US 12,411,439 B2
Image forming apparatus including process cartridge, and toner cartridge having toner shutter pivotally movable in a state where toner cartridge is attached to process cartridge
Nao Itabashi, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on May 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/675,870.
Application 18/675,870 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2022/043899, filed on Nov. 29, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-196723 (JP), filed on Dec. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0310754 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/00 (2006.01); G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0886 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0863 (2013.01); G03G 15/0865 (2013.01); G03G 21/1652 (2013.01); G03G 21/1814 (2013.01); G03G 21/1867 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a main housing having a first opening and a second opening, the main housing including:
a main electrical contact;
a process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main housing through the first opening, the process cartridge including:
a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in a first direction;
a process housing having a toner inlet port and configured to accommodate toner therein;
a first process electrical contact in contact with the main electrical contact in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the main housing; and
a second process electrical contact electrically connected to the first process electrical contact; and
a toner cartridge attachable to and detachable from the process cartridge through the second opening in a second direction different from the first direction in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the main housing, the toner cartridge including:
a toner housing having a toner outlet port and configured to accommodate toner therein;
a toner memory including a toner electrical contact, the toner memory storing therein information related to the toner cartridge; and
a toner shutter configured to open and close the toner outlet port,
wherein, in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the process cartridge:
a part of the toner housing is exposed to an outside of the main housing;
the toner electrical contact is in contact with the second process electrical contact; and
the toner shutter is pivotally movable about a toner shutter axis extending in the second direction relative to the second process electrical contact and the toner electrical contact between:
a first position in which the toner shutter closes the toner outlet port; and
a second position in which the toner shutter opens the toner outlet port.