Image forming apparatus capable of reading data of drum cartridge and data of toner cartridge through board of toner cartridge

An image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge; a toner data electrical contact surface; a drum data electrical contact surface; and a controller. The drum cartridge includes: a drum memory storing data relating to the drum cartridge; and a first drum electrical contact for communication of data stored in the drum memory. The toner cartridge includes a board having: a first relay electrical contact for relaying the data stored in the drum memory; a toner memory storing data relating to the toner cartridge; and a first toner electrical contact for communication of data stored in the toner memory. The controller is configured to: read the data stored in the drum memory through the drum data electrical contact surface contacting the first relay electrical contact; and read the data stored in the toner memory through the toner data electrical contact surface contacting the first toner electrical contact.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus to which a toner cartridge and a drum cartridge are detachably attachable. In this image forming apparatus, a storage medium is provided at each of the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge, and data can be read from each of the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge through the storage media.

SUMMARY

In the conventional image forming apparatus described above, an electrical contact for reading data of the toner cartridge and an electrical contact for reading data of the drum cartridge are individually provided, thereby causing increasing in size of the component for reading data.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an image forming apparatus in which a component for reading data of a toner cartridge and data of a drum cartridge can be made compact.

In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including: a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge; a toner data electrical contact surface; a drum data electrical contact surface; and a controller. The drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum memory; and a first drum electrical contact for communication of data stored in the drum memory. The drum memory stores therein data relating to the drum cartridge. The first drum electrical contact is electrically connected to the drum memory. The toner cartridge includes: a casing; and a board. The casing is configured to accommodate toner therein. The board includes: a first electrical contact; a first relay electrical contact for relaying the data stored in the drum memory; a toner memory; and a first toner electrical contact for communication of data stored in the toner memory. The first electrical contact makes contact with the first drum electrical contact. The first relay electrical contact is electrically connected to the first electrical contact. The toner memory stores therein data relating to the toner cartridge. The first toner electrical contact is electrically connected to the toner memory. The toner data electrical contact surface makes contact with the first toner electrical contact. The drum data electrical contact surface makes contact with the first relay electrical contact. The controller is configured to: read the data stored in the drum memory through the drum data electrical contact surface; and read the data stored in the toner memory through the toner data electrical contact surface.

With this configuration, the controller can read data stored in the drum memory through the first relay electrical contact provided at the board of the toner cartridge and the drum data electrical contact surface. Accordingly, not only data stored in the toner memory but also data stored in the drum memory can be read through the board of the toner cartridge, whereby the component for reading data of the toner cartridge and data of the drum cartridge can be made compact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail while referring to the accompanying drawings. As illustrated inFIG.1, an image forming apparatus1mainly includes a main body2, a feeding unit3for feeding a sheet(s) S to an inside of the main body2, an image forming unit4for forming an image on the sheet S, a controller100, and a main body connector130. The image forming apparatus1is a monochromatic laser printer.

The main body2is in a form of a hollow case. The main body2includes a pair of right and left side walls21, and a front wall22connecting the side walls21to each other. A guide groove21A is formed at each of the side walls21to guide a drum cartridge8(described later). The front wall22has a main opening22A. A front cover23is provided at the front wall22so as to be pivotally movable frontward and rearward for opening and closing the main opening22A. Each of the guide grooves21A extends from the inside of the main body2to the main opening22A.

The feeding unit3includes a sheet tray31detachably attached to a lower portion of the main body2, and a feeding mechanism32configured to feed the sheet(s) S in the sheet tray31toward the image forming unit4.

The image forming unit4includes a scanner unit5, a fixing unit7, the drum cartridge8, and a toner cartridge9.

The scanner unit5is provided at an upper portion within the main body2, and includes a laser-emitting unit, a polygon mirror, lenses, and a reflecting mirror those are not illustrated. In the scanner unit5, a surface of a photosensitive drum81(described later) is irradiated with laser beam by high-speed scanning.

The controller100includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an input/output circuit. The controller100is configured to execute printing control by performing arithmetic processing based on data of attached cartridges and programs and data stored in the ROM.

The main body connector130is provided at one of the side walls21of the main body2. The main body connector130is positioned below the guide groove21A of the one of the side walls21. The main body connector130communicates with a drum memory86and a toner memory96those will be described later to transmit data stored in the drum memory86and the toner memory96to the controller100.

The drum cartridge8is positioned between the feeding unit3and the scanner unit5. The drum cartridge8is attachable to the main body2in an attachment direction through the main opening22A opened and closed by the front cover23of the main body2. The drum cartridge8is attachable to the main body2along the guide grooves21A formed at the main body2. In other words, the attachment direction is a direction that is along the guide grooves21A.

In the present embodiment, the drum cartridge8is attachable to the image forming apparatus1in a state where the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8.

The drum cartridge8includes a frame80to which the toner cartridge9is attachable, the photosensitive drum81, a transfer roller82, a charger83, and a drum board85. The photosensitive drum81is rotatable about a first axis X1extending in an axial direction. The axial direction crosses the attachment direction. In the present embodiment, the axial direction is orthogonal to the attachment direction.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the frame80includes a first side frame80L, a second side frame80R, and a bottom frame80B. The first side frame80L is positioned at one end portion in the axial direction of the frame80. The second side frame80R is positioned at another end portion in the axial direction of the frame80. The first side frame80L and the second side frame80R cross the axial direction. The toner cartridge9is attachable between the first side frame80L and the second side frame80R.

The bottom frame80B connects the first side frame80L and the second side frame80R to each other. The bottom frame80B has a first surface80T, a second surface80U, and an opening80K. The first surface80T is a surface that faces the toner cartridge9in a state where the toner cartridge9is attached to the frame80. The second surface80U is a surface opposite the first surface80T. The opening80K has a rectangular shape. The opening80K is positioned at one end portion in the axial direction of the bottom frame80B.

The drum board85is positioned at the first surface80T of the frame80. The drum board85is positioned at the one end portion in the axial direction of bottom frame80B, and aligned with the opening80K in the axial direction. When the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8, the drum board85faces the toner cartridge9.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the toner cartridge9includes a casing90configured to accommodate toner therein, a developing roller91, a supply roller92, and a toner board95as an example of a board. The developing roller91is rotatable about a second axis X2extending in the axial direction. The developing roller91is configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum81. The supply roller92is configured to supply toner in the casing90to the developing roller91.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the toner board95is positioned at one end portion in the axial direction of a toner bottom surface90U of the casing90. The toner bottom surface90U is a surface that faces the bottom frame80B when the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8. When the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8, a part of the toner board95faces the drum board85, and another part of the toner board95is exposed through the opening80K. When the drum cartridge8to which the toner cartridge9is attached is attached to the main body2, the other part of the toner board95which is exposed through the opening80K faces the main body connector130.

In the drum cartridge8, the surface of the photosensitive drum81is uniformly charged by the charger83, and exposed to light with laser beam emitted from the scanner unit5by high-speed scanning. Through this operation, an electrical potential of a portion of the photosensitive drum81which is exposed to light is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum81based on image data.

Thereafter, toner in the toner cartridge9is supplied by the developing roller91which is rotating to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum81to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum81. Then, a sheet S is conveyed between the photosensitive drum81and the transfer roller82. As a result, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum81is transferred onto the sheet S.

The fixing unit7includes a heating roller71and a pressure roller72. The pressure roller72faces the heating roller71to press the heating roller71. At the fixing unit7as configured above, the toner transferred onto the sheet S is thermally fixed to the sheet S as the sheet S passes between the heating roller71and the pressure roller72.

The sheet S to which the toner is thermally fixed at the fixing unit7is conveyed to a discharge roller24positioned at the downstream side of the fixing unit7, and is discharged onto a discharge tray25through the discharge roller24.

Next, configurations of the main body connector130, the drum board85, and the toner board95will be described with reference toFIGS.3and4.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the drum board85includes the drum memory86, and drum electrical contacts87. In the present embodiment, the drum electrical contacts87are configured of four electrical contacts, namely, a first drum electrical contact D1, a second drum electrical contact D2, a third drum electrical contact D3, and a fourth drum electrical contact D4.

The drum memory86is a storage element and stores therein data relating to the drum cartridge8. For example, product information of the drum cartridge8is stored in the drum memory86.

Specifically, at least one of drum identification information and drum lifetime information is stored in the drum memory86. The drum identification information is information used to identify an individual drum cartridge8, and for example, is a serial number. The drum lifetime information is information relating to a lifetime of the drum cartridge8. The drum lifetime information is, for example, at least one of: the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum81; the cumulative number of sheets printed using the photosensitive drum81; and the cumulative number of dots formed using the photosensitive drum81.

In the present embodiment, the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum81, the cumulative number of sheets printed using the photosensitive drum81, and the cumulative number of dots formed using the photosensitive drum81are stored in the drum memory86as the drum lifetime information.

The first drum electrical contact D1is electrically connected to the drum memory86. The first drum electrical contact D1is an electrical contact for communication of data stored in the drum memory86.

The second drum electrical contact D2is electrically connected to the drum memory86. The second drum electrical contact D2is an electrical contact for supplying electrical power to the drum memory86.

The third drum electrical contact D3is electrically connected to the drum memory86. The third drum electrical contact D3is an electrical contact for transmitting a clock signal to the drum memory86.

The fourth drum electrical contact D4is electrically connected to the drum memory86. The fourth drum electrical contact D4is an electrical contact for grounding the drum memory86.

The toner board95includes the toner memory96, electrical contacts97, a first toner electrical contact T1, and relay electrical contacts98.

In the present embodiment, the electrical contacts97are configured of four electrical contacts, namely, a first electrical contact S1, a second electrical contact S2, a third electrical contact S3, and a fourth electrical contact S4. In the present embodiment, the relay electrical contacts98are configured of four electrical contacts, specifically, a first relay electrical contact C1, a second relay electrical contact C2, a third relay electrical contact C3, and a fourth relay electrical contact C4.

The toner memory96is a storage element. The toner memory96stores therein data relating to the toner cartridge9. For example, product information of the toner cartridge9is stored in the toner memory96. Further, toner identification information used to identify an individual toner cartridge9is stored in the toner memory96, for example.

The first electrical contact S1is an electrical contact that makes contact with the first drum electrical contact D1when the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8.

The second electrical contact S2is an electrical contact that makes contact with the second drum electrical contact D2when the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8.

The third electrical contact S3is an electrical contact that makes contact with the third drum electrical contact D3when the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8.

The fourth electrical contact S4is an electrical contact that makes contact with the fourth drum electrical contact D4when the toner cartridge9is attached to the drum cartridge8.

The first toner electrical contact T1is electrically connected to the toner memory96. The first toner electrical contact T1is an electrical contact for communication of data stored in the toner memory96.

The first relay electrical contact C1is electrically connected to the first electrical contact S1. The first relay electrical contact C1is an electrical contact for relaying the data stored in the drum memory86.

The second relay electrical contact C2is electrically connected to both the toner memory96and the second electrical contact S2through a first wiring L1(seeFIG.4). That is, the first wiring L1electrically connects the toner memory96and the second relay electrical contact C2to each other while the first wiring L1electrically connects the second electrical contact S2and the second relay electrical contact C2to each other. The second relay electrical contact C2is an electrical contact for supplying electrical power to the drum memory86and the toner memory96.

The third relay electrical contact C3is electrically connected to both the toner memory96and the third electrical contact S3through a second wiring L2(seeFIG.4). That is, the second wiring L2electrically connects the toner memory96and the third relay electrical contact C3to each other while the second wiring L2electrically connects the third electrical contact S3and the third relay electrical contact C3to each other. The third relay electrical contact C3is an electrical contact for transmitting a clock signal to the drum memory86and the toner memory96.

The fourth relay electrical contact C4is electrically connected to both the toner memory96and the fourth electrical contact S4through a third wiring L3(seeFIG.4). That is, the third wiring L3electrically connects the toner memory96and the fourth relay electrical contact C4to each other while the third wiring L3electrically connects the fourth electrical contact S4and the fourth relay electrical contact C4to each other. The fourth relay electrical contact C4is an electrical contact for grounding the drum memory86and the toner memory96.

In the present embodiment, the main body connector130has five electrical contact surfaces. Specifically, the main body connector130has a toner data electrical contact surface TS, a drum data electrical contact surface DS, a power source electrical contact surface VS, a clock signal electrical contact surface KS, and a ground electrical contact surface GS.

When the drum cartridge8to which the toner cartridge9is attached is attached to the main body2, the toner data electrical contact surface TS makes contact with the first toner electrical contact T1. The controller100can read the data stored in the toner memory96through the toner data electrical contact surface TS.

When the drum cartridge8to which the toner cartridge9is attached is attached to the main body2, the drum data electrical contact surface DS makes contact with the first relay electrical contact C1. The controller100can read the data stored in the drum memory86through the drum data electrical contact surface DS.

When the drum cartridge8to which the toner cartridge9is attached is attached to the main body2, the power source electrical contact surface VS makes contact with the second relay electrical contact C2. Electrical power is supplied to the drum memory86and the toner memory96through the first wiring L1and the power source electrical contact surface VS.

When the drum cartridge8to which the toner cartridge9is attached is attached to the main body2, the clock signal electrical contact surface KS makes contact with the third relay electrical contact C3. The controller100can transmit a clock signal to the drum memory86and the toner memory96through the second wiring L2and the clock signal electrical contact surface KS.

When the drum cartridge8to which the toner cartridge9is attached is attached to the main body2, the ground electrical contact surface GS makes contact with the fourth relay electrical contact C4. The drum memory86and the toner memory96are grounded through the third wiring L3and the ground electrical contact surface GS.

Next, description will be made as to functions and advantageous effects of the image forming apparatus1described above.

According to the image forming apparatus1of the present disclosure, the controller100can read the data stored in the drum memory86through the first relay electrical contact C1provided at the toner board95of the toner cartridge9and the drum data electrical contact surface DS. Accordingly, the controller100can read not only the data stored in the toner memory96, but also the data stored in the drum memory86through the toner board95of the toner cartridge9. As a result, the component for reading the data of the toner cartridge9and the data of the drum cartridge8, that is, the main body connector130in the present embodiment can be made compact.

Furthermore, the toner board95includes the second relay electrical contact C2and the first wiring L1. Thus, electrical power can be supplied to both the toner memory96and the drum memory86as long as the main body connector130has one power source electrical contact surface VS. Therefore, downsizing of the main body connector130can be achieved.

Furthermore, the toner board95includes the third relay electrical contact C3and the second wiring L2. Thus, a clock signal can be transmitted to both the toner memory96and the drum memory86as long as the main body connector130has one clock signal electrical contact surface KS, thereby enabling downsizing of the main body connector130.

Furthermore, the toner board95includes the fourth relay electrical contact C4and the third wiring L3. Thus, both the toner memory96and the drum memory86can be grounded as long as the main body connector130has one ground electrical contact surface GS. As a result, the main body connector130can be further downsized.

While the description has been made with reference to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and various changes and modifications may be made to the specific configuration in the embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the controller reads data from the drum memory and the toner memory is described. However, the controller may also write data into the drum memory and the toner memory, not only reading data from the drum memory and the toner memory. In this case, data such as the cumulative number of sheets printed by image formation, the cumulative number of dots counted, the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum, the cumulative number of sheets printed using the developing roller, and the like are written into the drum memory and the toner memory, for example.

In the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus while the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. However, the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge may be individually attached to the image forming apparatus. In addition, although the toner cartridge includes the developing roller in the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge need not include the developing roller. In this case, the drum cartridge may include the developing roller.

In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is a monochromatic laser printer. However, the image forming apparatus may be a color image forming apparatus, or may be an image forming apparatus in which an exposure process is performed by an LED, or may be a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral.

The elements described in the above embodiment and modifications can be implemented in any suitable combination.