This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-046164 filed Mar. 9, 2015.
(i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
(ii) Related Art
Image forming apparatuses include items such as photosensitive drums and toner that need periodical replacement (or replenishment). Items that need replacement or the like are collectively disposed in cartridges in the related-art image forming apparatuses, and users such as service persons or customers who use the image forming apparatuses replace the cartridges. This allows replacement or replenishment of these items to be performed in a collective manner. Examples of the cartridges include a photosensitive body cartridge that includes a photosensitive drum and so forth, a developing cartridge that includes toner and so forth, and a process cartridge into which these cartridges are integrated.
A storage medium in which information relating to each of these cartridges is stored is attached to the cartridge. The information relating to the cartridge to which the storage medium is attached such as a model number of the cartridge and the remaining amount of toner is stored in the storage medium. An apparatus body may obtain the information by reading the information stored in the storage medium attached to the cartridge. In the related art image forming apparatuses, the storage medium is accessed from the apparatus body by bringing electrically conductive contacts included in the storage medium attached to the cartridge into contact with electrically conductive contacts provided in the apparatus body.
According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cartridge, a storage medium, a cartridge-side holding device, a body-side holding device, and a reading device. The cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body. Information relating to the cartridge is stored in the storage medium. The cartridge-side holding device is provided in the cartridge. When the cartridge is in a non-inserted state in which the cartridge is not inserted into the apparatus body, the cartridge-side holding device holds the storage medium. The body-side holding device is provided in the apparatus body. When the cartridge is in an attached state in which the cartridge is disposed at an operation position in the apparatus body, the body-side holding device holds the storage medium transferred from the cartridge-side holding device. The reading device reads the information from the storage medium held by the body-side holding device.
Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
An Outline of an Image Forming Apparatus According to an Exemplary Embodiment
The image forming apparatus 10 is a color printer and includes four process cartridges that respectively correspond to black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors. Since the structures of these process cartridges are similar to one another or the same, the process cartridge 12 that is one of the process cartridges is focused in the following description. It is noted that the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applicable not only to a color printer but also to any of a color copier, a monochrome printer, and so forth. Although the process cartridge 12 is described as an example of a cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the cartridge is not limited to the process cartridge as long as the cartridge is a member to which a memory is attached and which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus.
The process cartridge 12 includes a photosensitive unit 16 and a developing unit 18. That is, the process cartridge 12 is a single unit that includes the photosensitive unit 16 and the developing unit 18 integrated with each other. The photosensitive unit 16 includes the photosensitive drum, a charging roller, and a cleaning blade. The charging roller charges the photosensitive drum. The cleaning blade removes residual toner from the photosensitive drum. Furthermore, the developing unit 18 includes components such as a toner storage unit, a developing roller, a waste toner storage unit, and so forth. The toner is stored in the toner storage unit. The developing roller causes the toner to be attracted to an image on the photosensitive drum. The toner removed by the cleaning blade is stored in the waste toner storage unit.
The photosensitive unit 16 and the developing unit 18 in respective attached states extend in the left-right direction (x axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 10. The process cartridge 12 includes the photosensitive unit 16 and the developing unit 18 that are arranged parallel to each other and integrated with each other. That is, the process cartridge 12 in an attached state has a substantially rod shape that also extends in the left-right direction (x axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 10.
The process cartridge 12, which is a consumable item, is required to be periodically replaced. Accordingly, the process cartridge 12 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 10. The process cartridge 12 is replaced by a user such as a customer who uses the image forming apparatus 10 or a service person. As illustrated in
When the process cartridge 12 has been inserted into the printing operation position in the image forming apparatus 10, the process cartridge 12 is supported by an image forming apparatus 10 body (hereafter, referred to as “apparatus body”). For example, by rotating a lock lever attached to the apparatus body after the process cartridge 12 has been pushed into the printing operation position, the process cartridge 12 is secured to the apparatus body. For ease of replacement, the process cartridge is not secured to the apparatus body by a screw or the like. Instead, the apparatus body is attachable to the apparatus body through a single operation by using the above-described lock lever or the like. The apparatus body includes members in the image forming apparatus 10 other than at least the process cartridge 12. The apparatus body includes, for example, a housing of the image forming apparatus 10 and the like that are not attached or detached by the user.
The photosensitive unit 16 side of the process cartridge 12 is supported by the apparatus body. The position of the developing unit 18 relative to the photosensitive unit 16 is made adjustable so that, for example, the developing roller is positioned relative to the photosensitive drum included in the photosensitive unit 16. In order to adjust the position, the developing unit 18 is supported by the photosensitive unit 16 instead of being supported by the apparatus body. That is, the developing unit 18 is supported by the apparatus body not directly but through the photosensitive unit 16 interposed therebetween.
The memory unit 20 includes a memory 22 and a memory holder 24 that protects the memory 22. The memory 22 is a nonvolatile storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), or the like. Information relating to the process cartridge 12, for example, information about a model number of the process cartridge 12, the remaining amount of toner, and so forth is stored in the memory 22.
The memory holder 24 is formed of, for example, resin or the like and protects the memory 22. At least in operations according to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory 22 is integrated with the memory holder 24 without being removed from the memory holder 24.
In order not to allow the memory unit 20 to drop due to, for example, gravity, a holding unit (not illustrated in
The Structure of the Memory Unit
A projection 32 is provided on the upper surface 30 of the memory unit 20. The projection 32 has a substantially T shape in a yz section, that is, in a section perpendicular to the movement direction of the process cartridge 12 during the attachment and detachment operations.
As will be described later, by hooking flange portions 32a (see
Wall-shaped side wall portions 34 that project upward from the upper surface 30 are provided along both ends, the ends being located in the y axis direction (direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the process cartridge 12 during the attachment and detachment operations) of the upper surface 30 of the memory unit 20. That is, the side wall portions 34 extend in the x axis direction. Notch portions 34a are formed in the side wall portions 34 so as to penetrate through the side wall portions 34 in the y axis direction. As will be described later, the notch portions 34a are part of a lock mechanism that limits the movement of the memory unit 20 in the x axis direction relative to the process cartridge 12.
As illustrated in
The cartridge-side holding unit 40 includes rail portions 42, hook portions 46 provided along the rail portions 42, and a projecting block 48.
As illustrated in
Two rail portions 42 are provided. Two rail portions 42 are spaced apart from each other by a specified distance in the y axis direction. Hereafter, sides in the y axis direction near a central line (dotted-chain line C1 of
The hook portions 46 are provided along the y axis outer sides of the respective rail portions 42. That is, there are two hook portions 46. The hook portions 46 each include an arm 46a and a claw 46b. The arm 46a extends in the x axis direction. The claw 46b is provided near a tip end of the arm 46a on the negative x axis direction side and projects further to a corresponding one of the y axis outer sides from a surface of the arm 46a on the y axis outer side. An end portion of the arm 46a on the positive x axis direction side is connected to an end portion of a corresponding one of the rail portions 42 on the positive x axis direction side. A gap is formed between each of the arms 46a and a corresponding one of the rail portions 42 in a region other than the above-described connecting region. Also, the arms 46a are capable of being bent to some extent.
The projecting block 48 projects downward from the bottom surface 18a of the process cartridge 12. Although the shape of the projecting block 48 of
As illustrated in
In a state in which the projection 32 is only hooked on the groove portions 44, the memory unit 20 is freely movable relative to the cartridge-side holding unit 40 in the x axis direction. Since both ends of each of the rail portions 42 in the x axis direction are open, the memory unit 20 freely movable in the x axis direction may drop during, for example, transfer of the process cartridge 12. In order to address this, a movement limiting mechanism that limits the movement of the memory unit 20 in the x axis direction is provided according to the present exemplary embodiment.
The relative movement of the memory unit 20 in the positive x axis direction is limited by the projecting block 48. That is, by bringing the projection 32 of the memory unit 20 inserted into the groove portions 44 into contact with the projecting block 48, the movement of the memory unit 20 in the positive x axis direction is limited.
The relative movement of the memory unit 20 in the negative x axis direction is realized by cooperation of the hook portions 46 of the cartridge-side holding unit 40 and the side wall portions 34 of the memory unit 20.
As described above, the memory unit 20 is held by the cartridge-side holding unit 40, thereby being attached to the process cartridge 12. The cartridge-side holding unit 40 holds the memory unit 20 at least in a state in which the process cartridge 12 is not inserted into the apparatus body. During the attachment and detachment operations of the process cartridge 12, the memory unit 20 is moved together with the process cartridge 12.
The Structure of a Body Side Holding Unit
The body-side holding unit 60 includes a base portion 64, side portions 66, a rear portion 68, and contact portions 72. The side portions 66 are provided along both ends of the base portion 64 in the y axis direction. The rear portion 68 is provided along an end portion of the base portion 64 on the positive x axis direction side. The contact portions 72 are provided on the upper side of the side portions 66. Here again, the sides in the y axis direction near a center line (dotted-chain line C2 of
The base portion 64 has a substantially box shape and has an opening at a central portion of an upper surface 64a thereof in the y axis direction. A reading unit 62 that reads the information stored in the memory 22 is disposed in the base portion 64. The reading unit 62 includes plural contacts 62a positioned right below the opening of the upper surface 64a of the base portion 64. The contacts 62a are urged upward by forces applied by springs or the like.
Similarly to the rail portions 42 of the cartridge-side holding unit 40, the side portions 66 include wall-shaped leg portions 66a and plate-shaped flange portions 66b. The leg portions 66a extend upward substantially perpendicularly to the upper surface 64a of the base portion 64. The flange portions 66b extend parallel to the upper surface 64a toward the y axis inner sides from upper end portions of the leg portions 66a. That is, the yz sections of the side portions 66 that extend in the x axis direction have a substantially L shape. A U-shaped groove portions 70 are formed by the side portions 66 and the upper surface 64a of the base portion 64. As will be described later, the memory unit 20 is inserted into the groove portions 70. As illustrated in
The rear portion 68 having a wall shape is provided along the end portion of the base portion 64 on the positive x axis direction side. The memory unit 20 inserted into the groove portions 70 is brought into contact with the rear portion 68. The rear portion 68 has a notch portion 68a. As will be described later, the notch portion 68a is provided so as to avoid interference of the projecting block 48 of the process cartridge 12 with the rear portion 68 during the attachment and detachment operations of the process cartridge 12.
The contact portions 72 are provided on upper surfaces of the flange portions 66b of the side portions 66 such that the contact portions 72 project further to the y axis inner sides than end portions of the flange portions 66b on the y axis inner sides.
As illustrated in
The body-side holding unit 60 is provided on the apparatus body side in a secured manner. The body-side holding unit 60 is disposed at a position separated from the printing operation position, that is, at a position separated from the process cartridge 12 in the attached state. Furthermore, the body-side holding unit 60 is disposed in a movement path of the memory unit 20 moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge 12 is performed and disposed such that the opening of the body-side holding unit 60 that receives the memory unit 20 faces in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the memory unit 20 moved as the attachment operation is performed. Preferably, the position where the body-side holding unit 60 is attached is, for example, a housing chassis of the image forming apparatus 10 or the like where the body-side holding unit 60 is comparatively unlikely to vibrate in the image forming apparatus 10.
The Transfer of the Memory Unit Along with the Attachment Operation of the Process Cartridge
Hereafter, a transfer operation of the memory unit 20 from the cartridge-side holding unit 40 to the body-side holding unit 60 is described with reference to
The memory unit 20 is inserted into the groove portions 70 formed in the body-side holding unit 60 and moved in the positive x axis direction until the memory unit 20 is brought into contact with the rear portion 68. In this state, the memory unit 20 is still held also by the cartridge-side holding unit 40, that is, the memory unit 20 is held by both the cartridge-side holding unit 40 and the body-side holding unit 60.
The lock mechanism that limits the movement of the memory unit 20 in the negative x axis direction relative to the process cartridge 12 is released immediately before or when the memory unit 20 is brought into contact with the rear portion 68. Specifically, when the memory unit 20 is inserted into the body-side holding unit 60, the contact portions 72 provided in the body-side holding unit 60 are brought into contact with outer side surfaces of the arms 46a of the hook portions 46 of the cartridge-side holding unit 40 as illustrated in
In this state, that is, in a state in which the memory unit 20 is held by the body-side holding unit 60, the printing operation is performed. In the state in which the memory unit 20 is held by the body-side holding unit 60, the contacts 26 of the memory 22 are in contact with the contacts 62a of the reading unit 62 provided in the body-side holding unit 60. This allows the image forming apparatus 10 to read content stored in the memory 22.
The Transfer of the Memory Unit Along with the Detachment Operation of the Process Cartridge
The memory unit 20 that has been transferred from the cartridge-side holding unit 40 to the body-side holding unit 60 as the attachment operation of the process cartridge 12 is performed is transferred from the body-side holding unit 60 to the cartridge-side holding unit 40 as the process cartridge 12 is detached.
When transferring the memory unit 20 from the body-side holding unit 60 to the cartridge-side holding unit 40, the order of the above-described procedure of the transfer of the memory unit 20 from the cartridge-side holding unit 40 to the body-side holding unit 60 is substantially reversed.
Specifically, when the detachment operation is started and the process cartridge 12 is moved in the negative x axis direction, the projection 32 of the memory unit 20 held by the body-side holding unit 60 is initially inserted into the groove portions 44 (see
When the process cartridge 12 is further moved in the negative x axis direction, the projecting block 48 is brought into contact with the projection 32 of the memory unit 20, thereby pushing out the memory unit 20 in the negative x axis direction. As the memory unit 20 is moved due to this pushing out, the contact portions 72 (see
After that, the process cartridge 12 continues to be moved in the negative x axis direction, thereby completely removing the memory unit 20 held by the cartridge-side holding unit 40 from the body-side holding unit 60.
Other Operations of the Exemplary Embodiment
While the printing operation is performed, the process cartridge 12 itself vibrates due to rotation of the rotating components such as a photosensitive drum and a developing roller disposed in the process cartridge 12. In particular, the position of the developing unit 18 relative to the photosensitive unit 16 is adjustable in the process cartridge 12. Thus, vibration is generated also by a positional adjustment operation of the developing unit 18. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory 22 is held by the body-side holding unit 60 provided on the apparatus body side during the printing operation. Thus, the memory 22 is not directly affected by the vibration generated by the process cartridge 12 during the printing operation. Accordingly, compared to the case where the memory 22 remains attached to the process cartridge 12, the vibration of the memory 22 during the printing operation may be reduced.
When the vibration of the memory 22 during the printing operation is reduced, the amount of friction between the contacts 26 of the memory 22 and the contacts on the apparatus body side is also reduced. Accordingly, compared to the case where the memory 22 remains attached to the process cartridge 12, the abrasion loss of the contacts 26 of the memory 22 may be reduced according to the present exemplary embodiment.
According to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory unit 20 attached to the process cartridge 12 is held by the body-side holding unit 60 during the printing operation. Thus, the cartridge-side holding unit 40 may be provided in any position of the process cartridge 12. For example, the cartridge-side holding unit 40 may be provided on the developing unit 18 side where the vibration is most likely to occur in the process cartridge 12. This allows the position to hold the memory unit 20 to be appropriately selected for convenience of layout of the components or convenience of allocation of the space in the image forming apparatus 10.
According to the present exemplary embodiment, the body-side holding unit 60 is disposed in the movement path of the memory unit 20 moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge 12 is performed. In addition, the opening of the body-side holding unit 60 is open in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the memory unit 20. Thus, the memory 22 is held by the body-side holding unit 60 as the attachment operation of the process cartridge 12 is performed. That is, the user may transfer the memory 22 from the cartridge-side holding unit 40 to the body-side holding unit 60 while a separate operation is not required. Furthermore, with this structure, it is not necessarily required that a separate structure for transferring the memory 22 be provided.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2015-046164 | Mar 2015 | JP | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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20050069338 | Oguma | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050201773 | Matsubara | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20090245861 | Eom | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20120301173 | Eom | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20150261176 | Moon | Sep 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2004-333890 | Nov 2004 | JP |
2007-047402 | Feb 2007 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20160266539 A1 | Sep 2016 | US |