Image forming apparatus, developer cartridge and photosensitive unit

• US 7,986,897 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nishimura, Yoh
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray; David M
• Assistant Examiner(s): BONNETTE, RODNEY ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US12/142,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20080317499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 399/90, 399/113
• US Class Current: 399/90
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1821 means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation G03G21/1825 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1867 for electrically connecting the process cartridge to the apparatus, electrical connectors, power supply

Abstract

An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a developer cartridge and a photosensitive unit. The developer cartridge may include a first casing accommodating a developing agent, a developing agent carrier supported by the first casing and carrying the developing agent, a memory element storing predetermined information, and a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element. The photosensitive unit may include a second casing to which the developer cartridge is detachably attached, a photosensitive member, with which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact when the developer cartridge is attached to the second casing, supported by the second casing, and a second terminal electrically connected with the first terminal when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a developer cartridge comprising;

a first casing configured to accommodate a developing agent;

a developing agent carrier supported by the first casing and configured to carry the developing agent;

a memory element configured to stored predetermined information; and

a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element;

a photosensitive unit comprising;

a second casing to which the developer cartridge is detachably attached;

a photosensitive member, with which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact when the developer cartridge is attached to the second casing, supported by the second casing; and

a second terminal configured to be electrically connected with the first terminal when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member; and

a main body unit comprising;

a third casing configured to receive the photosensitive unit;

a control section provided in the third casing; and

a third terminal electrically connected with the control section, and configured to be electrically connected with the second terminal when the third casing receives the photosensitive unit,

wherein the first casing comprises a pressing member configured to move between a pressure contact position in which the developing agent carrier is in pressure contact with the photosensitive member and a release position in which the developing agent carrier is released from pressure contact with the photosensitive member,

wherein the first terminal is provided in the pressing member.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the pressing member is a grip having one end pivotably supported by the first casing and the other end configured to be swung to approach or separate from the first casing.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first terminal and the second terminal are configured to contact each other in a direction intersecting with a pressure contact direction in which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the second terminal externally comes into contact with the first terminal in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the developing agent carrier.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

a plurality of the developer cartridges and a plurality of the second terminals are provided correspondingly to a plurality of colors used by the image forming apparatus to form images, and

the first terminal of each of the respective developer cartridges and each of the second terminals come into contact with each other at a different position depending on the respective color.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first terminal and the second terminal come into contact with each other to intersect with each other when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first casing comprises:

wiring connecting the memory element and the first terminal; and

an elastic member provided on an intermediate position of the wiring, configured to be pressed by the pressing member to allow conduction of the wiring when the pressing member moves from the release position to the pressure contact position, and released from the pressing by the pressing member to interrupt the conduction of the wiring when the pressing member moves from the pressure contact position to the release position.

8. A developer cartridge comprising:

a first casing configured to accommodate a developing agent;

a developing agent carrier supported by the first casing and configured to carry the developing agent;

a grip having one end pivotably supported by the first casing and the other end configured to be swung to approach or separate from the first casing;

a memory element configured to store predetermined information; and

a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element and provided on the grip.

9. The developer cartridge according to claim 8, wherein

the grip comprises:

a grasp portion extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the developing agent carrier; and

a side portion provided on a longitudinal end portion of the grasp portion and extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grasp portion, and

the first terminal is provided on the side portion.

10. The developer cartridge according to claim 9, wherein

the first terminal is provided to extend along a swinging direction of the grip.

11. A developer cartridge comprising:

a first casing configured to accommodate a developing agent;

a developing agent carrier supported by the first casing and configured to carry the developing agent;

a grip having one end pivotably supported by the first casing and the other end configured to be swung to approach or separate from the first casing;

a memory element configured to store predetermined information;

a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element and provided on the grip;

wiring connecting the memory element and the first terminal with each other; and

an elastic member provided on an intermediate position of the wiring, pressed by the grip to allow conduction of the wiring when the other end of the grip is swung in a direction for approaching to the first casing, and released from pressing by the grip to interrupt the conduction of the wiring when the other end of the grip is swung in a direction for separating from the first casing.

12. A photosensitive unit comprising:

a first casing configured to receive a developer cartridge comprising;

a second casing accommodating a developing agent;

a developing agent carrier supported by the second casing and configured to carry the developing agent;

a grip having one end pivotably supported by the second casing and the other end configured to be swung to approach or separate from the second casing;

a memory element configured to store predetermined information; and

a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element and provided on the grip;

a photosensitive member, with which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact when the developer cartridge is attached to the first casing, supported by the first casing; and

a second terminal configured to be electrically connected with the first terminal when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.

13. The photosensitive unit according to claim 12, wherein

the second terminal is configured to contact the first terminal in a direction intersecting with a pressure contact direction in which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.

14. The photosensitive unit according to claim 13, wherein

the second terminal externally comes into contact with the first terminal in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the developing agent carrier.

15. The photosensitive unit according to claim 13, wherein

a plurality of the developer cartridges and a plurality of the second terminals are provided correspondingly to a plurality of colors used by the image forming apparatus to form images, and

the first terminal of each of the respective developer cartridges and each of the second terminals come into contact with each other at a different position dependent on the respective color.

16. The photosensitive unit according to claim 12, wherein

the second terminal comes into contact with the first terminal to intersect therewith when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.