Abstract: A print material container comprising a body, a transfer mechanism, an inner connector, and an outer connecter. The transfer mechanism is to move print material in or out of the body. The inner connecter is on a connecting side of the body, and is to couple to a first location of an image forming apparatus to provide print material to the image forming apparatus. The outer connecter is on the connecting side of the body, and is to couple to a second location of the image forming apparatus to collect or receive unutilized print material transferred or received from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A system for an image forming device includes a first replaceable unit including a first electrical connector and a second replaceable unit including a second electrical connector. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is disengaged from the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the engaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is engaged with the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a drum unit, and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a developing unit projection projecting out from opposite sides of the developing unit along an extension line of a rotation shaft of a developing roller. The apparatus main body includes a first developing projection guide portion configured to guide the developing unit projection from a first start position to a relay position in the apparatus main body, the relay position located closer to the photoconductor drum than the first start position. The drum unit includes a second developing projection guide portion configured to, succeeding from the first developing projection guide portion, guide the developing unit projection from the relay position to a first end position, the first end position located closer to the photoconductor drum than the relay position.

Abstract: A process cartridge mountable in and dismountable from an image forming apparatus includes a frame, a storing portion provided on a mounting surface of the frame and configured to store information on the process cartridge, a projection projecting outwardly of the mounting surface in a direction normal to the mounting surface, and an electrical contact portion mounted on the projection and electrically connected to the storing portion.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer roller, a power source and a switch device. The transfer roller may transfer an image formed on an image carrier to a transfer medium in an imaging apparatus. The transfer roller includes a rotation shaft including a conductive material, and a ion conductive member disposed around the rotation shaft. The power source may generate a transfer voltage. The switch device may selectively connect, during rotation of the transfer roller, a power-feed path from the power source to the transfer roller, among a plurality of power-feed paths based on whether the image is being transferred or not being transferred, to thereby reverse the direction of an electric field applied by the transfer voltage to the ion conductive member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a connection mechanism in electrical contact with a contact. The connection mechanism includes a terminal member, a power supplying member, an insulating member, and a holding member. The terminal member makes contact with the contact. The power supplying member feeds electric power to the contact via the terminal member and urges the terminal member toward the contact. The insulating member covers the terminal member. The holding member holds the terminal member covered with the insulating member. The terminal member, at a tip end portion of it that projects from the holding member, makes contact with the contact. The insulating member covers at least an entire region, except a contact portion with the contact, of the terminal member that projects from the holding member.

Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.

Abstract: A belt unit includes: a drive roller; a drive shaft having an axis defining an axial direction and rotatable together with the drive roller about the axis; a bearing rotatably supporting one end portion of the drive shaft; a driven shaft; a driven roller rotatable together with the driven shaft; an endless belt looped over the drive roller and the driven roller under tension; a first frame; and a second frame spaced away from the first frame in the axial direction. The first frame includes: a facing section supporting one end portion of the driven shaft; and a bearing holder holding the bearing. The second frame rotatably supports another end portions of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The bearing holder is positioned closer to the second frame than the facing section is to the second frame in the axial direction.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a photoconductive drum and a boss that protrudes outward from a first longitudinal end of the toner cartridge at a rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. An outermost axial segment of the boss along the rotational axis includes a partial cylinder having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment. An outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder is convex to a bottom of the toner cartridge and forms a bottom contact surface of the boss that is unobstructed to contact and sit in a corresponding V-block in an image forming device when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. The outermost axial segment of the boss includes clearance above a topmost portion of the partial cylinder and within the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder permitting the clearance to accommodate one or more features in the image forming device.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a power feeding portion and a powered portion that contacts the power feeding portion. At least one of the power feeding portion and the powered portion includes a surface layer, a primary coat layer, and an exposed portion. The surface layer is made of a first conductive metal and includes a contact portion where the power feeding portion contacts the powered portion. The primary coat layer mounts the surface layer and is made of a second conductive metal. The exposed portion is separated from the contact portion and exposed to an atmosphere.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A grounding brush assembly includes a plurality of conductive fibers extending from at least one support, a mounting plate having a first side and a second side and an opening configured to surround a rotatable motor shaft having an axis of rotation, and a plurality of tabs disposed in a circle around the periphery. Each of the tabs extends axially from the first side of the mounting plate and radially toward or away from the axis of rotation to define with an adjacent portion of the first side of the mounting plate a U-shaped bracket. The at least one support is secured against the first side of the mounting plate by the plurality of tabs.

Abstract: A grounding structure for an endless belt includes: an endless belt including a conductive layer, the endless belt being configured to move; a conductive conducting unit that is in contact with the conductive layer which is exposed at an end surface of the conducting unit in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the endless belt such that the conducting unit is electrically connected to the conductive layer; a pressure contacting unit that brings the conducting unit into pressure contact with the end surface of the conductive layer of the endless belt; and a grounding unit that grounds the conducting unit.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A toner container includes a container body, an opening, a cover, a toner discharge port, a shutter, a cylindrical structure, protrusions, and an identifier. The shutter is attached to the cover and includes a main shutter covering the toner discharge port. The main shutter moves between a closed position to close the toner discharge port and an open position to open the toner discharge port. The protrusions are on both sides of the cover and protrude in a direction orthogonal to a toner container mounting direction. The identifier is on the cover to indicate a toner color. The cylindrical structure's leading end is downstream of leading ends of the protrusions in the mounting direction. The main shutter's leading end is downstream of the protrusions' leading ends in the mounting direction when the main shutter is in the closed position. The protrusions are downstream of the identifier in the mounting direction.

Abstract: A fixing device is configured to be detachably attached to an image forming device main body. The fixing device includes a fixing member, a heating source, a pressing member, a conveyance guide member, an exterior member, a relay substrate, and a substrate covering member. The fixing member is configured to heat a toner image so as to fix the toner image on a recording medium. The heating source is configured to heat the fixing member. The pressing member is configured to press against the fixing member to form a nip part. The conveyance guide member is configured to guide the recording medium to the nip part. The exterior member houses at least the fixing member and the pressing member. The substrate covering member covers the relay substrate. The substrate covering member extends from and is integrated with the conveyance guide member.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum rotates about a first axis extending in a first direction. A photosensitive drum is located at one end portion of a housing in a second direction. A cleaning roller cleans a surface of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning roller rotates about a second axis extending in the first direction. A cleaning electrode is electrically connected to the cleaning roller. The cleaning electrode is located at an outer surface of the housing in the first direction. The cleaning electrode is located at a tip end of the one end portion of the housing in the second direction. The cleaning electrode includes a contact surface and a guide surface. The contact surface contacts an electrical contact to which a voltage is supplied. The contact surface is perpendicular to the first direction. The guide surface guides the electrical contact to the contact surface when the drum cartridge is mounted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developing cartridge including a casing, a first electrical contact surface, and a holder movable relative to the casing; a drum cartridge including a drum frame, a second electrical contact surface, and a holder movable relative to the drum frame; and a main frame having an opening and including first and second guide frames facing in a facing direction, a first main electrical contact capable of being electrically connected to one of the first and second electrical contact surfaces, and a second main electrical contact positioned closer to the opening in an attachment direction and capable of being electrically connected to the remaining one of the first and second electrical contact surfaces. A distance in the facing direction between the first and second guide frames is reduced as the first and second guide frames extend toward the first main electrical contact in the attachment direction.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a door; an electric power source substrate for supplying electric power to an object detachably mounted through the door and provided with an electrical contact; an electroconductive member having an apparatus contact connected with the electric power source substrate; an element movable between a contacting position for contacting the apparatus contact and the electrical contact portion with each other and a spacing position for spacing them; a link connecting the door and the element to move the element to the contacting position with door closing and moving the element to the spacing position with door opening; and an operating portion movable with the element moving to the contacting position to connect an electroconductive path between the apparatus contact of the electroconductive member and the electric power source substrate, the operating portion being movable with the element moving to the spacing position to disconnect the path.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a rotating member, and an electrode member. The casing may be configured to accommodate therein developer. The rotating member has a rotational shaft extending in an axial direction. The rotating member is configured to rotate about the rotational shaft and carries the developer thereon. The electrode member is configured to be electrically connected to the rotating member. The electrode member covers at least part of the rotational shaft from an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction and is arranged to confront the casing in the axial direction. The electrode member is configured to move in the orthogonal direction in accordance with a movement in the axial direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge including a casing, a developing roller, a developing roller gear, a gear cover, a first boss, and a pressure receiving surface. The developing roller is positioned closer to a first end portion of the casing than to a second end portion of the casing in a first direction. The first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with the casing. The first boss is positioned away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance and also positioned away from the developing roller in a third direction. The pressure receiving surface is positioned further from the developing roller than the first boss is from the developing roller in the third direction. The pressure receiving surface is positioned away from the developing roller by the first distance or by a second distance shorter than the first distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first circuit board provided with a first connector, a second circuit board provided with a second connector, and a plurality of electric wires one-end portions of which a first connector housing including a plurality of pins is connected to and other-end portions of which a second connector housing including a plurality of pins is connected to. An alignment direction of the plurality of pins of the first connector housing differs from an alignment direction of the plurality of pins of the second connector housing, and the plurality of electric wires have lengths different from one another.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a drawer movable between an inner position accommodated within the housing and an outer position exposed to an outside of the housing; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drum frame; a developing cartridge; and a pressing member for pressing the drum frame. The drum frame includes: first and second side frames supporting first and second end portions of the photosensitive drum, respectively; and an upper frame connecting upper end portions of the first and second side frames to each other. In a state where the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge has been attached is attached to the drawer and the drawer is in the inner position, the developing cartridge is positioned between the photosensitive drum and the upper frame, and the pressing member is positioned above the upper frame to press the upper frame downward.

Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a memory having an electrical contact surface; and a resilient member positioned between the electrical contact surface and the drum frame. The resilient member is configured to expand and compress in a second direction crossing the electrical contact surface between a first state and a second state, the resilient member having a shorter length in the second state than in the first state. A distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the second state is smaller than a distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the first state.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a first drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; and a second drum frame having an outer surface; and a memory having an electrical contact surface. The first drum frame is at one end portion of the drum cartridge in a second direction and the second drum frame is at another end portion of the drum cartridge in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned at the outer surface of the second drum frame and is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the second drum frame.

Abstract: A transfer unit includes a reading unit to read an image on a sheet conveyed along a conveyance path, a first signal transmission member having a flat shape and is connected to the reading unit, and a relay member connected to the first signal transmission member. The relay member relays a signal from the first signal transmission member, and a second signal transmission member having a round shape and is connected to the relay member. The second signal transmission member leads into an apparatus body from an inner portion of the transfer unit in an axial direction of a first rotation shaft.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing configured to accommodate therein toner; a developing roller; a supply roller configured to supply the toner to the developing roller; a layer thickness regulation blade in contact with a circumferential surface of the developing roller; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller; and a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and the layer thickness regulation blade. The supply electrode includes: an electrode member electrically connected to a rotation shaft of the supply roller and movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft; and a connection member in contact with and electrically connecting the electrode member and the layer thickness regulation blade. The electrode member is movable relative to the connection member in the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft in a state where the electrode member is in contact with the connection member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body. A terminal holding member that holds a main body-side terminal is provided to be movable in a direction intersecting an attaching direction of the developing unit. The developing unit and the terminal holding member are provided with a protrusion and an opening which are fitted to each other in accordance with an attaching operation. If the protrusion and the opening are fitted, the terminal holding member is moved in a in a direction approaching the developing unit to bring the unit-side terminal and the main body-side terminal into contact with each other, so that the terminal holding member is positioned and fixed to the developing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body including a first guide portion and a second guide portion, a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a support frame configured to support the process cartridge and move between an inside position and an outside position. The support frame includes a first side frame. The first side frame includes a first guided portion to be guided by the first guide portion. The second side frame includes a second guided portion guided by the second guide portion A dimension of the first side frame is greater than or equal to a dimension of the first side frame. A dimension of the second side frame is greater than or equal to a dimension of the second side frame.

Abstract: An image formation device includes: a first unit for image formation, attachably and detachably disposed in the image formation device, a power source unit configured to supply electric power to the first unit, a second unit for image formation, attachably and detachably, independently of the first unit, disposed in the image formation device, and disposed between the first unit and the power source unit and a power supply path provided in the second unit, and configured to be supplied with the electric power from the power source unit and supply the electric power to the first unit.

Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a first unit including an image bearing member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, and a second unit including a developer bearing member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image carried on the image bearing member into a toner image, the second unit being capable of being mounted on the first unit in a mounting direction. The first unit includes a moving member that moves the second unit mounted on the first unit at a mounting position to a detachment position. The second unit includes a storage unit that stores information about the second unit. The moving member is disposed on a first side of the process cartridge in a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member. An electrode of the storage unit is disposed on a second side of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A heater for a fuser includes a substrate, a first pair of heating elements provided on the substrate, and a second pair of heating elements provided on the substrate. The first pair of heating elements and the second pair of heating elements extend in a length direction of the substrate. The second pair of heating elements is provided between one heating element among the first pair of heating elements and the other heating element among the first pair of heating elements. A distance between the heating elements of the second pair of heating elements is greater than or equal to a value obtained by adding widths of each of the first pair of heating elements and the second pair of heating elements at a center in the length direction of each of the heating elements from the first and second pairs of heating elements.

Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.

Abstract: A process cartridge mountable in and dismountable from an image forming apparatus includes a frame, a storing portion provided on a mounting surface of the frame and configured to store information on the process cartridge, a projection projecting outwardly of the mounting surface in a direction normal to the mounting surface, and an electrical contact portion mounted on the projection and electrically connected to the storing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum frame, and a first memory. The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. The drum frame includes a first end and a second end being apart from the first end in an up-down direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at the first end. The first memory is positioned at the second end.

Abstract: A heating device includes a heater, a holder, a connector, and a guide pair. The heater includes an electrode through which power is conducted. The holder is configured to hold the heater. The connector includes a conduction terminal and an engagement portion. The conduction terminal is configured to contact the electrode. The engagement portion is configured to be engaged with the holder. The connector is attachable to the holder to engage the engagement portion with the holder and contact the conduction terminal with the electrode. The guide pair includes a convex portion and a recess. The convex portion is disposed in one of the holder and the connector. The recess is disposed in another one of the holder and the connector. The guide pair is configured to guide the connector in an attaching direction of the connector to attach the connector to the holder.

Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.

Abstract: A removable unit is removably installed in an apparatus. The removable unit includes a plurality of powered components, a power supply connector configured to electrically connect a power supply of the apparatus and the plurality of powered components. The power supply connector is configured to change a combination of respective voltages applied to the plurality of powered components.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the housing. The second electrical contact is electrically connected to an imaging component positioned on the housing. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than the second electrical contact. A first drive coupler and a second drive coupler are positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned higher than a first rotational axis of the first drive coupler. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than a second rotational axis of the second drive coupler and the second electrical contact is positioned lower than the second rotational axis.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating portion, and a belt guide member. The heating portion heats the fixing belt. The belt guide member includes a guide portion and an engaging portion. The guide portion guides the fixing belt to move along a moving path. The engaging portion is provided to project from the guide portion outward in a width direction of the fixing belt, wherein the engaging portion is engaged with a connector at an engagement position that intersects with a plane that includes a center, in the width direction, of the connector attached to the heating portion in an attachment direction perpendicular to the width direction.

Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a photoconductive drum and a boss that protrudes outward from a first longitudinal end of the toner cartridge at a rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. An outermost axial segment of the boss along the rotational axis includes a partial cylinder having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment. An outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder is convex to a bottom of the toner cartridge and forms a bottom contact surface of the boss that is unobstructed to contact and sit in a corresponding V-block in an image forming device when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. The outermost axial segment of the boss includes clearance above a topmost portion of the partial cylinder and within the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder permitting the clearance to accommodate one or more features in the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power source, a developing cartridge including a developing rotating member to carry a developer to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member, and a motor configured to rotationally drive the developing rotating member. A supporting frame, dismountably mounted to the image forming apparatus, dismountably supports the developing cartridge and dismountably supports the motor. In addition, an electrical contact, provided on the supporting frame, electrically contacts to the power source to supply electric power to the motor in a state that the supporting frame is mounted to the image forming apparatus, and a drawer portion dismountably supports the supporting frame and is capable of being pulled out from the image forming apparatus to dismount the supporting frame from the image forming apparatus in a state that the supporting frame is supported.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members is electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heater, a pressure roller, a heater support member, and a restriction portion. The heater is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. An end portion of the heater in a width direction of the fixing belt is exposed to outside the fixing belt. The pressure roller is provided to face a contact surface of the heater across the fixing belt, the contact surface being in contact with the fixing belt, the pressure roller being pressed against the fixing belt. The heater support member supports the heater by being in contact with a surface of the heater opposite from the contact surface. The restriction portion restricts the contact surface from moving toward the pressure roller at outside the fixing belt in the width direction.

Abstract: In a configuration in which a cartridge is removably mounted from a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (a side-oriented configuration), an image bearing member is disposed at a position farther from a light emitting unit in a state in which a cover is opened than a state in which the cover is closed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge.