阅读说明：本技术 用于将耗材盒安装在托盘上的引导构件
(Guide member for mounting consumable cartridge on tray
) 是由 金荣勋 于 2018-05-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种图像形成设备包括主体以及能从主体的内部移动到主体的外部的托盘。多个耗材盒能可移除地安装在所述托盘上。所述托盘包括引导构件,并且在所述多个耗材盒中的每个的安装期间,所述引导构件使所述多个耗材盒中的每个在垂直于所述耗材盒的安装方向的方向上移动,使得所述耗材盒被安装在所述托盘上。(An image forming apparatus includes a main body and a tray movable from an inside of the main body to an outside of the main body. A plurality of consumable cartridges is removably mountable on the tray. The tray includes a guide member, and during installation of each of the plurality of consumable cartridges, the guide member moves each of the plurality of consumable cartridges in a direction perpendicular to an installation direction of the consumable cartridge so that the consumable cartridge is installed on the tray.)
1. An image forming apparatus includes:
a main body; and
a tray on which a plurality of consumable cartridges are mountable, the tray being movable between an inside of the main body and an outside of the main body, the tray including a guide member for moving a consumable cartridge among the plurality of consumable cartridges in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridge during mounting of the consumable cartridge on the tray, such that the consumable cartridge is mounted on the tray.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray further includes a plurality of through holes formed on a first side surface of the tray, and
the guide member is to move the consumable cartridge such that the coupling portion protruding from the first side surface of the consumable cartridge is inserted into one of the plurality of through holes.
3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the coupling portion is mounted in the through hole when the consumable cartridge is mounted on the tray, and the coupling portion is configured to receive driving force from a driving source provided in the main body when the tray is disposed in the interior of the main body.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide member includes an inclined surface formed on a second side surface of the tray opposite to the first side surface of the tray.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inclined surface is inclined downward in a direction toward the plurality of through holes formed on the first side surface of the tray.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide member includes an elastic member for elastically supporting the consumable cartridge in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridge during mounting of the consumable cartridge on the tray.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member is provided on a second side surface of the tray opposite to the first side surface of the tray.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member is for electrically connecting a ground portion of the consumable cartridge to a ground portion of the main body when the consumable cartridge is mounted on the tray.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide member includes a hinge member for rotating during mounting of the consumable cartridge on the tray such that rotation of the hinge member pushes the consumable cartridge in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridge.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the hinge member is formed on a second side surface of the tray opposite to the first side surface of the tray.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the hinge member includes a first rotating portion for rotating while contacting a lower end of the consumable cartridge during mounting of the consumable cartridge on the tray, and
a second rotation part having the same rotation axis as the first rotation part to rotate together with the first rotation part.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the second rotating part rotates together with the first rotating part, the second rotating part applies a force to a side portion of the consumable cartridge to move the consumable cartridge in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridge.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first rotation section and the second rotation section are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle.
14. A consumable cartridge comprising:
a main body;
a coupling part provided on a first side of the main body, for receiving a driving force from a driving source of an image forming apparatus when the consumable cartridge is mounted on a tray provided inside the image forming apparatus; and
a guide member for moving the consumable cartridge in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridge during mounting of the consumable cartridge on the tray such that the consumable cartridge is mounted on the tray.
15. The consumable cartridge of claim 14, wherein the guide member is formed on a second side of the body opposite the first side of the body and slopes downward in a direction toward the first side of the body.
Background
The image forming apparatus refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium according to an input signal, and examples may include a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction unit that combines and implements functions of the above apparatuses.
One type of image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is provided with a CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE (CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE) including a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and an exposure unit. The exposure unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum by emitting light onto the photosensitive drum charged with a certain potential, and the developing device forms a visible image by supplying developer to the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed.
The consumable cartridge is a component of a member for forming a visible toner image, and is consumable because it can be mounted on a tray, and can be taken out of the main body of the image forming apparatus and replaced when its service life expires.
In order to maintain a certain image quality, the consumable cartridge may be arranged at a certain position inside the main body of the image forming apparatus, and therefore, the main body is provided with a support formed therein to support the consumable cartridge so that the consumable cartridge can be arranged at a fixed position.
For example, recently available image forming apparatuses are designed to enable users to more conveniently mount, dismount, and repair consumable cartridges. Since the user can push or take out the consumable cartridge mounted on the tray into or from the main body, the user of such an image forming apparatus can mount and dismount the consumable cartridge more conveniently.
Since the related consumable cartridge is mounted on the tray in a fixed mounting direction, the forms of the consumable cartridge and the tray may be limited, and the inner space of the main body of the image forming apparatus may be limited according to the form of the consumable cartridge mounted on the tray. Such a mounting structure of the consumable cartridge hinders the compactness of the image forming apparatus.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tray taken out from an image forming apparatus according to an example;
fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an example;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a consumable cartridge being mounted on the tray illustrated in FIG. 1;
fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a consumable cartridge viewed from a non-driving side according to an example;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tray according to an example;
fig. 6A to 6C are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a tray including a consumable cartridge according to an example;
fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a consumable cartridge viewed from a non-driving side according to an example;
fig. 8A to 8C are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a consumable cartridge on a tray according to an example;
fig. 9A and 9B are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a consumable cartridge on a tray according to an example;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tray according to an example; and
fig. 11A and 11B are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a consumable cartridge on a tray according to an example.
Detailed Description
Specific examples of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples that will be described hereinafter may be modified and implemented in various different forms.
Meanwhile, when it is stated herein that one element is "connected to" another element, the expression includes not only an example of "directly connected" but also an example of "connected with another element interposed therebetween". Furthermore, when it is stated herein that one element "comprises" another element, unless specifically stated otherwise, it is meant that yet another element may be included, rather than excluded.
Further, "image forming apparatus" refers to an apparatus that prints print data generated on a terminal such as a computer or the like on recording paper. Examples of the image forming apparatus may include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction printer (MFP) that provides the above-described multiple functions on a single apparatus. The image forming apparatus may refer to any apparatus capable of executing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, an MFP, a display apparatus, and the like.
Further, "main scanning direction" refers to a scanning direction of the scanner, and is, for example, a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the printing paper.
Further, "sub-scanning direction" refers to a moving direction of the paper.
Further, for each example, elements having the same function within the scope of the technical field represented on the drawings will be described by using the same reference numerals.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an example and a tray taken out from the image forming apparatus, and fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the example.
An image forming apparatus (e.g., an electrophotographic image forming apparatus) can form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum by emitting light modulated according to image information onto the photosensitive drum, develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image, and print the image onto a recording medium by transferring and fixing the toner image onto the recording medium.
The image forming apparatus according to the example is a single-pass type color image forming apparatus that uses yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, respectively. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and toners having various other colors such as light magenta, white, and the like may be further used.
Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 may include a main body 10a, a consumable cartridge 100, an intermediate transfer belt 20, an exposure unit 40, an intermediate transfer roller 21, a final transfer roller 31, and a fixer 50.
While the main body 10a forms the overall appearance of the image forming apparatus 10, it can also support various components mounted therein. Further, the cover 11 may be pivotably mounted on one side of the body 10 a. The cover 11 may be used to open and close the opening 13 of the main body 10 a. Through the opening 13, a user can replace or repair various accessories, or remove paper jammed in the interior of the main body 10 a. For example, the tray 200 may be taken out from the main body 10a, and the consumable cartridge 100 mounted on the tray 200 may be removed from the tray 200 and replaced.
The tray 200 may be movably mounted on an internal frame (not shown) provided on both inner sides of the main body 10a to be placed into and taken out of the main body 10 a. The guide rails 215 may be movably mounted on the inner frame on both sides of the tray 200. Therefore, when the tray 200 is taken out from the main body 10a through the guide rails 215, a consumable cartridge 100 (to be described below) mounted on the tray 200 may be separated from the tray 200 and replaced.
The tray 200 may have a plurality of consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK) mounted thereon and coupled with the main body 10a in a sliding manner. In this example, a handle 211 may be formed on an end of the tray 200 so that the user can conveniently take out the tray 200 from the main body 10a of the apparatus.
When the tray 200 is placed into the main body 10a of the apparatus or the tray 200 is taken out of the main body 10a of the apparatus, a plurality of consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK) can be coupled to and separated from the main body 10a of the apparatus, and thus a user can conveniently replace the plurality of consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK) at a time.
The consumable cartridge 100 is a component of a member for forming a visible toner image, and is a consumable product that can be taken out from the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus when mounted on the tray 200 and replaced when the service life expires.
The consumable cartridge 100 forms a toner image by attaching toner contained therein to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1, and may include a developing roller 2 for supplying the toner contained in the consumable cartridge 100 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1, and a charging roller 3 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at a constant potential.
The consumable cartridge 100 may include four cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK) in which yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) developers are accommodated, respectively. The photosensitive drum 1 may be provided in each of the consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK). For convenience of explanation, reference numeral "100" will be used instead of the symbols "PY, PM, PC, PK" to indicate consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK).
Each of the consumable cartridges 100 may include a charging roller 3 for charging the photosensitive drum 1 and a developing roller 2 for forming a visible image by supplying developer onto an electrostatic latent image formed on each of the photosensitive drums 1.
The consumable cartridge 100 may have various structures, including, for example: a structure in which the photosensitive drum 1, the developing roller 2 for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 1, and the reservoir in which toner is accommodated are integrated, a structure in which an image forming cartridge in which the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 2 are provided is separated from a toner cartridge in which toner is accommodated, or a structure in which a photosensitive drum cartridge in which the photosensitive drum 1 is provided, a developing cartridge in which the developing roller 2 is provided, and a toner cartridge in which toner is accommodated are separated.
A developing bias voltage may be applied to the developing roller 2 for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image, and a charging bias voltage may be applied to the charging roller 3. In this example, a corona charger may be used instead of the charging roller 3. The photosensitive drum 1 is an example of a photosensitive body on which a photosensitive latent image is formed. The photosensitive drum 1 may be formed with a photosensitive layer having photoconductivity on the outer periphery of a metal cylindrical tube. The four photosensitive drums 1 may be in contact with the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20.
The exposure unit 40 can form an electrostatic latent image by emitting light corresponding to image information input from an external device such as a computer onto the photosensitive drum 1. With the color image forming apparatus 10 according to the example, the exposure unit 40 can be used to emit light corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) onto the photosensitive drum 1.
The transfer device transfers the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 onto a recording medium P. The transfer means may include a transfer belt 20 in circulating contact with each photosensitive drum 1, a transfer belt driving roller 23 for driving the transfer belt 20, a transfer belt driven roller 24 for maintaining the tension of the transfer belt 20, and four transfer rollers 21 for transferring the developer images of the photosensitive drums 1 onto the recording medium P.
The recording medium P is transferred while being attached to the transfer belt 20. At this time, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the developer attached to each photosensitive drum 1 is applied to each transfer roller 21, and thus, the developer image on each photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the recording medium P.
The fixer 50 serves to supply heat and pressure to the recording medium P moving between the fixers 50 and fix an unfixed image onto the recording medium P.
The ejector 60 ejects the recording medium P having passed through the fixer 50 to the outside of the image forming apparatus.
Further, when the developer included in the above-described consumable cartridge 100 is used up, the consumable cartridge 100 may be replaced. Accordingly, the tray 200 is disposed on one side of the main body 10a and is movable into the main body 10a, and the consumable cartridges 100 are each movably accommodated in the tray 200.
Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a process of mounting a consumable cartridge on a tray in the example of the image forming apparatus illustrated in fig. 1.
Referring to fig. 3, in the replacement process of a plurality of consumable cartridges 100, in order to replace the plurality of consumable cartridges 100, the cover 11 of the main body 10a may be opened, and the tray 200 may be taken out through the opening 13 formed on the main body 10 a.
When the tray 200 is taken out of the main body 10a, the upper surfaces of the plurality of consumable cartridges 100 supported within the tray 200 may be exposed to the outside. After separating the consumable cartridge (PK)100 to be replaced from the tray 200, a new consumable cartridge (PK)100 may be installed. Further, the tray 200 coupled with a new consumable cartridge (PK)100 may be inserted and mounted through the opening 13 of the main body 10a, and the cover 11 may be closed, whereby the consumable cartridge 100 to be replaced is replaced with the new consumable cartridge (PK) 100.
The new consumable cartridge (PK)100 is moved from a direction perpendicular to the tray 200 toward the tray 200 along the main scanning direction by a guide member 300 (to be described below) to be mounted on the tray 200.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the consumable cartridge viewed from the driving side.
The left or right direction of each consumable cartridge 100 corresponds to a direction horizontal to the axis of the photosensitive drum 1. The consumable cartridge 100 may include a photosensitive drum 1, a developing roller 2, a first panel 121, and a second panel 141. The first panel 121 may be formed on one side with respect to the length direction of the consumable cartridge 100, and the second panel 141 may be formed on the other side opposite to the first panel 121, the one side being a driving side and the other side being a non-driving side.
Each of the consumable cartridges 100 may be provided with a photosensitive drum drive coupling portion (first driving force input portion, i.e., drum driving force receiving portion) 131 and a developing roller drive coupling portion (second driving force input portion, i.e., developing driving force receiving portion) 111 on the first panel 121 in a length direction of a driving side of the consumable cartridge 100.
The photosensitive drum drive coupling portion 131 and the developing roller drive coupling portion 111 may protrude from the first panel 121.
When the consumable cartridge 100 mounted on the tray 200 is moved to a predetermined image forming position within the main body 10a, the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 and the developing roller drive coupling 111 are coupled with a first driving force output portion and a second driving force output portion (not shown) formed within the main body 10a, respectively.
The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed by a driving force transmitted from the first driving force output portion to the photosensitive drum driving coupling portion 131. The charging roller 3 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1.
The developing roller 2 is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed by the driving force transmitted from the second driving force output portion to the developing roller driving coupling portion 111.
The consumable cartridge 100 according to the example may minimize a space for connection between the driving unit and the consumable cartridge 100 because the consumable cartridge 100 moves in a main scanning direction, which is a direction of the first and second driving force output parts installed in the main body 10a, in order to be mounted on the tray 200. For example, when the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted on the tray 200, the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 and the developing roller drive coupling 111 are inserted into the through-hole 220 and the through-groove 240 of the tray 200, each of the through-hole 220 and the through-groove 240 being described below.
The photosensitive drum coupling portion 131 is inserted into the through hole 220 of the tray 200, and is moved toward the Y-axis direction by a predetermined distance and supported there. The photosensitive drum coupling portion 131 receives the driving force of the driving unit, and supplies the received driving force to the photosensitive drum 1 by contacting with the photosensitive drum 1.
A first driving force output portion formed on the main body 10a is in the Y-axis direction and is coupled with the photosensitive drum drive coupling portion 131. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 1 can be rotated by a driving force from the driving unit.
Since the photosensitive drum drive coupling portion 131 is mounted after being moved in the-Y axis direction, the moving distance for coupling the first driving force output portion can be reduced. Since the driving force output portion moves the moving distance of the photosensitive drum drive coupling portion 131 in the main scanning direction close to the photosensitive drum drive coupling portion 131, the driving force output portion can reduce a driving space for the movement. As the amount of movement of the driving force output portion decreases, the driving space of the main body can be designed smaller.
Likewise, the developing roller driving coupling 111 is inserted into the through groove 240 of the tray 200, and is moved toward the Y-axis direction by a predetermined distance and supported there. The developing roller drive coupling portion 111 may receive the driving force transmitted from the second driving force output portion and provide the transmitted driving force to the developing roller 2 by being connected to the developing roller 2.
The second driving force output portion formed on the main body 10a moves in the Y-axis direction and is coupled with the developing roller driving coupling portion 111. Therefore, the developing roller 2 is rotated by the driving force from the driving unit.
Since the developing roller drive coupling portion 111 is mounted after being moved in the-Y axis direction, the moving distance for coupling the second driving force output portion can be reduced. Since the second driving force output portion moves the moving distance of the developing roller drive coupling 111 in the main scanning direction close to the developing roller drive coupling 111, the second driving force output portion can reduce the driving space for the movement. As the amount of movement of the second driving force output portion decreases, the driving space of the main body can be designed smaller.
Since the photosensitive drum drive coupling portion 131 and the developing roller drive coupling portion 111 are moved and arranged in the main scanning direction, the retreat amount of the drive force output portion is reduced, and the drive space inside the main body 10a can be designed to be small. Therefore, as the driving space is reduced, the overall size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
Further, the consumable cartridge 100 and the tray 200 overlap each other as much as possible so that the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 and the developing roller drive coupling 111 are seated in the through-hole 220 and the through groove 240. Accordingly, the width of the tray 200 may be equal to or less than the width of the consumable cartridge 100. Since the tray 200 may be designed to be as small as possible to be as large as a space in which the consumable cartridge 100 and the tray 200 overlap, the image forming apparatus 100 may be miniaturized.
Further, since the tray 200 overlaps a portion of the consumable cartridge 100, the tray 200 with the consumable cartridge 100 mounted thereto may enhance the rigidity of the tray 200.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge according to an example, as viewed from the non-driving side of the consumable cartridge 100, and fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tray 200 according to an example.
Referring to fig. 4, the second panel 141 guided by the guide member 300 of the tray 200, which will be described below, may move the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction.
Referring to fig. 5, the tray 200 includes a rectangular main frame including four cartridge compartments in which four consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK) can be mounted. The space within the rectangular main frame may be divided into four rectangular cassette compartments having almost the same size by the three supports 213. A plurality of consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK) may be inserted into the four cartridge chambers and supported therein, respectively. The support 213 of the tray 200 may support consumable cartridges (PY, PM, PC, PK).
On one side surface 200a of each cartridge compartment in the length direction corresponding to one side surface 200a (driving side) of the main frame of the tray 200, a through hole 220 and a through groove 240 may be formed. The first and second driving force outputs within the main body 10a may be connected to the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 and the developing roller drive coupling 111 of the consumable cartridge 100 through the through-hole 220 and the through groove 240.
The photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 may be seated in the through-hole 220, and the developing roller drive coupling 111 may be seated in the through-groove 240. To be mounted on the tray 200, the consumable cartridge 100 may be moved and mounted in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the mounting direction such that the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 and the developing roller drive coupling 111 of the consumable cartridge 100 are inserted into and seated in the through hole 220 and the through groove 240 of the tray 200, respectively. During installation, the consumable cartridge 100 may be moved in the main scanning direction by a guide member 300, which will be described below.
The tray 200 according to an example includes a guide member 300 for guiding the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction.
A guide member 300 for guiding the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction may be provided on the other side surface 200b corresponding to the other side surface 200b (non-driving side) of the main frame of the tray 200 in the length direction of each cartridge chamber.
The guide member 300 may include a first surface 301 forming the other side surface 200b of the tray 200, a second surface 305 spaced inward from the first surface 301, and an inclined surface 303 connecting the first surface 301 and the second surface 305. The consumable cartridge 100 may be moved in the mounting direction along the first surface 301, then moved in the main scanning direction along the inclined surface 303, then moved in the mounting direction along the second surface 305, and then mounted.
The inclined surface 303 may be inclined downward toward the inside of the tray 200. Since the consumable cartridge 100 moves in the main scanning direction along the inclined surface 303, the inclined surface 303 may be inclined downward in the main scanning direction. Further, the inclined surface 303 may be inclined downward toward the direction of the through hole 220 formed on one side surface 200a, which is opposite to the other side surface 200b on which the guide member 300 is formed.
The guide member 300 may be injection molded such that in the completed tray 200, the guide member 300 includes a downwardly inclined surface 303 while having the other side surface 200b on the inner side. In other words, the guide member 300 may be integrated with the tray 200 on the other side surface 200b of the tray 200. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and thus, the guide member 300 may be provided as a separate structure, in which case the guide member 300 may be mounted on the other side surface 200b of the tray 200.
The guide member 300 may be used to guide the consumable cartridge 100 such that the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted on the tray 200 in the main scanning direction. The position of the consumable cartridge 100 may be controlled by setting the installation direction of the consumable cartridge 100 using the guide member 300.
As described above, the guide member 300 has a simple structure. According to an example of the present disclosure, the increased number of components for moving the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction may be minimized, and the mounting capability of the consumable cartridge may also be enhanced.
Fig. 6A to 6C are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a tray of a consumable cartridge according to an example.
Referring to fig. 6A, the consumable cartridge 100 is before being mounted on the tray 200. The consumable cartridge 100 may move in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction of the tray 200. Referring to fig. 6B, the consumable cartridge 100 may move in the main scanning direction along the guide member 300 formed on the other side surface 200B of the tray 200. For example, the consumable cartridge 100 may move in the main scanning direction while moving in the mounting direction along the inclined surface 303.
Referring to fig. 6C, after moving in the mounting direction along the second surface 305 and then moving in the main scanning direction, the consumable cartridge 100 may be mounted on the tray 200 in this state. Accordingly, the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 protruding from the first panel 121 of the consumable cartridge 100 may be engaged with the through-hole 220.
When the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted on the tray 200, the consumable cartridge 100 may contact the tray 200 and move in the mounting direction while being guided in the main scanning direction by the guide member 300. Accordingly, the consumable cartridge 100 may be pressed toward the main scanning direction so that the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 may be engaged with the through-hole 220.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a consumable cartridge according to an example.
Referring to fig. 7, the consumable cartridge 101 includes a guide member 310 for guiding the consumable cartridge 101 in the main scanning direction with respect to the tray 200. The guide member 310 may be formed on the second panel 141.
The guide member 310 may include a first surface 311 forming an outer side surface of the second panel 141, a second surface 315 formed more outward than the first surface 311, and an inclined surface 313 connecting the first surface 311 and the second surface 315.
The inclined surface 313 may be inclined downward in the main scanning direction. Since the consumable cartridge 101 is moved in the main scanning direction along the other side surface 200b of the tray 200 by the inclined surface 313, the inclined surface 313 may be inclined downward in the main scanning direction. Further, the inclined surface 313 may be inclined downward toward the direction of the photosensitive drum coupling portion 131 formed on one side surface 200a, which is opposite to the other side surface 200b forming the guide member 310.
Fig. 8A to 8C are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a tray of a consumable cartridge according to an example.
Referring to fig. 8A, the consumable cartridge 101 is in a state before being mounted on the tray 200. The consumable cartridge 101 is moved so that the first surface 311 of the guide member 310 moves in the mounting direction (arrow direction) along the tray 200. Referring to fig. 8B, the consumable cartridge 101 may be moved in the main scanning direction along the tray 200 by the inclined surface 313 of the guide member 310. For example, the consumable cartridge 101 may be moved in the mounting direction by the inclined surface 313 while being moved in the main scanning direction. Referring to fig. 8C, the consumable cartridge 101, which has been moved in the main scanning direction by the second surface 315, is mounted on the tray 200. Thus, the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 protruding from the first panel 121 of the consumable cartridge 101 may be engaged with the through-hole 220.
During the process of mounting the consumable cartridge 101 on the tray 200, the consumable cartridge 101 is moved in the mounting direction while being guided in the main scanning direction by the guide member 310 in a state of being in contact with the tray 200. Accordingly, the consumable cartridge 101 is pressed in the main scanning direction, engaging the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 with the through-hole 220.
Fig. 9A and 9B are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a tray of a consumable cartridge according to an example.
Referring to fig. 9A and 9B, the guide member mounted on the tray 200 may include an elastic member 320 to elastically support the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction.
The elastic member 320 may be disposed on the tray 200 and on the other side surface 200b opposite to the one side surface 200a where the through-hole 220 is formed.
The elastic member 320 may elastically push the consumable cartridge 100 mounted on the tray. The configuration of the elastic member 320 may be not limited, and may be formed as a coil spring, a plate spring, a fluid spring, an elastic material, or the like.
When the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted on the tray 200, the consumable cartridge 100 moves in the main scanning direction within the tray 200 under the force applied from the elastic member 320. Accordingly, the consumable cartridge 100 is accelerated by the elastic force until the photosensitive drum drive coupling part 131 of the consumable cartridge 100 is inserted into the through hole 220 of the tray 200. When the consumable cartridge 100 moves in the main scanning direction, the elastic force of the elastic member 320 may be converted into the power of the consumable cartridge 100.
The elastic member 320 can not only guide the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction but also electrically connect a ground (ground) of the consumable cartridge to a ground of the main body. The elastic member 320 serving as an input contact member may be electrically connected to an output contact member (not shown) mounted on the main body 10 a. Thereby, a bias voltage from a power source installed in the main body 10a may be transferred from the output contact member to the elastic member 320 as the input contact member. The elastic member 320 may be formed of a conductive metal member. For example, the elastic member 320 may be formed of copper, aluminum, tin, platinum, or the like.
The consumable cartridge 100 mounted on the tray 200 may move in the main scanning direction by the force applied from the elastic member 320, and is electrically connected to the power supply of the main body 10 a.
The consumable cartridge 100 may be mounted in the mounting direction, and move in the main scanning direction to be mounted on the tray 200 under the force applied from the elastic member 320 disposed on the tray 200. Accordingly, the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 protruding from the first panel 121 of the consumable cartridge 100 may be engaged with the through-hole 220.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a tray according to an example.
Fig. 11A and 11B are sectional views illustrating a process of mounting a tray of a consumable cartridge according to an example.
Referring to fig. 10, the guide member mounted on the tray 200 may be formed as a hinge member 330, and the hinge member 330 rotates to push the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction when the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted.
The hinge member 330 may include a first rotation part 331, which rotates by the weight of the consumable cartridge when the consumable cartridge is mounted, a second rotation part 333, which applies a force on the consumable cartridge 100 such that the consumable cartridge 100 moves in the main scanning direction within the tray 200, and a rotation spring 339, which elastically supports the first and second rotation parts 331 and 333 such that the first and second rotation parts 331 and 333 rotate.
The hinge member 330 may be rotatably mounted on the tray 200 such that the hinge member 330 rotates in a first direction when the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted and rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the consumable cartridge 100 is dismounted, the first direction being a mounting direction.
In order to move the consumable cartridge 100 in the main scanning direction, a hinge member 330 may be formed on the tray 200 to move the consumable cartridge 100 by applying a force in the main scanning direction.
The hinge member 330 may include a first rotation part 331 rotated by the weight of the consumable cartridge 100, a second rotation part 333 and a rotation spring 339 for elastically supporting the first and second rotation parts 331 and 333 such that the first and second rotation parts 331 and 333 are rotated, and the second rotation part 333 moves the consumable cartridge 100 by applying a force on the consumable cartridge 100.
The first rotation part 331 is rotatably installed on the tray 200 to rotate in a first direction when the consumable cartridge 100 is installed, and the second rotation part 333 engaged with the first rotation part 331 may be rotated in the first direction.
The second rotation part 333 may have the same rotation axis 335 as the first rotation part 331, and in this case, the second rotation part 333 is rotated together by the rotation of the first rotation part 331. The second rotation part 333 may be spaced apart from the first rotation part 331 by a predetermined angle. The first and second rotator portions 331 and 333 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance that can allow the consumable cartridge 100 to be positioned therebetween.
The second rotation part 333 rotates in the first direction together with the first rotation part 331 to push the side surface of the consumable cartridge 100. The consumable cartridge 100 is moved in the main scanning direction by the force transmitted from the second rotating part 333.
The rotation spring 339 may include a coil spring installed on the rotation shaft 335. In this example, the rotation spring 339 may elastically support the first and second rotation parts 331 and 333 such that the hinge member 330 rotates in the second direction.
The hinge member 330 rotates according to the mounting and dismounting of the consumable cartridge 100. In other words, the hinge member 330 rotates in the first direction during the process of mounting the consumable cartridge 100 on the tray 200, and the hinge member 330 rotates in the second direction during the process of detaching the consumable cartridge 100 from the tray 200.
The second rotation part 333 may integrally extend from one rotation shaft 335 by a certain distance to cooperate with the first rotation part 331.
The first rotation part 331 may extend toward the direction of the through hole 220 and be disposed at a height such that the consumable cartridge 100 rotates in the mounting direction when being mounted on the tray 200. Accordingly, during a process in which the consumable cartridge 100 is moved in the mounting direction and mounted on the tray 200, the consumable cartridge 100 is locked with the first rotating part 331, thereby rotating the first rotating part 331 in the mounting direction. As the first rotation part 331 rotates in the first direction, the second rotation part 333 rotates together in the first direction. The second rotation part 333 may apply a force to the consumable cartridge 100 mounted between the first rotation part 331 and the second rotation part 333, and thus, the consumable cartridge 100 moves in the main scanning direction.
The operation of the image forming apparatus 100 as described above according to an example will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, as shown in fig. 11A, when the consumable cartridge 100 is moved and mounted on the tray 200, the consumable cartridge 100 is moved in the mounting direction (arrow direction) within the tray 200, and the hinge member 330 formed on the other side surface 200b of the tray 200 is brought into contact with the consumable cartridge 100. As shown in fig. 11B, the first rotating part 331 rotates in the first direction by the weight of the consumable cartridge 100 moving in the mounting direction. The second rotation part 333 also rotates in the first direction according to the rotation of the first rotation part 331.
The second rotating part 333 rotating in the first direction pushes a side surface of the consumable cartridge 100, so that the consumable cartridge 100 is moved in the main scanning direction by the force applied from the second rotating part 333.
As the consumable cartridge 100 moves in the main scanning direction, the photosensitive drum drive coupling 131 formed on the first panel 121 of the consumable cartridge 100 is inserted into the through hole 220 of the tray 200. The consumable cartridge 100 may be moved in the main scanning direction by a force of the second rotating part 333 supporting the consumable cartridge 100 and fixed in a mounted state.
Since the hinge member 330 supports the second panel 141 of the consumable cartridge 100 after the consumable cartridge 100 is completely mounted in the tray 200, the hinge member 330 may be maintained in a state of being rotated in the first direction.
Next, when the consumable cartridge 100 is separated from the tray 200, the hinge member 330 supporting the consumable cartridge 100 is rotated in the second direction by the elastic restoring force of the rotation spring 339.
Removing the consumable cartridge 100 that has supported the first rotation part 331 causes the first rotation part 331 to rotate in the second direction by the elastic restoring force of the rotation spring 339, and the second rotation part 333 to also rotate in the second direction at the same time.
As described above, the present disclosure can also be applied to an S-path type image forming apparatus and a C-path type image forming apparatus.
The foregoing examples are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Furthermore, the description of the examples of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims.
