JP7639295B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an image forming device equipped with a cartridge that can be detached from a drawer.

Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus equipped with a main body housing and a drawer that detachably supports a cartridge. The cartridge has a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. The image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by an exposure device, and supplies developer in the cartridge onto the photosensitive drum by the developing roller, thereby attaching the developer to the electrostatic latent image formed, and forming a developer image. The developer image is then transferred to an intermediate transfer belt sandwiched between the photosensitive drum and a primary transfer roller. The image forming apparatus then picks up a sheet from a sheet tray and transports it toward the photosensitive drum, and transfers the formed developer image to the sheet by sandwiching the sheet between the intermediate transfer belt carrying the transferred developer image and the transfer roller.

The technology in Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the contact/separation mechanism of the drawer brings the photosensitive drum and the developing roller into contact with and separates the photosensitive drum. According to this, the cartridge has a protrusion that comes into contact with the contact/separation mechanism and receives a force. The contact/separation mechanism is also capable of linear motion and has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the linear motion direction of the contact/separation mechanism. When the contact/separation mechanism moves linearly, the protrusion of the contact/separation mechanism comes into contact with the protrusion, and the protrusion presses the protrusion upward. This allows the developing roller to be separated from the photosensitive drum.

JP 2010-102285 A

However, in the conventional disclosures, the cartridge having the photosensitive drum and developing roller is not fixed vertically to the drawer. Therefore, when the contact/separation mechanism presses the protruding portion of the cartridge upward to separate the photosensitive drum and developing roller, there is a risk that not only the unit having the developing roller but the entire cartridge will move upward. This causes not only the developing roller but also the photosensitive drum to move, and there are cases where the photosensitive drum and developing roller cannot be sufficiently separated.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a drawer that detachably supports a cartridge, in which the contact/separation mechanism of the drawer can adequately bring the photosensitive drum and the developing roller into contact with and away from each other.

To achieve this objective, the present disclosure includes a main body housing, a drawer movable in a first direction relative to the main body housing, and a first cartridge detachably attached to the drawer, the first cartridge including a first unit having a first photosensitive drum and a second unit having a first developing roller, the second unit being movable relative to the first unit between a contact position where the first developing roller contacts the first photosensitive drum and a separation position where the first developing roller is separated from the first photosensitive drum. The drawer includes, when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer, a latch that is rotatable about a latch shaft extending in the first direction between a lock position that locks the first unit to the drawer and a release position that releases the lock of the first unit to the drawer, and a linear cam that is linearly movable between a first position and a second position in the first direction. When the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the linear cam is in the first position, the second unit is in the contact position, and when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the linear cam is in the second position, the linear cam comes into contact with the second unit and the second unit is in the separated position.

According to this configuration, the drawer into which the first cartridge can be detached has a separation mechanism that includes a linear cam that can bring the photosensitive drum and the developing roller into contact with and separate from each other, and a latch that locks the first cartridge to the drawer, so that the first photosensitive drum and the first developing roller can be sufficiently brought into contact with and separated from each other.

The second unit may also be configured to be rotatable between a contact position and a separated position.

With this configuration, the second unit can be supported with respect to the drawer only at the center of rotation of the second unit.

The first photosensitive drum may be rotatable about a first drum shaft extending in the second direction, the first developing roller may be rotatable about a first developing shaft extending in the second direction, the second unit may have a first developing coupling that is rotatable about a first developing coupling shaft extending in the second direction and receives a rotational force from the main body housing and is rotatable together with the first developing roller, and the second unit may be configured to be rotatable about the developing coupling shaft between a contact position and a separated position by linear motion of the linear cam between a first position and a second position.

With this configuration, it is possible to bring the first photosensitive drum and the first developing roller into contact with and separate them from each other while maintaining the connection between the developing coupling and the main body housing.

The second direction may also be perpendicular to the first direction.

The linear cam may have a protrusion, the second unit may have a cam receiving groove into which the protrusion fits, and when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer, the protrusion may fit into the cam receiving groove.

This configuration makes it possible to bring the first cartridge into contact with the linear cam without having any protrusions on the first cartridge.

The first cartridge may also be detachable from the drawer in a third direction, and the linear cam may be positioned at the lower end of the drawer in the third direction.

With this configuration, when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer, the first cartridge can come into contact with the linear cam.

The first cartridge may also have an elastic member that presses the first developing roller toward the first photosensitive drum, and the linear cam may be pressed by the elastic member via the first cartridge to be positioned at the first position.

With this configuration, when the linear cam is in the first position, the first photosensitive drum and the first developing roller can be in stable contact with each other.

The linear cam may have a recess, the lever may be rotatable between a first rotation position located away from the recess and a second rotation position in which the lever presses the recess in a first direction, and the linear cam may move from the first position to the second position as the lever rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

With this configuration, the linear cam is linearly moved from the first position to the second position by the lever, and the first photosensitive drum and the first developing roller can be separated.

In addition, when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lever is in the second rotation position, the linear cam is in the second position, and when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lever is in the first rotation position, the linear cam is pressed against the first cartridge by an elastic member and is in the first position.

With this configuration, when the lever is in the first rotation position, the first photosensitive drum and the first developing roller can come into contact.

The printer may also be configured with an intermediate transfer belt that can come into contact with the first photosensitive drum.

With this configuration, the first unit is fixed by the latch, allowing stable contact between the first photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt.

The first unit may have a first boss protruding from the first unit, and the latch may have a hole that allows the first boss to be inserted, so that when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is attached to the main body housing, if the intermediate transfer belt comes into contact with the first photosensitive drum, the first boss may come into contact with the edge of the hole.

With this configuration, the first unit is positioned relative to the drawer by the first boss.

The first photosensitive drum may be rotatable about a first drum shaft extending in the second direction, the first developing roller may be rotatable about a first developing shaft extending in the second direction, the first unit may have a first drum coupling that is rotatable about a first drum coupling shaft extending in the second direction and receives a rotational force from the main body housing and is rotatable together with the first photosensitive drum, the first boss may have a first cylindrical portion that covers the first drum coupling, and when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is attached to the main body housing, the first cylindrical portion may be configured to come into contact with the edge of the hole when the intermediate transfer belt comes into contact with the first photosensitive drum.

With this configuration, the first cylindrical portion that supports the first drum coupling is positioned relative to the drawer, and therefore the first photosensitive drum is positioned relative to the drawer.

The second cartridge may be mounted in the drawer at a distance from the first cartridge in the first direction, and may include a third unit having a second photosensitive drum, a fourth unit having a second developing roller, and the second unit being movable relative to the second unit between a second contact position where the second developing roller contacts the second photosensitive drum and a second separation position where the second developing roller is separated from the second photosensitive drum, and a second cartridge having a second photosensitive drum and a second developing roller, and the second cartridge may be mounted in the drawer at a distance from the first cartridge in the first direction, and when the second cartridge is mounted in the drawer and the linear cam is in the first position, the fourth unit is in the second contact position, and when the second cartridge is mounted in the drawer and the linear cam is in the second position, the linear cam contacts the fourth unit, and the fourth unit is in the second separation position.

With this configuration, the linear cam can bring the first photosensitive drum and the first developing roller into contact with and separate from each other, while at the same time bringing the second photosensitive drum and the second developing roller into contact with and separate from each other.

According to the present disclosure, the first unit having the photosensitive drum can be locked to the drawer by the latch, so that only the second unit having the developing roller can be moved. As a result, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller can be sufficiently separated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views showing the relationship between the drawer, the transfer device, and the main housing as viewed from a second direction, in which (a) the linear cam is located in a first position, and (b) the linear cam is located in a second position. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge as viewed from a second direction. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from one end side in the second direction. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from the other end side in the second direction. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drawer with the latch in the unlocked position. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from the other end side in the second direction. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from one end side in the second direction. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the cartridge when it is attached to the drawer. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating the cartridge when viewed from a second direction, in which FIG. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing contact and separation between the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive drum in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover, in which (a) shows a state in which the intermediate transfer belt is located at a belt separation position, and (b) shows a state in which the intermediate transfer belt is located at a belt contact position. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a modified example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, the direction of movement of the drawer 100 between inside the main body housing 10 and outside the main body housing 10 is defined as a first direction. The axial direction of the developing roller 62 is defined as a second direction. The first direction intersects with the second direction. Preferably, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The direction in which the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the drawer 100 is defined as a third direction. The third direction intersects with the second direction and the first direction. Preferably, the third direction is perpendicular to the second direction and the first direction. In addition, the expressions "up" and "down" are also used as appropriate for the third direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the third direction, the exposure unit SU is located on the upper side of the drawer 100, and the intermediate transfer belt 73 is located on the lower side of the drawer 100.

(1) Overview of Image Forming Apparatus 1 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 10, a transfer device 70, and a drawer 100.

The main body housing 10 has a cover 11, an opening 12, a lever 13, and a main body electrode 14.

The cover 11 is located at one end of the main body housing 10 in the first direction. The cover 11 is movable between a closed position in which the opening 12 is closed and an open position in which the opening 12 is open.

The lever 13 is located on the other end side of the main body housing 10 in the first direction. The lever 13 is located below the drawer 100. The lever 13 is rotatable about a lever axis X3 that extends in the second direction.

The main body electrode 14 is electrically connected to the cartridge electrode 33 of the cartridge 20 via the relay electrode 160 of the drawer 100 described below. The main body electrode 14 has a process main body electrode 15 and a memory main body electrode 16.

The process main body electrode 15 is located inside the main body housing 10. The process main body electrode 15 is located at one end of the main body housing 10 in the second direction. In other words, when the drawer 100 is attached, the process main body electrode 15 is located on the same side in the second direction as the end where the relay electrode 160 of the drawer 100 is located.

The memory main body electrode 16 is located inside the main body housing 10. The memory main body electrode 16 is located at one end of the main body housing 10 in the first direction. In other words, when the drawer 100 is installed inside the main body housing 10, the memory main body electrode 16 is located on the same side in the first direction as the end where the connector 141 of the drawer 100 is located.

The transfer device 70 is located below the drawer 100 in the third direction. In other words, the transfer device 70 is located on the opposite side of the drawer 100 from the top surface 18 of the main body housing 10 in the third direction. The transfer device 70 has a drive roller 71, a driven roller 72, an intermediate transfer belt 73, and a plurality of primary transfer rollers 74. The drive roller 71 is located away from the driven roller 72 in the first direction. The intermediate transfer belt 73 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 73 is stretched between the drive roller 71 and the driven roller 72. The primary transfer roller 74 is located inside the intermediate transfer belt 73. The primary transfer roller 74 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 73 between itself and a photosensitive drum 32 described later. In this embodiment, the number of primary transfer rollers 74 in the transfer device 70 is four. However, as long as the number is the same as the number of photosensitive drums 32 described later, the number may be one to three, or may be five or more.

The drawer 100 is movable in a first direction between inside and outside the main housing 10. In FIG. 1, the drawer 100 is located outside the main housing 10. The cartridges 20 are individually attachable to and detachable from the drawer 100. When the cartridges 20 are attached to the drawer 100, they can be attached to the main housing 10 together with the drawer 100. The cartridge 20 has a cartridge housing 31, a photosensitive drum 32, an IC chip 36, a charging roller 35, a developing housing 41, a developing roller 42, and a supply roller 45. When attached to the drawer 100, the cartridges 20 are positioned side by side at intervals in the first direction.

The cartridges 20 contain developers of different colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The number of cartridges 20 mounted in the drawer 100 of this embodiment is four. More specifically, the cartridges 20 include a first cartridge 20a, a second cartridge 20b, a third cartridge 20c, and a fourth cartridge 20d. The first cartridge 20a includes a first unit 30 having a first photosensitive drum 32a and a second unit 40 having a first developing roller 42a. The second cartridge 20b includes a third unit 30b having a second photosensitive drum 32b and a fourth unit 40b having a second developing roller 42b. The third cartridge 20c includes a fifth unit 30c having a third photosensitive drum 32c and a sixth unit 40c having a third developing roller 42c. The fourth cartridge 20d has a seventh unit 30d having a fourth photosensitive drum 32d and an eighth unit 40d having a fourth developing roller 42d. However, the number of cartridges 20 mounted in the drawer 100 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

The image forming device 1 forms images through the following process.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 applies a charging voltage to the charging roller 35 and rotates the charging roller 35 while in contact with the photosensitive drum 32 to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. Next, the image forming apparatus 1 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 with the exposure device SU (see FIG. 2) to form an electrostatic latent image. In parallel with these operations, the image forming apparatus 1 applies a supply voltage to the supply roller 45 and supplies the developer in the development housing 41 from the supply roller 45 to the development roller 42. By applying a development voltage to the development roller 42, the developer of the development roller 42 adheres to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 32, and a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 32. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 transfers the developer image to the intermediate transfer belt 73 by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 73 between the photosensitive drum 32 having the developer image and the primary transfer roller 74. The developer image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 73 is transported toward the drive roller 71, and the sheet is sandwiched between the drive roller 71 and the secondary transfer roller 19 of the main body housing 10, thereby transferring the developer image to the sheet. The developer image on the sheet is fixed by the fixing device 80 of the main body housing 10, and the sheet is discharged onto the top surface 18 of the main body housing 10.

(2) Details of the Cartridge 20 As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the cartridge 20 has a first unit 30 and a second unit 40.

(2-1) First unit 30
The first unit 30 has a cartridge housing 31 , a photosensitive drum 32 , a drum coupling 32 a , a cartridge electrode 33 , a charging roller 35 , and an IC chip 36 .

The cartridge housing 31 is made of insulating resin. The cartridge housing 31 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 32. The cartridge housing 31 has a first boss 31a that rotatably supports one end of the photosensitive drum 32 in the second direction, a second boss 31b that rotatably supports the other end of the photosensitive drum 32 in the second direction, and a third boss 31c that rotatably supports a development coupling 40a of a second unit 40 described later. The first boss 31a protrudes from one end of the cartridge housing 31 in the second direction. The second boss 31b protrudes from the other end of the cartridge housing 31 in the second direction. The third boss 31c protrudes from the other end of the cartridge housing 31 in the second direction.

The cartridge housing 31 supports the second unit 40 so that it can rotate relative to the first unit 30 about a rotation axis that extends in the second direction.

The photosensitive drum 32 is rotatable about a drum axis X1 extending in the second direction. The photosensitive drum 32 has a metal base tube and a photosensitive layer applied to the surface of the base tube. The base tube is electrically connected to the drum earth 34c, which will be described later. As a result, when the photosensitive layer is charged, a potential difference is created between the surface of the photosensitive layer and the base tube, generating an electric field.

The drum coupling 32a is located at the other end of the photosensitive drum 32 in the second direction. The drum coupling 32a is rotatably supported by the cylindrical portion of the first boss 31a. The photosensitive drum 32 receives a rotational force from the main body housing 10 via the drum coupling 32a and rotates.

The cartridge electrode 33 is located at one end of the cartridge housing 31 in the second direction. The cartridge electrode 33 has a process electrode 34 and an IC chip 36. The cartridge electrode 33 is electrically connected to a relay electrode 160 described later, and is electrically connected to the main housing 10 via the relay electrode 160.

The process electrode 34 has a development electrode 34a, a supply electrode 34b, a drum earth 34c, and a charging electrode 34d. The development electrode 34a is electrically connected to the development roller 42. The supply electrode 34b is electrically connected to the supply roller 45. The drum earth 34c is electrically connected to the base tube of the photosensitive drum 32. The charging electrode 34d is electrically connected to the charging roller 35. The process electrode 34 is exposed and can come into contact with a relay electrode 160 described later.

The IC chip 36 has a memory 36a and a memory electrode 36b. The memory 36a can store information about the cartridge 20. Specifically, the memory 36a can store information about whether the cartridge 20 is new or not, information about the amount of developer used, information about the color of the developer contained in the cartridge 20, and the like. The memory electrode 36b is electrically connected to the memory 36a. The memory electrode 36b is exposed and can come into contact with a relay electrode 160, which will be described later.

(2-2) Second unit 40
The second unit 40 has a development coupling 40a, a development housing 41, a development roller 42, a cam receiving groove 43, an agitator 44, a supply roller 45, and a pressure spring 21 as an example of an elastic member.

The developing coupling 40a is located at the other end of the second unit 40 in the second direction. The developing coupling 40a is rotatably supported by the cylindrical portion of the third boss 31c. The developing coupling 40a is rotatable about a developing coupling axis X3, which is a rotation axis extending in the second direction. The developing coupling 40a receives a rotational force from the main body housing 10 and rotates. The developing roller 42 receives a rotational force from the developing coupling 40a via a gear (not shown) and rotates. The agitator 44 receives a rotational force from the developing coupling 40a via a gear (not shown) and rotates. The supply roller 45 receives a rotational force from the developing coupling 40a via a gear (not shown) and rotates.

The developing housing 41 contains the developer. The developing housing 41 is located between one end of the cartridge housing 31 and the other end of the cartridge housing 31 in the second direction.

The developing roller 42 can rotate about a developing shaft, which is a rotation shaft extending in the second direction. The developer supplied to the supply roller 45 is adhered to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 32. At this time, a developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 42 by the developing electrode 34a.

The cam receiving groove 43 comes into contact with a linear cam 170 of the drawer 100, which will be described later. The cam receiving groove 43 is located on the underside of the second unit 40. In other words, the cam receiving groove 43 is located at the other end of the second unit 40 in the third direction. In other words, the cartridge 20 has the cam receiving groove 43 at the other end in the third direction.

The agitator 44 is located inside the developing housing 41 and rotates about an agitator axis X4 extending in the second direction to agitate the developer contained in the developing housing 41.

The supply roller 45 is located inside the developing housing 41 and supplies developer to the developing roller 42. At this time, a supply voltage is applied to the supply roller 45 by the supply electrode 34b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second unit 40 can move relative to the first unit 30 between a contact position where the developing roller 42 contacts the photosensitive drum 32 and a separation position where the developing roller 42 is separated from the photosensitive drum 32. Since the developing coupling 40a is supported by the third boss 31c, the second unit 40 rotates relative to the first unit 30 about the developing coupling axis X3 (see FIG. 6).

The pressure spring 21 is a member that presses the developing roller 42 toward the photosensitive drum 32. The pressure spring 21 is located on the outer surface of the developing housing 41 and contacts the first unit 30. The pressure spring 21 presses the developing housing 41 so that the developing roller 32 contacts the photosensitive drum 32. Therefore, when no external force is applied to the cartridge 20 (hereinafter referred to as normal), the developing roller 42 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 32. In other words, under normal circumstances, the second unit 32 is located in the contact position.

Even if the second unit 40 rotates, the electrical connection between the developing electrode 34a and the electrode of the developing roller 42 is maintained. Specifically, the contact area of the developing electrode 34a is larger than the contact area of the electrode of the developing roller 42. Therefore, when the second unit 40 rotates, the electrode of the developing roller 42 moves while rubbing against the developing electrode 34a. As a result, even if the second unit 40 rotates, the electrode of the developing roller 42 maintains an electrical connection with the developing electrode 34a. Also, even if the second unit 40 rotates, the electrical connection between the supply electrode 34b and the electrode of the supply roller 45 is maintained. Specifically, the contact area of the supply electrode 34b is larger than the contact area of the electrode of the supply roller 45. Therefore, when the second unit 40 rotates, the electrode of the supply roller 45 moves while rubbing against the supply electrode 34b. As a result, even if the second unit 40 rotates, the electrode of the supply roller 45 maintains an electrical connection with the supply electrode 34b.

(3) Details of Drawer 100 As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the drawer 100 includes a first side frame 110, a second side frame 120, a latch 130, a relay electrode 160, and a linear cam 170.

(3-1) First side frame 110, second side frame 120
The first side frame 110 is located at one end of the drawer 100 in the second direction. The first side frame 110 has a first guide groove 111. The first guide groove 111 guides one end of the cartridge 20 in the second direction when the cartridge 20 is attached to or detached from the drawer 100. Specifically, the first guide groove 111 guides the first boss 31a.

The second side frame 120 is located at the other end of the cartridge 20 in the second direction. The second side frame 120 has a second guide groove 121 and a third guide groove 122. The second guide groove 121 and the third guide groove guide the other end of the cartridge 20 in the second direction. Specifically, the second guide groove 121 guides the second boss 31b. The third guide groove 122 guides the third boss 31c.

(3-2) Latch 130
The latch 130 has a plurality of holes 131 that allow the end of the cartridge 20 in the second direction to be inserted. More specifically, when the latch 130 is positioned at a lock position described below with the cartridge 20 attached to the drawer, the latch 130 has a plurality of holes 131 that allow the first boss 31a, the second boss 31b, and the third boss 31c of the cartridge 20 to be inserted, respectively.

The latch 130 can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the first direction between a lock position where the cartridge 20 is locked to the drawer 100 and an unlock position where the cartridge 20 is unlocked from the drawer 100. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the unlock position, the cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the drawer 100. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the lock position, the cartridge 20 is locked to the drawer 100 and cannot be attached to or detached from the drawer 100. More specifically, when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the lock position, the end of the cartridge 20 in the second direction is inserted into the hole 131. As a result, the latch 130 prevents the cartridge 20 from being removed from the drawer 100.

The latch 130 has a first latch 140 and a second latch 150. The first latch 140 is located at one end of the drawer 100 in the second direction. The first latch 140 is located on the first side frame. The second latch 150 is located at the other end of the drawer 100 in the second direction. The second latch 150 is located on the second side frame.

The first latch 140 has a connector 141 that can be electrically connected to the memory main body electrode 16 of the main body housing 10, a conductor 142 that electrically connects the connector 141 to a memory relay electrode 161 described later, and a groove 143.

The connector 141 is located at one end of the first latch 140 in the first direction. When the drawer 100 is attached to the main body housing 10, the connector 141 is electrically connected to the memory main body electrode 16 of the main body housing 10. In this embodiment, the connector 141 is supported so as to be movable in the third direction relative to the first latch. This allows the connector 141 to absorb positional errors when connecting to the memory main body electrode 16 of the main body housing 10.

The conductor 142 is electrically connected to the memory relay electrode 161. The conductor 142 is located at the end opposite the rotation center of the first latch 140.

The groove 143 is located at the end opposite the center of rotation of the first latch 140. The conductor 142 is located in the groove 143 of the first latch 140. When the conductor 142 is located in the groove 143, the conductor 142 is located between the relay portion 165 of the process relay electrode 162 (described later) and the first latch 140.

In this embodiment, the latch 130 has four memory relay electrodes 161. Therefore, four sets of conductors 142 are provided to correspond to the respective memory relay electrodes 161. The four sets of conductors 142 are connected to one connector 141 without being electrically connected to each other. However, in this embodiment, one set of conductors 142 refers to multiple conductors required to exchange information with one IC chip 36.

(3-3) Relay electrode 160
The relay electrode 160 is located in the first latch 140. In other words, the relay electrode 160 is located in the latch 130.

In this embodiment, since the number of cartridges 20 mounted in the drawer 100 is four, the drawer 100 has four relay electrodes 160. More specifically, the drawer 100 has four each of the memory relay electrodes 161, development relay electrodes 162a, supply relay electrodes 162b, drum relay electrodes 162c, and charging relay electrodes 162d, which will be described later. However, since each relay electrode 160 is configured in the same way in this embodiment, the following description will focus on each relay electrode 160 corresponding to one cartridge 20.

The relay electrode 160 has a memory relay electrode 161 and a process relay electrode 162.

The memory relay electrode 161 contacts the memory electrode 36b when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the lock position. The memory relay electrode 161 is electrically connected to the connector 141 of the first latch 140 via the conductor 142. The connector 141 can be electrically connected to the memory main body electrode 16 of the main body housing 10. When the drawer 100 is attached to the main body housing 10, the memory relay electrode 161 is electrically connected to the main body memory electrode of the main body housing 10 via the connector 141. Therefore, when the drawer 100 is attached to the main body housing 10 with the cartridge 20 attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 in the lock position, the memory electrode 36b is electrically connected to the main body memory electrode of the main body housing 10 via the memory relay electrode 161.

When the first latch 140 is in the locked position, the contact of the memory relay electrode 161 faces upward. In other words, when the first latch 140 is in the locked position, the contact of the memory relay electrode 161 faces in a direction to remove the cartridge 20 from the drawer 100. When the first latch 140 is in the locked position, the contact of the memory relay electrode 161 is located at the end opposite the rotation axis of the first latch 140 in the third direction. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the first latch 140 is in the locked position, the memory electrode 36b comes into contact with the memory relay electrode 161. This allows the memory relay electrode 161 to be electrically connected to the memory electrode 36b.

The process relay electrode 162 sandwiches the first latch 140. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the lock position, the process relay electrode 162 comes into contact with the process electrode 34. This electrically connects the process relay electrode 162 to the process electrode 34. Also, when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the lock position, the process relay electrode 162 comes into contact with the process main body electrode 15. This allows the process relay electrode 162 to be electrically connected to the process main body electrode 15.

The process relay electrode 162 has a development relay electrode 162a, a supply relay electrode 162b, a drum relay electrode 162c, and a charging relay electrode 162d. The process main body electrode 15 has a development main body electrode 15a, a supply main body electrode 15b, a drum main body electrode 15c, and a charging main body electrode 15d. The relay electrode 160 can be electrically connected by contacting the main body electrode 14 when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100 and the latch 130 is in the lock position.

More specifically, the development relay electrode 162a has a first development contact 163a and a second development contact 164a. The supply relay electrode 162b has a first supply contact 163b and a second supply contact 164b. The drum relay electrode 162c has a first drum contact 163c and a second drum contact 164c. The charging relay electrode 162d has a first charging contact 163d and a second drum contact 164d. The first development contact 163a, the first supply contact 163b, the first drum contact 163c, and the charging relay electrode 162d are examples of the first contact 163. The second development contact 164a, the second supply contact 164b, the second drum contact 164c, and the second drum contact 164d are examples of the second contact 164.

The first development contact 163a can be electrically connected to the development electrode 34a by contacting the development electrode 34a. The first supply contact 163b can be electrically connected to the supply electrode 34b by contacting the supply electrode 34b. The first drum contact 163c can be electrically connected to the drum earth 34c by contacting the drum earth 34c. The first charging contact 163d can be electrically connected to the charging electrode 34d by contacting the charging electrode 34d.

The second development contact 164a can be electrically connected to the development main body electrode 15a by contacting the development main body electrode 15a. The second supply contact 164b can be electrically connected to the supply main body electrode 15b by contacting the supply main body electrode 15b. The second drum contact 164c can be electrically connected to the drum main body electrode 15c by contacting the drum main body electrode 15c. The second drum contact 164d can be electrically connected to the charging main body electrode 15d by contacting the charging main body electrode 15d.

As a result, the developing electrode 34a and the developing main body electrode 15a can be electrically connected via the developing relay electrode 162a. The supply electrode 34b and the supply main body electrode 15b can be electrically connected via the supply relay electrode 162b. The drum earth 34c and the drum main body electrode 15c can be electrically connected via the drum relay electrode 162c. The charging electrode 34d and the charging main body electrode 15d can be electrically connected via the charging relay electrode 162d.

(3-4) Linear cam 170
The linear cam 170 is made of POM. The linear cam 170 is located at the lower end of the drawer in the third direction. In other words, when the drawer 100 is attached to the main body housing, the linear cam 170 is located at the end of the drawer 100 that is closer to the intermediate transfer belt 73 in the third direction.

In this embodiment, the drawer 100 has two linear cams 170. The first linear cam 170 is located between the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 32 and the first boss 31a in the second direction. The second linear cam 170 is located between the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 32 and the second boss 31b in the second direction. The linear cam 170 is configured not to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 32, the first boss 31a, or the second boss 31b.

The linear cam 170 is supported so as to be movable relative to the drawer 100. In this embodiment, the linear cam 170 is supported so as not to come off the first side frame 110 by a snap fit (not shown) of the first side frame 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, the linear cam 170 can move linearly in a first direction relative to the drawer 100. The linear cam 170 can move linearly between a first position (see FIG. 3(a)) and a second position (see FIG. 3(b)).

The linear cam 170 comes into contact with the cartridge 20 when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100. More specifically, the linear cam 170 has a protrusion 171. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100, the protrusion 171 fits into the cam receiving groove 43 of the cartridge 20. The protrusion 171 is configured to have a tapered tip. This makes it easier for the protrusion 171 to fit into the cam receiving groove 43. When the linear cam 170 moves linearly in the first direction with the protrusion 171 fitted into the cam receiving groove 43, the cam receiving groove 43 receives a force from the protrusion 171. Since the first unit 30 is fixed to the drawer 100 by the latch 130, the second unit 40 that receives the force rotates relative to the first unit 30. The second unit 40 rotates about the agitator axis X2. When the linear cam 170 is located at the first position, the photosensitive drum 32 comes into contact with the developing roller 42, and when the linear cam 170 is located at the second position, the photosensitive drum 32 is separated from the developing roller 42. Specifically, when the linear cam 170 is located at the first position, the second unit 40 is located at a position where the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42 come into contact with each other. When the linear cam 170 moves linearly to the second position, the second unit 40 rotates, and the developing roller 42 is separated from the photosensitive drum 32. Therefore, when the linear cam 170 moves linearly from the first position to the second position, the second unit 40 rotates from a contact position where the developing roller 42 and the photosensitive drum 32 come into contact with each other to a separation position where the developing roller 42 and the photosensitive drum 32 are separated from each other. Similarly, when the linear cam 170 moves linearly from the second position to the first position, the second unit 40 rotates from a separation position where the developing roller 42 and the photosensitive drum 32 are separated to a contact position where the developing roller 42 and the photosensitive drum 32 come into contact.

When the drawer 100 is attached to the main housing 10, the linear cam 170 comes into contact with the main housing 10.

The linear cam 170 has a recess 172 at one end in the first direction. The lever 13 of the main body housing 10 fits into the recess 172. The lever 13 is rotatable about a lever axis X3 extending in the second direction. The linear cam 170 moves linearly between the first position and the second position as the lever 13 rotates. More specifically, the lever 13 has a receiving portion 13a that receives a force from the main body housing 10, and a pressing portion 13b that fits into the recess 172 and contacts the linear cam 170. When the receiving portion 13a receives a force F (see FIG. 3) from the main body housing 10, the lever 13 rotates, and the pressing portion 13b presses the linear cam 170 in the first direction via the recess 172. Therefore, the linear cam 170 moves to the second position. In this embodiment, the force F is applied to the lever 13 by a solenoid (not shown) of the main body housing 10. When the receiving portion 13a does not receive the force F from the main body housing 10, the second unit 40 rotates in a direction in which the developing roller 42 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 32 by the pressing member 21 of the cartridge 20. As a result, the linear cam 170 is biased by the second unit 40 and rotates to the first position.
(4) Mounting of the Cartridge 20 and the Drawer 100 in the Main Housing 10 First, the operation of bringing the intermediate transfer belt 73 into contact with and separating the photosensitive drum 32 will be described.

The intermediate transfer belt 73 can move in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover 11. The movement of the intermediate transfer belt 73 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The cover 11 contacts the driven roller shaft 72a of the driven roller 72. The cover 11 has a slope 11a. When the cover 11 rotates with the slope 11a and the driven roller shaft 72a in contact with each other, the driven roller shaft 72a moves in the third direction. This causes the driven roller 72 to move in the third direction. As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 73 moves in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover 11. More specifically, with the drive roller 71 fixed to the main body housing 10, the driven roller 72 moves relative to the main body housing 10. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt 73 rotates around the drive roller 71 as the center of rotation. As a result, when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100, the intermediate transfer belt 73 can move between a belt contact position where it contacts the photosensitive drum 32 and a belt separation position where it is separated from the photosensitive drum 32 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover 11. As a result, when the cover 11 is in the open position, the intermediate transfer belt 73 is located at the belt contact position, and when the cover 11 is in the closed position, it is located at the belt separation position. In this case, the primary transfer roller 74 moves while maintaining a state of contact with the intermediate transfer belt 73. When the intermediate transfer belt 73 contacts the photosensitive drum 32, the intermediate transfer belt 73 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 32 and the primary transfer roller 74.

Next, we will explain the sequence of operations that occurs when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100, the drawer 100 is attached to the main body housing 10, and the cover 11 is moved to the closed position.

With the cover 11 in the open position, the user pulls out the drawer 100 from the main body housing 10, places the latch 130 in the release position, and attaches or detaches the cartridge 20. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100, it is guided by the first guide groove 111, the second guide groove 121, and the third guide groove 122 of the drawer 100, and is positioned relative to the drawer 100 in the first direction. Once the attachment of the multiple cartridges 20 is complete, the latch 130 is positioned in the lock position. The multiple cartridges 20 are pressed in the second direction as the process relay electrode 162 comes into contact with the cartridge electrode 33. This positions the cartridge 20 in the second direction relative to the drawer 10. When the drawer 100 is attached to the main body housing 10, the connector 141 is connected to the memory main body electrode 16.

12, when the cover 11 is moved to the closed position, the driven roller 72 is lifted by the cover 11 in the process. As a result, the transfer device 70 is lifted upward relative to the drawer 100. In other words, the transfer device 70 moves toward the drawer 100 in the third direction. More specifically, the driven roller 72 is lifted by the inclined surface 11a of the cover 11, and the intermediate transfer belt 73 moves toward the drawer 100. As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 73 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 32. Furthermore, when the driven roller 72 is lifted by the cover 11, the photosensitive drum 32 is pressed by the intermediate transfer belt 73. Therefore, the cartridge 20 is lifted upward relative to the drawer 100. As a result, the first boss 31a comes into contact with the edge 132 of the hole 131 of the latch 130. More specifically, the first boss 31a contacts the wedge shape 132a of the edge 132 of the hole 131. This positions the cartridge 20 relative to the drawer 100 in the third direction. When the cartridge 20 is further lifted with the first boss 31a in contact with the wedge shape 132a of the latch 130, the drawer 100 is lifted in the third direction. As a result, the protrusion 101 of the drawer 100 contacts the main housing 10.

(5) Effects (1) According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, with the cartridge 20 locked to the drawer 100 by the latch 130 of the drawer 100, the cartridge 20 can bring the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42 into contact with and separate from each other by the linear cam 170. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to sufficiently separate the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42.

(2) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second unit 40 is rotatable between a contact position and a separation position, and rotates about the center of the cylindrical portion of the third boss 31c. This allows the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42 to be brought into contact with and separated from each other without the third boss 31c moving, allowing the latch 130 to have a simple configuration.

(3) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second unit 40 rotates about the development coupling axis X3, so the position of the development coupling 40a relative to the drawer 100 does not change. This allows the main housing 10 to maintain a connection with the development coupling 40a.

(4) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the projection 170 of the translation cam 170 fits into the cam receiving groove 43 of the second unit 40, it is not necessary to provide a protrusion on the cartridge 20 in order to bring the cartridge 20 into contact with the translation cam 170. As a result, when a user handles the cartridge 20, (5) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the translation cam 170 is located at the lower end of the drawer 100 in the third direction, when the cartridge 20 is attached to the drawer 100, the cartridge 20 can contact the translation cam 170 at the same time. As a result, the translation cam 170 can easily position the cartridge 20 attached to the drawer 100.

(6) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the linear cam 170 is urged to the first position via the second unit by the pressure spring 21, so that when the image forming device 1 performs image formation, the image forming device 1 can stably bring the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42 into contact with each other.

(7) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the linear cam 170 can be linearly moved from the first position to the second position by the lever 13 of the main body housing 10. Furthermore, since the drawer 100 can be attached to the main body housing 10 with the lever 13 in the first rotation position away from the recess, the drawer 100 and the lever 13 can be configured not to interfere with each other.

(8) Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the lever 13 is located at the second rotation position, the linear cam 170 is located at the second position, and the image forming apparatus 1 can separate the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42. When the lever 13 is located at the first rotation position, the linear cam 170 is pressed against the second unit by the pressure spring 21 and located at the first position, and the image forming apparatus 1 can bring the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42 into contact with each other. This allows the main body housing 10 to apply force to the lever 13 only when separating the photosensitive drum 32 and the developing roller 42, resulting in a simple configuration.
(9) Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the latch 130 locks the first unit 30 having the first photosensitive drum 32 that can contact the intermediate transfer belt 73, so that even when the second unit 40 is located in the separated position, the intermediate transfer belt 73 and the first photosensitive drum 32 can maintain a state of contact. This makes it possible to expel the developer on the first photosensitive drum 32 onto the intermediate transfer belt 73 with only the developing roller 42 separated from the first photosensitive drum 32, for example, when performing drum cleaning.

(10) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first boss 31a contacts the edge 132 of the hole of the latch 130, thereby positioning the first boss 32a relative to the drawer 100. This positions the first unit 30 relative to the intermediate transfer belt 73.

(11) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first boss 31a rotatably supports the first drum coupling 32a which rotates together with the first photosensitive drum 32, and the first boss 31a contacts the edge 132 of the hole of the latch 130, so that the first photosensitive drum 32 is positioned relative to the drawer 100. This allows the first photosensitive drum 32 to stably contact the intermediate transfer belt 73. Furthermore, because the first drum coupling 32a is also positioned relative to the drawer 100, the connection between the first drum coupling 32a and the main housing 10 can also be performed with high precision.

(12) Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cartridge 20a and the second cartridge 20b can simultaneously bring the first photosensitive drum 32a and the first developing roller 42a into contact with and separate from each other, and the second photosensitive drum 32b and the second developing roller 42b into contact with and separate from each other, by using the linear cam 170. This allows a simple configuration to bring the multiple photosensitive drums 32 into contact with and separate the multiple developing rollers 42 that correspond to each other.

(6) Modifications One embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be implemented with appropriate modifications.

For example, in one embodiment, the memory electrodes face downward, but as shown in FIG. 13, the memory electrodes may face outward from the cartridge in the second direction. In this case, the memory relay electrodes face inward from the drawer in the second direction. Therefore, the memory relay electrodes can be electrically connected to the memory electrodes.

In addition, in one embodiment, the drawer is configured with two linear cams, but it may have only one.

In addition, in one embodiment, the photosensitive drum is charged by a charging roller, but the photosensitive drum may also be charged by a scorotron charger.

In one embodiment, each cartridge electrode, specifically the memory electrode, development electrode, supply electrode, drum earth, and charging electrode, is electrically connected to the main body electrode via a relay electrode, but it is not necessary to use a relay electrode. For example, only the memory electrode may be in direct contact with the main body electrode and electrically connected.

In one embodiment, the process relay electrode is configured to sandwich the latch, but the latch may have a hole and the process relay electrode may be inserted into the hole of the latch.

In addition, in one embodiment, one latch is configured to lock multiple cartridges together, but one latch may be configured to lock only one cartridge.

In addition, in one embodiment, both ends of the cartridge in the second direction are locked, but it may be configured to lock only one end.

In one embodiment, the cartridge housing has a cartridge electrode, but the cartridge may have a first side cover that supports one end of the first unit in the second direction and one end of the second unit in the second direction, and a second side cover that supports the other end of the first unit in the second direction and the other end of the second unit in the second direction, and the first side cover may have the cartridge electrode. Also, the second side cover may have a second boss and a third boss. In this case, the cartridge can be assembled by attaching one end of the first unit and the second unit in the second direction to the first side cover, and then attaching the second cover to the other end of the first unit and the second unit, making it easy to assemble the cartridge.

In addition, in one embodiment, the cartridge electrodes are configured to be arranged in the same manner for multiple cartridges, but the arrangement may be different for multiple cartridges. In this case, the cartridge electrodes and main body electrodes can be electrically connected by appropriately changing the arrangement and shape of the relay electrodes.

In one embodiment, the second unit is pressed by a pressure spring, but it is not limited to a pressure spring and may be an elastic member such as a tension spring or a leaf spring. The elastic member may also be configured to directly press against the shaft of the developing roller.

Furthermore, the elements described in the above embodiment and modified examples can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Main body housing 14 Main body electrode 20 Cartridge 30 First unit 32 Photosensitive drum 36 IC chip 40 Second unit 42 Developing roller 70 Transfer device 100 Drawer 130 Latch 160 Relay electrode 170 Linear cam

Claims (13)

A main body housing;
a drawer movable in a first direction relative to the main body housing;
A first cartridge that is detachably attached to the drawer,
a first unit having a first photosensitive drum;
a second unit having a first developing roller, the second unit being movable relative to the first unit between a contact position where the first developing roller contacts the first photosensitive drum and a separation position where the first developing roller is separated from the first photosensitive drum;
A first cartridge having
Equipped with
The drawer includes:
a latch that is rotatable about a latch shaft extending in the first direction between a lock position at which the first unit is locked to the drawer and an unlock position at which the first unit is unlocked from the drawer when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer;
a linear cam that is linearly movable between a first position and a second position in the first direction;
having
when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the translation cam is located at the first position, the second unit is located at the contact position,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the first cartridge is installed in the drawer and the linear cam is located at the second position, the linear cam contacts the second unit and the second unit is located at the separated position. The image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second unit is rotatable between the contact position and the separation position. the first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first drum axis extending in a second direction;
the first developing roller is rotatable about a first developing shaft extending in the second direction,
The second unit is
a first developing coupling rotatable about a first developing coupling shaft extending in the second direction, the first developing coupling receiving a rotational force from the main body housing and rotatable together with the first developing roller;
The second unit is
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the development coupling shaft is rotatable between the contact position and the separated position by linear motion of the linear motion cam between the first position and the second position. The image forming device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The linear cam has a protrusion,
the second unit has a cam receiving groove into which the protrusion fits,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion fits into the cam receiving groove when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer. the first cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drawer in a third direction;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the translation cam is located at a lower end of the drawer in the third direction. the first cartridge has an elastic member that presses the second unit so that the second unit moves from the separated position to the contact position,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the translation cam is urged by the elastic member via the second unit so as to be located at the first position. The linear cam has a recess,
The main body housing has a lever,
the lever is rotatable between a first rotation position located away from the recess and a second rotation position where the lever presses the recess in the first direction;
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the translation cam moves from the first position to the second position in accordance with the rotation of the lever from the first rotation position to the second rotation position. When the lever is located at the second pivot position in a state where the first cartridge is attached to the drawer, the translation cam is located at the second position,
9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lever is located in the first pivot position, the linear cam is pressed against the second unit by the elastic member and is located in the first position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an intermediate transfer belt capable of contacting the first photosensitive drum. the first unit has a first boss protruding from the first unit,
the latch has a hole that allows the first boss to be inserted therein;
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is attached to the main body housing, if the intermediate transfer belt comes into contact with the first photosensitive drum, the first boss comes into contact with the edge of the hole. the first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first drum axis extending in a second direction;
the first developing roller is rotatable about a first developing shaft extending in the second direction,
the first unit includes a first drum coupling that is rotatable about a first drum coupling shaft that extends in the second direction, receives a rotational force from the main body housing, and is rotatable together with the first photosensitive drum;
The first boss has a first cylindrical portion that covers the first drum coupling,
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the first cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is attached to the main body housing, if the intermediate transfer belt comes into contact with the first photosensitive drum, the first cylindrical portion comes into contact with the edge of the hole. a second cartridge that is mountable in the drawer at a distance from the first cartridge in the first direction,
a third unit having a second photosensitive drum;
a fourth unit having a second developing roller, the second unit being movable relative to the second unit between a second contact position where the second developing roller contacts the second photosensitive drum and a second separation position where the second developing roller is separated from the second photosensitive drum;
a second cartridge having a second photosensitive drum and a second developing roller, the second cartridge being mountable in the drawer at a distance from the first cartridge in the first direction;
when the second cartridge is attached to the drawer and the translation cam is located at the first position, the fourth unit is located at the second contact position,
13. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second cartridge is installed in the drawer and the linear cam is located at the second position, the linear cam comes into contact with the fourth unit and the fourth unit is located at the second separated position.

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