Process cartridge and image forming apparatus to which process cartridge can detachably be mounted

• US 5,963,759 A
• Filed: 07/29/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Fujita, Akiyoshi, Kojima, Hisayoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Matthew S.
• Application Number:
  US08/902,272
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 399/24-27, 399/111, 399/113, 399/125, 399/13
• US Class Current: 399/111
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/185 the process cartridge being mounted parallel to the axis of the photosensitive member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1885 position of the memory; memory housings; electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1663 having lifetime indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1823 Cartridges having electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1838 Autosetting of process parameters

Abstract

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process device acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a memory for transmitting information regarding at least the process means to the image forming apparatus. The memory means is attached to a front end face of the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus to be connected to a connector member of the image forming apparatus.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive member;

process means acting on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;

a memory chip;

a connector for connecting said memory chip and a main body of said image forming apparatus when said cartridge is mounted on the main body; and

a positioning mechanism for determining the posture of said cartridge when said cartridge is mounted on the main body;

wherein, when said cartridge is mounted on the main body, said connector is connected with a connector member of the main body after the posture of said cartridge is determined by said positioning mechanism.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising at least two positioning mechanisms provided at a front end face of the process cartridge in the inserting direction thereof into said image forming apparatus, and wherein, after at least said positioning mechanisms are connected to said image forming apparatus, said connector is connected to said connector member.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said connector is position on a line connecting between said two positioning mechanisms and is adjacent to one of said positioning mechanisms.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said connector has a first connection portion to be connected to said connector member of said image forming apparatus, a second connection portion to which said memory chip is to be attached, and an attachment surface for attaching said connector to a cartridge frame, and wherein said cartridge frame is provided with an attachment seat to which said connector is to be attached, and a projection wall for surrounding said second connection portion.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said second connection portion has a projection as a part thereof, and said protection wall has a notch corresponding to said projection.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said connector has a cover member for covering said connector other than said first connection portion, and an outer surface of said cover member is flush with or does not protrude from a tip end of said second connection portion.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said connector is supported for movement wit respect to said cartridge frame.

8. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said memory chip comprises a connector member, said cartridge further comprising a regulate mechanism for regulating an axial position of the process cartridge in said image forming apparatus, and wherein said connector members are arranged to satisfy relations X_1t >

Y_2t and X_2t <

Y_2b and X_2b <

Y_1t, when it is assumed that a minimum distance from the axial regulating position to an effective fitting tip of said connector member of said memory means is X_1t, a maximum distance from the axial regulating position to the effective fitting tip of said connector is X_2t, a minimum distance from the axial regulating position to an effective fitting root of said connector of said memory means is X_2b, a minimum distance from the exile regulating position to an effective fitting tip of said connector member of said image forming apparatus is Y_1t, a maximum distance from the axial regulating position to the effective fitting tip of said connector is Y_2t, and a minimum distance from the axial regulating position to an effective fitting root of said connector member of said image forming apparatus is Y_2b.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a first grip portion provided on a longitudinal upper surface of the process cartridge and a second grip portion provided at a rear side of the process cartridge in the inserting direction of the process cartridge into said image forming apparatus.

10. A process cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising at least two recesses for engaging with an elastic member attached to a guide rail member provided on the main body of said image forming apparatus for suspending and guiding the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted on and dismounted from said image forming apparatus, and wherein one of said recesses is engaged by said elastic member at a position where the process cartridge is completely inserted into said image forming apparatus, and the other recess is engaged by said elastic member at a position where said first grip portion is exposed from said image forming apparatus.

11. A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein an interface between members forming the process cartridge is formed as a rib to be suspended from said guide rail member.

12. A process cartridge according to claim 10, further comprising a projection formed on a front portion of the process cartridge in the inserting direction thereof into said image forming apparatus to be fitted into a notch formed in a cartridge insertion opening formed on the main body of said image forming apparatus.

13. A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said projection is formed at a position to be in proximity to said guide rail member when the process cartridge is mounted on and dismounted from said image forming apparatus.

14. A process cartridge according to any one claims 1 to 13, wherein the process cartridge integrally incorporates therein said electrophotographic photosensitive member, and charge means, developing means, or cleaning means as said process means, as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted on said image forming apparatus.

15. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the process cartridge integrally incorporates therein said electrophotographic photosensitive member, and at least one of charge means, developing means, and cleaning means as said process means, as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted on said image forming apparatus.

16. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the process cartridge integrally incorporates therein said electrophotographic photosensitive member, and at least developing means as said process means, as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted on said image forming apparatus.

17. An image forming apparatus comprising:

image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; and

a process cartridge detachably mounted on said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising;

an electrophotographic photosensitive member;

process means acting on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;

a memory chip;

a connector for connecting said memory chip and a main body of said image forming apparatus when said cartridge is mounted on the main body; and

a positioning mechanism for determining the posture of said cartridge when said cartridge is mounted on the main body;

wherein, when said cartridge is mounted on the main body, said connector is connected with a connector member of the main body after the posture of said cartridge is determined by said positioning mechanism.