Patent classifications
G03G21/1885
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF READING DATA OF DRUM CARTRIDGE AND DATA OF TONER CARTRIDGE THROUGH BOARD OF TONER CARTRIDGE
An image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge; a toner data electrical contact surface; a drum data electrical contact surface; and a controller. The drum cartridge includes: a drum memory storing data relating to the drum cartridge; and a first drum electrical contact for communication of data stored in the drum memory. The toner cartridge includes a board having: a first relay electrical contact for relaying the data stored in the drum memory; a toner memory storing data relating to the toner cartridge; and a first toner electrical contact for communication of data stored in the toner memory. The controller is configured to: read the data stored in the drum memory through the drum data electrical contact surface contacting the first relay electrical contact; and read the data stored in the toner memory through the toner data electrical contact surface contacting the first toner electrical contact.
DRUM UNIT HAVING ELECTRICAL CONTACT SURFACE POSITIONED AT OUTER SURFACE OF FRAME AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME
A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.
Developing cartridge attachable to drum cartridge and having electrical contact surface electrically connected to developing memory
A developing cartridge attachable to a drum cartridge includes: a casing configured to accommodate developing agent therein; a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction; a developing memory; and an electrical contact surface. The developing roller is positioned at one end of the casing in a second direction crossing the first direction. The electrical contact surface positioned at one end in the first direction of the casing and electrically connected to the developing memory. In a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the electrical contact surface of the developing cartridge is positioned between the developing roller and an electrical contact surface of the drum cartridge in the second direction.
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge includes a first unit including an image bearing member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, and a second unit including a developer bearing member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image carried on the image bearing member into a toner image, the second unit being capable of being mounted on the first unit in a mounting direction. The first unit includes a moving member that moves the second unit mounted on the first unit at a mounting position to a detachment position. The second unit includes a storage unit that stores information about the second unit. The moving member is disposed on a first side of the process cartridge in a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member. An electrode of the storage unit is disposed on a second side of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction.
Cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cartridge that can be inserted in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus by moving along an axial direction of an image bearing member includes the image bearing member, a frame configured to support the image bearing member, a storage member configured to store therein information on the cartridge, and include an electrical contact, and a first pressed section and a second pressed portion configured to be pressed by the apparatus main body. The electrical contact is disposed between the first pressed section and the second pressed section, and is configured to be in contact with the main body contact on a lower side in a state where the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body.
Photosensitive member cartridge and process cartridge
A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
Cartridge including holder that facilitates recycling of storage medium
A cartridge includes: a housing; a storage medium having an electrical contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the housing. The holder includes a first holder member and a second holder member movable relative to the first holder member. The first holder member includes at least one pawl and holds the electrical contact surface at one end surface of the first holder member in a first direction crossing the electrical contact surface. The second holder member includes at least one corner part engageable with the at least one pawl to provide an engaging portion therebetween. The second holder member has a through-hole that is open at another end face of the second holder member in the first direction. The engaging portion is accessible from an outside of the holder through the through-hole.
METHOD FOR REMOVING AND ATTACHING FIRST HOLDER MEMBER RELATIVE TO SECOND HOLDER MEMBER SUPPORTED BY HOUSING IN CARTRIDGE
Provided is a method for removing a first holder member from a second holder member in a cartridge. The cartridge includes: a housing; the first holder member holding an electrical contact surface; and the second holder member supported by the housing. The first holder member includes a pawl, and the second holder member includes a corner part engageable with the pawl of the first holder member. The electrical contact surface is held at one end surface of the first holder member in a first direction crossing the electrical contact surface. The method includes: disengaging the pawl from the corner part; and separating the housing and the second holder member from the first holder member in the first direction away from the one end surface of the first holder member.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A memory holder cover holds a memory holder so as to be movable with respect to the memory holder cover. An electrical contact contacts an electrical contact surface of a memory from above in a state where a cartridge is located at an attached position at which the cartridge is attached to a main housing. The main housing includes a guide groove having upper and lower guide surfaces. The upper guide surface guides movement of a memory holder from above when the cartridge is attached and detached. The lower guide surface guides movement of the memory holder from below when the cartridge is attached and detached. In a state where the cartridge is located at the attached position, the electrical contact surface is parallel to at least part of the upper guide surface or at least part of the lower guide surface.
Cartridge, member constituting cartridge, and image forming apparatus
Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying memer is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position. When the movable part receives force from the apparatus main assembly at the first force receiving part and is at the second position, the movable part receives urging force from the elastic part in a direction of moving the movable part from the second position to the first position.