Patent Description:
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum by a scanner unit, and this electrostatic latent image is developed using toner serving as developer. <CIT> discusses a configuration that can replenish a developer container with developer from the outside of an apparatus main body by attaching a replenishment cartridge to an image forming apparatus. <CIT> as well as <CIT> disclose an image forming system as specified in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure is directed to an aspect of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on exemplary embodiments. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangement of the components described in the exemplary embodiments are to be appropriately changed depending on various conditions and the configuration of an apparatus to which the disclosure is applied. In other words, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangement of the components are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to the following exemplary embodiments.

An overall configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus <NUM> according to a first exemplary embodiment and a replenishment pack <NUM> will be described. The image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment is a monochrome laser printer that uses an electrophotographic process, and forms an image onto a recording material P using developer (toner) in accordance with image information transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer. Examples of the recording material P include recording paper, label paper, an overhead projector (OHP) sheet, and cloth.

In the following description, in a case where the image forming apparatus <NUM> is installed on a horizontal surface, a height direction of the image forming apparatus <NUM> (direction opposite to a vertical direction) will be referred to as a Z direction. A direction that intersects the Z direction, and is parallel to a rotational axis direction (main scanning direction) of a photosensitive drum <NUM> to be described below will be referred to as an X direction. A direction intersecting the X direction and the Z direction will be referred to as a Y direction. Desirably, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction vertically intersect with each other. For the sake of convenience, a plus side and a minus side in the X direction will be referred to as a right side and a left side, respectively, a plus side and a minus side in the Y direction will be referred to as a front side and a back side, respectively, and a plus side and a minus side in the Z direction will be referred to as an upside and a downside, respectively.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> viewed from the X direction (the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum <NUM>). <FIG> selectively illustrates only members related to an image forming process. In <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a sheet tray <NUM> in which the recording material P is stored, and a discharge tray <NUM> on which the discharged recording material P is stacked. The sheet tray <NUM> can be pulled out in the Y direction, and a user can replenish the sheet tray <NUM> with the recording materials P. The recording material P that has been fed from the sheet tray <NUM> and has an image formed thereon is discharged from a discharge port <NUM> toward a discharge direction (Y direction) illustrated in <FIG>, and is stacked on the discharge tray <NUM>.

A front cover <NUM> is provided at a part of an end surface (part of a front surface) of the image forming apparatus <NUM> on the downstream side in a discharge direction, and covers a circuit substrate <NUM> to be described below. An exterior cover <NUM> is provided on a part of the front surface other than a place at which the front cover <NUM> is provided, and on the side surfaces and the top surface of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The front cover <NUM>, the exterior cover <NUM>, and the above-described discharge tray <NUM> form a housing <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is a member covering the entire image forming apparatus <NUM>, and incorporates a process member such as a scanner unit <NUM> to be described below. The above-described discharge port <NUM> is an opening formed on a part of the housing <NUM>, and the recording material P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus <NUM> through the opening.

A flow of an image forming operation to be performed on the recording material P will be described with reference to <FIG>. When image information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM>, based on a print start signal, the photosensitive drum <NUM> serving as a rotary member is rotationally driven in an arrow R direction at a predetermined circumferential speed (process speed). Based on the input image information, the scanner unit <NUM> emits laser light onto the photosensitive drum <NUM>. The scanner unit <NUM> is a unit including a lasing device that outputs laser light, a polygon mirror and a lens for emitting laser light onto the photosensitive drum <NUM>, a scanner motor for rotating the polygon mirror, and a frame integrally supporting these members. The photosensitive drum <NUM> is preliminarily charged by a charging roller <NUM>, and the emission of laser light forms an electrostatic latent image onto the photosensitive drum <NUM>. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed by toner stored in a container <NUM> being carried by a development roller <NUM> (developer bearing member) to the photosensitive drum <NUM> (photosensitive member), and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum <NUM>.

Concurrently with the above-described image forming process, the recording material P is fed from the sheet tray <NUM>. A pickup roller <NUM>, a feeding roller 5a, and a conveyance roller pair 5c are provided on a conveyance path of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. By contacting an uppermost recording material P of the recording materials P stored in the sheet tray <NUM>, and rotating, the pickup roller <NUM> feeds the recording material P. The feeding roller 5a and a separation roller 5b being in pressure contact with the feeding roller 5a form a separation nip. In a case where a plurality of recording materials P is fed to the separation nip due to the influence of frictional force applied between the recording materials P, the feeding roller 5a and the separation roller 5b separate the plurality of recording materials P, and feed only the uppermost recording material P toward the downstream side.

The recording material P fed from the sheet tray <NUM> is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 5c toward a transfer roller <NUM>. By a transfer bias being applied to the transfer roller <NUM>, a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum <NUM> is transferred onto the recording material P. The recording material P having the toner image transferred by the transfer roller <NUM> is subjected to heating and pressure application processing to be performed by a fixing device <NUM>, and the toner image is fixed onto the recording material P. The fixing device <NUM> includes a heating roller 9a including a built-in fixing heater 9c, and a pressure application roller 9b pressed toward the heating roller 9a. Then, the recording material P having the fixed toner image is discharged to the discharge tray <NUM> by a discharging roller pair <NUM>.

In the case of forming images onto both surfaces of the recording material P, by switching back the recording material P having an image formed on the first surface, the discharging roller pair <NUM> guides the recording material P to a double-sided conveyance path <NUM>.

The recording material P guided to the double-sided conveyance path <NUM> is conveyed by a double-sided conveyance roller pair 5d again to the transfer roller <NUM>. After an image is formed by the transfer roller <NUM> on the second surface of the recording material P, the recording material P is discharged by the discharging roller pair <NUM> to the outside of the apparatus. After the toner image is transferred onto the recording material P, the photosensitive drum <NUM> is cleaned by a cleaning unit <NUM> by removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes the circuit substrate <NUM>. The circuit substrate <NUM> includes a wiring plate <NUM> formed of insulating material, and electronic components <NUM> and <NUM> soldered to the wiring plate <NUM>. Because conductive wires are laid out inside and on the plate of the wiring plate <NUM>, the electronic components <NUM> and <NUM> are electrically connected. The circuit substrate <NUM> has a function of converting an alternating current supplied from the outside of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, into a direct current, and converting an input voltage for obtaining a predetermined voltage value necessary for an image forming process.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the circuit substrate <NUM> is arranged in such a manner that the surface of the wiring plate <NUM> on which the electronic components <NUM> and <NUM> are mounted extends in a direction intersecting the discharge direction. Furthermore, the wiring plate <NUM> is provided between the front cover <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM> in the discharge direction. The electronic components <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on a surface of the wiring plate <NUM> that faces the scanner unit <NUM>.

The arrangement of the circuit substrate <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus <NUM> that illustrates the arrangement of the circuit substrate <NUM>. Unlike <FIG>, the illustration of the front cover <NUM> and the exterior cover <NUM> is omitted in <FIG> newly illustrates an installation portion <NUM> for supplying toner. In the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment, a user or a serviceman can supply developer from the installation portion <NUM>, and the installation portion <NUM> is connected with the container <NUM> inside the apparatus. The details of the installation portion <NUM> will be described below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the circuit substrate <NUM> is installed on the front side, and the scanner unit <NUM> and a drive motor <NUM> (drive source) are provided on a further rear side of the circuit substrate <NUM> (minus side in the Y direction). Because the scanner unit <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM> are actually located at invisible positions in <FIG>, these members are indicated by dotted lines.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a right plate frame <NUM>, a left plate frame <NUM>, and a base frame <NUM>. The circuit substrate <NUM> is supported by these frame members, and is mounted on the image forming apparatus <NUM> in such a manner that the plate surface becomes substantially parallel to an XZ plane. Bent portions 72a and 73a provided for reinforcement are formed at the respective end portions in the Y direction of the right plate frame <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM>. The bent portion 72a is bent toward the X direction plus side in such a manner as to be substantially parallel to the XZ plane, and the bent portion 73a is bent toward the X direction minus side in such a manner as to be substantially parallel to the XZ plane. In this manner, by bending the plate frames on the both sides toward the outside of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, it becomes possible to mount electronic components on a broader area of the wiring plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of the image forming apparatus <NUM> that illustrates the arrangement of the circuit substrate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a distance L1 in the X direction between inner surfaces of the right plate frame <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM> is shorter than a length L2 in the X direction of the circuit substrate <NUM>. The wiring plate <NUM> is arranged on the plus side (front side) of the bent portions 72a and 73a in the Y direction. When viewed from the front side, the circuit substrate <NUM> and the bent portions 72a and 73a overlap. Because the bent portions 72a and 73a, the scanner unit <NUM>, and a part of the drive motor <NUM> are actually located at invisible positions in <FIG>, these members are indicated by dotted lines.

By providing the circuit substrate <NUM> on the front side in this manner in such a manner as to bridge the right plate frame <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> needs not to include a bundle wire transversely connecting between the right plate frame <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM> in the Y direction. Because a bundle wire length can be accordingly made shorter than that in a conventional apparatus, a cost can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the shortened length. Furthermore, because a region in which a bundle wire is laid out becomes smaller than that in the conventional apparatus, electrical noise can be reduced.

Next, a positional relationship between the electronic component <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the circuit substrate <NUM> viewed from a main body back side. The electronic components <NUM> having larger sizes in the Y direction than those of other members are gathered in a lower part of the wiring plate <NUM> for effectively utilizing a space, and are mounted in such a manner as to fit within a lower part of the scanner unit <NUM>. A power input unit <NUM> is provided at an end portion of the wiring plate <NUM>. The power input unit <NUM> is connected with an inlet <NUM> to be described below, and receives power supply from a commercial power source.

<FIG> is a diagram of the circuit substrate <NUM> viewed from the main body left side. Because the installation portion <NUM> overlaps a part of the scanner unit <NUM>, and the part is actually located at an invisible position, this region is indicated by a dashed-dotted line. The scanner unit <NUM> is arranged at a position most appropriate for irradiating the photosensitive drum <NUM> with laser light indicated by a dotted line. At a point at which the scanner unit <NUM> and the wiring plate <NUM> come closest to each other in the Y direction, members such as the electronic components <NUM> that considerably protrude from the plate surface are not arranged. In other words, the scanner unit <NUM> and the electronic component <NUM> are arranged by being shifted in the Z direction in such a manner as not to interfere with each other.

<FIG> is an enlarged top view of the circuit substrate <NUM> viewed from the main body top surface. As seen from <FIG>, the scanner unit <NUM> and the electronic component <NUM> are arranged at positions partially overlapping with each other. As described above, because the scanner unit <NUM> is located on the upside of the electronic component <NUM>, the electronic component <NUM> is originally invisible from this direction. In <FIG>, for clearly indicating a positional relationship between the two members, the scanner unit <NUM> is indicated by a dotted line, and the electronic component <NUM> is illustrated in a perspective manner.

By arranging the electronic component <NUM> at the above-described position in this manner, a distance in the Y direction (front-back direction) between the circuit substrate <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM> can be shortened, and the image forming apparatus <NUM> can be downsized.

Next, a positional relationship between the electronic component <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. The drive motor <NUM> has a function of rotating the photosensitive drum <NUM> and a conveyance member (the pickup roller <NUM>, the feeding roller 5a, the conveyance roller pair 5c, etc.) for feeding and conveying the recording material P.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the drive motor <NUM> protrudes toward the minus side in the X direction, and the wiring plate <NUM> is arranged on the main body front side of the drive motor <NUM>. It can be seen that the electronic component <NUM> is mounted by avoiding the drive motor <NUM> in such a manner as not to interfere with the drive motor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when viewed from the main body left side surface, the drive motor <NUM> and the electronic component <NUM> are arranged at positions partially overlapping each other. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, when viewed from the main body top surface, the drive motor <NUM> and the electronic component <NUM> are arranged by being shifted in the X direction in such a manner as not to interfere with each other.

By arranging the electronic component <NUM> at the above-described position in this manner, it is possible to shorten a distance in the Y direction (front-back direction) between the circuit substrate <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM>, and downsize the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

Next, a configuration of attaching the scanner unit <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM> to the main body will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> is a diagram obtained by adding the right plate frame <NUM> and a scanner holding member <NUM> to the perspective view in <FIG>. The illustration of the left plate frame <NUM> and the base frame <NUM> is omitted.

The scanner unit <NUM> is held by the scanner holding member <NUM>. The scanner holding member <NUM> is fixed to the right plate frame <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>), and is configured to pass through the lower part of the installation portion <NUM> and bridge the two frames. On the other hand, the drive motor <NUM> is attached to the right plate frame <NUM>, and a gear coupled to the drive motor <NUM> is provided on the X direction plus side (right side) of the right plate frame <NUM>. Drive force of the drive motor <NUM> is transmitted to the feeding roller 5a and the photosensitive drum <NUM> via the gear.

Next, a configuration of the circuit substrate <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a back view of the circuit substrate <NUM> viewed from the main body back side. <FIG> illustrates not only the circuit substrate <NUM> but also the scanner unit <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM>, and the installation portion <NUM> together. <FIG> illustrates only the circuit substrate <NUM>.

The circuit substrate <NUM> includes a low-voltage power source unit <NUM> that takes in alternating-current power from an external commercial power source and converts the alternating-current power into direct-current power, and a high-voltage power source unit <NUM> for supplying a high voltage necessary for image formation, to each process member. On the circuit substrate <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment, the low-voltage power source unit <NUM> and the high-voltage power source unit <NUM> are mounted on the same substrate.

The low-voltage power source unit <NUM> includes a low-voltage power transformer <NUM>, a heatsink <NUM>, and an electrolytic capacitor <NUM> as the electronic components <NUM> having large sizes in the Y direction. The low-voltage power source unit <NUM> further includes the power input unit <NUM>. The high-voltage power source unit <NUM> includes a charging transformer <NUM>, a development transformer <NUM>, and a transfer transformer <NUM> as the electronic components <NUM> having large sizes in the Y direction. As clearly seen from <FIG>, all the electronic components <NUM> and <NUM> having large sizes in the Y direction are arranged in such a manner as to avoid the positions of the scanner unit <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM>, and the installation portion <NUM>.

Other components provided on the circuit substrate <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. A plurality of connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is provided at upper or lower end portions of the circuit substrate <NUM>, and the circuit substrate <NUM> is connected with various members by a bundle wire. The connector <NUM> is connected with the drive motor <NUM> and a sensor (not illustrated) that detects the recording material P being conveyed. The connector <NUM> is connected with a laser output unit (not illustrated) of the scanner unit <NUM>, and a scanner motor (not illustrated) for rotating a polygon mirror. The connector <NUM> is connected with a control panel (not illustrated) including a power switch and an execution key to be operated by the user, and a video controller <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is connected with the fixing heater 9c. In a shaded portion <NUM> facing the drive motor <NUM>, electronic components having small sizes in the Y direction among components in the high-voltage power source unit <NUM> are mounted. Specifically, a resistor and a jumper line are provided. The resistor provided at the position has a function of adjusting various biases output from the charging transformer <NUM>, the development transformer <NUM>, and the transfer transformer <NUM>.

Next, functions of the low-voltage power source unit <NUM> and the high-voltage power source unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating functions of the circuit substrate <NUM>.

First of all, the low-voltage power source unit <NUM> takes in power from an external power source via the power input unit <NUM> mounted at a substrate end portion, and converts an alternating-current voltage into a stable direct-current voltage by a rectification smoothing circuit including an electrolytic capacitor <NUM>. After that, the low-voltage power source unit <NUM> converts a direct-current voltage into a high-frequency alternating-current voltage by a switching element such as a transistor, and inputs the high-frequency alternating-current voltage to the low-voltage power transformer <NUM>. The low-voltage power transformer <NUM> converts the high-frequency alternating-current voltage, which is an input voltage, into an alternating-current voltage (output voltage) having a desired voltage value. The low-voltage power source unit <NUM> converts the alternating-current voltage into a direct-current voltage again, and outputs the obtained direct-current voltage to the high-voltage power source unit <NUM>. Because the loss of individual circuit components appears as heat in the low-voltage power source unit <NUM>, the heatsink <NUM> manufactured using aluminum or iron is provided for releasing heat.

The high-voltage power source unit <NUM> converts a voltage (e.g., <NUM> V) supplied from the low-voltage power source unit <NUM>, into a high voltage necessary for an image forming process such as charging, development, and transfer. The charging transformer <NUM> converts a voltage supplied from the low-voltage power source unit <NUM>, into a charging voltage, and the converted voltage is then supplied to the charging roller <NUM>. The development transformer <NUM> converts a voltage supplied from the low-voltage power source unit <NUM>, into a development voltage, and the converted voltage is then supplied to the development roller <NUM>. The transfer transformer <NUM> converts a voltage supplied from the low-voltage power source unit <NUM>, into a transfer voltage, and the converted voltage is then supplied to the transfer roller <NUM>.

The low-voltage power source unit <NUM> supplies a voltage (e.g., <NUM> V or <NUM> V) not only to the high-voltage power source unit <NUM> but also to the scanner unit <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM>, an engine controller <NUM>, and the video controller <NUM>. The engine controller <NUM> functions as a control unit that comprehensively controls various process members. The engine controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) (not illustrated), a random access memory (RAM) (not illustrated) used for calculating and temporarily storing data necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and a read-only memory (ROM) (not illustrated) storing programs and various types of data for controlling the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The video controller <NUM> has a function of receiving print data by communicating with an external device such as a personal computer, and notifying the engine controller <NUM> of an analysis result of the print data. The engine controller <NUM> and the video controller <NUM> may be provided on a substrate different from the circuit substrate <NUM>, or may be provided on the same substrate. In the present exemplary embodiment, the engine controller <NUM> is provided on the circuit substrate <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Alternating-current power received by the power input unit <NUM> from a commercial power source is supplied not only to the low-voltage power source unit <NUM> but also to the fixing heater 9c. On the circuit substrate <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a triac (not illustrated) is provided between the power input unit <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. The temperature of the fixing heater 9c can be adjusted by switching between on and off of the triac and changing a sinusoidal waveform. The rollers in the fixing device <NUM> are driven by the drive motor <NUM>.

Next, the installation portion <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. As described above, the image forming apparatus <NUM> is provided with the installation portion <NUM> for supplying toner from the outside without detaching the container <NUM> from the housing <NUM> in a case where a remaining amount of toner in the container <NUM> becomes small.

The installation portion <NUM> has a configuration to which the replenishment pack <NUM> serving as a replenishment cartridge, which will be described below, can be attached.

<FIG> is a left side view of the image forming apparatus <NUM> viewed from the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum <NUM>. In <FIG>, the exterior cover <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM> are removed. The installation portion <NUM> includes an operation unit <NUM> to which the replenishment pack <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>) is to be attached, a toner acceptance portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape, and a replenishment pathway portion <NUM> connecting the container <NUM> and the toner acceptance portion <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> forms a replenishment port <NUM>, which is a space for inserting the replenishment pack <NUM>. Through the replenishment port <NUM>, toner moves to the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the replenishment pathway portion <NUM> in this order, and toner is finally supplied to the container <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> includes a rotary lever 201b serving as a grip member to be gripped by the user for rotating the operation unit <NUM>.

Because the installation portion <NUM> overlaps a part of the scanner unit <NUM> and the part is actually located at an invisible position, this region is indicated by a dotted line in <FIG>. Specifically, the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the replenishment pathway portion <NUM> of the installation portion <NUM> overlap the scanner unit <NUM>. More specifically, the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the replenishment pathway portion <NUM> are located at positions overlapping the scanner unit <NUM> in the Z direction. When a region in the Y direction (horizontal direction) in which the replenishment port <NUM> is provided is denoted by R1, and a region in the Y direction in which the scanner unit <NUM> is provided is denoted by R2, the regions R1 and R2 overlap.

A virtual surface passing through an upper end portion 18b located at an uppermost position of a frame member 18a of the container <NUM>, and being parallel to the horizontal surface is denoted by S. In <FIG>, the virtual surface S is indicated by a dashed-dotted line. It can be seen that a part of the installation portion <NUM> is located on the plus side (upside) in the Z direction with respect to the virtual surface S. In other words, a part of the installation portion <NUM> protrudes toward the upside with respect to the upper end portion 18b of the container <NUM>. Specifically, the part of the installation portion <NUM> includes the entire operation unit <NUM>, a part of the toner acceptance portion <NUM>, and a part of the replenishment pathway portion <NUM>. In addition, the parts of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the replenishment pathway portion <NUM> that protrude toward the upside from the virtual surface S overlap the scanner unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, because a drum frame member 11a supporting the photosensitive drum <NUM> overlaps a part of the container <NUM>, and the part is actually located at an invisible position, the region is indicated by a dotted line.

The container <NUM> supports the development roller <NUM> bearing developer. Because the development roller <NUM> is actually located at an invisible position as well, the development roller <NUM> is indicated by a dotted line in <FIG>.

In a bottom part of the installation portion <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM> is provided at a place facing an insertion direction of a replenishment container. The details of the function of the communication unit <NUM> will be described below. <FIG> is a top view of the image forming apparatus <NUM> from which the exterior cover <NUM> is removed. As described above, the operation unit <NUM> forms the replenishment port <NUM> through which an insertion portion <NUM> passes. Furthermore, the operation unit <NUM> includes a ring portion 201a arranged in such a manner as to surround the replenishment port <NUM>, and the rotary lever 201b connected to the ring portion 201a. As illustrated in <FIG>, a width in the X direction of the installation portion <NUM> is shorter than a width in the X direction of the container <NUM>.

Laser light emitted from the scanner unit <NUM> onto the photosensitive drum <NUM> spreads in a trapezoidal shape as illustrated in <FIG>, by the function of a polygon mirror (not illustrated) and a lens (not illustrated). Thus, a width of the scanner unit <NUM> in the X direction is shorter than a width of the photosensitive drum <NUM> in the X direction. A space is consequently produced between the left end of the scanner unit <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM>, and the installation portion <NUM> is provided in the space in the present exemplary embodiment. In other words, as illustrated in <FIG>, the installation portion <NUM> is provided between the scanner unit <NUM> and the left plate frame <NUM> in the X direction. Furthermore, the replenishment port <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM> are adjacently provided within a region in the X direction in which the container <NUM> is provided. By providing the installation portion <NUM> at such a position, the influence on the size of the image forming apparatus <NUM> can be reduced.

The installation portion <NUM> is provided on the opposite side of the drive motor <NUM> across the scanner unit <NUM>. Because the drive motor <NUM> employed in the present exemplary embodiment is relatively small, as illustrated in <FIG>, the installation portion <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM> do not overlap in the Z direction. Thus, the installation portion <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM> can be provided on the same side of the scanner unit <NUM>. Nevertheless, in a case where the drive motor <NUM> having a larger size is employed, the installation portion <NUM> is to be provided at a position shifted upward. The image forming apparatus <NUM> consequently upsizes.

In a case where a configuration of providing the installation portion <NUM> on the opposite side of the drive motor <NUM> is adopted as described in the present exemplary embodiment, the drive motor <NUM> having a larger size can be employed without upsizing the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In other words, a degree of freedom in design can be ensured. <FIG> is a perspective view of a developer container <NUM> including the container <NUM> and the installation portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, the illustration of the operation unit <NUM> of the installation portion <NUM>, and some members associated with the operation unit <NUM> is omitted. As illustrated in <FIG>, the installation portion <NUM> includes an acceptance opening <NUM> that leads to the replenishment pathway portion <NUM> and that is formed on an inside wall of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape. The acceptance opening <NUM> is a lateral opening provided on the side surface of the inside wall of the toner acceptance portion <NUM>. Toner is guided from the toner acceptance portion <NUM> to the replenishment pathway portion <NUM> via the acceptance opening <NUM>, and then stored into the container <NUM> via the replenishment pathway portion <NUM>.

<FIG> are enlarged perspective views of the installation portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, because the acceptance opening <NUM> formed on the toner acceptance portion <NUM> is blocked by a main body shutter portion <NUM> serving as a movable member, and is actually invisible, the acceptance opening <NUM> is indicated by a dotted line. The main body shutter portion <NUM> is a cylindrical member concentric with the toner acceptance portion <NUM>, and is provided inside the toner acceptance portion <NUM>. A shutter opening <NUM> for letting toner through is also formed on the main body shutter portion <NUM>. The shutter opening <NUM> is a connecting opening for connecting the acceptance opening <NUM> and a lateral opening <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

Because the acceptance opening <NUM> and the shutter opening <NUM> are located at shifted positions in <FIG>, the acceptance opening <NUM> is blocked.

A first drive force transmission rib 201d of the operation unit <NUM> and a second drive force transmission rib 206a of the main body shutter portion <NUM> can engage with a drive force transmitted unit 314b of a pack shutter portion <NUM>, which will be described below in detail.

By attaching the replenishment pack <NUM>, these transmission ribs engage with the drive force transmitted unit 314b of the pack shutter portion <NUM>. The drive force transmitted unit 314b of the pack shutter portion <NUM> is an engaged portion. The second drive force transmission rib 206a of the main body shutter portion <NUM> is a first engagement portion included in a movable member (second rotary member). The first drive force transmission rib 201d of the operation unit <NUM> is a second engagement portion.

In this state, the user can grip the rotary lever 201b, and rotate the rotary lever 201b by approximately <NUM>° from the state in <FIG> to the state in <FIG>. The main body shutter portion <NUM>, which is a movable member, can be rotated within the toner acceptance portion <NUM> of the main body shutter portion <NUM> in accordance with the rotation of the rotary lever 201b. In the present exemplary embodiment, the main body shutter portion <NUM> is a movable member included in a regulation unit, or the main body shutter portion <NUM> is also a second rotary member. In <FIG>, because the acceptance opening <NUM> and the shutter opening <NUM> are located at overlapping positions, the acceptance opening <NUM> is open, and toner can be supplied via the acceptance opening <NUM> in this state.

When an image is to be formed onto the recording material P, toner is agitated within the container <NUM> by an agitation member (not illustrated). Thus, the acceptance opening <NUM> is blocked in such a manner as to prevent toner from leaking from the acceptance opening <NUM>. At the time of image formation (after the end of toner replenishment), the rotary lever 201b is moved to a first position illustrated in <FIG>. The first position will be referred to as a default position.

In the present exemplary embodiment, because the main body shutter portion <NUM> and the rotary lever 201b rotate integrally, the main body shutter portion <NUM> is also located at the default position in a state in which the rotary lever 201b is located at the default position.

On the other hand, when the container <NUM> is replenished with toner from the replenishment pack <NUM> to be described below, the acceptance opening <NUM> is to be opened. The rotary lever 201b is therefore caused to reach a second position illustrated in <FIG>, at the time of toner replenishment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second position is a regulation position at which the replenishment pack <NUM> is regulated in such a manner as not to be detached, and is also a replenishment position at which toner is supplied from the replenishment pack <NUM>. The second position is a position distant from the first position. In the present exemplary embodiment, because the main body shutter portion <NUM> and the rotary lever 201b rotate integrally, the main body shutter portion <NUM> is also located at the regulation position in a state where the rotary lever 201b is located at the regulation position.

The operation unit <NUM> is provided with a detected rib portion 201c serving as a detected portion, and a lever detection sensor <NUM>, which is a first detection device for detecting the rotation of the rotary lever 201b gripped and rotated to the replenishment position. The lever detection sensor <NUM> is a contact-type sensor that conveys an ON signal to the engine controller <NUM> as a detection signal by detecting the contact of the detected rib portion 201c. A contactless sensor may be employed as the lever detection sensor <NUM>.

If the lever detection sensor <NUM> detects the ON signal, a toner suppliable state is caused as illustrated in <FIG>. Thus, the agitation of toner in the container <NUM> is started by the agitation member (not illustrated). This prevents the stagnation of toner near the acceptance opening <NUM>, and enables a smooth toner replenishment operation.

The toner acceptance portion <NUM> further includes a regulation rib 202a. In the present exemplary embodiment, a regulation unit that regulates the detachment of the replenishment pack <NUM> from the installation portion <NUM> in the Z direction is included. In the present exemplary embodiment, the regulation unit includes the regulation rib 202a of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the main body shutter portion <NUM> that moves the pack shutter portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of the communication unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> includes a main body electric contact portion 209a serving as a first electric contact portion, and the main body electric contact portion faces toward the Z direction plus side (upside). The communication unit <NUM> is pressed toward the Z direction plus side by a pressing member <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>).

The details of the engagement with the replenishment pack <NUM> will be described below. The main body shutter portion <NUM> further includes the second drive force transmission rib 206a, and a core positioning hole 206b for positioning a core of the replenishment pack <NUM>.

Next, a configuration of the replenishment pack <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram of the replenishment pack <NUM> viewed from an angle different from that in <FIG>. The replenishment pack <NUM> includes a pouch portion <NUM> storing toner to be supplied, and the cylindrical insertion portion <NUM> to be inserted into the replenishment port <NUM>. The pouch portion <NUM> is a storing unit that stores toner.

The replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the installation portion <NUM> with the insertion portion <NUM> being regarded as a leading end side.

The replenishment pack <NUM> further includes the lateral opening <NUM>, which is a discharge opening for discharging toner and formed on the side surface of the insertion portion <NUM>, and the pack shutter portion <NUM> for stopping up the lateral opening <NUM> in such a manner that toner does not leak from the lateral opening <NUM>. The pack shutter portion <NUM> is a first rotary member rotatable for opening and closing the lateral opening <NUM>. The pouch portion <NUM> has a shape flattened toward the opposite side of the insertion portion <NUM>, and a pouch end portion <NUM> extending in a predetermined direction is formed at the end of the pouch portion <NUM>. A memory tag <NUM> serving as a memory device is provided on the bottom surface of the insertion portion <NUM>. The bottom surface means a bottom surface in the Z direction in a state where the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the replenishment port <NUM>.

The pack shutter portion <NUM> is a cylindrical member concentric with the insertion portion <NUM>, and is provided on the outside of the insertion portion <NUM>. The pack shutter portion <NUM> is configured to be rotatable with respect to the insertion portion <NUM>. If the pack shutter portion <NUM> rotates and an opening of the pack shutter portion <NUM> and the lateral opening <NUM> of the insertion portion <NUM> match, toner can be supplied from the replenishment pack <NUM>.

Because the lateral opening <NUM> formed on the insertion portion <NUM> is covered by the pack shutter portion <NUM>, and is actually invisible in <FIG>, the lateral opening <NUM> is indicated by a dotted line. The drive force transmitted unit 314b is provided on the side surface of the pack shutter portion <NUM>. When the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted into the replenishment port <NUM>, the drive force transmitted unit 314b engages with the first drive force transmission rib 201d and the second drive force transmission rib 206a illustrated in <FIG>.

A positioning slit portion 314c is provided on the side surface of the pack shutter portion <NUM>. By the rotation of the pack shutter portion <NUM>, the regulation rib 202a provided on the above-described toner acceptance portion <NUM> enters the positioning slit portion 314c. In this state, the regulation rib 202a is in a state of being contactable with the positioning slit portion 314c.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of the memory tag <NUM> arranged on the bottom surface of the replenishment pack <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating only the memory tag <NUM>. The memory tag <NUM> is a plate-like member with an area of <NUM> × <NUM>, and a thickness of <NUM>. The memory tag <NUM> is fixed to the insertion portion <NUM> in a state where an electric contact portion 318a serving as a second electric contact portion is exposed toward the bottom surface side. The memory tag <NUM> includes a storage element 318d on a rear surface 318c on the opposite side of a front surface 318b on which the electric contact portion 318a is provided. The storage element 318d stores information regarding the replenishment pack <NUM> such as a lot number, an amount of stored toner, and characteristics information of the replenishment pack <NUM>, and characteristics information of an image forming apparatus to which the replenishment pack <NUM> is to be attached. By electrically communicating with the storage element 318d via the electric contact portion 318a, the engine controller <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> reads out information in the storage element 318d, and uses the information for controlling the image forming apparatus <NUM>. A core positioning rib 312a for positioning a core of the main body shutter portion <NUM> when the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the installation portion <NUM> is provided on the bottom surface of the replenishment pack <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the memory tag <NUM> on which the electric contact portion 318a is mounted is arranged on the bottom surface of the insertion portion <NUM>, but it is sufficient that the electric contact portion 318a is arranged on the bottom surface. For example, a configuration in which the storage element 318d communicating with the electric contact portion 318a is held on a portion other than the bottom surface of the insertion portion <NUM>, and is connected therefrom with the electric contact portion 318a on the bottom surface by a conductive member such as a coil spring may be adopted.

Next, a toner replenishment procedure that uses the replenishment pack <NUM>, and a communication procedure of the memory tag <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> are perspective views of the image forming apparatus <NUM> in a state where the discharge tray <NUM> is opened or closed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the discharge tray <NUM> has a retractable configuration movable between a stack position illustrated in <FIG>, at which the discharge tray <NUM> covers the installation portion <NUM> and the recording material P discharged from the discharge port <NUM> can be stacked, and a position illustrated in <FIG>, at which the installation portion <NUM> is exposed. Because the installation portion <NUM> is provided in an upper part of the main body front surface of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the user can easily access the installation portion <NUM> at the time of replenishment.

When toner is to be supplied, the recording material P stacked on the discharge tray <NUM> is removed, and the discharge tray <NUM> is opened and moved to the position illustrated in <FIG>. If the discharge tray <NUM> is opened, the installation portion <NUM> and a top surface portion <NUM> provided adjacently to the installation portion <NUM> are exposed. Then, the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted into the exposed installation portion <NUM>. At this time, as described above, the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted in such a manner that the positions of the first drive force transmission rib 201d and the second drive force transmission rib 206a (<FIG>) provided on the installation portion <NUM>, and the drive force transmitted unit 314b (<FIG>) provided on the replenishment pack <NUM> match.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted into the installation portion <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, when a direction D in which the pouch end portion <NUM> extends becomes parallel to the X direction as illustrated in <FIG>, the replenishment pack <NUM> can be inserted. <FIG> illustrates a state in which the rotary lever 201b is moved from the default position to the replenishment position. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a state in which the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the installation portion <NUM>, the entire pouch portion <NUM> of the replenishment pack <NUM> is not accommodated inside the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and the pouch portion <NUM> is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Depending on the shapes of the insertion portion <NUM> and the pouch portion <NUM>, a configuration in which the insertion portion <NUM> and a part of the pouch portion <NUM> are accommodated inside the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be adopted.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional enlarged view illustrating the memory tag <NUM> in a state where the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached. While the replenishment pack <NUM> is being inserted, the side surface of the core positioning rib 312a (<FIG>) arranged on the bottom surface of the insertion portion <NUM> of the replenishment pack <NUM> engages with the core positioning hole 206b of the main body shutter portion <NUM>, and the core is positioned. Then, the core positioning rib 312a of the replenishment pack <NUM> engages with the communication unit <NUM>, and the electric contact portion 318a of the memory tag <NUM> and the main body electric contact portion 209a of the communication unit <NUM> contact and enter a state in which communication can be electrically performed.

The communication unit <NUM> is pressed by the pressing member <NUM> toward the direction of the memory tag <NUM>, and a position in the Z direction is determined by an abutting portion 209b of the communication unit <NUM> abutting an abutting portion 312b of the insertion portion <NUM>. In this way, contact pressure of the electric contact portion is ensured.

<FIG> are perspective views illustrating a regulation unit for regulating the detachment of the replenishment pack <NUM> from the installation portion <NUM> in a detachment direction. For making the components easily viewable, a part of components such as the operation unit <NUM> is not displayed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, at the default position, the positioning slit portion 314c of the replenishment pack <NUM> and the regulation rib 202a of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> are not engaged, and the replenishment pack <NUM> is in a state of being detachable from the installation portion <NUM>. On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, at the replenishment position, a state in which the regulation rib 202a provided on the toner acceptance portion <NUM> enters the positioning slit portion 314c is caused. This state is a state in which the positioning slit portion 314c engages with the regulation rib 202a, and the replenishment pack <NUM> is positioned in the Z direction. In other words, this state is a state in which the replenishment pack <NUM> cannot be detached from the installation portion <NUM>.

In a state where the rotary lever 201b is located at the default position, the replenishment pack <NUM> might be detached from the installation portion <NUM> while power supply or communication is being performed between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM>. In a state of being attached to the installation portion <NUM>, the replenishment pack <NUM> is not accommodated inside the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the pouch portion <NUM> of the replenishment pack <NUM> is visible to the user. Thus, while power supply or communication is being performed between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM>, the replenishment pack <NUM> might be detached from the installation portion <NUM>. For example, in a case where authentication of the memory tag <NUM> is performed as communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM>, the authentication might fail due to the detachment of the replenishment pack <NUM> from the installation portion <NUM>. By detaching the replenishment pack <NUM> from the installation portion <NUM> while communication is being performed between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM>, the memory tag <NUM> might be damaged.

The present exemplary embodiment is characterized in that power supply between the memory tag <NUM> and the engine controller <NUM> is started after the regulation unit causes a state in which the replenishment pack <NUM> cannot be detached from the installation portion <NUM>.

As described above, if the rotary lever 201b is moved to the replenishment position, the main body shutter portion <NUM> and the pack shutter portion <NUM> rotate, and the acceptance opening <NUM> (<FIG>) formed on the toner acceptance portion <NUM> opens. The lateral opening <NUM> (<FIG>) formed on the insertion portion <NUM> is configured to open together with the opening of the acceptance opening <NUM>. Then, the acceptance opening <NUM> formed on the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the lateral opening <NUM> formed on the insertion portion <NUM> are in a positional relationship of facing each other when the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted into the installation portion <NUM>. Thus, when the rotary lever 201b is moved from the default position to the replenishment position, the replenishment pack <NUM> and the container <NUM> connect with each other, and toner can be supplied from the replenishment pack <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, by rotating the rotary lever 201b by approximately <NUM>°, the lever detection sensor <NUM> detects the rotation. Being triggered by the detection, communication of the memory tag <NUM> is started by the control of the engine controller <NUM>. During the communication, the above-described regulation unit keeps a region in which the replenishment pack <NUM> is operable with respect to the installation portion <NUM> within a range in which the communication unit <NUM> pressed by pressing member <NUM> can maintain a contact state with the memory tag <NUM> and can track the memory tag <NUM>. Thus, a contact state between the memory tag <NUM> and the communication unit <NUM> is guaranteed, and stable communication can be performed.

Communication between the memory tag <NUM> and communication unit <NUM> is performed, and a toner suppliable state is caused. Then, after the completion of toner replenishment, an operation of returning the rotary lever 201b to the original default position is performed. At this time, contrary to a lever operation to the replenishment position, first of all, the main body shutter portion <NUM> of the installation portion <NUM> and the pack shutter portion <NUM> of the replenishment pack <NUM> rotate together, and the acceptance opening <NUM> and the lateral opening <NUM> of the respective shutter portions are closed. After that, by returning the rotary lever 201b to the default position, engagement between the positioning slit portion 314c of the replenishment pack <NUM> and the regulation rib 202a of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> is released, and the replenishment pack <NUM> becomes detachable from the installation portion <NUM>. With this configuration, in a case where the replenishment pack <NUM> is not inserted into the installation portion <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the main body shutter portion <NUM> and the pack shutter portion <NUM> are closed, and leakage of toner can be prevented.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a timing of communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment.

First of all, when toner is to be supplied, the discharge tray <NUM> is opened, and the installation portion <NUM> and the top surface portion <NUM> provided adjacently to the installation portion <NUM> are exposed. Then, in step S101, the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the exposed installation portion <NUM>.

In step S102, the engine controller <NUM> determines whether the lever detection sensor <NUM> has detected the detected rib portion 201c of the operation unit <NUM>. In a case where the lever detection sensor <NUM> has detected the detected rib portion 201c (YES in step S102), the processing proceeds to step S103. In step S103, power supply to the memory tag <NUM> is started. As described above, a state in which the lever detection sensor <NUM> has detected the detected rib portion 201c of the operation unit <NUM> is a state in which the replenishment pack <NUM> is regulated in such a manner as not to be detached from the installation portion <NUM>. Because the replenishment pack <NUM> is in a state of being regulated in such a manner as not to be detached from the installation portion <NUM>, even when power supply from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> is started, a failure in communication or authentication, and damages to the memory tag <NUM> can be prevented.

In the present exemplary embodiment, power supply from the engine controller <NUM> and communication between the memory tag <NUM> and the engine controller <NUM> are concurrently performed via the main body electric contact portion 209a and the electric contact portion 318a. In the present exemplary embodiment, by performing communication between the memory tag <NUM> and the engine controller <NUM>, an authentication sequence is executed. In the authentication sequence, for example, a lot number of the replenishment pack <NUM>, an amount of stored toner, and characteristic information are read out from the memory tag <NUM>.

When the rotary lever 201b is moved from the default position to the replenishment position, the replenishment pack <NUM> and the container <NUM> connect with each other, and toner can be supplied from the replenishment pack <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, it becomes possible for the user to perform a toner replenishment operation simultaneously with the authentication sequence. Because the time of the authentication sequence is extremely shorter than a time taken for a replenishment operation, in step S104, the authentication sequence is completed during the replenishment operation, and communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM> ends.

When the replenishment operation is ended by the user, the user moves the rotary lever 201b to the default position. In step S105, it is determined whether the lever detection sensor <NUM> is in an off state. If the lever detection sensor <NUM> is in an off state (YES in step S105), power supply from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> has already ended. Thus, the processing proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the replenishment pack <NUM> is detached from the installation portion <NUM> while preventing damages to the memory tag <NUM>.

According to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, a contact state between the memory tag <NUM> and the communication unit <NUM> is guaranteed by the regulation unit, and stable communication can be performed between the memory tag <NUM> and the engine controller <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> is started at a position at which the rotary lever 201b is rotated by approximately <NUM>°. Thus, at a timing at which communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> is started, toner replenishment is performed from the replenishment pack <NUM>. In view of the foregoing, by adding a second lever detection sensor <NUM> in addition to the lever detection sensor <NUM>, communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> may be started before the start of toner replenishment from the replenishment pack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a modified example. The second lever detection sensor <NUM> serving as a second detection device is arranged at a position at which the second lever detection sensor <NUM> detects the rotation when the rotary lever 201b is rotated from the default position by approximately <NUM>°. The second lever detection sensor <NUM> is a contact-type sensor similar to the lever detection sensor <NUM>.

Positioning in the Z direction of the replenishment pack <NUM> is completed when the rotary lever 201b is rotated from the default position by approximately <NUM>°. At that timing, the rotation of the rotary lever 201b is locked by a certain mechanism (not illustrated) such as a solenoid. If the second lever detection sensor <NUM> enters an on state in a state where detachment of the replenishment pack <NUM> is regulated, the engine controller <NUM> supplies power to the memory tag <NUM>, and starts communication. Then, after the completion of communication, the lock in the rotational direction of the rotary lever 201b is canceled and rotated up to <NUM>°. At the position, the rotary lever 201b is detected by the lever detection sensor <NUM>, and a toner suppliable state is caused. According to the configuration of the modified example, toner replenishment is not performed until communication is completed, and after the completion of communication, toner replenishment can be started.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration of the regulation unit in which the regulation rib 202a of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> contacts the positioning slit portion 314c provided on the pack shutter portion <NUM>, but a slit portion may be provided on the toner acceptance portion <NUM> side. When the main body shutter portion <NUM> and the pack shutter portion <NUM> rotate integrally and reach the second position, a regulation rib provided in the replenishment pack <NUM> may overlap a slit portion provided in the toner acceptance portion <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the regulation in the Z direction of the replenishment pack <NUM> with respect to the installation portion <NUM> is performed by an operation of integrally rotating the rotary lever 201b and the main body shutter portion <NUM>, which is a movable member, but the operation needs not be a rotating operation. For example, by employing a linearly operated lever as a movable member, and operating the linearly operated lever, the regulation in the Z direction of the replenishment pack <NUM> with respect to the installation portion <NUM> may be performed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the regulation in the Z direction of the replenishment pack <NUM> with respect to the installation portion <NUM> is performed in conjunction with a rotational movement of the main body shutter portion <NUM> and the pack shutter portion <NUM> used for opening and closing the lateral opening <NUM>, but the regulation needs not be performed in conjunction with the rotational movement. The main body shutter portion <NUM> and the pack shutter portion <NUM> may be configured to rotate after the regulation is completed by the regulation unit.

Hereinafter, a second exemplary embodiment will be described. In the second exemplary embodiment, the components having the same or corresponding functions and configurations as those of the first exemplary embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and the redundant description will be omitted.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the description has been given of a configuration of preventing detachment of the replenishment pack <NUM> and opening and closing the shutter of the replenishment pack <NUM> by rotating the rotary lever 201b provided in the operation unit <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the description will be given of a configuration of preventing detachment of the replenishment pack <NUM> and opening and closing the shutter of the replenishment pack <NUM> in a configuration not having the operation unit <NUM>.

The configuration of the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. For making functional components easily viewable, a part of holding members is not illustrated. As illustrated in <FIG>, in parallel to the communication unit <NUM> arranged similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, an installation detection sensor <NUM> serving as an installation detection means for detecting the installation of the replenishment pack <NUM> is arranged on the bottom surface of a replenishment unit. The installation detection sensor <NUM> is a contact-type sensor, but may be a contactless sensor.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a main body shutter portion <NUM> includes a worm wheel portion 506a, and drive force can be transmitted from a brush motor <NUM> via a gear train portion <NUM>, including a plurality of gears, and a worm gear <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the main body shutter portion <NUM> serves as a movable member provided in the regulation unit, or the main body shutter portion <NUM> also serves as a second rotary member.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the regulation unit includes the regulation rib 202a of the toner acceptance portion <NUM> and the main body shutter portion <NUM> that moves the pack shutter portion <NUM>.

An encoder <NUM> and a rotation detection sensor <NUM> arranged inside a drive train are provided for performing rotation control of the brush motor <NUM>. A second detection device that detects the number of rotations of the brush motor <NUM> includes the encoder <NUM> and the rotation detection sensor <NUM>. Furthermore, a position detection sensor <NUM> (first detection device in the second exemplary embodiment) for detecting a rotational position of the main body shutter portion <NUM> is included. The main body shutter portion <NUM> includes a position detection rib 506b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, drive force transmission components such as a top surface portion <NUM> and the worm gear <NUM> are arranged so as to extend along the angle of the discharge tray <NUM>. By obliquely arranging the worm gear <NUM> so as to extend along the top surface portion <NUM>, it becomes possible to fit almost all the drive force transmission components within a width in the height direction of the installation portion <NUM>, and this contributes to the downsizing of the image forming apparatus.

As illustrated in a perspective view in <FIG>, a detachment button <NUM> to be used by the user for detaching the replenishment pack <NUM> from the installation portion <NUM> after the completion of toner replenishment performed by the user is provided on the right side of the installation portion <NUM> of the top surface portion <NUM>. Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps <NUM> and <NUM> for notifying the user of a state during a replenishment operation are also provided on the right side of the installation portion <NUM> of the top surface portion <NUM>. The detachment button <NUM> and the LED lamps <NUM> are connected to the engine controller <NUM>.

A toner replenishment operation according to the present exemplary embodiment, and operations of power supply and communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM> will be described with reference to a cross-sectional view in <FIG> and perspective views in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a position in a state where the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the installation portion <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a position in a state where the replenishment pack <NUM> is regulated in such a manner as not to be detached from the installation portion <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, in the state in <FIG>, the engine controller <NUM> supplies power to the memory tag <NUM> and communicates with the memory tag <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a position at which toner replenishment can be performed from the replenishment pack <NUM>.

In a state before the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted, the installation detection sensor <NUM> is in an OFF state and the position detection sensor <NUM> is in an ON state.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the replenishment pack <NUM> is inserted into the replenishment unit <NUM>, the electric contact portion 318a of the memory tag <NUM> on the replenishment pack bottom surface and the main body electric contact portion 209a of the communication unit <NUM> contact, and the installation detection sensor <NUM> is switched from OFF to ON by an installation detection rib 312c provided on the insertion portion <NUM> of the replenishment pack <NUM> (<FIG>).

As a result, the brush motor <NUM> starts to be driven to rotate in a positive direction. A drive force transmission rib (first engagement portion) of the main body shutter portion <NUM> and a drive force transmitted rib (second engagement portion) of the pack shutter portion <NUM> engage with each other when the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached, and drive force transmission can be performed. Thus, the main body shutter portion <NUM> rotates integrally with the pack shutter portion <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, when the position detection sensor <NUM> is in an ON state, the main body shutter portion <NUM> is located at the first position (default position).

When the position detection sensor <NUM> switches from ON to OFF at the position of approximately <NUM>° from the default position, the engine controller <NUM> reads a signal of the rotation detection sensor <NUM>, and stops the brush motor <NUM> at the position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated by approximately <NUM>° (<FIG>). At the position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated from the default position by approximately <NUM>°, the regulation rib 202a in the Z direction provided on the toner acceptance portion <NUM> enters the positioning slit portion 314c provided on the pack shutter portion <NUM>. In other words, it is a state where the replenishment pack <NUM> is regulated by the regulation unit in such a manner as not to be detached from the installation portion <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated by approximately <NUM>° is a regulation position, and serves as the second position.

The engine controller <NUM> starts power supply to the memory tag <NUM> in this state and communicates with the memory tag <NUM>. During the communication, a region in which the replenishment pack <NUM> is operable with respect to the installation portion <NUM> falls within a range in which the communication unit <NUM> pressed by pressing member <NUM> can maintain a contact state with the memory tag <NUM> and can track the memory tag <NUM>. Thus, a contact state between the memory tag <NUM> and the communication unit <NUM> is guaranteed, and stable communication can be performed. At this stage, because the lateral opening <NUM> for toner replenishment is not open, toner replenishment is not performed.

In a case where communication has succeeded, the engine controller <NUM> again drives the brush motor <NUM> to rotate in the position direction, and stops the brush motor <NUM> at the replenishment position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated from the default position by approximately <NUM>° (<FIG>). In the present exemplary embodiment, a position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated by about <NUM>° is the replenishment position, and also serves as a third position.

At the third position, the replenishment pack <NUM>, the installation portion <NUM>, and the container <NUM> connect with each other, and toner replenishment can be performed. Then, when replenishment is completed by a replenishment operation performed by the user, by the user operating the detachment button <NUM>, the brush motor <NUM> is rotated inversely, and rotates the main body shutter portion <NUM> up to the default position. It thereby becomes possible for the user to detach the replenishment pack <NUM>. A toner replenishment procedure and a communication procedure of the memory tag <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment have been described above.

In a case where the engine controller <NUM> performs communication with the memory tag <NUM> in the state illustrated in <FIG>, and the communication fails, the main body shutter portion <NUM> is not shifted to the replenishment position (<FIG>), the brush motor <NUM> is rotated inversely, and the main body shutter portion <NUM> is shifted to the default position (<FIG>) at which the replenishment pack <NUM> is detachable. A failure in communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment includes communication being unestablished due to a contact failure between the electric contact portion 318a of the memory tag <NUM> and the main body electric contact portion 209a of the communication unit <NUM>. A failure in communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM> also includes a failure in authentication in the authentication sequence between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM>.

For example, the authentication sequence is a sequence for determining whether a presupposed replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the image forming apparatus <NUM> by exchanging information between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM>. For example, if the user erroneously attaches a replenishment pack storing yellow toner to the image forming apparatus <NUM> supposed to use black toner as toner to be supplied, and the container <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> is replenished with yellow toner, black toner and yellow toner are mixed within the container <NUM>, which may cause a disadvantage to the user. Thus, in the authentication sequence, in a case where the engine controller <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> determines that the attached replenishment pack <NUM> is not a replenishment pack storing toner with expected color, the engine controller <NUM> may determine the authentication to be a failure, and rotate the brush motor <NUM> inversely.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a timing of communication between the engine controller <NUM> and the memory tag <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment. First of all, when toner replenishment is to be performed, the discharge tray <NUM> is opened, and the installation portion <NUM> and the top surface portion <NUM> provided adjacently to the installation portion <NUM> are exposed. In a state where the top surface portion <NUM> is exposed, the LED lamp <NUM> may be lit up in green.

Then, in step S201, the replenishment pack <NUM> is attached to the exposed installation portion <NUM>.

In step S202, the engine controller <NUM> determines whether the installation detection sensor <NUM> is switched to ON by the installation detection rib 312c of the replenishment pack <NUM>. In a case where it is determined that the installation detection sensor <NUM> is switched to ON (YES in step S202), the processing proceeds to step S203. In step S203, the brush motor <NUM> is rotated in a positive direction. While the brush motor <NUM> is rotating in the positive direction, the LED lamp <NUM> may be lit up in red.

In step S204, the position detection sensor <NUM> switches from ON to OFF by the rotation of the main body shutter portion <NUM>. After that, in step S205, the engine controller <NUM> reads a signal of the rotation detection sensor <NUM>, and stops the brush motor <NUM> at the position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated by approximately <NUM>°. A state in which the brush motor <NUM> is stopped is a state in which the replenishment pack <NUM> is regulated in such a manner as not to be detached from the installation portion <NUM>. Because the replenishment pack <NUM> is in a state of being regulated in such a manner as not to be detached from the installation portion <NUM>, communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> is started. While communication is being performed from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM>, or when the rotation of the brush motor <NUM> is stopped, the LED lamp <NUM> may be lit up in red. At the position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated by approximately <NUM>°, the lateral opening <NUM> of the replenishment pack <NUM> is closed by the pack shutter portion <NUM>. Thus, toner replenishment is not performed.

In step S206, it is determined whether communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> has succeeded. In a case where the communication has succeeded (YES in step S206), the processing proceeds to step S207. In step S207, communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM> is ended.

After that, the engine controller <NUM> drives the brush motor <NUM> to rotate in the positive direction again, and stops the brush motor <NUM> at the replenishment position at which the main body shutter portion <NUM> is rotated from the default position by approximately <NUM>°.

In this state, the replenishment pack <NUM> and the container <NUM> are connected, and toner replenishment from the replenishment pack <NUM> can be performed.

In step S208, it is determined whether the user has operated the detachment button <NUM>. In a case where the detachment button <NUM> is turned on (YES in step S208), the processing proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the engine controller <NUM> rotates the brush motor <NUM> in a negative direction, and rotates the main body shutter portion <NUM> up to the default position. While the brush motor <NUM> is rotating in the negative direction, the LED lamp <NUM> may be lit up in red. Alternatively, if the position detection sensor <NUM> switches from OFF to ON by the negative rotation of the main body shutter portion <NUM>, the LED lamp <NUM> may be lit up in green. The LED lamps <NUM> and <NUM> may be lit up or blinked in accordance with the phase of the main body shutter portion <NUM> as in the present exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, for example, the LED lamps <NUM> and <NUM> may be lit up or blinked in accordance with a timing of communication from the engine controller <NUM> to the memory tag <NUM>. Then, in step S210, the replenishment pack <NUM> is detached from the installation portion <NUM>.

Also in the present exemplary embodiment, a contact state between the memory tag <NUM> and the communication unit <NUM> is guaranteed by the regulation unit, and stable communication can be performed between the memory tag <NUM> and the engine controller <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus (<NUM>) configured to form an image using toner; and
a replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) configured to supply toner to the image forming apparatus (<NUM>),
wherein the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) includes
a storing unit (<NUM>) storing toner,
a memory device (<NUM>) including a storage element (318d) storing information,
an insertion portion (<NUM>) including a discharge opening (<NUM>) for discharging toner from the storing unit (<NUM>), and
a first rotary member (<NUM>) rotatable for opening and closing the discharge opening (<NUM>), and
wherein the image forming apparatus (<NUM>) includes
an installation portion (<NUM>) to which the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) is attached with the insertion portion (<NUM>) being a leading end side,
a first electric contact portion (209a) that is provided inside the installation portion (<NUM>) and configured to contact a second electric contact portion (318a) of the memory device (<NUM>) included in the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>), in a state where the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) is attached to the installation portion (<NUM>),
a regulation unit that includes a movable member (<NUM>) rotatable to a first position and a second position, and is configured to regulate the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) by the movable member (<NUM>) moving from the first position to the second position, and
a control unit (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the regulation unit is configured to cause a state in which the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) cannot be detached from the installation portion (<NUM>), by rotation of the movable member (<NUM>) from the first position to the second position, and
the control unit starts communication with the memory device (<NUM>) via the first electric contact portion (209a) and the second electric contact portion (318a) after the replenishment cartridge (<NUM>) is regulated in the installation portion (<NUM>) by the regulation unit.