in the mounting direction of the developing unit 34. The substrate 68 is arranged parallel to the mounting direction of the developing unit 34 (horizontal in this first embodiment). A memory (not shown) for storing information is mounted on the substrate 68, and a plurality of unit-side terminals 70 are externally mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 68 (and thus the lower surface of the developing unit 34). It is provided to be exposed. The unit-side terminal 70 is a portion that comes into contact with and electrically connected to the main body-side terminal 108, which will be described later, when the developing unit 34 is attached to the apparatus main body 12. By electrically connecting the unit-side terminal 70 and the main body-side terminal 108, information can be exchanged (communication) between the substrate 68 of the developing unit 34 and the control unit of the apparatus main body 12. In this first embodiment, each of the unit-side terminals 70 is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the attachment / detachment direction (front-back direction) of the developing unit 34, and is arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction (left-right direction) of the developing unit 34. Placed in.

Further, the developing housing 60 is provided with a toner concentration sensor (not shown) for detecting the toner concentration in the developing housing 60. This toner concentration sensor is connected to the substrate 68. The information detected by the toner concentration sensor is temporarily stored in the memory of the substrate 68, and then transmitted to the control unit of the apparatus main body 12 via the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108. The control unit of the apparatus main body 12 controls the supply of the developer from the toner cartridge into the developing housing 60 based on the information detected by the toner concentration sensor.

Such a developing unit 34 is detachably attached to the developing unit accommodating portion 100 (see FIG. 4) provided in the apparatus main body 12 from the front surface side of the apparatus main body 12.

Here, an insertion guide 72 is provided in the developing housing 60 of the developing unit 34 and the developing unit accommodating portion 100 of the apparatus main body 12. The insertion guide 72 includes a guide groove and a guide protrusion that are slidably fitted, and guides the development unit 34 to the image forming position with the mounting operation (insertion operation) of the development unit 34. In this first embodiment, the developing unit 34 is tilted downward from the normal posture (position) from the start of mounting on the developing unit accommodating portion 100 to immediately before the completion of mounting by the insertion guide 72. You will be guided to move. Then, from immediately before the completion of mounting to the completion of mounting, the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 66 is brought close to the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 36 by being lifted and rotated along with the mounting operation to be brought closer to the photoconductor drum 36. It is positioned so that it has a normal posture.

That is, the developing unit 34 is positioned at the image forming position only by the operation of mounting on the developing unit accommodating unit 100, and in the operation immediately before the mounting operation is completed, the developing unit 34 moves in the mounting direction while rotating. A specific example of such an insertion guide is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-58485 by this applicant, so please refer to it.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus main body 12 is formed with a developing unit accommodating portion 100 accommodating the developing unit 34. At the bottom of the developing unit accommodating portion 100, a plurality of main body side terminals 108 are provided at the rear end portion (that is, the rear portion of the apparatus main body 12) in the mounting direction of the developing unit 34. The main body side terminal 108 is a portion that comes into contact with the unit side terminal 70 and is electrically connected when the developing unit 34 is attached to the apparatus main body 12. In this first embodiment, each of the terminals 108 on the main body side is formed in an elastically deformable leaf spring shape, extends in the attachment / detachment direction of the developing unit 34, and is arranged so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the developing unit 34. Will be done. When a load is applied to the main body side terminal 108 from above, the main body side terminal 108 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed down, and when the load from above is released, the main body side terminal 108 is elastically restored to its original shape. Return to the state.

Here, it is required that the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 are surely in contact with each other when the developing unit 34 is attached to the apparatus main body 12. Further, if the main body side terminal 108 is exposed when the developing unit 34 is not attached to the main body 12 of the apparatus, dirt such as dust and toner adheres to the main body side terminal 108, and the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 There is a risk of poor contact.

Therefore, in this first embodiment, the terminal cover 120 that covers and protects the terminal 108 on the main body side is provided on the terminal holding member 104, and the terminal cover 120 is opened and closed and the main body is opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the developing unit 34. By adopting a configuration in which the side terminal 108 is in contact with and separated from the unit side terminal 70 in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34, poor contact between the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 is prevented. bottom. Hereinafter, the terminal contact structure for contacting the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 will be specifically described.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the apparatus main body 12 is formed with a holding member accommodating portion 102 communicating with the developing unit accommodating portion 100 on the lower side of the rear end portion of the developing unit accommodating portion 100. A box-shaped terminal holding member 104 is provided in the holding member accommodating portion 102 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (an example of a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34). That is, the terminal holding member 104 is not fixed to the device main body 12, and can slide with a slight backlash (for example, 0.5 to 1.0 mm) with respect to the holding member accommodating portion 102. However, it is preferable to make the backlash in the front-rear direction, which is the mounting direction of the developing unit 34, as small as possible.

Further, holding member support portions 102a are provided on both the left and right sides of the holding member accommodating portion 102. By supporting the shaft portion 126 of the terminal cover 120, which will be described later, on the holding member supporting portion 102a, the terminal holding member 104 is held in a state of having a space between the holding member receiving portion 102 and the bottom wall 102b. .. Further, as will be described later, in this first embodiment, the holding member support portion 102a functions as a pressing receiving portion for locking the support projection 132 of the terminal cover 120.

Further, the lower surface of the terminal holding member 104 and the bottom wall 102b of the holding member accommodating portion 102 are connected by a tension coil spring 110 which is an example of the second urging member. The terminal holding member 104 is urged downward by the tension coil spring 110 (in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34 and away from the developing unit 34), and the holding member accommodating portion 102. It is kept inside. That is, the terminal holding member 104 is held in a state where the shaft portion 126 of the terminal cover 120 is pressed against the holding member support portion 102a by the tension coil spring 110 before the developing unit 34 is mounted on the developing unit accommodating portion 100. It is held by the member accommodating portion 102. This stabilizes the position of the terminal holding member 104 before mounting the developing unit 34.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the terminal holding member 104 holds the contact board 106 having the main body side terminal 108 in a positioned state. That is, the main body side terminal 108 is held in a state of being positioned on the terminal holding member 104, and moves up and down with the vertical movement (movement) of the terminal holding member 104. Specifically, the contact board 106 is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction on the front surface side of the terminal holding member 104, and is positioned and fixed by a locking portion such as a protrusion 112 and a claw portion 114 formed on the terminal holding member 104. Will be done. Further, the main body side terminal 108 is provided so that the base end portion is fixed to the contact substrate 106 with the tip end portion as a free end and elastically deformable in the vertical direction so as to protrude from the upper surface of the terminal holding member 104.

Further, the terminal holding member 104 is provided with columnar pressing protrusions 116 extending in the vertical direction on both sides of the main body side terminal 108. The pressing protrusion 116 is provided so as to project upward from the upper end of the contact substrate 106, and when the developing unit 34 is mounted on the apparatus main body 12, it comes into contact with the lower surface of the developing housing 60 of the developing unit 34. It defines the distance between the developing unit 34 and the terminal holding member 104 in the vertical direction (detachment direction). That is, when the pressing protrusion 116 moves the terminal holding member 104 upward to bring the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 into contact with each other, the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 come into contact with each other too strongly. It is a part that prevents this.

Then, in this first embodiment, the terminal cover 120 that covers the contact board 106 so as to be openable and closable is provided on the terminal holding member 104. The terminal cover 120 is displaceable between a closed position that covers the main body side terminal 108 and an open position that exposes (opens) the main body side terminal 108. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 6-8, the terminal cover 120 includes a rectangular curved plate-shaped cover body 122. Leg portions 124 that project downward are formed on both sides of the cover body 122, and shaft portions 126 that project outward are formed at the tip portions of the leg portions 124. Further, an opening / closing protrusion 128 projecting forward (that is, the developing unit 34 side) is formed at the front end of the right side of the cover body 122, and arms of the torsion coil spring 144 are formed on both sides of the cover body 122. A first locking portion 130 is formed in which one of the portions is locked.

On the other hand, a bearing portion 140 that rotatably supports the shaft portion 126 of the terminal cover 120 is formed on the upper portions of both side walls of the terminal holding member 104. Further, on both side portions of the terminal holding member 104, a second locking portion 142 is formed inside the bearing portion 140 to which the other arm portion of the torsion coil spring 144 is locked.

The terminal cover 120 is rotatably attached to the terminal holding member 104 by supporting the shaft portion 126 to the bearing portion 140 of the terminal holding member 104. The terminal cover 120 has a closed position (see FIGS. 6 and 7) that covers the upper part of the main body side terminal 108 and an open position (see FIG. 8) that exposes the main body side terminal 108 by rotating the shaft portion 126 as a fulcrum. ) And can be displaced.

Further, a torsion coil spring 144, which is an example of the first urging member, is attached to the shaft portion 126 of the terminal cover 120. In the torsion coil spring 144, the coil portion is attached to the shaft portion 126, one of the arm portions is locked by the first locking portion 130 of the terminal cover 120, and the other of the arm portions is the second engagement of the terminal holding member 104. It is locked by the stop 142. The terminal cover 120 is urged by the torsion coil spring 144 in the direction of returning from the open position to the closed position, and keeps the closed position when no force is received from others.

Further, in this first embodiment, each of the tip portions of the shaft portion 126 is provided with a support protrusion 132 that rotates together with the shaft portion 126 (that is, the terminal cover 120). The support projection 132 moves the terminal holding member 104 upward (in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34 and on the developing unit 34 as the terminal cover 120 is displaced from the closed position to the open position. It is a part for moving in the approaching direction).

Specifically, the support projection 132 of the first embodiment has a cam shape, and when the terminal cover 120 is in the closed position, it is in a long tilted state in the front-rear direction, and the terminal cover 120 is in the open position. Occasionally, it becomes a long standing state in the vertical direction. That is, the support projection 132 is formed so that the distance from the axis center of the shaft portion 126 to the contact surface with the holding member support portion 102a (pressing receiving portion) changes with the rotation of the support protrusion 132. Therefore, the support projection 132 changes the terminal cover 120 from the tilted state to the upright state and presses the holding member support portion 102a due to the displacement operation in which the terminal cover 120 is displaced from the closed position to the open position, so that the terminal holding member 104 is initially positioned. Can be pushed up to the contact position (upper position).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the developing unit 34 abuts on the lower portion of the rear end surface of the developing housing 60 with the opening / closing protrusion 128 of the terminal cover 120 to rotate the terminal cover 120 in the opening direction. The pressing portion 74 is formed.

Subsequently, the operation when the developing unit 34 is mounted on the developing unit accommodating portion 100 of the apparatus main body 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 10 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal holding member 104 is urged downward by the tension coil spring 110 before the developing unit 34 is mounted on the developing unit accommodating portion 100, and the holding member supporting portion of the holding member accommodating portion 102. It is in the initial position locked to 102a. Further, at this time, the terminal cover 120 maintains a closed position by the action of the torsion coil spring 144, and the main body side terminal 108 is covered with the cover main body 122 of the terminal cover 120. Then, the terminal holding member 104 keeps the initial position until the operation of mounting the developing unit 34 on the developing unit accommodating portion 100 is started and immediately before the completion of mounting.

As shown in FIG. 10, just before the mounting operation of the developing unit 34 is completed, the pressing portion 74 of the developing unit 34 comes into contact with the opening / closing protrusion 128 of the terminal cover 120. After that, as the mounting operation of the developing unit 34 progresses, the terminal cover 120 is gradually displaced (rotated) from the closed position to the open position by being pushed by the developing unit 34, and the terminal 108 on the main body side is exposed. Further, with the displacement operation of the terminal cover 120, the support projection 132 is gradually displaced from the tilted state to the upright state to press the holding member support portion 102a (pressing receiving portion). As a result, the terminal holding member 104 and the main body side terminal 108 are pushed up from the initial position, that is, move in a direction approaching the developing unit 34, and the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 come into contact with each other. That is, the unit-side terminal 70 and the main body-side terminal 108 come into contact with each other in the vertical direction, which is a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the mounting operation of the developing unit 34 is completed, the terminal cover 120 is completely opened (comes to the open position) and the support projection 132 is in the upright state, so that the unit side terminal 70 is reached. The terminal holding member 104 and the main body side terminal 108 are fixed to the developing unit 34 in a state where the main body side terminal 108 and the main body side terminal 108 are in contact with each other at a predetermined pressure (that is, the terminal holding member 104 is in the contact position). At this time, the pressing projection 116 of the terminal holding member 104 abuts on the lower surface of the developing housing 60 of the developing unit 34, so that the distance between the developing unit 34 and the terminal holding member 104 in the vertical direction, that is, the unit side. The contact pressure between the terminal 70 and the terminal 108 on the main body side is appropriately maintained.

On the other hand, when the developing unit 34 is removed (disengaged) from the developing unit accommodating portion 100, the pressing of the developing unit 34 on the terminal cover 120 is released along with this detaching operation. Then, the terminal cover 120 is displaced from the open position to the closed position by the action of the torsion coil spring 144, and the main body side terminal 108 is covered by the terminal cover 120. Further, with the displacement operation of the terminal cover 120, the support projection 132 returns from the upright state to the tilted state. When the support projection 132 is tilted, the terminal holding member 104 returns to the initial position due to its own weight and the urging force from the tension coil spring 110.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the developing unit 34 is not mounted on the apparatus main body 12, the main body side terminal 108 is covered with the terminal cover 120. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from accumulating on the terminal 108 on the main body side, toner from adhering to the terminal 108, and oil and fat from adhering to the terminal 108 by being carelessly touched by the user. That is, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the terminal 108 on the main body side. Further, since the terminal holding member 104 is moved in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the developing unit 34 by the support projection 132 and the main body side terminal 108 is pressed against the unit side terminal 70, the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side are pressed. The terminal 108 can be reliably brought into contact with the terminal 108. Therefore, poor contact between the unit-side terminal 70 and the main body-side terminal 108 can be appropriately prevented.

Further, simply by attaching / detaching the developing unit 34, the opening / closing operation of the terminal cover 120 and the contact / detachment operation of the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 are executed at the same time, which may increase the operation burden on the user. not. Further, it can be manufactured at a lower cost as compared with the case of using a drawer connector.

[Second Example]
Next, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17. In this second embodiment, the configurations of the terminal cover 120 and the holding member accommodating portion 102 are different from those in the first embodiment described above. Since the other parts are the same, the same reference numbers are given to the parts common to the above-mentioned first embodiment, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, in the second embodiment, the support protrusion 134 is provided on the cover main body 122 of the terminal cover 120 instead of providing the support protrusion 132 on the shaft portion 126 of the terminal cover 120. The support protrusion 134 is formed in an arm shape that protrudes rearward (that is, in the direction in which the terminal cover 120 is opened) from the cover main body 122, and rotates together with the terminal cover 120. When the terminal cover 120 is in the closed position, the support projection 134 is in an inclined state extending backward, and when the terminal cover 120 is in the open position, it is in an upright state extending downward. Further, in the second embodiment, the base end portion of the support protrusion 134 is connected to the side surface of the cover main body 122, and a slit 136 is formed between the cover main body 122 and the base end portion of the support protrusion 134. The slit 136 avoids interference between the terminal cover 120 and the terminal holding member 104 when the terminal cover 120 is moved to the open position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the support projections 134 of the terminal cover 120 are locked below the holding member support portion 102a (that is, apart from the holding member support portion 102a) on both the left and right sides of the holding member accommodating portion 102. A pressing receiving portion 102c is provided.

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, the operation when the developing unit 34 is mounted on the developing unit accommodating portion 100 of the apparatus main body 12 will be described.

Similar to the first embodiment described above, the terminal 108 on the main body side is covered with the terminal cover 120 and the terminal holding member 104 is maintained in the initial position until just before the mounting operation of the developing unit 34 is completed. The cover.

As shown in FIG. 16, just before the mounting operation of the developing unit 34 is completed, the pressing portion 74 of the developing unit 34 comes into contact with the opening / closing protrusion 128 of the terminal cover 120, and the terminal cover 120 moves from the closed position to the open position. Gradually displace towards. Further, with the displacement operation of the terminal cover 120, the support projection 134 is gradually displaced from the tilted state to the upright state. Then, just before the terminal cover 120 is completely opened, the tip of the support protrusion 134 comes into contact with the pressing receiving portion 102c, and the tip of the support protrusion 134 is from just before the terminal cover 120 is completely opened until it is completely opened. The portion presses the pressing receiving portion 102c to push up the terminal holding member 104 from the initial position. That is, the support projection 134 pushes up the terminal holding member 104 while the developing unit 34 slightly moves in the mounting direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 17, when the mounting operation of the developing unit 34 is completed, the terminal cover 120 is completely opened and the support projection 132 is in the upright state, so that the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 are formed. The terminal holding member 104 and the main body side terminal 108 are fixed to the developing unit 34 in a state where they are in contact with each other at a predetermined pressure.

Also in this second embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and poor contact between the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 can be appropriately prevented.

Further, according to the second embodiment, since the terminal holding member 104 is lifted while the developing unit 34 slightly moves in the mounting direction, the developing unit 34 is brought into contact with the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108. It is possible to reduce or prevent the rubbing between the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 in the mounting direction.

[Third Example]
Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this third embodiment, the configurations of the developing housing 60 and the terminal cover 120 are different from those in the first embodiment described above. Since the other parts are the same, the same reference numbers are given to the parts common to the above-mentioned first embodiment, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the third embodiment, an opening / closing protrusion 76 projecting rearward is formed at the lower portion of the rear end surface of the developing housing 60 included in the developing unit 34. On the other hand, a pressing receiving portion 138 extending upward is formed at the front end portion of the right side portion of the cover main body 122 included in the terminal cover 120. When the developing unit 34 is mounted on the developing unit accommodating portion 100 of the apparatus main body 12, the terminal cover 120 is opened by pushing the opening / closing protrusion 76 of the developing unit 34 against the pressing portion 138 of the terminal cover 120. ..

Also in this third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and poor contact between the unit side terminal 70 and the main body side terminal 108 can be appropriately prevented.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the unit-side terminal 70 is arranged on the lower surface of the outer surface of the developing unit 34 in the mounting direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. The unit side terminal 70 may be arranged on the right side surface or the left side surface of the developing unit 34, and the terminal holding member 104 may be configured to approach the developing unit 34 from the right side or the left side. Further, the unit side terminal 70 may be arranged on the upper surface of the developing unit 34, and the terminal holding member 104 may be brought close to the developing unit 34 from above.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, as the image forming apparatus 10, a multifunction device in which a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc. are combined is exemplified, but the image forming apparatus 10 is any one of a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like, or. It may be a multifunction device that combines at least two of these. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be an inkjet method.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the developing unit 34 is exemplified as the detachable unit, but the detachable unit may be a photoconductor unit, a toner cartridge, or the like.

The specific numerical values and component shapes mentioned above are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed as needed, such as product specifications.

10 ... Image forming device 12 ... Device main body 14 ... Image reading device 26 ... Image reading unit 30 ... Image forming unit 34 ... Development unit 36 ... Photoconductor drum 66 ... Development roller 70 ... Unit side terminal 100 ... Development unit housing unit 102 ... Holding member accommodating portion 102a ... Holding member supporting portion (pressing receiving portion)
102c ... Press receiving part 104 ... Terminal holding member 108 ... Main body side terminal 110 ... Tension coil spring (second urging member)
116 ... Pushing protrusion 120 ... Terminal cover 122 ... Cover body 126 ... Shaft 132,134 ... Supporting protrusion 144 ... Torsion coil spring (first urging member)

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus provided with a detachable unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus.
Unit side terminals provided on the detachable unit,
A main body side terminal provided on the main body of the device and in contact with the terminal on the unit side when the detachable unit is attached to the main body of the device.
A terminal holding member provided on the main body of the device and holding the terminal on the main body side,
A terminal cover that is rotatably provided on the terminal holding member and can be displaced between a closed position that covers the main body side terminal and an open position that exposes the main body side terminal by rotating the shaft portion as a fulcrum.
A first urging member that urges the terminal cover in a direction returning from the open position to the closed position.
A support protrusion provided on the terminal cover and rotating together with the terminal cover, and a pressing receiving portion provided on the main body of the apparatus for locking the support protrusion are provided.
The terminal holding member is provided so as to be movable in a predetermined direction intersecting the mounting direction of the detachable unit.
When the attachment / detachment unit is pushed by the attachment / detachment unit, the terminal cover is displaced from the closed position to the open position, and the support protrusion rotates to press the pressing receiving portion. An image forming apparatus for moving the terminal holding member in the predetermined direction and in a direction approaching the detachable unit to bring the main body side terminal into contact with the unit side terminal. The support protrusion is provided on the shaft portion of the terminal cover, and has a cam shape in which the distance from the axis center of the shaft portion to the contact surface with the pressing receiving portion changes as the support protrusion rotates. , The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support protrusion is formed in an arm shape protruding from the cover body of the terminal cover in a direction of opening the terminal cover. A pressing protrusion provided on the terminal holding member, which abuts on the detachable unit and defines a distance between the detachable unit and the terminal holding member in the predetermined direction when the detachable unit is attached to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The image forming according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second urging member provided on the main body of the apparatus and urging the terminal holding member in the predetermined direction and in a direction away from the detachable unit. Device.

Images