Customer replacement unit memory contact unit pressured according to movement of tray in an image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a tray for a toner cartridge slidably coupled to the main body and configured to be pushed into and pulled out from the main body; a lever hinge-coupled to a portion of the tray for the toner cartridge and configured to rotate through a push-in/pull-out operation of the tray; a link member hinge-coupled to a portion of the lever and configured to move to a push-in/pull-out direction of the tray through rotation of the lever and simultaneously to perform pressure and pressure release on at least one customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit located in an inside of the main body; and a support frame configured to elastically support the CRUM contact unit to a direction that a photosensitive drum provided in the toner cartridge is spaced from an image transfer unit located in the main body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0148908, filed on Nov. 9, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus which disperses a load concentrated on a cover in a cover opening/closing operation by interlocking a portion of a plurality of operations interlocked to the cover opening/closing operation with a push-in/pull-out operation of a tray for a toner cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art

Replaceable toner cartridges have been typically used in image forming apparatuses. Trays on which a plurality of toner cartridges are separately mounted may be provided in inner sides of main bodies of the conventional image forming apparatuses to replace the toner cartridges. The trays may be installed to be pushed into/pulled out from the main bodies. Image transfer belt units may be disposed below the trays in the inner sides of the main bodies of the image display apparatuses.

Openings which the trays are pushed into/pulled out from the main bodies therethrough may be formed in the main bodies of the image forming apparatuses.

Such conventional image forming apparatuses may perform various operations in conjunction with a cover opening/closing operation. For example, the conventional image forming apparatuses may perform a contact/separation operation between a photosensitive drum provided in a toner cartridge and an image transfer belt unit through elevation of the tray, an electrical connection/release operation between a contact terminal of a high-voltage power supply unit and a high-voltage terminal provided in a toner cartridge, an electrical connection/release operation between a terminal of a customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit and a terminal of a CRUM provided in the toner cartridge, and a coupling/separation operation between a driving coupler and the photosensitive drum and one side of a developing roller provided in the toner cartridge, according to the opening/closing operation of the cover.

Such conventional image forming apparatuses may have a complicated structure to perform various operations in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the cover. The conventional image forming apparatuses may be configured to perform the various operations in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover and thus the large load may be concentrated on a hinge part of the cover hinge-coupled to the main body. Accordingly, the hinge part may be broken and the cover may not be opened easily.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments may overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, an exemplary embodiment is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment may not overcome any of the problems described above.

One or more exemplary embodiments relate to an image forming apparatus which disperses a load concentrated on a cover in an opening/closing operation of the cover by interlocking a portion of a plurality of operations interlocked with an opening/closing operation of the cover with a push-in/pull-out operation of a tray for cartridge.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body; a tray slidably coupled to the main body and configured to receive a toner cartridge and be pushed into the main body by a push-in operation and pulled out from the main body by a pull-out operation; a lever hinge-coupled to the tray and configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction according to the push-in operation of the tray and the pull-out operation of the tray respectively; a support frame configured to elastically support a customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit; and a link member hinge-coupled to the lever and configured to move in a direction of the push-in operation of the tray and in a direction of the pull-out operation of the tray according to the rotation of the lever to apply and release pressure on the CRUM contact unit supported by the support frame.

The tray may include a push rib configured to apply pressure to a first portion of the lever in the push-in operation of the tray. The tray may further include an auxiliary push rib configured to apply pressure to the first portion of the lever in the pull-out operation of the tray. The auxiliary push rib may be located to be spaced apart from the push rib and may be located closer to the CRUM contact unit than the push rib. The auxiliary push rib may be formed to have an upper end height smaller than that of the push rib so that an upper end of the auxiliary push rib may remain clear of the tray as the tray is moved in the push-in operation of the tray.

The main body further includes a first side frame, and the lever may be hinge-coupled to the first side frame and may be elastically coupled to the first side frame through an elastic member. A first end of the elastic member may be fixed to the lever and a second end of the elastic member may be fixed to the first side frame so that an elastic force may be applied to the lever in the direction of the push-in operation of the tray and the direction of the pull-out operation of the tray. The elastic member may be located in the lever hinge-coupled to the first side frame.

The link member may include at least one cam protrusion configured to apply pressure to at least one guide protrusion which protrudes from the CRUM contact unit and the cam protrusion may include an inclined cam end portion which is in contact with at least one the guide protrusion.

The image forming apparatus may further include a handle rotatably coupled to the tray; and a latch in which the tray is configured to move along an inner side thereof according to rotation of the handle, and including a front-end that selectively protrudes toward an outside of the tray. The front-end of the latch may protrude such that the lever contacts with the front-end. the handle may be in contact with the latch and the front-end of the latch may protrude toward an outer side of the tray in response to the handle being rotated in a first handle rotation direction and may move toward an inner side of the tray in response to the handle being rotated in a second handle rotation direction. The latch may be elastically supported in a protruding direction of the latch by an elastic member.

The image forming apparatus may further include a handle rotatably coupled to the tray; a movable lever located in a side of the tray and configured to rotate with the handle; a first guide member configured to move according to the rotation of the movable lever; and a second guide member fixed to an image transfer unit of the image forming apparatus. The tray may be selectively raised according to the movement of the first guide member. The first guide member may be located to slidably move along a lower end of the tray. The first and second guide members respectively may include first and second guide protrusions which are in contact with each other. The first and second guide protrusions may include inclined portions inclined in directions opposite to each other.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body; a tray slidably coupled to the main body and configured to receive a toner cartridge be pushed into the main body by a push-in operation and to be pulled out from the main body by a pull-out operation; and an interlocking unit configured to apply and release pressure on a customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit according to the push-in operation of the tray and the pull-out operation of the tray, respectively. The CRUM contact unit may be lowered by the interlocking unit and may be electrically coupled to the toner cartridge in the push-in operation of the tray and may be raised by an elastic force to release the electrical coupling to the toner cartridge in the pull-out operation of the tray.

Additional aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are set forth in the detailed description, and will be obvious from the detailed description, or may be learned by practicing the exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown to understand a configuration and an effect of the disclosure. This disclosure may, however, be embodied and modified in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this closure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, sizes of elements may be enlarged and a ratio between the elements may be exaggerated or reduced for clarity.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein in reference to elements of the disclosure regardless of an order and/or importance, such elements should not be construed as limited by these terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one element from other elements. For example, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept, a first element may refer to a second element, and similarly, the second element may refer to the first element.

It will be further understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as the meaning defined herein. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs.

A configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A color laser printer as an example of the image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment will be described.

The image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may prevent a load from being concentrated on a cover in cover opening/closing by interlocking at least one of a plurality of operations interlocked to the cover opening/closing with a push-in/pull-out operation of a tray. Here, the push-in operation may refer to an operation that the tray is drawn into the inside of a main body and the pull-out operation may refer to an operation that the tray is withdrawn out from the inside of the main body. For example, the plurality of operations interlocked to the cover opening/closing may include a contact/separation operation between a photosensitive drum provided in a toner cartridge and an image transfer unit through tray elevation, an electrical connection/release operation between a contact terminal of a high-voltage power supply unit and a high-voltage terminal provided in a toner cartridge, and a coupling/separation operation between a driving coupler and the photosensitive drum and one side of a developing roller provided in the toner cartridge, according to the opening/closing operation of the cover. In this example, an image transfer belt unit as an example of the image transfer unit according to an exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1Ais a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment andFIGS. 1B and 10are perspective views illustrating image forming apparatuses that a door is opened and a tray for a toner cartridge is pulled out from a main body according to an exemplary embodiment.

A schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus1according to an exemplary embodiment will be described before a configuration for a contact application/release operation of a customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) interlocked to the tray is described.

Referring toFIGS. 1A to 10, the image forming apparatus1may include a main body10and a toner cartridge40separably disposed in the main body10and may transfer a visible image onto a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as ‘paper’) (not shown) through contact with a photosensitive drum (see46ofFIG. 22) provided in the toner cartridge40. The image forming apparatus1may further include a fixing device (not shown) which is located in the inner side of the main body10and pressurizes the paper in which an image is formed through an image transfer belt unit (see13ofFIG. 22) at high temperature. The image forming apparatus1may further include a paper tray11onto which the paper is loaded.

The main body10may include a cover20configured to open and close an opening15through which a tray30for a toner cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as ‘tray30’) is pulled out from the main body. A lower end of the cover20may be hinge-coupled to the main body10. As illustrated inFIG. 1B, an upper end of the cover20may be pulled to an outer direction of the main body10and thus the opening15of the main body10may be opened in response to the tray30being pulled out from the main body.

The cover20may be coupled to a guide rail16through a cover coupling lever17(seeFIG. 8). An upper-end portion17aof the cover coupling lever17may be hinge-coupled to the cover20, a lower-end portion17bthereof may be hinge-coupled to a portion of a first side frame51, and an extension portion17cthereof extending from a rear of the lower-end portion17bmay be slidably movably coupled to an elongated hole16cof the guide rail16. Accordingly, the cover coupling lever17may rotate clockwise about the lower-end portion17bto pull the guide rail16to a +X-direction in response to the cover20being opened and may rotate counterclockwise about the lower-end portion17bto push the guide rail16to a −X-direction in response to the cover20being closed and thus the guide rail16may be moved to an X-direction.

A plurality of toner cartridges40may be separately placed in the tray30as illustrated inFIG. 10. The tray30may be slidably located in the main body10to be pushed into the inner side of the main body10or to be pulled out toward the outer side of the main body10. Each of the plurality of toner cartridges40may include a toner storage unit (not shown) and a developing roller (not shown) and toners having different colors, for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) may be loaded into the toner storage unit.

Hereinafter, a structure for performing a CRUM contact application/release operation in conjunction with an operation of the tray30, for example, an electrical connection/release operation between a contact terminal (see61ofFIG. 2) of a CRUM contact unit60and a terminal (43ofFIG. 7) of a CRUM provided in the toner cartridge40will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a moving direction of a tray and a moving direction of a CRUM contact unit according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a coupling structure for elevating a CRUM contact unit according to tray push-in/pull-out according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2, left and right sides of the tray30may be slidably coupled to a first side frame51and a second side frame (see55ofFIG. 25A) provided in the inside of the main body10along the X-direction. For example, the guide rail (see16ofFIG. 8) slidably supported by the left and right sides of the tray30may be disposed in inner side surfaces of the first and second side frames51and55.

A plurality of CRUM contact units60may be located at intervals over the tray30. Each of the plurality of CRUM contact units60may include a plurality of contact terminals61which are in contact with a plurality of terminals43of CRUMs provided in each of the plurality of toner cartridges40. For example, the CRUM may refer to a semiconductor memory configured to improve image quality of a toner cartridge or manage lifespan of a toner in the toner cartridge. In this example, information, for example, a serial number of a toner cartridge, a cartridge supplier, a remaining quantity of a toner, a toner state, and the like, may be stored in the CRUM. A controller (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus may perform an operation which reads information stored in the CRUMs and stores information for a remaining quantity of a toner according to a printing job in the CRUMs, through the plurality of CRUM contact units60.

A plurality of first guide protrusions63which protrude from an inner side of the first side frame51toward an outer side of the first side frame51through a plurality of through holes51aformed in the first side frame51may be formed in one side surface of each of the plurality of CRUM contact units60. The plurality of through holes51amay have an elongated shape and may be formed along a Y-direction. The plurality of first guide protrusions63may be slidably movably inserted into guide holes103of a support frame100to be described later (seeFIG. 6).

A plurality of second guide protrusions65may be formed in the one side surface of each of the plurality of CRUM contact units60in which the plurality of first guide protrusions63are formed. The plurality of second guide protrusions65may be slidably movably inserted into the elongated guide holes53formed in the first side frame51along the Y-direction. The plurality of CRUM contact units60may be located in the inner side of the first side frame51and may perform an elevating operation to the Y-direction as the second guide protrusions65are guided through the guide holes53of the first side frame51.

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an operation that a CRUM contact unit descends and a contact terminal of the CRUM contact unit is coupled to a terminal of a CRUM of a toner cartridge as a tray is pushed into an inside of a main body in a state that the tray is pulled out from the main body according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3A, in response to the tray30being pushed into a position that the tray30is not moved anymore to an inner-side direction (the −X-direction) of the main body10, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may descend to a downward direction (the −Y-direction) in conjunction with the push-in operation of the tray30. The terminals43of the CRUM of the toner cartridge40may be set to a connection position that the terminals43are coupled to the plurality of contact terminals61of each of the plurality of CRUM contact units60. Accordingly, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may descend and thus the plurality of contact terminals61of each of the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be coupled to the terminals43of the plurality of CRUMs provided in each of the plurality of toner cartridges40.

Referring toFIG. 3B, in response to the tray30being pull out toward to an outer-side direction (the +X-direction) of the main body10in a state that the terminals43and61are coupled to each other, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may rise to an upward direction (the +Y-direction) in conjunction with the pull-out operation of the tray30. Accordingly, the connection between the terminals43and61may be released.

Hereinafter, an interlocking unit configured to interlock an elevation operation of the plurality of CRUM contact units60according to the push-in/pull-out operation of the tray30will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 to 8.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an interlocking structure for elevating a CRUM contact unit according to push-in and pull-out of a tray according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example that both ends of a lever are hinge-coupled to a portion of a tray and a link member coupled to a CRUM contact unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4, the interlocking unit may be a structure configured to interlock an elevation operation of the CRUM contact unit60with the push-in/pull-out operation of the tray30and may include a lever80and a link member90.

The lever80may mutually couple the tray30and the link member90and may be rotatably coupled to the first side frame51. The lever80may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise through the push-in/pull-out operation to linearly move the link member90to a moving direction of the tray30and an opposite direction to the moving direction of the tray30.

The lever80may be formed so that one-side portion81thereof extends to a direction close to the tray30and the other-side portion82thereof extends to a direction close to the CRUM contact unit60in a state bent to a fixed angle with respect to the one-side portion81.

A hinge shaft83of the lever80may be formed in a portion that the one-side portion81and the other-side portion82are in contact with each other. The hinge shaft83may be rotatably coupled to a portion of the first side frame51. Accordingly, the lever80may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise about the hinge shaft83.

Referring toFIG. 5, a locking protrusion84may be formed in a front end of the one-side portion81of the lever80. The push rib31formed in the tray30may interfere with the locking protrusion84in response to the tray30being pushed into the main body10. The lever80may rotate clockwise about the hinge shaft83.

The other-side portion82of the lever80may be coupled to the link member90through a coupling protrusion85formed in a front end of the other-side portion82. The coupling protrusion85may be slidably inserted into an elongated hole91formed in one end of the link member90.

For example, the push rib31may interfere with the locking protrusion84through the tray30which moves toward the inner side of the main body10and thus the other-side portion82of the lever80may rotate clockwise to pull the link member90. Accordingly, the link member90may move to the pull-out direction (the +X-direction) of the tray30. In another example, the interference of the push rib31with the locking protrusion84may be released through the pull-out of the tray30toward the outer side of the main body10and thus the other-side portion82of the lever80may rotate counterclockwise to push the link member90. Accordingly, the link member90may move to the push-in direction (the −X-direction) of the tray30.

FIG. 6AandFIG. 6Billustrate a structure for lowering a CRUM contact unit through a linear movement of a link member according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example that a CRUM contact unit elastically supported by a support frame rises through release of pressure applied to a link member and contact between a terminal of the CRUM contact unit and a terminal of a CRUM is released in response to a tray being pulled out from a main body in a state that the tray is pushed into an inside of the main body according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 6A, the link member90may linearly move according to the rotation of the lever80and simultaneously may perform pressure and pressure release on portions of the plurality of CRUM contact units60. Accordingly, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be simultaneously elevated to the Y-direction.

A plurality of cam protrusions93may protrude downward at intervals from a lower end of the link member90. A cam-end portion94inclined to a fixed angle may be formed in each of the plurality of cam protrusions93. The cam-end portion94may be inclined to the tray push-in direction (the −X-direction) from an upper end thereof toward a lower end thereof.

For example, the link member90may move to the tray pull-out direction (the +X-direction) through the rotation of the lever80as illustrated inFIG. 6Aand thus the first guide protrusion63of each CRUM contact unit60may interfere with each cam protrusion93. The cam-end portion94may be in cam contact with a rounded top surface63aof the first guide protrusion63to pull out the first guide protrude63and the CRUM contact units60may simultaneously descend to the −Y-direction. Accordingly, the plurality of terminals61of each CRUM contact unit60may be electrically coupled to the terminals43of the CRUM located over the toner cartridge40as illustrated inFIG. 7A.

In an example, the link member90may move to the tray push-in direction (the −X-direction) through the rotation of the lever80as illustrated inFIG. 6Band thus the cam protrusion93which pressurizes the first guide protrusion63of each CRUM contact unit60may move to the tray push-in direction (the −X-direction) with the link member90. Accordingly, the interference of the cam protrusion93with the first guide protrusion63of the CRUM contact unit60may be released and thus the plurality of contact units60may rise to the +Y-direction. A structure for the rising operation of each CRUM contact unit60will be described below with reference toFIG. 8. The electrical connection between the plurality of terminals61of each CRUM contact unit60and the terminals43of the CRUM located over the toner cartridge40may be released as illustrated inFIG. 7B.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a support frame which elastically supports a CRUM contact unit with the interlocking structure ofFIG. 4according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 9is an enlarged view illustrating an example that a guide roller of a guide rail moves along a cam hole formed in a first side frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

The plurality of CRUM contact units60may be elastically supported through a plurality of compression springs110located in portions of a support frame100.

For example, one end of each of the plurality of compression springs110may be coupled to a fixing portion64which protrudes from a lower end of the first guide protrusion63of the CRUM contact unit60and the other end of the compression spring110may be coupled to a fixing protrusion101formed in the support frame100as illustrated inFIG. 6A. Accordingly, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be elastically supported to the Y-direction through the plurality of compression springs110.

The support frame100may be elevated to the Y-direction in conjunction with the movement of the guide rail16to the tray push-in/pull-out direction. For example, a plurality of cam holes105to which a plurality of rollers16alocated in one side of the guide rail16are slidably movably coupled may be formed in the support frame100. Each of the plurality of cam holes105in the support frame100may be formed to be stepped so that a left side105aof the cam hole105is located higher than a right side105bthereof as illustrated inFIG. 8. A plurality of guide holes103to which the plurality of first guide protrusions63are slidably coupled may be formed in an upper end of the support frame100. The plurality of guide holes103may be formed along the Y-direction and thus the support frame100may be guided through the plurality of first guide protrusions63to the Y-direction.

Force which pressurizes the plurality of CRUM contact units60to the +Y-direction according to the opening operation of the cover20may be accumulated in the support frame100. The accumulated force may move the plurality of CRUM contact units60upward in response to the interference of the link member90being released. Hereinafter, an operation of the support frame100interlocked to the opening of the cover20will be described below.

The support frame100may be located in a descending position in a state that the cover20is closed as illustrated inFIG. 8. In response to the cover20being opened, the guide rail16may move by a fixed distance to the tray pull-out direction in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover20and simultaneously, the plurality of guide rollers16aof the guide rail16may move upward along the cam hole53formed in the first side frame51as illustrated inFIG. 9. For example, the plurality of cam holes53of the first side frame51may be formed to be stepped so that a left side53ais located lower than a right side53bas opposite to the plurality of cam holes105of the support frame100.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, in response to the plurality of guide rollers16abeing moved to the right sides53bof the plurality of cam holes53of the first side frame51from the left sides53athereof, the guide rail16may move upward by a fixed height h.

The plurality of guide rollers16amay move from the left sides53aof the plurality of cam holes53of the first side frame51to the right sides53bthereof and simultaneously, the plurality of guide rollers16amay move the left sides105aof the plurality of cam holes105of the support frame100to the right sides105bthereof. Accordingly, the support frame100may rise by the same height as the rising height h of the guide rail16. In response to the support frame100being raised, the plurality of compression springs110may be compressed as illustrated inFIG. 6Aand the force which may raise the plurality of CRUM contact units60to the +Y-direction may be increased. For example, since the plurality of CRUM contact units60is pressurized to the −Y-direction through the cam protrusion93of the link member90, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may not move upward and may be maintained in a corresponding position as it is.

In response to the tray30being pulled out from the main body10to the +X-direction, the plurality of CRUM contact units60with which the link member90interferes may rise to the +Y-direction through the accumulated elastic force. Accordingly, the plurality of contact terminals61of the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be spaced from the terminals43of the CRUMs of the toner cartridge40and thus the connection between the terminals61and43may be released.

The above-described lever80may have no elastically supported structure and thus the lever80may not perform an operation which pushes the link member90to the −X-direction in response to the interference of the push rib31being released. For example, the link member90may move to the −X-direction through the rising operation of the plurality of CRUM contact units60elastically supported through the support frame100. In response to the lever80being elastically supported through an elastic member, the lever80may perform an operation which pushes the link member90to the −X-direction.

Hereinafter, various examples that the lever80is elastically supported through the elastic member will be described with reference toFIGS. 10A to 10C.

FIGS. 10A to 10Care diagrams illustrating various types of elastic members for operating a lever according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 10A, the one-side portion81of the lever80may be elastically supported through a tension spring120. One end121of the tension spring120may be fixed to the one-side portion81and the other end123may be fixed to a portion of the first side frame51.

The one-side portion81of the lever80may be pushed through the push rib31of the tray30in a state that the tray30is pushed into the main body10and thus the lever80may rotate clockwise. For example, the tension spring120is stretched and the elastic force of the tension spring120may be increased. In this example, in response to the tray30being moved to the pull-out direction of the tray30, the lever80may rotate counterclockwise through elastic force of the tension spring120and may push and move the link member90to the −X-direction while the interference of the push rib31is released.

Referring toFIG. 10B, the lever80may be elastically supported through a torsion spring130. A winding portion130aof the torsion spring130may be coupled to the hinge shaft83and one end131of the torsion spring130which extends from the winding portion130amay be fixed to a portion of the lever80and the other end133of the torsion spring130which extends from the winding portion130amay be fixed to a portion of the first side frame51.

Accordingly, in response to the tray30pushed into the main body10being moved to the pull-out direction of the tray30, the lever80may rotate counterclockwise through the increased elastic force of the torsion spring130and may push and move the link member90to the −X-direction while the interference of the push rib31is released.

Referring toFIG. 100, the other-side portion82of the lever80may be elastically supported through a compression spring140. One end141of the compression spring140may be fixed to the other-end portion82of the lever80and the other end143of the compression spring140may be fixed to a portion of the first side frame51.

Accordingly, in response to the tray30pushed into the main body10being moved to the pull-out direction, the lever80may rotate counterclockwise through the increased elastic force of the compression spring140and may push and move the link member90to the −X-direction while the interference of the push rib31may be released.

The example that the lever80is elastically supported through the elastic member and smoothly performs the operation of the link member90has been described. A structure that pushes the link member90to the −X-direction through the lever80without an elastic member will be described with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example of a tray including first and second push ribs for operating a lever according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 12is a diagram illustrating an example that a tray rotates clockwise through a first push rib in a pull-out operation of the tray and the tray rotates counterclockwise through a second push rib in a push-in operation of the tray according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 11, the tray30may include a first push rib31ahaving the same structure and function as the push rib31illustrated inFIG. 5and a second push rib33located to be spaced at a fixed interval from the first push rib31a. For example, the first and second push ribs31aand33may be formed to have a distance therebetween slightly larger than a width of the one-side portion81of the lever80so that one-side portion81of the lever80is located between the first and second push ribs31aand33.

A top height L1of the first push rib31amay be located in a position sufficient to interfere with a portion81aof the one-side portion81of the lever80in the push-in operation of the tray30.

The second push rib33may be located closer to the plurality of CRUM contact units60than the first push rib31a. An upper end of the second push rib33having a top height L2may be located lower than an upper end of the first push rib31having the top height L1so that the upper end of the second push rib33may not interfere with the one-side portion81of the lever80in response to the one-side portion81of the lever80being pushed through the first push rib31ato rotate clockwise.

Hereinafter, an operation of the lever80interlocked to the first and second push ribs31aand33according to the push-in/pull-out operation of the tray30will be described with reference toFIG. 12.

Referring toFIG. 12A, the tray30may move to the push-in direction (the −X-direction) and thus the first and second push ribs31aand33may move to the −X-direction with the tray30. For example, the first push rib31amay push the right side81aof the one-side portion81of the lever80to the −X-direction. In this example, since the second push rib33has the small height L2, the second push rib31may not interfere with the one-side portion81of the lever80. The lever80may rotate clockwise about the hinge shaft83to pull the link member90to the +X-direction. For example, the one-side portion81of the lever80may be located in a space35formed between the first and second push ribs31aand33. In response to the link member90being moved to the +X-direction, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may descend through the plurality of cam protrusions93and the terminals43and61of the plurality of toner cartridges40and the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be electrically coupled to each other as illustrated inFIG. 7A.

Referring toFIG. 12B, the tray30may move to the push-in direction (the +X-direction) of the tray30and thus the first and second push ribs31aand33may move to the +X-direction with the tray30. A lower end81bof the one-side portion81of the lever80may be located lower than an upper end of the second push rib33and thus the one-side portion81of the lever80may be pushed through the second push rib33. Accordingly, the lever80may rotate counterclockwise to push the link member90to the −X-direction. In response to the link member90being moved to the −X-direction, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may rise through release of the interference of the plurality of cam protrusions93as illustrated inFIG. 7Band the electrical connection between the terminals43and61of the plurality of toner cartridges40and the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be released.

The lever80may be pushed through the first and second push ribs31aand33to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise as described above. In another example, the lever80may be operated through a handle150provided in a tray30′ and a latch160interlocked to the handle150as illustrated inFIG. 13other than the first and second push ribs31aand33integrally fixed to the tray30. In response to the handle150and the latch160being provided, the connection between the terminals43and61of the plurality of toner cartridges40and the plurality of CRUM contact units60which has been coupled to each other may be released before the pull-out operation of the tray30. In response to the tray30′ being pulled out after the connection release between the terminals43and61, the plurality of contact terminals61of the plurality of CRUM contact units60may be prevented from being scratched through the terminals43of the CRUMs of the plurality of toner cartridges40during the pull-out operation of the tray30′.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, a plurality of first and second driving couplers (see18aand18bofFIG. 25A) may be inserted into a plurality of holes37formed in the right-side of the tray30′. The first and second driving couplers18aand18bmay pass through the plurality of holes37and may be coupled to first and second coupling parts (see47aand47bofFIG. 24) of the toner cartridge40.

Hereinafter, a structure that the handle150and the latch160are provided in the tray30and an operation thereof will be described with reference toFIGS. 13 to 17B.

FIG. 13is a perspective view illustrating an example that a tray includes a handle and a latch interlocked to the handle according to an exemplary embodiment andFIGS. 14 and 15are a plan sectional diagram and a bottom view illustrating an interlocking structure between the handle and the tray illustrated inFIG. 13.FIG. 16is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a latch which locks and unlocks a lever according to rotation of the handle of the tray illustrated inFIG. 13andFIG. 17AandFIG. 17Billustrate an operation example of a latch interlocked according to rotation of a handle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 13, the handle150may be rotatably located in an upper side of a front-end portion31′ of the tray30′ and the latch160may be slidably movably disposed along a width direction of the tray30′ in an inner side of the front-end portion31′ of the tray30′. The latch160may slidably move along the width direction of the tray30′ in conjunction with clockwise/counterclockwise rotation of the handle150.

Referring toFIG. 14, hinge protrusions151hinge-coupled to the tray30′ may be formed in both sides of the handle150. Accordingly, the handle150may rotate to a fixed angle to the tray push-in/pull-out direction. A contact protrusion153may be formed in an inner side of the handle150. The contact protrusion153may have an inclined cam surface153a.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, a groove162to which the contact protrusion153of the handle150is coupled may be formed in a rear-end portion161of the latch160. A sliding surface161awhich is in slidable contact with the cam surface153aof the contact protrusion153may be formed in the groove162.

A front-end portion163of the latch160may maintain a protruding state from one side of the tray30′ so that the one-side portion81of the lever80is pushed to the tray push-in direction in response to the handle150being rotated to the tray push-in direction. The front-end portion163of the latch160may be pushed into the inner side of the tray30′ to release the interference with the one-side portion81of the lever80so that the lever80may rotate counterclockwise in response to the handle150being rotated to the tray pull-out direction.

The latch160may be elastically supported through a compression spring170located close to the front-end portion163of the latch160in a sliding movement to the width direction of the tray30′. The compression spring170may be located between a support rib165extending from one side of the front-end portion163of the latch160and a support sill33′ of the tray30′. Accordingly, the compression spring170may elastically support the latch160to a direction that the front-end portion163of the latch160protrudes toward one side of the tray30′.

An operation of the latch160interlocked to the handle150will be described with reference toFIGS. 16, 17A, and 17B.

As illustrated inFIG. 16, the handle150may rotate to the tray pull-out direction and thus the contact protrusion153protruding in the inner side of the handle150may rotate to the same direction as the rotation direction of the handle150. For example, the contact protrusion153may rotates and simultaneously may move to a position further protruding to the tray push-in direction as illustrated inFIG. 17Bas compared with the position illustrated inFIG. 17A. The cam surface153aof the contract protrusion153may be in cam contact with the sliding surface161aof the latch160and thus the latch160may move to an arrow A direction.

Accordingly, the front-end portion163of the latch160which supports the one-side portion81of the lever80in a state that the one-side portion of the lever80is pushed may be pushed into the inner side of the tray30′. According to the release of the interference of the front-end portion163of the latch160which acts on the one-side portion81of the lever80, the lever80may rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, the plurality of CRUM contact units60may rise through the elastic force of the compression spring170provided in the support frame100as illustrated inFIG. 6Band thus the link member90may move to the tray push-in direction and simultaneously, the lever80may rotate counterclockwise.

Hereinafter, a plurality of operations which are performed in conjunction with the opening/closing of the cover20in the image forming apparatus1according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 18 to 27.

First, an electrical connection/release operation between a contact terminal of a high-voltage power supply unit and a high-voltage terminal provided in a toner cartridge will be described with reference toFIGS. 18 to 21B.

FIG. 18is a perspective view illustrating an example that a high-voltage power supply unit is located in a first side frame according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 19is an enlarged view illustrating a terminal of the high-voltage power supply unit illustrated inFIG. 18.FIG. 20is a diagram illustrating a terminal of a high-voltage power supply unit when viewed in an outer side of a first side frame according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 21AandFIG. 21Billustrate examples that coupling/coupling release operations between a contact terminal of a high-voltage power supply unit and a high-voltage terminal of a toner cartridge according to an elevating operation of the high-voltage power supply unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

The image forming apparatus1according to an exemplary embodiment may include a plurality of devices which perform electrical operations. For example, the plurality of devices may include a device (not shown) configured to charge a surface of the photosensitive drum (see46ofFIG. 22) provided in the toner cartridge40, a device (not shown) configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an image transfer belt unit (see13ofFIG. 22) configured to transfer the developed electrostatic latent image onto a printing medium. Powers of the plurality of devices may be different voltage levels from each other, but all the powers may be DC high-voltage signals having a fixed voltage or more. However, an AC voltage provided to the image forming apparatus may be converted into a preset DC low-voltage signal and input to the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus may include a high-voltage power supply unit180configured to generate a plurality of high-voltage signals by receiving the low-voltage signal.

The high-voltage power supply unit180may be fixed to an inner surface of the first side frame51. The high-voltage power supply unit180may include a substrate (not shown) in which a circuit configured to generate the plurality of high-voltage signals by receiving one low-voltage signal is formed and a plurality of contact terminals181electrically coupled to contacts (for example, a contact to which a high-voltage signal is applied and a grounded contact) in the substrate.

For example, contact terminals181of the high-voltage power supply unit180may be electrically coupled to a plurality of high-voltage terminals (see45ofFIG. 3B) provided in the toner cartridge40in response to free end portions181aprotruding toward an outer side of the high-voltage power supply unit180. In another example, in response to the free end portion181aof each contact terminal181being pushed into an inner side of the high-voltage power supply unit180, the electrical connection between the contact terminals181of the high-voltage power supply unit180and the plurality of high-voltage terminals45provided in the toner cartridge40may be released.

A first support end portion181bof the contact terminal181may be fixed in the inside of the high-voltage power supply unit180as illustrated inFIG. 19and a second support end portion181cmay be located in a fixing groove107of the support frame100as illustrated inFIG. 20. The contact terminal181may include an inner contact portion181delectrically coupled to the substrate. The inner contact portion181dmay have substantially a coil shape as illustrated inFIG. 20and may be coupled to a fixing protrusion183protruding from a portion of the high-voltage power supply unit180. The contact terminal181may be pressurized to a direction that the first support end portion181bof the contact terminal181is close to a third support end portion181eso that the free end portion181aprotrudes toward an outer side of the high-voltage power supply unit180in a state that the support frame100descends. The third support end portion181emay be fixed to a portion184of the high-voltage power supply unit180.

Referring toFIG. 21A, the free end portion181aof the contact terminal181may protrude toward the outer side of the high-voltage power supply unit180in a state that the support frame100descends. Accordingly, the free end portion181amay be electrically coupled to the high-voltage terminal45of the toner cartridge40.

In response to the support frame100being raised as illustrated inFIG. 21B, applied pressure applied to the first and third support end portions181band181eof the contact terminal181may be released and the free end portion181aof the contact terminal181may be pushed into the inner side of the high-voltage power supply unit180through elastic force. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the free end portion181aof the contact terminal181and the high-voltage terminal45of the toner cartridge40may be released.

Hereinafter, a contact/separation operation between a photosensitive drum provided in the toner cartridge and an image transfer belt unit in tray elevation will be described with reference toFIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 22is a diagram illustrating an example that a photosensitive drum of a toner cartridge is in contact with an image transfer belt unit in a state that a cover is closed according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 23is a diagram illustrating an example that a photosensitive drum of a toner cartridge is separated from an image transfer belt unit in a state that a cover is opened according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 22, the plurality of rollers16aof the guide rail16located in the inner side of the first side frame51may be located in the lift side53aof the cam hole53of the first side frame51in a state that the cover20is closed.

For example, the photosensitive drum46of each of the toner cartridges40mounted on the tray30may be in contact with a surface of a belt13aof the image transfer belt unit13. The belt13aof the image transfer belt unit13may rotate to a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the photosensitive drum46and simultaneously transfer a visible image onto paper.

In response to the cover20being opened as illustrated inFIG. 23in a state that the cover20is closed, cover coupling levers17and17′ may rotate clockwise with the cover20and simultaneously move guide rails16and16′ disposed in the inner sides of the first and second side frames51and55to the tray pull-out direction by a fixed distance. The guide rail16′ disposed in the inner side of the second side frame55may be hinge-coupled to the cover coupling lever17′ to be interlocked to the cover coupling lever17′ as illustrated inFIG. 25.

For example, the plurality of rollers16aof the guide rail16may move along the cam hole53of the first side frame51from the left side53aof the cam hole105to the right side53bthereof and thus the guide rails16and16′ may move to the tray pull-out direction and simultaneously may move upward by a fixed height h.

As the tray30placed in the guide rails16and16′ moves upward with the guide rails16and16′, the photosensitive drum46of each toner cartridge40may be spaced from a surface of the belt13aof the image transfer belt unit13. The tray30may be pulled out from the main body10along the tray pull-out direction in the spaced state.

A coupling/separation operation between a driving coupler and a photosensitive drum provided in a toner cartridge and one side of a developing roller will be described with reference toFIGS. 24 to 27.

FIG. 24is a diagram illustrating a photosensitive drum disposed in a side surface of a toner cartridge and a rotation part of a developing roller according to an exemplary embodiment andFIG. 25AandFIG. 25Billustrate examples that a plurality of driving couplers for transferring power to a rotation part of a photosensitive drum and a rotation part of a developing roller protrude and non-protrude from a second side frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 24, the first coupling part47aconfigured to rotate the photosensitive drum46and the second coupling part47bconfigured to rotate a developing roller (not shown) may be disposed to be spaced from each other in the other side of the toner cartridge40. The first coupling part47amay be formed in one end of a rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum46and the second coupling part47bmay be formed in the other end of the developing roller.

Referring toFIG. 25AandFIG. 25B, a plurality of first driving couplers18aand a plurality of second driving couplers18bmay be disposed in the second side frame55. The first driving coupler18amay be separately coupled to the first coupling part47aof the toner cartridge40and may transfer rotation driving force to the first coupling part47ato rotate the photosensitive drum46in response to the first driving coupler18abeing coupled to the first coupling part47a. The second driving coupler18bmay be separately coupled to the second coupling part47bof the toner cartridge40and may transfer rotation driving force to the second coupling part47bto rotate the developing roller in response to the second driving coupler18bbeing coupled to the second coupling part47b.

For example, the plurality of first and second driving couplers18aand18bmay be disposed in an outer side of the second side frame55and may protrude toward an inner side of the second side frame55in response to the first and second driving couplers18aand18bbeing coupled to the first and second coupling parts47aand47bof the toner cartridge40. In another example, the plurality of first and second driving couplers18aand18bmay move to the outer side of the second side frame55in response to the first and second driving couplers18aand18bbeing separated from the first and second coupling parts47aand47b.

Such an operation that the first and second driving couplers18aand18bprotrudes toward the inner side of the second side frame55and move to the outer side of the second side frame55may be performed through a pressure frame19interlocked to the cover coupling lever17′.

FIG. 26is a diagram illustrating a pressure frame for protruding or non-protruding a plurality of driving couplers according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 26, the pressure frame19may be slidably movably disposed in the inner side of the second side frame55to the tray push-in/pull-out direction. An elongated hole19cformed in one end portion of the pressure frame19may be hinge-coupled to an extension portion17′cof the cover coupling lever17′. For example, the pressure frame19may linearly move to the tray pull-out direction according to the clockwise rotation of the cover coupling lever17′ and may linearly move to the tray push-in direction according to counterclockwise rotation of the cover coupling lever17′. In this example, an upper end portion17′aof the cover coupling lever17′ may be hinge-coupled to the cover20and a lower end portion17′bthereof may be hinge-coupled to a portion of the first side frame51.

A plurality of first pressure protrusions19amay be formed in one-side surface of the pressure frame19to protrude and a plurality of second pressure protrusions19bmay be formed over the plurality of first pressure protrusions19ato protrude. The first and second pressure protrusions19aand19bmay perform pressure and pressure release on the first and second driving couplers18aand18bin response to the pressure frame19being moved to the tray push-in/pull-out direction. Accordingly, the first and second driving couplers18aand18bmay selectively protrude toward the inner side of the second side frame55as illustrated inFIG. 25Aand may move to the outer side of the second side frame55to maintain a non-protruding state as illustrated inFIG. 25B.

FIG. 27is a diagram illustrating an example that a driving coupler is maintained in a non-protruding state according to a movement of a pressure frame to a tray push-in direction according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 27, a rear-end portion18cof the first driving coupler18amay be elastically supported to a direction that the rear-end portion18cprotrudes toward the inner side of the second side frame55through a compression spring18d. For example, one end of the compression spring18dmay be fixed to the rear-end portion18cof the first driving coupler18aand the other end of thereof may be fixed to a structure18edisposed to be spaced from the rear-end portion18cof the first driving coupler18a.

For example, the cover coupling lever17′ may rotate clockwise and the pressure frame19may move to the tray pull-out direction in conjunction with the clockwise rotation of the cover coupling lever17′. The rear-end portion18cof the first driving coupler18amay be pushed through the first pressure protrusion19aof the pressure frame19and may move toward the outer side of the second side frame55. In this example, the rear-end portion18cof the first driving coupler18amay be in slidable contact with a sliding surface19dof the pressure protrusion19a. Accordingly, the first driving coupler18amay maintain the non-protruding state in a state that the first driving coupler18ais elastically supported through the compression spring18dand the coupling of the first driving coupler18ato the first coupling part47aof the toner cartridge40may be released.

In another example, the cover coupling lever17′ may rotate counterclockwise and the pressure frame19may move to the tray push-in direction in conjunction with the counterclockwise rotation of the cover coupling lever17′. The pressure of the rear-end portion18cof the first driving coupler18athrough the first pressure protrusion19aof the pressure frame19may be released. Accordingly, the first driving coupler18amay protrude toward the inner side of the second side frame55through the compression spring18dand may be coupled to the first coupling part47a.

Although not shown inFIG. 27, the protruding operation and the non-protruding operation of the second driving coupler18bfrom the second side frame55may be performed through the same structure as the above-described structure for performing the protruding operation and the non-protruding operation of the first driving coupler18aand thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

It has been described in the above-described exemplary embodiment that the contact and separation operations between the image transfer belt unit13and the photosensitive drum are performed through the opening/closing of the cover20, but this is not limited thereto. The contact and separation operations between the image transfer belt unit and the photosensitive drum may be performed in conjunction with a rotation operation of the handle provided in the tray. The contact and separation operations in conjunction with a rotation operation of the handle will be described with reference toFIG. 28.

FIGS. 28 and 29are diagrams illustrating examples that a photosensitive drum is in contact with an image transfer belt unit and is spaced from the image transfer belt unit according to a clockwise/counterclockwise rotation of a handle provided in a tray according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 28, a movable lever190rotatably coupled to one side of a tray30″ may be provided in one side of the tray30″. The movable lever190may be coupled to a rotation shaft151″ of a handle150″ and may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise with the handle150″.

Movable guide members193may be disposed along both-side lower ends of the tray30″. The movable guide members193may slidably move along the lower ends of the tray30″ to the tray push-in direction in clockwise rotation of the movable lever190and may move to the tray pull-out direction in counterclockwise rotation of the movable lever190. For example, a coupling protrusion193cwhich is slidably movably coupled to an elongated hole191formed in the movable lever190may be formed in the movable guide member193.

A plurality of first guide protrusions193amay be formed at intervals along a lower end of the movable guide member193to protrude downward. A first inclined portion193bcorresponding to a second inclined portion195bto be described later may be formed in each of the plurality of first guide protrusions193a.

A pair of fixed guide members195corresponding to a pair of movable guide members193may be disposed in both sides of the image transfer belt unit13″. The pair of fixed guide members195may be fixed to the image transfer belt unit13″.

A plurality of second guide protrusions195amay be formed at intervals along an upper end of the fixed guide member195to protrude downward. The second inclined portion195bmay be formed in each of the plurality of second guide protrusions195a. The second inclined portion195bof the second guide protrusion195amay be corresponding to the first inclined portion193bof the first guide protrusion193aand may be in slidable contact with the first inclined portion193bin response to the movable guide member193being moved to the tray push-in/pull-out direction.

The photosensitive drum of the toner cartridge mounted on the tray30″ may be in contact with a belt13″aof the image transfer belt unit13″ in a state that the tray30″ is pushed into the main body10as illustrated inFIG. 28. For example, the first and second inclined portions193band195bof the first and second guide protrusions193aand195amay be in contact with each other in a facing state.

In this example, as illustrated inFIG. 29, the movable lever190may rotate clockwise with the handle150″ in response to the handle150″ being rotated clockwise. The movable guide member193may move to the tray push-in direction through the rotation of the movable lever190.

As the first guide protrusion193amoves with the movable guide member193, the first inclined portion193bof the first guide protrusion193amay slidably move along the second inclined portion195bof the second guide protrusion195a. Accordingly, the tray30″ may rise to a fixed height and the photosensitive drum of the toner cartridge may be spaced from the belt13″aof the image transfer belt unit13″.

The handle150″ may rotate counterclockwise and the movable lever190may also rotate counterclockwise with the handle150″. Accordingly, the tray30″ may descend to a fixed height and the photosensitive drum of the toner cartridge may be in contact with the belt13″aof the image transfer belt unit13″.

In the exemplary embodiments, at least one of operations performed in conjunction with an opening/close operation of a cover may be interlocked to a tray push-in/pull-out operation or to an operation of a handle provided in the tray. Accordingly, the force concentrated in the cover opening/closing operation may be dispersed and thus the cover opening/closing operation may be easily performed without large force and the large force concentrated on the cover may be prevented. Accordingly, the endurance of the cover may be guaranteed.