Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a development device, and a toner case. The apparatus main body includes an image carrier and a main body side connecting part including a main body side connector and a main body side housing. The toner case includes a case side connecting part including a case side connector and a case side housing. The development device is movable in a first direction as an approach/separation direction to the image carrier in a situation in which the development device is installed to the apparatus main body. The case side housing fits to the main body side housing and a case side terminal comes into contact with a main body side terminal in a situation in which the development device is installed to the apparatus main body and the toner case is installed to the development device.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a developing roller with a shaft, a housing with a wall portion, a developing electrode, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a connecting portion. The developing electrode includes a first contact portion contacting the shaft and has a first surface against which an apparatus electrode of an image forming apparatus body slides, a second contact portion disposed next to the first contact portion, and a second surface configured to contact an electrode of the image forming apparatus. The connecting portion includes a first inclined surface connecting the first surface and the second surface with each other and being contiguous with the first surface. The first inclined surface is inclined toward the second contact portion from the first contact portion such that the first inclined surface extends in a direction away from the wall portion.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus to which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted, including: main body side positioning portions provided on an apparatus main body; a cartridge supporting member detachably supporting the cartridges having cartridge side electric contacts and cartridge side positioned portions, and movable among a first position for forming images, a second position retracted from the first position, and a third position where the cartridges are pulled out of the main body; a pressing member pressing the positioned portions on the positioning portions; and main body side electric contacts provided on the main body, wherein the electric contacts are directly and electrically connected to the electric contacts when the positioned portions are pressed on the positioning portions by the pressing member.

Abstract: A power supply device to electroconductively connect a power-fed terminal included in a power-fed unit and a power supply terminal of a power supply board. The power supply device includes a unit contact portion to contact the power-fed terminal; a board contact portion to contact the power supply board; a connector to connect the unit contact portion and the board contact portion; and a support member to support the unit contact portion, the board contact portion, and the connector. The unit contact portion is held on an inner face of the support member opposed to the power-fed unit; the board contact portion is held on an outer face of the support member opposed to the power supply board; and the connector connects the unit contact portion and the board contact portion through the support member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit, a resin-made first frame, a first beam, and a second beam, is provided. The first frame is formed in a shape of a plate. The first beam is formed in an elongated shape. The first beam is arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame. The second beam is formed in an elongated shape and arranged along the planar face of the first frame to intersect with the first beam when viewed along an axial direction of a photosensitive drum. The first beam and the second beam are arranged on an opposite side from the image forming unit across the first frame. The first beam and the second beam are fixed to each other at a mutual intersection, where the first beam and the second beam overlap each other when viewed along the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including at least three image forming units, a substrate, a frame to support the image forming units and the substrate, and a plurality of spring electrodes, is provided. The plurality of spring electrodes includes a first spring electrode, a second spring electrode, and a third spring electrode configured to serve a common function and arranged to align along an aligning direction, which is orthogonal to rotation axes of photosensitive drums in the image forming units. The frame includes a pair of supporting parts arranged along the aligning direction to support the substrate. A distance between the second spring electrode and the third spring electrode is greater than a distance between the first spring electrode and the second spring electrode. A center between the pair of supporting parts is located in a position between the second spring electrode and the third spring electrode.

Abstract: A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge including a photoconductor; a development cartridge configured to be detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developer carrying member for supplying developer to the photoconductor; a locking member provided on the drum cartridge and configured to be switchable between a locking position in which the development cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is in a locked state and restrained from being moved in a removing direction in which the development cartridge is removed from the drum cartridge and a lifting position in which the locked state is released and the development cartridge is movable in the removing direction, and a retaining member configured to retain the development cartridge which has been moved from the locked state in the removing direction by switching the locking member from the locking position to the lifting position.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing, a unit, a side plate, a positioning member, and a fixing member. The side plate is formed with a through-hole having a first surface extending in a second direction crossing a first direction, a second surface extending in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, and a third surface, and a fourth surface positioned between the first surface and the second surface in a contour of the through hole. The positioning member is in contact with the first surface and the second surface. The third surface is positioned opposite to the fourth surface with respect to the positioning member. The fixing member includes an insert portion configured to be inserted through the through-hole. The insert portion is positioned between the first portion and the third surface to press the first portion toward the fourth surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing provided with a main-body electrode; a cartridge; a supporting member for supporting the cartridge; and a first displacing mechanism. The cartridge includes a processing body elongated in a first direction and a power-receiving part capable of contacting the main-body electrode. The supporting member is movable between a first position inside the main casing and a second position outside the main casing in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. The first displacing mechanism is configured to move the cartridge supported in the supporting member in the first direction from a non-contact position where the main-body electrode and the power-receiving part are separated from each other to a contact position where the main-body electrode and the power-receiving part are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge includes first and second side walls which rotatably support end portions of the photosensitive member in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, a rotating body disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall to face the photosensitive member, and a cartridge electrode which extends in the axial direction and disposed on the first side wall to be movable in the axial direction, and contacts the rotating body to supply electric power to the rotating body. The cartridge electrode includes a contact portion which contacts an end surface of the rotating body in the axial direction. The first side wall includes an abutting portion which abuts on the end surface of the rotating body. The cartridge electrode is configured such that the first contact portion is movable further than the abutting portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a body provided with an opening at one side thereof, a developing tray movably installed at the opening, a plurality of developing units mounted to the developing tray, and a pair of frames forming opposite inner sides of the body. The frames are provided with a plurality of seating grooves to support lower ends of the developing units such that the developing units are supported by the frames, and therefore the positions of the photosensitive bodies of the developing units with respect to other constituents supported by the frames may be accurately regulated.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an apparatus electric-contact that is connectable to a cartridge electric-contact of a cartridge, which is equipped with a memory that stores information related to the cartridge, such that the information is transmitted from the cartridge to a main apparatus body of the image forming apparatus; a connector having the apparatus electric-contact and a first engaging unit that is engageable with the cartridge so as to position the cartridge electric-contact and the apparatus electric-contact in a predetermined direction; and a connector holder that holds the connector in a movable manner. The connector holder has a second engaging unit that is engageable with the cartridge. The connector is movable in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: This image forming device has a first electrical component and a second electrical component, arranged in positions offset such that there is no mutual overlap; a third electrical component swivelably supported about pivots as pivot points; and support members for pivotably supporting the pivots. The support members pivotably support the pivots between the first electrical component and the second electrical component. The third electrical component, through swiveling, is selectively positioned at a first location overlapping the first electrical component but not overlapping the second electrical component, or at a second location overlapping the second electrical component but not overlapping the first electrical component.

Abstract: A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: a memory portion; a substrate having the memory portion and an electrical contact; a support portion for supporting the substrate with the electrical contact being exposed; a first movement regulation portion configured to regulate the movement of the substrate ; and a second movement regulation portion configured to regulate the movement of the substrate, wherein the movement regulation direction in which the movement of the substrate is regulated by the second movement regulation portion is the same as the movement regulation direction in which the movement of the substrate is regulated by the first movement regulation portion, and wherein the movement regulation distance that the movement of the substrate is regulated by the second movement regulation portion is shorter than or equal to the movement regulation distance that the movement of the substrate is regulated by the first movement regulation portion.

Abstract: A support unit that supports a member to be supported is inserted in an apparatus main body thus to be mounted therein. The support unit includes a wall portion, a connector unit, and a cover member. The wall portion is provided on an upstream end portion of the support unit in the direction in which the support unit is inserted. The connector unit is provided on the wall portion for electrical connection between the apparatus main body and the support unit. The cover member is pivotably supported by a bearing portion provided on the wall portion, so as to pivot between a first position in which the connector unit is exposed so as to allow an operator to grasp the cover member, and a second position in which the connector unit is concealed.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a first unit provided with an image bearing member and a second unit that is provided with a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, with the second unit being connected with the first unit so as to be movable between a contact position in which the developer carrying member is contacted with that image bearing member and a spacing position in which the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The second unit includes a recess or opening into which a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to apply a voltage to the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus and second unit is positioned in the spacing position.

Abstract: A developer cartridge according to one aspect of the invention is attachable to a photoconductor unit that comprises a photoconductive drum. The developer cartridge may comprise a developing frame defining a developer container configured to contain developer, the developing frame having a first side and a second side; a developing roller located at the first side of the developing frame so as to receive developer conveyed from the developer container in a first direction; a contact terminal located at the second side of the developing frame; and a memory electrically connected to the contact terminal, wherein the first side is downstream in the first direction from the second side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body including an image forming unit including an image carrying member, a drive force transmission mechanism configured to transmit a drive force to the image carrying member, and a main body configured to support the image forming unit. The main body includes a first frame disposed on a first side of the image carrying member in an axial direction of the image carrying member, a second frame disposed on a second side of the image carrying member opposite to the first side thereof, a first connecting member extending in the axial direction of the image carrying member and connecting the first frame and the second frame, and a second connecting member spaced apart from the first connecting member and connecting the first frame and the second frame. The first frame is made of metal and the second frame is made of resin.

Abstract: A high-voltage power supply for an image forming apparatus compares a detected output voltage generated by dividing a high-voltage output by a voltage dividing circuit with a control value to feedback control the high-voltage output and outputs a voltage that is to be applied to a member involved in image formation. The high-voltage power supply includes a printed circuit board on which a resistor connected to a high-voltage output side of the voltage dividing circuit is mounted. A slit including a first portion and a second portion is formed in the printed circuit board. The first portion extends across a straight line connecting terminals of the resistor. The second portion continues from the first portion and extends in a direction receding from one of the terminals of the resistor.

Abstract: Cartridges may include a developing roller, an electrode, a detection member, and a cover member. The developing roller rotates about an axis extending along a first direction. The electrode includes a protrusion that protrudes along the first direction to an end portion. The detection member includes a cover portion, which covers an exposable portion of the protrusion when the detection member is in a first position, and which exposes the exposable portion of the protrusion when the detection member is in a second position. The cover member covers a portion of the detection member and exposes the cover portion when the detection member is in the first position. The cover member extends in the first direction to an end portion. An overlap portion of the protrusion extends at least to the end portion of the cover member and overlaps a portion of the cover member in a second direction.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a functional unit, an electric circuit board, a pivotable support member, an outer cover, and wiring. The functional unit is disposed inside the electronic apparatus. The electric circuit board is configured to control the functional unit. The pivotable support member is shaped rectangular having a vertical length that is shorter than a horizontal length thereof and is pivotally movable about a pivoting axis defined to extend along one horizontally extending side of the pivotable support member between a closed position in which the pivotable support member covers the functional unit and an open position in which the functional unit is exposed. The outer cover is disposed more outwardly than the pivotable support member. The wiring passes through a pivoting axis side of the pivotable support member to connect the functional unit to the electric circuit board.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a power supply apparatus includes a movable terminal section configured to be attached on or detached from and electrically connected with a fixed terminal section corresponding to the attaching or detaching of a unit on or from a main body; a sliding section configured to support the movable terminal section and slide; a guide stud which has a positioning section inserted into the guide hole of the sliding section, a shaft section smaller in sectional area than the positioning section and a connection section for connecting the positioning section with the shaft section, configured to guide the sliding section; and an elastic section configured to press the sliding section towards a unit terminal section.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the contact terminal is swingable relative to the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units in an arrangement direction orthogonal to a rotary axis thereof; a support member configured to support the plurality of image forming units; a frame, which is configured to support the support member, and a plurality of electrodes, which is supported to the frame and is configured to supply power to the plurality of image forming units, wherein the frame comprises: a plurality of support projections, which is protruding inwardly to support the plurality of electrodes, and a projection part, which is arranged at an outer position of the plurality of support projections, at which the projection part overlaps with the support member, as viewed from the direction of the rotary axis, and is contactable to the support member in a case where the support member is moved towards the frame.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the first spring contact and the second spring contact are disposed at positions different as seen in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: According to the embodiment, a case supporting part supports a substrate case on an apparatus housing in a manner that allows the substrate case to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is contained in a first range extending in a predetermined direction parallel to the side surface of the apparatus housing where a maintenance target is provided closer thereto and covering also the position of at least part of the maintenance target. The second position is contained in a range extending in the predetermined direction and covering the position of the maintenance target with the range being narrower than the first range. A control substrate is arranged such that, when the substrate case is at the first position, a plurality of connections are placed at positions corresponding to the positions of respective electrical components to which the control substrate is to be connected.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing including a developing chamber and a developer accommodating chamber; a developing roller including a developing roller shaft; a supply roller including a supply roller shaft; a developing electrode, which is provided on an outer side of one sidewall of the housing, which is electrically connected to the developing roller shaft, and which includes a developing protrusion protruding parallel to the developing roller shaft at a position different from the developing roller shaft; and a supply electrode, which is provided on the outer side of the one sidewall, which is electrically connected to the supply roller shaft, and which includes a supply protrusion protruding parallel to the supply roller shaft at a position different from the supply roller shaft. The developing protrusion and the supply protrusion are arranged in an arrangement direction of the developing chamber and the developer accommodating chamber.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a heating roller having an electrode to receive power disposed at an outer circumference thereof and a connection unit to supply the power to the heating roller via the electrode. The connection unit includes a connection member connected to the electrode, the connection member being rotated along with the heating roller, an annular friction bush disposed at the connection member, and at least one wire having one fixed end and the other end contacting an outer circumference of the friction bush. The connection member is rotated along with the heating roller, and therefore, no friction occurs between the electrode and the connection member, thereby preventing damage to the electrode.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heater for heating an image surface of a recording medium, a plurality of electrodes arrayed at an end of the heater, and a connector including energizing terminals and attached to the end of the heater to energize the electrodes. The connector also includes an engage portion which is engaged with a support member to lock the connector. The connector is configured such that an engage position of the engage portion is located between the energizing terminals located at both ends.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus or an image forming apparatus includes: a housing including an opening and closing member that can be opened and closed; a conveying path that conveys an object to be conveyed, at least a part of the conveying path being provided adjacent to an inner side of the opening and closing member; a first detector that detects whether the object is present in a predetermined region and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a result of the detection; and an interlocking mechanism that causes, when the opening and closing member is opened, the first detector to change at least one of a position and a structure of the first detector in mechanically association with movement of opening of the opening and closing member, and to output a detection signal which is the same as a detection signal output when the object is present in the predetermined region.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developer-carrying member, a supply member, a developing electrode, a supply electrode, and an insulating member. The casing is configured to accommodate therein developer. The developer-carrying member is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and carry the developer thereon. The supply member is configured to supply the developer to the developer-carrying member. The developing electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the developer-carrying member. The supply electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the supply member. The insulating member insulates the developing electrode and the supply electrode with each other. The developing electrode, the insulating member, and the supply electrode are overlapped in this order in an axial direction of the rotational axis.

Abstract: The developing cartridge includes a casing, a rotating member, and an electrode. The casing may be configured to accommodate therein developer. The rotating member has a rotational shaft extends 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: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a belt for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto a transfer material; an electric power supplying device, contacted to the belt, to which a voltage is to be applied, wherein the electric power supplying device includes an erected fiber portion formed with a plurality of electroconductive erected fibers contacted to the belt; a power source; and a contact member, connected to the electric power supplying device, for applying the voltage from the power source to the electric power supplying device. The electric power supplying device includes a welded portion formed by heat aggregation of a part of the erected fiber portion, and the contact member is connected to the welded portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication connector arranged on an image-forming apparatus body to provide communications with an information storage device including a guide portion and installed on a detachable device. The connector includes a body terminal which, when the detachable device is attached to the apparatus body, contacts a contact terminal of the information storage device, and a body projection extending in a moving direction of the detachable device and having a slope at its distal end. The body terminal is arranged on the body projection and configured not to project further than the slope, to be exposed to outside from a portion other than the slope, and to contact the contact terminal inside the guide portion when the body projection is inserted thereinto. An inclination angle ? of an end portion of the slope is not smaller than an inclination angle ?1 of the slope.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing having an opening; a drawer member to support photosensitive drums disposed to have intervals therebetween to be parallel with each other and to be movable in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums such that the drawer member moves between an attached position where the drawer member is attached in the housing and a drawn position where the drawer member is drawn to an outside of the housing; and a presser member that is provided in the housing and is configured to press the drawer member toward one side in an axial direction each photosensitive drum, wherein the presser member presses a downstream end part of the drawer member defined in a moving direction of the drawer member, at a position overlapping with the photosensitive drums in the arrangement direction, in a state where the drawer member is at the attached position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a moving unit configured to support a cartridge and to slide in a generally horizontal direction between multiple positions. For example, the positions may include a position where the moving unit is located inside the main body and a position where the moving unit is located outside the main body. Additionally or alternatively, the moving unit may also move between one interior position and another interior position located below the one interior position. The moving unit may be configured to electrically connect electrical contacts between the moving unit and a main body of the image forming apparatus based on its movement. In one example, the moving unit may include two electrical contacts disposed in the sliding direction of the unit, the electrical contacts configured to connect with electrical contacts of the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photosensitive drum, a charger for uniformly charging a surface of the drum, an optical head for irradiating the surface of the drum with light to change a charging state of the drum surface, and a developing device for causing a toner to adhere on the surface of the drum in accordance with the charging state. The charger has a grid with two wire fixing portions each provided with two grooves, a first discharge wire fitted in one of the two grooves of each wire fixing portion, and a second discharge wire fitted in the other of the two grooves of each wire fixing portion. The two grooves of each wire fixing portion are arranged relative to the grid so that the first and second discharge wires are arranged parallel to one another along a substantial center in a width direction of the grid.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a front, rear, first side, second side, top and bottom forming a toner reservoir. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing proximate the first side for transferring toner out of the reservoir. A drive gear is positioned on the front of the housing and has a center proximate the second side for receiving rotational power. A cavity is formed in the bottom of the housing. A latch catch is positioned in the cavity on an inner side of the front of the housing for receiving a latch for securing the toner cartridge in an image forming device. The latch catch is positioned closer to the bottom of the housing than the outlet port and the drive gear and between the center of the drive gear and the outlet port in the side-to-side direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body part and a sheet feed unit installed below the apparatus main body part, which include connector parts electrically connecting the apparatus main body part and sheet feed unit. The connector part at a side of the apparatus main body part includes a window; a first connector main body visible through the window and having an electrical connection port facing to the sheet feed unit; a connector cover covering openably/closably the electrical connection port of the first connector main body; and a biasing member biasing the first connector main body downwardly. The connector part at a side of the sheet feed unit includes a second connector main body positioned below the first connector main body. The first connector main body is pressured downwardly with respect to the connector cover by the biasing member, when the connector cover is closed.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a notifier, a power source, a first replaceable unit, a first body connector, a power supply switch, a detachment necessity determiner for determining whether the first replaceable unit needs to be detached, and a power supply controller. The first body connector includes a body power terminal and allows the first replaceable unit to be detachably connected thereto. The first replaceable unit includes a unit connector and an operation portion. The unit connector is connected to the body power terminal for supplying a power voltage to the operation portion. When the first replaceable unit is determined necessary to be detached, the power supply controller causes the power supply switch to turn off supply of the power source voltage from the power source to the body power terminal and causes the notifier to provide a notification recommending detachment of the first replaceable 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: An electrode for an image forming apparatus, the electrode including: an elastically deformable spring portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape by spirally winding a wire; a ring portion that is an electrical contact portion having an annular shape and provided to one end side of the spring portion in an axial direction of the spring portion, the ring portion being formed by winding the wire around a center line, which intersects with the axial direction of the spring portion, at least twice; an inner portion that is formed by the wire forming the ring portion and is positioned at an inside of the ring portion; and an outer portion that is formed by the wire forming the ring portion and is positioned at an outside of the ring portion.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the contact terminal is swingable relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a functional unit, an electric circuit board, a pivotable support member, an outer cover, and wiring. The functional unit is disposed inside the electronic apparatus. The electric circuit board is configured to control the functional unit. The pivotable support member is shaped rectangular having a vertical length that is shorter than a horizontal length thereof and is pivotally movable about a pivoting axis defined to extend along one horizontally extending side of the pivotable support member between a closed position in which the pivotable support member covers the functional unit and an open position in which the functional unit is exposed. The outer cover is disposed more outwardly than the pivotable support member. The wiring passes through a pivoting axis side of the pivotable support member to connect the functional unit to the electric circuit board.

Abstract: A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a first frame supporting the photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a process member actable on the developing roller; a second frame supporting the developing roller and the process member, the second frame being movable between a contact position where the developing roller contacts the drum and a spacing position where the developing roller is spaced from the drum; a developing device contact; and a process member contact, wherein when the second frame is moved between the contact position and the spacing position, a movement path of the developing device contact overlaps a movement path of process member contact, as seen along the axial direction.