Patent Grant
6922534
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably attachable with the process cartridge.
2. Related Background Art
Examples of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a LED printer, a laser printer and the like), an electrophotographic facsimile, an electrophotographic word processor and the like.
Further, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive body and at least one of charging means, developing means and cleaning means that are integrally turned into a cartridge as process means so as to be detachably attachable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Or, furthermore, at least developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive body are integrally turned into a cartridge as process means and detachably attachable with the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.
Conventionally, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process cartridge system is adopted, wherein an electrophotographic photosensitive body and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive body are integrally incorporated into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable and attachable with the image forming apparatus main body. According to this process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by a user himself or herself without depending on a service person, so that operability can be exceptionally improved. Hence, this process cartridge system is widely used in the image forming apparatus.
Further, in this type of the process cartridge system, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-179476, a process cartridge system is proposed, wherein storage means such as an IC memory and the like for storing information to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body is mounted on the process cartridge, and the information is exchanged with the apparatus main body when the process cartridge is loaded on the apparatus main body, so that the using conditions and the like of the process cartridge are reported to a control portion of the apparatus main body. Further, a lot number of the process cartridge, a characteristic of the image forming apparatus, and a characteristic of the process means are registered in the storage means mounted on the process cartridge, maintenance of the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge becomes easy, and further, an image forming control was performed according to the information registered in the storage means, so that the image forming operation was performed under the best condition.
In the image forming apparatus adopting such a process cartridge, as connecting means for electrically connecting the storage means mounted on the process cartridge and the apparatus main body, there are available a contact type for connection by using a contact by means of a connector or a spring material and a non-contact type for communication by using a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element or by a wireless method by means of magnetic induction of inductor inductance via a magnetic core. Among these means, contact type connecting means using the spring material is simple in the constitution, is advantageous cost-wise and is generally used.
However, in the above-described conventional art using the contact type connecting means, the electrical connection between the storage means of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body is sometimes unstable as described below.
The process cartridge attached onto the apparatus main body generates movement in a rotational direction with a photosensitive body drum as a center and movement in a thrust direction of the photosensitive body drum at the operation starting time and the operation stopping time of the apparatus. Usually, an electrical contact pressure is secured in a state in which a driving force is applied to the process cartridge from the apparatus main body. For this reason, in a state in which a driving force is applied and not applied, there was a possibility of causing a change in the posture of the process cartridge, thereby causing irregularity of electrical contact pressure.
Hence, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described unsolved problems of the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a main body electrical contact provided on an apparatus main body and a cartridge electrical contact can be stably and reliably brought into contact when the process cartridge has been attached onto the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the accuracy of a position to which a cartridge electrical contact is brought into contact with a main body electrical contact is improved when the process cartridge has been attached onto an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a main body electrical contact provided on an apparatus main body and a cartridge electrical contact are stably and reliably brought into contact when the process cartridge is being attached onto the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a main body electrical contact provided on an apparatus main body and a cartridge electrical contact provided on an apparatus main body are stably and reliably brought into contact without being influenced by a change in the posture of the process cartridge due to the presence or absence of the transmission of a driving force and by any irregularity in the dimension of parts.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which can prevent wearing and deformation.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, with improved operability of a jam process.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge having main body electrical connection means movably provided and a main body electrical contact provided on the main body electrical connecting means, having:
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge detachably attachable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having main body electrical connecting means movably provided and a main body electrical contact provided on the main body electrical connecting means, the process cartridge having:
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably attachable to a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having:
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably attachable with a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having:
A further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having main body electrical connecting means movably provided and a main body electrical contact provided on the main body electrical connecting means, the process cartridge having:
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably attachable to a process cartridge and forming an image on the recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having:
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably attachable with the process cartridge which are constituted based on the present invention, and subsequently, storage means as a main board of the process cartridge and electrical connecting means of an apparatus main body side will be described with reference to
An image forming apparatus A, as shown in
Synchronizing with the formation of the developer image, a recording medium 2 such as a recording paper, an OHP sheet, a cloth and the like is conveyed from a recording medium cassette 3a by a pickup roller 3b, a pair of conveying rollers 3c and the like. In the image forming part constituting a cartridge as a process cartridge B, the developer image formed on the photosensitive body drum 7 is applied with voltage on a transferring roller 4, so that the image is transferred on the recording medium 2. The recording medium 2 on which the developer image was transferred is guided by a guiding plate 3d and is conveyed to a fixing means 5. This fixing means 5 comprises a fixing roller 5c, and a driving roller 5a having a heater 5c therein , and fixes the developer image by applying heat and pressure on the recording medium 2 which passes therethrough. The recording medium 2 on which the developer image was fixed is conveyed through a reversal-conveying path, and is discharged to a discharge tray 6 outside of the apparatus via a pair of discharging rollers 3e.
The process cartridge B comprises the photosensitive body drum 7 and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, there are available, for example, charging means (8) which charges the electrophotographic photosensitive body, developing means (10) which develops the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive body, and cleaning means (11) which cleans the developer remained on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive body and the like (see FIG. 3).
The process cartridge of the present embodiment is constituted as shown in FIG. 3. The photosensitive body drum 7 having a photosensitive layer on its peripheral surface is rotated, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charging roller 8, which is charging means. Subsequently, an image information light from the optical system 1 is exposed on the photosensitive body drum 7 via an exposure-opening portion 9 provided on the process cartridge B so as to form the latent image. The latent image formed on the photosensitive body drum 7 is developed by using the developer by the developing means (10).
The developing means (10) conveys the developer, which is within a developer storing portion 10a, by a developer delivery portion 10b, and allows it to be adhered on the developing roller 10, which is built-in with a fixed magnet. The developer layer, given a frictional charging charge by a developing blade 10c is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10. The developer is transferred on the photosensitive body drum 7 according to the latent image, so that the developer image is formed and visualized.
A voltage having a polarity in reverse to the developer image is applied on the transferring roller 4 provided on the apparatus main body, and the developer image is transferred onto the recording medium 2. After that, the developer remaining on the photosensitive body drum 7 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 11, and the scraped developer is collected into a removed developer collector 11a.
Note that the above-described photosensitive body drum 7 and process means (8, 10, 11 . . . ) are stored and held within a cartridge frame body 12. The cartridge frame body 12 includes a developer storing frame body 12a for forming the developer storing portion 10a for storing the developer, a developing apparatus frame body 12b for holding the developing roller 10 and the like, and a cleaning frame body 12c for holding the photosensitive body drum 7 and cleaning means and forming the removed developer collector 11a. Further, the developer storing frame body 12a and the developing apparatus frame body 12b are unified by welding and the like, which is oscillationally joined to the cleaning frame body 12c, thereby constituting the process cartridge B.
The process cartridge B is detachably attached onto cartridge attaching means provided on the apparatus main body A (see
The guide portion 15a guides a boss 12c1 (see FIG. 4), which is formed on the cleaning frame body 12c of the cartridge frame body 12 of the process cartridge and protrudes to both outsides longitudinally. Further, the guide portion 15c guides a slender-shaped longitudinal guide portion 12c2 (see FIG. 4), which is provided similarly by externally protruding upward of the boss 12c1 of the cartridge frame body 12. The cartridge positioning portion 15b, continuing to the guide portion 15a, engages with the boss 12c1 of the cartridge frame body 12, and performs positioning for the apparatus main body of the process cartridge B.
When the process cartridge B is attached onto the cartridge attaching means formed as described above, a cartridge cover 14 is opened, and the boss 12c1 and the longitudinal guide portion 12c2 of the cartridge frame body 12 are inserted, respectively along the guide portion 15a and the guide portion 15c. The cartridge frame body 12 is guided by guide portions 15a, 15c, and the boss 12c1 of the cartridge frame body 12 is fitted to the cartridge positioning portion 15b so as to be positioned. Note that, at this time, the longitudinal guide portion 12c2 of the cartridge frame body 12 is positioned in a state of being separated from the guide portion 15c. In this way, the process cartridge B is positioned on the apparatus main body A (see FIG. 6). By closing the cartridge cover 14, the process cartridge B is loaded on the apparatus main body A.
When the process cartridge B is attached onto the cartridge loading means in this way, as shown in
At this time, with the boss 12c1 provided on both sides on the same axis as the photosensitive body drum 7 as a center, a force to rotate the process cartridge B clockwise, similar to the rotational direction of the photosensitive body drum 7, acts on the process cartridge B. An abutting concave portion 12c6 (
Further, in a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B (in a direction orthogonal to FIG. 6), a thrust force acts between the helical gear G1 provided on the apparatus main body A and the helical gear G2 of the end portion of the photosensitive body drum 7. Hence, a force to move the process cartridge B in the thrust direction (thrust direction of the photosensitive body drum 7) acts. That is, in
Note that the above-described boss 12c1 is a protruding member provided by externally protruding from both sides (of the cleaning frame body 12c) of the cartridge frame body 12 on the same axis line as the axis line of the photosensitive body drum 7. This protruding member may be a member where a drum axial portion for supporting the photosensitive body drum 7 on the cartridge frame body 12 (the cleaning frame body 12c) externally protrudes or a member where a part of the cartridge frame body 12 (or the cleaning frame body 12c) externally protrudes.
In the above described description regarding the driving, though the driving transmitting means transmitting a driving force toward the process cartridge were described as the helical gears, in the case of the constitution where the driving force transmitted toward the process cartridge from the apparatus main body is transmitted by using a coupling mechanism, the same action is performed.
Next, the storage means to be loaded on the process cartridge will be described by using FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
The storage means (memory means) 20 is provided on the external surface of the cartridge frame body 12 of the process cartridge B. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 3 and
The contact portions 21a, 21b are for the purpose of connecting with electrical contacts of the apparatus main body side in order to perform the writing on the memory chip 20a, and a gold plated bronze plate is mounted on the substrate 22.
Further, on the upper surface of the cartridge frame body 12 of the process cartridge B is provided a guide pin 23 adjacent to the storage means 20 (see FIG. 4). When the process cartridge B is being attached onto the apparatus main body A, this guide pin 23 is arranged at a position to engage with a guide rib 36 of electrical connecting means 31 in order to decide the position of the thrust direction of the electrical connecting means 30, to be described later, of the apparatus main body side.
Next, the constitution of the electrical connecting means provided on the apparatus main body side will be described by using
The electrical connecting means 31, as shown in
Further, in the contact holder 33 to be held on the main body portion 32a of the rotary arm 32, as shown in
As described above, in the bent portion of the L-shaped rotary arm 32, the electrical connecting means 31 is rotatably and slidably supported in an axial direction (thrust direction) by an axial member 18a which is axially supported by the bearing member 18 provided on the frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body A. Hence, the electrical connecting means 31 can rotate in the direction shown by an arrow mark b, and further can rotate in the direction shown by an arrow mark c. Further, the rotary arm 32 is biased counterclockwise around an axial portion 18a by a spring 38 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).
Next, a connecting constitution between the storage means 20 at the process cartridge loading time and the electrical connection means 31 of the apparatus main body side will be described.
When the process cartridge B is not attached onto the apparatus main body A, as shown in
When the process cartridge B is being attached onto a cartridge attaching region of the apparatus main body A and the process cartridge B is inserted, the top end portion 12c3 of the cartridge frame body 12 (the cleaning frame body 12c) abuts against the downward protruding portion 32b of the rotary arm 32. The downward protruding portion 32b is pushed clockwise corresponding to further insertion of the process cartridge B, so that the rotary arm 32 of the electrical connecting means 31 rotates clockwise by opposing the energizing force of the spring 38. When the process cartridge B is loaded on a predetermined cartridge loading region, the rotary arm 32 of the electrical connecting means 31 comes to a stand still at the position shown in FIG. 1.
At the rotational time of the rotary arm 32 of the electrical connecting means 31, the contact holder 33 held by the main body portion 32a of the rotary arm 32 moves clockwise at the same time. The electrical contact portions 34a, 34b comprising the spring member of the contact holder 33 are brought into contact with the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b of the process cartridge B. The convex portions 33a, 33b formed on the contact holder 33 abut against the upper surface portion of the cleaning frame body 12c. In this way, the contact holder 33 comes to a standstill at the position shown in FIG. 1. Here, a spring force of the spring 35, which biases the contact holder 33 in a direction to protrude downward in the drawing, is largely set to be equal to the sum of the spring forces of the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b. Hence, the convex portions 33a, 33b of the contact holder 33 abut against the cleaning frame body 12c by the spring force of the spring 35. In this way, since the convex portions 33a, 33b of the contact holder 33 directly abut against the cleaning frame body 12c, there is little positional shift due to the common difference of parts, and it is possible to obtain precise positional accuracy of the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b and the storage means contacts 21a, 21b. Note that the timing for the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b to contact the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b may be either during the time when the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A or after the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A.
Further, at the loading time of the process cartridge B, the guide pin 23 provided adjacent to the storage means 20 of the process cartridge 20 is guided by a pair of guide ribs 36 of the guide portion 32c so as to be finally positioned. At this time, since the contact holder 33 is movable together with the rotary arm 32 in a longitudinal direction (the direction shown by the arrow mark c) along the axial member 18a, the contact holder 33 moves by following the process cartridge B. For this reason, even with respect to the longitudinal direction (the direction shown by the arrow mark c), the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b and the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b can be precisely positioned.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a state where the cartridge cover 14 is opened and the process cartridge B is not attached onto the apparatus main body A similarly as when the process cartridge B is removed, the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b of the electrical connecting means 31 of the apparatus main body side are in a state of shunting upward of the frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body A, and therefore are not touchable to the user. For this reason, the operability at the time when the user has access to the interior of the apparatus main body A because of a jam process and the like can be enhanced and, at the same time, no trouble is caused to the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b due to the static electricity carried by the user. Further, the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b can be prevented from becoming deformed and the like due to the jam process and the like.
Further, when the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A and the apparatus main body is applied to drive the process cartidge so that the process cartridge B (the cartridge frame body 12) moves, the contact holder 33 moves by following both the rotational direction and the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame body 12. Hence, regardless of the apparatus main body being applied to drive or not drive the process cartridge, stable contact pressure and positional accuracy can be always obtained. Further, since the contact holder 33 and the cartridge frame body 12 directly abut against each other, it is possible to obtain precise positional accuracy of the electrical contact portions 34a, 34b and the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b.
By constituting the electrical connecting means of the apparatus main body A as described above, electrical connection between the storage means 20 of the process cartridge B and the apparatus main body A can be stabilized.
Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by using FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the constitution of the electrical connecting means of the apparatus main body side which is electrically connected with the storage means. Here, only the points that are different from the first embodiment, will be described, and the other points will be omitted. Note that the description will be provided by giving the same reference symbols to the same members as those of the first embodiment.
Electrical connecting means 41 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 and
The rotary arm 42 is formed almost in the shape of L character by a main body portion 42a which oscillationally holds the contact holder 43 and a downward protruding portion 42b, which protrudes downward and is arranged so as to abut against a top end portion of the cartridge frame body 12 at the loading time of the process cartridge B. Further, on the lateral side of the main body portion 42a of the rotary arm 42, though not shown, similarly as the first embodiment, is integrally provided a guide portion, on whose under surface side is formed a pair of guide ribs for guiding and fitting the guide pin 23. The rotary arm 42 in its L character shaped bent portion is rotatably and slidably supported in an axial direction (thrust direction) by an axial member 18a which is axially supported by a bearing member 18 provided on a frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body A.
Further, the contact holder 43 is rotatably mounted in a direction shown by the arrow mark d with a rotational axis 43p as a center for the almost L-shaped rotary arm 42, and is biased in a clockwise direction in
As described above, in the bent portion of the almost L-shaped rotary arm 42, the electrical connecting means 41 is arranged rotatably and slidably in an axial direction (thrust direction) by an axial member 18a which is axially supported by a bearing member 18 of a frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body. Further, the rotary arm 42 is biased in a counterclockwise direction around the axial member 18a by a spring 48 (see FIG. 8 and
Next, the connecting constitution between the electrical connecting means 41 of the apparatus main body side A and the storage means 20 will be described.
When the process cartridge B is not attached onto the apparatus main body A, as shown in
When the process cartridge B is being attached, a top end portion 12c3, which is a cartridge pushing portion of the cleaning frame body 12c of the process cartridge B, abuts against a downward protruding portion 42b of the rotary arm 42. The downward protruding portion 42b is pushed clockwise corresponding to further insertion of the process cartridge B, so that the rotary arm 42 of the electrical connecting means 41 rotates clockwise by opposing to a biasing force of the spring 48. When the process cartridge B is loaded on a predetermined loading region, the rotary arm 42 of the electrical connecting means 41 comes to a standstill at a position shown in FIG. 9. At the rotational time of the rotary arm 42 of the electrical connecting means 41, the contact holder 43 held by the main body portion 42a of the rotary arm 42 moves clockwise at the same time. The electrical contact portions 44a, 44b comprising the spring member of the contact holder 43 are brought into contact with the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b of the process cartridge B and, at the same time, the convex portions (not shown) formed on the contact holder 43 abut against the upper surface portion of the cleaning frame body 12c similarly as the above-described embodiment. Here, a spring force of the spring 45, which biases the contact holder 43 in a protruding direction of an arrow mark d direction, is largely set to be equal to the sum of the spring forces of the electrical contact portions 44a, 44b. Hence, the convex portions of the contact holder 43 abut against the cleaning frame body 12c by the spring force of the spring 45. In this way, since the convex portions of the contact holder 43 directly abut against the cleaning frame body 12c, there is little positional shift due to a common difference of parts, and it is possible to obtain precise positional accuracy of the electrical contact portions 44a, 44b and the storage means contacts 21a, 21b. Note that the timing for the electrical contact portions 44a, 44b to contact the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b may occur either during the time when the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A or after the process cartridge B is loaded on the apparatus main body A.
Further, even with respect to the longitudinal position of the electrical connecting means at the loading time of the process cartridge B, similar to the first embodiment, the electrical connecting means moves by following the process cartridge B and can be precisely positioned.
As described above, in the present embodiment also, in a state where the cartridge cover 14 is opened and the process cartridge B is not attached onto the apparatus main body A similar to when the process cartridge B is removed, the electrical contact portions 44a, 44b of the apparatus main body side are in a state of shunting upward of the frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body A, and therefore are not touchable to the user. For this reason, operability at the time when the user has access to the interior of the apparatus main body A because of a jam process and the like can be enhanced and, at the same time, no trouble is caused to the electrical contact portions 44a, 44b due to the static electricity carried by the user.
Further, when the process cartridge B is loaded on the apparatus main body A and the apparatus main body is applied to drive the process cartridge so that the process cartridge B (the cartridge frame body 12) moves, the contact holder 43 moves by following both the rotational direction and the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame body 12. Hence, regardless of the apparatus main body being applied to drive or not drive the process cartridge, stable contact pressure and positional accuracy can be always obtained. Further, since the contact holder 43 and the cartridge frame body 12c directly abut against each other, it is possible to obtain precise positional accuracy of the electrical contact portions 44a, 44b and the storage means contacts 21a, 21b.
By constituting the electrical connecting means of the process cartridge and the apparatus main body as described above, electrical connection between the storage means 20 and the apparatus main body can be stabilized.
Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by using FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. The present embodiment is different from the first and the second embodiments in the constitution of electrical connecting means of the apparatus main body to be electrically connected with storage means. Here, only the points that are different from the first and the second embodiments, will be described, and the other points will be omitted. Note that the description will be provided by giving the same reference symbols to the same members as those of the first and the second embodiments.
Electrical connecting means 51 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 and
The rotary arm 52 has a long hole 52d formed in its L-shaped bent portion, and is supported by an axial member 18a, which is axially supported by a bearing member 18 provided on a frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body, and is slidably movable in a direction shown by an arrow mark h and rotatable in a direction shown by an arrow mark g. Further, the rotary arm 52 is based in a counterclockwise direction around the axial member 18a by a spring 58 arranged between the apparatus main body A and the rotary arm 52. Accordingly, when the process cartridge is not attached onto the apparatus main body A, as shown in
Here, when the process cartridge B is attached, the top end portion of the cleaning frame body 12c of the process cartridge B abuts against the downward protruding portion 52b of the rotary arm 52. The downward protruding portion 52b is pushed clockwise corresponding to further insertion of the process cartridge B, so that the rotary arm 52 of the electrical connecting means 51 rotates clockwise by opposing an energizing force of the spring 58. For this reason, when the process cartridge B is attached onto a predetermined cartridge loading region, the rotary arm 52 comes to a standstill at a position as shown in FIG. 11. Further, the convex portion 52c formed on the under surface of the rotary arm 52 abuts against the upper surface portion of the cleaning frame body 12c, so that, with respect to a position in a rotary direction, the rotary arm 52 is positioned in a position shown in FIG. 11 and comes to a standstill. In this way, similarly as the first and the second embodiments, the positioning between the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b and storage means contacts 21a, 21b can be precisely performed.
Here, the spring force of the spring 58 is largely set to be equal to the sum of the spring forces of the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b. Hence, the convex portion 52c of the rotary arm 52 abuts against the cleaning frame body 12c by the spring force of the spring 58. Here, since the rotary arm 52 and the cleaning frame body 12c directly abut against each other, there is little positional shift due to a common difference of parts, and it is possible to obtain precise positional accuracy of the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b and the storage means contacts 21a, 21b. Note that the timing for the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b to contact the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b may either occur during the time when the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A or after the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A.
Further, even with respect to the longitudinal position of the electrical connecting means at the loading time of the process cartridge B, similar to the first and the second embodiments, the electrical connecting means moves by following the process cartridge B and can be precisely positioned.
As described above, even in the present embodiment, in a state where a cartridge cover 14 is opened and the process cartridge B is not attached onto the apparatus main body A similar to when the process cartridge B is removed, the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b of the apparatus main body side are in a state of shunting upward of the frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body A, and therefore are not touchable by the user. For this reason, operability at the time when the user has access to the interior of the apparatus main body A because of a jam process and the like can be enhanced and, at the same time, no trouble is caused to the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b due to the static electricity carried by the user. Further, similar to the first embodiment, the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b can be prevented from becoming deformed and the like due to the jam process and the like.
Further, when the process cartridge B is attached onto the apparatus main body A and the apparatus main body is applied to drive the process cartridge so that the process cartridge B (the cartridge frame body 12) moves, the rotary arm 52 moves by following the rotational direction and the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame body 12. Hence, regardless of the apparatus main body being applied to drive or not drive the process cartridge, stabilized contact pressure can be always obtained. Further, since the rotary arm 52 and the cleaning frame body 12c directly abut against each other, it is possible to obtain precise positional accuracy of the electrical contact portions 54a, 54b and the cartridge electrical contacts 21a, 21b.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the electrical connecting means 51 is constituted solely by the rotary arm, the number of parts is few, and the cost thereof is advantageous.
By constituting the electrical connecting means of the process cartridge and the apparatus main body as described above, the electrical connection between the storage means 20 and the apparatus main body can be stabilized.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by using
The process cartridge B in the present embodiment, as shown in
Next, the constitution of the electrical connecting means provided on the apparatus main body side will be described by using
The electrical connecting means 61 for reading and writing information for the storage means 20 arranged on the process cartridge B, as shown in
Further, the contact holder 62 includes also an axial member 62b, which is rotatably axially supported in a direction shown by an arrow mark j by the bearing member 18 provided on a frame portion 17 of the apparatus main body A. This axial member 62b is further removable in the thrust direction shown by an arrow mark k for the bearing member 18, and has a length longer than a back-lash in the thrust direction at the time when the process cartridge B was loaded on the apparatus main body. The axial member 62b never comes off from the bearing member 18 by movement toward the thrust direction.
Between the contact holder 62 and the frame portion 17 is arranged a compression spring 68, and the contact holder 62 is biased in a direction (clockwise with the axial member 62b as a center) to separate from the frame portion 17. At this time, a rotation stopping portion (not shown) of the contact holder 62 and the frame portion abut against each other, so that the contact holder is not allowed to rotate more than to a certain position.
Next, the connecting constitution between the storage means 20 at the loading time of the process cartridge and the electrical connecting means 61 of the apparatus main body will be described.
The contact holder 62 of the electrical connecting means 61 is in a state as shown in
When the apparatus main body A is applied to drive the process cartridge in this state and the process cartridge B moves in the thrust direction, the guide pin 23 of the cartridge frame body 12 and the pair of guide ribs 66 fit to one another in the thrust direction. Hence, accompanied by movement of the cartridge frame body 12, the axial member 62b of the contact holder 62 slides against the bearing portion 18, and the contact holder 62 moves in the thrust direction, so that the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b and the electrical contact portions 63a, 63b integrally move in the thrust direction. In this way, the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b and the electrical contact portions 63a, 63b are never rubbed together in the thrust direction.
Further, when a driving force is applied to the apparatus main body A, the process cartridge B makes a thrust movement in a direction opposite to the above direction. However, even in this case, similar to what is described above, the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b and the electrical contact portions 63a, 63b integrally move together.
As described above, when the process cartridge B having the storage means 20 and the guide pin 23 is loaded on the apparatus main body A, the contact holder 62 having the pair of guide ribs 66 positioned in the thrust direction for the process cartridge B is loaded on the apparatus main body A. Hence, simultaneously with movement in the thrust direction of the process cartridge B, the contact holder 62 also integrally moves, so that the electrical connection can be stabilized without causing cutting and deformation of the storage means 20 and the electrical contact portions 63a, 63b.
Next, a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by using
A process cartridge B in the present embodiment, as shown in
Next, the constitution of the electrical connecting means provided on the apparatus main body will be described by using
Electrical connecting means 71 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A and
In the contact holder 72 is formed a central concave portion 74, which is constituted by a surface 74a parallel to the under surface at the under surface central portion and a taper surface 74b sloping upward to the side to which the process cartridge B is loaded. In this taper surface 74b is arranged electrical contact portions 73a, 73b comprising a pair of springs. The under surfaces positioned at both sides of the central concave portion 74 are flat contact surfaces 75 formed so as to abut against the upper surface of a cartridge frame body 12 (12c) of the process cartridge B. In the contact surfaces 75, built-in magnets 76a, 76b at the positions corresponding to metal plates 24a, 24b are arranged on the upper surface of the cartridge frame body 12 (12c). Further, the surface at the side where the process cartridge B comes to be loaded in the surface orthogonal to the flat contact surface 75 is taken as a holder pushing surface 77, and in a holder pushing surface 77 is built-in magnets 78a, 78b for absorbing a holder holding member 80. From the contact holder 72 a lead wire 79(see FIG. 16 and
On the other hand, the holder holding member 80 for separably holding the contact holder 72 is constituted by an abutted surface 81 to be absorbed by the magnets 78a, 78b of the holder pushing surface 77 by opposing to the holder pushing surface 77 of the contact holder 72 and an U-shaped support portion 82 which is inserted into the central concave portion 74 of the contact holder 72 and is formed so as to support the contact holder 72. The length in the width direction of the abutted surface 81 is narrower than the width of the contact holder 72. This holder holding member 80 may be constituted by a metal as a whole, or may be constituted by incorporating metal into a part only which abuts against the magnets 78a, 78b.
The electrical connecting means 71 constituted as described above, as shown in FIG. 16 and
When the process cartridge is being attached onto the apparatus main body, the electrical connecting means 71 is in a state as shown in FIG. 16 and
At this time, the contact holder is connected with the apparatus main body by a lead wire 79 only, and can flexibly move for the apparatus main body A. In this way, the contact holder 72 is unified with the process cartridge B, and integrally moves with the movement in the thrust direction of the process cartridge B. Hence, the electrical contact portions 73a, 73b and the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b are not rubbed together, and cutting and deformation of the electrical contact portions 73a, 73b and the storage means contact portions 21a, 21b can be prevented.
Further, in the case where the process cartridge B is pulled out from the apparatus main body A, the central concave portion 74 of the contact holder 72 and the U-shaped support portion 82 of the holder holding member 80 are positioned linearly in a detachably attachable direction of the process cartridge B. Hence, accompanied by a pulling-out operation of the process cartridge B, the U-shaped support portion 82 of the holder holding member 80 comes to contact a surface 74a from a taper surface 74b of the central concave portion 74, and the contact holder 72 receives a force in a direction to be stripped from the process cartridge B. At the same time, since the contact holder 72 moves toward the abutted surface 81, the magnets 78a, 78b and the abutted surface 81 draw closer. When the process cartridge B is further pulled out from this state, as shown in FIG. 16 and
In the above described embodiment, though a joining method for the contact holder 72 and the holder holding member 80 and the contact holder 72 and the process cartridge B was constituted by magnets and metals, by using flexible members and by using means such as a snap-fit mechanism and the like, the contact holder may be held.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the electrical contact portion of the electrical connecting means of the apparatus main body side can be integrally joined with the process cartridge at the loading time of the process cartridge. Further, even when the change in the posture of the process cartridge and movement toward the thrust direction are caused due to the presence or absence of driving, the electrical connection with the storage means of the process cartridge and the electrical connecting means of the apparatus main body can be reliably and satisfactorily performed.
A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus detachably attachable with the process cartridge which are constituted based on an sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Subsequently, storage means to be mounted on the process cartridge and connecting means provided on the apparatus main body side will be described with reference to
The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in
On the other hand, a recording medium 102 loaded on a recording medium cassette 103a is synchronized with formation of the developer image, and is separated and fed by a pickup roller 103b, and is conveyed via conveying means having a pair of conveying rollers 103c and the like. The recording medium 102 is transferred with the developer image formed on the photosensitive body drum 107 by a transferring roller 104. The recording medium 102 transferred with the developer image is conveyed further downstream via a guide plate 103d, and is conveyed to fixing means 105. The fixing means 105 fixes the developer image on the recording medium 102 by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium 102 fixed with the developer image is discharged to a discharge tray 106 outside of the apparatus by an ejection roller 103e.
The process cartridge B comprises the photosensitive body drum 107 and at least one process means. The process cartridge B in the present embodiment is constituted as shown in FIG. 20. The photosensitive body drum 107 having a photosensitive layer on its peripheral surface is rotated and is uniformly charged on the surface by applying a voltage to a charging roller 108, which is charging means. Subsequently, image information light from the optical system 101 is projected on the photosensitive body drum 107 via the exposure opening portion 109 provided on the process cartridge B so as to form the electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on this photosensitive body drum 107 is developed by using the developer by the developing means (110, 110a, 110b . . . ).
The developing means (110, 110a, 110b . . . ) delivers the developer, which is within a developer storing portion 110a, to a developer delivery portion 110b, and the developer is given to a developing roller 110 where a fixed magnet is built-in. A developer layer given with a frictional charging charge by a developer blade 110c is formed on the surface of the developer roller 110, and the developer is transferred on the photosensitive body drum 107 according to the latent image, so that a developer image is formed and visualized.
After the developer image has been transferred on the recording medium 102 by applying a voltage of polarity reverse to the developer image on the transferring roller 104, the developer remaining on the photosensitive body drum 107 is scraped off by a cleaning blade 111. The scraped developer is collected into a removed developer collector 111a.
Note that the above-described photosensitive body drum 107 and the process means (108, 110, 111 . . . ) are held within a cartridge frame body 112 which is a frame body. The cartridge frame body 112 is constituted by a developer storing frame body forming a developer storing portion 110a which stores the developer, a developing apparatus frame body for holding the developer 110 and the like and a cleaning frame body 112c (FIG. 21A and
Next, the constitution of the storage means (chip memory) in the present embodiment will be described by using FIG. 21.
The storage means 120 in the present embodiment is mounted on the outside of the cartridge frame body 112 of the process cartridge B. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 20 and
The memory element contact portions 121a, 121b are electrically connected or integrally joined with the memory chip 120a, which is positioned in a central portion, and the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b are constituted by gold plating on its surface. In this way, even when the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b are mounted on the surface of the process cartridge B and exposed to the open air, electrical contact resistance is never increased. Further, in the external side of these memory element contact portions 121a, 121b are formed abutting portions 122a, 122b, against which abutting ribs 134a, 134b (to be described later) of electrical connecting means 131 provided on the apparatus main body abut. Further, on the substrate 122 of the storage means 120 is provided a concave portion 122h in the central portion at a side peripheral portion along a longitudinal direction as shown in
Next, a mounting portion to mount the storage means 120 will be described. A mounting surface 112e of the storage means 120 of the process cartridge B, as shown in
Further, as a storage means support member, ribs 112m and 112n, which are protrusively provided at both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the mounting surface 112e, have their intervals set slightly wider than the longitudinal length of the storage means 120, and are constituted to be higher than the thickness of the storage means 120. In this way, a finger is not allowed to touch both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the storage means 120, so that the storage means 120 is prevented from dislocating from the mounting surface 112e.
Note that, in
The mounting of the storage means 120 on the mounting surface 112e can be performed by using a double-coated tape, a bonding agent, heat calking and the like. At this time, in the case where the operator touches or when the process cartridge is loaded on the apparatus main body, an adhering strength for adhering the storage means 120 on the mounting surface so that these elements are not easily dislocated by contact with the electrical connecting means 131 to be described later has to be given, and in the mounting surface 112e constituted by a plurality of ribs as shown in
Next, the constitution of the electrical connecting means provided on the apparatus main body and an electrical connecting operation with the connecting means and the storage means of the process cartridge will be described by using FIG. 20 and
The electrical connecting means 131 which is the connecting means to support a main body side contact portion in the present embodiment, as shown in
The holder spring 132c of the electrical connecting means 131, as shown in
The electrical connecting means 131, as described above, is rotatably hung by the mounting base 118 (see FIG. 20 and
On the other hand, as described above, in the process cartridge B is provided, as shown in
At the inserting time of the process cartridge B, as shown in FIG. 24 and
By the rotation in a clockwise direction (the arrow mark Z direction in the drawing) of the whole electrical connecting means 131, the guide rib 112j of the process cartridge B enters in the slip portion 132h of the contact holder 132a. In this way, when a position in a direction (a vertical direction to the paper surface in the drawing) orthogonal to the loading direction of the process cartridge B is slightly shifted in the apparatus main body, the guide rib 112j of the process cartridge B butts against the side surface of the slip portion 132h of the contact holder 132a. By pushing the whole electrical connecting means 131 in a direction (thrust direction) orthogonal to the loading direction of the process cartridge B, the electrical connecting means 131 and the storage means 120 of the process cartridge B are mutually moved to an adequate position. Note that this positioning operation in the thrust direction is performed during an inserting operation of the process cartridge B. physical relationship between the guide rib 112j and the slip portion 132h of the contact holder 132a is decided so that the positioning operation is terminated before the main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the electrical connecting means 131 land on the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b of the storage means 120. That is, in a state where the upper wall surface portion 132j of the slit portion 132h abuts against the upper end surface portion of the guide rib 112j or the inclined portion 112jb following thereof, it is desirable that the positioning operation in the thrust direction is set to be terminated. In this way, after the main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the contact holder 132a of the electrical connecting means 131 have landed on the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b, the contact portions 133a, 133b can be prevented from moving in the thrust direction above a storage means contact portion 120b.
When the process cartridge B is further inserted into the arrow mark X direction, the electrical connecting means 131 further rotates clockwise, and the upper wall surface portion 132j of the slit portion 132h moves along the inclined portion 112jb of the guide rib 112j. The main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the contact holder 132a of the electrical connecting means 131 land on the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b. Further, abutting ribs 134a, 134b of the contact holder 132a rotate until butting against the abutting portions 122a, 122b (see
In this way, even when there exist component irregularity such as a variation and the like of the position of the butting rib 112d of the process cartridge B and the mounting position of the electrical connecting means 131 at production and assembly time, the variation of the posture at the inserting time of the process cartridge B, or the posture change by receiving a driving force after the process cartridge B is loaded on the apparatus main body A, the holder arm 133b of the electrical connection means 131 is constituted so as to be able to follow the posture change in the process cartridge B. Hence, the abutting ribs 134a, 134b of the electrical connecting means 131 can surely butt against the abutting portions 122a, 122b of the storage means 120.
Further, the abutting ribs 134a, 134b of the connector 134 are arranged at both sides of the main body contact portions 133a, 133b so as to be lower than the main body contact portions 133a, 133b. In this way, the abutting ribs 134a, 134b butt against the abutting portions 122a, 122b of the storage means 120, so that strokes of the main body contact portions 133a, 133b which are spring materials, can be made constant, and the contact pressure (contact pressure) of both contact portions can be stabilized.
Further, the contact holder 132a of the electrical connecting means 131, as shown in
As described above, at the loading time of the process cartridge B, the holder arm 132b of the electrical connecting means 131 is pushed by the butting rib 112d, so that the guide rib 112j is introduced to the slit portion 132h of the contact holder 132a. The upper wall surface portion 132j fastened by the slit portion 132h lands on the upward end surface portion 112ja of the guide rib 112j or the inclined portion 112jb following thereof. That is, by being constituted in this way, the main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the electrical contact means 131 abut against a region other than the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b of the storage means 120 so that no deformation nor any damage is received.
The guide rib 112j of the process cartridge B has the inclined portion 112jb, whose height gradually lowers toward the storage means 120 from the upward end surface portion 112ja in front in the cartridge inserting direction. The guide rib 112j shall take such a form that the main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the electrical connecting means 131 and the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b mutually perform a wiping between a certain distance in the cartridge inserting direction. That is, the upper wall surface portion of the slit portion 132h of the contact holder 132a moves along the inclined portion of the guide rib 112j. In other words, the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b have a sliding area, on which the main body contact portions 133a, 133b, which are the main body side contact portions, slide and contact.
Accordingly, by the wiping operation at this sliding time, both contact portions can remove foreign materials, such as the developer, adhered on the mutual contact portions and paper dust and the like of the recording paper, which is the recording medium. Hence, reliability for the electrical connection of both contact portions can be enhanced. Further, in the present embodiment, when the process cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body, the main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the electrical connecting means 131 shunt from a jam process space (a space in which the user puts his hands at the jam process time) of the apparatus interior. For this reason, the contact portions 133a, 133b are at a position difficult to touch when the operator put his hands into the interior of the apparatus interior.
Further, in the present embodiment, when a positional adjustment is made by following the process cartridge B loaded on the electrical connecting means 131 of the main body apparatus side, the main body contact portions 133a, 133b of the electrical connecting means 131 reliably abut against the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b of the storage means 120, and can stabilize the electrical connection.
Further, the accuracy of the position of contact between the main body contact portions 133a, 133b and the memory element contact portions 121a, 121b can be enhanced.
Next, a seventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 27. Here, only the points that are different from the sixth embodiment, will be described, and other points will be omitted. Note that the description will be provided by giving the same reference symbols to the same member as those of the sixth embodiment.
Electrical connecting means 131 in the present embodiment, similar to the sixth embodiment, is rotatably hung by a mounting base 118 arranged at an optical system base 117 which fixes a laser scanner 101. In the optical system base 117 is provided an opening 117a, which is possible to pass through, when the connecting means 131 rotates. When the process cartridge B is not yet loaded, the connecting means 131 shunts upward to a position which does not interfere with the process cartridge B at its inserting time by an arm spring 131f arranged at the outside of a holder arm 131d. The connecting means contact portion 131a is biased so as to be always stored upward of the optical system base. Accordingly, the connecting means contact portion 131a is completely stored upward of the optical system base 117 when the cartridge B is in a state of being not yet loaded.
In this way, when the process cartridge is not yet loaded, the connection means contact portion 131a is at the upper portion of the inserting space of the process cartridge, and can completely shunt from this inserting space by a space divided by the optical system base 117 (dividing portion). Hence, operability, e.g., how the apparatus peforms a paper jam process (jam process) and the like, can be improved. Further, the control means and the storage means can be controlled so as not to be influenced by static electricity. Furthermore, by forming the optical system base 117 (dividing member) with a metallic material, the effect thereof can be further increased.
Next, an eighth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 28. In the present embodiment also, only the points that are different from the sixth embodiment, will be described and other points will be omitted. Note that the same reference symbols will be given to the same members as those of the sixth embodiment.
The arm holder 131d of connecting means 131 is rotatably axially supported by a frame 117, and comprises a central axial portion 131d-1, which supports a central rib 131c-1 of the contact holder 131c and axial portions 131d-2, which support the left and right outside ribs 131c-2 of the contact holder 131c. On the other hand, a mounting hole 131c-1a formed on the central rib 131c-1 of the contact holder 131c has a central portion set with a circular arc apex by a fitting dimension, and the left and right outside mounting holes 131c-2a of a rib 131c-2 are set with long holes.
The contact holder 131c and the holder arm 131d are joined as shown in FIG. 28. That is, in a mounting hole 131c-1a with a central portion taken as he circular arc apex is inserted the central axial portion 131d-1. The outside ribs 131c-2 are inserted into long hole mounting holes 131c-2a. Hence, the contact holder 131c is rotatably axially supported by the holder arm 131d and, at the same time, is constituted so as to be able to equalize with the holder arm 131d like arrow marks H and I in
Accordingly, even when the surface (J surface) of the storage means on the process cartridge B inclines as shown by the two-dot chain line shown in
The contact holder 131c and the holder arm 131d of the connecting means 131 are received at one place of the center, and backlash permitting portions, such as a long hole and the like, are provided on the left and right portions, so that an equalizing function can be given. Even when the storage means 120 on the process cartridge inclines more or less, since the abutting ribs of the left and right two places of connecting means 131 can always stably butt against the storage means 120, the electrical connection between the connecting means 131 and the storage means 120 can be stably performed.
As described above, according to the present invention, when the process cartridge is loaded on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body electrical contacts provided on the apparatus main body and the cartridge electrical contacts can be stably reliably connected.
Further, when the process cartridge is loaded on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body electrical contacts provided on the apparatus main body and the cartridge electrical contacts can be stably reliably connected.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000/399266 | Dec 2001 | JP | national |
| 2002/195355 | Jul 2002 | JP | national |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20030123896 A1 | Jul 2003 | US |
