Patent ID: 8965222
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a main casing; a cartridge configured to be attached to and detached from the main casing and to accommodate therein developing agent, the cartridge having a cartridge electrode configured to receive electric power from the main casing; a main electrode configured to be positioned in confrontation with the cartridge electrode in a confronting direction and electrically connectable to the cartridge electrode, the main electrode configured to be moved in the confronting direction; a moving member provided to face the cartridge electrode and configured to be moved in a moving direction by a predetermined moving amount, the moving member being configured to move the cartridge electrode to a first position where the cartridge electrode is in contact with the main electrode and to a second position moved from the first position in the confronting direction; and a judgment unit configured to judge that a cartridge attached to the main casing is a new cartridge if the main electrode is moved in accordance with a movement of the cartridge electrode between the first position and the second position, wherein, when the cartridge is attached to the main casing, the confronting direction includes a first confronting direction from the cartridge electrode to the main electrode and a second confronting direction from the cartridge electrode to the moving member, wherein the moving member is provided with a projection protruding in the first confronting direction while defining a recessed portion recessed in the second confronting direction, the cartridge electrode being positioned at the first position upon abutment with the projection and positioned at the second position upon confrontation with the recessed portion, and wherein at least one of the recessed portion and the cartridge electrode defines a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, the first inclined surface being inclined in the first confronting direction toward an upstream side in the moving direction of the moving member with respect to the cartridge electrode, and the second inclined surface being inclined in the second confronting direction toward the upstream side.