# US 8,571,434 B2 · Image forming apparatus having detachable developing device

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- Number: US 8,571,434 B2
- Document ID: US8571434B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/755,286
- Filed: 2013-01-31
- Published: 2013-06-06
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2009-07-02
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Masaki Kakitani
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8571434B2

## CPC

- G03G 15/0898: {for preventing toner scattering during operation, e.g. seals (sealing the donor member G03G15/0817; sealing the magnetic brush G03G15/0942)}
- G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)}
- G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means}
- G03G 2221/163: for the developer unit
- G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power
- G03G 2221/166: Electrical connectors
- G03G 2221/169: Structural door designs
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

At least one of driving motors that drive a developing device independently of each other is provided on a door capable of opening and closing to allow the developing device to be attached to or detached from a main body of an apparatus. An electrical contact portion that can be electrically connected to or disconnected from an electrical circuit provided in the main body is provided for the driving motor provided on the door.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image bearing member;
a developing device detachably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the developing device developing a latent image on an image bearing member;
a door capable of opening and closing to allow the developing device to be detached from the main body;
a first driving motor configured to drive the developing device; and
a second driving motor configured to drive the developing device,
wherein one of the first and second driving motors is disposed on the door, and the other of the first and second driving motors is disposed in the main body on a side opposite the door in relation to the developing device; and
an electrical contact portion provided on the door and capable of being electrically connected to or disconnected from an electrical path provided in the main body, the electrical contact portion allowing electricity to be supplied from the main body to the one of the first and second driving motors that is provided on the door.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the door is supported such that the door is slidable in a direction for disconnecting the electrical contact portion from the electrical path and such that the door is rotatable so as to cause an inner surface of the door to face vertically upward.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the door includes a guide portion that guides the developing device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the developing device is provided with an opening through which a developing agent is supplied to or discharged from the developing device, the electrical contact portion being positioned above the opening when the electrical contact portion and the opening in the developing device come closest to each other while the developing device is being guided by the guiding portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:
a cover portion configured to cover an area around the electrical contact portion and having a connection hole through which the electrical contact portion is connected to the electrical path provided in the main body,
wherein the connection hole is positioned above the opening when the connection hole and the opening in the developing device come closest to each other while the developing device is being guided by the guiding portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:
an opening-and-closing member capable of causing the connection hole to be covered or uncovered, the opening-and-closing member causing the connection hole to be covered when the electrical contact portion is disconnected from the electrical path provided in the main body.

### Claim 7

An image forming apparatus comprising:
a developing device detachably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the developing device developing a latent image on an image bearing member;
a door capable of opening and closing to allow the developing device to be detached from the main body;
a driving unit provided on the door and configured to drive the developing device;
an electrical contact portion provided on the door and capable of being electrically connected to or disconnected from an electrical path provided in the main body, the electrical contact portion allowing electricity to be supplied from the main body to the driving unit.