Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cartridge, a storage medium, a cartridge-side holding device, a body-side holding device, and a reading device. The cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body. Information relating to the cartridge is stored in the storage medium. The cartridge-side holding device is provided in the cartridge and, when the cartridge is in a non-inserted state in which the cartridge is not inserted into the apparatus body, holds the storage medium. The body-side holding device is provided in the apparatus body and, when the cartridge is in an attached state in which the cartridge is disposed at an operation position in the apparatus body, holds the storage medium transferred from the cartridge-side holding device. The reading device reads the information from the storage medium held by the body-side holding device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-046164 filed Mar. 9, 2015.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

(ii) Related Art

Image forming apparatuses include items such as photosensitive drums and toner that need periodical replacement (or replenishment). Items that need replacement or the like are collectively disposed in cartridges in the related-art image forming apparatuses, and users such as service persons or customers who use the image forming apparatuses replace the cartridges. This allows replacement or replenishment of these items to be performed in a collective manner. Examples of the cartridges include a photosensitive body cartridge that includes a photosensitive drum and so forth, a developing cartridge that includes toner and so forth, and a process cartridge into which these cartridges are integrated.

A storage medium in which information relating to each of these cartridges is stored is attached to the cartridge. The information relating to the cartridge to which the storage medium is attached such as a model number of the cartridge and the remaining amount of toner is stored in the storage medium. An apparatus body may obtain the information by reading the information stored in the storage medium attached to the cartridge. In the related art image forming apparatuses, the storage medium is accessed from the apparatus body by bringing electrically conductive contacts included in the storage medium attached to the cartridge into contact with electrically conductive contacts provided in the apparatus body.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cartridge, a storage medium, a cartridge-side holding device, a body-side holding device, and a reading device. The cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body. Information relating to the cartridge is stored in the storage medium. The cartridge-side holding device is provided in the cartridge. When the cartridge is in a non-inserted state in which the cartridge is not inserted into the apparatus body, the cartridge-side holding device holds the storage medium. The body-side holding device is provided in the apparatus body. When the cartridge is in an attached state in which the cartridge is disposed at an operation position in the apparatus body, the body-side holding device holds the storage medium transferred from the cartridge-side holding device. The reading device reads the information from the storage medium held by the body-side holding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An Outline of an Image Forming Apparatus According to an Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic view of the structure of an image forming apparatus10according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2is a perspective view of a process cartridge seen from above. The image forming apparatus10is a so-called printer and includes components such as a process cartridge12, a sheet feed tray, a sheet feed belt, a sheet feed roller, a transfer roller, a fixing roller, a power unit, and a controller. Sheets of paper that each serve as a recording medium are stored in the sheet feed tray. The sheet feed belt transports each of the sheets from the sheet feed tray. The sheet feed roller moves the sheet feed belt. A transfer roller transfers toner attracted to a photosensitive drum onto the sheet. The fixing roller fixes the toner having been transferred onto the sheet. The power unit supplies power to the components. The controller controls the components. These components cooperate with one another to perform a printing operation. Herein, the x axis extends in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus10, the y axis extends in the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the image forming apparatus10, and the z axis extends in the height direction of the image forming apparatus10.

The image forming apparatus10is a color printer and includes four process cartridges that respectively correspond to black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors. Since the structures of these process cartridges are similar to one another or the same, the process cartridge12that is one of the process cartridges is focused in the following description. It is noted that the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applicable not only to a color printer but also to any of a color copier, a monochrome printer, and so forth. Although the process cartridge12is described as an example of a cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus10according to the present exemplary embodiment, the cartridge is not limited to the process cartridge as long as the cartridge is a member to which a memory is attached and which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus.

The process cartridge12includes a photosensitive unit16and a developing unit18. That is, the process cartridge12is a single unit that includes the photosensitive unit16and the developing unit18integrated with each other. The photosensitive unit16includes the photosensitive drum, a charging roller, and a cleaning blade. The charging roller charges the photosensitive drum. The cleaning blade removes residual toner from the photosensitive drum. Furthermore, the developing unit18includes components such as a toner storage unit, a developing roller, a waste toner storage unit, and so forth. The toner is stored in the toner storage unit. The developing roller causes the toner to be attracted to an image on the photosensitive drum. The toner removed by the cleaning blade is stored in the waste toner storage unit.

The photosensitive unit16and the developing unit18in respective attached states extend in the left-right direction (x axis direction) of the image forming apparatus10. The process cartridge12includes the photosensitive unit16and the developing unit18that are arranged parallel to each other and integrated with each other. That is, the process cartridge12in an attached state has a substantially rod shape that also extends in the left-right direction (x axis direction) of the image forming apparatus10.

The process cartridge12, which is a consumable item, is required to be periodically replaced. Accordingly, the process cartridge12is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus10. The process cartridge12is replaced by a user such as a customer who uses the image forming apparatus10or a service person. As illustrated inFIG. 1, attachment and detachment operations of the process cartridge12are performed while a side covering14provided in a side surface of the image forming apparatus10is open. The detachment operation of the process cartridge12is an operation in which the attached process cartridge12is moved rightward (toward the negative side along the x axis) so as to be pulled out. The attachment operation of the process cartridge12is an operation in which a new process cartridge12is moved leftward (toward the positive side along the x axis) to a specified printing operation position (attachment position). That is, the x axis direction is a movement direction in which the process cartridge12is moved during the attachment and detachment operations, and out of the positive and negative x axis directions, the positive x axis direction is a movement direction of the process cartridge12during the attachment operation and the negative x direction is a movement direction of the process cartridge12during the detachment operation.

When the process cartridge12has been inserted into the printing operation position in the image forming apparatus10, the process cartridge12is supported by an image forming apparatus10body (hereafter, referred to as “apparatus body”). For example, by rotating a lock lever attached to the apparatus body after the process cartridge12has been pushed into the printing operation position, the process cartridge12is secured to the apparatus body. For ease of replacement, the process cartridge is not secured to the apparatus body by a screw or the like. Instead, the apparatus body is attachable to the apparatus body through a single operation by using the above-described lock lever or the like. The apparatus body includes members in the image forming apparatus10other than at least the process cartridge12. The apparatus body includes, for example, a housing of the image forming apparatus10and the like that are not attached or detached by the user.

The photosensitive unit16side of the process cartridge12is supported by the apparatus body. The position of the developing unit18relative to the photosensitive unit16is made adjustable so that, for example, the developing roller is positioned relative to the photosensitive drum included in the photosensitive unit16. In order to adjust the position, the developing unit18is supported by the photosensitive unit16instead of being supported by the apparatus body. That is, the developing unit18is supported by the apparatus body not directly but through the photosensitive unit16interposed therebetween.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the process cartridge12seen from below. As illustrated inFIG. 3, a memory unit20is attached to a surface of the process cartridge12.

The memory unit20includes a memory22and a memory holder24that protects the memory22. The memory22is a nonvolatile storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), or the like. Information relating to the process cartridge12, for example, information about a model number of the process cartridge12, the remaining amount of toner, and so forth is stored in the memory22.

The memory holder24is formed of, for example, resin or the like and protects the memory22. At least in operations according to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory22is integrated with the memory holder24without being removed from the memory holder24.

In order not to allow the memory unit20to drop due to, for example, gravity, a holding unit (not illustrated inFIG. 3, referred to as “cartridge-side holding unit” hereafter) that holds the memory unit20is provided in the process cartridge12. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the cartridge-side holding unit is attached to a bottom surface of the developing unit18of the process cartridge12, the bottom surface being substantially parallel to the xy plane. The memory unit20is attached at a position projecting from a bottom surface of the process cartridge12. The memory unit20is not necessarily attached to the bottom surface. The memory unit20may be disposed on any one of surfaces in the movement direction of the process cartridge12during the attachment and detachment operations of the process cartridge12in accordance with arrangement of the process cartridge12relative to the apparatus body or the shape or the like of the process cartridge12itself. Despite this, as will be described later, in order to allow the memory unit20to be transferred to the apparatus body side, the memory unit20is held at a position projecting from the surface of the process cartridge12. The detailed structure of the cartridge-side holding unit will be described later with reference to, for example,FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The Structure of the Memory Unit

FIGS. 4A to 4Care perspective views and a sectional view of the memory unit20.FIG. 4Ais the perspective view of the memory unit20seen from above,FIG. 4Bis the perspective view of the memory unit20seen from below, andFIG. 4Cis a sectional view of the memory unit20taken along line IVC-IVC inFIG. 4A. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory unit20, which is attached to the bottom surface of the process cartridge12, is held by the cartridge-side holding unit in a direction in which an upper surface30of the memory unit20faces the bottom surface of the process cartridge12.

A projection32is provided on the upper surface30of the memory unit20. The projection32has a substantially T shape in a yz section, that is, in a section perpendicular to the movement direction of the process cartridge12during the attachment and detachment operations.

As will be described later, by hooking flange portions32a(seeFIG. 4C) of the projection32onto the cartridge-side holding unit so as to be held by the cartridge-side holding unit, the memory unit20is held by the process cartridge12such that the memory unit20is suspended from the process cartridge12. With this structure, by moving the memory unit20in the x axis direction relative to the process cartridge12, the memory unit20is released from a held state in which the memory unit20is held by the cartridge-side holding unit. Accordingly, in order to reduce a movement distance of the memory unit20when the memory unit20is released from the held state, the length of the projection32in the x axis direction is reduced to the extent of allowing the memory unit20to be held. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the length of the projection32in the x axis direction is about a half of the entire length of the memory unit20.

Wall-shaped side wall portions34that project upward from the upper surface30are provided along both ends, the ends being located in the y axis direction (direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the process cartridge12during the attachment and detachment operations) of the upper surface30of the memory unit20. That is, the side wall portions34extend in the x axis direction. Notch portions34aare formed in the side wall portions34so as to penetrate through the side wall portions34in the y axis direction. As will be described later, the notch portions34aare part of a lock mechanism that limits the movement of the memory unit20in the x axis direction relative to the process cartridge12.

As illustrated inFIG. 4B, the memory22, which is not covered, is disposed on a bottom surface of the memory unit20. Plural contacts26are provided in the bottom surface of the memory22. The information stored in the memory22is read by contact of the plural contacts26with contacts of a reading unit provided on the apparatus body side. The structure of the Cartridge-Side Holding Unit

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate the structure of the cartridge-side holding unit.FIG. 5Aillustrates part of the bottom surface of the process cartridge12.FIG. 5Billustrates an enlarged view of the part of the bottom surface of the process cartridge12ofFIG. 5Asurrounded by a dotted box VB. As illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, a cartridge-side holding unit40that holds the memory unit20is provided in a secured manner on the bottom surface of the process cartridge12. Hereafter, the details of the structure of the cartridge-side holding unit40is described with reference toFIG. 5B.

The cartridge-side holding unit40includes rail portions42, hook portions46provided along the rail portions42, and a projecting block48.

As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the rail portions42extend in the x axis direction, that is, in the movement direction of the process cartridge12during the attachment and detachment operations. The rail portions42each include a wall-shaped leg portion42aand a plate-shaped flange portion42b. The leg portion42aextends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface18aof the process cartridge12. The flange portion42bextends parallel to the bottom surface18afrom a lower end portion of the leg portion42a. That is, the rail portions42have an L shape in the yz section. Since the rail portions42have the above-described shape, groove portions44that have a U shape in the yz section and extend in the x axis direction are formed by the rail portions42and the bottom surface18aof the process cartridge12.

Two rail portions42are provided. Two rail portions42are spaced apart from each other by a specified distance in the y axis direction. Hereafter, sides in the y axis direction near a central line (dotted-chain line C1ofFIG. 5B) that extends at the center between two rail portions42are referred to as “y axis inner sides”, and sides in the y axis direction further from the center line C1than the y axis inner sides are referred to as “y axis outer sides”. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, both of two groove portions44formed by two rail portions42are formed on the y axis inner sides of the respective leg portions42a. That is, two groove portions44face each other.

The hook portions46are provided along the y axis outer sides of the respective rail portions42. That is, there are two hook portions46. The hook portions46each include an arm46aand a claw46b. The arm46aextends in the x axis direction. The claw46bis provided near a tip end of the arm46aon the negative x axis direction side and projects further to a corresponding one of the y axis outer sides from a surface of the arm46aon the y axis outer side. An end portion of the arm46aon the positive x axis direction side is connected to an end portion of a corresponding one of the rail portions42on the positive x axis direction side. A gap is formed between each of the arms46aand a corresponding one of the rail portions42in a region other than the above-described connecting region. Also, the arms46aare capable of being bent to some extent.

The projecting block48projects downward from the bottom surface18aof the process cartridge12. Although the shape of the projecting block48ofFIG. 5Bis a substantially square rod shape, the shape of the projecting block48is not limited to this. The projecting block48is disposed further to the positive x axis direction side than the rail portions42. Thus, as will be described later, the projecting block48limits the movement of the memory unit20held by the cartridge-side holding unit40toward the positive x axis direction side. Accordingly, out of surfaces of the projecting block48, a contact surface48a, which is a surface on the rail portion42side and in contact with the memory unit20, is flat.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare side views of the process cartridge12in a state in which the memory unit20is held by the cartridge-side holding unit40.FIG. 6Ais a side view of the entire process cartridge12.FIG. 6Bis an enlarged view of part of the process cartridge12ofFIG. 6Asurrounded by a dotted box VIB.

As illustrated inFIG. 6B, the memory22is held by the cartridge-side holding unit40in a state in which the memory22is disposed in the memory unit20. Specifically, the projection32of the memory unit20is inserted into the groove portions44formed by the rail portions42of the cartridge-side holding unit40from the negative x axis direction side of the groove portions44. Thus, the flange portions42bof the rail portions42and the flange portions32aof the projection32are hooked onto one another, thereby the memory unit20is held by the cartridge-side holding unit40without dropping of the memory unit20due to gravity.

In a state in which the projection32is only hooked on the groove portions44, the memory unit20is freely movable relative to the cartridge-side holding unit40in the x axis direction. Since both ends of each of the rail portions42in the x axis direction are open, the memory unit20freely movable in the x axis direction may drop during, for example, transfer of the process cartridge12. In order to address this, a movement limiting mechanism that limits the movement of the memory unit20in the x axis direction is provided according to the present exemplary embodiment.

The relative movement of the memory unit20in the positive x axis direction is limited by the projecting block48. That is, by bringing the projection32of the memory unit20inserted into the groove portions44into contact with the projecting block48, the movement of the memory unit20in the positive x axis direction is limited.

The relative movement of the memory unit20in the negative x axis direction is realized by cooperation of the hook portions46of the cartridge-side holding unit40and the side wall portions34of the memory unit20.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare perspective views of the process cartridge12in the state in which the memory unit20is held by the cartridge-side holding unit40.FIG. 7Ais a perspective view of an end portion of the entire process cartridge12in the x axis direction on a body side.FIG. 7Bis an enlarged view of part of the process cartridge12ofFIG. 7Asurrounded by a dotted box VIIB. As illustrated inFIG. 7B, when the projection32(seeFIG. 4A) is inserted into the groove portions44(seeFIG. 5B), each of the side wall portions34of the memory unit20is positioned on the y axis outer side of a corresponding one of two hook portions46. When the projection32is pushed in the positive x axis direction to a position near a position where the projection32is brought into contact with the projecting block48, the claws46bprojecting toward the y axis outer sides from the hook portions46are fitted into the notch portions34aof the side wall portions34. By hooking of the claws46band the notch portions34aon one another, the movement of the memory unit20in the negative x axis direction is limited. Thus, the lock mechanism is configured with which the movement of the memory unit20in the negative x axis direction relative to the process cartridge12is limited by the side wall portions34and the hook portions46.

As described above, the memory unit20is held by the cartridge-side holding unit40, thereby being attached to the process cartridge12. The cartridge-side holding unit40holds the memory unit20at least in a state in which the process cartridge12is not inserted into the apparatus body. During the attachment and detachment operations of the process cartridge12, the memory unit20is moved together with the process cartridge12.

The Structure of a Body Side Holding Unit

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare a perspective view and a side view of a body-side holding unit60that is provided on the apparatus body side and holds the memory unit20transferred from the cartridge-side holding unit40.FIG. 8Ais a perspective view of the body-side holding unit60seen from above, andFIG. 8Bis a side view of the body-side holding unit60seen from an x axis outer side.

The body-side holding unit60includes a base portion64, side portions66, a rear portion68, and contact portions72. The side portions66are provided along both ends of the base portion64in the y axis direction. The rear portion68is provided along an end portion of the base portion64on the positive x axis direction side. The contact portions72are provided on the upper side of the side portions66. Here again, the sides in the y axis direction near a center line (dotted-chain line C2ofFIG. 8A) of the body-side holding unit60are referred to as “y axis inner sides”, and sides in the y axis direction further from the center line C2than the y axis inner sides are referred to as “y axis outer sides”.

The base portion64has a substantially box shape and has an opening at a central portion of an upper surface64athereof in the y axis direction. A reading unit62that reads the information stored in the memory22is disposed in the base portion64. The reading unit62includes plural contacts62apositioned right below the opening of the upper surface64aof the base portion64. The contacts62aare urged upward by forces applied by springs or the like.

Similarly to the rail portions42of the cartridge-side holding unit40, the side portions66include wall-shaped leg portions66aand plate-shaped flange portions66b. The leg portions66aextend upward substantially perpendicularly to the upper surface64aof the base portion64. The flange portions66bextend parallel to the upper surface64atoward the y axis inner sides from upper end portions of the leg portions66a. That is, the yz sections of the side portions66that extend in the x axis direction have a substantially L shape. A U-shaped groove portions70are formed by the side portions66and the upper surface64aof the base portion64. As will be described later, the memory unit20is inserted into the groove portions70. As illustrated inFIG. 8A, the groove portions70are open in the negative x axis direction. That is, an opening of the body-side holding unit60that receives the memory unit20is open in the negative x axis direction (that is, a direction opposite to a movement direction of the memory unit20moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed).

The rear portion68having a wall shape is provided along the end portion of the base portion64on the positive x axis direction side. The memory unit20inserted into the groove portions70is brought into contact with the rear portion68. The rear portion68has a notch portion68a. As will be described later, the notch portion68ais provided so as to avoid interference of the projecting block48of the process cartridge12with the rear portion68during the attachment and detachment operations of the process cartridge12.

The contact portions72are provided on upper surfaces of the flange portions66bof the side portions66such that the contact portions72project further to the y axis inner sides than end portions of the flange portions66bon the y axis inner sides.

As illustrated inFIG. 8B, a junction board74is provided below the base portion64. The reading unit62and a connector76are electrically joined to each other through the junction board74. Wires connected to the controller or the like of the image forming apparatus10are connected to the connector76. That is, the reading unit62and the controller of the image forming apparatus10are electrically connected to each other through the junction board74and the wires connected to the connector76.

The body-side holding unit60is provided on the apparatus body side in a secured manner. The body-side holding unit60is disposed at a position separated from the printing operation position, that is, at a position separated from the process cartridge12in the attached state. Furthermore, the body-side holding unit60is disposed in a movement path of the memory unit20moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed and disposed such that the opening of the body-side holding unit60that receives the memory unit20faces in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the memory unit20moved as the attachment operation is performed. Preferably, the position where the body-side holding unit60is attached is, for example, a housing chassis of the image forming apparatus10or the like where the body-side holding unit60is comparatively unlikely to vibrate in the image forming apparatus10.

The Transfer of the Memory Unit Along with the Attachment Operation of the Process Cartridge

Hereafter, a transfer operation of the memory unit20from the cartridge-side holding unit40to the body-side holding unit60is described with reference toFIGS. 9 to 12.

FIG. 9illustrates the positional relationship between the memory unit20and the body-side holding unit60in the case where the process cartridge12is inserted into the image forming apparatus10and moved by a specified distance, that is, in the middle of the attachment operation. In this state, the memory unit20is still held by the cartridge-side holding unit40.

FIG. 10illustrates a state in which the attachment operation of the process cartridge12has been advanced, that is, the process cartridge12has been moved further in the positive x axis direction from the state illustrated inFIG. 9. As described above, the body-side holding unit60is disposed in the movement path of the memory unit20moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed, and the opening of the body-side holding unit60that receives the memory unit20is open so as to face in the negative x axis direction, that is, in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the process cartridge12. Accordingly, the memory unit20is moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed, thereby being inserted into the opening of the body-side holding unit60.

FIGS. 11A and 11Bare other drawings illustrating how the memory unit20is inserted into and held by the body-side holding unit60.FIG. 11Ais a plan view of the body-side holding unit60and the memory unit20. InFIG. 11A, only parts of the body-side holding unit60, the memory unit20, and the cartridge-side holding unit40are illustrated and the other parts of these components are omitted.FIG. 11Bis a perspective view of the memory unit20inserted into the body-side holding unit60.

The memory unit20is inserted into the groove portions70formed in the body-side holding unit60and moved in the positive x axis direction until the memory unit20is brought into contact with the rear portion68. In this state, the memory unit20is still held also by the cartridge-side holding unit40, that is, the memory unit20is held by both the cartridge-side holding unit40and the body-side holding unit60.

The lock mechanism that limits the movement of the memory unit20in the negative x axis direction relative to the process cartridge12is released immediately before or when the memory unit20is brought into contact with the rear portion68. Specifically, when the memory unit20is inserted into the body-side holding unit60, the contact portions72provided in the body-side holding unit60are brought into contact with outer side surfaces of the arms46aof the hook portions46of the cartridge-side holding unit40as illustrated inFIG. 11B. This causes the arms46ato receive forces toward the y axis inner sides from the contact portions72, and accordingly, the claws46bprovided at the tip ends of the arms46aare also moved toward the y axis inner sides. As a result, the claws46bare removed from the notch portions34aprovided in the side wall portions34of the memory unit20. Thus, locking of the memory unit20is released. As described above, the contact portions72and the arms46aof the hook portions46cooperate with one another to release the locking of the memory unit20. When the lock mechanism is released, the memory unit20becomes movable in the negative x axis direction relative to the process cartridge12.

FIG. 12illustrates a state in which the process cartridge12is further moved in the positive x axis direction from the state illustrated inFIG. 10and disposed at the printing operation position. Since the memory unit20is in contact with the rear portion68of the body-side holding unit60provided on the apparatus body side in a secured manner, the memory unit20is not moved further in the positive x axis direction when the process cartridge12is moved in the positive x axis direction with the locking of the memory unit20released. Since the cartridge-side holding unit40is moved in the positive x axis direction while the memory unit20is stationary, the memory unit20is moved in the negative x axis direction relative to the cartridge-side holding unit40. As a result, the projection32of the memory unit20is removed from the end portions of the rail portions42on the negative x axis direction side, that is, the memory unit20is removed from the cartridge-side holding unit40. When the process cartridge12is pushed into the attachment position, the memory unit20is completely removed from the cartridge-side holding unit40and held by the body-side holding unit60. At this time, since the notch portion68ais provided in the rear portion68of the body-side holding unit60, the rear portion68does not interfere with the projecting block48.

In this state, that is, in a state in which the memory unit20is held by the body-side holding unit60, the printing operation is performed. In the state in which the memory unit20is held by the body-side holding unit60, the contacts26of the memory22are in contact with the contacts62aof the reading unit62provided in the body-side holding unit60. This allows the image forming apparatus10to read content stored in the memory22.

The Transfer of the Memory Unit Along with the Detachment Operation of the Process Cartridge

The memory unit20that has been transferred from the cartridge-side holding unit40to the body-side holding unit60as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed is transferred from the body-side holding unit60to the cartridge-side holding unit40as the process cartridge12is detached.

When transferring the memory unit20from the body-side holding unit60to the cartridge-side holding unit40, the order of the above-described procedure of the transfer of the memory unit20from the cartridge-side holding unit40to the body-side holding unit60is substantially reversed.

Specifically, when the detachment operation is started and the process cartridge12is moved in the negative x axis direction, the projection32of the memory unit20held by the body-side holding unit60is initially inserted into the groove portions44(seeFIG. 5B) formed by the rail portions42of the cartridge-side holding unit40. In this state, the memory unit20is held by both the body-side holding unit60and the cartridge-side holding unit40.

When the process cartridge12is further moved in the negative x axis direction, the projecting block48is brought into contact with the projection32of the memory unit20, thereby pushing out the memory unit20in the negative x axis direction. As the memory unit20is moved due to this pushing out, the contact portions72(seeFIG. 11A) of the body-side holding unit60are brought out of contact from the arms46a, and the claws46bare moved toward the y axis outer sides. This causes the claws46bto be hooked again onto the notch portions34aof the side wall portions34of the memory unit20. Thus, the locking state is assumed.

After that, the process cartridge12continues to be moved in the negative x axis direction, thereby completely removing the memory unit20held by the cartridge-side holding unit40from the body-side holding unit60.

Other Operations of the Exemplary Embodiment

While the printing operation is performed, the process cartridge12itself vibrates due to rotation of the rotating components such as a photosensitive drum and a developing roller disposed in the process cartridge12. In particular, the position of the developing unit18relative to the photosensitive unit16is adjustable in the process cartridge12. Thus, vibration is generated also by a positional adjustment operation of the developing unit18. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory22is held by the body-side holding unit60provided on the apparatus body side during the printing operation. Thus, the memory22is not directly affected by the vibration generated by the process cartridge12during the printing operation. Accordingly, compared to the case where the memory22remains attached to the process cartridge12, the vibration of the memory22during the printing operation may be reduced.

When the vibration of the memory22during the printing operation is reduced, the amount of friction between the contacts26of the memory22and the contacts on the apparatus body side is also reduced. Accordingly, compared to the case where the memory22remains attached to the process cartridge12, the abrasion loss of the contacts26of the memory22may be reduced according to the present exemplary embodiment.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the memory unit20attached to the process cartridge12is held by the body-side holding unit60during the printing operation. Thus, the cartridge-side holding unit40may be provided in any position of the process cartridge12. For example, the cartridge-side holding unit40may be provided on the developing unit18side where the vibration is most likely to occur in the process cartridge12. This allows the position to hold the memory unit20to be appropriately selected for convenience of layout of the components or convenience of allocation of the space in the image forming apparatus10.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the body-side holding unit60is disposed in the movement path of the memory unit20moved as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed. In addition, the opening of the body-side holding unit60is open in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the memory unit20. Thus, the memory22is held by the body-side holding unit60as the attachment operation of the process cartridge12is performed. That is, the user may transfer the memory22from the cartridge-side holding unit40to the body-side holding unit60while a separate operation is not required. Furthermore, with this structure, it is not necessarily required that a separate structure for transferring the memory22be provided.