| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that makes it possible to detect whether an exchange unit, which performs transmission of motive power between an apparatus body and the unit, is new in a space saving state inexpensively by using a fixing member for fixing a unit movable part when shipping the exchange unit. <P>SOLUTION: The unit 12 includes the fixing member 505 connecting a coupling 98b to a non-displacing part of the unit 12, the coupling 98b being coupled with a coupling 98a of the apparatus body and transmitting motive power to the unit 12 from the apparatus body, in order to prevent the coupling 98b from being displaced by force other than the motive power from the apparatus body before it is displaced for the first time by the motive power from the apparatus body. The fixing member 505 is ruptured when its engaging part with the coupling 98b is held between the couplings 98b and 98a, and also it tries to displace relative to a fixed part fixed at the non-displacing part of the unit 12 by transmission of the motive power from the apparatus body for the first time. The unit 12 also includes a detection means which makes it possible to determine whether the unit 12 is new or old by detecting the rupture of the fixing member 505. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT |
