1. A developing cartridge comprising:

a housing capable of accommodating a developer inside the housing;

a storage medium having an electrical contact surface;

an elastic member extending in a first direction intersecting the electrical contact surface and capable of expanding and contracting in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and

a holding portion, the electrical contact surface being located on an outer surface of the holding portion in the first direction, a position of the outer surface relative to the housing being movable in the first direction between a first position and a second position,

a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the first state is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state,

the holding portion is located at the first position when the elastic member is in the first state,

the holding portion is located at the second position when the elastic member is in the second state,

the outer surface includes a first surface located on a side of the electrical contact surface in a second direction different from the first direction, being inclined with respect to the electrical contact surface.

2. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said holding portion includes a first end portion having said outer surface and a second end portion departing in said first direction from said first end portion,

the elastic member is located between the first end and the second end in the first direction.

3. A developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein a distance between said first end portion and said second end portion in said first direction in said first state is longer than a distance between said first end portion and said second end portion in said first direction in said second state.

4. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a position of the outer surface relative to the casing is movable in the first direction between the first position, the second position and a third position,

the elastic member is capable of being stretched in the first direction between the first state, the second state, and a third state,

a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the first state is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state,

a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the third state is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state,

when the elastic member is in the third state, the holding portion is located at the third position.

5. A developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein a position of the outer surface relative to the casing is movable in the first direction between the first position, the second position and a third position,

the elastic member is capable of being stretched in the first direction between the first state, the second state, and a third state,

a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the first state is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state, and a distance between the first end and the second end in the first direction in the first state is longer than a distance between the first end and the second end in the first direction in the second state,

a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the third state is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state, and a distance between the first end and the second end in the first direction in the third state is longer than a distance between the first end and the second end in the first direction in the second state,

when the elastic member is in the third state, the holding portion is located at the third position.

6. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a position of said outer surface with respect to said casing is movable from said first position to said second position in correspondence with mounting of said developing cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus,

the first position is in a non-contact state where a portion of the holding portion and the electrical contact surface are not in contact with a portion of the image forming apparatus,

the second position is a contact state in which a part of the holding portion or the electrical contact surface is in contact with a part of the image forming apparatus.

7. A developing cartridge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a position of said outer surface with respect to said casing is movable from said first position to said third position via said second position in correspondence with mounting of said developing cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus,

the first position is in a non-contact state where a portion of the holding portion and the electrical contact surface are not in contact with a portion of the image forming apparatus,

the second position is in a contact state where a part of the holding portion or the electrical contact surface is in contact with a part of the image forming apparatus,

the third position is a contact point contact state in which the electrical contact surface is in contact with an electrical contact point of the image forming apparatus.

8. A developing cartridge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a length of said elastic member in said first direction in said third state is shorter than a natural length of said elastic member.

9. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first direction is a direction perpendicular to said electric contact surface.

10. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said holding portion is movable together with said storage medium.

11. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said holding portion holds said electrical contact surface at said outer surface.

12. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium is located at said outer surface of said holding portion.

13. A developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said holding portion holds said storage medium at said outer surface.

14. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a direction different from the first direction.

15. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said holding portion is located at a side portion of said casing.

16. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a third direction different from said first direction, on one side of said casing in said second direction.

17. A developing cartridge according to claim 1 or 16, wherein the first surface extends from a third position to a fourth position toward the electrical contact surface,

the third location is further from the electrical contact surface than the fourth location in the first direction.

18. A developing cartridge according to claim 17, wherein a distance between the third position and the fourth position in the first direction is larger than a distance between the electrical contact surface and the fourth position in the first direction.

19. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first surface is a first guide surface contactable with a part of an image forming apparatus when said developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

20. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface includes a second surface which is located on the other side of said electric contact surface in said second direction, being inclined with respect to said electric contact surface.

21. A developing cartridge according to claim 20, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a third direction different from said first direction, on one side of said casing in said second direction.

22. A developing cartridge according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the second surface extends from a fifth position to a sixth position toward the electrical contact surface,

the fifth position is further from the electrical contact surface than the sixth position in the first direction.

23. A developing cartridge according to claim 22, wherein a distance between said fifth position and said sixth position in said first direction is larger than a distance between said electrical contact surface and said sixth position in said first direction.

24. A developing cartridge according to claim 20, wherein said second surface is a second guide surface contactable with a part of the image forming apparatus when said developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

25. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface has third surfaces located on both sides of said electric contact surface in a third direction different from said first direction, respectively,

the third position is further from the elastic member than the electrical contact surface in the first direction.

26. A developing cartridge according to claim 25, wherein said third surface is a third guide surface contactable with a part of the image forming apparatus when said developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

27. A developing cartridge according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in said third direction, on one side of said casing in said second direction.

28. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is a spring.

29. A cartridge according to claim 28, wherein said spring is a coil spring.

30. A developing cartridge according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said storage medium has said electric contact surface.

Background

Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or an LED printer has been known. In the image forming apparatus, a developing cartridge is used. The developing cartridge has a developing roller for supplying toner. The developing cartridge described in patent document 1 is mounted to a drawer unit. The drawer unit is housed inside the image forming apparatus, and is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. The drawer unit has a photosensitive drum. When the developing cartridge is mounted to the drawer unit, the photosensitive drum faces the developing roller.

The developing cartridge described in patent document 2 is mounted to a drum cartridge. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the photosensitive drum faces the developing roller. The developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus in a state in which the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-59510

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-54058

Disclosure of Invention

In the past, a developing cartridge having a storage medium has also been known. The storage medium is, for example, an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface. The electrical contact surface is in contact with an electrical contact provided at the image forming apparatus or the drawer unit. However, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus or the drawer unit, the electrical contact surface rubs against the protrusion of the image forming apparatus or the drawer unit.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of suppressing friction of an electric contact surface when a developing cartridge is mounted.

1. In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a developing cartridge comprising: a housing capable of accommodating a developer inside the housing; a storage medium having an electrical contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction intersecting the electrical contact surface and capable of expanding and contracting in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holding portion, the electrical contact surface being located on an outer surface of the holding portion in the first direction, a position of the outer surface relative to the housing being movable in the first direction between a first position in which a length of the elastic member in the first direction is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state, the holding portion being located in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the holding portion being located in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.

2. A developing cartridge according to above 1, said holding portion includes a first end portion having said outer surface and a second end portion spaced from said first end portion in said first direction, said elastic member being located between said first end portion and said second end portion in said first direction.

3. A developing cartridge according to the above 2, wherein a distance between said first end portion and said second end portion in said first direction in said first state is longer than a distance between said first end portion and said second end portion in said first direction in said second state.

4. A developing cartridge according to above 1, wherein a position of said outer surface with respect to said casing is movable in said first direction among said first position, said second position and a third position, said elastic member is extendable and retractable in said first direction among said first state in which a length of said elastic member in said first direction is longer than a length of said elastic member in said first direction in said second state, said second state and a third state in which a length of said elastic member in said first direction is longer than a length of said elastic member in said first direction in said second state, said holding portion is located at said third position when said elastic member is in said third state.

5. A developing cartridge according to the above 2, a position of the outer surface with respect to the casing being movable in the first direction among the first position, the second position and a third position, the elastic member being stretchable and contractible in the first direction among the first state in which a length of the elastic member in the first direction is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state, and a distance between the first end and the second end in the first direction is longer than a distance between the first end and the second end in the first direction in the second state, and a third state in which a length of the elastic member in the first direction is longer than a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the second state, and a distance between the first end portion and the second end portion in the first direction in the third state is longer than a distance between the first end portion and the second end portion in the first direction in the second state, the holding portion being located at the third position when the elastic member is in the third state.

6. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, in correspondence with the mounting of the developing cartridge to the image forming apparatus, the position of the outer surface relative to the casing is movable from the first position in a non-contact state in which the part of the holding portion and the electrical contact surface are not in contact with the part of the image forming apparatus to the second position in a contact state in which the part of the holding portion or the electrical contact surface is in contact with the part of the image forming apparatus.

7. According to the developing cartridge of the above 4 or 5, in correspondence with the mounting of the developing cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus, the position of the outer surface with respect to the casing is movable from the first position in a non-contact state in which a part of the holding portion and the electrical contact surface are not in contact with a part of the image forming apparatus, through the second position in a contact state in which a part of the holding portion or the electrical contact surface is in contact with a part of the image forming apparatus, to the third position in a contact state in which the electrical contact surface is in contact with an electrical contact of the image forming apparatus.

8. According to the developing cartridge of the above 4 or 5, a length of the elastic member in the first direction in the third state is shorter than a natural length of the elastic member.

9. A developing cartridge according to above 1, wherein said first direction is a direction perpendicular to said electric contact surface.

10. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the holding portion is movable together with the storage medium.

11. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the holding portion holds the electrical contact surface at the outer surface.

12. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the storage medium is located at the outer surface of the holding portion.

13. According to the developing cartridge of the above 12, the holding portion holds the storage medium at the outer surface.

14. The developing cartridge according to the above 1, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about a shaft extending in a direction different from the first direction.

15. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the holding portion is located at a side portion of the casing.

16. A developing cartridge according to above 1, said outer surface includes a first surface located on a side of said electric contact surface in a second direction different from said first direction, being inclined with respect to said electric contact surface.

17. The developing cartridge according to the above 16, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a third direction different from the first direction, on one side of the casing in the second direction.

18. A developing cartridge according to the above 16 or 17, wherein said first surface extends from a third position toward said electric contact surface to a fourth position, said third position being farther from said electric contact surface than said fourth position in said first direction.

19. A developing cartridge according to 18 above, wherein a distance between said third position and said fourth position in said first direction is larger than a distance between said electric contact surface and said fourth position in said first direction.

20. According to the developing cartridge of 16 above, the first surface is a first guide surface contactable with a part of the image forming apparatus when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

21. A developing cartridge according to the above 16, said outer surface includes a second surface located on the other side of said electric contact surface in said second direction, being inclined with respect to said electric contact surface.

22. A developing cartridge according to the above 21, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a third direction different from the first direction, on one side of the casing in the second direction.

23. A developing cartridge according to the above 21 or 22, wherein said second surface extends from a fifth position toward said electric contact surface to a sixth position, said fifth position being farther from said electric contact surface than said sixth position in said first direction.

24. A developing cartridge according to the above 23, wherein a distance between said fifth position and said sixth position in said first direction is larger than a distance between said electric contact surface and said sixth position in said first direction.

25. According to the developing cartridge of the above 21, the second surface is a second guide surface contactable with a part of the image forming apparatus when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

26. A developing cartridge according to above 1, said outer surface has third surfaces respectively located on both sides of said electric contact face in a third direction different from said first direction, said third position being farther from said elastic member than said electric contact face in said first direction.

27. According to the developing cartridge of the above 26, the third surface is a third guide surface contactable with a part of the image forming apparatus when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

28. A developing cartridge according to the above 26 or 27, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in the third direction, on one side of said casing in the second direction.

29. The developing cartridge according to the above 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

30. According to the developing cartridge of the above 29, said spring is a coil spring.

31. The developing cartridge according to the above 12 or 13, wherein said storage medium has said electric contact surface.

According to the developing cartridges 1 to 31, friction of the electrical contact surface can be reduced when the developing cartridge is mounted.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 2, the elastic member is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the holding portion, so that the first end portion having the outer surface is movable in the first direction with respect to the second end portion. Thereby, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface can be suppressed.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 3, the distance between the first end portion and the second end portion in the first direction in the first state is longer than the distance between the first end portion and the second end portion in the first direction in the second state. Thus, the distance of the first end portion having the outer surface relative to the second end portion can be varied. Thereby, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface can be suppressed.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 4, the position of the outer surface of the holding portion at which the electrical contact surface is held can be further moved from the second position to the third position in the first direction. Thereby, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface can be suppressed.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 5, the elastic member is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the holding portion, so that the first end portion having the outer surface can move in the first direction with respect to the second end portion, and the position of the outer surface of the holding portion, at which the electrical contact surface is held, can be further changed from the second position to the third position in the first direction. Thereby, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface can be suppressed.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 6, even in a case where the holding portion can be brought into contact with a part of the image forming apparatus, the holding portion can be moved from the first position to the second position, and therefore, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface can be suppressed.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 7, the position of the outer surface of the holding portion at which the electrical contact surface is held can be further moved in the first direction from the second position to the third position, and the electrical contact surface can be brought into contact with the electrical contact of the image forming apparatus at the third position. Thereby, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface can be suppressed, and the electrical contact surface can be brought into contact with the electrical contact of the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 8, the length of the elastic member in the first direction in the third state is shorter than the natural length of the elastic member, and therefore, the electrical contact surface can receive the reaction force of the elastic member.

According to the developing cartridge of 10 described above, the storage medium can also move together with the holding portion.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 11, the holding portion can hold the electrical contact surface on the outer surface.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 12, the storage medium can be located at the outer surface.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 13, the holding portion can hold the storage medium on the outer surface.

According to the above-mentioned developing cartridge 16, there is a first surface inclined with respect to the electric contact surface, so that the holding portion can be guided by the first surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 18, the first surface inclined with respect to the electric contact surface is provided, so that the holding portion can be guided by the first surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 19, the first surface inclined with respect to the electric contact surface is provided, so that the holding portion can be guided by the first surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 20, the first guide surface is inclined with respect to the electrical contact surface, so that the holding portion can be guided by the first guide surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 21, the second surface inclined with respect to the electric contact surface is provided, so that the holding portion can be guided by the second surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 23, the second surface inclined with respect to the electric contact surface is provided, so that the holding portion can be guided by the second surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of 24 described above, the second surface inclined with respect to the electrical contact surface is provided, so that the holding portion can be guided by the second surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 25, the second guide surface inclined with respect to the electric contact surface is provided, so that the holding portion can be guided by the second guide surface when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 26, the third surface is inclined with respect to the electric contact surface, so that when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus, friction of the electric contact surface when the developing cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus can be suppressed by the third surface.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 27, the third guide surface is inclined with respect to the electrical contact surface, so that when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus, friction of the electrical contact surface when the developing cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus can be suppressed by the third guide surface.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 28, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, the projection of the image forming apparatus is not in contact with the electrical contact surface. This can suppress damage to the electrical contact surface.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated circuit chip assembly.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an integrated circuit chip assembly.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 10 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 11 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 12 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 13 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 14 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a state when the leaving operation is performed.

Fig. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge of the first modification.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an integrated circuit chip assembly according to a first modification.

Fig. 18 is a partial perspective view of the developing cartridge of the second modification.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the movement of the columnar elastic body and the integrated circuit chip assembly according to the second modification.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the movement of the columnar elastic body and the integrated circuit chip assembly according to the second modification.

Fig. 21 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge of the second modification is mounted.

Fig. 22 is a view showing the appearance when the developing cartridge of the second modification is mounted.

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a state in which the separating operation of the developing cartridge according to the second modification is performed.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge of a third modification.

Fig. 25 is a view of the developing cartridge of the third modification viewed from the third direction side.

Fig. 26 is a view of the developing cartridge of the third modification viewed from the third direction side.

Fig. 27 is a view of the developing cartridge of the third modification as viewed from the third direction side.

Fig. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the first cover and the integrated circuit chip assembly according to the fourth modification.

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of the first cover and the integrated circuit chip assembly according to the fourth modification.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of an integrated circuit chip assembly according to a fourth modification.

Fig. 31 is a partial perspective view of a developing cartridge of a fifth modification.

Fig. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the first cover and the integrated circuit chip assembly of the fifth modification.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge of the sixth modification.

Fig. 34 is a view showing how a drum cartridge of the sixth modification is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Fig. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of an integrated circuit chip package according to a sixth modification.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A direction intersecting with the electrical contact surface (in the present embodiment, a direction "perpendicular" to the electrical contact surface) is hereinafter referred to as a "first direction". The direction in which the housing 10 moves when performing the separating operation described later is referred to as a "second direction". The direction in which the rotation axis of the developing roller extends is referred to as "third direction".

<1, overall Structure of developing Cartridge >

Fig. 1 to 5 are perspective views of a developing cartridge 1 as an example of the present invention. The developing cartridge 1 is used in an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system (e.g., a laser printer, an LED printer), and is a unit for supplying a developer (e.g., toner) to a photosensitive drum. As shown in fig. 1, the developing cartridge 1 of the present embodiment is mounted with respect to a drawer unit 90 provided in the image forming apparatus. When the developing cartridge 1 is replaced, the drawer unit 90 is pulled out from the front surface of the image forming apparatus. In the four cartridge holding portions 91 provided in the drawer unit 90, the developing cartridges 1 are mounted, respectively. The four cartridge holding portions 91 are provided with photosensitive drums, respectively.

In the present embodiment, four developing cartridges 1 are mounted in one drawer unit 90. The four developing cartridges 1 contain developers of different colors (for example, various colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc.) from each other. However, the number of the developing cartridges 1 mounted in the drawer unit 90 may be 1 to three, or 5 or more.

As shown in fig. 2 to 5, the developing cartridge 1 of the present embodiment includes: a housing 10; a stirrer 20; a developing roller 30; a first gear portion 40; a second gear portion 50; and an integrated circuit chip assembly 60.

The developing roller 30 is a roller rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the third direction. The developing roller 30 of the present embodiment includes a roller body 31 and a roller shaft 42. The roller body 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the third direction. The material of the roller body 31 is, for example, rubber having elasticity. The roller shaft 32 is a columnar member that penetrates the roller body 31 in the third direction. The material of the roller shaft 32 is metal or conductive resin.

The roller shaft 32 may not penetrate the roller body 31 in the third direction. For example, the pair of roller shafts 32 may extend in the third direction from both ends of the roller body 31 in the third direction.

The agitator 20 includes an agitator shaft 21 and an agitator blade 22. The agitator shaft 21 extends along a rotation axis extending in the third direction. The stirring blades 22 are spread radially outward from the stirrer shaft 21. The stirring blade 22 is disposed in the developer chamber 13 of the casing 10. A first agitator gear 44 and a second agitator gear 51, which will be described later, are connected to the respective end portions of the agitator shaft 21 in the third direction. Accordingly, the agitator shaft 21 and the agitator blades 22 rotate together with the first agitator gear 44 and the second agitator gear 51. When the stirring blade 22 rotates, the developer in the developer chamber 13 is stirred.

The casing 10 is a housing capable of accommodating a developer (e.g., toner) for electrophotographic printing. The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12. The first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 are distanced from each other in a third direction. The first gear portion 40 and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 are located at the first outer surface 11. The second gear portion 50 is located on the second outer surface 12. The housing 10 extends in a third direction between the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12. A developer chamber 13 for accommodating a developer is provided inside the casing 10.

The housing 10 includes an opening 14. The opening 14 communicates the developer chamber 13 with the outside. The opening 14 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The developing roller 30 is located at the opening 14. That is, the developing roller 30 is located on the side of the center of the casing 10 in the second direction. The roller body 31 is fixed to the roller shaft 32 so as not to be rotatable relative thereto. One end portion of the roller shaft 32 in the third direction is fixed to a developing gear 42 described later so as not to be rotatable relative thereto. Therefore, when the developing gear 42 rotates, the roller shaft 32 also rotates, and the roller body 31 also rotates together with the roller shaft 32.

When the developing cartridge 1 receives the driving force, the developer is supplied from the developer chamber 13 in the casing 10 to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 30 by a supply roller, not shown. At this time, the developer is triboelectrically charged between the supply roller and the developing roller 30. On the other hand, a bias voltage is applied to the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30. Therefore, the developer is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the roller body 31 by the electrostatic force between the roller shaft 32 and the developer.

The developing cartridge 1 includes a layer thickness regulating blade, not shown. The layer thickness regulating blade makes the developer supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31 have a constant thickness. Then, the developer on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31 is supplied toward the photosensitive drum provided in the drawer unit 90. At this time, the developer moves from the roller body 31 toward the photosensitive drum in correspondence with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. This visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.

The first gear portion 40 is located at one side portion of the housing 10 in the third direction. That is, the first gear portion 40 is located at the first outer surface 11. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 in which the first gear portion 40 is in an exploded state. As shown in fig. 4, the first gear portion 40 includes a coupling 41, a developing gear 42, an idle gear 43, a first agitator gear 44, and a first cover 45. In fig. 4, a plurality of gear teeth of each gear are not illustrated.

The coupling 41 is a gear that receives the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus first. The coupling 41 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the third direction. The coupling 41 includes a coupling portion 411 and a coupling gear 412. The coupling portion 411 and the coupling gear 412 are integrally formed of resin, for example. The coupling portion 411 is provided with a coupling hole 413 recessed in the third direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the coupling gear 412.

When the drawer unit 90 mounted with the developing cartridge 1 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the driving shaft of the image forming apparatus is inserted into the coupling hole 413 of the coupling portion 411. Thereby, the drive shaft and the coupling portion 411 are coupled together so as not to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, when the drive shaft rotates, the coupling portion 411 rotates, and the coupling gear 412 also rotates together with the coupling portion 411.

The developing gear 42 is a gear for rotating the developing roller 30. The developing gear 42 is rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in the third direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the developing gear 42. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the coupling gear 412 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the development gear 42. The developing gear 42 is fixed to the third-direction end of the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30 so as not to rotate relatively. Therefore, when the coupling gear 412 rotates, the developing gear 42 rotates, and the developing roller 30 also rotates together with the developing gear 42.

The idle gear 43 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the coupling gear 412 to the first agitator gear 44. The idler pulley 43 is rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in the third direction. The idler gear 43 includes a large diameter gear portion 431 and a small diameter gear portion 432 arranged in a third direction. The small-diameter gear portion 432 is located between the large-diameter gear portion 431 and the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. In other words, the large diameter gear portion 431 is farther from the first outer surface 11 than the small diameter gear portion 432. The small diameter gear portion 432 has a smaller diameter than the large diameter gear portion 431. In other words, the diameter of the addendum circle of the small-diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the diameter of the addendum circle of the large-diameter gear portion 431. The large diameter gear portion 431 and the small diameter gear portion 432 are integrally formed of, for example, resin.

A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals on the entire outer peripheral portions of the large diameter gear portion 431 and the small diameter gear portion 432, respectively. The number of gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the number of gear teeth of the large diameter gear portion 431. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the coupling gear 412 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the large diameter gear portion 431. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the first agitator gear 44. When the coupling gear 412 rotates, the large diameter gear portion 431 rotates, and the small diameter gear portion 432 also rotates together with the large diameter gear portion 431. As the small-diameter gear portion 432 rotates, the first agitator gear 44 also rotates.

The first agitator gear 44 is a gear for rotating the agitator 20 in the developer chamber 13. The first agitator gear 44 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the third direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the first agitator gear 44. As described above, at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the small-diameter gear portion 432 and at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the first agitator gear 44 are intermeshed. The first agitator gear 44 is fixed to one end portion of the agitator shaft 21 in the third direction so as not to rotate relatively. Therefore, when power is transmitted from the coupling 41 to the first agitator gear 44 through the idle gear 43, the first agitator gear 44 rotates, and the agitator 20 also rotates together with the first agitator gear 44.

The first cover 45 is fixed to the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 by, for example, a screw clip. The coupling gear 412, the developing gear 42, the idle gear 43, and the first agitator gear 44 are accommodated between the first outer surface 11 and the first cover 45. The coupling hole 413 of the coupling portion 411 is exposed to the outside of the first cover 45. The first cover 45 of the present embodiment also serves as a holding portion cover for holding a holding portion 62 of an integrated circuit chip assembly 60 described later. The structure of the first cover 45 as a holding portion cover will be described later.

The second gear part 50 is located at the other side of the third direction of the housing 10. That is, the second gear portion 50 is located on the second outer surface 12. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 in a state where the second gear portion 50 is disassembled. As shown in fig. 5, the second gear part 50 includes a second agitator gear 51, a detection gear 52, a conductive member 53, and a second cover 54. In fig. 5, illustration of the gear teeth of the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52 is omitted.

The second agitator gear 51 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the agitator shaft 21 to the detection gear 52. The second agitator gear 51 is rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in the third direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the second agitator gear 51. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the second agitator gear 51 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the detection gear 52. The second agitator gear 51 is fixed to the other end portion of the agitator shaft 21 in the third direction so as not to be relatively rotatable. Thus, when the agitator shaft 21 rotates, the second agitator gear 51 also rotates.

The detection gear 52 is a gear for transmitting information of the developing cartridge 1 to the image forming apparatus. The information of the developing cartridge 1 includes, for example, information of whether the developing cartridge 1 is a new (unused) developing cartridge or a used developing cartridge. The information of the developing cartridge 1 includes, for example, the specification of the developing cartridge 1. The specification of the developing cartridge 1 includes, for example, the number of sheets (output sheets) that can be printed by the developer contained in the developing cartridge 1.

The detection gear 52 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the third direction. The detection gear 52 has a plurality of gear teeth on a part of its outer peripheral portion. When the unused developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer unit 90 and the drawer unit 90 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the detection gear 52 is rotated by being engaged with the second agitator gear 51. When the engagement of the second agitator gear 51 with the detection gear 52 is released, the detection gear 52 stops rotating.

On the other hand, when the used developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer unit 90 and the drawer unit 90 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the detection gear 52 does not rotate because the detection gear 52 does not mesh with the second agitator gear 51.

Another gear may be disposed between the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52. For example, the second gear unit 50 may include a second idle gear that meshes with both the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52. The rotation of the second agitator gear 51 may also be transmitted to the detection gear 52 through a second idle gear.

As shown in fig. 5, the detection gear 52 includes a detection protrusion 521. The detection protrusion 521 protrudes in the third direction. The detection projection 521 extends in an arc shape around the rotation axis.

The conductive member 53 is a conductive member. As the material of the conductive member 53, a metal or a conductive resin is used as a conductor. The conductive member 53 is located on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10. The conductive member 53 includes a gear shaft 531 protruding in the third direction. The detection gear 52 is supported on the gear shaft 531, and rotates about the gear shaft 531. Conductive member 53 includes a bearing portion 532. The bearing portion 532 contacts the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30.

The drawer unit 90 includes a conductive rod (not shown) in contact with the gear shaft 531. When the rod is in contact with the gear shaft 531, the conductive member 53 and the roller shaft 32 are electrically conducted with the rod. When the image forming apparatus is driven, the roller shaft 32 is maintained at a predetermined bias voltage by the power supplied from the lever. However, the detection protrusion 521 partially covers the outer circumferential surface of the gear shaft 531. Therefore, after a new developing cartridge 1 is inserted into the drawer unit 90, when the detection gear 52 rotates, the contact state of the lever with the gear shaft 531 changes corresponding to the shape of the detection gear 52. The image forming apparatus recognizes whether the mounted developing cartridge 1 is a new product, and the specification of the developing cartridge 1 by recognizing the change of the contact state.

However, the detection method of the information from the detection gear 52 may not be the detection method using the presence or absence of electrical conduction. For example, the movement of the lever may also be optically detected. The position and length of the detection projection 521 in the circumferential direction may be different from those of the present embodiment. The detection gear 52 may also include a plurality of detection protrusions 521. The shape of the detection gear 52 may be different according to specifications such as the number of sheets printable by the developing cartridge 1. Specifically, the number of the detection projections 521, the intervals of the plurality of detection projections 521 in the circumferential direction, the length of each detection projection 521 in the radial direction, and the like can be varied according to specifications. In this way, various specifications of the developing cartridge 1 can be notified to the image forming apparatus according to the number of the detection projections 521 and the different arrangement of the positions in the circumferential direction.

The detection gear 52 may be formed of a plurality of members. For example, the detection gear 52 and the detection projection 521 may be separate members. The detection gear may also include a detection gear body and an auxiliary member whose position changes in correspondence with the rotation of the detection gear body. The auxiliary member may also vary the position of the lever.

The detection gear 52 may be a movable gear that can move in the third direction. The movable gear may not be a missing-tooth gear. That is, the movable gear may have a plurality of gear teeth on its outer circumferential surface in a circumferential shape. In this case, when the movable gear rotates, the movable gear moves in the third direction, and the engagement of the movable gear with the second agitator gear 51 is released. The movable gear may also move in a direction away from the second outer surface 12 in the third direction. The movable gear may also be moved in a direction approaching the second outer surface 12 in the third direction.

The detection gear 52 may also include a cam that contacts the detection protrusion 521. In this case, the cam rotates together with the rotation of the detection gear 52, and the cam comes into contact with the detection projection 521 by the rotation, and the detection projection 521 moves. The detection projection 521 may be rotatably attached to a shaft provided on the second outer surface 12 or the second cover 54. The detection projection 521 may be rotatably held by inserting a shaft of the detection projection 521 into a hole of the second outer surface 12 or the second cover 54.

In the present embodiment, the gear shaft 531 extends from the second outer surface 12 in the third direction. However, the gear shaft 531 may not be in direct contact with the second outer surface 12. For example, the housing 10 may further include a through hole penetrating the second outer surface 12 and a cap mounted on the through hole, from which the gear shaft extends in the third direction. In this case, for example, the cap includes a gear shaft protruding in the third direction toward the detection gear 52. The detection gear 52 is supported by the gear shaft and rotates about the gear shaft 531.

The second cover 54 is fixed to the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10 by, for example, a screw clip. The second agitator gear 51, the detection gear 52, and the conductive member 53 are accommodated between the second outer surface 12 and the second cover 54. The second cover 54 includes an opening 541. A portion of the detection gear 52 and a portion of the gear shaft 531 are exposed through the opening 541. The lever contacts the detection gear 52 or the gear shaft 531 through the opening 541.

<2, Integrated Circuit chip Assembly >

The integrated circuit chip assembly 60 is disposed on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated circuit chip assembly 60. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 taken through a plane perpendicular to the third direction. As shown in fig. 2 to 7, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 includes an integrated circuit chip 61 as a storage medium and a holding portion 62 for holding the integrated circuit chip 61. The holding portion 62 is held at the first cover 45 at the side portion of the housing 10 in the third direction. The integrated circuit chip 61 stores various information about the developing cartridge 1. The integrated circuit chip 61 includes electrical contact surfaces 611. The electrical contact surface 611 is made of metal as a conductor. The integrated circuit chip 61 is fixed to the outer surface of the holding portion 62 in the third direction.

The drawer unit 90 includes electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are made of, for example, metal. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the drawer unit 90, the electrical contact of the drawer unit 90 is in contact with the electrical contact surface 611. Thereby, the image forming apparatus can perform at least one of reading out information from the integrated circuit chip 61 and writing information to the integrated circuit chip 61.

At least a part of the holding portion 62 is covered with the first cover 45. The holding portion 62 includes bosses 621a, 621b, and 621 c. The bosses 621a and 621b extend in the third direction toward the first cover 45 from the surface of the holding portion 62 opposite to the surface facing the housing 10, respectively. The bosses 621a and 621b are aligned in the second direction. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 2 and 4, the first cover 45 includes a through hole 451a and a through hole 451 b. The penetrating holes 451a and 451b penetrate the first cover 45 in the third direction, respectively. The through-holes 451a and 451b are aligned in the second direction. The boss 621a is inserted into the through hole 451 a. The boss 621b is inserted into the through hole 451 b.

The boss 621c extends in the third direction from the surface of the holding portion 62 facing the housing 10 toward the housing 10. On the other hand, the housing 10 includes a recess 15. The recess 15 is concave in the third direction at the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The boss 621c is inserted into the recess 15. Each of the bosses 621a, 621b, and 621c may be cylindrical or prismatic in shape.

The dimension (inner dimension) of the through-hole 451a in the second direction is larger than the dimension (outer dimension) of the boss 621a in the second direction. The dimension (inner dimension) of the through-hole 451b in the second direction is larger than the dimension (outer dimension) of the boss 621b in the second direction. The dimension (inner dimension) of the recess 15 in the second direction is larger than the dimension (outer dimension) of the boss 621c in the second direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62 is movable in the second direction with respect to the housing 10 and the first cover 45 together with the boss 621a, the boss 621b, and the boss 621 c. When the holding portion 62 moves in the second direction, the integrated circuit chip 61 having the electrical contact surface 611 also moves in the second direction together with the holding portion 62.

The dimension (inner dimension) of the through-hole 451a in the first direction is larger than the dimension (outer dimension) of the boss 621a in the first direction. The dimension (inner dimension) of the through-hole 451b in the first direction is larger than the dimension (outer dimension) of the boss 621b in the first direction. The dimension (inner dimension) of the recess 15 in the first direction is larger than the dimension (outer dimension) of the boss 621c in the first direction. Accordingly, the holding part 62 is movable in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the first cover 45 together with the boss 621a, the boss 621b, and the boss 621 c. When the holding portion 62 moves in the first direction, the integrated circuit chip 61 having the electrical contact surface 611 also moves in the first direction together with the holding portion 62. The holding portion 62 may be movable in the third direction between the first cover 45 and the first outer surface 11.

The number of bosses provided in the holding portion 62 may be one, or three or more. The number of through holes provided in the first cover 45 may be one, or three or more. Instead of the through-holes 451a and 451b, the first cover 45 may have recesses into which the bosses 621a and 621b are inserted.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the holding portion 62 has a first end portion 710 and a second end portion 720. The first end 710 is an end of the holding portion 62 in the first direction. The second end portion 720 is the other end portion of the holding portion 62 in the first direction. The first end 710 is movable in a first direction relative to the second end 720. More specifically, the holding portion 62 of the present embodiment includes a first holding member 71, a second holding member 72, and a coil spring 73 located between the first holding member 71 and the second holding member 72. The first holding member 71 is made of, for example, resin. The second holding member 72 is made of, for example, resin. The first retaining member 71 has a first end 710. The integrated circuit chip 71 is fixed to a holding surface 620 provided on the outer surface of the first end portion 710. The second retaining member 72 has a second end 720. In the assembled holder 62, the first end 710 and the second end 720 are apart in the first direction.

The coil spring 13 is an elastic member extending in the first direction. The coil spring 13 is disposed between the first end portion 710 and the second end portion 720 in the first direction. The coil spring 13 expands and contracts in a first direction at least between a first state and a second state contracted more than the first state. The length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction in the first state is longer than the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction in the second state. Therefore, the distance between the first end 710 and the second end 720 in the first direction is longer in the first state than the distance between the first end 710 and the second end 720 in the first direction in the second state. The length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction is shorter than the natural length of the coil spring 73 at least in the second state.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the first holding member 71 has a claw portion 714a and a claw portion 714 b. The claw portions 714a and 714b respectively project from the first holding member 71 in a direction intersecting the first direction. On the other hand, the second holding member 72 has an opening 721a and an opening 721 b. The claw portion 714a is inserted into the opening 721 a. The claw portion 714b is inserted into the opening 721 b. In the first state, the claw portion 714a contacts the second holding member 72 at the edge portion on the first end portion 710 side of the opening 721 a. In the first state, the claw portion 714b contacts the second holding member 72 at the edge portion on the first end portion 710 side of the opening 721 b. This prevents the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction from being longer than that in the first state. Further, the first holding member 71 is prevented from being removed from the second holding member 72. On the other hand, in the second state, the claw portions 714a and 714b are separated from the edge portion of the opening 721b of the second holding member 72 on the first end 710 side.

Instead of the opening, a recess or a step that can be brought into contact with the claw portion may be provided. The first holding member 71 may be provided with an opening, a recess, or a step, and the second holding member 72 may be provided with a claw.

The holding surface 620 of the holding portion 62 can move in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 due to the difference in size between the through hole 451 and the boss 621 and the expansion and contraction of the coil spring 73. Hereinafter, the position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the casing 10 before the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the drawer unit 90 is referred to as an "initial position" (first position). The position of the momentary holding surface 620 at which the coil spring 73 is most contracted when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the drawer unit 90 with respect to the casing 10 in the first direction is referred to as "intermediate position" (second position). The position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 when the electrical contact surface 611 contacts the electrical contact 913 described later is referred to as a "contact position" (third position). The position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the casing 10 after the mounting of the developing cartridge 1 to the drawer unit 90 is completed is referred to as a "final position" (fourth position).

The outer surface of the first end portion 710 may have a first guide surface 711 (first surface), a second guide surface 712 (second surface), and third guide surfaces 713a and 713b (third surface) instead of the holding surface 620.

The first guide surfaces 711 are provided at the side portions closer to the developing roller 30 in the second-direction both side portions of the holding portion 620. The first guide surface 711 is inclined with respect to the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61 held on the holding surface 620. Specifically, the first guide surface 711 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the electrical contact surface 611.

Here, one end portion of the first end portion 710 in the second direction is referred to as a first outer end position (third position) 711 a. One end of the holding surface 620 in the second direction is set as a first inner end position (fourth position) 711 b. As shown in fig. 7, the first guide surface 711 extends from a first outer end position 711a toward the electrical contact surface 611 to a first inner end position 711 b. The first outer end position 711a is farther from the electrical contact surface 611 than the first inner end position 711b in either of the second direction and the first direction. As shown in fig. 7, the distance d1 in the first direction between the first outer end position 711a and the first inner end position 711b is larger than the distance d2 in the first direction between the electrical contact surface 611 and the first inner end position 711 b.

The second guide surface 712 is provided on the side portion of the holding portion 620 that is away from the developing roller 30 in the second-direction both side portions. The second guide surface 712 is inclined with respect to the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61 held on the holding surface 620. Specifically, the second guide surface 712 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the electrical contact surface 611.

Here, the other end portion of the first end portion 710 in the second direction is set as a second outer end position (fifth position) 712 a. The other end portion of the holding surface 620 in the second direction is set as a second inner end position (sixth position) 712 b. As shown in fig. 7, the second guide surface 712 extends from a second outer end position 712a toward the electrical contact surface 611 to a second inner end position 712 b. The second outer end position 712a is further from the electrical contact surface 611 than the second inner end position 712b in either of the second direction and the first direction. As shown in fig. 7, a distance d3 in the first direction between the second outer end position 712a and the second inner end position 712b is greater than a distance d4 in the first direction between the electrical contact surface 611 and the second inner end position 712 b.

The third guide surface 713a is provided at one of both sides of the electrical contact surface 611 in the third direction. The third guide surface 713b is provided at the other of both sides of the electrical contact surface 611 in the third direction. The third guide surfaces 713a and 713b extend in the second direction, respectively. In the first direction, each third guide surface 713a, 713b is farther from the coil spring 73 than the electrical contact surface 611. Therefore, the electrical contact surface 611 is disposed at a position that is recessed more to the coil spring 73 side than the third guide surfaces 713a and 713 b.

The first guide surface 711, the second guide surface 712, and the third guide surfaces 713a and 713b may be flat or curved, respectively. However, each of the first guide surface 711, the second guide surface 712, and the third guide surfaces 713a, 713b is preferably a smooth surface without a step so as not to generate a scraping when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the drawer unit 90.

<3 > action upon mounting >

Next, the operation when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the drawer unit 90 will be described. Fig. 8 to 14 are views showing how the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to one cartridge holding portion 91 in the drawer unit 90.

When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the cartridge holding portion 91, first, as shown in fig. 8, the developing roller 30 of the developing cartridge 1 is made to face the insertion port 910 of the cartridge holding portion 91. At this time, the first end 710 and the second end 720 of the holding portion 62 have not yet come into contact with the drawer unit 90. Therefore, the coil spring 73 assumes the first state described above. The position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 is the initial position described above. The developing cartridge 1 is inserted in the second direction with respect to the cartridge holding portion 91 as indicated by a broken-line arrow in fig. 8.

The cartridge holding part 91 includes a first guide plate 911 and a second guide plate 912. The first guide plate 911 and the second guide plate 912 are disposed facing each other with a gap therebetween in the first direction. The first guide plate 911 and the second guide plate 912 are unfolded in the third direction and the second direction, respectively. The first guide plate 911 includes a metal electrical contact 913 that can contact the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61. The electric contacts 913 protrude from the surface of the first guide plate 911 toward the second guide plate 912 in the first direction.

When the developing cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge holding portion 91, as shown in fig. 9, the first guide surface 711 of the holding portion 62 contacts the end of the first guide plate 911 in the second direction. The holding part 62 moves in the first direction by the first guide plate 911 being pressed by the first guide surface 711. The movement of the holding portion 62 at this time is relative to the housing 10. Thereby, as shown in fig. 10, the position of the holding part 62 in the first direction is positioned between the first guide plate 911 and the second guide plate 912.

Then, the first end 710 of the first holding member 71 contacts the first guide plate 911. The second end 720 of the second holding member 72 contacts the second guide plate 912. The coil spring 73 contracts in the first direction as compared with the first state.

As shown in fig. 11, the first guide plate 911 includes a guide protrusion 914 protruding toward the second guide plate 912. The guide protrusion 914 is located on the insertion port 910 side with respect to the electrical contact 913. The guide protrusion 914 has a first inclined surface 915. The second guide plate 912 has a second inclined surface 916. The interval between the first inclined surface 915 and the second inclined surface 916 in the first direction becomes gradually shorter as the insertion direction into the developing cartridge 1 is progressed.

When the developing cartridge 1 is further inserted in the second direction, the first holding member 71 contacts the first inclined surface 915, and the second holding member 72 contacts the second inclined surface 916. Thereby, the first holding member 71 and the second holding member 72 approach in the first direction, and the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction becomes gradually shorter. After a while, when the third guide surfaces 713a, 713b of the first holding member 71 contact the top of the guide protrusion 914, the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction becomes shortest. That is, the coil spring 73 is in the second state. The position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 is the above-described intermediate position.

Thus, when the developing cartridge 1 is inserted into the drawer unit 90, the position of the holding surface 620 for holding the integrated circuit chip 61 can be changed in the first direction by the integrated circuit chip module 60. Therefore, the developer cartridge 1 can be inserted while changing the position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction along the guide protrusion 914. Further, the pressure in the first direction applied by the guide protrusion 914 to the first holding member 71 is reduced as compared with the case where the guide protrusion 914 is passed in a state where the position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction is fixed. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1 can be inserted into the drawer unit 90 while suppressing friction of the electrical contact surfaces 611 of the integrated circuit chips 61. As shown in fig. 10, 11, and 12, after the first guide surface 711 passes over the guide protrusion 914, the electrical contact surface 611 directly contacts the electrical contact 913. This can also reduce friction of the electrical contact 913.

In particular, in the developing cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61 is disposed at a position recessed from the third guide surfaces 713a and 713 b. Therefore, in the state of fig. 11, the top of the guide protrusion 914 contacts only the third guide surfaces 713a, 713b, and does not contact the electrical contact surface 611. Therefore, the guide protrusion 914 can be prevented from rubbing the electrical contact surface 611.

Then, when the developing cartridge 1 is further inserted in the second direction, the third guide surfaces 713a, 713b pass through the guide protrusion 914. Then, as shown in fig. 12, the second guide face 712 contacts the guide protrusion 914. Accordingly, the coil spring 73 is again expanded from the second state to the third state. As a result, as shown in fig. 13, the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61 contacts the electrical contact 913. The length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction in the third state is shorter than the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction in the first state, and is longer than the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction in the second state. In the third state, the length of the coil spring 73 in the first direction is shorter than the natural length of the coil spring 73. The relative position of the holding surface 620 with respect to the housing 10 in the first direction becomes the above-described contact position.

Thereby, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the electrical contact 913 and the second guide plate 912. Then, in the present embodiment, as shown by the broken line arrow in fig. 14, the housing 10 is tilted in the first direction. Thereby, the developing roller 30 contacts the photosensitive drum 92 of the drawer unit 90. At this time, the position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 changes from the above-described contact position to the final position. The boss 621 moves in the first direction in the penetrating hole 451. Thus, the boss 621 is in a non-contact state with respect to the edge portion of the first cover 45 constituting the through hole 451. As a result, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 and the first cover 45 are in a non-contact state. Therefore, in the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus, the vibration is hard to be transmitted from the driving portion such as the first gear portion 40 to the integrated circuit chip assembly 60. This can maintain the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611 and the electrical contact 913 more favorably.

<4 > about the leave action >

After the developer cartridge 1 is mounted, the drawer unit 90 can perform a so-called "separating operation" of temporarily separating the developing roller 30 from the photosensitive drum 92. As shown in fig. 2, the first cover 45 of the developing cartridge 1 includes a first columnar protrusion 46 extending in the third direction. As shown in fig. 3, the second cover 54 of the developing cartridge 1 includes a second columnar protrusion 55 extending in the third direction. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 1, the drawer unit 90 includes a plurality of pressing members 93. The pressing members 93 are provided on both sides of each cartridge holding portion 91 in the third direction.

In the action of the broken-line arrow of fig. 14 described above, each of the first columnar protrusion 46 and the second columnar protrusion 55 is pressed by the pressing member 93. Thereby, the housing 10 is inclined in the first direction. As a result, the position of the holding surface 620 in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 changes from the above-described contact position to the final position.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a state when the leaving operation is performed. At the time of the detaching action, the positions of the first columnar protrusion 46 and the second columnar protrusion 55 are changed by the driving force from the image forming apparatus. Specifically, each of the first columnar projection 46 and the second columnar projection 55 is pressed by a lever (illustration omitted) provided to the drawer unit 90. Thereby, each of the first columnar protrusion 46 and the second columnar protrusion 55 moves against the pressing force of the pressing member 93. As a result, as indicated by the broken-line arrows in fig. 15, the casing 10 of the developing cartridge 1 and the developing roller 30 move in the second direction, away from the photosensitive drum 92.

At this time, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the electrical contact 913 and the second guide plate 912. Therefore, even if the casing 10 and the developing roller 30 are moved in the second direction, the position of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 with respect to the drawer unit 90 is not changed. The state of the coil spring 73 is also maintained in the second state without change. Therefore, the position of the holding portion 62 in the second direction with respect to the housing 10 is changed from the standard position (first position) to the separated position (second position). The boss 621 moves in the second direction inside the penetrating hole 451.

Thereby, the above-described developing cartridge 1 can change the position of the casing 10 in the second direction without changing the position of the electrical contact surface 611 with respect to the drawer unit 90 in the second direction. Therefore, when the separation operation is performed, the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611 and the electrical contact 913 can be maintained. Even when the image forming apparatus is transported in a state where the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the drawer unit 90, the contact state of the electrical contact surface 611 and the electrical contact 913 can be maintained, and therefore, the friction of the electrical contact surface 611 can be reduced.

<5, modification >

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Hereinafter, various modifications will be described mainly in terms of their differences from the above-described embodiment.

<5-1, first modification >

Fig. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge 1A of the first modification. In the example of fig. 16, at least a part of the holding portion 62A for holding the integrated circuit chip 61A is covered with the first cover 45A, as in the above-described embodiment. However, in the example of fig. 16, the first cover 45A includes bosses 451aA, 451 bA. The bosses 451aA and 451bA are arranged in the second direction. The bosses 451aA, 451bA extend in the third direction from the first cover 45A toward the housing 10A, respectively. On the other hand, the holding portion 62A includes one through hole 621A penetrating in the third direction. Both the bosses 451aA and 451bA are inserted into the through hole 621A.

The size of the through hole 621A in the second direction is larger than the length between one end edge of the boss 451aA in the second direction and the other end edge of the boss 451bA in the second direction. That is, the size of the penetrating hole 621A in the second direction is larger than the distance between the portions of the bosses 451aA and 451bA that are farthest from each other in the second direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62A is movable in the second direction together with the penetrating hole 621A with respect to the housing 10A and the first cover 45A. When the holding portion 62A moves in the second direction, the integrated circuit chip 61A having the electrical contact surface 611A also moves in the second direction together with the holding portion 62A.

The size of the through hole 621A in the first direction is larger than the size of each of the bosses 451aA, 451bA in the first direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62A is movable in the first direction together with the penetrating hole 621A with respect to the housing 10A and the first cover 45A. When the holding portion 62A moves in the first direction, the integrated circuit chip 61A having the electrical contact surface 611A also moves in the first direction together with the holding portion 62A. The holding portion 62A may be movable in the third direction between the first cover 45A and the first outer surface 11A.

In this way, by providing the boss 451A in the first cover 45A and providing the penetrating hole 621A in the holding portion 62A, the movement of the electric contact surface 611A in the first direction and the second direction with respect to the housing 10A can be realized. The above-described structure also enables the boss 451A to move in the first direction inside the penetrating hole 621A when the housing 10A is inclined in the first direction when the developing cartridge 1A is mounted to the drawer unit. When the separation operation is performed after the mounting of the developing cartridge 1A, the boss 451A can move in the second direction inside the through hole 621A. As a result, the position of the housing 10A can be changed while maintaining the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611A and the electrical contact satisfactorily.

The number of the bosses 451A provided in the first cover 45A may be one, or three or more. The number of the through holes 621A provided in the holding portion 62A may be two or more. Instead of the through-hole 621A, the holding portion 62A may include a recess into which the boss 451A is inserted. The boss may be provided on the first outer surface of the housing, and the boss of the housing may be inserted into the through-hole or the recess included in the holding portion. The projection 451A may have a cylindrical shape or a prismatic shape.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60A of fig. 16 taken through a plane perpendicular to the third direction. As shown in fig. 17, the holding portion 62A of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60A includes a holding member 74A made of resin and a plate spring 75A fixed to the holding member 74A. The holding member 74A has a first end 740A as one end in the first direction of the holding portion 62A. The integrated circuit chip 61 is fixed to the holding surface 620A included in the outer surface of the first end portion 740A. The plate spring 75A has a second end 750A as the other end of the holding portion 62A in the first direction. In the assembled holding portion 62A, the first end 740A and the second end 750A are separated in the first direction.

The plate spring 75A is, for example, a bent metal plate having flexibility. The plate spring 75A expands and contracts in the first direction at least between a first state and a second state in which it is bent more than the first state. The length of the leaf spring 75A in the first direction in the first state is longer than the length of the leaf spring 75A in the second state in the first direction. Therefore, the distance in the first direction between the first end 740A and the second end 750A in the first state is longer than the distance in the first direction between the first end 740A and the second end 750A in the second state. The length of the leaf spring 75A in the first direction is shorter than the natural length of the leaf spring 75A at least in the second state.

In this way, by using the plate spring 75A instead of the coil spring, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60A can also be made to expand and contract in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 1A is mounted to the drawer unit, the electrical contact surface 611A of the integrated circuit chip 61A can be moved in the first direction with respect to the housing 10A by the difference in size between the boss 451A and the through hole 621A and the extension and contraction of the leaf spring 75A.

<5-2, second modification >

Fig. 18 is a partial perspective view of a developing cartridge 1B of a second modification. In the example of fig. 18, the electrical contact surface 611B of the integrated circuit chip 61B faces the third direction. Therefore, the first direction perpendicular to the electrical contact surface 611B and the third direction become the same direction. In the example of fig. 18, a columnar elastic body 63B is provided between the case 10B and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60B. The columnar elastic body 63B is, for example, a coil spring extending in the first direction. One end of columnar elastic body 63B in the third direction is fixed to holding portion 62B of integrated circuit chip assembly 60B. The other end of the columnar elastic body 63B in the third direction is fixed to the first outer surface of the housing 10B. That is, the case 10B and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60B are connected by the columnar elastic body 63B.

Fig. 19 and 20 are diagrams illustrating the movement of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60B by the deformation of the columnar elastic body 63B. As shown in fig. 19, the columnar elastic body 63B can expand and contract in the first direction. When the columnar elastic body 63B expands and contracts, the position of the electrical contact surface 611B in the first direction with respect to the housing 10B also changes. As shown in fig. 20, the columnar elastic body 63B can be deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the first direction. When the columnar elastic body 63B is obliquely deformed, the relative position of one end and the other end of the columnar elastic body 63B changes in the direction intersecting with or perpendicular to the first direction.

Fig. 21 and 22 are views showing how the developing cartridge 1B of the second modification is mounted to the drawer unit 90B. As shown in fig. 21 and 22, the first cover 45B includes a first frame portion 456B and a second frame portion 457B which are arranged at intervals in the second direction. The integrated circuit chip assembly 60B and the columnar elastic body 63B are accommodated in the accommodating portion 452B which is a space between the first frame portion 456B and the second frame portion 457B. The first cover 45B includes a claw portion 453B protruding from the first frame portion 456B toward the accommodating portion 452B. Before the developing cartridge 1B is mounted to the drawer unit 90B, as shown in fig. 21, a part of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 contacts the claw portion 453B. Thereby, the columnar elastic body 63B is maintained in a state of being compressed in the first direction with respect to the natural length.

When the developing cartridge 1B is mounted to the drawer unit 90B, as shown in fig. 22, the electrical contact surface 611B of the integrated circuit chip 61B contacts the electrical contact 913B. At this time, the length of the columnar elastic body 63B in the first direction is shorter than that in the state of fig. 21. Therefore, the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611B and the electrical contact 913B is maintained by the reaction force of the columnar elastic body 63B.

Fig. 23 is a view showing a state in which the developer cartridge 1B is mounted and then the separation operation is performed. In the separating operation, as shown in fig. 23, the columnar elastic body 63B is deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the first direction. Thereby, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60B connected to one end of the columnar elastic body 63B and the case 10B connected to the other end of the columnar elastic body 63B are relatively moved in the second direction. Therefore, the position of the housing 10B in the second direction can be changed without changing the position of the electrical contact surface 611B in the second direction with respect to the drawer unit 90B. That is, the separating operation can be performed while maintaining the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611B and the electrical contact 913B.

<5-3, third modification >

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge 1C of a third modification. In the example of fig. 24, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60C includes an integrated circuit chip 61C, a holding portion 62C, a shaft portion 66C, and a lever 67C. The shaft portion 66C extends in the second direction inside the first cover 45C. One end of the shaft portion 66C in the second direction is connected to the holding portion 62C in a relatively non-rotatable manner. The other end of the shaft portion 66C in the second direction is connected to a lever 67C disposed outside the first cover 45C so as not to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, as shown by the broken line arrow in fig. 24, when the lever 67C is rotated about the shaft 66C, the shaft 66C and the holding portion 62C are also rotated about the shaft 66C. Thereby, the position of the holding portion 62C in the first direction changes.

Fig. 25 to 27 are views of a developing cartridge 1C of a third modification viewed from the third direction side. Before the developing cartridge 1C is mounted to the drawer unit, as shown in fig. 24, 25, the integrated circuit chip 61C and the holding portion 62C are accommodated inside the first cover 45C. When the developing cartridge 1C is mounted on the drawer unit and the drawer unit is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the lever 67C rotates about the shaft portion 66C. Thereby, a part of the holding portion 62C and the integrated circuit chip 61C protrude from the first cover 45C. As shown in fig. 27, the electrical contact surface 611C of the integrated circuit chip 61C contacts the electrical contact 913C provided at the drawer unit.

The operation of the lever 67C may also be performed manually by the user after the developing cartridge 1C is mounted to the drawer unit. When the drawer unit is accommodated in the body of the image forming apparatus, the lever 67C may also be rotated by a guide surface provided at the body of the image forming apparatus.

The first cover 45C includes a support surface 454C that contacts the lever 67C before rotation. In the state of fig. 25, one surface of the lever 67C in the second direction contacts the support surface 454C. Thereby, the lever 67C, the shaft portion 66C, the holding portion 62C, and the integrated circuit chip 61C are all supported by the first cover 45C in the second direction. However, as shown in fig. 26, when the lever 67C is rotated, the lever 67C moves out of the support surface 454C. Therefore, one surface of the lever 67C in the second direction is in a non-contact state with the support surface 454C. The holding portion 62C is fixed at the position shown in fig. 26 by a positioning member provided in the drawer unit. As a result, the state in which the electrical contact surface 611C of the integrated circuit chip 61C and the electrical contact 913C are in contact with each other can be maintained.

In the state of fig. 26, one surface of the holding portion 62C in the second direction also does not contact the first cover 45C. Therefore, the lever 67C, the shaft portion 66C, the holding portion 62C, and the integrated circuit chip 61C can all be moved in the second direction with respect to the first cover 45C. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 1C is moved away from the cartridge, the housing 10C and the first cover 45C can be moved in the second direction while maintaining the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611C of the integrated circuit chip 61C and the electrical contact 913C, as shown in fig. 27.

<5-4, fourth modification >

Fig. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the first cover 45D and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60D of the developing cartridge of the fourth modification. Fig. 29 is a sectional view of the first cover 45D and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60D. In the example of fig. 28, 29, the electrical contact surface 611D of the integrated circuit chip 61D is oriented in the third direction. Therefore, the first direction perpendicular to the electrical contact surface 611D and the third direction become the same direction.

As shown in fig. 28 and 29, an integrated circuit chip assembly 60D according to a fourth modification includes an integrated circuit chip 61D, a holding portion 62D for holding the integrated circuit chip 61D, and a connecting member 63D. The holding portion 62D includes a plurality of claw portions 622D extending toward the opposite side of the electrical contact surface 611D along the first direction. In the example of fig. 28, the holding portion 62D includes four claw portions 622D. The connecting member 63D includes a fixing portion 631D fixed to the first cover 45D and an arm portion 632D extending in the first direction from the fixing portion 631D toward the holding portion 62D.

A spherical portion 633D is provided at the tip end of the arm portion 632D in the first direction, and the diameter of the spherical portion 633D is larger than the thickness of the arm portion 632D. The spherical portion 633D is held at a position inside the holding portion 62D by the plurality of claw portions 622D. Thereby, as shown in fig. 30, the arm portion 632D and the holding portion 62D are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable. That is, the integrated circuit chip 61D and the holding portion 62D can relatively rotate about the spherical portion 633D. Thereby, the position of the electrical contact surface 611D of the integrated circuit chip 61D with respect to the fixing portion 631D can be moved in the second direction. Therefore, when the developing cartridge is moved away from the cartridge, the housing and the first cover 45D can be moved in the second direction while maintaining the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611D of the integrated circuit chip 61D and the electrical contact.

In the configuration of fig. 28 to 30, the claw portion 622D of the holding portion 62D and the arm portion 632D of the connecting member 63D are relatively movable in the first direction. Therefore, when the developing cartridge is inserted into the drawer unit, the integrated circuit chip 61D and the holding portion 62D can be moved in the first direction with respect to the fixing portion 631D. Thereby, the developing cartridge can be inserted while friction of the electrical contact surface 611D of the integrated circuit chip 61D is suppressed.

An elastic member such as a coil spring that can expand and contract in the first direction may be provided between the fixing portion 631D of the connecting member 63D and the claw portion 622D. An elastic member such as a coil spring that can expand and contract in the first direction may be provided between the first cover 45D and the claw portion 622D. In this way, the electric contact surface 611D can be brought into more favorable contact with the electric contact by the reaction force of the elastic member.

The arm portion 632D may be connected to the fixed portion 631D or the first cover 45D so as to be rotatable. For example, spherical portions may be provided at both ends of the arm portion 632D, and one of the spherical portions may be rotatably held by a plurality of claw portions provided in the first cover 45D. Thus, both ends of the arm portion 632D are rotatably connected, and the position of the electrical contact surface 611D in the second direction can be changed more flexibly.

<5-5, fifth modification >

Fig. 31 is a partial perspective view of a developing cartridge 1E of a fifth modification. In the example of fig. 31, the holding portion 62D for holding the integrated circuit chip 61E is made of a plate-like member extending in a ring shape with ends connected to each other. For the holding portion 62E, a resin having flexibility is used, for example. Therefore, in the example of fig. 31, the holding portion 62E itself is an elastic body that can expand and contract in the first direction. Thereby, the distance between both ends of the holding portion 62E in the first direction can be changed. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 1E is inserted into the drawer unit, the electrical contact surface 611E of the integrated circuit chip 61E can be suppressed from rubbing.

In the example of fig. 31, since the holding portion 62E expands and contracts in the first direction, the holding portion 62E needs to be constituted by a plurality of members. In the holding portion 62E, too, it is not necessary to use an elastic member separate from the member for holding the integrated circuit chip 61E.

Fig. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the first cover 45E and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60E of the fifth modification. As shown in fig. 32, the first cover 45E includes a boss 451aE extending in the first direction and a boss 451bE extending in the first direction. The bosses 451aE and 451bE are arranged in the second direction. The first cover 45E further includes a connecting portion 455E that connects the head ends of each of the bosses 451aE, 451bE to each other.

The holding portion 62E extends annularly around the bosses 451aE and 451 bE. Claw portions 623E provided at both end portions of the holding portion 62E are engaged with each other. Thereby, a through hole 621E penetrating in the third direction is formed inside the holding portion 62E. Bosses 451aE and 451bE are located inside penetrating hole 621E. The holding portion 62E further includes a plate-like portion 624E protruding from its inner circumferential surface toward the penetrating hole 621E. The plate-like portion 624E is inserted between the bosses 451aE and 451 bE.

The interval between the projections 451aE and 451bE in the second direction is larger than the thickness of the plate-shaped portion 624E in the second direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62E is relatively movable in the second direction with respect to the housing 10E and the first cover 45E together with the plate-like portion 624E. When the holding portion 62E moves in the second direction, the integrated circuit chip 61E having the electrical contact surface 611E also moves in the second direction together with the holding portion 62E.

The size of the through hole 621E in the first direction is larger than the size of each of the bosses 451aE, 451bE in the first direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62E is movable in the first direction with respect to the housing 10E and the first cover 45E. When the holding portion 62E moves in the first direction, the integrated circuit chip 61E having the electrical contact surface 611E also moves in the first direction together with the holding portion 62E.

When the developing cartridge 1E is mounted to the drawer unit, the holding portion 62E contracts in the first direction by being nipped by the guide plate of the drawer unit. Specifically, the claw portions 623E provided at both end portions of the holding portion 62E approach each other, and thereby a force is generated in a direction in which the claw portions 623E are separated from each other. In a state where the holding portion 62E is elastically deformed, the electrical contact surface 611E of the integrated circuit chip 61E contacts the electrical contact. The electric contact surface 611E and the electric contact are fixed in a state of being in contact with each other by the force. In the separating operation, the housing 10E moves in the second direction while maintaining the contact state of the electrical contact surface 611E with the electrical contact.

With the above configuration, it is also possible to realize that when the housing 10E is inclined in the first direction when the developing cartridge 1E is mounted to the drawer unit, the bosses 451aE, 451bE move in the first direction inside the penetrating hole 621E. When the separation operation is performed after the developer cartridge 1E is mounted, the bosses 451aE and 451bE can move in the second direction inside the penetrating hole 621E. As a result, the position of the housing 10E can be changed while maintaining the contact state between the electrical contact surface 611E and the electrical contact satisfactorily.

The number of bosses provided in the first cover 45E may be one, or three or more.

<5-6, sixth modification >

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1F and the drum cartridge 80F of the sixth modification. The developing cartridge 1F of fig. 33 includes a casing 10F, a developing roller 30F, an integrated circuit chip assembly 60F, and a first cover 45F. In the example of fig. 33, the developing cartridge 1F is not mounted to the drawer unit, but is mounted to the drum cartridge 80F. The drum cartridge 80F includes one developing cartridge holding portion 81F for holding one developing cartridge 1F. The developing cartridge holding portion 81F is provided with a photosensitive drum 82F. When the developing cartridge 1F is mounted to the drum cartridge 80F, the developing roller 30F of the developing cartridge 1F contacts the photosensitive drum 82F.

Fig. 34 is a view showing how the drum cartridge 80F mounted with the developing cartridge 1F is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100F. As shown in fig. 34, the drum cartridge 80F to which the developing cartridge 1F is mounted with respect to a drum cartridge holding portion 101F provided in the image forming apparatus 100F.

Thus, even for the developing cartridge 1F of the type mounted to the drum cartridge 80F, the same configuration as that of the integrated circuit chip assembly of the above-described embodiment or the first to fifth modifications can be used. Fig. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of the integrated circuit chip assembly 60F of the developing cartridge 1F. As shown in fig. 35, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60F of the developing cartridge 1F includes an integrated circuit chip 61F as a storage medium and a holding portion 62F for holding the integrated circuit chip 61F. The holding portion 62F is held at the first cover 45F at the side portion of the housing 10F in the third direction.

The holding portion 62F includes a first holding member 71F, a second holding member 72F, and a coil spring 73F. The coil spring 73F is an elastic member that expands and contracts in the first direction.

The first holding member 71F includes a boss 621aF, a boss 621bF, and a boss 621 cF. The boss 621aF extends in the third direction from the surface of the first holding member 71F facing the first cover 45F toward the first cover 45F. On the other hand, the first cover 45F includes a through hole 451F. The penetrating hole 451F penetrates the first cover 45F in the third direction. Boss 621aF is inserted into through hole 451F.

The bosses 621bF and 621cF extend in the third direction from the surface of the first holding member 71 facing the housing 10F toward the housing 10F, respectively. On the other hand, the housing 10F includes a recess 15aF and a recess 15 bF. The recess 15aF and the recess 15bF are respectively concave in the third direction at the first outer surface 11F of the housing 10F. The boss 621bF is inserted into the recess 15 aF. The boss 621cF is inserted into the recess 15 bF.

The size (inner dimension) of the through hole 451F in the second direction is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621aF in the second direction. The size (inner dimension) of the recess 15aF in the second direction is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621bF in the second direction. The size (inner dimension) of the recess 15bF in the second direction is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621cF in the second direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62F is movable in the second direction together with the boss 621aF, the boss 621bF, and the boss 621cF relative to the housing 10F and the first cover 45F. When the holding portion 62F moves in the second direction, the integrated circuit chip 61F having the electrical contact surface 611F also moves in the second direction together with the holding portion 62F.

The size (inner dimension) of the through-hole 451F in the first direction is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621aF in the first direction. The size (inner dimension) of the recess 15aF in the first direction is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621bF in the first direction. The size (inner dimension) of the recess 15bF in the first direction is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621cF in the first direction. Therefore, the holding portion 62F is movable in the first direction together with the boss 621aF, the boss 621bF, and the boss 621cF relative to the housing 10F and the first cover 45F. When the holding portion 62F moves in the first direction, the integrated circuit chip 61F having the electrical contact surface 611F also moves in the first direction together with the holding portion 62F.

As shown in fig. 34, the second retaining member 72 includes a cavity 625F. On the other hand, the drum cartridge 80F includes a projection 83F. The cavity 625F and the boss 83F are opposed in the first direction. The size of cavity 625F gradually expands as it moves away from integrated circuit chip 61F in the first direction. The size of the convex portion 83F gradually decreases toward the tip end of the convex portion 83F in the first direction.

As shown in fig. 34, the image forming apparatus 100F includes electrical contacts 102F. When the drum cartridge 80F mounted with the developing cartridge 1F is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100F, the first holding member 71F contacts the members of the image forming apparatus 100F. The projection 83F of the drum cartridge 80F is fitted into the cavity 625F of the second holding member 72F. Thereby, the position of the second holding member 72F with respect to the drum cartridge 80F is fixed. As a result, the coil spring 73F contracts in the first direction by sandwiching the holding portion 62F between the member of the image forming apparatus 100F and the drum cartridge 80. When the drum cartridge 80F is further inserted into the image forming apparatus 100F, the electrical contact surface 611F of the integrated circuit chip 61F contacts the electrical contact 102F.

The integrated circuit chip 61F contacts the electrical contact 102F while receiving the reaction force of the coil spring 73F. Holding portion 62F is sandwiched between electrical contact 102F and convex portion 83F. Thereby, the holding portion 62F is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus 100F and the drum cartridge 80F.

As shown in fig. 35, the second retaining member 72F includes a claw portion 714F. The claw portion 714F protrudes from the second holding member 72F in a direction intersecting the first direction. In the example of fig. 35, the claw portion 714F protrudes from the second holding member 72F in the third direction. On the other hand, the first holding member 71F includes an opening 721F. The claw portion 714F is inserted into the opening 721F. Thereby, the first holding member 71F is prevented from being removed from the second holding member 72F.

The casing 10F of the developing cartridge 1F includes the first rib 46F and the second rib 55F. The first ribs 46F protrude from the first outer surface 11F in the first direction and the third direction. The second ribs 55F protrude from the second outer surface 12F in the first direction and the third direction. On the other hand, the drum cartridge 80F described above includes a first lever 84F and a second lever 85F. When the detaching action is performed, the first lever 84F and the second lever 85F are operated by the driving force from the image forming apparatus. Thus, the first rib 46F is pressed by the first lever 84F. The second rib 55F is pressed by the second lever 85F. Thereby, the positions of the first rib 46F and the second rib 55F are changed. As a result, the casing 10F of the developing cartridge 1F and the developing roller 30F move in the second direction away from the photosensitive drum 92.

With the above configuration, the above-described developing cartridge 1F can also change the position of the holding portion 62F in the second direction with respect to the casing 10F. Therefore, the position of the housing 10F in the second direction can be changed without changing the position of the electrical contact surface 611F in the second direction with respect to the electrical contact 102F. Therefore, the separating operation can be performed while maintaining the contact state between electrical contact surface 611F and electrical contact 102F. As a result, friction of the electrical contact surface 611F can be reduced.

The above-described developing cartridge 1F can also move the electrical contact surface 611F in the first direction with respect to the casing 10F. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 80F is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100F, the friction of the electric contact surface 611F can be suppressed.

<5-7, other modifications >

In the above embodiment, the integrated circuit chip having the electrical contact surface is fixed to the outer surface of the holding portion. However, only the electrical contact surface that contacts the electrical contact may be fixed to the outer surface of the holding portion, and the portion of the integrated circuit chip other than the electrical contact surface may be disposed at another position of the developing cartridge.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of gears in the first gear portion and the second gear portion are engaged with each other by meshing of gear teeth. However, the plurality of gears in the first gear portion and the second gear portion may be engaged with each other by friction. For example, instead of a plurality of gear teeth, a friction member (e.g., rubber) may be provided at outer peripheral portions of two gears that are fitted to each other.

The developing cartridge 1 of the above-described embodiment is mounted with respect to a drawer unit included in the image forming apparatus. However, the developing cartridge of the present invention may be mounted with respect to a main body of an image forming apparatus that does not include a drawer unit.

The detailed shape of the developing cartridge may be different from the shape shown in the drawings of the present application. The respective members appearing in the above-described embodiment and modification examples may be appropriately combined within a range in which no contradiction occurs.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, 1F developing box

10. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10E, 10F housing

11 first outer surface

12 second outer surface

13 developer chamber

14 opening part

20 stirrer

21 stirrer shaft

22 stirring blade

30. 30F developing roller

31 roller body

32 roll shaft

40 first gear part

41 coupling

42 developing gear

43 idler pulley

44 first beater gear

45. 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D, 45E, 45F first cover

50 second gear part

51 second beater gear

52 detection gear

53 conductive member

54 second cover

60. 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60E, 60F integrated circuit chip assembly

61. 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 61E, 61F integrated circuit chip

62. 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D, 62E, 62F holding part

63B columnar elastomer

63D connecting member

66C shaft part

67C rod

71. 71F first holding member

72. 72F second retaining member

73. 73F coil spring

74A holding member

75A plate spring

80F drum box

81F developing cartridge holding part

82F photosensitive drum

90. 90B drawer unit

91 box holding part

92 photosensitive drum

100F image forming apparatus

101F drum cartridge holding part

102F electrical contact

451. 451F through hole

451aA, 451bA, 451aE, 451bE bosses

611. 611A, 611B, 611C, 611D, 611E, 611F electrical contact surface

620. 620A holding surface

621. 621F boss

621A, 621E through hole

631D fixation section

632D arm

633D spherical part

710. 740A first end portion

711 first guiding surface

712 second guiding surface

713a, 713b third guide surface

720. 750A second end

910 insertion opening

911 first guide plate

912 second guide plate

913. 913B, 913C electric contact

914 guide projection