Patent Description:
A development cartridge contains the toner, and supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to form a visible toner image. When the toner contained in the development cartridge is exhausted, the development cartridge is removed from a body of the image forming apparatus, and a new development cartridge may be mounted on a main body of the image forming apparatus. The development cartridge may also be refilled with a new toner by using a toner refill kit (toner refill cartridge). <CIT> discloses that, in order to stabilize opening/closing operations of an apparatus shutter of a toner receiving apparatus utilizing rotation of a toner supply container, a toner supply container is provided, at a peripheral surface thereof, with a snap lock portion, which is engaged with the apparatus shutter to effect opening/closing operations of the apparatus shutter by rotation of the toner supply container.

Reference will now be made in detail to examples, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the exterior of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an example. <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of <FIG> according to an example. <FIG> is a perspective view of a development cartridge included in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the image forming apparatus may include a main body <NUM> and a development cartridge <NUM> that is attachable to/detachable from the main body <NUM>. A door <NUM> may be provided in the main body <NUM>. The door <NUM> opens or closes a portion of the main body <NUM>. While the door <NUM> opening an upper portion of the main body <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, a door opening a side portion or a front portion of the main body <NUM> may be included as needed. The development cartridge <NUM> may be mounted to or removed from the main body <NUM> by opening the door <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include a communicating portion <NUM> such that the development cartridge <NUM> accesses from outside the main body <NUM> a toner refilling portion <NUM> in a state in which the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the main body <NUM>. The communicating portion <NUM> may be provided at a position close to a front surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the main body <NUM>. Since the front surface <NUM>-<NUM> faces the user, the user may easily access the communication portion <NUM>. Therefore, a toner refilling operation using a toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be easily performed through the communicating portion <NUM>. The communicating portion <NUM> may be provided on an upper surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The toner refilling portion <NUM> may be provided under the communicating portion <NUM>. The communicating portion <NUM> and the toner refilling portion <NUM> may be aligned in a vertical direction. The toner refill cartridge <NUM> may access the toner refilling portion <NUM> from above the main body <NUM> through the communicating portion <NUM>.

A photosensitive drum <NUM> is an example of a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and may include a cylindrical metal pipe and a photoconductive photosensitive layer formed on an outer circumference of the metal pipe. A charging roller <NUM> is an example of a charger that charges a surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> to have a uniform electric potential. A charge bias voltage is applied to the charging roller <NUM>. Instead of the charging roller <NUM>, a corona charger (not shown) may be used. A developing roller <NUM> supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> to develop the electrostatic latent image.

In a two-component developing method in which toner and a carrier are used as a developer, the developing roller <NUM> may be in the form of a sleeve inside of which a magnet is fixed. The sleeve may be located apart from the photosensitive drum <NUM> by tens to hundreds of micrometers. The carrier is attached to an outer circumference of the developing roller <NUM> via a magnetic force of a magnet, and the toner is attached to the carrier via an electrostatic force, thereby forming a magnetic brush including the carrier and the toner on the outer circumference of the developing roller <NUM>. According to a developing bias applied to the developing roller <NUM>, only the toner is moved to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum <NUM>.

In a one-component developing method in which toner is used as a developer, the developing roller <NUM> may be in contact with the photosensitive drum <NUM>, and may be located apart from the photosensitive drum <NUM> by tens to hundreds of micrometers. In the example, a one-component contact developing method in which the developing roller <NUM> and the photosensitive drum <NUM> contact each other to form a developing nip is used. The developing roller <NUM> may be in the form of an elastic layer (not shown) formed on an outer circumference of a conductive metal core (not shown). When a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller <NUM>, the toner is moved via the developing nip, to the electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> to be attached to the electrostatic latent image.

A supplying roller <NUM> attaches the toner to the developing roller <NUM>. A supply bias voltage may be applied to the supplying roller <NUM> to attach the toner to the developing roller <NUM>. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a regulating member regulating a toner amount attached to the surface of the developing roller <NUM>. The regulating member <NUM> may be, for example, a regulating blade having a front end that contacts the developing roller <NUM> at a certain pressure. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a cleaning member used to remove residual toner and foreign substances from the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> before charging. The cleaning member <NUM> may be, for example, a cleaning blade having a front end that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> at a certain pressure. Hereinafter, foreign substances removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> will be referred to as waste toner.

An optical scanner <NUM> scans light modulated according to image information, onto a surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> charged to a uniform electric potential. As the optical scanner <NUM>, for example, a laser scanning unit (LSU) that scans light radiated from a laser diode onto the photosensitive drum <NUM> by deflecting the light by using a polygon mirror, in a main scanning direction, may be used.

A transfer roller <NUM> is an example of a transfer unit that is located to face the photosensitive drum <NUM> to form a transfer nip. A transfer bias voltage used to transfer a toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> to a print medium P is applied to the transfer roller <NUM>. Instead of the transfer roller <NUM>, a corona transfer unit may be used.

The toner image transferred to a surface of the print medium P via the transfer roller <NUM> is maintained on the surface of the print medium P due to an electrostatic attractive force. A fusing or fixing unit <NUM> fuses the toner image on the print medium P by applying heat and pressure to the toner image, thereby forming a permanent print image on the print medium P.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the development cartridge <NUM> according to the example includes a developing portion <NUM> in which the photosensitive drum <NUM> and the developing roller <NUM> are mounted, a waste toner container <NUM> receiving waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum <NUM>, and a toner container <NUM> connected to the developing portion <NUM> and containing toner. In order to refill toner in the toner container <NUM>, the development cartridge <NUM> includes a toner refilling portion <NUM> connected to the toner container <NUM>. The toner refilling portion <NUM> provides an interface with respect to the toner cartridge <NUM> which will be described later and the development cartridge <NUM>. The development cartridge <NUM> is an integrated type development cartridge including the developing portion <NUM>, the waste toner container <NUM>, the toner container <NUM>, and the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

A portion of an outer circumference of the photosensitive drum <NUM> is exposed outside a housing. A transfer nip is formed as the transfer roller <NUM> contacts an exposed portion of the photosensitive drum <NUM>. At least one conveying member conveying toner towards the developing roller <NUM> may be installed in the developing portion <NUM>. The conveying member may also perform a function of charging toner to a certain electric potential by agitating the toner.

The waste toner container <NUM> is located above the developing portion <NUM>. The waste toner container <NUM> is spaced apart from the developing portion <NUM> in an upward direction to form a light path <NUM> therebetween. Waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum <NUM> by using the cleaning member <NUM> is received in the waste toner container <NUM>. The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> is fed into the waste toner container <NUM> via a waste toner feeding member <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The shape and number of waste toner feeding members are not limited. An appropriate number of waste toner feeding members may be installed at appropriate locations to distribute waste toner effectively in the waste toner container <NUM> by considering a volume or shape of the waste toner container <NUM>.

The toner container <NUM> is connected to the toner refilling portion <NUM> to receive toner. The toner container <NUM> is connected to the developing portion <NUM> via a toner supplier <NUM> as denoted by a dotted line illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the toner supplier <NUM> may pass through the waste toner container <NUM> vertically to be connected to the developing portion <NUM>. The toner supplier <NUM> is located outside an effective width of exposed light L such that the toner supplier <NUM> does not interfere with the exposed light L scanned in a main scanning direction by using the optical scanner <NUM>.

Toner supplying members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> used to supply toner to the developing portion <NUM> through the toner supplier <NUM> may be installed in the toner container <NUM>. The shape and number of toner supplying members are not limited. An appropriate number of toner supplying members may be installed at appropriate locations to supply toner effectively to the developing portion <NUM> by considering a volume or shape of the toner container <NUM>. The toner supplying member <NUM> may convey toner in a main scanning direction to transfer the same to the toner supplier <NUM>.

An image forming process according to the above-described configuration will be described briefly. A charge bias is applied to the charging roller <NUM>, and the photosensitive drum <NUM> is charged to a uniform electric potential. The optical scanner <NUM> scans light modulated in accordance with image information, onto the photosensitive drum <NUM>, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM>. The supplying roller <NUM> attaches the toner to a surface of the developing roller <NUM>. The regulating member <NUM> forms a toner layer having a uniform thickness on the surface of the developing roller <NUM>. A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller <NUM>. As the developing roller <NUM> is rotated, toner conveyed to a developing nip is moved and attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> via the developing bias voltage, thereby forming a visible toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM>. The print medium P withdrawn from a loading tray <NUM> via a pickup roller <NUM> is fed, via a feeding roller <NUM>, to the transfer nip where the transfer roller <NUM> and the photosensitive drum <NUM> face each other. When a transfer bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller <NUM>, the toner image is transferred to the print medium P via an electrostatic attractive force. As the toner image transferred to the print medium P receives heat and pressure from the fusing unit <NUM>, the toner image is fused to the print medium P, thereby completing printing. The print medium P is discharged by using a discharge roller <NUM>. The toner that is not transferred to the print medium P but remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum <NUM> is removed by using the cleaning member <NUM>.

As described above, the development cartridge <NUM> supplies the toner contained in the toner container <NUM> to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum <NUM> to form a visible toner image, and is attachable to/detachable from the main body <NUM>. In addition, the development cartridge <NUM> includes the toner refilling portion <NUM> used to refill toner. The toner refilling portion <NUM> may be integrated with the development cartridge <NUM> and thus may be attachable to/detachable from the main body <NUM> together with the development cartridge <NUM>. According to the image forming apparatus of the example, without removing the development cartridge <NUM> from the main body <NUM>, toner may be refilled in the development cartridge <NUM> while the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> are views of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> accessing the toner refilling portion <NUM> from outside the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus through the communicating portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of an example of the toner refilling portion <NUM> equipped with the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> is a view for explaining an electrical connection between a connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> and a first connector <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be a syringe toner refill cartridge including a body <NUM> accommodating toner and having a toner discharge portion <NUM>, and a plunger <NUM> which is movably coupled to the body <NUM> in a longitudinal direction A to push toner out of the body <NUM>. The toner discharge portion <NUM> may be provided at a tip portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the body <NUM>. A discharge shutter <NUM> may selectively open and close the toner discharge portion <NUM>. A protruding portion <NUM> partially protruding outwardly may be provided at the tip portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may include an outer body <NUM>-<NUM> and an inner body <NUM>-<NUM> located inside the outer body <NUM>-<NUM> and accommodating toner. The toner discharge portion <NUM> is provided in the inner body <NUM>-<NUM>. The plunger <NUM> may be inserted into the inner body <NUM>-<NUM> and moved in the longitudinal direction A. The plunger <NUM> may be moved from an upper position Q1 to a lower position Q2. The discharge shutter <NUM> may be provided so as to be independently rotatable with respect to the tip portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the body <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the discharge shutter <NUM> may be located in a closed position that blocks the toner discharge portion <NUM>. Further, the discharge shutter <NUM> may be located at a discharge position where the discharge shutter <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees with respect to the body <NUM> to open the toner discharge portion <NUM>. The discharge shutter <NUM> may be rotated with respect to a first rotation axis C1. The first rotation axis C1 may be, for example, a central axis of the cylindrical tip portion <NUM>-<NUM>.

The toner refill cartridge <NUM> may include a toner injection completion signal generator <NUM> used for detecting completion of injection of toner. For example, referring to the example of <FIG>, the toner injection completion signal generator <NUM> may include a pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> provided between the outer body <NUM>-<NUM> and the inner body <NUM>-<NUM>. The pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may be respectively connected to electrical contacts 961b and 961c. An electrical contact state of the pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may vary depending on a position of the plunger <NUM>. The electrical contact state of the pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may change from a first state to a second state when the plunger <NUM> enters the lower position Q2. For example, the first state and the second state may be an electrical open state and an electrical short state, respectively, or vice versa. An operating lever <NUM> movable in the longitudinal direction A may be provided between the outer body <NUM>-<NUM> and the inner body <NUM>-<NUM> in order to change the electrical contact state of the pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> may include a pushing protrusion <NUM> which pushes the operating lever <NUM> when the plunger <NUM> enters the lower position Q2 to bring the pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> into contact with or spaced from each other. A hooking member <NUM> provided on the operating lever <NUM> may be locked and fixed to a protruding portion formed on the body <NUM> until the plunger <NUM> reaches a certain position.

A connection interface <NUM> may be provided at the tip portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the body <NUM>. When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the connection interface <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main body <NUM> to transfer information of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> to the main body <NUM>. In the example, the connection interface <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main body <NUM> via the first connector <NUM> provided in the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The main body <NUM>, for example, a controller provided in the main body <NUM>, may determine whether or not the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted depending on whether the controller is electrically connected to the connection interface <NUM>, for example, whether the controller can communicate with the connection interface <NUM>.

The connection interface <NUM> may include a circuit unit <NUM> for managing information of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> and an electrical contact portion <NUM> for connection with the main body <NUM>. The circuit unit <NUM> may be a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) including a processor for performing at least one of authentication and/or encrypted data communication with the main body <NUM>. The circuit unit <NUM> may further include a memory. The memory may store various types of information for the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. For example, information about a manufacturer, information about manufacturing date and time, unique information such as serial number, model name, and the like, various programs, digital signature information, and a usage state (e.g., how many sheets have been printed so far, how many remaining sheets can be printed, and how much toner is remaining) may be stored in the memory. In addition, information about a lifetime of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, setup menu, and the like may be stored in the memory. In addition, the circuit unit <NUM> may include functional blocks capable of performing various functions for communication authentication, encryption, and the like with the main body <NUM>. The circuit unit <NUM> may be implemented in the form of a chip including a processor and/or a memory, or a printed circuit board assembly (PBA) in which circuit elements for implementing chips and various functional blocks are mounted.

The electrical contact portion <NUM> may have various forms such as a conductive pattern, a modular jack, a resilient terminal, and the like, which may be electrically connected to the main body <NUM>. The electrical contact portion <NUM> of the example shown in <FIG> is a conductive pattern. The electrical contact portion <NUM> may be exposed to outside the body <NUM> through an opening <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the protruding portion <NUM>.

For example, the electrical contact portion <NUM> may have three electrical contacts 961a, 961b, and 961c. The first electrical contact 961a may be for transmitting information stored in the memory of the circuit unit <NUM> to the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus. The second electrical contact 961b may be for transmitting a signal regarding whether or not the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> to the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus. The third electrical contact 961c may be for transmitting a toner injection completion signal or a removal request signal of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> to the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> through the communicating portion <NUM> from the outer surface of the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus. <FIG> is a front view of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> accesses the communicating portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a rear view of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> accesses the communicating portion <NUM>. When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the communicating portion <NUM> from above the main body <NUM>, the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. When the plunger <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is pushed in the longitudinal direction A of the body <NUM> in a state in which the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, toner accommodated in the body <NUM> may be discharged through the toner discharge portion <NUM> and supplied to the toner container portion <NUM> of the development cartridge <NUM> through the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be removed from the communicating portion <NUM> after completion of the toner injection.

According to this configuration, as toner is refilled in the toner container <NUM> by using the toner refilling portion <NUM>, a replacement time of the development cartridge <NUM> may be extended until the lifetime of the photosensitive drum <NUM> ends, thereby reducing printing costs per sheet. In addition, toner may be refilled while the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>, and thus, user convenience may be increased.

When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> of the image forming apparatus, the connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first connector <NUM> located at a certain portion of the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main body <NUM>, for example, a controller <NUM> provided in the main body <NUM> through the first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> provided in the toner refilling portion <NUM>. When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on a mounting portion <NUM> through the insertion portion of an upper body <NUM>, the first connector <NUM> may be directly connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the connection interface <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> may be connected to the second connector <NUM> by a flexible cable and the second connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to a controller <NUM> provided on the main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electrical contact portion <NUM> including the three electrical contacts 961a, 961b, and 961c may be provided on a front surface of the connection interface <NUM> and the circuit unit <NUM> including a memory for storing information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be implemented on a rear surface of the connection interface <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> may include four electrical contacts 146a, 146b, 146c, and 146d. However, the disclosure is not so limited and there may be more or less than four electrical contacts. The four electrical contacts 146a, 146b, 146c, and 146d of the first connector <NUM> may correspond to the three electrical contacts 961a, 961b, and 961c of the connection interface <NUM>. For example, the first electrical contact 961a of the connection interface <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first electrical contact 146a of the first connector <NUM>. The electrical contact 961b of the connection interface <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second electrical contact 146b and/or the third electrical contact 146c of the first connector <NUM>. The third electrical contact 961c of the connection interface <NUM> may be electrically connected to the fourth electrical contact 146d of the first connector <NUM>. The four electrical contacts 146a, 146b, 146c, and 146d may be electrically connected to the mounting portion <NUM>, for example, the second connector <NUM> provided on a lower body <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM>, by a flexible cable. Thus, a stable electrical connection between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may be maintained. The second connector <NUM> may include an electrical contact portion <NUM>, and the electrical contact portion <NUM> may include four electrical contacts 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d. The four electrical contacts 146a, 146b, 146c, and 146d of the first connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the four electrical contacts 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d of the second connector <NUM> by a flexible cable, respectively. As a result, when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the mounting portion <NUM>, the second connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> through the first connector <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a connection structure between the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, the toner refilling portion <NUM> in the development cartridge <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. <FIG> is a view for explaining information transmission between the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, the toner refilling portion <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> in the development cartridge <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the connection structure and operation between an image forming apparatus and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> connected to the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus through an interface between the development cartridge <NUM> and the main body <NUM> can be seen. The development cartridge <NUM> and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> are consumables removable from the image forming apparatus, and the toner refilling portion <NUM> in the development cartridge <NUM> may utilize the same interface as that of the development cartridge <NUM> to connect the development cartridge <NUM> and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> to the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus may include the main body <NUM>, the development cartridge <NUM> removable from the main body <NUM>, the toner refilling portion <NUM> in the development cartridge <NUM>, and the controller <NUM>. The development cartridge <NUM> supplies toner accommodated in the toner container portion <NUM> to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor to form a toner image, the development cartridge <NUM> being removable from the main body <NUM>. The toner refilling portion <NUM> may be in the development cartridge <NUM>, and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> for refilling toner in the toner container portion <NUM> may be mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control operations of the image forming apparatus based on a connection between the development cartridge <NUM> mounted on the main body <NUM> and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The toner refilling portion <NUM> may connect the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> to the main body <NUM> through the interface between the development cartridge <NUM> and the main body <NUM>. The toner refilling portion <NUM> may be formed integrally with the development cartridge <NUM>.

The toner refilling portion <NUM> may include the first connector <NUM> electrically connected to the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> electrically connected to the controller <NUM> provided in the main body <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> includes a circuit unit <NUM> for managing information about the development cartridge <NUM> and may transmit information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> obtained through the first connector <NUM> and information about the development cartridge <NUM> obtained from the circuit unit <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may be connected to each other by a flexible flat cable. The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> connected by the flexible flat cable may be provided as an integrated assembly in the toner refilling portion in the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The circuit unit <NUM> may be arranged on a surface opposite to a contact surface of the second connector <NUM> on which the electrical contact portion <NUM> electrically connected to the main body <NUM> is provided. The four electrical contacts 146a, 146b, 146c, and 146d provided in the first connector <NUM> may be connected to the four electrical contacts 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d provided in the second connector <NUM>, respectively.

The toner refilling portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> and the main body <NUM> and may transmit the information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> and the information about the development cartridge <NUM> to the controller <NUM> through the interface between the development cartridge <NUM> and the main body <NUM>. The information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may include information for authentication of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> and the information about the development cartridge <NUM> may include information for authentication of the development cartridge <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be connected to the toner refill cartridge <NUM> through the second connector <NUM> provided in the toner refilling portion <NUM> and the first connector <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control operations of the image forming apparatus based on signals or information received through the plurality of electrical contacts 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d provided in the second connector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the image forming apparatus may have an electrical structure for detecting whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. For example, the first connector <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM> may include the electrical contact 146c electrically connected to the electrical contact 961b provided in the connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the mounting portion <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM>, and the electrical contact 146c of the first connector <NUM> may be connected to the controller <NUM> through the electrical contact 126c of the second connector <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may detect whether the electrical contact 961b of the connection interface <NUM> is electrically connected to the electrical contact 146c of the first connector <NUM> and the electrical contact 126c of the second connector <NUM>, thereby detecting whether or not the toner refill cartridge <NUM> has been mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. For example, when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the electrical contact 961b of the connection interface <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact 126c of the second connector <NUM> through the electrical contact 146c of the first connector <NUM>.

Whether or not the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, that is, whether or not the connection interface <NUM> is connected to the first connector <NUM> may be determined by a circuit including a reference voltage VDD and two resistors R1 and R3. For example, when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is not mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, no current flows through a circuit passing through the electrical contact 126c of the second connector <NUM>, so that the reference voltage VDD, for example, <NUM> V, is applied to a first input port of the controller <NUM> connected to the electrical contact 126c of the second connector <NUM>. Meanwhile, when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the circuit passing through the electrical contact 126c of the second connector <NUM> may be a circuit in which the resistor R1 and the resistor R3 are connected in parallel to each other. When resistance values of the resistors R1 and R3 are identical, for example, a voltage of <NUM> V may be applied to the first input port of the controller <NUM>. In other words, the controller <NUM> may detect whether or not the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> based on a change in a voltage flowing through the second connector <NUM> depending on whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> with respect to the reference voltage VDD applied to the controller <NUM>, and may control the image forming apparatus according to a result of the detection.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus <NUM>, according to an example. The image forming apparatus <NUM> may include some or all of the features shown in the image forming apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. With reference to <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may also include a user interface <NUM> which provides a user with information regarding whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may include, for example, a keyboard (e.g., a physical keyboard, virtual keyboard, etc.), a button, a switch, a gesture recognition sensor (e.g., to recognize gestures of a user including movements of a body part), an input sound device or voice recognition sensor (e.g., a microphone to receive a voice command), a track ball, and the like. The user interface <NUM> may further include a haptic device to provide haptic feedback to a user. The user interface <NUM> may also include a touchscreen, for example. The information regarding whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> may be output in the form of a message presented on a screen of the user interface <NUM>, by providing a light indication, such as a green light indicating successful mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> or a red light indicating an unsuccessful mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. Further the output may be in the form of haptic feedback presented through the user interface <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> may also include an output device <NUM> such as a speaker, which may also provide a user information regarding whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The speaker may indicate a successful or unsuccessful mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> by playing a message or by outputting a sound indicating the mounting status of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. By providing such information to a user, the user can know whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is successfully or unsuccessfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM>. When the user knows the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the user can perform a plunging operation to successfully discharge the toner from the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. When the user is made aware that the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is unsuccessfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the user can avoid an erroneous operation such as attempting to perform a plunging operation which cannot successfully be performed due to the toner discharging portion <NUM> not being aligned with a toner inlet portion <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the circuit unit <NUM> provided in the connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be connected to a data input port of the controller <NUM> through the electrical contact 961a of the connection interface <NUM>, the electrical contact 146a of the first connector <NUM>, and the electrical contact 126a of the second connector <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may read information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> from the circuit unit <NUM> provided in the connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. The information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may include information for authentication of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. Meanwhile, when the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the main body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus, the circuit unit <NUM> provided in the second connector <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM> may be connected to the data input port of the controller <NUM> through the electrical contact 126a of the second connector <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may read information about the development cartridge <NUM> from the circuit unit <NUM> provided in the second connector <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The information about the development cartridge <NUM> may include information for authentication of the development cartridge <NUM>. Therefore, the controller <NUM> may receive the information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> and the information about the development cartridge <NUM> through the interface between the development cartridge <NUM> and the main body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may include a rotation detection sensor <NUM> for detecting that the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> enters a certain position depending on the rotation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. The rotation detecting sensor <NUM> may include a pair of electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> whose electrical connection state changes depending on a result of the rotation detection of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. The toner refilling portion <NUM> may transmit whether or not the mounted toner refill cartridge <NUM> has reached a certain position by rotation to the controller <NUM> through the second connector <NUM>, based on a result of the detection of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. For example, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may transmit a signal indicating that the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and that the toner refilling portion <NUM> is ready to receive toner from the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is rotated by a predetermined amount, for example, <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees. For example, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may transmit another signal indicating that the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is not successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> has not been rotated by the predetermined amount, for example, <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees. However, the degree of rotation corresponding to the predetermined amount is not limited to <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees and may be different than <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees.

For example, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may change an electrical contact state of the pair of electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> when an inlet shutter <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided in the mounting portion <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM> enters a certain position as the inlet shutter rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. One of the pair of electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be a fixed electrode and the other electrode may be an elastic electrode that can be elastically contacted/separated to/from the fixed electrode. The pair of electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the controller <NUM> through the electrical contact 126c provided in the second connector <NUM>. The electrical contact state of the pair of electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may change from a first state to a second state when the inlet shutter <NUM> rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> enters a certain position, for example the inlet position which to be further described later. The first state and the second state may be an electrical open state and an electrical short state, respectively, or vice versa. For example, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may transmit a signal indicating that the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and ready to receiver toner from the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated by a predetermined amount, for example, <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees, to the inlet position. For example, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may transmit another signal indicating that the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is not successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> when the inlet shutter <NUM> has not been rotated by the predetermined amount. However, the degree of rotation is not limited to <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees and may be different than <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees.

As described above, when a reference voltage applied to the controller <NUM> is <NUM> V and resistance values of the resistors R1 and R3 are identical and when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, a voltage of <NUM> V may be applied to the controller <NUM> by the voltage flowing through the second connector <NUM>. Here, when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> rotates, the electrical contact state of the pair of electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the toner refilling portion <NUM> is changed from the electrical open state to the electrical short state and a voltage of <NUM> V may be applied to the first input port of the controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may detect whether or not the toner refill cartridge <NUM> rotates based on the change in the voltage flowing through the second connector <NUM> depending on the rotation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> with respect to the reference voltage VDD applied to the controller <NUM>, and may control the image forming apparatus according to a result of the detection.

For example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be controlled to output information regarding whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. For example, a message may be presented on a screen of the user interface <NUM> regarding a status of rotation or mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, or a light indication may be provided, such as a green light indicating successful mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> or a red light indicating an unsuccessful mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. Further the output may be in the form of haptic feedback presented through the user interface <NUM>, or a sound generated by an output device <NUM> such as a speaker, which may also provide a user information regarding whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is rotated to allow toner contained in the toner refill cartridge <NUM> to be injected into the toner container portion <NUM> of the image forming apparatus, a user may push the plunger <NUM> to refill toner into the toner container portion <NUM> through the toner refilling portion <NUM>. Completion of the toner injection may be detected by the toner injection completion signal generator <NUM>. When the plunger <NUM> enters the lower position Q2, the pushing protrusion <NUM> may push the operating lever <NUM> to bring the pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> into contact with each other. One of the pair of electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may be a fixed electrode and the other electrode may be an elastic electrode that can be elastically contacted/separated to/from the fixed electrode. Accordingly, <NUM> V may be applied to a second input port of the controller <NUM> to which the reference voltage of <NUM> V is applied until toner injection is completed. That is, <NUM> V may be applied to both the first input port and the second input port of the controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may detect toner injection completion of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> based on the change in the voltage flowing through the second connector <NUM> depending on whether or not the toner injection of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is completed with respect to the reference voltage VDD applied to the controller <NUM>, and may control the image forming apparatus according to a result of the detection.

In order to remove the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be rotated in a direction opposite to a direction in which the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is rotated after being mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the inlet shutter <NUM> rotated together with the rotation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may be returned to its original position. A voltage of <NUM> V instead a voltage of <NUM> V may be applied to the first input port of the controller <NUM> again. When the toner injection of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is completed and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is unlocked by rotating the toner refill cartridge <NUM> in a direction opposite to a direction in which the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is rotated after being mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM>, a user may separate the toner refill cartridge <NUM> from the toner refilling portion <NUM>. Accordingly, a signal of <NUM> V may be input to the first input port of the controller <NUM> again.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> may be controlled to output information regarding the toner refill cartridge <NUM> being separated from the toner refilling portion <NUM>. For example, a message may be presented on a screen of the user interface <NUM> regarding a status of rotation or separation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, or a light indication may be provided. Further the output may be in the form of haptic feedback presented through the user interface <NUM>, or a sound generated by an output device <NUM> such as a speaker, which may also provide a user information regarding separation of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> from the toner refilling portion <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> and output device <NUM> may be combined as a single device where the user interface <NUM> includes the output device <NUM> or vice versa.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the toner refilling portion <NUM> according to an example. <FIG> illustrates an inlet shutter <NUM> located in a blocking position. <FIG> illustrates the inlet shutter <NUM> located in an inlet position. In <FIG> and <FIG>, an upper body <NUM> is omitted.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may include a mounting portion <NUM> in which the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted, a toner inlet portion <NUM>, and the inlet shutter <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> is connected to the toner container <NUM>. The toner cartridge <NUM> that is inserted from outside the mounting portion <NUM> through the communicating portion <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM>. The toner inlet portion <NUM> is provided in the mounting portion <NUM> to receive toner from the toner cartridge <NUM>. For example, the mounting portion <NUM> may include a lower body <NUM> and an upper body <NUM>. The upper body <NUM> is coupled to the lower body <NUM>. The lower body <NUM> is connected to the toner container <NUM>. The toner inlet portion <NUM> is provided in the lower body <NUM>.

The inlet shutter <NUM> is provided in the mounting portion <NUM> such that it is switchable between a blocking position (<FIG>) where the toner inlet portion <NUM> is blocked and an inlet position (<FIG>) where the toner inlet portion <NUM> is opened. The inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotated about the first rotational axis C1 to be switched between the blocking position and the inlet position. For example, the inlet shutter <NUM> may include a blocking portion <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> may be provided in the mounting portion <NUM> such that the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotatable about the first rotational axis C1 between the blocking position (<FIG>) where the blocking portion <NUM> blocks the toner inlet portion <NUM> and the inlet position (<FIG>) where the blocking portion <NUM> is offset from the toner inlet portion <NUM> to open the toner inlet portion <NUM>.

For example, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be located between the lower body <NUM> and the upper body <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotatably supported by the lower body <NUM>. A first cylindrical portion <NUM> that rotatably supports the inlet shutter <NUM> about the first rotational axis C1 is provided in the lower body <NUM>. The first cylindrical portion <NUM> may be implemented using, for example, a cylindrical rib arranged about the first rotational axis C1 and protruding toward the upper body <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> includes a second cylindrical portion <NUM> surrounding the first cylindrical portion <NUM> and being rotatably supported by the first cylindrical portion <NUM>. The upper body <NUM> is coupled to the lower body <NUM> to cover the inlet shutter <NUM>.

The inlet shutter <NUM> includes a receiving portion <NUM> receiving the front end portion of the toner cartridge <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> has a shape that is rotatable with the toner cartridge <NUM> when the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1. For example, a shape of the front end portion of the toner cartridge <NUM> may be complementary to a shape of the blocking portion <NUM>. A groove <NUM>-<NUM> that is partially opened and protrudes outwardly to receive a protruding portion <NUM> of the toner cartridge <NUM> may be formed in the receiving portion <NUM>. An insertion portion <NUM> and a key groove <NUM>-<NUM> that are respectively aligned with the receiving portion <NUM> and the groove <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided in the upper body <NUM>. The receiving portion <NUM>, the groove <NUM>-<NUM>, the insertion portion <NUM>, and the key groove <NUM>-<NUM> are aligned with each other when the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the blocking position.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, by aligning the protruding portion <NUM> with the key groove <NUM>-<NUM> while the inlet shutter <NUM> is in the blocking position, the toner cartridge <NUM> may be mounted in the mounting portion <NUM>. Then the front end portion of the body <NUM> is received in the receiving portion <NUM> of the inlet shutter <NUM>, and the protruding portion <NUM> is received in the groove <NUM>-<NUM>, and the front end portion of the toner cartridge <NUM> and the blocking portion <NUM> are coupled to each other in a complementary manner. The blocking portion <NUM> covers the toner inlet portion <NUM>. The toner discharging portion <NUM> of the toner cartridge <NUM> is located in an offset position from the toner inlet portion <NUM>. The toner discharging portion <NUM> is blocked by the discharge shutter <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In this state, when the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1, the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated with the toner cartridge <NUM>. Accordingly, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotated between the blocking position and the inlet position. When the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1 such that the inlet shutter <NUM> deviates from the blocking position, the protruding portion <NUM> is located in a lower portion of a boundary of the insertion portion <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>. In this state, even when attempting to forcibly separate the toner cartridge <NUM> from the mounting portion <NUM>, since the protruding portion <NUM> is caught by the insertion portion <NUM>, the toner cartridge <NUM> is not separated.

When the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1 by <NUM> degrees, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inlet shutter <NUM> is in the inlet position, and the blocking portion <NUM> is offset from the toner inlet portion <NUM>, thereby opening the toner inlet portion <NUM>. The discharge shutter <NUM> is caught by an outer portion of the toner inlet portion <NUM> and is thus not rotated, and the body <NUM>, on the other hand, is rotated with respect to the discharge shutter <NUM> by, for example, <NUM> degrees. The toner discharging portion <NUM> of the toner cartridge <NUM> is opened, and the toner discharging portion <NUM> is aligned with the toner inlet portion <NUM>. By pressing the plunger <NUM> in this state, toner may be supplied from the body <NUM> to the toner container <NUM> through the toner discharging portion <NUM> and the toner inlet portion <NUM>.

The development cartridge <NUM> according to the example is an integration-type development cartridge <NUM> in which the toner refilling portion <NUM> is integrated, as illustrated in <FIG>. The development cartridge <NUM> may be distributed during the product distribution stage while being mounted in the main body <NUM>. The development cartridge <NUM> is a consumable item that is replaced when the life of the development cartridge <NUM> ends, and may be distributed separately from the main body <NUM>. When the toner inlet portion <NUM> is opened in a distribution stage, toner contained in the toner container <NUM> may leak out. The leaked toner may contaminate the toner refilling portion <NUM>. When the toner inlet portion <NUM> is opened during the distribution stage where the development cartridge <NUM> is distributed while being mounted in the main body <NUM>, the inside of the main body <NUM> may be contaminated by the leaked toner.

Considering this, the image forming apparatus according to an example includes a first latch member <NUM> having a first position where the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked and a second position where switching or rotation of the inlet shutter <NUM> is allowed. A switching unit <NUM>, which will be described later, selectively switches the first latch member <NUM> between the first position and the second position. In the example, the first latch member <NUM> is provided in the toner refilling portion <NUM>, and the switching unit <NUM> is provided in the main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first latch member <NUM> may be provided in the mounting portion <NUM> such that the first latch member <NUM> is switched between the first position and the second position. The first latch member <NUM> may be moved in a direction of the first rotational axis C1 to be switched between the first position and the second position. For example, the first latch member <NUM> may be moved in a longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of the first rotational axis C1 in an upward and downward fashion. For example, referring to <FIG>, an operation hole <NUM> extending in a direction of the first rotational axis C1 may be formed in the lower body <NUM>. The first latch member <NUM> may be movably inserted into the operation hole <NUM> in a direction of the first rotational axis C1. A first latch spring <NUM> applies an elastic force to the first latch member <NUM> in a direction in which the first latch spring <NUM> is located in the first position. The first latch spring <NUM> may be in various forms such as a coil spring, a leaf spring, or a resilient arm integrally formed with the first latch member <NUM>. In the example, the first latch spring <NUM> may be implemented by a compression coil spring having a first end portion supported by the upper body <NUM> and a second end portion supported by the first latch member <NUM>.

The first latch member <NUM> may lock the inlet shutter <NUM> in the blocking position. A first latching portion <NUM> is provided in the inlet shutter <NUM>. The first latching portion <NUM> may be implemented by a pair of protrusions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> that protrude outward from an outer circumference of the inlet shutter <NUM> and are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction. The first latch member <NUM> may include a latching protrusion <NUM> which is caught by the first latching portion <NUM> when the first latch member <NUM> is located in the first position. Referring to <FIG>, when the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the blocking position, the latching protrusion <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> located in the first position is caught by the first latching portion <NUM>, and the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked in the blocking position. The first latch member <NUM> may be held in the first position via the first latch spring <NUM> when the development cartridge <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>. Thus, during distribution of the development cartridge <NUM> while being mounted in the main body <NUM> or apart from the main body <NUM>, the toner inlet portion <NUM> may be maintained in a closed state, and thus, toner leakage may be prevented.

When the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM> and is rotated during refilling of toner, the inlet shutter <NUM> is also rotated so that the toner inlet portion <NUM> and the toner discharging portion <NUM> may be offset from each other. Then, the toner discharged through the toner discharging portion <NUM> may leak out of the toner inlet portion <NUM> to contaminate the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

Considering this, the first latch member <NUM> may lock the inlet shutter <NUM> in the inlet position. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a second latching portion <NUM> is provided on the inlet shutter <NUM>. The second latching portion <NUM> may be implemented using a pair of protrusions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> that protrude outwardly from the outer circumference of the inlet shutter <NUM> and are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the inlet position, the latching protrusion <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> located in the first position is caught by the second latching portion <NUM>, and the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked in the inlet position. Accordingly, while the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM> and toner is being refilled, the inlet shutter <NUM> is not rotated, and the toner may be stably refilled in the toner container <NUM> without toner leakage.

The switching unit <NUM> selectively switches the first latch member <NUM> between the first position and the second position. For example, while the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked in the blocking position, when the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the switching unit <NUM> switches the first latch member <NUM> to the second position so that the inlet shutter <NUM> and the toner cartridge <NUM> may be rotated together. When the first latch member <NUM> is located in the second position, the latching protrusion <NUM> deviates from the first latching portion <NUM>, and the inlet shutter <NUM> enters a state where it is rotatable. When the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the toner refilling portion <NUM> and rotated by <NUM> degrees, so that the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the inlet position, the switching unit <NUM> may switch the first latch member <NUM> to the first position. The latching protrusion <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is caught by the second latching portion <NUM> and the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked in the inlet position, and thus the toner cartridge <NUM> and the inlet shutter <NUM> are not rotated.

The switching unit <NUM> may be implemented in various forms. <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the switching unit <NUM> according to an example, showing the first latch member <NUM> located in the first position. <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the switching unit <NUM> according to an example, showing the first latch member <NUM> located in the second position. <FIG> illustrates a structure of detecting a phase of a rotational cam <NUM> according to an example. In <FIG> and <FIG>, portions of the upper body <NUM> are omitted.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the switching unit <NUM> includes a rotational cam <NUM> having a cam track 181a, a motor <NUM> rotating the rotational cam <NUM>, and a movable member <NUM> guided to the cam track 181a to switch the first latch member <NUM> between the first and second positions. The cam track 181a may include first and second cam portions 181a-<NUM> and 181a-<NUM> respectively corresponding to the first and second positions of the first latch member <NUM>. The movable member <NUM> may include a first movable member <NUM>-<NUM> guided to the cam track 181a to be pivoted and a second movable member <NUM>-<NUM> connected to the first movable member <NUM>-<NUM> to be lifted. When the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>, the second movable member <NUM>-<NUM> may be inserted into the operation hole <NUM> in which the first latch member <NUM> is installed, to thereby contact the first latch member <NUM>. The cam spring <NUM> applies an elastic force to the movable member <NUM> in a direction in which the movable member <NUM> contacts the cam track 181a. According to the example, the cam spring <NUM> is implemented by using a tensile coil spring having a first end portion connected to the first movable member <NUM>-<NUM> and a second end portion supported by the main body <NUM>. The first end portion of the first movable member <NUM>-<NUM> is maintained in contact with the cam track 181a via the cam spring <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may be, for example, a direct current (DC) motor. For example, a worm gear may be mounted on a rotational axis of the motor <NUM>. A worm wheel with which the worm gear engages may be provided to the rotational cam <NUM>. When the motor <NUM> rotates, the rotational cam <NUM> may be rotated.

Referring to <FIG>, the switching unit <NUM> may further include a sensor <NUM> detecting a phase of the rotational cam <NUM>. For example, the sensor <NUM> may be implemented using a photo-interrupter including a light emitting portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM>. A light shielding rib 181b blocking light between the light emitting portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM> according to a rotational phase may be provided in the rotational cam <NUM>. For example, when light is blocked via the light shielding rib 181b and thus no light is detected from the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM>, an ON detection signal may be generated in the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM>; when light is detected from the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM>, an OFF detection signal may be generated in the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, when an angle between two ends of the light shielding rib 181b is <NUM> degrees, the movable member <NUM> may be configured to be guided to the first cam portion 181a-<NUM> of the rotational cam <NUM> in a moment when a detection signal of the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM> changes from ON to OFF, and the movable member <NUM> may be configured to be guided to the second cam portion 181a-<NUM> of the rotational cam <NUM> in a moment when a detection signal of the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM> changes from OFF to ON. According to this configuration, a rotational phase of the rotational cam <NUM> may be detected, and the first latch member <NUM> may be positioned in the first position or the second position.

The motor <NUM> is driven in an initial state and stopped a moment when a detection signal of the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM> changes from ON to OFF. Then the movable member <NUM> is guided to the first cam portion 181a-<NUM>, and the movable member <NUM> moves away from the first latch member <NUM>, and accordingly, due to an elastic force of the first latch spring <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is located in the first position as illustrated in <FIG>. As the latching protrusion <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is caught by the first latching portion <NUM> or the second latching portion <NUM> of the inlet shutter <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked in the blocking position or the inlet position.

To allow rotation of the inlet shutter <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is driven and then stopped a moment when a detection signal of the light receiving portion <NUM>-<NUM> changes from OFF to ON. Then the movable member <NUM> is guided to the second cam portion 181a-<NUM>, and the movable member <NUM> pushes the first latch member <NUM> in an opposite direction to the elastic force of the first latch spring <NUM>. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first latch member <NUM> is located in the second position. As the latching protrusion <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> deviates upwards from the first latching portion <NUM> or second latching portion <NUM> of the inlet shutter <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotated from the blocking position to the inlet position or in an opposite direction thereto.

The first latch member <NUM> and the switching unit <NUM> may also be provided in the main body <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of a structure in which the first latch member <NUM> and the switching unit <NUM> are provided in the main body <NUM>, according to an example. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the structure of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the inlet shutter <NUM> located in the blocking position. <FIG> illustrates the inlet shutter <NUM> located in the inlet position. <FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the toner cartridge <NUM> according to an example. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM>, and the switching unit <NUM> are illustrated. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper body <NUM> is omitted. Elements having an identical function as those described in the above-described examples will be labeled with identical reference numerals.

Referring to <FIG>, the toner cartridge <NUM> may be a syringe-type toner refill cartridge including a body <NUM> containing toner and including a toner discharging portion <NUM> and a plunger <NUM> that is movably coupled to the body <NUM> in a length direction A to pull the toner out of the body <NUM>. The toner discharging portion <NUM> may be provided at a front end portion of the body <NUM>. The toner discharging portion <NUM> may be eccentrically positioned from the first rotational axis C1. The body <NUM> may be, for example, cylindrical. The first rotational axis C1 may be a central axis of a cylindrical body <NUM>. The first rotational axis C1 may be a rotational central axis about which the toner cartridge <NUM> mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> is rotated. A discharge shutter (not shown) selectively opens or closes the toner discharging portion <NUM>. When pressing the plunger <NUM> in direction A while the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the toner refilling portion <NUM>, the toner may be supplied from the body <NUM> to the toner container <NUM> of the development cartridge <NUM> through the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may include a mounting portion <NUM> in which the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted, a toner inlet portion <NUM>, and an inlet shutter <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> is connected to the toner container <NUM>. The toner cartridge <NUM> that is inserted from outside the mounting portion <NUM> through the communicating portion <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM>. A toner inlet portion <NUM> is provided in the mounting portion <NUM> to receive toner from the toner cartridge <NUM>. For example, the mounting portion <NUM> may include a lower body <NUM> and an upper body <NUM>. The upper body <NUM> is coupled to the lower body <NUM>. The lower body <NUM> is connected to the toner container <NUM>. The toner inlet portion <NUM> is provided in the lower body <NUM>.

The inlet shutter <NUM> is provided in the mounting portion <NUM> such that the inlet shutter <NUM> is switchable between the blocking position (<FIG>) where the toner inlet portion <NUM> is blocked and the inlet position (<FIG>) where the toner inlet portion <NUM> is opened. The inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotated about the first rotational axis C1 between the blocking position and the inlet position. For example, the inlet shutter <NUM> may include a second toner inlet portion <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> may be provided in the mounting portion <NUM> such that the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotatable about the first rotational axis C1 between the blocking position where the toner inlet portion <NUM> and the second toner inlet portion <NUM> are offset from each other to block the toner inlet portion <NUM> and the inlet position where the toner inlet portion <NUM> and the second toner inlet portion <NUM> are aligned with each other to open the toner inlet portion <NUM>. The second toner inlet portion <NUM> is aligned with the toner discharging portion <NUM> of the toner cartridge <NUM>.

For example, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be located between the lower body <NUM> and the upper body <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotatably supported by the lower body <NUM>. The lower body <NUM> has a first cylindrical portion <NUM> that rotatably supports the inlet shutter <NUM> about the first rotational axis C1. The first cylindrical portion <NUM> may be, for example, a cylindrical rib arranged about the first rotational axis C1 and protruding toward the upper body <NUM>. The inlet shutter <NUM> is supported by the lower body <NUM> such that the second cylindrical portion <NUM> forming an outer circumference of the inlet shutter <NUM> is located within the first cylindrical portion <NUM>. The upper body <NUM> is coupled to the lower body <NUM> to cover the inlet shutter <NUM>.

The upper body <NUM> may have a structure in which the toner cartridge <NUM> may be rotatably supported. For example, a receiving portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape and receiving the front end portion of the toner cartridge <NUM> may be provided in the upper body <NUM>. The receiving portion <NUM> may be, for example, a cylindrical rib arranged about the first rotational axis C1 and protruding upwardly. When the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM>, the front end portion of the toner cartridge <NUM> is received in the receiving portion <NUM>, and the toner discharging portion <NUM> is inserted into the second toner inlet portion <NUM> of the inlet shutter <NUM>. In this state, when the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1, the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated with the toner cartridge <NUM>. Accordingly, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotated between the blocking position and the inlet position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, while the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the blocking position, the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM>. The toner discharging portion <NUM> is inserted into the second toner inlet portion <NUM>. As the second toner inlet portion <NUM> and the toner inlet portion <NUM> are offset from each other, even when a discharge shutter opens the toner discharging portion <NUM>, toner does not flow into the toner inlet portion <NUM>. In this state, when the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1 by <NUM> degrees, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inlet shutter <NUM> is in the inlet position, and the second toner inlet portion <NUM> is aligned with the toner inlet portion <NUM>, thereby opening the toner inlet portion <NUM>. When the discharge shutter (not shown) opens the toner discharging portion <NUM> and presses the plunger <NUM>, toner may be supplied to the toner container <NUM> from the body <NUM> through the toner discharging portion <NUM>, the second toner inlet portion <NUM>, and the toner inlet portion <NUM>.

The image forming apparatus according to the example includes the first latch member <NUM> having a first position where the inlet shutter <NUM> is locked and a second position where switching of the inlet shutter <NUM> is allowed. The switching unit <NUM> selectively switches the first latch member <NUM> between the first position and the second position. According to the example, the first latch member <NUM> and the switching unit <NUM> are provided in the main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first latch member <NUM> may be moved in a direction of the first rotational axis C1 to be switched between the first position and the second position. When the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is inserted, for example, into a through hole <NUM> provided in the lower body <NUM>.

The first latch member <NUM> may lock the inlet shutter <NUM> in the blocking position. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a first latching portion144 whereby the first latch member <NUM> located in the first position is caught when the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the blocking position is provided in the inlet shutter <NUM>. When the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the blocking position, the first latching portion <NUM> is aligned with the first latch member <NUM>, and when the first latch member <NUM> is switched to the first position via the switching unit <NUM> which will be described later, the first latch member <NUM> may be caught by the first latching portion <NUM>, thereby locking the inlet shutter <NUM> in the blocking position. Thus, during distribution of the development cartridge <NUM> mounted in the main body <NUM>, the toner inlet portion <NUM> may be maintained in a closed state, and thus, toner leakage may be prevented.

The first latch member <NUM> may lock the inlet shutter <NUM> in the inlet position. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second latching portion <NUM> whereby the first latch member <NUM> located in the first position is caught when the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the inlet position is provided in the inlet shutter <NUM>. When the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the inlet position, the second latching portion <NUM> is aligned with the first latch member <NUM>, and when the first latch member <NUM> is switched to the first position via the switching unit <NUM> which will be described later, the first latch member <NUM> may be caught by the second latching portion <NUM>, thereby locking the inlet shutter <NUM> in the inlet position. Accordingly, while the toner cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the mounting portion <NUM> and toner is being refilled, the inlet shutter <NUM> is not rotated, and the toner may be stably refilled in the toner container <NUM> without toner leakage.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the switching unit <NUM> may include a solenoid <NUM> via which the first latch member <NUM> is switched between the first and second positions. The solenoid <NUM> may include a solenoid body <NUM>-<NUM> and a driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM>. The first latch member <NUM> is connected to the driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM>. A first latch spring <NUM> applies an elastic force to the first latch member <NUM> in a direction in which the first latch member <NUM> is located in the first position. According to the example, the first latch spring <NUM> is implemented by a compression coil spring interposed between the driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM> and the solenoid body <NUM>-<NUM>. The first latch spring <NUM> applies an elastic force to the driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM> in a direction in which the first latch member <NUM> is located in the first position. That is, the first latch spring <NUM> pushes the driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM> towards the first latch member <NUM>.

When a current is supplied to the solenoid body <NUM>-<NUM>, the driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM> is pulled in an opposite direction of the elastic force of the first latch spring <NUM>, that is, toward the solenoid body <NUM>-<NUM>. The first latch member <NUM> is moved from the first position to the second position. When no current is applied to the solenoid body <NUM>-<NUM>, the driving shaft <NUM>-<NUM> is pushed toward the first latch member <NUM> due to the elastic force of the first latch spring <NUM> and the first latch member <NUM> is moved from the second position to the first position.

As described above, according to the switching unit <NUM> including the solenoid <NUM>, by supplying or blocking a current to or from the solenoid <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> may be switched between the second position and the first position.

Referring back to <FIG>, a third latching portion <NUM> may be provided in the inlet shutter <NUM>. A second latch member <NUM> has a third position where the second latch member <NUM> is caught by the third latching portion <NUM> when the inlet shutter <NUM> is located in the blocking position to lock the inlet shutter <NUM> and a fourth position where the second latch member <NUM> is released from the third latching portion <NUM>. For example, the second latch member <NUM> may be liftably mounted in a direction of the first rotational axis C1 in the operation hole <NUM> of the lower body <NUM> that extends in a direction of the first rotational axis C1. The third latching portion <NUM> may be concavely formed in an upward direction from a lower surface of the inlet shutter <NUM>. A latching portion <NUM> that is caught by the third latching portion <NUM> when the second latch member <NUM> is located in the third position is formed on the second latch member <NUM>. A second latch spring <NUM> applies an elastic force to the second latch member <NUM> in a direction in which the second latch member <NUM> is located in the third position. Thus, when the development cartridge <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>, the second latch member <NUM> may be maintained in the third position.

When the first latch member <NUM> and the switching unit <NUM> are provided in the main body <NUM>, and when the development cartridge <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may not be locked in the blocking position. In addition, also when the development cartridge <NUM> is distributed separately from the main body <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may not be locked in the blocking position. According to the example, when the development cartridge <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be locked in the blocking position via the second latch member <NUM>.

When the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>, the second latch member <NUM> is switched to the fourth position. Switching of the second latch member <NUM> to the fourth position may be performed in conjunction with a closing operation of the door <NUM>. <FIG> is a partial perspective view of a structure of switching the second latch member <NUM> to the fourth position, according to an example. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second latch member <NUM> protrudes upwardly from the upper body <NUM> through a through hole <NUM> formed in the upper body <NUM>. The door <NUM> is provided in the main body <NUM> to open or close a portion of the main body <NUM> to attach/detach the development cartridge <NUM> to/from the main body <NUM>. According to the example, the door <NUM> partially opens an upper portion of the main body <NUM>. A releasing member <NUM> that switches the second latch member <NUM> to the fourth position via a closing operation of the door <NUM> is provided in the door <NUM>. For example, the releasing member <NUM> may be protruded from an inner surface of the door <NUM> and press the second latch member <NUM> in an opposite direction to the elastic force of the second latch spring <NUM> when the door <NUM> is closed, thereby switching the second latch member <NUM> to the fourth position. By opening the door <NUM>, the releasing member <NUM> is spaced apart from the second latch member <NUM>, and the second latch member <NUM> may return from the fourth position to the third position via the elastic force of the second latch spring <NUM> and be maintained in the third position.

According to this configuration, when the development cartridge <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be locked in the blocking position via the second latch member <NUM>. As the development cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>, the releasing member <NUM> presses the second latch member <NUM> via a closing operation of the development cartridge <NUM>, thereby switching the second latch member <NUM> to the fourth position. Accordingly, according to operation of the first latch member <NUM> and the switching unit <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be locked in the blocking position or the inlet position, and rotated from the blocking position to the inlet shutter <NUM> or in an opposite direction thereto.

Referring now to <FIG>, a side view of an inlet shutter according to an example is illustrated. As shown in <FIG>, the inlet shutter <NUM> may further include a shutter protrusion <NUM> provided on a surface of the inlet shutter to, while the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated, contact an object and cause feedback indicating whether the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated to a predetermined position, for example, the inlet position. The shutter protrusion <NUM> may be provided at a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the inlet shutter. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shutter protrusion <NUM> may have a ramp or wedge shape including a first portion <NUM> inclined at a first angle, a second portion <NUM> inclined at a second angle, and a third portion <NUM> inclined at a third angle. The shutter protrusion <NUM> may further include a fourth portion <NUM> which is flat. The shutter protrusion <NUM> may be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the inlet shutter <NUM> and may be formed such that an inner side facing the outer circumferential surface of the inlet shutter <NUM> conforms to the cylindrical shape of the inlet shutter <NUM> and closely adheres to the inlet shutter <NUM>. The shutter protrusion <NUM> may be integrally formed together with the inlet shutter <NUM>, or may be attached to the inlet shutter <NUM> by a fixing member such as an adhesive or by a screw, for example. The disclosure is not limited to the shutter protrusion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the shutter protrusion <NUM> may be in the form of other shapes such as a triangle shape in which there is a first portion inclined at a first angle similar to the first portion <NUM>, a second portion inclined at a second angle similar to the second portion <NUM> or third portion <NUM>, and a third portion which is flat similar to the fourth portion <NUM>.

As an example, dimensions of the shutter protrusion <NUM> include a length of the first portion <NUM> being about <NUM>, a length of the second portion <NUM> being about <NUM>, a length of the third portion <NUM> being about <NUM>, and a length of the fourth portion <NUM> being about <NUM>. An angle between the first portion <NUM> and the fourth portion <NUM>, the first angle, may be about <NUM> degrees. An angle between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be about <NUM> degrees such that an angle between the second portion <NUM> and the fourth portion <NUM>, the second angle, is about <NUM> degrees. An angle between the second portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> may be about <NUM> degrees such that an angle between the third portion <NUM> and the fourth portion <NUM>, the third angle, is about <NUM> degrees. The shutter protrusion <NUM> may protrude outward from the inlet shutter <NUM> by about <NUM>. A height of the inlet shutter <NUM> may be about <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not so limited and the respective dimensions of the shutter protrusion <NUM> and inlet shutter <NUM> may vary, though a height of the shutter protrusion <NUM> may be affected by an amount by which the object is to be raised or lowered or by a height of the inlet shutter <NUM>.

<FIG> are partial perspective views illustrating a rotation of the inlet shutter <NUM> having the shutter protrusion <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, an interaction between the shutter protrusion <NUM> and an object while the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated, is illustrated. As discussed above, rotation of the inlet shutter <NUM> about the first rotational axis C1 can occur when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and the toner refill cartridge <NUM> rotated. For example, when the toner cartridge <NUM> is rotated about the first rotational axis C1, the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated with the toner cartridge <NUM>. Accordingly, the inlet shutter <NUM> may be rotated between the blocking position and the inlet position. Rotation of the toner cartridge <NUM> may be performed manually, for example, by a user manually rotating the toner cartridge <NUM>, which causes the inlet shutter <NUM> to also be rotated. For example, the toner cartridge <NUM> can be rotated about the first rotational axis C1 by <NUM> degrees, as illustrated in <FIG>, to rotate the inlet shutter <NUM> to the inlet position, where the blocking portion <NUM> is offset from the toner inlet portion <NUM>. Or, the toner cartridge <NUM> can be rotated about the first rotational axis C1 by <NUM> degrees, as illustrated in <FIG>, to rotate the inlet shutter <NUM> to the inlet position, where the toner inlet portion <NUM> and second toner inlet portion <NUM> are aligned.

The shutter protrusion <NUM> may be applied to the inlet shutter <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> as well as the inlet shutter <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. According to an example, the object may correspond to the latching protrusion <NUM> or the latching portion <NUM>. For ease of explanation, an example where the object corresponds to the latching protrusion <NUM> is explained below, and the concepts applicable to latching protrusion <NUM> which is formed on the first latch member <NUM> may also be applied to the latching portion <NUM> which is formed on the second latch member <NUM>, though a height of the inlet shutter <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> may be increased to accommodate the vertical motion of the latching protrusion <NUM> when interacting with the shutter protrusion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, during rotation of the inlet shutter <NUM> to the inlet position (<FIG>), the first portion <NUM> of the shutter protrusion <NUM> initially makes contact with an object of the toner refilling portion <NUM> (<FIG>). In this example, the object corresponds to the latching protrusion <NUM>. The latching protrusion <NUM> is formed on the first latch member <NUM> that is movable in an upward and downward direction parallel to the rotational axis C1. Because the shutter protrusion <NUM> has a ramp or wedge shape, when the first portion <NUM> of the shutter protrusion <NUM> contacts the latching protrusion <NUM> while the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated, the first latch member <NUM> and the latching protrusion <NUM> are lifted upwardly and the latching protrusion <NUM> slides along the first portion <NUM> of the shutter protrusion <NUM> until reaching the second portion <NUM> of the shutter protrusion <NUM> (<FIG>). As illustrated in <FIG>, the first latch spring <NUM> may be compressed against the upper body <NUM> (not shown). At that point the first latch member <NUM> and the latching protrusion <NUM> begin to descend and the latching protrusion <NUM> slides along the second portion <NUM> of the shutter protrusion <NUM> and subsequently slides along the third portion <NUM> of the shutter protrusion <NUM> until the shutter protrusion <NUM> has transitioned past the latching protrusion <NUM> and coincidentally the inlet shutter <NUM> is in the inlet position where the toner inlet portion <NUM> is offset from the blocking portion <NUM> (<FIG>). Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first latch spring <NUM> may be decompressed. The angle of the second portion <NUM> may be less steep than the angle of the third portion <NUM>, for example to provide a smoother transition of the shutter protrusion <NUM> and to provide a less jarring effect to a user turning the toner cartridge <NUM>.

The interaction of the shutter protrusion <NUM> with the latching protrusion <NUM> provides a user with feedback regarding the status of the rotation of the toner cartridge <NUM> and inlet shutter <NUM> such that a user can ascertain whether the toner cartridge <NUM> is successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and the toner refilling portion <NUM> is ready to receive toner from the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. The interaction between the shutter protrusion <NUM> and the latching protrusion <NUM> as well as the raising and dropping of the first latch member <NUM>, may produce an audible noise, such as an audible clicking noise, that a user can hear. This noise can indicate to the user that the toner cartridge <NUM> has been successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and rotated, together with the inlet shutter <NUM>, to a position that will allow the plunger <NUM> to be pressed and the toner supplied to the toner refilling portion <NUM>. Additionally, a user rotating the toner cartridge <NUM> may physically feel the interaction between the shutter protrusion <NUM> and the latching protrusion <NUM> and thus receive tactile feedback indicating that the toner cartridge <NUM> has been successfully mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and rotated, together with the inlet shutter <NUM>, to a position that will allow the plunger <NUM> to be pressed and the toner supplied to the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

Upon the inlet shutter <NUM> being rotated past the latching protrusion <NUM>, the inlet shutter <NUM> is in the inlet position and the toner inlet portion <NUM> is aligned with the toner discharging portion <NUM> of the toner cartridge <NUM> and offset from the blocking portion <NUM>. By pressing the plunger <NUM> in this state, toner may be supplied from the body <NUM> to the toner container <NUM> through the toner discharging portion <NUM> and the toner inlet portion <NUM>. When the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is mounted to the toner refilling portion <NUM> and the inlet shutter <NUM> is in a position other than the inlet position, the toner inlet portion <NUM> is closed such that the plunger <NUM> is prevented from pushing the toner through the toner discharge portion <NUM> out of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. Therefore, a user who does not receive the audible or tactile feedback as discussed above when rotating the toner refill cartridge <NUM>, can avoid the inconvenience of an unsuccessful attempt of performing a plunging operation with the plunger <NUM>. Therefore, according to the examples described herein the operation of the shutter protrusion <NUM> improves a user experience.

Moreover, the examples described herein utilize features of the toner refilling portion <NUM>, such as the first latch member <NUM> and latching protrusion <NUM> or the second latch member <NUM> and latching portion <NUM>, which are provided to the toner refilling portion <NUM> to perform other functions which have been described herein. Therefore, additional costs can be avoided by not utilizing or manufacturing additional parts to interact with the shutter protrusion <NUM> to produce the feedback to the user when rotating the toner refill cartridge <NUM> together with the inlet shutter <NUM>.

A user may be provided feedback regarding whether the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is successfully mounted on the toner refilling portion <NUM> in a mechanical fashion as discussed above with respect to <FIG>, as well as in an electrical fashion as discussed above with respect to <FIG>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the toner refilling portion <NUM> may include an inlet shutter <NUM> having the shutter protrusion <NUM> (not shown but located at a position corresponding to <NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and diametrically opposite of <NUM>) which mechanically interacts with the latching protrusion <NUM>, and a first connector <NUM> that is electrically connectable to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the connection interface <NUM> of the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> of the toner refilling portion <NUM> may transmit information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> obtained through the first connector <NUM> to the controller <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and may transmit information about the development cartridge <NUM> obtained from the circuit unit <NUM> to the controller <NUM>. For example, the information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> obtained through the first connector <NUM> and transmitted to the controller <NUM> may include authentication information indicating the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is a genuine or authentic source of toner supply and has been inserted. Upon this authentication the a user may be allowed to rotate the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. For example, the information about the development cartridge <NUM> obtained through the second connector <NUM> and transmitted to the controller <NUM> may include information regarding a position of the inlet shutter <NUM> when the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated and the information about the toner refill cartridge <NUM> may include information regarding a position of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is rotated. As discussed above, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may include contacts, for example electrodes, which are used to detect when the inlet shutter <NUM> enters a certain position as the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated in conjunction with the toner refill cartridge <NUM>. For example, the rotation detection sensor <NUM> may detect when the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated with the toner refill cartridge <NUM> by <NUM> degrees.

Furthermore, the output device <NUM> and/or user interface <NUM> may provide information regarding the position of the inlet shutter <NUM> when the inlet shutter <NUM> is rotated based on the information received by the controller <NUM> from the toner refilling portion <NUM> as well as information regarding a position of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> when the toner refill cartridge <NUM> is rotated based on the information received by the controller <NUM>. As explained above, the information may be in the form of a message may be presented on a screen of the user interface <NUM>, a light indication, haptic feedback presented through the user interface <NUM>, or a sound generated by an output device <NUM> such as a speaker. The user interface <NUM> and output device <NUM> may be combined as a single device where the user interface <NUM> includes the output device <NUM> or vice versa.

By providing information to a user indicating a status of mounting of the toner refill cartridge <NUM> to the toner refilling portion <NUM>, in a mechanical and/or electrical fashion, the user can be better informed and readily ascertain whether a plunging operation is ready to be performed to inject toner from the toner refill cartridge <NUM> to the toner refilling portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A development cartridge (<NUM>) mountable in an image forming apparatus, the development cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a toner container portion (<NUM>) configured to store toner; and
a toner refilling portion (<NUM>) configured to receive, from a toner refill cartridge (<NUM>) mountable to the toner refilling portion (<NUM>), toner to be stored in the toner container portion (<NUM>), the toner refilling portion (<NUM>) comprising:
an inlet shutter (<NUM>) rotatable to an inlet position at which the toner refilling portion (<NUM>) is configured to receive the toner from the toner refill cartridge (<NUM>), and
a shutter protrusion (<NUM>) provided on a surface of the inlet shutter (<NUM>) configured to, while the inlet shutter (<NUM>) is rotated, contact an object and cause feedback indicating the inlet shutter (<NUM>) is rotated to the inlet position;
wherein the toner refilling portion (<NUM>) further comprises a first connector (<NUM>) to be electrically connected to the toner refill cartridge (<NUM>) when the toner refill cartridge (<NUM>) is mounted to the toner refilling portion (<NUM>), and
a second connector (<NUM>) including a circuit unit (<NUM>) to, when the development cartridge (<NUM>) is mounted to the image forming apparatus, transmit information about the toner refill cartridge (<NUM>) obtained through the first connector (<NUM>) to a controller (<NUM>) of the image forming apparatus and to transmit information about the development cartridge (<NUM>) obtained from the circuit unit (<NUM>) to the controller (<NUM>),
wherein the information about the development cartridge (<NUM>) includes information regarding a position of the inlet shutter (<NUM>) when the inlet shutter (<NUM>) is rotated.