Image forming appartus, and method of transmitting power and method of mounting developing unit in the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorMun-hyub CHOI
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image forming apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a main body, a developing unit for forming an visible image, a transfer unit for transferring the visible image formed by the developing unit onto a recording medium, the transfer unit being disposed in the main body, a tray loaded with the developing unit and installed to be inserted or withdrawn into or from the main body, a power supply unit for supplying a power supply to the developing unit, the power supply unit being disposed in the main body, and a conductive member that is connected to the power supply unit, intersects an insertion or withdrawal direction of the tray, and directly contacts an electrical contact portion of the developing unit.
Claims35
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a main body,
- a developing unit for forming an image,
- a transfer unit for transferring the image formed by the developing unit onto a recording medium, the transfer unit being disposed in the main body,
- a tray loaded with the developing unit and installed so as to be inserted into, or withdrawn from, the main body,
- a power supply unit for supplying power to the developing unit, the power supply unit being disposed in the main body, and
- a conductive member that is connected to the power supply unit, intersects with an insertion or withdrawal direction of the tray, and directly contacts an electrical contact portion of the developing unit.
A method of transmitting a power supply in an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
- preparing a developing unit in which an electrical contact portion is disposed in at least one side thereof;
- preparing a main body that comprises a transfer unit for transferring a image formed by the developing unit onto a recording medium, a power supply unit for supplying power to the developing unit, and a conductive member that is connected to the power supply unit;
- loading the developing unit in a tray so that the electrical contact portion of the developing unit is exposed;
- mounting the developing unit in the main body by moving the tray into the main body;
- and
- bringing the conductive member into contact with the electrical contact portion of the developing unit when the mounting of the developing unit is completed.
A method of mounting a developing unit in an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
- preparing a developing unit in which an electrical contact portion is disposed in at least one side thereof;
- preparing a main body that comprises a transfer unit for transferring a image formed by the developing unit onto a recording medium, a power supply unit for supplying power to the developing unit, and a conductive member that is connected to the power supply unit;
- loading the developing unit in a tray so that the electrical contact portion of the developing unit is exposed;
- and
- bringing the conductive member into contact with the electrical contact portion of the developing unit by moving the tray into the main body.
A tray to accommodate a developing unit for an image forming apparatus, the tray comprising:
- a connection hole allowing a conductive member to make contact with an electrical source;
- and
- a shutter unit for opening or closing the connection hole based on whether the developing unit is accommodated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.