Patent classifications
G03G21/1871
REPLACEABLE UNIT FOR AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING A MOVABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves outward from the first side of the housing along a side-to-side dimension of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward when the electrical connector is in the second position permitting the corresponding electrical contact to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.
Development device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
There are demands for stable connections of contact points between a process cartridge, including a development device, and an image forming device. A development contact point, a first contact point, and a second contact point are disposed in this order on the inside in a perpendicular direction with respect to an insertion direction in which a development device is inserted into an image forming apparatus.
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge provided with a memory. The apparatus main body includes a frame, a movable electric contact unit including an electric contact portion contacting with the memory, and a holding member holding the electric contact portion and including an urging member urging the electric contact unit toward the memory in a mounted state of the cartridge, and a positioning portion positioning the electric contact unit in an unmounted state of the cartridge.
Power receiving unit and process cartridge
Power receiving unit and process cartridge are provided. The power receiving unit of a process cartridge is detachably mounted in an image formation apparatus configured with a power output unit that is swingable. An outer circumference of the power output unit contains a recessed portion, and the power receiving unit is engaged with the power output unit to receive a driving force. The power receiving unit includes a protrusion. The protrusion is disposed inside the power receiving unit. The protrusion is engaged with the recessed portion of the power output unit to receive the driving force. When the power receiving unit moves along an axial direction thereof and is in a contact engagement with the power output unit, the protrusion abuts against a front end of the power output unit to cause the power output unit to be tilted and swung.
Image forming apparatus having displaceable electrical contact when mounting photoconductor unit
A developing cartridge includes a storage medium. A first contact portion is provided in a photoconductor unit and configured to be electrically connected to the storage medium. A second contact portion is provided in an apparatus body. The photoconductor unit is configured to, in a case of attaching the photoconductor unit to the apparatus body, move from a first position to a second position while being guided by a guide member and then move from the second position to a third position below the second position. At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is capable of being displaced such that engagement between the first contact portion and the second contact portion is performed while the photoconductor unit moves by being guided by the guide member, and the engagement is maintained while the photoconductor unit moves from the second position to the third position.
Toner cartridge having positioning features
A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
Conduction mechanism and image forming apparatus
A conduction mechanism includes: a conductive bearing that rotatably supports a rotary shaft; a non-conductive axial positioner that has a cylinder externally fitted to the bearing; and a contact terminal attached to an outer circumferential surface side of the cylinder. The cylinder has a slit, and the contact terminal has an abutment piece that is exposed to an inner circumferential surface side of the cylinder from the slit and abuts an outer circumferential surface of the bearing.
Replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having a movable electrical connector
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves outward from the first side of the housing along a side-to-side dimension of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward when the electrical connector is in the second position permitting the corresponding electrical contact to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.
TONER CARTRIDGE HAVING POSITIONING FEATURES
A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
Developing device, image forming apparatus including developing device
A developing device is detachably supported by an image forming apparatus. The developing device includes a housing that can store developer inside the housing, at least one rotating member rotatably provided for the housing, a first support shaft composed of a conductive member and disposed at an axial end of the rotating member, and a support member including a first bearing portion that supports the first support shaft and constituting a side face of the housing in an axial direction of the rotating member. The first bearing portion includes a first guide portion. The first guide portion protrudes outward from an outer surface of the support member and configured to be guided to an installation position of the developing device during installation of the developing device in the image forming apparatus.