Patent ID: 6349182
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G03G,H01R

Abstract:
A unit connector for a unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for electrical connection with a main assembly connector provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said unit connector comprising:a first regulating portion for preventing said unit connector from engaging with the main assembly connector in an erroneous direction; a second regulating portion for preventing said unit connector from being mounted in an erroneous direction; a memory for storing information; a memory connecting portion for electrical connection with said memory to establish an electrical connection between said memory and the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when said unit is mounted to the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein said memory connecting portion has electrical connection contacts arranged at a first interval; an electrical part connecting portion for electrical connection with an electrical part provided in said unit to establish an electrical connection between the electrical part and the main assembly of the apparatus when said unit is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus and wherein said electrical part connecting portion has electrical connection contacts arranged at a second interval, wherein the first and second intervals are different; and a connector connecting portion for electrical connection between said unit connector and the main assembly connector when said unit is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, wherein the electric connection between the main assembly connector and said unit connector enables the transmission of data stored in the memory and information of the electrical part to the main assembly of the apparatus, and wherein said connector connecting portion has electrical connection contacts which are arranged at the second interval.