Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is removably mountable.  
         [0002]     Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus means an image forming apparatus which uses an electrophotographic image forming method to form an image on recording medium. As examples of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser printer, LED printer, etc.) a facsimile machine, a word processor, a multifunction printer capable of performing combinations of the functions of the preceding machines, etc., may be included.  
         [0003]     A process cartridge means a cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and at least one of the processing means, for example, a charging means, a developing means, a cleaning means, etc., that processes this drum, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.  
         [0004]     It has been a common practice to attach a memory tag (storage means) capable of storing information, to a process cartridge (which hereafter will be referred to as cartridge). The memory tag is used to control a process cartridge to obtain the optimal performance out of the cartridge.  
         [0005]     There are two types of method for enabling a memory tag and the main assembly of an image forming apparatus (which hereafter will be referred to as apparatus main assembly) to communicate with each other: noncontact type and contact type. The contact type communication method is inexpensive compared to the noncontact type. Therefore, the contact type communication method is more frequently employed than the noncontact type.  
         [0006]     The contact type communication method employs a connector which contacts the memory tag. The connector is attached to the apparatus main assembly. More specifically, it is connected to the communication control circuit of the apparatus main assembly. As the electrical contacts of this connector make contact with the surfaces of the memory tag, the communication control circuit and memory tag are enabled to communicate with each other.  
         [0007]     If the connector remains in the position in which it contacts the memory tag, during the mounting or dismounting of a cartridge, it is possible that the contact points of the connector, or the contact surfaces of the memory tag, will be damaged. Therefore, it is common practice to structure an electrophotographic image forming apparatus so that when mounting or dismounting the cartridge, the connector is separated from the memory tag by the opening or closing movement of a member (which hereafter will be referred to as door) for covering or exposing the opening of the apparatus main assembly.  
         [0008]     In addition, in the case of the contact type communication method, if the connector and memory tag separate from each other when the storage means and the apparatus main assembly are communicating with each other, data loss occurs. As one of the means to prevent this problem, there is the structural arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,876,826. According to this arrangement, after it is detected with the use of a door switch that the door is opened, the process for properly ending the data communication is carried out, and then the connector and memory are separated from each other.  
         [0009]     For the reliable communication, the contact between connector and memory tag must be made after it is ensured that the cartridge is in a preset position in the apparatus main assembly, for the following reason. That is, in order to ensure that the cartridge is properly mounted into the apparatus main assembly, an operator sometimes pushes the cartridge inward when closing the door. Therefore, it is desired that the connector and memory tag are placed in contact with each other just before the door is closed.  
         [0010]     Further, as for the timing for separating the connector from the memory tag, in order to prevent the data loss, it must be after the process for properly ending the communication between the storage means and apparatus main assembly is completed after the state of door (whether or not door is open) is detected by the door switch. Thus, the timing for separating the connector from the memory tag must be such that the point in time at which the connector is separated from the memory tag is as far apart from the point in time at which the door turns off the door switch.  
         [0011]     In essence, it is desired that when the door is closed, the point in time at which the connector and memory tag come into contact with each other is as close as possible to the end of the closing of the door, whereas, when the door is opened, the connector and memory tag are separated from each other after the door switch is turned off by the opening movement of the door, and as close as possible to the end of the opening of the door.  
         [0012]     However, the length of time from when the door switch detects the opening or closing of the door to when the memory tag and connector separate from each other or come into contact with each other is greatly affected by the speed at which the door is opened or closed.  
         [0013]     Therefore, the length of time to be afforded for the process for properly ending the communication between the storage means and apparatus main assembly when separating the connector and memory tag from each other must be set according to the shortest length of time necessary to open the door. Therefore, it is necessary to employ an electric circuit which is fast in data communication speed, inviting cost increase.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which ensures that when the door of the main assembly is opened or closed, the electrical contacts of its main assembly separate from the electrical contacts of a cartridge after the communication between its main assembly and the storage means of a process cartridge has properly ended.  
         [0015]     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a process cartridge which contains said electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means actable on said electrophotographic photosensitive member, memory means for storing information, said memory means being provided with a cartridge contact, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising i) an opening for mounting and demounting said process cartridge; (ii) an openable and closable member movable between an opening position for opening said opening and a closing position for closing said opening; (iii) a detecting member for detecting a closing state of said openable and closable member; (iv) a connector member having a main assembly contact which is movable between a contact position where said main assembly contact contacts said cartridge contact and a separating position where said main assembly contact separates from said cartridge contact; (v) an operation member for moving said connector member from the separating position to the contact position; (vi) a holding member engageable with said operation member to hold said connector member at the contact position; (vii) control means for communicating with said memory means through said connector member after detection of a change of a signal outputted from said detecting member when said openable and closable member moves away from the closing position; (viii) a releasing mechanism for releasing engagement between said holding member and said operation member after said openable and closable member moves from the closing position toward the opening position by a predetermined distance; and (ix) an urging member for urging said connector member in a direction away from the contact position toward the separating position.  
         [0016]     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of the image forming apparatus in one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the control system.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connector supporting member, connector supporting member moving member, retaining member, and disengaging mechanism, as seen from above.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the connector supporting member, connector supporting member moving member, retaining member, and disengaging mechanism, as seen from below.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an external perspective view of the housing.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded and partially cutaway perspective view of the housing.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is an external perspective view of the connector supporting member.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the connector supporting member.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the connector supporting member moving member and a part of the frame.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a schematic drawing the image forming apparatus, the door of which is completely shut, showing the structure thereof.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a schematic drawing of the image forming apparatus, the door of which is in the first stage of opening.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a schematic drawing of the image forming apparatus, the door of which is in the mid stage of opening.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a schematic drawing of the image forming apparatus, the door of which is in the mid stage of opening.  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a drawing showing the movement ( 1 ) of the retaining member.  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a drawing showing the movement ( 2 ) of the retaining member.  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is a drawing showing the movement ( 3 ) of the retaining member.  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a drawing showing the movement ( 4 ) of the retaining member.  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is a drawing showing the movement ( 5 ) of the retaining member.  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  is a drawing showing the movement ( 6 ) of the retaining member.  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  is a drawing showing the movement ( 7 ) of the retaining member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0000]     [Embodiment] 
         [0000]     (1) Overall Structure of Image Forming Apparatus  
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment. This image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser beam printer A (which hereafter will be referred to as printer) in which a process cartridge B (which hereafter will be referred to as cartridge) is removably mountable.  
         [0038]     This printer A outputs an image which it forms on recording medium in accordance with the picture data inputted into the control circuit  100  (control board) from an external host apparatus  200  ( FIG. 2 ) such as a computer. The control circuit  100  controls the signal exchanges among the external host apparatus and various processing devices of the printer A, the preset image formation sequence, etc.  
         [0039]     The cartridge B has an electrophotographic photosensitive drum  7  (which hereafter will be referred to as drum), which is a rotatable image bearing member. This drum  7  is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow mark, at a preset velocity in response to an image formation start signal. As the drum  7  is rotationally driven, the peripheral surface of the drum  7  is uniformly charged to preset polarity and potential level by a charge roller  8  as a charging means. A laser scanner unit  1 , as an optical (exposing) means, has a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens, a full-reflection mirror, etc., and outputs a beam of laser light L while modulating it with picture signals. The uniformly charged area of the peripheral surface of the drum  7  is exposed by this laser beam L. As a result, an electrostatic latent image which reflects the picture signals is formed. This latent image is developed by a developing apparatus  10 , as a developing means, and developer (which hereafter will be referred to as toner), into a visible image, that is, an image formed of toner (which hereafter will be referred to as toner image).  
         [0040]     Meanwhile, a sheet of recording medium  2  set in a sheet feeder cassette  3   a  is conveyed to a transfer station T by a pickup roller  3   b , conveyance roller pairs  3   c ,  3   d , and  3   e , in synchronism with the abovementioned formation of the toner image on the drum  7 .  
         [0041]     In the transfer station T, a transfer roller  4 , as a transferring mean, is disposed in a manner to oppose the drum  7 ; it is disposed in contact with the drum  7 , forming a transfer nip. The recording medium  2  is introduced into the transfer nip, and is conveyed through the transfer nip. While the recording medium  2  is conveyed through the transfer nip, transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller  4 . As a result, the toner image on the drum  7  is transferred onto the surface of the recording medium  2 .  
         [0042]     After receiving the toner image, the recording medium  2  is separated from the drum surface, and is conveyed by a conveyance guide  3   f  to a fixing apparatus  5  as a fixing means.  
         [0043]     After the separation of the recording medium  2  from the drum surface, the drum surface is cleared of adherent residues, such as the toner remaining on the drum surface after the transfer, by a cleaner  11  as a cleaning means, being readied for the next image formation (drum surface is repeatedly used for image formation).  
         [0044]     The fixing apparatus  5  has a driver roller  5   c , and a fixation roller  5   b  which contains a heater  5   a  in its hollow. The recording medium  2  is introduced into the fixation nip formed by the driver roller  5   c  and fixation roller  5   b , and is conveyed through the fixation nip. While the recording medium  2  is conveyed through the fixation nip, the fixing apparatus  5  applies heat and pressure to the recording medium  2 , fixing thereby the transferred toner image to the recording medium  2 .  
         [0045]     After being conveyed through the fixation nip, the recording medium  2  is conveyed between a pair of discharge rollers  3   g , through a reversal path  3   i , and between a pair of discharge roller  3   h . Then, it is discharged into a delivery tray  6  which constitutes a part of the top surface of the printer A.  
         [0046]     Incidentally, it is possible to rotate a flapper  3   j  to allow the recording medium  2  to advance straight so that after the recording medium  2  comes out of the interface between the pair of discharge rollers  3   g , the recording medium  2  is discharged into a second delivery tray  6   a , instead of entering the reversal path  3   i.    
         [0047]     The abovementioned pickup roller  3   b , conveyance roller pairs  3   c ,  3   d , and  3   e , conveyance guide  3   f , discharge roller pairs  3   g  and  3   h , etc., constitute the means for conveying the recording medium  2 .  
         [0048]     In this embodiment, the drum  7 , the processing means, more specifically, the charge roller  3 , developing means  10 , and cleaner  11 , are integrally disposed in a cartridge, making up the process cartridge B which is removably mountable in the main assembly of the printer A.  
         [0049]     The top portion of the main assembly of the printer A is provided with a door  9 , which can be opened or closed to expose or cover the opening D of the main assembly A, through which the cartridge B is mounted or dismounted. The cartridge B can be mounted or dismount by exposing the abovementioned opening D by rotating the door  9  about the hinge shaft  9   a  to the position contoured by the two-dot chain line in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0050]     As the door  9  is opened, the cartridge bay in the main assembly of the printer A becomes visible. As seen from the opening D side, a pair of guide rails (unshown) are visible, which are on the left and right walls of the cartridge bay, one for one. The guide rails are downwardly inclined toward the rear. When mounting the cartridge B into the cartridge bay, the cartridge B is to be held, with its front side (developing apparatus side) facing the front side of the main assembly of the printer A, so that the cartridge B can be inserted from its rear side (cleaner side). More specifically, a pair of positioning bosses, which outwardly project from the left and right lateral walls (as seen from front side of main assembly A) are to be rested on the abovementioned left and right guide rails, one for one. The axial lines of the pair of bosses coincide with the axial line of the drum  7 . Then, the cartridge B is to be inserted all the way into the cartridge bay. As the cartridge B is inserted all the way into the cartridge bay, the abovementioned positioning bosses fit into the cartridge positioning grooves (unshown) of the main assembly of the printer A, locking the cartridge B into the preset image formation position in the main assembly of the printer A. Then, the door  9  is to be closed.  
         [0051]     When the cartridge B is in the preset image formation position, the exposure opening  12  of the cartridge B, with which the top wall of the cartridge B is provided, faces a specific area of the laser scanner unit  1 . Further, as the cartridge B is moved inward of the cartridge bay during the mounting of the cartridge B, the drum cover (unshown), which constitutes a part of the bottom wall of the cartridge B, is opened, exposing thereby the opening, with which the bottom wall of the cartridge B is provided. As a result, the downwardly facing area of the peripheral surface of the drum  7  is allowed to contact the transfer roller  4 , through the opening of the cartridge B, forming a transfer nip. Further, the mechanical and electrical connections are made between the cartridge B and main assembly of the printer A, enabling the printer A to perform an image forming operation. That is, it becomes possible for the drum  7 , and the development roller, toner stirring member, etc., of the developing apparatus  10 , to be driven by the driving means (unshown) with which the main assembly of the printer A is provided. Further, it becomes possible for charge bias and development bias to be applied to the charge roller  8  and development sleeve, respectively, from the electric power supplying means (unshown) on the printer main assembly side. Moreover, electrical connection is established between the electrical sensor (unshown) on the cartridge B side and the control circuit  100  on the main assembly side of the printer A.  
         [0052]     Further, referring to  FIG. 2 , as the cartridge B is mounted into the main assembly of the printer A, the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  (cartridge contacts) of the storage means  60  (memory tag) attached to the drum supporting portion  18  of the frame of the cartridge B come into contact with the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  (main assembly contacts) of the connector  54  on the main assembly side of the printer A, respectively. As a result, the storage means  60 , and the control circuit  100  on the main assembly side of the printer A, are enabled to communicate with each other (contact communication method).  
         [0053]     When removing the cartridge B from the main assembly of the printer A, the above described sequence for mounting the cartridge B is to be carried out in the reverse order. That is, referring to  FIG. 1 , first, the door  9  is to be opened, and the cartridge B is to be pulled rightward in the diagonally upward direction in  FIG. 1 . As the cartridge B is pulled, the cartridge B comes out of the main assembly of the printer A, while being guided by the abovementioned guide rails. As the cartridge B is moved outward, the drum cover closes, covering thereby the opening, with which the bottom wall of the cartridge B is provided. Therefore, the internal components of the cartridge B is protected while the cartridge B is out of the main assembly of the printer A.  
         [0000]     (2) Storage Means  60  and Connector  54   
         [0054]     In this embodiment, the storage means  60  is attached to the drum supporting frame  18 . More concretely, it is attached to the rear surface of the cartridge B, that is, the surface of the cartridge B, which is on the leading side of the cartridge B in terms of the direction in which the cartridge B is inserted into the main assembly of the printer A.  
         [0055]     The storage means  60  is a means for storing the information related to the cartridge and image forming apparatus. More specifically, the storage means  60  is provided with a memory chip  60   c , such as a RAM or a ROM, which is a storage element and is attached to the rear surface of the storage means  60 . Necessary information, for example, cartridge lot number, initial values for image formation conditions, history of an image forming apparatus, characteristics of the image forming apparatus, characteristics of the processing means of the image forming apparatus, etc., are inputted in advance in the memory chip  60   c . When the cartridge B is properly set in the image formation position in the main assembly of the printer A and the connector  54  is in contact with the storage means  60 , the exchange of the information between the storage means  60  and control circuit  100  is possible, making it possible to control the process of informing the control circuit  100  of the information regarding the condition of the cartridge B and the history of the cartridge usage to use the information for an image forming operation, the process of making an operator recognize the condition of the cartridge B by displaying the condition on a displaying device  101 , and the like. Further, the memory chip  60   c  is writable even during its usage. Therefore, the information is written into the memory chip  60   c  whenever necessary.  
         [0056]     The connector  54 , which is the connector on the main assembly side of the printer A, is held by a connector supporting member  50 , in such a manner that when the cartridge B is mounted into in the image formation position in the main assembly of the printer A, the connector  54  faces the storage means  60  of the cartridge B. The connector  54  has a springy member having the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  (main assembly contacts) which electrically contact the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 . Further, the connector  54  is electrically connected to the control circuit  100  with the use of bundled wires (unshown).  
         [0057]     As will be described next, the main assembly of the printer A and cartridge B are structured so that the connector  54  held by the connector supporting member  50  is moved into the communication-possible position X ( FIG. 2 ) in which the contacts  54   a  and  54   b  contact the contacts  60   a  and  60   b , respectively, by a connector moving mechanism (connector engaging member) which is moved by the closing (or opening) movement of the door  9 .  
         [0058]     Further, the main assembly of the printer A is structured so that after the connector moving mechanism moves the connector  54  into the communication-possible position X, the connector moving mechanism is retained by a connector retaining mechanism (retaining member), in the position in which it finishes moving the connector  54  into the communication-possible position X.  
         [0059]     Further, the main assembly of the printer A is structured so that as the door  9  is opened, the mechanism for retaining the connector moving mechanism is disengaged from the connector moving mechanism by the opening movement of the door  9 , allowing the connector moving mechanism to move the connector  54  into the retreat position Y in which the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  are prevented from contacting the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b , respectively.  
         [0060]     Further, not only is the main assembly of the printer A structured so that the connector mechanism is moved between the communication-possible position X (contact establishment position) and retreat position Y (separation position), but also, so that the length of time it takes for the electrical contacts of the memory tag to disengage from the counterparts after the detection of the opening of the door  9  by the door switch  90  as a detecting means, is kept longer than a preset value to ensure that the communication between the memory tag  60  and main assembly of the printer A has properly ended.  
         [0061]     To more concretely describe the abovementioned structural arrangement, the main assembly of the printer A is structured so that when the door  9 , which was open, is closed, the connector moving mechanism  55  is moved from the position corresponding to the retreat position Y (disengagement position) to the position corresponding to the communication-possible position X (engagement position) by the movement of the door  9  at the speed proportional to the moving speed of the door  9 , whereas when the door  9 , which has been closed, is opened, the connector moving mechanism  55  is retained in the position corresponding to the communication-possible position X by the connector moving mechanism retaining mechanism  58  (which hereafter will be referred to as retaining mechanism) until the door  9  is opened to a preset position. As the door  9  is opened beyond the preset position, the retaining mechanism disengaging mechanism (81-84) (which hereafter will be referred to as disengaging mechanism), which will be described later, is activated, disengaging the retaining mechanism  58 , and therefore, allowing the connector moving mechanism  55  to move from the position corresponding to the communication-possible position X to the position corresponding to the retreat position Y. With the provision of this structural arrangement, the overall moving speed of the connector moving mechanism remains constant regardless of the speed at which the door  9  is opened or closed, which characterizes this embodiment (present invention).  
         [0062]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the assembly of the above described connector supporting member  50 , connector moving mechanism  55 , retaining mechanism  58 , disengaging mechanism (81-82), as seen from diagonally above and below, respectively.  
         [0063]     The connector supporting member  50  and other mechanical components are attached to a housing  51 .  FIG. 5  is an external perspective view of the housing  51 , and  FIG. 6  is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the housing  51 . The housing  51  has: a support plate  51   a ; a pressure catching plate  51   b  perpendicularly attached to the top surface of the support plate  51   a ; a through hole  51   c , with which the front side of the support plate  51   a , relative to the pressure catching plate  51   b , is provided; a lateral plate  51   d  which perpendicularly projects from the front edge (in  FIG. 5 ) of the support plate  51   a . The housing  51  also has: a bearing plate  5   l e which perpendicularly projects from the support plate  51   a , with the provision of a preset distance between the bearing plate  51   e  and inward surface of the lateral plate  51   d ; and a pair of bearings  51   f  (left and right bearings) which perpendicularly project from the bottom surface of the support plate  51   a , with the left and right bearings  51   f  positioned on the left and right sides of the through hole  51   c . Further, the lateral plate  51   d  is provided with a long slot  51   g  which extends in the front-to-rear direction of the apparatus.  
         [0064]     On the inward side of the lateral plate  51   d , the retaining member  58  is held between the bearing plate  51   e  and lateral plate  51   d , by a shaft  58   a , one end of which is fitted in the bearing hole  51   h  of the bearing plate  51   e , and the other end of which is fitted in the bearing hole  51   i  of the lateral plate  51   d , which opposes the bearing hole  51   h . This retaining member  58  is in the form of a lever, and is disposed in parallel to the lateral plate  51 . It is rotationally movable about the shaft  58   a . It has first and second arm portions  58   b  and  58   c , which constitute the front and rear portions, respectively, of the retaining member  58 , with reference to the shaft  58   a , and hold a slight angle relative to each other, giving the retaining member  58  a shallow V-shape. The end portion of the retaining member  58 , which is on the arm portion  58   b  side, is provided with a downward projection  58   d . Between the second arm portion  58   c  and support plate  51   a , a compression spring  59  is disposed to push the retaining member  58  upward. Thus, the retaining member  58  remains slightly pressured by this spring  58  in the direction to rotate in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow mark K in  FIG. 3 , about the shaft  58   a . Therefore, when the retaining member  58  is free from the pressure other than that from the spring  59 , the retaining member  58  is kept in the attitude (at angle) shown in  FIG. 14 . That is, the bottom surface of the base side of the first arm portion  58   b  is kept in contact with a stopper projection  51   j , with which the bearing plate  5   e  is provided, as shown in  FIG. 14 , preventing the retaining member  58  from further rotating in the clockwise direction. When the remaining member  58  is kept in the above described state, the first arm portion  58   b  is at a level which is lower than that of the long slot  51   g  of the lateral plate  51   d , and the second arm portion  58   c  is slanted so that the end portion (rear end portion of retaining member) is positioned higher than the base portion, in a manner to intersect with the long slot  51   g.    
         [0065]     The abovementioned housing  51  is disposed on the frame  35  which supports the laser scanner unit  1 . More specifically, the frame  35  is provided with a roughly rectangular through hole  35   a  ( FIG. 9 ), and the left and right bearing  51   f  projecting from the bottom surface of the support plate  51   a  are put through this roughly rectangular through hole  35   a  so that the left and right bearing  51   f  project beyond the bottom surface of the frame  35 . Then, the support plate  51   a  is fixed to the frame  35  with the use of small screws. The through hole  51   c  of the support plate  51   a  corresponds in position to the through hole  35   a  of the fame  35 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 7  is an external perspective view of the connector supporting member  50 , and  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the connector supporting member  50 . The connector supporting member  50  has first and second supporting members  52  and  53 , and a connector  54 . The first supporting member  52  has: a frame  52   a  which engages with the second supporting member  53 ; an upward arm  52   b , with which the frame  52   a  is provided; and a pair of shafts  52   c , which project left- and rightward, one for one, from the joint portion between the frame  52   a  and upward arm  52   b . The second supporting member  53  is a member in which the connector  54  is fitted. The connector  54  is pressed into the frame-like portion of this second supporting member  53 . As a result, the connector  54  is securely held to the second supporting member  53  by the locking claws of the second supporting member  53 . Then, the second supporting member  53  is pushed into the frame-like portion  52   a  of the first supporting member  52 , being thereby securely held to the first supporting member  52  by the locking claws of the first supporting member  52 . That is, the connector  54  is securely held to the first supporting member  52 , with the placement of the second supporting member  53  between the connector  54  and first supporting member  52 .  
         [0067]     The upward arm  52   b  of the first supporting member  52  is put through the roughly rectangular through hole  35   a  and through hole  51   c , from the bottom surface side of the frame  35 , so that the upward arm  52   b  projects upward past the support plate  51   a  of the housing  51 . Further, the left and right shafts  52   c  of the first supporting member  52  are inserted into the left and right bearings  51   f  of the housing  51 , which are projecting downward beyond the bottom surface of the frame  35 , so that the first supporting member  52  is held to the frame  35 . As a result, the connector supporting member  50  is held to the housing  51  so that it is rotatable about the shafts  52   c , and also, so that the upward arm  52   b  is positioned on the front side of the pressure catching plate  51   b  of the housing  51 .  
         [0068]     On the front side of the housing  51 , a rod  55  is disposed so that it can be slid frontward or rearward on the frame  35 .  FIG. 9  is an external perspective view of this rod  55 . The rod  55  has: a door contacting portion  55   a , which constitutes the front end portion; a pusher plate portion  55   b , which constitutes the rear end portion; front and rear pairs of locking claws  55   c , which project from the bottom surface of the rod  55 ; and a projection  55   d , which perpendicularly projects from the lateral surface of the rear end portion of the rod  55 .  
         [0069]     The front wall  35   b  of the frame  35  is provided with a hole  35   c . The door contacting portion  55   a , that is, the front end portion, of the rod  55  is put through this hole  35   c  so that the door contacting portion  55   a  projects beyond the front wall  35   b . Further, the frame  35  is provided with the front and rear slits  35   d . The front and rear pairs of locking claws  55   c  projecting from the bottom surface of the rod  55  are put through these front and rear slits  35   d , one for one. As a result, the rod  55  is secured to the frame  35  in such a manner that it is allowed to slide frontward or rearward on the frame  35 , within a range which corresponds to the length of the slits  35   d , and also, so that the pusher plate portion  55   b  is positioned on the front side of the upward arm  52   b  of the connector supporting member  50 .  
         [0070]     Between the pressure catching plate  51   b  of the housing  51  and the upward arm  52   b  of the connector supporting member  50 , a first coil spring  56 , as a pressure applying member, is disposed. Further, between the upward arm  52   b  of the connector supporting member  50  and the pusher plate portion  55   b  of the rod  55 , a second coil spring  57  is disposed.  
         [0071]     When the door  9  is open, more specifically, when the angle of the door  9  relative to the printer main assembly is no less than a preset value, the rod  55  is in the advanced position in its movable range which corresponds in size to the length of the slit  35   d ; the rod has been pushed back toward the front wall  35   b  of the frame  35  (-J direction in  FIG. 3 ) by the resiliency of the springs  56  and  57 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , when the rod  55  (door  9 ) is in the above described position, the projection  55   d  of the rod  55  is on the front side of the downwardly protruding projection  58   d  of the retaining member  58 . Further, the connector supporting member  50  is under the pressure applied to the upward arm  52   b  by the resiliency of the spring  56  in the direction to rotate the connector supporting member  50  about the shaft  52   c  in the -H direction in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Therefore, the connector  54  is retained in the retreat position Y ( FIG. 2 ), in which it is impossible for the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  to contact the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 .  
         [0000]     (2-1) Door Closing Operation  
         [0072]      FIG. 10  show the printer A, the door  9  of which has been shut after the mounting of the cartridge B into the main assembly of the printer A.  
         [0073]     As the door  9  is closed by a user after the mounting of the cartridge B into the main assembly of the printer A, the rod pushing mechanical contact portion  9   c  of the door  9  comes into contact with the door contacting portion  55   a , that is, the front end portion, of the rod  55 . As a result, the rod  55  is made to retract by the door  9  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark J in  FIG. 3 . While the rod  55  is made to retract by the door  9 , the top edge portion of the projection  55   d  of the rod  55  comes into contact with the downwardly facing slanted surface  58   e  (which functions as cam) of the downwardly projecting projection  58   d  of the first arm portion  58   b  of the retaining member  58 , and pushes up the downwardly projecting projection  58   d . Therefore, the retaining member  58  is rotated, against the spring  59  as the second pressure applying means, about the shaft  58   a  in the counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow mark -K in  FIG. 15 , allowing the projection  55   d  to move past the downward projection  58   d , on the under side the downward projection  58   d . As soon as the projection  55   d  moves past the under side of the downward projection  58   d , the retaining member  58  is rotated about the shaft  58   a  in reverse, that is, in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow mark K, by the resiliency of the spring  59 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . As a result, the retaining member  58  is caught by the stopper projection  51   j , being prevented from further rotating in reverse. Thereafter, the retaining member  58  is retained in the same attitude as that shown in  FIG. 14 ; in other words, the projection  55   d  is positioned on the inward side of the downward projection  58   d.    
         [0074]     Further, the upward arm  52   b  of the connector supporting member  50  is pushed by the pusher plate  55   b  of the rod  55 , that is, the rear end portion of the rod  55 , with the presence of the spring  57  between the upward arm  52   b  and pusher plate  55   b . Thus, the spring  56  is compressed by the upward arm  52   b  and the pressure catching plate  51   b  of the housing  51 . Therefore, the connector supporting member  50  is rotated about the shaft  52   c  in the direction H in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , placing thereby the connector  54  in the communication-possible position X, shown in  FIG. 2 , in which the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  are in contact with the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 . The connector  54  is kept in this state as long as the door  9  remains locked to the main assembly of the printer A, that is, as long as the door  9  remains shut, and therefore, the rod  55  is prevented from returning in the -J direction.  
         [0075]     The spring  57  is designed so that the amount of pressure it generates is greater than the total amount of pressure which the contact  54   a  and  54   b  of the connector  54 , which are springy members, generate. Therefore, as long as the distance by which the rod  55  is pushed into the frame  35  is greater than a preset value, the spring  57  generates a proper amount of pressure for keeping the connector  54  pressed upon the storage means  60 . In other words, as long as the door  9  is properly shut, the connector  54  and storage means  60  are reliably kept in contact with each other.  
         [0076]     Next, the disengaging mechanism (81-84) will be described. The door  9  is rotatable about the stationary shaft  9   a  to be opened or closed. The door  9  is provided with an arm  84 , which is located on the inward side, near the shaft  9   a . This arm  84  is in the form of an arc, the center of which coincides with the axial line of the shaft  9   a . The base portion  84   a  of the arm  84  is solidly fixed to the door  9 . The lever  82 , which is rotatable about the shaft  82   a , is connected to the abovementioned arm  84  of the door  9 , with the use of a first linking member  83 . The lever  82  is provided with a second linking member  81 , which is attached to the top end portion of the lever  82  so that the second linking member  81  is rotatable about the connective member, with which the second linking member  81  is connected to the level  82 . The second linking member  81  is provided with a projection  81   a , which is attached to the opposite end of the linking member  81  from the end by which it is connected to the lever  82 . The projection  81   a  is fitted in the long slot  51   g , with which the aforementioned lateral plate  51   d  of the housing  51  is provided. Therefore, the moving range and direction of the projection  81   a  is controlled by the long slot  51   g . Further, while the projection  81   a  moves along the long slot  51   g , it comes into contact with the top surface of the retaining member  58 .  
         [0077]     When the door  9  is shut, the arm  84 , first linking member  83 , lever  82 , and second linking member  81  are positioned as shown in  FIG. 10 , and the projection  81   a  of the second link  81  is in the front end portion of the long slot  51   g , as shown in  FIG. 16 . When the projection  81   a  is in the position shown in  FIG. 16 , it is above (being therefore apart from) the first arm portion  58   b  of the retaining member  58 , and therefore, does not interfere with the retaining member  58 .  
         [0078]     The main assembly of the printer A is provided with a switch  90  (door switch) for detecting the state of the door  9 , that is, whether the door  9  is open or closed. When the door is closed, the actuator  90   a  of the switch  90  is kept pressed by the projection  9   b  of the door  9 , and therefore, the switch  90  is kept turned on, whereas as the door  9  is opened, the pressure applied to the actuator  90  by the projection  9   b  is removed, and therefore, the switched  90  is turned off, and remains turned off. This ON or OFF signal generated by the switch  90  as the door  9  is closed or opened is used to detect whether the door is closed or opened.  
         [0000]     (2-2) Initial Stage of Opening of Door  9   
         [0079]     When replacing the cartridge B in the printer A with another cartridge B, dealing with paper jam, checking up on the interior of the main assembly of the printer A, or carrying out the like processes, the door  9  is to be opened.  FIG. 11  shows the state of main assembly of the printer A in the initial stage of the opening of the door  9 .  
         [0080]     As the door  9  is rotated about the shaft  9   a  in the clockwise direction L so that the angle between the door and the main assembly of the printer A reaches a preset value, the projection  9   b  of the door  9  is separated from the actuator  90   a  of the switch  90 . As a result, a switch-OFF signal is inputted into the control circuit  100 . Receiving this OFF signal, the control circuit  100  determines that the door  9  is opened. Then, the communication control portion of the control circuit  100  begins the process for ending the communication between the control circuit  100  and the storage means  60  of the cartridge B.  
         [0081]     Further, as the door  9  is opened, the rod pushing mechanical contact portion  9   c  of the door  9  is moved away from the door contacting portion  55   a , that is, the front end portion, of the rod  55 , eliminating the force which kept the rod  55  pressed in the direction J. As a result, the rod  55  is pushed back (returned) in the direction -J by the resiliency of the spring  56  and  57 . However, as the rod  55  is pushed back a short distance, the projection  55   d  of the rod  55  is caught by the downward projection  58   d  of the retaining member  58 , and therefore, the rod  55  is prevented from moving further in the returning direction. That is, even after the projection  9   b  of the door  9  becomes separated from the door contacting portion  55   a  of the rod  55 , in other words, even after the force which kept the rod  55  pressed in the frame  35  is eliminated, the rod  55  is kept in the same state as that in which the rod  55  was kept when the door was closed. Therefore, it is ensured that the connector  54  and storage member  60  remains electrically connected.  
         [0082]     Further, as the door  9  is opened, the arm  84  is moved in the direction L by the opening movement of the door  9 , and therefore, the first linking member  83  is moved in the direction G, causing the lever  82  to rotate about the shaft  82   a  in the clockwise direction M. Thus, the second linking member  81  is moved in the direction N by being pulled by the rotation of the lever  82 , causing thereby the projection  81   a  to move rearward along the long slot  51   g . The distance by which the projection  81   a  is moved rearward along the long slot  51   g  during the initial stage of the opening of the door  9  is minuscule. Thus, the projection  81   a  remains above (remains therefore separated from) the first arm portion  58   b  of the retaining member  58 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , and therefore, it does not interfere with the retaining member  58 .  
         [0000]     (2-3) Intermediary Stage of Opening of Door  9   
         [0083]      FIG. 12  shows the state of the main assembly of the printer A during the mid stage of the opening of the door  9 . After the switch  90  turned itself off, the door  9  is to be further opened. As a result, the projection  81   a  of the second linking member  81  is moved further rearward along the long slot  51   g , by the arm  84 , first linking member  83 , lever  82 , and second linking member  81 , which are moved by the opening movement of the door  9 .  
         [0084]     As the projection  81   a  moves a preset distance, it reaches where the long slot  51   g  intersects with the second arm portion  58   c  of the rod retaining member  58 , coming into contact with the top surface of the second arm portion  58   c  (which gradually slopes upward toward rear).  
         [0085]     While the projection  81   a  moves from where it is in  FIG. 17  to where it is in  FIG. 18 , the projection  81   a  does not contact the retaining member  58  regardless of the opening movement of the door  9 ; the range between where the projection  81   a  is in  FIG. 17  and where the projection  81   a  is in the  FIG. 18  provides the play.  
         [0086]     As the door  9  is further opened, the projection  81   a  is moved further rearward along the long slot  51   g  by the opening movement of the door  9 , pressing down on the surface of the second arm portion  58   c  of the retaining member  58 . As a result, the retaining member  58  rotates, against the resiliency of the spring  59 , about the shaft  58   a  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark -K, causing the downward projection  58   d  to disengage from the projection  55   d , as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 ; in other words, the retaining member  58  disengages from the projection  55   d , allowing the rod  55  to be returned in the direction -J by the resiliency of the springs  56  and  57 .  
         [0087]     As a result, the connector supporting member  50  is rotated about the shafts  52   c  in the direction -H in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , by the pressure applied to the upward arm  52   b  by the resiliency of the first coil spring  56 . Therefore, the connector  54  is moved into the retreat position Y, in which it is impossible for the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  to come into contact with the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 , and retained in the retreat position Y. That is, the connector supporting member  50  rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow mark -H about the shafts  52   a , causing the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  to separate from the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 .  
         [0088]     As described above, during the initial stage of the opening of the door  9 , it is detected by the switch  90  that the door  9 , which was closed, has been opened. However, until the projection  81   a  is moved along the long slot  51   g  by the further opening of the door  9  from the point shown in  FIG. 17  to the point shown in  FIG. 18 , at which the retaining mechanism is disengaged, the connector  54  and storage means  60  are not disengaged. That is, the connector  54  and storage means  60  are disengaged from each other as the door  9  is opened by an additional angle after the opening of the door  9  is detected by the switch  90 . This period allows the communication control portion of the control circuit  100  to carry out the process for properly completing the communication between the control circuit  100  and the storage means  60  of the cartridge B.  
         [0000]     (2-4)  
         [0089]      FIG. 13  shows the main assembly of the printer A, the door  9  of which is fully open. After the separation of the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  of the connector  54  from the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 , the door  9  is further opened. The opening movement of the door  9  in this period keeps the arm  84 , first linking member  83 , lever  82 , and second linking member  81  moving, while leaving the connector  50  and rod  55  retained in the same positions. Then, after the door  9  is opened by a preset angle, which is wide enough for the mounting or dismounting of the cartridge B, a user can pull the cartridge B out of the main assembly of the printer A.  
         [0090]     Further, as the door  9 , which is fully open as shown in  FIG. 13 , is closed, the arm  84 , first linking member  83 , lever  82 , and second linking member  81  are moved in the opposite direction from the direction in which they are moved, and therefore, the projection  81   a  of the second linking member  81  moves along the long slot  51   g  to its initial position, shown in  FIG. 14 , which is on the front side of the long slot  51   g , and the retaining member  58  rotates back into the attitude shown in  FIG. 14 . Then, the above described steps shown in  FIGS. 15-17  are carried out, restoring finally the above described state, shown in  FIG. 10 , in which the door  9  is completely shut.  
         [0091]     The timing with which the projecting  81   a  of the second linking member  81  comes into contact with the top surface of the second arm portion  58   c  of the retaining member  58  can be easily adjusted by adjusting the angle of the top surface (sloped portion) and/or the angle and range of the long slot  51   g . That is, the timing with which the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  of the connector  54  are separated from the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60  during the period from when the door  9  begins to be opened to when the door  9  is completely opened can be easily adjusted.  
         [0092]     In the above described embodiment, the connector supporting member  50 , housing  51 , rod  55 , spring  57 , etc., constitute the connector moving mechanism which is driven by the closing movement of the door  9  to move the connector  54  into the communication-possible position in which the connector  54  contacts the storage means  60 .  
         [0093]     The retaining member  58 , rod  55 , etc., constitute the retaining mechanism for retaining the connector moving mechanism in the position in which the connector moving mechanism is after the connector moving mechanism moves the connector  54  into the communication-possible position X.  
         [0094]     The arm  84 , first linking member  83 , lever  82 , first linking member  81 , projection  81   a , long slot  51   g , etc., constitute the disengaging mechanism for disengaging the abovementioned retaining mechanism. That is, they constitute the disengaging mechanism for disengaging the retaining mechanism to allow the connector  54  to return to the retreat position Y in which the electrical contacts  54   a  and  54   b  of the connector  54  cannot contact the electrical contacts  60   a  and  60   b  of the storage means  60 .  
         [0095]     In this embodiment, the above described retaining member is made up of the projection  55   d  with which the rod  55  is provided, projection  58   d  with which the retaining member  58  is provided, spring  59 , etc. However, the retaining mechanism may be structured so that the connector supporting member  50  is directly retained.  
         [0096]     According to the above described structural arrangement, when the door  9 , which is fully open, is closed, the connector moving mechanism is moved by the movement of the door  9  at a speed proportional to the moving speed of the door  9 . However, when the door  9 , which is completely closed, is opened, the connector moving mechanism is retained by the retaining mechanism (retaining member), in the position into which it was moved to move the connector  54  into the communication-possible position X, until the door  9  is opened to a preset point. Then, as the door  9  is opened beyond the preset point, the retaining mechanism is activated, allowing the connector moving mechanism to move in the direction to move the connector  54  into the retreat position Y. Therefore, the speed at which the connector moving mechanism operates is set without relying on the opening or closing speed of the door  9 . That is, even if the amount of force applied to open or close the door  9  and/or the speed at which the door  9  is opened or closed is substantially varied, the length of time from when the opening of the door  9  is detected by the door switch to when the connector is disengaged from the storage means can be kept longer than a preset value.  
         [0097]     In other words, the length of time from when the opening of the door  9  is detected by the door switch to when the connector  54  on the main assembly side of the printer A is disengaged from the storage means  60  on the cartridge B side can be kept long enough to carry out the process for properly completing the communication between the storage means  60  and the control circuit  100  on the main assembly side.  
         [0098]     Therefore, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the communication (process for properly completing communication) between the storage means  60  of the cartridge B and the control circuit on the main assembly side.  
         [0099]     Further, until the communication is normally ended, the cartridge B cannot be taken out of the main assembly of the printer A. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to quickly mount or dismount the cartridge B by opening the door  9  at a high speed, the reliability of the communication is kept intact.  
         [0100]     With the employment of the above described structural arrangement, the data communication is properly ended by the time the connector is disconnected from the storage means. Therefore, the communication between the storage means and control circuit is reliably carried out.  
         [0101]     While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.  
         [0102]     While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purpose of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.  
         [0103]     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 314792 /2005 filed Oct. 28, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technology Category: 3