Electrical connector, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion, and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall provided so as to enclose said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts, wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in a direction of height of said wall, and
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with each of said electrical contacts with lead lines,
• wherein said wall is provided with a taper adjacent an end for connection with said main assembly connector, wherein when said electrical connector is to be connected with the main assembly connector, it is guided by said taper.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion, and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines;
• and
• a wall provided so as to enclose said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts, wherein free ends of said electrical contacts, are provided inside said wall in a direction of height of said wall,
• wherein when said electrical connector is to be connected electrically with said main assembly connector, an engaging portion of said main assembly connector is engaged with a space formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts, wherein said engaging portion is provided with a dimple, into which said electronic contacts of said electrical connector enter to be electrically connected with the electrical contacts.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion, and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector,
• a wall enclosing said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts,
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with each of said electrical contacts with lead lines;
• and
• an outer wall covering opposite longitudinal end portion of said storing member,
• wherein a plurality of said lead lines are extended out of said storing member at the opposite end portions thereof,
• wherein at least one of lateral surfaces of said storing member is exposed, and said storing member is demountable from a mounting position by inserting a tool into a lateral surface of said storing member.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion, and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with each of said electrical contacts with lead lines,
• wherein said electrical connector is provided with a wall provided so as to enclose said mounting portion, wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said mounting portion, wherein said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in the direction of height of said wall so as to assure such a distance that even when a probe having an angle of 25 degrees at a free end thereof is inserted into said space, said probe does not contact said electrical contacts.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein said main assembly connector includes an engaging portion, a groove provided in said engaging portion, and a main assembly electrical contact provided in said grove, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said electrical contacts;
• wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in the direction of height of said wall,
• wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts,
• wherein said engaging portion is engaged with said space when said electrical connector is to be electrically connected with the main assembly connector,
• wherein when said engaging portion is engaged with said space, said electrical contacts of electrical connector enter said groove so that electrical contacts are electrically connected with the main assembly electrical contact provided in said groove,
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein said main assembly connector includes an engaging portion, a dimple provided in said engaging portion and a main assembly electrical contact provided in said dimple, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• a wall enclosing said electrical contacts wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in the direction of height of said wall;
• an outer wall covering longitudinal opposite ends of said storing member;
• and
• a plurality of lead lines extended out of said opposite ends, wherein said lead lines are connected with said electrical contacts, by which said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contact,
• wherein a least one lateral end of said storing member is exposed, and said storing member is removable from a mounting position by inserting a tool at the end portion;
• and
• wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts, wherein said engaging portion is engaged with said space when said electrical connector is to be electrically connected with the main assembly connector, wherein when said engaging portion is engaged with said space, said electrical contacts of said electrical connector enter said dimple so that electrical contacts are electrically connected with the main assembly electrical contact provided in said dimple.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a. an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• b. process means actable on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• and
• c. an electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in said main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said electrical connector comprising:
• a storing member for storing information;
• and
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector,
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, wherein a main assembly connector is provided in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and includes an engaging portion, a groove provided in said engaging portion and a main assembly electrical contact provided in said groove, comprising:

• a. an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• b. a charging member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• c. a cleaning member for removing toner remaining on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• and
• d. an electrical connector connectable electrically with said main assembly connector when said process cartridge is mounted to main assembly of the apparatus, said electrical connector comprising;
• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said electrical contacts;
• wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts,
• wherein said engaging portion is engaged with said space when said electrical connector is to be electrically connected with the main assembly connector,
• wherein when said engaging portion is engaged with said space, said electrical contacts of said electrical connector enter said groove so that electrical contacts are electrically connected with the main assembly electrical contact provided in said groove;
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines, and
• wherein said electrical connector is mounted in a mounting direction when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, wherein a main assembly connector includes an engaging portion, a dimple provided in said engaging portion and a main assembly electrical contact provided in said dimple, comprising:

• a. an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• b. a charging member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• and
• c. an electrical connector connectable electrically with said main assembly connector of said device when said process cartridge is mounted to main assembly of the apparatus, said electrical connector comprising:
• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• a wall enclosing said electrical contacts, wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in the direction of height of said wall;
• an outer wall covering longitudinal opposite ends of said storing member;
• and
• a plurality of lead lines extended out of said opposite ends, wherein said lead lines are connected with said electrical contacts, by which said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts;
• wherein at least one lateral end of said storing member is exposed, and said storing member is removable from a mounting position by inserting a tool at the end portion;
• and
• wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contact,
• wherein said engaging portion is engaged with said space when said electrical connector is to be electrically connected with the main assembly connector, and
• wherein when said engaging portion is engaged with said space, said electrical contacts of said electrical connector enter said dimple so that electrical contacts are electrically connected with the main assembly electrical contact provided in said dimple.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, comprising:

• a main assembly connector in a main assembly of the apparatus;
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• an electrical connector electrically connectable with said main assembly connector of said electrophotographic image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, said electrical connector comprising:
• a storing member for storing information;
• and
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines;
• a mounting portion for detachably mounting said process cartridge;
• and
• a feeding member for feeding the recording material.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, comprising:

• a main assembly comprising a main assembly connector having an engaging portion, a dimple provided in said engaging portion and an electrical contact of the main assembly of the apparatus provided in said dimple;
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a charging member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a cleaning member for removing toner remaining on said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• an electrical connector electrically connectable with said main assembly connector when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said electrical connector comprising:
• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said electrical contacts, wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in the direction of height of said wall;
• wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts,
• wherein said engaging portion is engaged with said space when said electrical connector is to be electrically connected with the main assembly connector,
• wherein when said engaging portion is engaged with said space, said electrical contacts of said electrical connector enter said dimple so that said electrical contacts are electrically connected with the main assembly electrical contact provided in said dimple,
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines, and
• wherein said electrical connector is mounted in a mounting direction of said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of said device;
• a mounting portion for detachably mounting said process cartridge;
• and
• a feeding member for feeding the recording material.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, comprising:

• a main assembly comprising a main assembly connector having an engaging portion, a dimple provided in said engaging portion and an electrical contact provided in said dimple;
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a charging member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• an electrical connector electrically connectable with said main assembly connector when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said electrical connector comprising:
• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with the contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• a wall enclosing said electric contacts, wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in the direction of height of said wall;
• an outer wall covering longitudinal opposite ends of said storing member;
• and
• a plurality of lead lines extended out of said opposite ends, wherein said lead lines are connected with said electrical contacts, by which said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contact,
• wherein at least one lateral end of said storing member is exposed, and said storing member is removable from a mounting position by inserting a tool at the end portion;
• and
• wherein a space is formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts,
• wherein said engaging portion is engaged with said space when said electrical connector is to be electrically connected with the main assembly connector,
• wherein when said engaging portion is engaged with said space, said electrical contacts of said electrical connector enter said dimple so that said electrical contacts are electrically connected with the main assembly electrical contact provided in said dimple;
• a mounting portion for detachably mounting said process cartridge;
• and
• a feeding member for feeding the recording material.

A unit detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the improvement residing in the provision of a unit connector having an IC for signal communication with an electronic device in the main assembly through a main assembly connector in said main assembly, wherein said unit connector includes:

• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion, and the rest of which are on the other side of said mounting portion, for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said electrical contacts with a space between inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts, wherein said IC is electrically connected with said electrical contacts by lead lines, and wherein said unit connector is disconnectably connectable with the main assembly connector in said main assembly.

A unit detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the improvement residing in the provision of a connector having an IC for signal communication with an electronic device in the main assembly through a connector in said main assembly, wherein said connector is disconnectably connectable with the connector in said main assembly, wherein said unit further comprises:

• a mounting portion:
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of the main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with the main assembly connector:
• and
• a wall enclosing said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said mounting portion,
• wherein said IC is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines.

A unit detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the improvement residing in the provision of a connector having an IC for signal communication with an electronic device in the main assembly through a connector in said main assembly, wherein said connector is disconnectably connectable with the connector in said main assembly, wherein a unit side connector is mounted to said unit mounted on a supporting member for supporting said connector, wherein said unit further comprises:

• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of the main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with the main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said mounting portion,
• wherein said IC is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines.

A unit detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the improvement residing in the provision of a connector having an IC for signal communication with an electronic device in the main assembly through a connector in said main assembly, wherein said connector is disconnectably connectable with the connector in said main assembly, wherein said unit includes developing means for developing a latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein said unit further comprises:

• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of the main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with the main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said mounting portion,
• wherein said IC is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines.

A unit detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the improvement residing in the provision of a connector having an IC for signal communication with an electronic device in the main assembly through a connector in said main assembly, wherein said connector is disconnectably connectable with the connector in said main assembly, wherein said unit is a toner cartridge for supplying toner to developing means, wherein said unit further comprises:

• a mounting portion;
• a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said mounting portion and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with a contact of the main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with the main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall enclosing said mounting portion with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said mounting portion,
• wherein said IC is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines.

An electrical connector for electrically connecting a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus with a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly, said electrical connector comprising:

• a main-assembly connector;
• and
• a process-cartridge connector, electrically connected to said main-assembly connector when said process cartridge is mounted on the main assembly,
• wherein said process-cartridge connector comprises:
• a connector main structure comprising:
• an integrated circuit mount inside said connector main structure;
• a plurality of a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said integrated circuit mount and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with an electrical contact of the main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with the main assembly connector;
• a wall enclosing said integrated circuit mount with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said integrated circuit mount, wherein said wall comprises:
• a base portion having a base side external wall;
• and
• an engagement portion having an engagement portion side external wall connected to said base side external wall, wherein said base side external wall and said engagement portion side external wall surround said integrated circuit mount;
• wherein said integrated circuit mount is spaced from said base side external wall and said engagement portion side external wall to form therewith a continuous terminal mounting space which opens outward at the top and the bottom of said connector main structure;
• an integrated circuit storing member mounted on said integrated circuit mount;
• and
• an electrical contact, in contact with said integrated circuit storing member and positioned inside said continuous terminal mounting space;
• and
• a connector mount portion for mounting said process-cartridge connector to said process cartridge,
• wherein said main-assembly connector comprises:
• a connector main structure automatically engaged with said connector main structure of said process cartridge as said process cartridge is mounted on said main assembly, wherein said connector main structure of said main-assembly connector is attachable to a connector mount of the main assembly;
• wiring, attached to and extending downwardly from said connector main structure;
• and
• an electrical contact, connected to the wiring, and engaged with said electrical contact of said process-cartridge connector when said process cartridge is mounted on said main assembly and said connector main structure of said main-assembly connector automatically engages said connector main structure of said process-cartridge connector.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• and
• a wall provided so as to enclose said electrical contacts, wherein free ends of said electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in a direction of height of said wall, and
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with each of said electrical contacts with lead lines,
• wherein said wall is provided with a taper adjacent an end for connection with said main assembly connector, wherein when said electrical connector is to be connected with the main assembly connector, it is guided by said taper,
• wherein said storing member is mounted at a position upstream of said plurality of electrical contacts in a direction of connection of said plurality of electrical contacts with said main assembly connector,
• wherein said free ends of said plurality of electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in a direction of the height of said wall, and in a direction in which a part of said main-assembly connector enters a space in said electrical connector,
• wherein said wall is composed of synthetic resin, wherein said electrical connector is hollow and has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and
• wherein said electrical connector comprises a base portion and an engagement portion, wherein said storing member is attached to said base portion, wherein said plurality of electrical contacts extend through said base portion and said engagement portion, and wherein said base portion is larger than said engagement portion.

An electrical connector electrically connectable with a main assembly connector, provided in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a storing member for storing information;
• a plurality of electrical contacts for separably connecting with a contact of said main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with said main assembly connector;
• wherein said storing member is electrically connected with said electrical contacts with lead lines;
• and
• a wall provided so as to enclose said electrical contacts, and wherein free ends of said electrical contacts, are provided inside said wall in a direction of height of said wall,
• wherein when said electrical connector is to be connected electrically with said main assembly connector, an engaging portion of said main assembly connector is engaged with a space formed between an inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts, wherein said engaging portion is provided with a dimple, into which said electronic contacts of said electrical connector enter to be electrically connected with the electrical contacts,
• wherein said storing member is mounted at a position upstream of said plurality of electrical contacts in a direction of connection of said plurality of electrical contacts with said main assembly connector,
• wherein said free ends of said plurality of electrical contacts are provided inside said wall in a direction of the height of said wall, and in a direction in which a part of said main-assembly connector enters a space in said electrical connector,
• wherein said wall is composed of synthetic resin, wherein said electrical connector is hollow and has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and
• wherein said electrical connector comprises a base portion and an engagement portion, wherein said storing member is attached to said base portion, wherein said plurality of electrical contacts extend through said base portion and said engagement portion, and wherein said base portion is larger than said engagement portion.

A process-cartridge connector of a process cartridge, electrically connectable to a main-assembly connector of a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for electrically connecting the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with the process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted on the main assembly, said electrical connector comprising:

• a connector main structure comprising:
• an integrated circuit mount inside said connector main structure;
• a plurality of a plurality of electrical contacts, a plurality of which are on one side of said integrated circuit mount and the rest of which are on an opposite side thereof, for separably connecting with an electrical contact of the main assembly connector when they are connected electrically with the main assembly connector;
• a wall enclosing said integrated circuit mount with a space between the inner surface of said wall and said electrical contacts on said integrated circuit mount, wherein said wall comprises:
• a base portion having a base side external wall;
• and
• an engagement portion having an engagement portion side external wall connected to said base side external wall, wherein said base side external wall and said engagement portion side external wall surround said integrated circuit mount;
• wherein said integrated circuit mount is spaced from said base side external wall and said engagement portion side external wall to form therewith a continuous terminal mounting space which opens outward at the top and the bottom of said connector main structure;
• an integrated circuit storing member mounted on said integrated circuit mount;
• an electrical contact, in contact with said integrated circuit storing member and positioned inside said continuous terminal mounting space;
• and
• a connector mount portion for mounting said process-cartridge connector to said process cartridge,
• wherein said connector main structure of said process cartridge automatically engages the connector main structure of the main-assembly connector as said process cartridge is mounted on said main assembly, and
• wherein electrical contact of said process-cartridge connector engages an electrical contact of the main-assembly connector when said process cartridge is mounted on the main assembly and the connector main structure of the main-assembly connector automatically engages said connector main structure of said process-cartridge connector.