Image forming apparatus and cartridge therefor

摘要

An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein are provided. The image forming device includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a moving member and a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the cartridge electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.

主权项

1. A cartridge comprising:
a cartridge frame configured to accommodate therein developing agent, the cartridge frame including a first side wall and a second side wall spaced away from the first side wall and in confrontation with the first side wall in a confronting direction; a drive input portion provided at one of the first side wall and the second side wall, the drive input portion configured to receive an external driving force; a cartridge electrode provided at the second side wall and configured to receive external electric power, the cartridge electrode configured to be moved to a first position where the cartridge electrode receives the external electric power and to a second position spaced away from the first position in the confronting direction; and a moving member provided at the second side wall and provided to face the cartridge electrode, the moving member configured to be moved in a moving direction by a predetermined moving amount in response to the external driving force being received by the moving member as a result of an input of the external driving force into the drive input portion, and the moving member configured to move the cartridge electrode to the first position and to the second position, the moving member being provided with a partially toothless gear comprising a toothed portion to which a driving force from the drive input portion is transmittable, and a toothless portion prohibiting transmission of the driving force, the cartridge electrode being positioned at the first position prior to transmission of the driving force to the toothed portion, and moved from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position upon transmission of the driving force to the toothed portion.