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EP-4738017-A1 - IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

EP4738017A1EP 4738017 A1EP4738017 A1EP 4738017A1EP-4738017-A1

Abstract

An image forming apparatus (100) includes a photosensitive drum (10), a development unit (1), a unit frame (2) that, by moving in one direction, moves a development roller (11) in a direction toward the photosensitive drum (10) and, by moving in the other direction, moves the development roller (11) in a direction away from the photosensitive drum (10), a unit-side contact (4), and a body-side contact (3). Moving the unit frame (2) in one direction brings the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) into contact with each other and moving the unit frame (2) in the other direction releases the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) from contact with each other.

Inventors

  • HARADA, YUZO
  • HIRAHARA, KAZUHISA

Assignees

  • Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251023

Claims (4)

  1. An image forming apparatus (100) comprising: a photosensitive drum (10); a development unit (1) disposed opposite the photosensitive drum (10) and having a development roller (11) rotatably supported, the development unit (1) feeding toner from the development roller (11) to an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum (10) to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; a unit frame (2) on which the development unit (1) is removably mounted and that is movable about an axis (Ax) parallel to a rotation axis of the development roller (11), the unit frame (2), by moving in one direction about the axis (Ax), moving the development roller (11) in a direction toward the photosensitive drum (10) and, by moving in an other direction about the axis (Ax), moving the development roller (11) in a direction away from the photosensitive drum (10); a unit-side contact (4) fitted to the unit frame (2), the unit-side contact (4) being electrically connected to the development unit (1) mounted on the unit frame (2); and a body-side contact (3) disposed at a position where the body-side contact (3) can make contact with the unit-side contact (4), wherein from a state where the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) are out of contact with each other, moving the unit frame (2) in the one direction brings the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) into contact with each other and, from a state where the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) are in contact with each other, moving the unit frame (2) in the other direction releases the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) from contact with each other.
  2. The image forming apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein as seen from an axial direction of the axis (Ax), the unit frame (2) has, as a fitted position (P1) at which the unit-side contact (4) is fitted, a position on a line extending from the axis (Ax) along a first direction (D1), as seen from the axial direction of the axis (Ax), the unit frame (2) has, as a pressed position (P2), a position on a line extending from the axis (Ax) along a second direction (D2) different from the first direction (D1), and pressing the pressed position (P2) moves the unit frame (2) in the one direction to bring the unit-side contact (4) and the body-side contact (3) into contact with each other.
  3. The image forming apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein a distance along the first direction (D1) from the axis (Ax) to the fitted position (P1) is shorter than a distance along the second direction (D2) from the axis (Ax) to the pressed position (P2).
  4. The image forming apparatus (100) according to claim 3, wherein the unit-side contact (4) is a leaf spring and presses the body-side contact (3) while in contact with the body-side contact (3).

Description

BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus includes a development unit that develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image. For example, the development unit is removably mounted in the body of the image forming apparatus. Thus, the body of the image forming apparatus is provided with a unit frame on which the development unit is mounted. The development unit is removably mounted on the unit frame. Typically, to electrically connect together the body of the image forming apparatus and the development unit, a cable is used. For example, the unit frame on which the development unit is mounted and the body of the image forming apparatus are electrically connected with a cable. In a case where a cable is used to electrically connect the body of the image forming apparatus and the development unit, because the cable is difficult to keep in position, it is difficult to replace a wiring of electrically connecting together the body of the image forming apparatus and the development unit with an automated production using a robot and the like. SUMMARY According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a development unit, a unit frame, a unit-side contact, and a body-side contact. The development unit is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum and has a development roller rotatably supported. The development unit feeds toner from the development roller to an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum to develop it into a toner image. On the unit frame, the development unit is removably mounted. The unit frame is movable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the development roller. The unit frame, by moving in one direction about the axis, moves the development roller in a direction toward the photosensitive drum and, by moving in the other direction about the axis, moves the development roller in a direction away from the photosensitive drum. The unit-side contact is fitted to the unit frame and is electrically connected to the development unit mounted on the unit frame. The body-side contact is disposed at a position where it can make contact with the unit-side contact. From a state where the unit-side contact and the body-side contact are out of contact with each other, moving the unit frame in one direction brings the unit-side contact and the body-side contact into contact with each other and, from a state where the unit-side contact and the body-side contact are in contact with each other, moving the unit frame in the other direction releases the unit-side contact and the body-side contact from contact with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming portion according to the embodiment.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a development unit according to the embodiment.Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a unit frame according to the embodiment and its surroundings (without the development unit).Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view (as seen from above) of the unit frame according to the embodiment.Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view (as seen from below) of the unit frame according to the embodiment.Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the unit frame in a regular position according to the embodiment.Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the unit frame in a mounting/removing position according to the embodiment.Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a pressed portion of the unit frame according to the embodiment is pressed.Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the pressed portion of the unit frame according to the embodiment is not pressed.Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a unit back portion of the unit frame according to the embodiment and its surroundings.Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a unit-side contact according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figs. 1 to 12, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described below with a color laser printer of a tandem type taken as an example. What is disclosed herein is applicable not only to color laser printers but also to monochrome printers, multifunctional peripherals, and the like. Note that, the diagrams referred to in the description below show, for ease of understanding, an XYZ-orthogonal coordinate system. Direction Z is the vertical direction and aligns with the top-bottom direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The flat surface on which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed aligns with the surface perpendicular to direction Z. The direction in which the arrow of the Z-axis points is "upward" and the opposite direction is "downward." Direction X is one horizontal direction and direction Y is another horizontal direction. For example, direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction of the image form