JP7725815B2 - drum cartridge - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a drum cartridge.

Electrophotographic image forming devices such as laser printers and LED printers are known. The image forming device has a toner cartridge and a drum cartridge. The toner cartridge can be attached to the drum cartridge. Furthermore, the drum cartridge with the toner cartridge attached can be attached to the image forming device. A conventional image forming device is described, for example, in Patent Document 1.

JP 2011-186067 A

The toner cartridge has a shutter for opening and closing the toner supply port. If the shutter is opened accidentally by a user when the toner cartridge is not installed in the drum cartridge, toner will leak. To prevent this from happening, it is desirable to provide a mechanism to lock the movement of the shutter.

If a mechanism for locking the shutter is provided, a release mechanism for unlocking the shutter is also required. However, the toner cartridge is installed in the main body of the image forming device while attached to the drum cartridge. Therefore, the position of the toner cartridge is affected by positioning errors of the drum cartridge relative to the main body and positioning errors of the toner cartridge relative to the drum cartridge. For this reason, if a release mechanism for unlocking the shutter is provided in the main body of the image forming device, it becomes difficult to accurately bring the release mechanism into contact with the mechanism for locking the shutter.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide a structure that allows for accurate positioning of an unlocking member relative to a locking member that locks the shutter of a toner cartridge.

The first disclosure of this application relates to a drum frame to which a toner cartridge can be detachably attached, the drum frame having a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction, a shutter movable between a closed position that closes a toner supply port and an open position that opens the toner supply port, and a locking member that locks the movement of the shutter, the drum frame having a first side frame located at one end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction and a second side frame located at the other end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction, and an unlocking member located on the first side frame that is movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an advanced position, wherein when the toner cartridge is attached to the drum frame, the unlocking member is separated from the locking member in the first direction when the unlocking member is in the retracted position, and when the unlocking member is in the advanced position, the unlocking member presses the locking member in the first direction to release the lock on the shutter movement by the locking member.

The second disclosure of this application is the drum cartridge of the first disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge has a toner coupling for moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position, and the drum cartridge includes a coupling located on the first side frame, the coupling being rotatable about a coupling axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being connectable to the toner coupling, and the coupling being movable in the first direction together with the lock release member between the retracted position and the advanced position, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is attached to the drum frame, when the lock release member and the coupling are located in the retracted position, the coupling is separated from the toner coupling in the first direction, and when the lock release member and the coupling are located in the advanced position, the coupling is connected to the toner coupling.

The third disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the first or second disclosure, further comprising a developing roller that is rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction.

The fourth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the third disclosure, characterized in that the developing roller is a magnetic roller.

A fifth disclosure of the present application is a drum cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth disclosures, characterized in that the unlocking member when in the advanced position is closer to the second side frame in the first direction than the unlocking member when in the retracted position.

A sixth disclosure of the present application is a drum cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth disclosures, further comprising an elastic member that biases the unlocking member from the advanced position toward the retracted position.

The seventh disclosure of the present application is a drum cartridge according to any one of the first to sixth disclosures, wherein the locking member comprises a first locking portion that locks the movement of the shutter; and a second locking portion that locks the movement of the shutter. The unlocking member has a first pressing portion that is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position, and a second pressing portion that is movable in the first direction together with the first pressing portion between the retracted position and the advanced position. When the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are in the retracted position, the first pressing portion is positioned away from the first locking portion in the first direction, and the second pressing portion is positioned away from the second locking portion in the first direction. When the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are in the advanced position, the first pressing portion presses the first locking portion in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter set by the first locking portion, and the second pressing portion presses the second locking portion in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter set by the second locking portion.

The eighth disclosure of the present application is a drum cartridge according to any one of the first to seventh disclosures, characterized in that when the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body frame of an image forming device with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, the lock release member moves from the retracted position to the advanced position.

The ninth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the eighth disclosure, further comprising a contact member that is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position together with the lock release member, and when the drum cartridge is mounted on the main frame with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, a portion of the contact member comes into contact with the inner surface of the main frame.

The tenth disclosure of the present application is a drum cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth disclosures, wherein the toner cartridge has a housing having the toner supply port, the shutter is located at one end of the housing in the first direction, and the locking member is located at the one end of the housing in the first direction.

The eleventh disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the tenth disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge has a storage medium with an electrical contact surface, and the drum cartridge further comprises a drum contact located on the second side frame, which is movable in the first direction between a spaced position spaced from the electrical contact surface and a contact position in contact with the electrical contact surface when the toner cartridge is attached to the drum frame, and the drum contact moves from the spaced position to the contact position when the drum cartridge is attached to the main frame.

The twelfth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the eleventh disclosure, characterized in that the drum contact point when positioned at the contact position is closer to the first side frame in the first direction than the drum contact point when positioned at the separated position.

According to Disclosures 1 to 12 of this application, the unlocking member for unlocking the toner cartridge shutter is provided on the drum cartridge, not on the main body of the image forming device. This allows the unlocking member to be positioned with precision relative to the locking member. This allows the unlocking member to press the locking member with precision.

Furthermore, according to the sixth disclosure of the present application, the unlocking member is normally positioned in a retracted position. Therefore, the toner cartridge can be installed in the drum frame without being obstructed by the unlocking member.

Furthermore, according to the seventh disclosure of the present application, the lock cannot be released unless both the first locking portion and the second locking portion are pressed. This prevents the shutter from being unlocked by mistaken operation by the user when a toner cartridge is not installed in the drum cartridge.

Furthermore, according to the eighth disclosure of the present application, the lock release member can be moved from the retracted position to the advanced position in conjunction with the operation of installing the drum cartridge in the main body frame of the image forming device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing four toner cartridges, a drum cartridge, and a part of a main body frame. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a view of the toner cartridge viewed in a first direction. FIG. 2 is a view of the toner cartridge viewed in a first direction. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge taken along line CC in FIG. 5. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 9. FIG. 2 is a view of the cover viewed in a first direction. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 9. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 9. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between an agitator shaft and a toner coupling. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between an agitator shaft and a toner coupling. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus, showing a state in which a drum cartridge with a toner cartridge attached thereto is being inserted into a main body frame. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus, showing a state in which a drum cartridge with a toner cartridge attached thereto is being inserted into a main body frame. FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a toner cartridge according to a first modified example. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a drum cartridge equipped with a toner cartridge according to a first modified example is mounted on a main body frame of an image forming apparatus. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a drum cartridge with a toner cartridge of a first modified example attached thereto is removed from a main body frame. FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the direction in which the agitator 20 of the toner cartridge 2 extends will be referred to as the "first direction." Furthermore, the direction in which the multiple photosensitive drums 70 are lined up in the drum cartridge 3 will be referred to as the "second direction." Furthermore, the direction in which the toner cartridge 2 is inserted into the drum cartridge 3 will be referred to as the "third direction." The first and second directions intersect (preferably perpendicular to) each other. The second and third directions intersect (preferably perpendicular to) each other. The third direction and the first direction intersect (preferably perpendicular to) each other.

1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer or an LED printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four toner cartridges 2, a drum cartridge 3, a main body frame 4, and a control unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the four toner cartridges 2 are detachably attached to the drum cartridge 3. The drum cartridge 3, to which the four toner cartridges 2 are attached, is a drawer that is detachably attached to the main body frame 4. In this embodiment, the number of toner cartridges 2 attached to the drum cartridge 3 is four. However, the number of toner cartridges 2 attached to the drum cartridge 3 may be one to three, or five or more.

The four toner cartridges 2 each contain toner of a different color (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The image forming device 1 forms an image on printing paper using toner supplied from the four toner cartridges 2.

The control unit 5 is located within the main body frame 4 of the image forming device 1. The control unit 5 has a processor 501, such as a CPU, and a main body memory 502. The main body memory 502 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. The processor 501 can read information from the main body memory 502 and write information to the main body memory 502. The control unit 5 executes the printing process in the image forming device 1 by the processor 501 operating in accordance with the program stored in the main body memory 502.

Each of the four toner cartridges 2 has an IC chip 41. The IC chip 41 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. The drum cartridge 3 has four drum contacts 91a-91d, a drum harness 92, and a drum connector 93. The four drum contacts 91a-91d are electrically connected to the drum connector 93 via the drum harness 92. The image forming device 1 also has a main body connector 403 and a main body harness 404 within the main body frame 4. The main body connector 403 is electrically connected to the control unit 5 via the main body harness 404.

When the toner cartridge 2 is installed in the drum cartridge 3, the IC chip 41 comes into contact with the drum contacts 91a-91d. This electrically connects the IC chip 41 to the drum contacts 91a-91d. Furthermore, when the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is installed in the main body frame 4, the drum connector 93 comes into contact with the main body connector 403. This electrically connects the drum connector 93 to the main body connector 403. This electrically connects the IC chip 41 to the control unit 5 via the drum contacts 91a-91d, drum harness 92, drum connector 93, main body connector 403, and main body harness 404. As a result, the control unit 5 can read information from and write information to the IC chip 41.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing four toner cartridges 2, a drum cartridge 3, and a portion of the main body frame 4. As shown in Figure 2, the main body frame 4 has a first side plate 401 and a second side plate 402. The first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 are each substantially flat and extend perpendicular to the first direction. The first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 are positioned with a gap between them in the first direction. The drum cartridge 3, with the four toner cartridges 2 installed, is inserted between the first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 along the second direction.

<2. About toner cartridges>
Next, the structure of the toner cartridge 2 will be described. Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. Figure 5 is a view of the toner cartridge 2 viewed in a first direction from a first end 11 side, which will be described later. Figure 6 is a view of the toner cartridge 2 viewed in the first direction from a second end 12 side, which will be described later. Figures 7 and 8 are partially exploded perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 2 taken along line CC in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 3 to 9, the toner cartridge 2 has a housing 10, a shutter 16, an agitator 20, two return springs 31a, 31b, a toner coupling 321, a planetary carrier 322, a first planetary gear 33a, a second planetary gear 33b, a third planetary gear 33c, a fourth planetary gear 33d, an internal gear 34, a sun gear 351, a rotating plate 352, a cover 36, two bosses 37a, 37b, two locking members 38a, 38b, and an IC chip assembly 40.

The housing 10 is a container capable of holding toner, which is a developer. The housing 10 extends in a first direction. The housing 10 has a first end 11, a second end 12, and a cylindrical peripheral surface 13. The first end 11 is separated from the second end 12 in the first direction. Two return springs 31a, 31b, a toner coupling 321, a planetary carrier 322, a first planetary gear 33a, a second planetary gear 33b, a third planetary gear 33c, a fourth planetary gear 33d, an internal gear 34, a sun gear 351, a rotating plate 352, a cover 36, two bosses 37a, 37b, and two locking members 38a, 38b are located at the first end 11. The IC chip assembly 40 is located at the second end 12. The peripheral surface 13 extends in the first direction between the first end 11 and the second end 12. The peripheral surface 13 is cylindrical and centered on a first axis A1 extending in the first direction.

The housing 10 has a storage chamber 14 inside. Toner is stored in the storage chamber 14. As shown in FIG. 8 , the housing 10 also has a toner discharge port 15. The toner discharge port 15 is located at one end of the circumferential surface 13 in the first direction.

The shutter 16 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10. The shutter 16 has a holder 161 and a shutter plate 162. The holder 161 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the first axis A1. The shutter plate 162 extends from a portion of the holder 161 in the first direction, from the first end 11 to the second end 12 of the housing 10. The shutter plate 162 has a shutter opening 163.

The shutter 16 is rotatable about the first axis A1 relative to the housing 10 between a closed position that closes the toner discharge port 15 and an open position that opens the toner discharge port 15. When the shutter 16 is in the closed position, the shutter plate 162 covers the toner discharge port 15. This causes the shutter 16 to close the toner discharge port 15. When the shutter 16 is in the open position, the shutter opening 163 of the shutter plate 162 overlaps with the toner discharge port 15. This causes the shutter 16 to open the toner discharge port 15. In other words, the storage chamber 14 and the external space of the housing 10 are in communication via the toner discharge port 15, the shutter opening 163, and the communication opening 363 of the cover 36 (described below). As a result, the toner stored in the storage chamber 14 can move to the drum cartridge 3.

The housing 10 has a recess 19 located on the periphery of the housing 10. The shutter 16 is located within the recess 19. The recess 19 has a first surface 191, a first stopper surface 18 (first stopper), and a second stopper surface 17 (second stopper). The first surface 191 has a toner discharge port 15. The first stopper surface 18 extends outward from the first surface 191 in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 20, which will be described later. The second stopper surface 17 extends outward from the first surface 191 in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 20, which will be described later.

The first stopper surface 18 stops the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotation direction from the closed position to the open position. When the shutter 16 is in the open position, the shutter 16 comes into contact with the first stopper surface 18. Furthermore, the second stopper surface 17 stops the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotation direction from the open position to the closed position. When the shutter 16 is in the closed position, the shutter 16 comes into contact with the second stopper surface 17. This limits the movement range of the shutter 16 between the closed position and the open position.

The first stopper surface 18 does not have to completely stop the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotational direction. The shutter 16 may be able to move slightly while in contact with the first stopper surface 18. The second stopper surface 17 does not have to completely stop the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotational direction. The shutter 16 may be able to move slightly while in contact with the second stopper surface 17.

In this embodiment, the toner discharge outlet 15 and the first stopper surface 18 are located in the same housing 10. This allows the shutter 16 to be positioned with precision relative to the toner discharge outlet 15. Also, in this embodiment, the toner discharge outlet 15 and the second stopper surface 17 are located in the same housing 10. This allows the shutter 16 to be positioned with precision relative to the toner discharge outlet 15. However, the cover 36 may also have the first stopper surface 18 and the second stopper surface 17. Also, the first stopper and second stopper may be separate parts from the shutter 16 and the cover 36.

The holder 161 has a circular hole 167. The hole 167 penetrates in the first direction. The toner coupling 321, planet carrier 322, internal gear 34, sun gear 351, and rotating plate 352 (described below) are located in the hole 167.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 10, the holder 161 has a first recess 164a, a second recess 165a, a third recess 166a, a fourth recess 164b, a fifth recess 165b, and a sixth recess 166b. The first recess 164a, the second recess 165a, the third recess 166a, the fourth recess 164b, the fifth recess 165b, and the sixth recess 166b are recessed in a direction from the first end 11 to the second end 12 of the housing 10. The first recess 164a, the second recess 165a, the third recess 166a, the fourth recess 164b, the fifth recess 165b, and the sixth recess 166b are aligned along the periphery of the hole 167.

The agitator 20 is a transport member for agitating and transporting toner within the housing 10. The agitator 20 is located inside the housing 10. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3 , the agitator 20 has an agitator shaft 21 and an agitator blade 22. The agitator shaft 21 extends in a first direction along the first axis A1. The agitator shaft 21 has one end and the other end. One end of the agitator shaft 21 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10. The other end of the agitator shaft 21 is located at the second end 12 of the housing 10. The agitator blade 22 extends radially outward from the agitator shaft 21. That is, the agitator blade 22 extends from the agitator shaft 21 toward the inner circumferential surface of the housing 10. A toner coupling 321 is connected to one end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. Therefore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates about the first axis A1, the agitator shaft 21 and agitator blade 22 also rotate about the first axis A1 along with the toner coupling 321. When the agitator blade 22 rotates, the toner inside the housing 10 is agitated.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the agitator 20 also has a cylindrical member 23. The cylindrical member 23 is fixed to the agitator shaft 21. The cylindrical member 23 is located closer to one end of the agitator shaft 21 than to the other end. The cylindrical member 23 has a spiral groove on its outer circumferential surface.

The two return springs 31a, 31b, the toner coupling 321, the planetary carrier 322, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, the fourth planetary gear 33d, the internal gear 34, the sun gear 351, the rotating plate 352, the cover 36, the two bosses 37a, 37b, and the two locking members 38a, 38b form a mechanism for operating the shutter 16 and the agitator 20. The two return springs 31a, 31b, the toner coupling 321, the planetary carrier 322, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, the fourth planetary gear 33d, the internal gear 34, the sun gear 351, the rotating plate 352, the cover 36, the two bosses 37a, 37b, and the two locking members 38a, 38b are located at the first end 11 of the housing 10.

The two return springs 31a, 31b are elastic members (shutter elastic members) that bias the shutter 16 from the open position toward the closed position. The return spring 31a is housed in a first recess 164a provided in the holder 161. The return spring 31b is housed in a fourth recess 164b provided in the holder 161. The first recess 164a is arc-shaped and centered on the first axis A1. One end of the return spring 31a in the circumferential direction centered on the first axis A1 is connected to the holder 161. The other end of the return spring 31a in the circumferential direction is connected to a spring seat 366a (described later) of the cover 36. One end of the return spring 31b in the circumferential direction centered on the first axis A1 is connected to the holder 161. The other end of the return spring 31b in the circumferential direction is connected to a spring seat 366b (described later) of the cover 36. The length of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotational direction of the shutter 16 changes depending on the movement of the shutter 16 between the closed and open positions.

The length of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotational direction of the shutter 16 changes between the first state and the second state. The length of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotational direction of the shutter 16 in the second state is longer than the length of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotational direction of the shutter 16 in the first state. Furthermore, the length of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotational direction of the shutter 16 in the second state is longer than the natural length of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotational direction of the shutter 16. When the shutter 16 is in the closed position, the return springs 31a and 31b are in the first state. When the shutter 16 is in the open position, the return springs 31a and 31b are in the second state.

The toner coupling 321 is a component that can be connected to the relay coupling 82 of the drum cartridge 3, which will be described later. When connected to the relay coupling 82, which will be described later, the toner coupling 321 can receive driving force from the relay coupling 82. By receiving driving force from the relay coupling 82, the toner coupling 321 can rotate about the first axis A1. The toner coupling 321 is connected to one end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. Therefore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates, the agitator 20 rotates together with the toner coupling 321 about the first axis A1.

The toner coupling 321 has one end and the other end. The one end of the toner coupling 321 is located farther from the other end of the toner coupling 321 in the first direction. The one end of the toner coupling 321 is located farther from the first end 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction than the other end of the toner coupling 321. The other end of the toner coupling 321 is closer to the first end 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction than the one end of the toner coupling 321.

The planet carrier 322 extends radially outward from the other end of the toner coupling 321 in the first direction. In this embodiment, the toner coupling 321 and planet carrier 322 are configured as a single component. However, the toner coupling 321 and planet carrier 322 may also be separate components. The planet carrier 322 only needs to be able to rotate about the first axis A1 together with the toner coupling 321.

The planetary carrier 322 has a first planetary pin 323a, a second planetary pin 323b, a third planetary pin 323c, and a fourth planetary pin 323d. The first planetary pin 323a, the second planetary pin 323b, the third planetary pin 323c, and the fourth planetary pin 323d each extend from the planetary carrier 322 in a first direction from the first end 11 to the second end 12 of the housing 10. The first planetary pin 323a, the second planetary pin 323b, the third planetary pin 323c, and the fourth planetary pin 323d are cylindrical. The first planetary pin 323a, the second planetary pin 323b, the third planetary pin 323c, and the fourth planetary pin 323d are spaced apart in the circumferential direction centered on the first axis A1. Preferably, the first planetary pin 323a, the second planetary pin 323b, the third planetary pin 323c, and the fourth planetary pin 323d are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the first axis A1.

The first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are spaced apart in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1. Preferably, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are spaced apart equally in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1.

The first planetary gear 33a has a first hole 331a. The first planetary pin 323a is inserted into the first hole 331a. The first planetary gear 33a is supported by the first planetary pin 323a. With the first planetary pin 323a inserted into the first hole 331a, the first planetary gear 33a can rotate relative to the planet carrier 322 about a first planetary shaft 332a that passes through the center of the first planetary pin 323a. The first planetary gear 33a has multiple gear teeth 333a on its outer circumferential surface.

The second planetary gear 33b has a second hole 331b. The second planetary pin 323b is inserted into the second hole 331b. The second planetary gear 33b is supported by the second planetary pin 323b. With the second planetary pin 323b inserted into the second hole 331b, the second planetary gear 33b can rotate about a second planetary shaft 332b passing through the center of the second planetary pin 323b relative to the planet carrier 322. The second planetary gear 33b has a plurality of gear teeth 333b on its outer circumferential surface.

The third planetary gear 33c has a third hole 331c. The third planetary pin 323c is inserted into the third hole 331c. The third planetary gear 33c is supported by the third planetary pin 323c. With the third planetary pin 323c inserted into the third hole 331c, the third planetary gear 33c can rotate relative to the planet carrier 322 about a third planetary shaft 332c that passes through the center of the third planetary pin 323c. The third planetary gear 33c has a plurality of gear teeth 333c on its outer circumferential surface.

The fourth planetary gear 33d has a fourth hole 331d. The fourth planetary pin 323d is inserted into the fourth hole 331d. The fourth planetary gear 33d is supported by the fourth planetary pin 323d. With the fourth planetary pin 323d inserted into the fourth hole 331d, the fourth planetary gear 33d can rotate about a fourth planetary shaft 332d that passes through the center of the fourth planetary pin 323d relative to the planet carrier 322. The fourth planetary gear 33d has a plurality of gear teeth 333d on its outer circumferential surface.

In this embodiment, one planetary carrier 322 supports the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d. This allows the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d to be positioned with high precision relative to the first planetary gear 33a.

Furthermore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates about the first axis A1, the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, and fourth planetary gear 33d rotate about the first axis A1 together with the toner coupling 321 and planet carrier 322. In this way, the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, and fourth planetary gear 33d can rotate about their respective planetary axes, and can also rotate around the sun gear 351, which will be described later.

The internal gear 34 is an annular gear that surrounds the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d. The internal gear 34 is positioned so that the position of its central axis coincides with the first axis A1. The internal gear 34 has multiple gear teeth 342 on its inner circumferential surface. The gear teeth 333a of the first planetary gear 33a, the gear teeth 333b of the second planetary gear 33b, the gear teeth 333c of the third planetary gear 33c, and the gear teeth 333d of the fourth planetary gear 33d mesh with the gear teeth 342 of the internal gear 34.

The internal gear 34 also has two arms 341a and 341b. The arms 341a and 341b extend radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the internal gear 34. That is, the arms 341a and 341b extend away from the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d relative to the gear teeth of the internal gear 34. The arm 341a fits into the second recess 165a provided in the holder 161. The arm 341b fits into the fifth recess 165b provided in the holder 161. This allows the shutter 16 to rotate together with the internal gear 34. Therefore, when the internal gear 34 rotates about the first axis A1, the shutter 16 also rotates together with the internal gear 34 about the first axis A1.

The sun gear 351 is a gear that can rotate about the first axis A1. The first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are positioned around the sun gear 351. The sun gear 351 has a plurality of gear teeth 354 on its outer circumferential surface. The gear teeth 333a of the first planetary gear 33a, the gear teeth 333b of the second planetary gear 33b, the gear teeth 333c of the third planetary gear 33c, and the gear teeth 333d of the fourth planetary gear 33d mesh with the gear teeth 354 of the sun gear 351. The sun gear 351 has a circular hole 351A centered on the first axis A1. The toner coupling 321 is inserted into the hole 351A of the sun gear 351.

The toner coupling 321, sun gear 351, four planetary gears 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d, and internal gear 34 are located on the same plane perpendicular to the first axis A1. In other words, in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21 perpendicular to the first axis A1, the sun gear 351 is located farther from the first axis A1 than the toner coupling 321. In the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21, the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, and fourth planetary gear 33d are located farther from the first axis A1 than the sun gear 351. In the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21, the internal gear 34 is located farther from the first axis A1 than the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, and fourth planetary gear 33d. In other words, the toner coupling 321, sun gear 351, planetary gears 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d, and internal gear 34 are aligned in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21. This reduces the dimension of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction.

The sun gear 351 has one end and the other end. The one end of the sun gear 351 is located farther from the other end of the sun gear 351 in the first direction. The one end of the sun gear 351 is located farther from the first end 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction than the other end of the sun gear 351. The other end of the sun gear 351 is closer to the first end 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction than the one end of the sun gear 351.

The rotating plate 352 extends radially outward from one end of the sun gear 351. The rotating plate 352 is rotatable about the first axis A1 together with the sun gear 351. In this embodiment, the sun gear 351 and the rotating plate 352 are configured as a single component. However, the sun gear 351 and the rotating plate 352 may be separate components. The rotating plate 352 only needs to be rotatable about the first axis A1 together with the sun gear 351. The rotating plate 352 has multiple grooves 353 on its outer circumferential surface. The multiple grooves 353 are aligned at intervals along the outer circumferential surface of the rotating plate 352. Preferably, the multiple grooves 353 are aligned at equal intervals along the outer circumferential surface of the rotating plate 352. Each groove 353 is recessed radially inward from the outer periphery of the rotating plate 352. When viewed in the first direction, the shape of the groove 353 is an arc.

The cover 36 is fixed to the first end 11 of the housing 10. The cover 36 has a gear cover portion 361 and a shutter cover portion 362. The gear cover portion 361 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the first axis A1. The shutter cover portion 362 extends in the first direction from a portion of the outer periphery of the gear cover portion 361 toward the housing 10. The return springs 31a, 31b, the toner coupling 321, the planet carrier 322, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, the fourth planetary gear 33d, the internal gear 34, the sun gear 351, the rotating plate 352, and the two bosses 37a, 37b are located between the first end 11 of the housing 10 and the gear cover portion 361 in the first direction. The shutter cover portion 362 covers at least a portion of the shutter plate 162.

The shutter cover portion 362 has a communication opening 363. Whether the shutter 16 is in the closed position or the open position, the communication opening 363 is positioned to overlap the toner discharge port 15. When the shutter 16 is in the closed position, the communication opening 363 is blocked by the shutter plate 162. When the shutter 16 is in the open position, the shutter opening 163 overlaps with the toner discharge port 15 and the communication opening 363. This allows communication between the storage chamber 14 and the external space of the housing 10 via the toner discharge port 15, the shutter opening 163, and the communication opening 363.

Figure 11 is a view of the cover 36 viewed in the first direction from the second end 12 to the first end 11 of the housing 10. As shown in Figure 11, the cover 36 has a center through-hole 364, two side through-holes 365a, 365b, two spring bearings 366a, 366b, and two guide grooves 367a, 367b.

The center through-hole 364 and the two side through-holes 365a, 365b penetrate the gear cover portion 361 in the first direction. The center through-hole 364 is located in the center of the gear cover portion 361. When viewed in the first direction, the center through-hole 364 has a circular shape. The toner coupling 321 is exposed to the outside of the cover 36 through the center through-hole 364. The two side through-holes 365a, 365b are located around the center through-hole 364. The two side through-holes 365a, 365b are located on opposite sides of the center through-hole 364. When viewed in the first direction, the side through-holes 365a, 365b have a rectangular shape. The locking member 38a, which will be described later, is exposed to the outside of the cover 36 through the side through-hole 365a. The locking member 38b, which will be described later, is exposed to the outside of the cover 36 through the side through-hole 365b.

The two spring bearing portions 366a, 366b protrude in the first direction from the gear cover portion 361 toward the shutter 16. The two spring bearing portions 366a, 366b are located on opposite sides of the center through-hole 364. The other end of the return spring 31a described above is connected to the spring bearing portion 366a. The other end of the return spring 31b described above is connected to the spring bearing portion 366b.

Guide groove 367a is a groove for guiding boss 37a. Guide groove 367b is a groove for guiding boss 37b. The two guide grooves 367a, 367b are located on the surface of the gear cover portion 361 that faces the shutter 16 in the first direction. The two guide grooves 367a, 367b are located on opposite sides of the center through-hole 364. Each guide groove 367a, 367b extends in the rotation direction of the shutter 16. Each guide groove 367a, 367b is arc-shaped. Each guide groove 367a, 367b has one end 367A and the other end 367B. One end 367A is located closer to the first axis A1 than the other end 367B.

The two bosses 37a, 37b are located around the periphery of the rotating plate 352. The boss 37a is inserted into the second recess 165a provided in the holder 161. The boss 37b is inserted into the fifth recess 165b provided in the holder 161. Therefore, when the shutter 16 rotates about the first axis A1, the boss 37a moves together with the second recess 165a in the circumferential direction around the first axis A1, and the boss 37b moves together with the fifth recess 165b in the circumferential direction around the first axis A1.

The second recess 165a extends radially about the first axis A1. Therefore, the boss 37a can move along the second recess 165a between a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. When the boss 37a is in the first position, the radially inner end of the boss 37a is located within the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. When the boss 37a is in the second position, the entire boss 37a is located outside the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. The multiple grooves 353 are arranged around the entire outer surface of the rotating plate 352. Therefore, the boss can be fitted into the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352 regardless of the rotational position of the rotating plate 352.

The fifth recess 165b extends radially about the first axis A1. Therefore, the boss 37b can move along the fifth recess 165b between a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. When the boss 37b is in the first position, the radially inner end of the boss 37b is located within the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. When the boss 37b is in the second position, the entire boss 37b is located outside the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352.

Boss 37a has a guide protrusion 371a. Guide protrusion 371a protrudes in a first direction from boss 37a toward guide groove 367a. Boss 37b has a guide protrusion 371b. Guide protrusion 371b protrudes in a first direction from boss 37b toward guide groove 367b. Figures 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A in Figure 9. Figure 12 shows the shutter 16 in the closed position. Figure 13 shows the shutter 16 in the open position. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the tip of guide protrusion 371a fits into guide groove 367a of cover 36. The tip of guide protrusion 371b fits into guide groove 367b of cover 36.

When the relay coupling 82 (described later) is not connected to the toner coupling 321, i.e., when no driving force is supplied to the toner coupling 321, the return springs 31a and 31b are in the first state due to their elastic force. As a result, the shutter 16 is in the closed position. Therefore, the toner discharge port 15 is closed by the shutter plate 162. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12 , the guide protrusion 371a of the boss 37a is positioned at one end 367A of the guide groove 367a, and the guide protrusion 371b of the boss 37b is positioned at one end 367A of the guide groove 367b. The bosses 37a and 37b are also positioned at the first position. Therefore, the radially inner ends of the bosses 37a and 37b fit into the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. In other words, the boss 37a fits into both the second recess 165a of the shutter 16 and the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. Additionally, the boss 37b fits into both the fifth recess 165b of the shutter 16 and the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. This allows the shutter 16 and internal gear 34 to rotate together with the sun gear 351, rotating plate 352, and bosses 37a and 37b.

In this state, the internal gear 34 cannot rotate relative to the sun gear 351. That is, the internal gear 34 rotates together with the sun gear 351. As a result, the first planetary gear 33a, which meshes with both the internal gear 34 and the sun gear 351, also cannot rotate about the first planetary shaft 332a. Similarly, the second planetary gear 33b cannot rotate about the second planetary shaft 332b. Similarly, the third planetary gear 33c cannot rotate about the third planetary shaft 332c. Similarly, the fourth planetary gear 33d cannot rotate about the fourth planetary shaft 332d.

Therefore, when a driving force is supplied to the toner coupling 321 in this state, the rotation of the toner coupling 321 causes the shutter 16 to rotate about the first axis A1 together with the planetary carrier 322, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, sun gear 351, rotating plate 352, two bosses 37a and 37b, and internal gear 34. This causes the shutter 16 to move from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the toner discharge port 15 is opened.

When the shutter 16 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the return springs 31a and 31b extend from the first state to the second state. The shutter 16 then stops moving by contacting the first stopper surface 18. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the guide protrusion 371a of the boss 37a moves from one end 367A to the other end 367B of the guide groove 367a, and the guide protrusion 371b of the boss 37b moves from one end 367A to the other end 367B of the guide groove 367b. As a result, the boss 37a moves from the first position to the second position along the second recess 165a, and the boss 37b moves from the first position to the second position along the fifth recess 165b. This causes the bosses 37a and 37b to move away from the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. That is, boss 37a does not fit into groove 353 of rotating plate 352, but fits into second recess 165 of shutter 16, and boss 37b does not fit into groove 353 of rotating plate 352, but fits into fifth recess 165b of shutter 16. This allows sun gear 351 and rotating plate 352 to rotate relative to shutter 16 and internal gear 34.

As described above, when the shutter 16 contacts the first stopper surface 18, the shutter 16 and the internal gear 34 stop rotating. However, because the bosses 37a and 37b move away from the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352, the sun gear 351 becomes rotatable relative to the internal gear 34. Therefore, the first planetary gear 33a rotates about the first planetary shaft 332a while meshing with the internal gear 34 and the sun gear 351. Similarly, the second planetary gear 33b rotates about the second planetary shaft 332b while meshing with the internal gear 34 and the sun gear 351. Similarly, the third planetary gear 33c rotates about the third planetary shaft 332c while meshing with the internal gear 34 and the sun gear 351. Similarly, the fourth planetary gear 33d rotates about the second planetary shaft 332d while meshing with the internal gear 34 and the sun gear 351. As a result, the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, and fourth planetary gear 33d rotate about their respective planetary axes while moving circumferentially around the sun gear 351. Furthermore, the sun gear 351 rotates about the first axis A1 due to meshing with the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, and fourth planetary gear 33d. At this time, the rotational speed of the sun gear 351 is faster than the rotational speed of the toner coupling 321.

As described above, when bosses 37a and 37b are positioned in the second position, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, and sun gear 351 are able to rotate relative to internal gear 34. Therefore, as toner coupling 321 rotates, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, and sun gear 351 rotate, but internal gear 34 does not rotate. Therefore, even if toner coupling 321 rotates further after shutter 16 has moved to the open position, shutter 16 remains stationary in the open position.

The toner coupling 321 is also connected to one end of the agitator shaft 21. Therefore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates about the first axis A1, the agitator 20 also rotates about the first axis A1. Therefore, even after the shutter 16 stops in the open position as described above, the agitator 20 continues to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the toner coupling 321. This agitates the toner inside the housing 10.

In this way, this toner cartridge 2 can achieve both movement of the shutter 16 and rotation of the agitator 20 in conjunction with rotation of the toner coupling 321. Specifically, rotation of the toner coupling 321 rotates the agitator 20 and moves the shutter 16 from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, when the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the bosses 37a and 37b move from the first position to the second position. This causes the first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, and sun gear 351 to rotate freely, and the internal gear 34 stops rotating. This allows the agitator 20 to continue rotating while the shutter 16 remains in the open position.

After that, when the supply of driving force to the toner coupling 321 is stopped, the return springs 31a and 31b contract from the second state to the first state due to their elastic force. This causes the shutter 16 to move from the open position back to the closed position. As a result, the shutter plate 162 closes the toner discharge port 15 again.

The two locking members 38a and 38b are used to lock the rotation of the shutter 16. The locking member 38a (first locking portion) fits into the third recess 166a provided in the holder 161. The locking member 38b (second locking portion) fits into the sixth recess 166b provided in the holder 161.

The locking member 38a has a locking protrusion 381a and a locking spring 382a. The locking protrusion 381a is movable in a first direction between a locked position and an unlocked position that is farther from the cover 36 in the first direction than the locked position. When the locking protrusion 381a is in the locked position, the locking protrusion 381a is located outside the third recess 165a. When the locking protrusion 381a is in the unlocked position, the locking protrusion 381a is located inside the third recess 165a.

The locking member 38b has a locking protrusion 381b and a locking spring 382b. The locking protrusion 381b is movable in the first direction between a locked position and an unlocked position that is farther from the cover 36 in the first direction than the locked position. When the locking protrusion 381b is in the locked position, the locking protrusion 381b is located outside the sixth recess 165b. When the locking protrusion 381b is in the unlocked position, the locking protrusion 381b is located inside the sixth recess 165b.

The locking spring 382a is located between the locking protrusion 381a and the holder 161. The locking spring 382a is an elastic member (locking elastic member). The length of the locking spring 382a in the first direction changes between an extended state and a contracted state. The length of the locking spring 382a in the first direction in the extended state is longer than the length of the locking spring 382a in the first direction in the contracted state. When the locking spring 382a is extended, the locking protrusion 381a is located in the locked position. When the locking spring 382a is contracted, the locking protrusion 381a is located in the released position. The elastic force of the locking spring 382a constantly biases the locking protrusion 381a from the released position toward the locked position.

The locking spring 382b is located between the locking protrusion 381b and the holder 161. The locking spring 382b is an elastic member (locking elastic member). The length of the locking spring 382b in the first direction changes between an extended state and a contracted state. The length of the locking spring 382b in the first direction in the extended state is longer than the length of the locking spring 382b in the first direction in the contracted state. When the locking spring 382b is in the extended state, the locking protrusion 381b is located in the locked position. When the locking spring 382b is in the contracted state, the locking protrusion 381b is located in the unlocked position. The elastic force of the locking spring 382b constantly biases the locking protrusion 381b from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

The locking protrusion 381a protrudes from the locking member 38a toward the side through-hole 365a. When the locking spring 382a is extended and the locking protrusion 38a is in the locked position, the locking protrusion 381a is inserted into the side through-hole 365a of the cover 36. The locking protrusion 381b protrudes from the locking member 38b toward the side through-hole 365b. When the locking spring 382b is extended and the locking protrusion 38b is in the locked position, the locking protrusion 381b is inserted into the side through-hole 365b of the cover 36.

When the locking protrusion 381a is inserted into the side through-hole 365a, the locking member 38a comes into contact with both the cover 36 and the holder 161. When the locking protrusion 381b is inserted into the side through-hole 365b, the locking member 38b comes into contact with both the cover 36 and the holder 161. In this state, the shutter 16 cannot rotate about the first axis A1 relative to the housing 10 and the cover 36. Therefore, the shutter 16 cannot move from the closed position to the open position.

When the locking protrusions 381a, 381b are pushed in a first direction toward the holder 161 by the lock release member 81 (described later) of the drum cartridge 3, the locking springs 382a, 382b contract from an extended state to a contracted state. This causes the locking protrusions 381a, 381b to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. This causes the locking protrusion 381a to come out of the side through-hole 365a of the cover 36, and the locking protrusion 381b to come out of the side through-hole 365b of the cover 36. As a result, the locking protrusions 381a, 381b are separated from the cover 36. In this state, the locking members 38a, 38b and the shutter 16 are rotatable about the first axis A1 relative to the housing 10 and cover 36. Therefore, the shutter 16 can move from the closed position to the open position.

In the structure of this embodiment, the shutter 16 will not be unlocked unless the two locking protrusions 381a and 381b are pressed simultaneously. This prevents the shutter 16 from being unlocked by a user mistaken operation when the toner cartridge 2 is not installed in the drum cartridge 3.

Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views (cross-sectional views along line B-B in Figure 9) of the connection portion between the agitator shaft 21 and the toner coupling 321. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the toner coupling 321 has two clutch holes 324a and 324b. The clutch holes 324a and 324b are through-holes that pass through the toner coupling 321 in the first direction, or recesses that are recessed in the first direction. The clutch hole 324 is also arc-shaped with the first axis A1 as its center. Meanwhile, the agitator shaft 21 has two clutch pawls 211a and 211b. The two clutch pawls 211a and 211b are located at one end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction.

Clutch pawl 211a is inserted into clutch hole 324a. Clutch pawl 211b is inserted into clutch hole 324b. The circumferential width of clutch hole 324a about the first axis A1 is greater than the circumferential width of clutch pawl 211a about the first axis A1. The circumferential width of clutch hole 324b about the first axis A1 is greater than the circumferential width of clutch pawl 211b about the first axis A1. Furthermore, the circumferential angle of clutch holes 324a, 324b about the first axis A1 is approximately the same as or greater than the angle by which the shutter 16 rotates about the first axis A1 between the closed position and the open position.

When the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the toner coupling 321 rotates about the first axis A1 in the same direction as the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position (the direction of the arrow in Figure 14). At this time, the clutch pawl 211a contacts one circumferential end of the clutch hole 324a, and the clutch pawl 211b contacts one circumferential end of the clutch hole 324b. This transmits the rotation of the toner coupling 321 to the agitator 20. Therefore, the agitator 20 rotates together with the toner coupling 321 in the same direction as the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position. Similarly, after the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the agitator 20 rotates together with the toner coupling 321.

When the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position, the toner coupling 321 rotates along with the shutter 16 about the first axis A1 in the direction of rotation of the shutter 16 from the open position to the closed position (the direction of the arrow in Figure 15). In other words, the rotation direction of the toner coupling 321 when the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position is opposite to the rotation direction of the toner coupling 321 when the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position. At this time, one circumferential end of the clutch hole 324a separates from the clutch pawl 211a, and one circumferential end of the clutch hole 324b separates from the clutch pawl 211b. However, the other circumferential end of the clutch hole 324a does not contact the clutch pawl 211a, and the other circumferential end of the clutch hole 324b does not contact the clutch pawl 211b. Therefore, the rotation of the toner coupling 321 is not transmitted to the agitator 20. This prevents the agitator 20 from rotating in the same direction as the shutter 16 moving from the open position to the closed position.

In this way, in this embodiment, the clutch holes 324a, 324b and the clutch pawls 211a, 211b form a clutch that prevents the agitator 20 from rotating together with the toner coupling 321 when the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position.

The IC chip assembly 40 is located at the second end 12 of the housing 10. The IC chip assembly 40 has an IC chip 41, which is a storage medium, and a chip holder 42 that holds the IC chip 41. The IC chip 41 is fixed to the outer surface of the chip holder 42. The IC chip 41 is capable of storing various information related to the toner cartridge 2. Specifically, the IC chip 41 stores information indicating the capacity or remaining amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge 2. The IC chip 41 may also store other information indicating the specifications of the toner cartridge 2. For example, the IC chip 41 may store the type of toner, the manufacturing serial number of the toner cartridge 2, an identification code indicating that it is an authentic product, compatible models, etc.

The IC chip 41 has an electrical contact surface 411. The electrical contact surface 411 is made of a conductive metal. The electrical contact surface 411 is exposed on the outer surface of the second end 12 of the housing 10. Note that only the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 may be located on the outer surface of the second end 12 of the housing 10, and the portions of the IC chip 41 other than the electrical contact surface 411 may be located in other parts of the housing 10.

The chip holder 42 is movable in a first direction relative to the housing 10. When the chip holder 42 moves in the first direction, the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 also moves in the first direction relative to the housing 10 together with the chip holder 42.

As shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the toner cartridge 2 also has an IC chip spring 43 (second elastic member). The IC chip spring 43 is located between the second end 12 of the housing 10 and the chip holder 42. When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is attached to the main body frame 4, the drum contact 91 (described below) comes into contact with the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41. At this time, the elastic force of the IC chip spring 43 presses the electrical contact surface 411 in the first direction toward the drum contact 91. This stabilizes the contact between the electrical contact surface 411 and the drum contact 91.

<3. About the drum cartridge>
Next, the structure of the drum cartridge 3 will be described. Figures 16 and 17 are perspective views of the drum cartridge 3. The drum cartridge 3 has a drum frame 50, four developing rollers 60, four photosensitive drums 70, four unlocking members 81, four relay couplings 82, four contact members 83, a plurality of tension springs 84, and a wiring section 90.

The drum frame 50 can accommodate four toner cartridges 2. The drum frame 50 has a first side frame 51, a second side frame 52, and a third frame 53. The first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52 are each generally flat and extend perpendicular to the first direction. The first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52 are positioned with a gap between them in the first direction. The third frame 53 connects the first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52 in the first direction. The four toner cartridges 2 are inserted between the first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52.

The developing roller 60 is a roller that can rotate about a rotation axis (development axis) that extends in the first direction. In this embodiment, the developing roller 60 is a magnetic roller. One end of the developing roller 60 in the first direction is supported by the first side frame 51. The other end of the developing roller 60 in the first direction is supported by the second side frame 52. The four developing rollers 60 are lined up at intervals in the second direction.

When the toner cartridge 2 is installed in the drum frame 50, the toner discharge port 15 of the toner cartridge 2 faces the outer surface of the developing roller 60. Furthermore, when the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is installed in the main frame 4, the developing roller 60 rotates due to the driving force supplied from the image forming device 1. When the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the toner discharge port 15 opens, and the toner inside the toner cartridge 2 is supplied to the outer surface of the developing roller 60 through the toner discharge port 15.

The photosensitive drum 70 is a drum that can rotate about a rotation axis (drum axis) that extends in the first direction. One end of the photosensitive drum 70 in the first direction is supported by the first side frame 51. The other end of the photosensitive drum 70 in the first direction is supported by the second side frame 52. The four photosensitive drums 70 are lined up at intervals in the second direction. The outer surfaces of the photosensitive drums 70 are covered with a photosensitive material. The outer surfaces of the developing roller 60 and the photosensitive drums 70 are separated from each other.

When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is mounted in the main body frame 4, the photosensitive drum 70 rotates due to the driving force supplied from the image forming device 1. During printing, light is irradiated onto the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 70 from a light source (not shown) inside the main body frame 4. This partially exposes the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 70. The toner carried on the outer surface of the developing roller 60 is then supplied to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 70. The toner is then transferred from the photosensitive drum 70 to the printing paper. This forms a toner image on the printing paper.

Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1, showing the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed being inserted into the main body frame 4. As shown in Figure 18, the unlocking member 81, relay coupling 82, contact member 83, and tension spring 84 are located in the first side frame 51.

The unlocking member 81 is a component used to release the lock on the shutter 16 by the locking members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2. The unlocking member 81 is movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an advanced position. When in the advanced position, the unlocking member 81 is closer to the second side frame 52 in the first direction than when in the retracted position.

The unlocking member 81 has a first pressing portion 811 and a second pressing portion 812. The first pressing portion 811 and the second pressing portion 812 each protrude toward the second side frame 52. When the toner cartridge 2 is attached to the drum frame 50 and the unlocking member 81 is in the advanced position, the first pressing portion 811 presses against the locking protrusion 381a of the toner cartridge 2, and the second pressing portion 812 presses against the locking protrusion 381b of the toner cartridge 2.

The relay coupling 82 is a component that supplies driving force to the toner coupling 321 of the toner cartridge 2. The relay coupling 82 is rotatable about a rotation axis (coupling axis) that extends in the first direction. The relay coupling 82 is also movable in the first direction together with the lock release member 81 between a retracted position and an advanced position. When the relay coupling 82 is in the advanced position, it is closer to the second side frame 52 in the first direction than the relay coupling 82 when it is in the retracted position. When the toner cartridge 2 is attached to the drum frame 50 and the relay coupling 82 is in the advanced position, the relay coupling 82 can be connected to the toner coupling 321.

The contact member 83 is a member that comes into contact with the first side plate 401 of the main body frame 4 when the drum cartridge 3 is attached to the main body frame 4. The contact member 83, together with the lock release member 81 and the relay coupling 82, is movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an advanced position. When positioned in the advanced position, the contact member 83 is closer to the second side frame 52 in the first direction than the contact member 83 when positioned in the retracted position. The contact member 83 has an inclined surface 831. The inclined surface 831 is inclined with respect to the second direction.

The tension spring 84 is an elastic member that biases the unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, and the contact member 83 from the advanced position toward the retracted position. One end of the tension spring 84 in the first direction is connected to the first side frame 51. The other end of the tension spring 84 in the first direction is connected to the unlocking member 81. The length of the tension spring 84 in the first direction changes between an extended state and a contracted state. The length of the tension spring 84 in the extended state in the first direction is longer than the length of the tension spring 84 in the contracted state. The length of the tension spring 84 in the first direction in the extended state is also longer than the natural length of the tension spring 84. The unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, and the contact member 83 are constantly biased by the tension spring 84 from the advanced position toward the retracted position.

When the drum cartridge 3 is not attached to the main frame 4, the tension spring 84 is contracted. Therefore, the unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, and the contact member 83 are in their retracted positions. In this case, the unlocking member 81 is located away from the locking members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction. Specifically, the first pressing portion 811 is located away from the locking member 38a of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction, and the second pressing portion 812 is located away from the locking member 38b of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction. In addition, the relay coupling 82 is located away from the toner coupling 321. In this state, the locking members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2 are located in their locked positions. Furthermore, no power is supplied to the toner coupling 321.

When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is attached to the main body frame 4, a portion of the contact member 83 comes into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame 4. Specifically, the inclined surface 831 of the contact member 83 comes into contact with the first side plate 401. This causes the contact member 83 to move from the retracted position to the advanced position. The unlocking member 81 also moves from the retracted position to the advanced position along with the contact member 83. As a result, the first pressing portion 811 of the unlocking member 81 presses the locking protrusion 381a in the first direction, and the second pressing portion 812 of the unlocking member 81 presses the locking protrusion 381b in the first direction. As a result, the locking protrusions 381a and 381b move from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the movement of the shutter 16 locked by the locking members 38a and 38b is released.

At this time, the relay coupling 82 also moves from the retracted position to the advanced position together with the contact member 83. As a result, the relay coupling 82 connects with the toner coupling 321. When the relay coupling 82 is then rotated by the driving force from the image forming device 1, the toner coupling 321 also rotates along with the relay coupling 82.

As described above, in this image forming device 1, the unlocking member 81 that presses the locking members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2 is provided on the drum cartridge 3, not on the main body frame 4 of the image forming device 1. This allows the unlocking member 81 to be positioned more accurately with respect to the locking members 38a and 38b than if the unlocking member 81 were provided on the main body frame 4. This means that the unlocking member 81 can press the locking members 38a and 38b with greater accuracy.

In addition, in this image forming device 1, the lock release member 81 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position as the drum cartridge 3 is attached to the main body frame 4. Therefore, the lock release member 81 can be moved from the retracted position to the advanced position without relying on power obtained from a motor within the image forming device 1.

Furthermore, when the drum cartridge 3 is not attached to the main body frame 4, the unlocking member 81 is positioned in the retracted position. Therefore, the unlocking member 81 does not interfere with the attachment of the toner cartridge 2 to the drum frame 50.

In addition, in this image forming device 1, the relay coupling 82 for supplying driving force to the toner coupling 321 of the toner cartridge 2 is provided on the drum cartridge 3, not on the main body frame 4 of the image forming device 1. This allows the relay coupling 82 to be positioned with greater precision relative to the toner coupling 321 than when the relay coupling 82 is provided on the main body frame 4. This means that the relay coupling 82 can be connected with greater precision to the toner coupling 321.

The wiring section 90 electrically connects the IC chip 41 of the toner cartridge 2 with the main body connector 403 of the image forming device 1. Figure 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming device 1, showing the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed being inserted into the main body frame 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 19, the wiring section 90 has four drum contacts 91a-91d, a drum harness 92, a drum connector 93, four contact holders 94a-94d (contact holders 94c-94d are not shown), and eight contact springs 95a-95h (contact springs 95f-95h are not shown).

The four drum contacts 91a-91d are electrically connected to a drum connector 93 via a drum harness 92. The drum connector 93 is located on the third frame 53. When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is attached to the main frame 4, the drum connector 93 comes into contact with the main connector 403. This electrically connects the drum connector 93 and the main connector 403.

Four drum contacts 91a to 91d are located on the second side frame 52. The four drum contacts 91a to 91d are aligned at intervals in the second direction. Four contact holders 94a to 94d are located on the second side frame 52. The four contact holders 94 are aligned at intervals in the second direction. Drum contact 91a is held by contact holder 94a. Drum contact 91a is located on the surface of contact holder 94a facing the first side frame 51. Drum contact 91b is held by contact holder 94b. Drum contact 91b is located on the surface of contact holder 94b facing the first side frame 51. Drum contact 91c is held by contact holder 94c. Drum contact 91c is located on the surface of contact holder 94c facing the first side frame 51. Drum contact 91d is held by contact holder 94d. The drum contact 91d is located on the surface of the contact holder 94d that faces the first side frame 51.

The contact holder 94a includes an inclined surface 941. The inclined surface 941 is inclined with respect to the second direction. When the drum cartridge 3 is attached to the main body frame 4, the inclined surface 941 comes into contact with the second side plate 402 of the main body frame 4. The contact holder 94a also has two protrusions 942. The two protrusions 942 protrude in the first direction from the surface of the contact holder 94a facing the first side frame 51, toward the first side frame 51. The contact holders 94b to 94d also have the same inclined surface 941 and protrusions 942 as the contact holder 94a.

The drum contacts 91a-91d and contact holders 94a-94d are movable in a first direction between a separated position and a contact position. When positioned in the contact position, the drum contacts 91a-91d are closer to the first side frame 51 in the first direction than the drum contacts 91a-91d when positioned in the separated position. Furthermore, when positioned in the contact position, the contact holders 94a-94d are closer to the first side frame 51 in the first direction than the contact holders 94a-94d when positioned in the separated position.

The two contact springs 95a and 95b are elastic members (first elastic members) that urge the drum contact 91a and contact holder 94a from the contact position toward the separated position. The two contact springs 95c and 95d are elastic members (first elastic members) that urge the drum contact 91b and contact holder 94b from the contact position toward the separated position. The two contact springs 95e and 95f are elastic members (first elastic members) that urge the drum contact 91c and contact holder 94c from the contact position toward the separated position. The two contact springs 95g and 95h are elastic members (first elastic members) that urge the drum contact 91d and contact holder 94d from the contact position toward the separated position.

One end of the contact springs 95a and 95b in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94a. One end of the contact springs 95c and 95d in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94b. One end of the contact springs 95e and 95f in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94c. One end of the contact springs 95g and 95h in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94d. The other ends of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the first direction are connected to the second side frame 52.

The length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the first direction changes between the extended state and the contracted state. The length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the first direction in the extended state is longer than the length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the first direction in the contracted state. Furthermore, the length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the first direction in the extended state is longer than the natural length of the contact springs 95a to 95h. The drum contact 91a and the contact holder 94a are constantly biased from the contact position toward the separated position by the contact springs 95a and 95b. The drum contact 91b and the contact holder 94b are constantly biased from the contact position toward the separated position by the contact springs 95c and 95d. The drum contact 91c and the contact holder 94c are constantly biased from the contact position toward the separated position by the contact springs 95e and 95f. The drum contact 91d and contact holder 94d are constantly biased from the contact position toward the separated position by contact springs 95g and 95h.

When the drum cartridge 3 is not attached to the main body frame 4, the contact springs 95a-95h are in a contracted state. Therefore, the drum contacts 91a-91d and contact holders 94a-94d are in the separated position. In this case, the drum contacts 91a-91d are separated from the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 in the first direction.

When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 installed is attached to the main body frame 4, portions of the contact holders 94a-94d come into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame 4. Specifically, the inclined surfaces 941 of the contact holders 94a-94d come into contact with the second side plate 402. This causes the contact holders 94a-94d to move from the separated position to the contact position. Along with the contact holders 94a-94d, the drum contacts 91a-91d also move from the separated position to the contact position. This causes the drum contacts 91a-91d to come into contact with the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41. As a result, information stored in the IC chip 41 can be relayed to the control unit 5 via the drum contacts 91a-91d, drum harness 92, drum connector 93, main body connector 403, and main body harness 404.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the toner cartridge 2 has two recesses 121. The two recesses 121 are located at the second end 12 of the housing 10. Each recess 121 is recessed in a first direction toward the first end 11 of the housing 10. When the contact holders 94a to 94d move from the separated position to the contact position, the protrusions 942 of the contact holders 94a to 94d are inserted into the recesses 121. This allows the contact holder 94 to be accurately positioned relative to the toner cartridge 2. As a result, the drum contact 91 can be brought into accurate contact with the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41.

As described above, in this image forming device 1, the drum contacts 91a-91d move in the first direction from the separated position to the contact position in response to the operation of attaching the drum cartridge 3 to the main body frame 4. This allows the drum contacts 91a-91d to move from the separated position to the contact position without relying on power obtained from a motor within the image forming device 1. Furthermore, friction between the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 and the drum contacts 91a-91d can be reduced when the toner cartridge 2 is attached to the drum cartridge 3.

Furthermore, when the drum cartridge 3 is not attached to the main body frame 4, the drum contacts 91a-91d and contact holders 94a-94d are positioned in the separated position. Therefore, the drum contacts 91a-91d and contact holders 94a-94d do not interfere with the attachment of the toner cartridge 2 to the drum frame 50.

4. Modified Examples
Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications will be described below, focusing on differences from the above embodiment.

<4-1. First Modified Example>
20 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge 2 of the first modified example. The toner cartridge 2 of the first modified example differs from the above embodiment in that it does not have the return springs 31a and 31b and that the shutter 16 has a lever 168. The lever 168 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the holder 161. The lever 168 is located on the opposite side of the first axis A1 from the shutter plate 162.

Figure 21 shows the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 of the first modified example attached to the main body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 21, the main body frame 4 has a third plate 405. The third plate 405 is located between the first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 in the first direction. Furthermore, when the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 attached is attached to the main body frame 4, the third plate 405 faces the lever 168 of the toner cartridge 2 in the third direction.

Figure 22 shows the state when the drum cartridge 3 equipped with the toner cartridge 2 of the first modified example is removed from the main body frame 4. As shown in Figure 22, the drum cartridge 3 first moves in the third direction toward the third plate 405. At this time, the lever 168 comes into contact with the third plate 405, causing the shutter 16 to move from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the toner discharge port 15 is blocked by the shutter plate 162. The drum cartridge 3 is then pulled out in the second direction.

In this way, the shutter 16 can be moved from the open position to the closed position as the drum cartridge 3 is pulled out of the main body frame 4, without the need for return springs 31a and 31b. This reduces the number of parts in the toner cartridge 2.

<4-2. Second Modified Example>
In the above embodiment, the shutter 16 is moved from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the force of the return springs 31 a, 31 b contracting from the second state, in which the return springs 31 a, 31 b are longer than their natural length, to the first state. However, the shutter 16 may be moved from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the force of the return springs 31 a, 31 b expanding from the third state, in which the return springs 31 a, 31 b are shorter than their natural length, to the fourth state, in which the return springs 31 a, 31 b are longer than their natural length.

<4-3. Third Modified Example>
In the above embodiment, the toner cartridge 2 has four planetary gears 33a to 33d. However, the number of planetary gears that the toner cartridge 2 has may be one to three, or may be five or more.

<4-4. Fourth Modified Example>
In the above embodiment, four toner cartridges 2 can be attached to one drum cartridge 3. However, the number of toner cartridges 2 that can be attached to one drum cartridge 3 may be one to three, or five or more. Similarly, the number of developing rollers 60 that the drum cartridge 3 has may be one to three, or five or more. The number of photosensitive drums 70 that the drum cartridge 3 has may be one to three, or five or more. The number of relay couplings 82 that the drum cartridge 3 has may be one to three, or five or more. The number of drum contacts 91a to 91d that the drum cartridge 3 has may be one to three, or five or more.

<4-5. Fifth Modification>
The toner coupling and the relay coupling may be gears.

<4-6. Sixth Modification>
The sun gear, planetary gear, and internal gear may not have gear teeth and may transmit power by friction of rubber or the like.

<4-7. Seventh Modification>
The toner cartridge in the above embodiment includes an agitator as a conveying member, but the toner cartridge may include a screw-shaped auger as a conveying member.

<4-8. Other>
The detailed shapes of the components constituting the image forming apparatus may differ from those shown in the drawings of this application. Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be selected as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Image forming device 2 Toner cartridge 3 Drum cartridge 4 Main body frame 5 Control unit 10 Housing 15 Toner discharge port 16 Shutter 20 Agitator 31a, 31b Return spring 33a to 33d Planet gear 34 Internal gear 36 Cover 37a, 37b Boss 38a, 38b Lock member 41 IC chip 50 Drum frame 60 Developing roller 70 Photosensitive drum 81 Unlock member 82 Relay coupling 83 Contact member 84 Extension spring 91a to 91d Drum contact 94a to 94d Contact holder 95a to 95h Contact spring 321 Toner coupling 322 Planet carrier 351 Sun gear 352 Rotating plate A1 First shaft

Claims (10)

a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction;
a drum frame to which a toner cartridge can be detachably attached, the drum frame having a shutter movable between a closed position that closes a toner supply port and an open position that opens the toner supply port, and a locking member that locks the movement of the shutter, the drum frame having a first side frame located at one end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction, and a second side frame located at the other end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction;
an unlocking member located on the first side frame, the unlocking member being movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an advanced position;
A drum cartridge comprising:
In a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame,
When the unlocking member is located at the retracted position, the unlocking member is located away from the locking member in the first direction,
When the unlocking member is located at the advanced position, the unlocking member presses the locking member in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter caused by the locking member ,
The toner cartridge is
a toner coupling for moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position;
and
The drum cartridge is
a coupling located on the first side frame, the coupling being rotatable about a coupling shaft extending in the first direction, the coupling being connectable to the toner coupling, and the coupling being movable in the first direction together with the lock release member between the retracted position and the advanced position;
Equipped with
In a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame,
When the lock release member and the coupling are located at the retracted position, the coupling is located away from the toner coupling in the first direction,
When the lock release member and the coupling are in the advanced position, the coupling is connected to the toner coupling . 2. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 ,
The drum cartridge further comprises a developing roller rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction. 3. The drum cartridge according to claim 2 ,
The drum cartridge is characterized in that the developing roller is a magnetic roller. 4. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 ,
A drum cartridge characterized in that the lock release member when located in the advanced position is closer to the second side frame in the first direction than the lock release member when located in the retracted position. 5. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 ,
The drum cartridge further comprises an elastic member that biases the unlocking member from the advanced position toward the retracted position. a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction;
a drum frame to which a toner cartridge can be detachably attached, the drum frame having a shutter movable between a closed position that closes a toner supply port and an open position that opens the toner supply port, and a locking member that locks the movement of the shutter, the drum frame having a first side frame located at one end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction, and a second side frame located at the other end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction;
an unlocking member located on the first side frame, the unlocking member being movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an advanced position;
A drum cartridge comprising:
In a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame,
When the unlocking member is located at the retracted position, the unlocking member is located away from the locking member in the first direction,
When the unlocking member is located at the advanced position, the unlocking member presses the locking member in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter caused by the locking member ,
The locking member is
a first locking portion that locks the movement of the shutter;
a second locking portion that locks the movement of the shutter;
and
The unlocking member is
a first pressing portion that is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position;
a second pressing portion that is movable together with the first pressing portion in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position;
and
When the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are located at the retracted position,
the first pressing portion is positioned apart from the first locking portion in the first direction,
the second pressing portion is positioned apart from the second locking portion in the first direction,
When the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are located at the advanced position,
the first pressing portion presses the first locking portion in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter by the first locking portion;
The drum cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second pressing portion presses the second locking portion in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter by the second locking portion . 7. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 ,
A drum cartridge characterized in that, when the drum cartridge is mounted on a main body frame of an image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, the lock release member moves from the retracted position to the advanced position. 8. The drum cartridge according to claim 7 ,
a contact member that is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position together with the lock release member,
A drum cartridge characterized in that, when the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body frame with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, a portion of the contact member comes into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame. a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction;
a drum frame to which a toner cartridge can be detachably attached, the drum frame having a shutter movable between a closed position that closes a toner supply port and an open position that opens the toner supply port, and a locking member that locks the movement of the shutter, the drum frame having a first side frame located at one end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction, and a second side frame located at the other end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction;
an unlocking member located on the first side frame, the unlocking member being movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an advanced position;
A drum cartridge comprising:
In a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame,
When the unlocking member is located at the retracted position, the unlocking member is located away from the locking member in the first direction,
When the unlocking member is located at the advanced position, the unlocking member presses the locking member in the first direction to release the lock on the movement of the shutter caused by the locking member ,
the toner cartridge has a housing having the toner supply port,
the shutter is located at one end of the housing in the first direction,
the locking member is located at the one end of the housing in the first direction,
The toner cartridge is
Storage medium with electrical contact surface
and
The drum cartridge is
a drum contact located on the second side frame, the drum contact being movable in the first direction between a spaced position spaced from the electrical contact surface and a contact position in contact with the electrical contact surface when the toner cartridge is attached to the drum frame;
Furthermore,
When the drum cartridge is mounted on a main body frame of an image forming apparatus, the drum contact moves from the separated position to the contact position . 10. The drum cartridge according to claim 9 ,
a drum cartridge, characterized in that the drum contact point when located at the contact position is closer to the first side frame in the first direction than the drum contact point when located at the separated position;