JP7334807B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus that includes a drum cartridge and developer cartridge.

Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from a main housing in the axial direction along the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200014). Also, among drum cartridges that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, there is known one that includes an IC chip (memory) (see Patent Document 2). With this technique, the image forming apparatus can read the information of the drum cartridge from the memory when the drum cartridge is mounted. The memory is positioned on the rear end face in the mounting direction of the drum cartridge.

JP 2018-72677 A JP 2009-008698 A

By the way, a plurality of parts such as couplings and electrodes, which come into contact with the body housing of the image forming apparatus, are positioned on the end face of the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge in the mounting direction, which is the axial direction. Therefore, it is difficult to position the memory on the end face of the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge in the mounting direction, which is the axial direction.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge that are detachable in the axial direction of a photosensitive drum, in which a memory is positioned on a surface different from the end surface of the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge in the mounting direction, which is the axial direction. The purpose is to disclose what

In view of the background described above, an image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a main housing, a drum cartridge, a developer cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge has a drum frame, a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axially extending first axis, and a first memory for storing drum information, which is information about the photosensitive drum. The drum cartridge can be attached to and detached from the body housing in the axial direction. The developing cartridge has a developing frame containing toner, a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction, and a second memory storing development information regarding at least one of the toner and the developing roller. The developer cartridge is aligned with the drum cartridge along an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from the body housing in the axial direction. The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge with the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge attached to the main housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum contacts the intermediate transfer belt when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing. The drum frame has a first end on which the photosensitive drum is positioned, and a second end positioned away from the first end in the vertical direction when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. The developing frame has a third end where the developing roller is positioned, and a fourth end positioned away from the third end in the vertical direction when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main housing. In this image forming apparatus, the first memory is positioned at the second end of the drum frame, or the second memory is positioned at the fourth end of the developer cartridge.

This arrangement places the first memory or the second memory on one of the orthogonally separated outer surfaces of the corresponding frame, rather than on the axial end face. Therefore, the first memory or the second memory can be arranged without being restricted by the space on the end face in the axial direction, so that a sufficient contact area for the contacts can be secured. In addition, due to the weight of the cartridge itself, it is possible to establish reliable and stable electrical contact with the terminals on the main housing side.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the first memory may be located at the second end of the drum frame and the second memory may be located at the fourth end of the developer frame.

Further, of the first memory and the second memory, the first memory may be positioned at the second end of the drum frame. At this time, the second memory may not be positioned at the second end of the drum frame.

In the configuration in which the first memory is positioned at the second end of the drum frame, the photosensitive drum is positioned vertically between the intermediate transfer belt and the first memory with the drum cartridge attached to the main housing. It may be assumed that

In the configuration in which the first memory is located at the second end of the drum frame, the drum frame has a drum bottom surface located at the second end of the drum frame, and the first memory is located at the drum bottom surface. may be

The body housing may have a first opening through which the drum cartridge can be attached and detached. The drum frame may also have a first drum outer surface and a second drum outer surface axially spaced from the first drum outer surface. The outer surface of the second drum may be located further from the first opening than the outer surface of the first drum when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. Here, the first memory is preferably positioned closer to the second drum outer surface than to the first drum outer surface.

By configuring in this way, compared to the case where the first memory is located closer to the outer surface of the first drum than the outer surface of the second drum, the terminals contacting the first memory on the side of the main body housing are located from the first opening. They will be placed in separate locations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the terminal that contacts the first memory. In addition, contact between the terminals on the main housing side and the drum frame, and wear and damage due to such contact, can be suppressed.

Further, when the drum cartridge further has a drum coupling for inputting a driving force for rotationally driving the photosensitive drum, the drum coupling can be positioned on the outer surface of the second drum. As described above, the first memory is located at the second end or the lower end surface of the drum, and is not located on the outer surface of the second drum. area can be secured.

Further, of the first memory and the second memory, the second memory may be positioned at the fourth end of the development frame. At this time, the first memory may not be positioned at the second end of the drum frame.

In the configuration in which the second memory is positioned at the fourth end, the developing roller may be positioned between the intermediate transfer belt and the second memory in the vertical direction when the developing cartridge is attached to the main housing. good.

In the configuration in which the second memory is located at the fourth end, the development frame may have a development bottom end surface located at the fourth end of the development frame, and the second memory may be located at the development bottom end surface. .

The body housing may have a second opening through which the developer cartridge can be attached and detached. The developer frame can also have a first outer developer surface and a second outer developer surface axially spaced from the first outer developer surface. The second development outer surface may be located further from the second opening than the first development outer surface when the developer cartridge is mounted in the main housing. Here, the second memory is preferably positioned closer to the second outer development surface than to the first outer development surface.

By configuring in this way, compared to the case where the second memory is positioned closer to the first developing outer surface than the second developing outer surface, the terminal that contacts the second memory on the main body housing side is located away from the second opening. They will be placed in separate locations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the terminal that contacts the second memory. In addition, contact between the terminals on the main housing side and the developing frame, and wear and damage due to such contact, can be suppressed.

In the case where the developing cartridge further has a developing coupling for inputting a driving force for rotationally driving the developing roller, the developing coupling can be positioned on the second developing outer surface. As described above, the second memory is positioned at the fourth end or the lower end surface of the developing device, and is not arranged on the second outer developing surface. area can be secured.

Further, the developing cartridge may further have a positioning boss for positioning the developing cartridge with respect to the main housing. At this time, the positioning boss can be positioned on the outer surface of the second developing device. As described above, the second memory is positioned at the fourth end or the lower end surface of the developing device, and is not arranged on the second outer surface of the developing device. can be ensured.

The development cartridge may have a development coupling for inputting a driving force for rotationally driving the development roller, and a development coupling cover for covering the outer periphery of the development coupling. The development coupling may be located on the second development outer surface, and the second memory may be located on the lower end surface of the development coupling cover.

Further, the image forming apparatus described above may further include a drum support plate positioned below the drum cartridge and supporting the drum cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge is mounted in the main housing. The drum support plate may be vertically movable between a drum separation position where the photosensitive drum is separated from the intermediate transfer belt and a drum contact position where the photosensitive drum is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt.

The first memory has a first contact, the main housing has a first terminal that contacts the first contact when the drum cartridge is mounted in the main housing, and the first terminal is connected to the drum. It may be located on a support plate.

The first terminal may be separated from the first contact when the drum support plate is at the drum separation position, and the first terminal may be in contact with the first contact when the drum support plate is at the drum contact position. By configuring in this manner, the contact/separation operation of the photosensitive drum with respect to the intermediate transfer belt can be interlocked with the switching of the connection/disconnection operation of the first contact with the first terminal, so the mechanism and operation are simple. can be

The image forming apparatus having the drum support plate described above may further include a development support plate positioned below the development cartridge and supporting the development cartridge with the development cartridge mounted in the main housing. Further, the development support plate can be configured to be movable together with the vertical movement of the drum support plate.

In the embodiment provided with the developer support plate described above, the second memory has a second contact, and the main housing has a second contact that contacts the second contact when the developer cartridge is attached to the main housing. It may have two terminals. Here, the second terminal can be positioned on the developing support plate.

The second terminal is separated from the second contact when the drum support plate is at the drum separation position, and the second terminal is in contact with the second contact when the drum support plate is at the drum contact position. good too. With this configuration, the contact/separation operation of the photosensitive drum with respect to the intermediate transfer belt can be interlocked with the switching between the connection/disconnection operation of the second contact with the second terminal, so the mechanism and operation are simple. can be

The image forming apparatus may have the first memory located at the second end of the drum frame and the second memory located at the fourth end of the developer frame.

According to the image forming apparatus described above, the memory can be positioned on a surface different from the end surface in the mounting direction, which is the axial direction of the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in arranging components on the end face of the drum cartridge or developing cartridge in the mounting direction, and to achieve reliable connection of the memory when the drum cartridge or developing cartridge is mounted to the main housing.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the main housing with the cover opened, viewed from the opening side; It is the perspective view (a) which shows a drum cartridge, and the perspective view which shows a developing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows a support plate. 3A and 3B are a side view (a) and a perspective view (b) showing the state of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the cover of the main body housing is opened; FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state (a) in which the developing cartridge is in the developing contact position and a state (b) in which the developing cartridge is in the developing separation position after the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a process of mounting the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge, and a state in which the mounting is completed after the cover of the main housing is closed.

Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main housing 2 , a supply section 3 , an image forming section 4 , a discharge roller 9 and a control section 10 . The supply section 3 supplies the sheet S to the image forming section 4 . The image forming section 4 forms an image on the sheet S. FIG. The discharge roller 9 discharges the sheet S. FIG.

The body housing 2 has a discharge section 20 at the top. The sheet S is discharged to the discharge section 20 . The discharge section 20 is positioned above an intermediate transfer belt 63, which will be described later.

The supply unit 3 is located in the lower part inside the main body housing 2 . The supply unit 3 includes a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32 . The supply tray 31 is detachable from the main housing 2 . The supply mechanism 32 conveys the sheet S from the supply tray 31 to the image forming section 4 .

The image forming section 4 includes a drum cartridge 400 , a developing cartridge 500 , an exposure device SU, a transfer unit 60 and a fixing unit 70 . The number of drum cartridges 400 and the number of developing cartridges 500 correspond to the number of toner colors. In this embodiment, four drum cartridges 400 and four developing cartridges 500 are arranged.

Each drum cartridge 400 has a photosensitive drum 410 , a drum frame 420 , a charger (not shown), and a first memory 430 . The photosensitive drum 410 is rotatable about an axially extending first axis X1. In the following description, the direction parallel to the first axis X1, which is the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 410, is simply referred to as the "axial direction." The four photosensitive drums 410 are arranged in an orthogonal direction (simply referred to as “perpendicular direction” in the following description) orthogonal to the axial direction and the vertical direction. The drum frame 420 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 410 .

The first memory 430 stores drum information, which is information about the photosensitive drum 410 . The drum information is, for example, information representing the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 410 .

When the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are attached to the main body housing 2, the drum cartridge 400 is aligned with the developing cartridge 500 in the orthogonal direction.

Each developer cartridge 500 has a developer frame 520 containing toner of a different color, a developer roller 510 and a second memory 530 . The developing roller 510 is rotatable about a second axially extending axis X2. The four developing rollers 510 are arranged orthogonally.

Second memory 530 stores development information regarding at least one of toner and development roller 510 . The development information is, for example, information representing the cumulative number of rotations of the development roller 510 and/or the remaining amount of toner contained in the development frame 520 . The development information may include information indicating the amount of toner used in the development frame 520 . For example, information representing the printed dot count and the amount of toner used for printing.

An exposure unit SU is positioned below each drum cartridge 400 . The exposure unit SU emits a laser beam (see two-dot chain line) to each photosensitive drum 410 .

The transfer unit 60 is positioned between the four photosensitive drums 410 and the discharge section 20 . The transfer unit 60 includes a drive roller 61 , a driven roller 62 , an intermediate transfer belt 63 , four primary transfer rollers 64 and secondary transfer rollers 65 .

The intermediate transfer belt 63 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 63 is positioned above the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 when the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are attached to the main housing 2 . The surface of the photosensitive drum 410 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63 when the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are attached to the main housing 2 . The intermediate transfer belt 63 is stretched between the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 62 .

The primary transfer roller 64 is positioned inside the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The primary transfer roller 64 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 with the photosensitive drum 410 .

The secondary transfer roller 65 is positioned outside the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 with the drive roller 61 .

The fixing unit 70 is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The fixing unit 70 has a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 . The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the heating roller 71 .

The control unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an input/output circuit, and performs print control by performing arithmetic processing based on information about the mounted cartridge and programs and data stored in the ROM. Execute.

In the image forming section 4, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 410 is charged by a charger. After that, the exposure unit SU exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 410 . Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 410 .

Developing roller 510 then supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on photoconductive drum 410 . Thereby, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 410 . Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 410 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63 .

The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 63 is transferred onto the sheet S when the sheet S passes between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the secondary transfer roller 65 . After that, the toner image on the sheet S is fixed by the fixing unit 70 . The sheet S is then discharged to the discharge section 20 by the discharge rollers 9 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the body housing 2 has an opening 21 and a cover 22 . The opening 21 faces one side in the axial direction of the main housing 2 . The opening 21 allows attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge 400 and the development cartridge 500 in the axial direction. In other words, the drum cartridge 400 can be attached to and detached from the main housing 2 in the axial direction. The developer cartridge 500 can be attached to and detached from the main housing 2 in the axial direction. The cover 22 can open and close the opening 21 .

Further, the body housing 2 is configured so that four drum cartridges 400 and four developing cartridges 500 can be housed therein at predetermined positions. Nine guide walls 150 are fixed inside the main body housing 2 to partition respective storage spaces for the drum cartridge 400 and the developer cartridge 500 .

The guide wall 150 is a screen-like partition wall that protrudes upward from the vicinity of the lower edge of the opening 21 and extends axially deep inside the main housing 2, and demarcates the boundaries of the respective cartridge housing spaces in the orthogonal direction. When the drum cartridge 400 or the developing cartridge 500 is attached or detached, the guide wall 150 functions as a guide rail that guides each cartridge.

The body housing 2 has a first terminal 110, a first connection plate 112, two first positioning projections 113, and a drum drive connection portion 115 in the housing space of each drum cartridge 400. .

Each of the two first positioning protrusions 113 is fixed to a predetermined position on the first connecting plate 112 . The first connection plate 112 and the drum drive connection portion 115 are located along the vertical wall on the far side away from the opening 21 in the main housing 2 . The first connection plate 112 and the drum drive connection portion 115 are vertically movable.

Further, the body housing 2 has a second terminal 120, a second connecting plate 122, two second positioning projections 123, and a developing drive connecting portion 125 in each developing cartridge 500 accommodating space. ing.

Each of the two second positioning protrusions 123 is fixed to a predetermined position on the second connecting plate 122 . The second connecting plate 122 and the developing drive connecting portion 125 are located along the vertical wall on the far side away from the opening 21 in the main housing 2 . The second connection plate 122 and the development drive connection portion 125 are movable in the vertical direction and the orthogonal direction.

A support plate 140 is positioned below the housing spaces of the corresponding four sets of drum cartridges 400 and developing cartridges 500, with one guide wall 150 interposed between the two cartridge housing spaces. there is The support plate 140 extends parallel to the axial direction and the orthogonal direction from the vicinity of the lower edge of the opening 21 toward the inner side. The first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 are located on the support plate 140 .

A first terminal 110 corresponds to each drum cartridge 400 . The second terminal 120 corresponds to each developer cartridge 500 . Each first terminal 110 and each second terminal 120 are connected to the control section 10 via the support plate 140 . As shown in FIG. 4, the first terminal 110 has a first terminal contact 11C and an engaging recess 11R. Also, the second terminal 120 has a second terminal contact 12C and an engaging recess 12R.

The configuration and position of the drum frame 420 of the drum cartridge 400 and the configuration and position of the first memory 430 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3(a). The drum frame 420 has a first end portion 1E where the photosensitive drum 410 is positioned, and a second end portion which is positioned away from the first end portion 1E in the vertical direction when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2. 2E.

The drum frame 420 is a hexahedron elongated in the axial direction, and includes a drum upper end surface 42U, a drum lower end surface 42L, a first drum outer surface 421, a second drum outer surface 422, a third drum outer surface 423, and a third drum outer surface 423. 4 drum outer surface 424 . The drum upper end surface 42U is located at the first end 1E. The drum lower end surface 42L is positioned at the second end portion 2E. The first drum outer surface 421, the second drum outer surface 422, the third drum outer surface 423, and the fourth drum outer surface 424 are outer surfaces that connect the drum upper end surface 42U and the drum lower end surface 42L. The first drum outer surface 421 and the second drum outer surface 422 are spaced apart in the axial direction. The third drum outer surface 423 and the fourth drum outer surface 424 are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction.

The second drum outer surface 422 is an outer surface positioned farther from the opening 21 than the first drum outer surface 421 in the axial direction when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main housing. When the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are mounted in the main housing 2, the third drum outer surface 423, in the orthogonal direction, is closer to the developing roller 510 with which the photosensitive drum 410 contacts than the fourth drum outer surface 424. It is the outer surface located away from the corresponding developer cartridge 500 having.

The drum cartridge 400 has a drum coupling 440 and two first positioning holes 426 on the second drum outer surface 422 . The drum coupling 440 is connected to the drum drive connecting portion 115 (see FIG. 2) of the main body housing 2 in a state where the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2, and supplies a driving force for rotationally driving the photosensitive drum 410. input. The two first positioning holes 426 are fitted with the first positioning protrusions 113 (see FIG. 2) fixed to the first connecting plate 112 of the main body housing 2 when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2. .

A first memory 430 is located at the second end 2E of the drum frame 420 . In other words, when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main housing 2, the photosensitive drum 410 is vertically positioned between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the first memory 430 (see FIG. 1). , in which the first memory 430 is located. Particularly in this embodiment, the first memory 430 is located on the drum lower end surface 42L. However, the shape of the second end portion 2E is not limited to the illustrated shape, and various other forms can be assumed. Therefore, it is understood that the first memory 430 may be positioned in a convex or concave portion off the drum lower end surface 42L at the second end 2E.

In addition, the first memory 430 is closer to the second drum outer surface 422 than the first drum outer surface 421 at the second end 2E of the drum frame 420, that is, when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2. In this state, it is located on the far side away from the opening 21.例文帳に追加

The first memory 430 has two first contacts 431 and two engaging projections 435 . When the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2, the engagement protrusion 435 engages with the engagement recess 11R of the first terminal 110 and is positioned with respect to the first terminal 110, and the first contact 431 is connected to the first contact. It contacts and is electrically connected to the terminal 110 (specifically, the first terminal contact 11C).

As shown in FIG. 3A, the photosensitive drums 410 are exposed from the drum upper end surface 42U of the drum frame 420 and the upper opening of the second drum outer surface 422, and the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the corresponding developing rollers 510 are exposed. located in contact with An axially elongated rib 428 is located on the first drum outer surface 421 of the drum frame 420 . A third drum outer surface 423 of the drum frame 420 is similarly provided with an axially long rib 428 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Ribs 428 will be described later.

The configuration and position of the developing frame 520 of the developing cartridge 500 and the configuration and position of the second memory 530 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3(b). The developing frame 520 has a third end portion 3E at which the developing roller 510 is positioned, and a fourth end portion positioned away from the third end portion 3E in the vertical direction when the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main housing 2. 4E.

The development frame 520 is a hexahedron long in the axial direction, and includes a development upper end surface 52U, a development lower end surface 52L, a first development outer surface 521, a second development outer surface 522, a third development outer surface 523, and a third development outer surface 523. 4 developing outer surface 524 . The development upper end surface 52U is positioned at the third end portion 3E. The development lower end surface 52L is positioned at the fourth end portion 4E. The first development outer surface 521, the second development outer surface 522, the third development outer surface 523, and the fourth development outer surface 524 are outer surfaces that connect the development upper end surface 52U and the development lower end surface 52L. The first outer development surface 521 and the second outer development surface 522 are positioned apart in the axial direction. The third outer development surface 523 and the fourth outer development surface 524 are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction.

The second development outer surface 522 is an outer surface located further from the opening 21 than the first development outer surface 521 in the axial direction when the developer cartridge 500 is attached to the main housing 2 . With the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 attached to the main housing 2 , the third developing outer surface 523 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 410 with which the developing roller 510 contacts more than the fourth developing outer surface 524 in the orthogonal direction. It is the outer surface located near the corresponding drum cartridge 400 having.

The developer cartridge 500 has a positioning boss 525 , a developer coupling 540 and a developer coupling cover 545 on the second developer outer surface 522 . The developing coupling 540 is connected to the developing drive connecting portion 125 (see FIG. 2) of the main housing 2 in a state where the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main housing 2, and supplies a driving force to rotationally drive the developing roller 510. input. The development coupling cover 545 covers the outer circumference of the development coupling 540 . A second positioning hole 526 is positioned in each of the positioning boss 525 and the developing coupling cover 545 . The two second positioning holes 526 are fitted with the second positioning protrusions 123 (see FIG. 2) fixed to the second connecting plate 122 of the main body housing 2 when the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main body housing 2. .

The second memory 530 is located at the fourth end 4E of the developing frame 520. As shown in FIG. In other words, when the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main housing 2, the developing roller 510 is positioned vertically between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the second memory 530 (see FIG. 1). , a second memory 530 is located. Especially in this embodiment, the second memory 530 is positioned on the development lower end surface 52L. However, the shape of the fourth end portion 4E is not limited to the illustrated shape, and various other forms can be assumed. Therefore, it is understood that the second memory 530 may be positioned in a convex portion or a concave portion off the development lower end surface 52L at the fourth end portion 4E.

Further, the second memory 530 is closer to the second developing outer surface 522 than the first developing outer surface 521 at the fourth end 4E of the developing frame 520, that is, when the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main housing 2. In this state, it is located on the far side away from the opening 21.例文帳に追加In this embodiment, the second memory 530 is located on the lower end surface of the development coupling cover 545 .

The second memory 530 has two second contacts 531 and two engaging protrusions 535 . When the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main body housing 2, the engaging protrusion 535 engages with the engaging recess 12R of the second terminal 120 and is positioned with respect to the second terminal 120, and the second contact 531 is connected to the second contact. It contacts and is electrically connected to the terminal 120 (specifically, the second terminal contact 12C).

As shown in FIG. 3B, the developing roller 510 is exposed through an opening in the upper portion of the third developing outer surface 523 of the drum frame and positioned so as to be in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drum 410 . An axially elongated rib 528 is located on the fourth drum outer surface 424 of the developer frame 520 . Similarly, an axially long rib 528 is positioned on the third drum outer surface 423 of the drum frame 420 (see FIG. 5(a)).

As shown in FIG. 4, support plate 140 is axially slidable relative to lift plate 130 . Support plate 140 has an opening 145 in the center. A guide wall 150 extends through the opening 145 . The lift plate 130 and the support plate 140 are restricted in orthogonal movement by guide walls 150 located in the orthogonal sides and the central opening 145 . Axial movement of the support plate 140 is also restricted by a guide wall 150 passing through the central opening. On the other hand, the central opening (not shown) of the lift plate 130 is larger in axial dimension than the central guide wall 150, and is axially movable to the extent that rotation by a four-bar link mechanism, which will be described later, is permitted.

The lift plate 130 can move up and down. In this embodiment, the drum support plate 116 and the development support plate 126 are moved up and down at the same time by moving the lift plate 130 up and down. The lift plate 130 has a plurality of openings (not shown) so that the laser beam emitted from the exposure unit SU can pass through each opening and expose the photosensitive drum 410 of the mounted drum cartridge 400. there is

The support plate 140 has two first support blocks 141 located axially apart from each other on the axial opening 21 side (see FIG. 2) of the first terminal 110 . The support plate 140 has two second support blocks 142 located axially apart from each other on the side of the opening 21 in the axial direction (see FIG. 2) relative to the second terminal 120 .

The support plate 140 is positioned below the drum cartridge 400 when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2 , and supports the drum cartridge 400 from below by the first support block 141 . The support plate 140 is positioned below the developer cartridge 500 when the developer cartridge 500 is attached to the main housing 2 , and supports the developer cartridge 500 from below by the second support block 142 . First support block 141 and second support block 142 have approximately the same height dimension as first terminal 110 and second terminal 120, respectively.

The first terminal 110 can electrically contact the first contact 431 (see FIG. 3A) of the first memory 430 of the drum cartridge 400 . Information stored in the first memory 430 is sent to the control unit 10 via the first terminal 110 . The second terminal 120 can electrically contact the second contact 531 (see FIG. 3B) of the second memory 530 of the developing cartridge 500 . Information stored in the second memory 530 is sent to the control section 10 via the second terminal 120 .

Next, a configuration for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG.

The support plate 140 is vertically movable between a drum separation position where the photosensitive drum 410 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63 and a drum contact position where the photosensitive drum 410 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63 .

When the support plate 140 is at the drum separation position shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the drum cartridge 400 is supported by the guide wall 150 at the ribs 428, and the first memory 430 is separated from the first terminals 110. , the photosensitive drum 410 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63 . Further, the developer cartridge 500 is supported by the guide wall 150 at the ribs 528 , and the second memory 530 is separated from the second terminal 120 .

When the support plate 140 is in the drum contact position shown in FIG. 6A, the drum cartridge is supported by the first support block 141 (see FIG. 4) of the support plate 140, and the first memory 430 is connected to the first terminal 110. , and the photosensitive drum 410 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63 . Also, the developer cartridge 500 is supported by the second support block 142 (see FIG. 4) of the support plate 140 , and the second memory 530 is in contact with the second terminal 120 .

Then, the developing cartridge 500 is slid on the second support block 142 in the orthogonal direction by a developing separation mechanism (not shown), thereby moving the developing roller 510 to the developing contact position (FIG. 6A) where the developing roller 510 contacts the photosensitive drum 410. ) and a developing separation position (see FIG. 6B) where the developing roller 510 is separated from the photosensitive drum 410 .

In addition, the second terminal 120 is attached to the support plate 140 so as to be movable in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, when the developer cartridge 500 attached to the main body housing 2 moves between the developer separation position and the developer contact position, the second terminal 120 slides following the movement of the developer cartridge 500, The contact of the second contact 531 with the second terminal 120 can be maintained.

In this embodiment, the movement of the support plate 140 between the drum-separated position and the drum-contacting position is interlocked with the opening/closing operation of the cover 22 of the main body housing 2 . As shown in FIG. 7, inside the cover 22 of the main housing 2, an inner cover 23 that rotates integrally with the cover 22 is positioned. Further, a lift plate 130 is positioned inside the main body housing 2 . Support plate 140 is positioned above lift plate 130 .

The lift plate 130 is connected to the main body housing 2 by a first link 27 and a second link 28 at both ends of the lift plate 130 on the opening 21 side and the back side in the axial direction on both sides in the orthogonal direction, thereby forming a four-bar link mechanism. are doing. The first link 27 is fixed to the inner cover 23 . Therefore, when the cover 22 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the inner cover 23 and the first link 27 are rotated integrally, and the lift plate 130 is moved together with the driven second link 28 as shown in FIG. ) to the position shown in . At this time, the support plate 140 on the lift plate 130 rises to the drum contact position shown in FIG. 6(a).

Thus, in this embodiment, by closing the cover 22, the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are attached to the main housing 2, and the first memory 430 is connected to the first terminal as shown in FIG. 110 and the second memory 530 contacts the second terminal 120 . Furthermore, at this time, the photosensitive drum 410 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63 .

A state in which the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are mounted is shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 7(b). At this time, the support plate 140 is positioned at the drum contact position.

From this state, when the cover 22 is opened to remove the drum cartridge 400 or the developing cartridge 500, the lift plate 130 is lowered and the support plate 140 is moved downward as shown in FIG. Then, the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are lowered, and the ribs 428 and 528 come into contact with the upper end of the guide wall 150 to support the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 on the guide wall 150 .

When the lift plate 130 moves further downward and the support plate 140 descends, the first terminal 110 is connected from the first contact 431 of the first memory 430 and the second terminal 120 is connected from the second contact 531 of the second memory 530. As a result, the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are released. At this time, the support plate 140 is positioned at the drum contact position (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

At this time, the first connecting plate 112 and the drum driving connecting portion 115 move downward together with the drum cartridge 400 , and the second connecting plate 122 and the developing drive connecting portion 125 move downward together with the developing cartridge 500 . Therefore, the connection of the drum coupling 440 with the drum drive connection portion 115 and the connection of the development coupling 540 with the development drive connection portion 125 are maintained.

After that, by pulling out the drum cartridge 400 and/or the developing cartridge 500, the drum coupling 440 is connected to the drum drive connecting portion 115 and the developing drive connecting portion 125 of the developing coupling 540 is connected as shown in FIG. 7(a). The drum cartridge 400 and/or the developer cartridge 500 can be taken out through the opening 21 while the ribs 480 and 580 are slid along the guide wall 150 .

When the drum cartridge 400 is attached to the main body housing 2, first, the ribs 428 of the third drum outer surface 423 and the fourth drum outer surface 424 guide the corresponding main body housing 2 from the second drum outer surface 422 side. It is located on the wall 150 and pushed into the main housing 2 along the guide wall 150 as shown in FIG. 7(a). Then, the drum coupling 440 is positioned while being connected to the drum driving connection portion 115 (see FIG. 2). In this process, as shown in FIG. 5A, since the support plate 140 is at the drum separation position, the photosensitive drum 410 and the drum frame 420 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63, and the first memory 430 is in the first memory. No contact with 1 terminal 110

When the developing cartridge 500 is attached to the main body housing 2, first, the ribs 528 of the third developing outer surface 523 and the fourth developing outer surface 524 guide the corresponding main body housing 2 from the second developing outer surface 522 side. Positioned on the wall 150, it is pushed into the main housing 2 along the guide wall 150, as shown in FIG. ) is positioned in a connected state. In this process, as shown in FIG. 5A, the support plate 140 is at the drum separation position, so the development frame 520 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63, and the second memory 530 is connected to the second terminal 120. no contact.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the cover 22 is closed, the support plate 140 moves upward from the drum separation position and returns to the drum contact position shown in FIG. Installation of the cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 is completed.

According to the embodiment described above, the following advantages are obtained.
Since the first memory 430 is positioned at the second end 2E of the drum frame 420, the inner end face of the drum cartridge 400 in the axial direction where the drum coupling 440 and the first positioning hole 426 are positioned (second drum A sufficient contact area for the first contact 431 can be ensured without being restricted by the space on the outer surface 422). Further, since the second memory 530 is positioned at the fourth end portion 4E of the developing frame 520, the depth of the developing cartridge 500 in the axial direction where the developing coupling 540, the positioning boss 525 and the second positioning hole 526 are positioned. A sufficient contact area for the second contact 531 can be ensured without being restricted by the space on the side end surface (second developing outer surface 522).

Since the first memory 430 is positioned closer to the second drum outer surface 422 than to the first drum outer surface 421, i.e., at a position farther from the opening 21, when the drum cartridge 400 is attached to or detached from the main body housing 2, In such cases, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the first terminal 110 on the side of the main housing 2 . In addition, contact between the first terminal 110 and the drum frame 420 (and wear and breakage associated therewith) can be suppressed.

Since the second memory 530 is also positioned closer to the second developing outer surface 522 than to the first developing outer surface 521, i.e., at a position farther from the opening 21, when the developing cartridge 500 is attached to or removed from the main housing 2, In such cases, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the second terminal 120 on the side of the main housing 2 . In addition, contact between the second terminal 120 and the developing frame 520 (and accompanying wear and damage) can be suppressed.

The first terminal 110 is separated from the first contact 431 when the support plate 140 is at the drum separation position, the second terminal 120 is separated from the second contact 531, and the support plate 140 is at the drum contact position. Since the terminal 110 is in contact with the first contact 431 and the second terminal 120 is in contact with the second contact 531, the contact/separation operation of the photosensitive drum 410 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the memory (first memory 430, second memory 530) can be interlocked with switching between connection and disconnection with the casing-side terminals (first terminal 110, second terminal 120).

The specific embodiments described above can be implemented with various modifications.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the main housing 2 illustrated a configuration in which four drum cartridges 400 and four developing cartridges 500 can be attached and detached through one opening 21. Each pair of cartridge 400 and developer cartridge 500 may have one opening. That is, the body housing may have four openings. Alternatively, the body housing may have one first opening corresponding to one drum cartridge 400 and one second opening corresponding to one developer cartridge 500 . Further, the body housing may have one cover for each set of corresponding drum cartridge 400 and developing cartridge 500 . That is, the main housing may have four covers. Also, the body housing may have one first cover corresponding to one first opening and one second cover corresponding to one second opening. That is, the body housing may have four first covers and four second covers.

In the above-described embodiment, the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 are moved up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover 22, but the movement of the support plate 140 to the drum contact position and the drum separation position is It may be possible to execute independently of opening and closing of the cover.

In addition, although the support plate 140 is positioned below the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500 to support the drum cartridge 400 and the developing cartridge 500, the supporting plate 140 may be positioned below the drum cartridge to support the drum cartridge. It may have a support plate and a developer support plate positioned below the developer cartridge and supporting the developer cartridge. In that case, the development support plate does not have to be movable together with the vertical movement of the drum support plate. However, by making the developing support plate movable together with the vertical movement of the drum support plate, the contact/separation operation of the photosensitive drum with respect to the intermediate transfer belt and the connection with the first terminal of the first memory can be performed as in the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, switching between disconnection and switching between connection and disconnection with the second terminal on the housing side of the second memory can be interlocked.

In the above-described embodiment, the first memory 430 is positioned at the second end 2E (specifically, the drum lower end surface 42L), and the second memory 530 is positioned at the fourth end 4E (specifically, the developing lower end surface 42L). 52L), only one of the first memory and the second memory may be positioned at the lower end of the corresponding drum cartridge 400 or developer cartridge 500. FIG.

Further, the position of the first memory 430 at the lower end of each drum cartridge 400 is not limited to the position illustrated, and may be a position near the opening. A position closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the lower end surface of 400 can also be selected. Further, the position of the second memory 530 at the lower end of the developing cartridge 500 is not limited to the illustrated position, and it may be positioned near the opening. It is also possible to select a position closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the lower end surface of the belt. In the above-described embodiment, the second memory 530 is positioned on the lower end surface of the development coupling cover 545, but it may be positioned closer to the opening than the development coupling cover.

In the illustrated embodiment, the "perpendicular direction" exemplified the direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the vertical direction, but the orthogonal direction may be a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and not orthogonal to the vertical direction.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer, but other image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome printer, copier, and multi-function machine may be used.

Each element described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be combined arbitrarily and implemented.

1 image forming apparatus 2 main body housing 63 intermediate transfer belt 21 opening 110 first terminal 120 second terminal 150 support plate 400 drum cartridge 410 photosensitive drum 420 drum frame 421 first drum outer surface 422 second drum outer surface 42L drum lower end surface 430 first memory 431 first contact 440 drum coupling 500 developing cartridge 510 developing roller 520 developing frame 521 first developing outer surface 522 second developing outer surface 525 positioning boss 52L developing lower end surface 530 second memory 531 second contact 540 developing Coupling 545 Development coupling cover 1E First end 2E Second end 3E Third end 4E Fourth end X1 First axis X2 Second axis

Claims (19)

a body housing having a first opening;
A drum cartridge comprising: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a drum frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum; and a first memory storing information about the drum cartridge, a drum cartridge detachable in the first direction through the first opening with respect to the main housing;
A developing cartridge having a developing roller rotatable about a second shaft extending in the first direction, a developing frame containing toner, and a second memory storing information about the developing cartridge; a developer cartridge that is detachable in the first direction through the first opening;
an intermediate transfer belt positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing;
A drum support plate for supporting the drum cartridge, the drum being movable between a drum separation position where the photosensitive drum is separated from the intermediate transfer belt and a drum contact position where the photosensitive drum is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt. a support plate;
The drum frame has a first end and a second end positioned apart from the first end in the vertical direction, and the photosensitive drum is positioned at the first end and positioned at the first end. a memory located at the second end;
The drum frame has a first outer drum surface and a second outer drum surface spaced apart from the first outer drum surface in the first direction, the second outer drum surface defining the drum cartridge. positioned further from the first opening than the outer surface of the first drum in the first direction when attached to the main body housing;
the first memory is positioned closer to the second drum outer surface than the first drum outer surface in the first direction;
The first memory has a first contact,
The main body housing is
a first terminal that contacts the first contact when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing;
a first guide rail that guides attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge to and from the main housing, the first guide rail extending in the first direction;
A second guide that is spaced apart from the first guide rail in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, and guides attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge to and from the main body housing together with the first guide rail. a second guide rail extending in the first direction;
the first terminal is positioned between the first guide rail and the second guide rail in the orthogonal direction , and is separated from the first contact when the drum support plate is at the drum separation position; An image forming apparatus , wherein the drum support plate is in contact with the first contact when the drum support plate is at the drum contact position . The main body housing has a cover that can rotate between an open position that opens the first opening and a closed position that closes the first opening,
2. The drum support plate is located at the drum separation position when the cover is at the open position, and is located at the drum contact position when the cover is at the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to . further comprising two engaging protrusions arranged around the first contact and protruding downward, and an engaging recess engaging with the engaging protrusions when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. prepared,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first contact is positioned between the two engaging protrusions. Two of the engaging protrusions are provided so as to sandwich the first contact point in the orthogonal direction,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein two engaging recesses are provided with an interval therebetween in the orthogonal direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are arranged in the orthogonal direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned between the intermediate transfer belt and the first memory in the vertical direction when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Item 4 . The drum frame has a lower end surface located at the second end,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first memory is located on the bottom surface. 2. The drum cartridge further comprises a drum coupling for inputting a first driving force for rotationally driving the photosensitive drum, the drum coupling being positioned on the outer surface of the second drum. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 4. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said drum coupling has a first recess. The developing frame has a third end and a fourth end positioned away from the third end in the vertical direction,
The developing roller is positioned at the third end,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second memory is located at the fourth end. 3. The developing roller is positioned between the intermediate transfer belt and the second memory in the vertical direction when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 . The developer frame has a first outer developer surface and a second outer developer surface spaced apart from the first outer developer surface in the first direction, wherein the second outer developer surface is located on the developer cartridge. positioned further from the first opening than the outer surface of the first developing device in the first direction when attached to the main housing;
2. The development cartridge has a development coupling for inputting a second driving force for rotationally driving the development roller, and the development coupling is positioned on the second development outer surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 . The second memory is positioned closer to the development coupling than the first development outer surface in the first direction in a state in which the development cartridge is attached to the main housing, and the second memory is 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein when the developing cartridge is attached to the main body housing, the developing cartridge is located further away from the developing roller than the developing coupling in the vertical direction. The developing cartridge further has a positioning boss that engages with a part of the main housing when the developing cartridge is attached to the main housing, and the positioning boss is provided on the outer surface of the second developing device. 13. The image forming apparatus of claim 12 , wherein: The developer cartridge has a developer coupling cover that covers the outer periphery of the developer coupling,
13. The image forming apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second memory is located on the developer coupling cover. 16. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first terminal is positioned on the drum support plate. A developer support plate that supports the developer cartridge is further provided, the developer support plate is positioned below the developer cartridge in a state in which the developer support plate supports the developer cartridge, and the developer support plate is: 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the image forming apparatus is movable together with the vertical movement of the drum support plate. 4. The first memory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first memory is further away from the intermediate transfer belt than the photosensitive drum in the vertical direction when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. 1. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 1. 2. The second end is further apart from the intermediate transfer belt than the first end in the up-down direction when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

Images