阅读说明：本技术 成像装置主体和成像系统 (Image forming apparatus main body and image forming system ) 是由 牧口大辅 田边真人 清水宏树 上野隆人 竹内俊阳 于 2015-03-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：成像装置主体和成像系统。主体(100A)包括能够移动并且具有第一凹陷部分(123)的第二可移动部件(110A)。第二可移动部件(110A)通过第一突出部分(80a)的移动而从第一盒(70a)的第一突出部分(80a)能够进入第一凹陷部分(123)的第一位置移动到第二位置,由此允许第二盒(70A)移动到主体(100A)的附连位置。第二可移动部件(110A)在第一位置处也允许第二盒(70A)的第三突出部分(80A)进入第一凹陷部分(123)。当第三突出部分(81A)进入第一凹陷部分(124)时,第二可移动部件(110A)移动到第二位置,由此允许第二盒(70A)移动到附连位置。(An imaging apparatus body and an imaging system. The main body (100A) includes a second movable member (110A) that is movable and has a first recessed portion (123). The second movable member (110A) is moved from a first position where the first protruding portion (80A) of the first cartridge (70A) can enter the first recessed portion (123) to a second position by the movement of the first protruding portion (80A), thereby allowing the second cartridge (70A) to move to the attached position of the main body (100A). The second movable member (110A) also allows the third protruding portion (80A) of the second cartridge (70A) to enter the first recessed portion (123) at the first position. When the third protruding portion (81A) enters the first recessed portion (124), the second movable member (110A) is moved to the second position, thereby allowing the second cartridge (70A) to be moved to the attached position.)

1. An image forming apparatus main body which allows a first cartridge and a second cartridge to be inserted into attachment positions thereof, the first cartridge including a first projection portion and a second projection portion, the second cartridge including a third projection portion and a fourth projection portion, a shape of the third projection portion being different from a shape of the first projection portion, the image forming apparatus main body comprising:

a movable member having a first portion and a second portion provided to provide a first gap portion between the first portion and the second portion in a first direction, wherein the movable member is moved in the first direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the first cartridge by a first protruding portion having contacted the first portion in a state where the first cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body so as to enter the first protruding portion into the first gap portion, and the movable member allows the second protruding portion to pass through a space where the movable member is positioned so as to allow the first cartridge to move to an attachment position of the image forming apparatus main body, and

wherein, with the second cartridge inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, the movable member is moved in the first direction by the third protruding portion having contacted the first portion so as to bring the third protruding portion into the first gap portion, and the movable member allows the fourth protruding portion to pass through a space where the movable member is positioned so as to allow the second cartridge to move to the attachment position of the image forming apparatus main body.

2. The imaging device body according to claim 1,

wherein, during removal of the first cartridge from the image forming apparatus main body, the first portion is moved by movement of the second projecting portion toward the upstream side in the insertion direction of the first cartridge, thereby allowing the first projecting portion to enter the first gap portion so as to allow the first cartridge to be removed from the image forming apparatus main body, and

wherein, during removal of the second cartridge from the image forming apparatus main body, the first portion is moved by movement of the fourth projecting portion toward the upstream side in the insertion direction of the second cartridge, thereby allowing the third projecting portion to enter the first gap portion so as to allow the second cartridge to be removed from the image forming apparatus main body.

3. The imaging apparatus body according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has a third portion, and a second gap portion that allows the second projection portion and the fourth projection portion to enter is provided between the second portion and the third portion.

4. The imaging device body according to claim 3, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are arranged in the first direction.

5. The imaging device body according to claim 1, further comprising:

a guide portion that guides the first and second cartridges in the insertion direction from a position where the first and second cartridges are present before the movable member acts on the first and second cartridges to an attachment position of the image forming apparatus main body.

6. An imaging system, comprising:

a first cartridge comprising a first projection and a second projection;

a second cartridge including a third protruding portion and a fourth protruding portion, the third protruding portion having a shape different from the first protruding portion; and

a first image forming apparatus main body that allows insertion of the first cartridge and the second cartridge into attachment positions thereof,

wherein the first imaging device body includes a first movable member having a first portion and a second portion provided to provide a first gap portion between the first portion and the second portion in the first direction,

wherein, with the first cartridge inserted into the first image forming apparatus main body, the first movable member is moved in a first direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the first cartridge by the first protruding portion having contacted the first portion so as to cause the first protruding portion to enter the first gap portion, and the first movable member allows the second protruding portion to pass through a space where the first movable member is positioned so as to allow the first cartridge to move to an attachment position of the first image forming apparatus main body, and

wherein, with the second cartridge inserted into the first image forming apparatus body, the first movable member is moved in the first direction by the third protruding portion having contacted the first portion so as to cause the third protruding portion to enter the first gap portion, and the first movable member allows the fourth protruding portion to pass through a space where the first movable member is positioned so as to allow the second cartridge to move to the attachment position of the first image forming apparatus body.

7. The imaging system of claim 6, wherein,

wherein, during removal of the first cartridge from the first image forming apparatus main body, the first portion is moved by movement of the second projecting portion toward the upstream side in the insertion direction of the first cartridge, thereby allowing the first projecting portion to enter the first gap portion so as to allow the first cartridge to be removed from the first image forming apparatus main body, and

wherein, during removal of the second cartridge from the first image forming apparatus main body, the first portion is moved by movement of the fourth projecting portion toward the upstream side in the insertion direction of the second cartridge, thereby allowing the third projecting portion to enter the first gap portion so as to allow the second cartridge to be removed from the first image forming apparatus main body.

8. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein the first movable component has a third portion, a second gap portion disposed between the second portion and the third portion, the second gap portion allowing the second protruding portion and the fourth protruding portion to enter into the second gap portion.

9. The imaging system of claim 8, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are arranged in a first direction.

10. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the first image forming apparatus main body includes a guide portion that guides the first cartridge and the second cartridge in the insertion direction from a position where the first cartridge and the second cartridge exist before the first movable member acts on the first cartridge and the second cartridge to an attachment position of the first image forming apparatus main body.

11. The imaging system of claim 6, further comprising:

a second imaging device body including a second movable part having a third portion and a fourth portion arranged to provide a second gap portion between the third portion and the fourth portion in a second direction,

wherein, with the second cartridge inserted into the second imaging apparatus body, the second movable member is moved in a second direction intersecting the insertion direction of the second cartridge so as to bring the first protruding portion into the second gap portion, by the third protruding portion having contacted the third portion, and the second movable member allows the fourth protruding portion to pass through a space where the second movable member is positioned so as to allow the second cartridge to move to the attachment position of the second imaging apparatus body, and

wherein the second movable member blocks movement of the first protruding portion in the insertion direction of the first cartridge in a case where the first cartridge is inserted into the second imaging apparatus main body.

12. The imaging system as set forth in claim 11,

wherein the second cartridge includes the third protruding portion and the fourth protruding portion, a cross section of the third protruding portion in a plane determined by the insertion direction of the second cartridge and the second direction is smaller than a cross section of the first protruding portion in a plane determined by the insertion direction of the first cartridge and the second direction,

wherein a length in the second direction within the second gap portion is smaller than a length in the second direction within the first gap portion, and the third protruding portion is in contact with the second gap portion, and

wherein the second movable member blocks the first protruding portion from entering into the second gap portion in a state where the first cartridge is inserted into the second imaging apparatus body.

13. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein for the second gap portion, a first inclined portion, a second inclined portion, and a first regulating portion are provided on a surface on a downstream side of the second gap portion in the second direction in the order of the first inclined portion, the second inclined portion, and the first regulating portion from an upstream side in the insertion direction, wherein the first inclined portion is in contact with the third protruding portion so as to receive the force for moving the second movable member, the second inclined portion is inclined toward the downstream side in the second direction when the second inclined portion extends toward the downstream side in the insertion direction of the third cartridge that is inoperable with the second image forming apparatus main body, and the first regulating portion prevents the third cartridge from entering the attached position.

14. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein a cross section of the first projection portion in a plane determined by the insertion direction of the first cartridge and the first direction has a circular shape, a cross section of the third projection portion in a plane determined by the insertion direction of the second cartridge and the first direction has a circular shape, and a diameter of the third projection portion is smaller than a diameter of the first projection portion.

15. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein a cross section of a first projection portion in a plane determined by an insertion direction of a first cartridge and the first direction and a cross section of a third projection portion in a plane determined by an insertion direction of a second cartridge and the first direction respectively have a non-circular shape having a length in the insertion direction shorter than a length in the first direction, and the cross section of the first projection portion and the cross section of the third projection portion have substantially the same length with respect to the first direction.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an image forming system. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) herein forms an image on a recording material (recording medium) by using an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of the image forming apparatus include apparatuses and machines such as a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a word processor, and a multifunction machine (multifunction printer) having functions of these apparatuses and machines.

Background

In the related art, the process cartridge method is suitable for an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process. With the process cartridge method, the cartridge is attachable to and removable from the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus. In this process cartridge method, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process device that performs a process on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally assembled into a cartridge. Thereby, maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be simplified and can be performed by the user himself.

However, with the image forming apparatus using such a process cartridge method, not only a cartridge having a function matching with the image forming apparatus but also a cartridge having no function matching with the image forming apparatus may be attached. As a structure for solving this problem, the following methods have been proposed: that is, when a cartridge that does not match the image forming apparatus main body is inserted, the cam portion for opening/closing the shutter is brought into engagement with the cartridge misinsertion preventing engagement portion at the opening of the apparatus main body to open the shutter, thereby preventing misinsertion of the cartridge (see PTL 1, for example).

List of cited documents

Patent document

PTL 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2004-012562.

Disclosure of Invention

Solution to the problem

With the above structure, only a single type of cartridge can be attached to a single type of image forming apparatus main body. Meanwhile, there is a need for a structure that also allows a cartridge, in which a new function is added, to be attached to a single type of image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, a structure is desired for which a cartridge that matches the image forming apparatus main body (e.g., a cartridge in which a new function is added) can be attached to the image forming apparatus main body and which prevents a cartridge that does not match the image forming apparatus main body from being erroneously attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Further, since the types of cartridges that can be attached to a single type of image forming apparatus main body are increasing, it is required that the types of cartridges can be easily recognized by a user.

Further, although it is desirable to allow insertion of a plurality of cartridges in which new functions are added, due to a limitation in the size of the cartridges, it is required to reduce the size of a space in which a structure for preventing the cartridges from being erroneously attached is provided.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus body allows a first cartridge and a second cartridge to be inserted therein. The first cartridge includes a first projection portion and a second projection portion, and the second cartridge includes a third projection portion and a fourth projection portion, the third projection portion having a shape different from a shape of the first projection portion. The image forming apparatus main body includes a movable member having a first recessed portion and movable. In the image forming apparatus main body, during attachment of the first cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body, the movable member is moved from a first position at which the first protruding portion is allowed to enter the first recessed portion to a second position by movement of the first protruding portion in the first recessed portion toward a downstream side in an insertion direction of the first cartridge, and the second protruding portion is allowed to pass an upstream side of the movable member in a movement direction in which the movable member is moved from the first position to the second position to allow the first cartridge to be moved to the attachment position of the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus body, during attachment of the second cartridge to the image forming apparatus body, the movable member at the first position allows the third protruding portion to enter the first recessed portion, and when the third protruding portion enters the first recessed portion, the movable member at the second position allows the fourth protruding portion to pass through an upstream side of the first recessed portion in the moving direction to allow the second cartridge to move to the attachment position of the image forming apparatus body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging system includes a first cartridge including a first projection portion and a second projection portion. The imaging system further includes a second cartridge including a third projection portion and a fourth projection portion, the third projection portion having a shape different from a shape of the first projection portion. The imaging system also includes a first imaging device body that allows the first and second cartridges to be inserted therein. In the imaging system, the first imaging device body includes a first movable member that has a first recessed portion and is movable. In the image forming system, during attachment of the first cartridge to the first image forming apparatus body, the first movable member is moved from a first position at which the first protruding portion is allowed to enter the first recessed portion to a second position by movement of the first protruding portion in the first recessed portion toward a downstream side in an insertion direction of the first cartridge, thereby allowing the second protruding portion to pass an upstream side of the first movable member in a moving direction in which the first movable member is moved from the first position to the second position to allow the first cartridge to be moved to the attachment position of the first image forming apparatus body. In the image forming system, the first movable member at the first position allows the third protruding portion to enter the first recessed portion during attachment of the second cartridge to the first image forming apparatus body, and when the third protruding portion enters the first recessed portion, the first movable member at the second position allows the fourth protruding portion to pass through an upstream side of the first recessed portion in the moving direction to allow the second cartridge to move to the attachment position of the first image forming apparatus body.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows the complete structure of a first recess portion and a second recess portion provided in a movable member according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a main sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a main sectional view of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4A illustrates a structure for attaching the cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4B illustrates a structure for attaching the cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the structures of the movable member and the recessed portion according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion of the cartridge according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7A is an explanatory diagram of operations performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9A is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing the cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing the cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9C is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing the cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10A is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing the cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10B is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing the cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11A is an explanatory view of the stopper member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11B is an explanatory view of the stopper member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory view of a third projection portion and a fourth projection portion of the cartridge according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of a movable member according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 17A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 17B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of a movable member according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory view of a fifth projecting portion and a sixth projecting portion of the cartridge according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 20A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 20B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 20C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 20D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 20E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 20F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 22A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 22B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 22C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 22D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 22E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 22F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 23A is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing a cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 23B is an explanatory diagram of an operation of preventing the cartridge from being erroneously inserted, which is performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 24A is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the concave portion according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 24B is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the concave portion according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the structures of a ninth projection portion and a tenth projection portion of a movable member of a cartridge according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 26A is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 26B is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 26C is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 26D is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 26E is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 26F is an explanatory diagram of an operation performed when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 27 shows the entire structure of a modification of the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

Fig. 28A shows the entire structure of a modification of the movable member in the first and second embodiments.

Fig. 28B shows the entire structure of a modification of the movable member in the first and second embodiments.

Detailed Description

An image forming apparatus and a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Overview of the overall structure of the image forming apparatus

Complete structure of image forming apparatus

First, the entirety of an image forming apparatus main body 100 (hereinafter referred to as a main body) is generally described with reference to fig. 2. As shown in fig. 2, four detachable process cartridges 70(70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K) are attached to the main body 100. Here, the process cartridges each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) and at least one developing unit as a process means that performs an operation on the photosensitive drum among the process means. The photosensitive drum and the process device are integrally assembled into a cartridge, which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. The upstream side and the downstream side of the process cartridge 70 (hereinafter referred to as cartridge) in the direction in which the cartridge 70 is inserted into the main body 100 are defined as a front-side surface side and a rear-side surface side, respectively. In fig. 2, the cartridge 70 is accommodated in the main body 100 such that the arrangement direction of the cartridge 70 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The photosensitive drum 1 and process means such as the charging roller 2, the developing roller 25, and the cleaning member 6 are integrally provided in each cartridge 70. The process means is arranged around the photosensitive drum 1. The charging rollers 2(2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d) uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1(1a, 1b, 1c, and 1 d). The developing rollers 25(25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d) develop the latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 1 with toner to form visible images. After the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 has been transferred onto the recording medium, the cleaning member 6(6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d) removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1.

The scanner unit 3 is provided below the cartridge 70. The scanner unit 3 causes the photosensitive drum 1 to be selectively exposed according to image information to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

The recording medium cassette 17 is attached in the lower portion of the main body 100. The recording medium cassette 17 contains a recording medium S, which is a sheet such as a paper sheet. The recording medium conveying device is provided to convey the recording medium S to the upper portion of the main body 100 through the secondary transfer roller 69 and the fixing unit 74. More specifically, a feed roller 54, a conveying roller pair 76, and a registration roller pair 55 are provided. The feed roller 54 separates the recording media S from the recording medium cassette 17 from each other and feeds the recording media S one by one. The conveyance roller pair 76 conveys each recording medium S that has been fed. The registration roller pair 55 causes the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 to be synchronized with the recording medium S. Further, an intermediate transfer unit 5 is provided above the cartridge 70. The intermediate transfer unit 5 functions as an intermediate transfer device that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes a driving roller 56, a driven roller 57, primary transfer rollers 58(58a, 58b, 58c, and 58d), and an opposing roller 59. The primary transfer rollers 58 are disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums 1 of the respective colors. The opposed roller 59 is disposed at a position facing the secondary transfer roller 69. The endless transfer belt 9 is looped around these rollers. The transfer belt 9 rotates so that the transfer belt 9 faces each photosensitive drum 1 and is in contact with each photosensitive drum 1. By applying a voltage to each primary transfer roller 58, primary transfer from each photosensitive drum 1 to the transfer belt 9 is performed. The toner on the transfer belt 9 is transferred to the recording medium S by applying a voltage to the opposed roller 59 and the secondary transfer roller 69 disposed inside the transfer belt 9.

To form an image, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated, charged by the charging roller 2, and selectively exposed to light from the scanner unit 3. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. These electrostatic latent images are developed by the developing roller 25. Accordingly, toner images of the respective colors are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 1. The registration roller pair 55 conveys the recording medium S to the secondary transfer position in synchronization with the image information. In the secondary transfer position, the counter roller 59 is in contact with the secondary transfer roller 69 via the transfer belt 9. The toner images of the respective colors on the transfer belt 9 are transferred onto the recording medium S via secondary transfer by applying a transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 69. Thus, a color image is formed on the recording medium S. The recording medium S on which the color image has been formed is heated and subjected to pressure by the fixing unit 74, so that the toner image is fixed. After that, the recording medium S is output to the output unit 75 by the output roller 72. The fixing unit 74 is disposed on an upper portion of the main body 100.

General description of the cassette as a whole

The entirety of the cartridge 70 is summarized next with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a main section of one cartridge 70 containing toner. It should be noted that the toner cartridge 70Y containing yellow toner, the toner cartridge 70M containing magenta toner, the toner cartridge 70C containing cyan toner, and the toner cartridge 70K containing black toner are similar in structure or configured in the same manner.

The cartridge 70 includes the cleaning units 26(26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d) and the developing units 4(4a, 4b, 4c, and 4 d). The cleaning units 26 each include a photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2, and a cleaning member 6. The developing units 4 each include a developing roller 25.

As described above, the charging roller 2 and the cleaning member 6 are arranged at the periphery of each photosensitive drum 1. The cleaning member 6 includes an elastic member 7 and a cleaning support member 8. The elastic member 7 is formed of a rubber blade. In a state where the tip portion 7a of the rubber blade 7 is inclined with respect to the normal line of the photosensitive drum 1 along the rotational direction, the tip portion 7a is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. The residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning member 6 falls into the removed toner chamber 27 a. The leakage preventing sheet 21 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to prevent the removed toner in the removed toner chamber 27a from leaking from the removed toner chamber 27 a. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotated according to an image forming operation by transmitting a driving force from the main body 100 to the cleaning unit 26. The charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the cleaning unit 26 by a charging roller bearing 28. The charging roller 2 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 by the roller pressing member 46, so that the charging roller 2 is rotated by the photosensitive drum 1.

Each developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 25 and a developing frame 31. The developing rollers 25 are in contact with a corresponding one of the photosensitive drums 1 and rotate in the direction of arrow B. The developing frame 31 supports the developing roller 25. The developing unit 4 is rotatably connected to the cleaning unit 26 at a shaft 12a by developing bearings 12 attached to respective sides of the developing frame 31 (see fig. 3). The toner supply roller 34 and the developing blade 35 are arranged at the periphery of the developing roller 25. The toner supply roller 34 is in contact with the developing roller 25 and rotates in the direction of arrow C. The developing blade 35 regulates the toner layer on the developing roller 25. A leakage prevention sheet 20 that prevents toner from leaking from the developing frame 31 is provided in the developing frame 31 so as to be in contact with the developing roller 25. Further, a toner conveying member 36 is provided in the toner accommodating chamber 31a of the developing frame 31. The toner conveying member 36 stirs the toner contained in the toner containing chamber 31a and conveys the toner to the toner supply roller 34.

Structure for attaching and detaching cartridge to and from main body

Next, a structure for attaching the cartridge 70 to the main body 100 and detaching the cartridge 70 from the main body 100 is described with reference to fig. 4A and 4B. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4A, the cartridge 70 is inserted into the openings 101(101a, 101b, 101c, and 101d) of the main body 100 from the front side to the rear side along a direction (direction indicated by arrow F) parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Herein, the front side is defined as an upstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge 70 and the rear side is defined as a downstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge 70. As the guide portions of the main body 100, in the main body 100, first guide portions 102(102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d) are provided on the lower side and second guide portions 103(103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d) are provided on the upper side. The first guide portion 102 and the second guide portion 103 have a shape extending along the insertion direction F of the cartridge 70 for guiding. As shown in fig. 4B, each cartridge 70 has a first guided portion 104 and a second guided portion 105. The first guide portion 102 is brought into engagement with the first guided portion 104 of the cartridge 70 at the front side in the insertion direction, and after that, the second guide portion 103 is brought into engagement with the second guided portion 105. Then, the cartridge 70 is moved in the insertion direction F along the first guide portion 102 and the second guide portion 103 so as to be inserted into the main body 100. Thus, the cartridge 70 is attached at the attachment position D in the main body 100.

Hereinafter, the features of the present invention will be described using the first to fourth embodiments. Hereinafter, the specific body 100 is denoted as a body 100A, 100d, 100e, etc. Also, the cartridges corresponding to the main bodies 100A, 100d, 100e, etc. are denoted as cartridges 70A, 70d, 70e, etc.

First embodiment

A first embodiment according to the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 5 to 13F.

First, the structure of the first body 100a and the first cartridge 70a operable with the first body 100a is described.

Fig. 5 shows a state of a portion of the first body 100a shown in fig. 4A near the opening 101, in which the first cartridge 70a is about to be inserted. The first and second guide portions 102 and 103 (see fig. 4A), the first movable member 110a, and the urging spring 111 are provided in the first body 100 a. The first guide portion 102 and the second guide portion 103 guide the insertion of the first cartridge 70 a. The first movable part 110a can move. The urging spring 111 urges the first movable member 110a to the first position. When the first cartridge 70a is inserted along the first guide portion 102 and the second guide portion 103, the first body 100a allows the first cartridge 70a to be disposed at the attachment position D (see fig. 4B) after erroneous attachment of the cartridge has been prevented by the first movable member 110 a. In the present embodiment, the first movable member 110a is urged downward in the first body 100a by the urging spring 111 so as to be positioned at the first position and movable upward in the first body 100 a. That is, the first movable member 110a is urged toward the upstream side in the moving direction by the urging spring 111 and is movable toward the downstream side in the moving direction. Herein, the moving direction refers to a direction in which the movable member 110 indicated by G moves, and the inserting direction refers to an inserting direction F in which the cartridge is inserted.

The first movable member 110a has a first recessed portion 123 and a second recessed portion 124. The first recess portion 123 is defined by the first contact portion 120 and the second contact portion 121. The second recessed portion 124 is defined by the second contact portion 121 and the first entry prevention portion 122. The first movable member 110a is configured such that the first movable member 110a can move without changing the relative positional relationship among the first contact portion 120, the second contact portion 121, and the first entry prevention portion 122. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the first contact portion 120, the second contact portion 121, and the first entry prevention portion 122 are arranged coincides with the moving direction.

As shown in fig. 1, a first inclined portion 123a, a first flat portion 123b, a second inclined portion 123c, a first concave surface portion 123d, and a first regulating portion 123e are provided in the first concave portion 123 in this order along the insertion direction, that is, on an upstream portion of the first contact portion 120 in the moving direction. Specifically, the first inclined portion 123a is inclined toward the upstream side in the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side in the insertion direction. The first flat portion 123b is connected to the first inclined portion 123a and extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The second inclined portion 123c is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the insertion direction. The first regulating portion 123e perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the moving direction) is continuous with the first concave surface portion 123d substantially parallel to the insertion direction.

Similarly, a second flat portion 124a, a third inclined portion 124b, and a third flat portion 124c are provided in the second recessed portion 124 in this order along the insertion direction, that is, on the upstream surface of the second contact portion 121 along the moving direction. Specifically, the second flat portion 124a and the third flat portion 124c are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The third inclined portion 124b is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction. Further, as shown in fig. 5, a stopper member 112 and a connecting member are provided in the first body 100 a. The stop member 112 interlocks with the first movable member 110 a. The connecting member connects the first movable member 110a and the stopper member 112.

As shown in fig. 6, the first projecting portion 80a and the second projecting portion 81a are provided on the first cartridge 70a such that the first projecting portion 80a and the second projecting portion 81a project in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. In the present embodiment, the cross-section of the first projecting portion 80a and the second projecting portion 81a has a circular shape in a plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction. The first projecting portion 80a is disposed on the downstream side in the insertion direction, and the second projecting portion 81a is disposed upstream of the first projecting portion 80a in the insertion direction.

As shown in fig. 7C, the inner width of the first recess portion 123 is greater than the width of the first protrusion portion 80a along the moving direction. Likewise, the inner width of the second concave portion 124 is larger than the width of the second protruding portion 81a along the moving direction. The first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a are configured such that the second protruding portion 81a can enter the second recessed portion 124 when the first protruding portion 80a moves to an end portion of the first inclined portion 123a that is on the upstream side in the moving direction. That is, the distance between the first projecting portion 80a and the second projecting portion 81a in the insertion direction is set to be greater than the first distance P. The first distance P is a distance between a first position of the first movable member 110a (in which the first protruding portion 80a is brought into contact with the first inclined portion 123 a) and a second position of the first movable member 110a (in which the second protruding portion 81a becomes engageable with the second recessed portion 124). In other words, the length by which the first inclined portion 123a contacts the first projecting portion 80a until reaching the second position is smaller than the distance between the first projecting portion 80a and the second projecting portion 81a in the insertion direction. Further, along the insertion direction, the distance between the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a is smaller than a second distance L, which is the sum of the length of the first flat portion 123b and the first distance P through which the first protruding portion 80a contacts the first inclined portion 123 a.

Attachment of a first cartridge operable with a first body

Next, a relationship among the first protruding portion 80a, the second protruding portion 81a, and the first movable member 110a during attachment of the first cartridge 70a, which is operable together with the first body 100a, to the first body 100a by inserting the first cartridge 70a in the insertion direction F is described. Here, in fig. 7A to 7F, the left side corresponds to the front side of the imaging device and the right side corresponds to the rear side of the imaging device.

As shown in fig. 7A, when the first cartridge 70a is inserted along the first guide portion 102 and the second guide portion 103 (see fig. 4A), the first protruding portion 80a is brought into engagement with the first recessed portion 123 of the first movable member 110a located at the first position. When the first cartridge 70a is further inserted, the first protruding portion 80a is brought into contact with the first inclined portion 123a of the first contact portion 120 provided at the entrance of the first recessed portion 123, as shown in fig. 7B. Thus, the first movable member 110a receives the force from the first cartridge 70a through the first protrusion portion 80 a. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G).

When the first cartridge 70a is inserted still further, as shown in fig. 7C, the first protruding portion 80a is brought into contact with the first flat portion 123b of the first recessed portion 123. This causes the first movable part 110a to move to the second position, where the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable part 110a can engage with the second protruding portion 81 a. The first flat portion 123b can extend the time during which the first movable member 110a stays at the second position (in which the second protruding portion 81a can engage with the second recessed portion 124). Therefore, even in the case where the components included in the first cartridge 70a and the first body 100a expand or contract due to heat, the second protruding portion 81a may become engageable with the second recessed portion 124. When the second protruding portion 81a is brought into engagement with the second recessed portion 124, as shown in fig. 7D, the second protruding portion 81a supports the second flat portion 124a of the first movable member 110a while inserting the first cartridge 70 a. Thus, the first cartridge 70a is inserted while keeping the first cartridge 70a upward.

When the first cartridge 70a is inserted still further and the second protruding portion 81a is moved to a position on the third inclined portion 124b as shown in fig. 7E, the first movable member 110a is moved in the second moving direction (arrow H), which is a downward direction, with the insertion of the first cartridge 70 a. More specifically, by supporting the surface of the second contact portion 121 facing the first entry prevention portion 122 with the second protruding portion 81a, the first movable member 110a, which is urged downward by the restoring force of the urging spring 111, moves downward with the insertion of the first cartridge 70 a. Fig. 7F shows a state in which the first cartridge 70a has been completely inserted into the first body 100 a. Thus, the first cartridge 70a operable with the first body 100a can be inserted into the attachment position D (see fig. 4B) in the first body 100 a.

Removing a first cartridge operable with a first body from the first body

Next, the relationship between the first and second protruding portions 80a and 81a and the first movable member 110a when the first cartridge 70a is pulled in the removal direction R to be removed from the first body 100a is described with reference to fig. 8A to 8F. Similar to fig. 7F, fig. 8A shows a state in which the first cartridge 70a has been completely inserted into the first body 100 a.

First, when the first cartridge 70a is pulled in the removing direction R opposite to the inserting direction F, the second protruding portion 81a is brought into engagement with the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable member 110a and brought into contact with the second contact portion 121 of the second recessed portion 124, as shown in fig. 8B. That is, the second protruding portion 81a is brought into contact with the third inclined portion 124b of the second contact portion 121. Therefore, when the first cartridge 70a is pulled, the first movable member 110a receives a force from the first cartridge 70a through the second protruding portion 81 a. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G).

When the first cartridge 70a is further pulled, as shown in fig. 8C, the second protruding portion 81a is brought into contact with the second flat portion 124a of the second contact portion 121. This causes the first movable member 110a to move to the second position. When the first cartridge 70a is further pulled, the second protruding portion 81a supports the second flat portion 124a of the first movable member 110 a. Thus, the first cartridge 70a is removed while keeping the first movable member 110a upward.

When the first cartridge 70a is pulled still further, as shown in fig. 8D, the first projecting portion 80a is brought into contact with the surface of the first contact portion 120 of the first recessed portion 123 on the upstream side in the moving direction. Thereafter, the second protruding portion 81a is disengaged from the second recessed portion 124. When the first cartridge 70a is pulled still further and the first projecting portion 80a is moved to a position on the first inclined portion 123a as shown in fig. 8E, the first movable member 110a is moved in the second moving direction (arrow H), which is a downward direction, as the first cartridge 70a is pulled. More specifically, by supporting the surface of the first contact portion 120 facing the second contact portion 121 with the first protrusion portion 80a, as the first cartridge 70a is pulled, the first movable member 110a, which is urged downward by the restoring force of the urging spring 111, moves downward. Fig. 8F shows a state in which the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a are disengaged from the first recessed portion 123 and the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable member 110a, and the first movable member 110a is located at the first position. Accordingly, the first cartridge 70a of the first body 100a can be removed from the first body 100 a.

Attachment of a cartridge inoperable with a first body

Next, a case where cartridges 70B and 70c, which are different from the first cartridge 70a and cannot be operated together with the first body 100a, are inserted into the above-described first body 100a will be described with reference to fig. 9A to 10B.

Hereinafter, along the insertion direction, the first distance P is defined as a distance through which the first inclined portion 123a comes into contact with the protruding portion 80b and the first movable member 110a moves from the first position to the second position where the protruding portion 81b becomes engageable with the second recessed portion 124. First, the cartridge 70b is described as an example. The distance between the protruding portion 80b and the protruding portion 81b of the cartridge 70b is set to be greater than a second distance L, which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the first flat portion 123 b. The relationship between the protruding portions 80b and 81b and the first movable member 110a when the cartridge 70b is inserted into the first body 100a in the insertion direction F is described with reference to fig. 9A to 9C.

As shown in fig. 9A, when the cartridge 70b is initially inserted, the protruding portion 80b and the first recessed portion 123 of the first movable member 110a are brought into engagement with each other. When the cartridge 70B is further inserted, the protruding portion 80B is brought into contact with the first inclined portion 123a of the first contact portion 120 provided at the entrance of the first recessed portion 123, as shown in fig. 9B. Thus, the first movable member 110a receives the force from the cartridge 70b through the protruding portion 80 b. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G). When the cartridge 70b is further inserted and the protruding portion 80b is moved to a position on the second inclined portion 123C, as shown in fig. 9C, the first movable member 110a is moved in the second moving direction (arrow H), which is a downward direction, as the cartridge 70b is inserted. More specifically, by supporting the second inclined portion 123c of the first movable member 110a with the protruding portion 80b, the first movable member 110a, which is urged downward by the restoring force of the urging spring 111, moves downward as the cartridge 70b is inserted. When the cartridge 70b is inserted and the protruding portion 80b is moved to a position on the first concave surface portion 123d, the protruding portion 81b is brought into contact with the end surface of the second contact portion 121 on the upstream side in the insertion direction and is not brought into engagement with the second concave portion 124 of the first movable member 110 a. As a result, the cartridge 70b, which is an erroneous cartridge in this case, can be prevented from being inserted into the first body 100 a.

Next, the cartridge 70c is described as an example in which the distance between the protruding portion 80c and the protruding portion 81c is set smaller than the first distance P in the insertion direction. The relationship between the protruding portions 80c and 81c and the first movable member 110A when the cartridge 70c is inserted into the first body 100A in the insertion direction F is described with reference to fig. 10A and 10B.

As shown in fig. 10A, when the cartridge 70c is initially moved, the protruding portion 80c and the first recessed portion 123 of the second movable member 110A are brought into engagement with each other. When the cartridge 70c is further inserted, the protruding portion 80c is brought into contact with the first inclined portion 123a of the first contact portion 120 provided at the entrance of the first recessed portion 123, as shown in fig. 10B. Thus, the first movable member 110a receives the force from the cartridge 70c through the protruding portion 80 c. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G). However, when the first movable member 110a moves upward with the insertion of the cartridge 70c, the protruding portion 81c is brought into contact with the end surface of the second contact portion 121 on the upstream side in the insertion direction. Therefore, the protruding portion 81c is not brought into engagement with the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable member 110 a. Therefore, the cartridge 70c, which is an erroneous cartridge in this case, can be prevented from being inserted into the first body 100 a.

Although not shown, when the width of the first protruding portion 80 provided on the cartridge 70 is set to be larger than the entrance of the first recessed portion 123 in the moving direction, the first protruding portion 80 cannot be engaged with the first recessed portion 123. Similarly, when the second protruding portion 81 provided on the cartridge 70 is provided larger than the entrance of the second recessed portion 124 in the moving direction, the second protruding portion 81 cannot engage with the second recessed portion 124. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent the cartridge 70 from being erroneously inserted into the first body 100 by depending on the sizes of the first and second protruding portions 80 and 81.

Summary of the invention

According to the above description, the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a of the cartridge 70 that cannot operate with the first body 100a are not sized and arranged to correspond to the first recessed portion 123 and the second recessed portion 124, and therefore, the cartridge 70 cannot be inserted into the attachment position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where erroneous cartridges 70b and 70c that cannot operate with the first body 100a are attached to the attachment positions.

As shown in fig. 1, the first body 100a has a first regulating portion 123e in the first contact portion 120 of the first recess portion 123. With such a structure, in the case where the first projecting portion 80A of the second cartridge 70A has been lost due to, for example, damage or the like, when the second cartridge 70A is inserted, the first regulating portion 123e is brought into contact with the first projecting portion 80A. Therefore, the first regulating portion 123e can prevent the insertion of the cartridge as long as the cartridge is not recognized as being operable with the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the possibility of insertion of an erroneous cartridge that cannot be operated together with the first body 100 can be further reliably reduced.

About the stop member

The stopper part 112 may be provided in the body 100. The stopper member 112 is described below with reference to fig. 11A and 11B.

As shown in fig. 11A, when the first cartridge 70a is not inserted, the stopper member 112 extends in a direction intersecting the insertion direction F and is positioned so as to protrude into the first guide portion 102 in the first body 100 a. In contrast, as shown in fig. 11B, when the second cartridge 70A is inserted and the first movable member 110A is moved upward (in the moving direction G) by the first projecting portion 80A and the second projecting portion 81a of the second cartridge 70A, the stopper member 112 is retracted in the direction of the arrow B. More specifically, by connecting the stopper member 112 and the first movable member 110a to each other by a cam (not shown), the stopper member 112 is moved from the inside to the outside of the first guide portion 102. Thereby, the first cartridge 70a becomes insertable.

Therefore, the first movable member 110a and the stopper member 112 cannot be moved, for example, when the cartridge is the cartridge 70b or 70c that cannot be operated together with the first body 100a or when at least one of the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a is lost due to damage or the like. Therefore, as long as the cartridge is not recognized as a cartridge that can operate with the image forming apparatus, the cartridge is brought into contact with the stopper member 112 and cannot advance to the attachment position D (see fig. 4B). That is, the possibility of insertion of an erroneous cartridge that cannot be operated together with the first body 100 can be further reliably reduced.

Second cartridge attachable to first body

Meanwhile, there is a need to allow various types of cartridges to be attached to the first body 100 a. The various types of cartridges include cartridges containing different amounts of developer according to the application of the user, which correspond to subsequent models of the first body 100a having improved functions and performance, and the like. Thus, the second cartridge 70A capable of being attached to the first body 100A is described.

As shown in fig. 12, the second cartridge 70A has a third projection 80A and a fourth projection 81A. The shape of the third projection 80A is different from the shape of the first projection 80A. Specifically, in the present embodiment, in a plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction, the cross section of the first projecting portion 80A has a circular shape, the cross section of the third projecting portion 80A also has a circular shape, and the cross sections of the first projecting portion 80A and the third projecting portion 80A have a common tangent line at the downstream end portion in the moving direction and have different diameters. As in the case of the first cartridge 70A, the third projecting portion 80A and the fourth projecting portion 81A are provided on the second cartridge 70A such that the third projecting portion 80A and the fourth projecting portion 81A project in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. The third projecting portion 80A is disposed on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge, and the fourth projecting portion 81A is disposed upstream of the third projecting portion 80A in the insertion direction of the cartridge. As shown in fig. 13B, the third projecting portion 80A has a shape capable of entering the first recessed portion 123. Further, regarding the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A, as shown in fig. 13C, when the third protruding portion 80A is moved to the end portion of the first inclined portion 123a on the upstream side in the moving direction, the fourth protruding portion 81A can be engaged with the second recessed portion 124. That is, along the insertion direction, the distance between the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A is greater than a first distance P through which the third protruding portion 80A contacts the first inclined portion 123a and is less than a second distance L, which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the first flat portion 123b (see fig. 1).

Attaching a second cartridge into the first body

Next, the relationship between the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A and the first movable member 110A during attachment of the second cartridge 70A to the first body 100A by inserting the second cartridge 70A in the insertion direction F is described with reference to fig. 13A to 13F. Here, in fig. 13A to 13F, the left side corresponds to the front side of the imaging device and the right side corresponds to the rear side of the imaging device.

As shown in fig. 13A, when the second cartridge 70A is initially inserted, the third protruding portion 80A and the first recessed portion 123 of the first movable member 110A are brought into engagement with each other. When the second cartridge 70A is further inserted, the third protruding portion 80A is brought into contact with the first inclined portion 123a of the first contact portion 120 provided at the entrance of the first recessed portion 123, as shown in fig. 13B. Therefore, the first movable member 110A receives the force from the second cartridge 70A through the third protruding portion 80A. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G).

When the second cartridge 70A is inserted still further, as shown in fig. 13C, the third protruding portion 80A is brought into contact with the first flat portion 123b of the first recessed portion 123. This causes the first movable part 110a to move to the second position, where the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable part 110a can engage with the fourth protruding portion 81A. The first flat portion 123b may extend the time for which the first movable member 110a stays at the second position where the fourth protruding portion 81A can be engaged with the second recessed portion 124. Therefore, even in the case where the components included in the second cartridge 70A and the first body 100A expand or contract due to heat, the fourth protruding portion 81A may become engageable with the second recessed portion 124.

When the fourth protruding portion 81A is brought into engagement with the second recessed portion 124, as shown in fig. 13D, the fourth protruding portion 81A supports the second flat portion 124a of the first movable member 110A while being inserted into the second cartridge 70A. Therefore, the first movable member 110A is kept upward while the second cartridge 70A is inserted.

When the second cartridge 70A is inserted still further and the fourth projecting portion 81A is moved to a position on the third inclined portion 124b as shown in fig. 13E, the first movable member 110A is moved in the second moving direction (arrow H), which is a downward direction, as the second cartridge 70A is inserted. More specifically, by supporting the surface of the first contact portion 120 facing the second contact portion 121 with the third protruding portion 80A, the first movable member 110A, which is urged downward by the restoring force of the urging spring 111, moves downward as the second cartridge 70A is inserted. Fig. 13F shows a state in which the second cartridge 70A has been completely inserted into the first body 100A. Thus, the second cartridge 70A can be inserted into the first body 100A.

Removing the second cartridge from the first body

Next, a relationship between the third and fourth protruding portions 80A and 81A and the first movable member 110A when the second cartridge 70A is pulled in the removal direction R to be removed from the first body 100A is described with reference to fig. 14A to 14F. Similar to fig. 13F, fig. 14A shows a state in which the second cartridge 70A has been completely inserted into the first body 100A.

First, when the second cartridge 70A is pulled, the fourth protruding portion 81A is brought into engagement with the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable member 110A and brought into contact with the second contact portion 121 of the second recessed portion 124, as shown in fig. 14B. That is, the fourth protruding portion 81A is brought into contact with the third inclined portion 124b of the second contact portion 121. Therefore, the first movable member 110A receives the force from the second cartridge 70A through the fourth protruding portion 81A. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G). When the second cartridge 70A is further pulled, as shown in fig. 14C, the fourth protruding portion 81A is brought into contact with the second flat portion 124a of the second contact portion 121. This causes the first movable member 110a to move to the second position. When the second cartridge 70A is further pulled, the fourth protruding portion 81A supports the first movable member 110A. Thus, the second cartridge 70A is removed while keeping the first movable member 110A upward.

When the second cartridge 70A is pulled still further, as shown in fig. 14D, the third projecting portion 80A is brought into contact with and engaged with the first recessed portion 123. Thereafter, the fourth protruding portion 81A is disengaged from the second recessed portion 124. When the second cartridge 70A is pulled still further and the third projecting portion 80A is moved to a position on the first inclined portion 123a as shown in fig. 14E, the first movable member 110A is moved in the second moving direction (arrow H), which is a downward direction, as the second cartridge 70A is pulled. More specifically, by supporting the surface of the first contact portion 120 facing the second contact portion 121 with the third protruding portion 80A, the first movable member 110A, which is urged downward by the restoring force of the urging spring 111, moves downward as the second cartridge 70A is pulled.

Fig. 14F shows a state in which the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A are disengaged from the first recessed portion 123 and the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable member 110A and the first movable member 110A is positioned at the first position. Thus, the second cartridge 70A can be removed from the first body 100A.

Advantageous effects

As described above, the first body 100a includes the first movable part 110a having the first and second recess portions 123 and 124. Accordingly, an imaging system can be provided that realizes the following structure in a reduced space: the structure prevents a cartridge that cannot be operated with the first body 100a from being erroneously attached and allows attachment of a plurality of types of cartridges that can be operated with the first body 100 a. More specifically, the distance between the first projecting portion 80a and the second projecting portion 81a of the first cartridge 70a is set to be greater than the first distance P in the insertion direction. Further, the distance between the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a is set to be greater than the first distance P and smaller than the second distance L, which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the first flat portion 123 b. Further, a second cartridge 70A is used. The second cartridge 70A includes protruding portions such as a third protruding portion 80A and a fourth protruding portion 81A, and the relationship between the protruding portions and the first inclined portion 123a is similar to the relationship between the first protruding portion 80A and the second protruding portion 81A of the first cartridge 70A and the first inclined portion 123 a. Therefore, the following structure can be realized in a reduced space: that is, the structure allows insertion of a plurality of types of cartridges 70 operable with the first body 100a and can prevent cartridges that do not match the image forming apparatus body from being erroneously attached. Further, the two protruding portions can be used as a visible mark, and therefore, the type of cartridge that can be operated together with the first body 100a and can be attached to the first body 100a can be easily identified.

Second embodiment

The second embodiment has a structure that is developed from and different from the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, a cartridge corresponding to a subsequent model (having improved functions and performance) of the first body 100a can be attached to the first body 100 a. Meanwhile, this structure does not allow the first cartridge 70a corresponding to the first main body 100a (whose function and performance are lower than those of the subsequent model) to be attached to the subsequent model. That is, with the structure according to the present embodiment, attachment of a cartridge corresponding to the first body 100a for a subsequent model not corresponding to the first body 100a is prevented and attachment of a cartridge corresponding to the subsequent model to the first body 100a and the subsequent model is allowed. The structure described below uses a first body 100A, a first cartridge 70A operable with the first body 100A, a second body 100A serving as a model subsequent to the first body 100A, and a second cartridge 70A operable with the second body 100A. Description about the first body 100A, the first cartridge 70A operable together with the first body 100A, and the second cartridge 70A is omitted because the structures of these components are the same as or similar to those described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference between the first body 100A and the second body 100A and the relationship between the second body 100A and the first cartridge 70A and the second cartridge 70A are mainly described. A second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to fig. 15 to 17B.

In the present embodiment, the second cartridge 70A operable with the second body 100A may be attached to the first body 100A as described in the first embodiment. In contrast, the first cartridge 70A, which can operate with the first body 100A, cannot be attached to the second body 100A. The structure of the first body 100A and the second cartridge 70A is described with reference to fig. 15.

The second body 100A has a structure similar to that of the first body 100A in the first embodiment. Similarly to fig. 5, first and second guides (not shown), a second movable member 110A, and an urging spring (not shown) are provided in the second body 100A. The first guide and the second guide the insertion of the second cartridge 70A. The second movable part 110A is movable. The urging spring urges the second movable member 110A to the first position. Also, in the present embodiment, the second movable member 110A is urged downward in the second body 100A by an urging spring so as to be positioned at the first position and movable upward in the second body 100A.

As shown in fig. 15, the second movable member 110A has a third concave portion 223 and a fourth concave portion 224. The third recess portion 223 is defined by the third contact portion 220 and the fourth contact portion 221. The fourth recess portion 224 is defined by the fourth contact portion 221 and the second entrance prevention portion 222. The second movable member 110A is configured such that the second movable member 110A can move in the arrangement direction in which the third contact portion 220, the fourth contact portion 221, and the second entry prevention portion 222 are arranged without changing the relative positional relationship among the third contact portion 220, the fourth contact portion 221, and the second entry prevention portion 222.

The fourth inclined portion 223a, the fourth flat portion 223b, the fifth inclined portion 223c, the second concave surface portion 223d, and the second regulating portion 223e are provided in the third concave portion 223 in this order in the insertion direction, that is, on the upstream portion of the third contact portion 220 in the moving direction. Specifically, the fourth inclined portion 223a is inclined toward the upstream side in the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side in the insertion direction. The fourth flat portion 223b is connected to the fourth inclined portion 223a and extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The fifth inclined portion 223c is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction. The second regulating portion 223e perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the moving direction) is continuous with the second concave surface portion 223d substantially parallel to the insertion direction. Similarly, a fifth flat portion 224a, a sixth inclined portion 224b, and a sixth flat portion 224c are provided in the fourth recessed portion 224 in this order along the insertion direction, that is, on the upstream surface of the fourth contact portion 221 along the moving direction. Specifically, the fifth and sixth flat portions 224a and 224c are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The sixth inclined portion 224b is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction.

As shown in fig. 16B, the inner width of the third concave portion 223 formed by the third contact portion 220 and the fourth contact portion 221 in the arrangement direction is larger than the width of the third protruding portion 80A, thereby allowing the third protruding portion 80A to enter the third concave portion 223. Similarly, as shown in fig. 16C, the inner width of the fourth recessed portion 224 formed by the fourth contact portion 221 and the second entry prevention portion 222 in the arrangement direction is larger than the width of the fourth protruding portion 81A, thereby allowing the fourth recessed portion 224 to engage with the fourth protruding portion 81A. That is, the inner width of the third concave portion 223 of the second body 100A is different from the inner width of the first concave portion 123 of the first body 100A along the arrangement direction. More specifically, the thickness of the fourth contact portion 221 is increased compared to the thickness of the second contact portion 121 along the arrangement direction. That is, the gap between the third contact portion 220 and the fourth contact portion 221 of the second movable member 110A in the moving direction is reduced as compared with the first movable member 110A. The position and size of the surface of the fourth contact portion 221 of the second body 100A disposed on the downstream side in the moving direction are set to be the same as or similar to those of the surface of the second contact portion 121 of the first body 100A.

Attaching a second cartridge to a second body

Next, a relationship between the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A and the second movable member 110A of the second body 100A during attachment of the second cartridge 70A to the second body 100A by inserting the second cartridge 70A in the insertion direction F is described. Similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 7A to 7F, the second movable member 110A is provided in the second body 100A, as shown in fig. 16A to 16F. The third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A are engaged with the third recessed portion 223 and the fourth recessed portion 224, respectively, and when the second cartridge 70A is inserted, the second movable member 110A is moved from the first position to the second position. Thus, the second cartridge 70A can be inserted into the attachment position D of the second body 100A (see fig. 4B).

Further, the relationship among the second movable member 110A, the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A, and the third recessed portion 223 and the fourth recessed portion 224 when the second cartridge 70A is removed from the second body 100A by pulling the second cartridge 70A in the removing direction R is described. Similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 8A to 8F, the third protruding portion 80A and the fourth protruding portion 81A are brought into engagement with the third recessed portion 223 and the fourth recessed portion 224 of the second movable member 110A of the second body 100A, and the second movable member 110A is moved from the first position to the second position. The second cartridge 70A is pulled from the attachment position D (see fig. 4B) of the second body 100A as described above, and thus, can be removed from the second body 100A. Thus, the second cartridge 70A is attachable to the second body 100A and removable from the second body 100A.

Attaching a first cartridge to a second body

Next, the relationship between the second movable member 110A of the second body 100A and the first protruding portion 80A of the first cartridge 70A during attachment of the first cartridge 70A to the second body 100A by inserting the first cartridge 70A in the insertion direction F is described with reference to fig. 17A and 17B.

As shown in fig. 17A, when the first cartridge 70A is initially moved in the insertion direction F, the first protruding portion 80A and the third recessed portion 223 of the second movable member 110A are brought into engagement with each other. When the first cartridge 70a is further inserted, the first projecting portion 80a is brought into contact with the inclined surface 223a provided at the entrance of the third recessed portion 223, as shown in fig. 17B. More specifically, the first protruding portion 80A is brought into contact with the third contact portion 220 of the second movable member 110A. Thus, the second movable member 110A receives the force from the first cartridge 70A. This causes the second movable member 110A, which is urged downward by an urging spring (not shown), to move upward (in the moving direction G). However, with respect to the moving direction G, the first protruding portion 80A of the first cartridge 70A is larger than the entrance of the third recessed portion 223 of the second movable member 110A of the second body 100A. Thus, when the first cartridge 70a is inserted, the first protruding portion 80a is caught by the third recess portion 223. Therefore, the first cartridge 70A cannot be inserted into the second body 100A.

Advantageous effects

As described above, as in the case of the first embodiment, the second cartridge 70A is attachable to and removable from the first body 100A in addition to the first cartridge 70A, while preventing attachment of a cartridge that is not operable with the body. In contrast, the first cartridge 70A cannot be attached to the second body 100A as a cartridge different from the second cartridge 70A. Accordingly, an imaging system can be provided that realizes the following structure in a reduced space: a structure that prevents a cartridge from being attached to a main body by mistake, allows a cartridge corresponding to a subsequent model to be attached, and prevents a cartridge corresponding to an existing model from being attached to the subsequent model. Further, the two protruding portions may serve as a visible indication, and therefore, the type of cartridge that is operable with and attachable to the main body may be easily identified.

Third embodiment

According to the third embodiment, effects similar to those obtained by the first embodiment can be obtained with a different structure. Hereinafter, a structure of the third body 100d, the third cartridge 70d corresponding to the third body 100d and operable together with the third body 100d, and the third cartridge 70d operable together with the third body 100d is described.

The general structure of the entirety of the third body 100d and the third cartridge 70d according to the third embodiment and the entirety of the third cartridge 70d is similar to that described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the difference between the third body 100d and the first body 100A, the difference between the third cartridge 70d and the second cartridge 70A, and the relationship between the third body 100d and the third cartridge 70d are mainly described. A third embodiment according to the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 18 to 23B.

The cross section of the third projecting portion 80A in the plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction does not have the circular shape in the example described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the shape of the cross section is a shape other than a circle, that is, the cross section has a non-circular shape, such as an oval shape, or a rectangular or polygonal shape that is chamfered to form a curved surface. Hereinafter, a structure using the third body 100d and the third cartridge 70d corresponding to the third body 100d and operable together with the third body 100d is described.

Similar to fig. 4A, 4B, and 5, first and second guides (not shown), a third movable member 110d, and an urging spring (not shown) are provided in the third body 100 d. The first guide portion and the second guide portion guide the insertion of the third cartridge 70 d. The third movable part 110d can move. The urging spring urges the third movable member 110d to the first position. Also, in the present embodiment, the third movable member 110d is urged downward in the third body 100d by the urging spring so as to be positioned at the first position and movable upward in the third body 100 d.

As shown in fig. 18, the third movable member 110d has a fifth concave portion 323 and a sixth concave portion 324. The fifth concave portion 323 is defined by the fifth contact portion 320 and the sixth contact portion 321. The sixth recess portion 324 is defined by the sixth contact portion 321 and the third entry prevention portion 322. The fifth concave portion 323 is formed by the fifth contact portion 320 and the sixth contact portion 321. The sixth recess portion 324 is formed by the sixth contact portion 321 and the third entry prevention portion 322.

A seventh inclined portion 323a, a seventh flat portion 323b, an eighth inclined portion 323c, a third concave surface portion 323d, and a third regulating portion 323e are provided in the fifth recessed portion 323 in this order in the insertion direction, that is, on an upstream portion of the fifth contact portion 320 in the moving direction. Specifically, the seventh inclined portion 323a is inclined toward the downstream side in the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side in the inserting direction. The seventh flat portion 323b is connected to the seventh inclined portion 323a and extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The eighth inclined portion 323c is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction. The third regulating portion 323e perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the moving direction) is continuous with the third concave surface portion 323d substantially parallel to the insertion direction.

The width T in the fifth concave portion 323 is larger than the width W with respect to the moving direction. The width T is an inner width of the fifth concave portion 323 along a direction perpendicular to the seventh inclined portion 323 a. The width W is an inner width of the fifth concave portion 323 at an end portion at a downstream side of the seventh inclined portion 323a in the insertion direction in the moving direction.

An eighth flat portion 324a, a ninth inclined portion 324b, and a ninth flat portion 324c are provided in the sixth concave portion 324 in this order along the insertion direction, that is, on the upstream surface of the sixth contact portion 321 along the moving direction. Specifically, the eighth and ninth flat portions 324a, 324c are generally parallel to the insertion direction. The ninth inclined portion 324b is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction.

As shown in fig. 19, a fifth projecting portion 80d and a sixth projecting portion 81d are provided on the third cartridge 70d such that the fifth projecting portion 80d and the sixth projecting portion 81d project in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. In the present embodiment, the section of the fifth projecting portion 80d in the plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction has a shape of a chamfered rectangle, the long side thereof extending along the insertion direction and the short side thereof extending along the moving direction, and the section of the sixth projecting portion 81d in the plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction has a shape of a circle. The cross-sections of the fifth projecting portion 80d and the sixth projecting portion 81d in the plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction may have shapes other than the above-described shapes, that is, non-circular shapes including an ellipse, and a rectangle or a polygon that is chamfered to form a curved surface. The fifth projecting portion 80d is arranged on the downstream side in the insertion direction, and the sixth projecting portion 81d is arranged upstream of the fifth projecting portion 80d in the insertion direction.

The width of the fifth recessed portion 323 is greater than the width of the fifth protruding portion 80d of the third cartridge 70d operable with the third body 100d along the moving direction. Similarly, the width of the sixth concave portion 324 is larger than the width of the sixth convex portion 81d along the moving direction. With regard to the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth protruding portion 81d, when the fifth protruding portion 80d moves to the end portion on the upstream side of the seventh inclined portion 323a in the moving direction, the sixth protruding portion 81d becomes engageable with the sixth recessed portion 324. That is, the distance between the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth protruding portion 81d is greater than the first distance P and less than the second distance L, which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the seventh flat portion 323b, in the insertion direction (see fig. 18).

Structure for attaching and detaching third cartridge to and from third body

Next, the relationship between the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth protruding portion 81d and the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 during attachment of the third cartridge 70d to the third body 100d by inserting the third cartridge 70d in the insertion direction F is described. As in the case of the first embodiment, the third cartridge 70d is inserted into the third body 100d along the first guide portion and the second guide portion (not shown). As shown in fig. 20A to 20F, when the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth protruding portion 81d are brought into engagement with the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 and inserted into the third cartridge 70d, the third movable member 110d is moved from the first position to the second position. Thus, the third cartridge 70D can be inserted into the attachment position D of the third body 100D (see fig. 4B).

Further, the relationship between the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth protruding portion 81d and the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 when the third cartridge 70d is removed from the third body 100d by pulling the third cartridge 70d in the removing direction R is described. Similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 8A to 8F, as shown in fig. 21A to 21F, when the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth protruding portion 81d are brought into engagement with the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 and the third cartridge 70d is pulled, the third movable member 110d moves from the first position to the second position. The third cartridge 70D is pulled from the attachment position D (see fig. 4B) of the third body 100D as described above, and thus, can be removed from the body 100D. Thus, the third cartridge 70d can be attached to the third body 100d and can be removed from the third body 100 d.

A fourth cartridge attachable to the third body

Next, the fourth cartridge 70D attachable to the third body 100D is described, and thereafter, the relationship between the seventh protruding portion 80D and the eighth protruding portion 81D provided on the fourth cartridge 70D and the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 provided in the third body 100D is described.

The fourth cartridge 70D has an eighth projection 81D in addition to the seventh projection 80D having a shape different from that of the fifth projection 80D. Specifically, the cross section of the fifth projecting portion 80d has a non-circular shape in a plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction. The seventh projecting portion 80D has a cross section having a shape whose length in the moving direction is substantially the same as that of the fifth projecting portion 80D and whose length in the inserting direction is smaller than that of the fifth projecting portion 80D. The seventh projecting portion 80D and the eighth projecting portion 81D are provided on the fourth cartridge 70D such that the seventh projecting portion 80D and the eighth projecting portion 81D project in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. The seventh projecting portion 80D is arranged on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge, and the eighth projecting portion 81D is arranged downstream of the seventh projecting portion 80D in the insertion direction of the cartridge. Further, the seventh protruding portion 80D has a shape that can enter the fifth recessed portion 323. More specifically, the seventh protruding portion 80D is equal to the inner width W of the fifth recessed portion 323 in the moving direction and equal to or less than the inner width T of the fifth recessed portion 323 in the direction perpendicular to the seventh inclined portion 323a (see fig. 18).

Further, regarding the seventh protruding portion 80D and the eighth protruding portion 81D, when the fourth cartridge 70D is inserted along the first guide portion and the second guide portion (not shown) and the seventh protruding portion 80D is moved to the end portion on the upstream side of the seventh inclined portion 323a in the moving direction, the eighth protruding portion 81D is engageable with the sixth recessed portion 324. That is, along the insertion direction, the distance between the seventh protruding portion 80D and the eighth protruding portion 81D is greater than a first distance P by which the third movable member 110D is moved from the first position to the second position by using the seventh inclined portion 323a, and is less than a second distance L, which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the seventh flat portion 323 b.

In the present embodiment, the first body 100a and the cartridge 70a of the first embodiment shown in fig. 4A to 6 are used as the fourth body 100D and the fourth cartridge 70D. In the first body 100a, at an end portion of the first inclined portion 123a on the downstream side in the insertion direction, an inner width W of the first recessed portion 123 in the moving direction is the same as an inner width T of the first recessed portion 123 in a direction perpendicular to the first inclined portion 123 a. That is, the first body 100a corresponds to the fourth body 100D in which the inner width T of the fifth concave portion 323 in a direction perpendicular to the seventh inclined portion 323a is minimized.

Structure for attaching and detaching fourth cartridge to and from fourth body

Next, the relationship between the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a and the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 during attachment of the cartridge 70a to the fourth body 100D by inserting the cartridge 70a in the insertion direction F is described with reference to fig. 22A to 22F. As shown in fig. 22A to 22F, when the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a are brought into engagement with the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 and inserted into the cartridge 70a, the movable member 110d moves from the first position to the second position, similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 7A to 7F. As shown in fig. 22B, similarly to fig. 21B, the first protruding portion 80a is brought into contact with the fifth contact portion 320 and is moved from the first position to the second position by the seventh inclined portion 323 a. However, there is a difference in that the distance between the first protruding portion 80a and the sixth contact portion 321 is greater than the distance between the fifth protruding portion 80d and the sixth contact portion 321. That is, the width of the end portion of the seventh inclined portion 323a on the moving side in the insertion direction (that is, the width of the seventh flat portion 323B in the moving direction) is set to the attachment position D (see fig. 4B) that allows the cartridge 70 to be inserted into the fourth body 100D.

Further, the relationship between the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a and the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 when the cartridge 70a is removed from the fourth body 100D by pulling the cartridge 70a in the removing direction R is described. Similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 8A to 8F, when the first protruding portion 80a and the second protruding portion 81a are brought into engagement with the fifth recessed portion 323 and the sixth recessed portion 324 of the third movable member 110d and the cartridge 70a is pulled, the movement from the first position to the second position is performed. The cartridge 70a is pulled from the attachment position D (see fig. 4B) of the fourth body 100D as described above, and thus, can be removed from the fourth body 100D. Thus, the cartridge 70a can be attached to the fourth body 100D and can be removed from the fourth body 100D.

Insertion of a third cartridge inoperable with a fourth body

In contrast, when the third cartridge 70D which cannot be operated together with the fourth body 100D is inserted, erroneous attachment of the cartridge can be prevented similarly to the first embodiment, and further, attachment of the third cartridge 70D to the fourth body 100D corresponding to the cartridge 70D can be prevented. Referring to fig. 23A and 23B, a structure to block the insertion of the third cartridge 70D is described by using a case where the first body 100a is used as the fourth body 100D as an example. As shown in fig. 23A, when the third cartridge 70d is initially moved, the fifth protruding portion 80d and the first recessed portion 123 of the first movable member 110a are brought into engagement with each other.

When the third cartridge 70d is further inserted, the fifth projecting portion 80d is brought into contact with the first inclined portion 123a of the first contact portion 120 provided at the entrance of the first recessed portion 123, as shown in fig. 23B. Accordingly, the first movable member 110a receives the force from the third cartridge 70d through the fifth projection 80 d. This causes the first movable member 110a urged downward by the urging spring 111 to move upward (in the moving direction G). However, when the first movable member 110a moves upward with the insertion of the third cartridge 70d, the sixth protruding portion 81d is brought into contact with the end surface of the second contact portion 121 on the upstream side in the insertion direction. Therefore, the sixth protruding portion 81d is not brought into engagement with the second recessed portion 124 of the first movable member 110 a. As a result, the third cartridge 70d, which is an erroneous cartridge in this case, can be prevented from being inserted into the first body 100 a.

Advantageous effects

Accordingly, an imaging system can be provided that realizes the following structure in a reduced space: this structure prevents a cartridge that cannot be operated with the third body 100d from being erroneously attached and allows a plurality of types of cartridges that can be operated with the third body 100d to be attached. Further, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may serve as a visible mark, and therefore, the type of the cartridge that is operable with and attachable to the main body may be easily identified.

Fourth embodiment

According to the fourth embodiment, effects similar to those obtained by the first embodiment can be obtained with a different structure. A structure is described in which a fifth body 100E, a fifth cartridge 70E corresponding to the fifth body 100E and operable with the fifth body 100E, and a sixth cartridge 70E operable with the fifth body 100E are used.

The general structure of the fifth body 100E, the fifth cartridge 70E, and the sixth cartridge 70E according to the fourth embodiment as a whole is similar to that described in the first embodiment and the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the difference between the fifth body 100E and the first body 100a, the difference between the fifth cartridge 70E and the cartridge 70a, and the relationship between the fifth body 100E, the fifth cartridge 70E, and the sixth cartridge 70E will be mainly described. A fourth embodiment according to the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 24A to 26F.

In the present embodiment, the movable member 110a provided in the first body 100a in the first embodiment is provided in the fifth cartridge 70 e. Hereinafter, a structure using the fifth body 100e and the fifth cartridge 70e corresponding to the fifth body 100e and operable together with the fifth body 100e is described.

As shown in fig. 24A, a first guide portion 402, a second guide portion (not shown), a seventh recess portion 423, and an eighth recess portion 424 are provided in the fifth body 100 e. The first guide portion 402 and the second guide portion guide the insertion of the cartridge 70 e. The seventh concave portion 423 and the eighth concave portion 424 are to be engaged with the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81 e. The seventh recess portion 423 is defined by the seventh contact portion 420 and the eighth contact portion 421. The eighth recess portion 424 is defined by the eighth contact portion 421 and the fourth entry prevention portion 422. The seventh recess portion 423 is formed by the seventh contact portion 420 and the eighth contact portion 421. The eighth recessed portion 424 is formed by the eighth contact portion 421 and the fourth entry prevention portion 422.

As shown in fig. 24B, a tenth inclined portion 423a, a tenth flat portion 423B, an eleventh inclined portion 423c, a fourth concave surface portion 423d, and a fourth regulating portion 423e are provided in the seventh concave portion 423 in this order in the insertion direction, that is, on the surface of the seventh contact portion 420 on the upstream side in the moving direction. Specifically, the tenth inclined portion 423a is inclined toward the upstream side in the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side in the insertion direction. The tenth flat portion 423b is connected to the tenth inclined portion 423a and extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The eleventh inclined portion 423c is inclined toward the downstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction. The fourth control portion 423e perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the moving direction) is continuous with the fourth concave surface portion 423d substantially parallel to the insertion direction.

Similarly, an eleventh flat portion 424a, a twelfth inclined portion 424b, and a twelfth flat portion 424c are provided in the eighth recessed portion 424 in this order along the insertion direction, that is, on the surface of the eighth contact portion 421 on the upstream side in the moving direction. Specifically, the eleventh flat portion 424a and the twelfth flat portion 424c are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The twelfth inclined portion 424b is inclined toward the upstream side along the moving direction as it extends toward the downstream side along the inserting direction. The eighth concave portion 424 serving as the first receiving portion is not necessarily a concave portion. It is sufficient that the eighth concave portion 424 is engageable with at least the tenth convex portion 81e at the downstream side of the seventh concave portion 423 in the moving direction.

As shown in fig. 25, a fourth movable member 110e and an urging spring 411 are provided in the fifth casing 70 e. The fourth movable part 110e is movable. The urging spring 411 urges the fourth movable member 110e to a specified position. In the present embodiment, the fourth movable member 110e is urged upward in the fifth body 100e by the urging spring 411 so as to be positioned at the first position and movable downward in the fifth body 100 e. The ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e are provided in the fourth movable member 110e such that the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. The ninth protruding portion 80e is disposed on the downstream side in the cartridge insertion direction, and the tenth protruding portion 81e is disposed upstream of the ninth protruding portion 80e in the cartridge insertion direction.

In the present embodiment, the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e have a circular shape in cross section in a plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction. Alternatively, the section of the ninth protruding portion 80e in the plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction satisfies that the length of the section in the insertion direction is larger than the length of the section in the moving direction and may have a non-circular shape including an ellipse and a rectangle or a polygon that is chamfered so as to form a curved surface. The cross section of the tenth protruding portion 81e may be one of various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon in a plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction.

With respect to the fifth body 100e and the fifth cartridge 70e, the width of the seventh recessed portion 423 is larger than the width of the ninth protruding portion 80e in the moving direction. Similarly, the width of the eighth concave portion 424 is larger than the width of the tenth convex portion 81e along the moving direction. Therefore, when the ninth protruding portion 80e moves to the end portion of the tenth inclined portion 423a on the downstream side in the moving direction, the tenth protruding portion 81e becomes engageable with the eighth recessed portion 424. That is, the distance between the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e in the insertion direction is greater than a first distance P by which the fourth movable member 110e moves from the first position to the second position along the tenth inclined portion 423a, and is less than a second distance L, which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the tenth flat portion 423 b.

With respect to a fifth cartridge attachable to a fifth body

Next, the relationship between the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e and the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 during attachment of the fifth cartridge 70e to the fifth body 100e by inserting the fifth cartridge 70e in the insertion direction F is described. As in the case of the first embodiment, the fifth cartridge 70e is inserted into the fifth body 100e along the first guide portion 402 (see fig. 24A) and the second guide portion (not shown). As shown in fig. 26A to 26F, when the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e are brought into engagement with the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 and inserted into the fifth cartridge 70e, the fourth movable member 110e is moved from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the fifth cartridge 70e can be inserted into the attachment position of the fifth cartridge 70 e.

Further, the relationship between the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e and the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 when the fifth cartridge 70e is removed from the fifth body 100e by pulling the fifth cartridge 70e in the removing direction R is described. Similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 8A to 8F, when the ninth protruding portion 80e and the tenth protruding portion 81e are brought into engagement with the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 and the fifth cartridge 70e is pulled, the fourth movable member 110e moves from the first position to the second position. The fifth cartridge 70e is pulled from the attached position of the fifth body 100e as described above, and thus, can be removed from the fifth body 100 e. Thus, the fifth cartridge 70e is attachable to and removable from the fifth body 100 e.

With respect to a sixth cartridge attachable to a fifth body

Next, the sixth cartridge 70E attachable to the fifth body 100E is described, and thereafter, the relationship (not shown) between the eleventh protruding portion 80E and the twelfth protruding portion 81E and the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 is described.

The sixth cartridge 70E has a twelfth projection 81E in addition to the eleventh projection 80E having a shape different from that of the ninth projection 80E. Specifically, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the cross section of the eleventh projecting portion 80E has a circular shape in a plane determined by the insertion direction and the moving direction, and the cross sections of the eleventh projecting portion 80E and the ninth projecting portion 80E have a common tangent line at the downstream end portion in the moving direction and are different from each other in diameter. Also, an eleventh protruding portion 80E and a twelfth protruding portion 81E are provided on the sixth cartridge 70E such that the eleventh protruding portion 80E and the twelfth protruding portion 81E protrude in a direction crossing the insertion direction. The eleventh projecting portion 80E is arranged on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge, and the twelfth projecting portion 81E is arranged downstream of the eleventh projecting portion 80E in the insertion direction of the cartridge. Further, the eleventh protruding portion 80E has a shape that can enter the seventh recessed portion 423.

Further, the sixth cartridge 70E is configured such that when the eleventh projecting portion 80E is moved to the end portion of the tenth inclined portion 423a on the downstream side in the moving direction, the twelfth projecting portion 81E becomes engageable with the eighth recessed portion 424. That is, along the insertion direction, the distance between the eleventh protruding portion 80E and the twelfth protruding portion 81E is greater than a first distance P by which the fourth movable member 110E is moved from the first position to the second position by using the tenth inclined portion 423a, and is smaller than a second distance L which is the sum of the first distance P and the length of the tenth flat portion 423B (see fig. 24B).

Next, the relationship between the eleventh protruding portion 80E and the twelfth protruding portion 81E and the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 during attachment of the sixth cartridge 70E to the fifth body 100E by inserting the sixth cartridge 70E in the insertion direction F is described. As in the case of the first embodiment, the sixth cartridge 70E is inserted along the first guide portion 402 (see fig. 24A) and the second guide portion (not shown). When the eleventh protruding part 80E and the twelfth protruding part 81E are brought into engagement with the seventh recessed part 423 and the eighth recessed part 424 and inserted into the sixth cartridge 70E, the fourth movable member 110E moves from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the sixth cartridge 70E can be inserted into the attachment position of the fifth cartridge 70E.

Further, the relationship between the eleventh protruding portion 80E and the twelfth protruding portion 81E and the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 when the sixth cartridge 70E is removed from the fifth body 100E by pulling the sixth cartridge 70E in the removing direction R is described. Similar to the first embodiment shown in fig. 8A to 8F, when the eleventh protruding portion 80E and the twelfth protruding portion 81E of the fourth movable member 110E are brought into engagement with the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424 and the sixth cartridge 70E is pulled, the movement from the first position to the second position is performed. The sixth cartridge 70E is pulled from the attached position of the fifth body 100E as described above, and thus, can be removed from the fifth body 100E. Thus, the sixth cartridge 70E is attachable to and removable from the fifth body 100E.

In contrast, when a cartridge which cannot be operated together with the fifth body 100e is inserted, the protruding portion cannot pass through the seventh recessed portion 423 and the eighth recessed portion 424. Therefore, erroneous attachment of the cartridge can be prevented. Description of features similar to those of the first embodiment is omitted.

Advantageous effects

Therefore, even when the movable member 110 is provided in the cartridge 70, it is possible to provide an image forming system that realizes the following structure in a reduced space: this structure prevents a cartridge that cannot be operated with the fifth body 100e from being erroneously attached and allows attachment of a plurality of types of cartridges that can be operated with the fifth body 100 e. Further, the two protruding portions may serve as a visible indication, and therefore, the type of cartridge that is operable with and attachable to the main body may be easily identified.

Alternatively, similarly to the second embodiment, the following sixth body 100E may be used: that is, the sixth body 100E is provided with a sixth movable member provided with a ninth recessed portion and a tenth recessed portion so as to allow attachment of the sixth cartridge 70E operable with the sixth body 100E and to prevent attachment of the fifth cartridge 70E inoperable with the sixth body 100E. In this case, it is sufficient that the inner width of the ninth recessed portion in the arrangement direction can be reduced from the inner width of the ninth recessed portion in the movement direction of the sixth movable member 110E as compared with the fifth movable member 110E and the eleventh protruding portion 80E is allowed to enter the eighth recessed portion 424. In addition, in the case where the thirteenth inclined portion, the thirteenth flat portion, the fourteenth inclined portion, the sixth concave surface portion, and the sixth regulating portion are provided in this order in the insertion direction on the downstream side of the tenth concave portion in the moving direction, the attachment of the cartridge other than the specified cartridge can be reliably prevented.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the above-described embodiment, the arrangement of the first projecting portion 80 and the second projecting portion 81 and the first recessed portion 123 and the second recessed portion 124 provided on the above-described cartridge in the first embodiment can be modified in the moving direction and the inserting direction as long as these portions can be arranged. For example, as shown in fig. 27, the positions of the first projecting portion 80 and the second projecting portion 81 provided on the cartridge 70 in the moving direction may be reversed. In this case, as shown in fig. 28A and 28B, with respect to the shapes of the first concave portion 123 and the second concave portion 124 provided in the movable member 110, by reversing the arrangement of the first concave portion 123 and the second concave portion 124 in the moving direction, several types of structures that produce similar effects can be obtained.

Although the urging spring is used as the urging unit of the movable member 110 in the above-described embodiment, the urging unit is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the urging spring, an urging member formed of an elastic material such as rubber may be used as the urging unit of the movable member 110. Further, in the case where the gravitational force acts downward along the moving direction of the movable member 110, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to provide an urging spring or the like. In this case, by pushing the movable member 110 toward the upstream side in the moving direction by gravity, the first and second protruding portions 80 and 81 and the first and second recessed portions 123 and 124 of the cartridge are brought into contact with each other. Therefore, a structure producing a similar effect can be obtained.

Further, when the second recess portion 124 provided in the movable member 110 has the second contact portion 121, it is not necessary to provide an entry prevention portion. In this case, by increasing the length of the first inclined portion 123a as compared with the case where the entry prevention portion is provided, it is possible to increase the area where the second protruding portion 81 can be engaged with the second recessed portion 124. This allows for a degree of precision error in size and shape in manufacturing. Therefore, a structure without the first flat portion 123b may be employed.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of japanese patent application No. 2014-060768 filed 24/3/2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.