US 12,271,148 B2
Drum unit having electrical contact surface positioned at outer surface of frame and image forming apparatus provided with the same
Isao Kishi, Nagoya (JP); Nao Itabashi, Nagoya (JP); Yohei Hashimoto, Nagakute (JP); Kouji Watanabe, Gifu (JP); and Makoto Souda, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Aichi (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/498,200.
Application 18/498,200 is a continuation of application No. 17/674,416, filed on Feb. 17, 2022, granted, now 11,853,002.
Application 17/674,416 is a continuation of application No. 16/951,096, filed on Nov. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,262,695, issued on Mar. 1, 2022.
Application 16/951,096 is a continuation of application No. 16/539,631, filed on Aug. 13, 2019, granted, now 10,845,755, issued on Nov. 24, 2020.
Application 16/539,631 is a continuation of application No. 15/941,275, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, granted, now 10,401,789, issued on Sep. 3, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2017-149328 (JP), filed on Aug. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0061372 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 21/18 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/1857 (2013.01) [G03G 21/1623 (2013.01); G03G 21/1647 (2013.01); G03G 21/1671 (2013.01); G03G 21/1821 (2013.01); G03G 21/1853 (2013.01); G03G 21/1871 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1684 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drum unit insertable into a casing of an image forming apparatus in an insertion direction, the drum unit comprising:
a frame including:
a first frame plate; and
a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction;
a first photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the first frame plate and the second frame plate about a first axis extending in the first direction;
a second photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the first frame plate and the second frame plate about a second axis extending in the first direction, the second photosensitive drum being spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum in a second direction crossing the first direction; and
a storage medium including:
a memory storing therein information on the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum; and
an electrical contact surface electrically connected to the memory, the electrical contact surface being positioned on a downstream facing surface in the insertion direction.