1. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of unit batteries;
a pair of end plates located at outermost sides of the plurality of unit batteries; and
connecting rods disposed at first and second edges of at least one of the end plates, the first and second edges being opposite edges,
wherein the connecting rods fix the pair of end plates to the plurality of unit batteries, and
the connecting rods are spaced apart at different intervals along the first and second edges of the at least one end plate.
2. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first connecting rod is disposed at the first edge of the at least one end plate,
a second connecting rod is disposed at the second edge of the at least one end plate, and
a distance from a center of the first connecting rod to a third edge of the end plate is greater than a distance from a center of the second connecting rod to the third edge of the end plate, wherein the third edge connects the first and second edges.
3. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third edge of the at least one end plate extends between the first and second edges, and
the connecting rods are spaced apart from the third edge by an interval of from about L7 to about 2L7, L being a length of the respective first and second edges.
4. The battery module as claimed in claim 3, wherein each unit battery includes projecting electrode terminals, and the electrode terminals project toward at least one of the first and second edges.
5. The battery module as claimed in claim 4, wherein connecting rods installed along an edge towards which the electrode terminals project are spaced further apart than connecting rods installed in the opposite edge.
6. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unit batteries are rectangular.
7. The battery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein ends of the connecting rods are provided with screw threads and the connecting rods are engaged by nuts,
fixing members protrude from the first and second edges, each fixing member having a hole configured to receive a connecting rod, and
fixing grooves are defined around the holes, the fixing grooves configured to receive nuts andor heads of the connecting rods.
8. The battery module as claimed in claim 7, wherein a depth of the fixing grooves is from about T3 to about 2T3, T being a thickness of the end plate.
9. A battery module, comprising:
a plurality of unit batteries;
a pair of end plates contacting outermost sides of the unit batteries; and
connecting rods inserted into the end plates to engage and fix the end plates,
wherein each end plate includes installing edges into which the connecting rods are installed and connecting edges extending between the installing edges, and
each connecting rod is spaced apart from a nearest connecting edge by an interval of about L7 to about 2L7, L being a length of the corresponding installing edge.
10. The battery module as claimed in claim 9, wherein connecting rods installed along a first installing edge are separated by a first distance,
connecting rods installed along a second installing edge opposite the first installing edge are separated by a second distance, and
the first distance is less than the second distance.
11. The battery module as claimed in claim 10, wherein each unit battery includes terminals that project in the direction of the first installing edge.
12. The battery module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connecting rods installed along the first installing edge are disposed between two terminals of each unit battery.
13. A method of making a battery module, comprising:
providing a plurality of unit batteries;
setting positions of first and second connecting rods with respect to edges of an end plate in accordance with Equation 1 such that a stress D1 of the end plate is a predetermined amount:
D1(A, B)=\u22120.000557A2B2+0.02A2B+0.345A2+0.045AB2\u22121.102AB\u221217.735A\u22120.624B2+8.37B+1210.525\u2003\u2003(Eq. 1),
wherein the first connecting rod is disposed along a first edge of the end plate,
the second connecting rod is disposed along a second edge of the end plate, the second edge being opposite the first edge,
A is an interval between a center of the first connecting rod and a third edge of the end plate, the third edge extending between the first and second edges, and
B is an interval between a center of the second connecting rod and the third edge;
disposing the end plate adjacent to an outermost battery of the plurality of unit batteries;
disposing another plate adjacent to an opposite outermost battery of the plurality of unit batteries; and
clamping the plurality of unit batteries between the end plate and the other plate using the first and second connecting rods.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the predetermined amount is a minimum stress.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising determining a maximum acceptable stress D1 before setting the positions of the first and second connecting rods, wherein the predetermined about is less than or equal to the maximum acceptable stress D1.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising setting a depth H of a fixing groove in the end plate in accordance with Equation 2 such that the stress D2 is a predetermined amount:
D2(B, H)=0.344B2H2\u22121.115B2H+1.008B2\u221229.098BH2+89.945BH\u221259.599B+987.926H2\u22122794.733H+2738.608\u2003\u2003(Eq. 2)
wherein the fixing groove surrounds a hole in the end plate configured to receive a connecting rod, the fixing groove configured to receive a nut andor head.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the depth H of the fixing groove in the end plate is set in accordance with Equation 2 such that the stress D2 is minimized.
18. A battery module made according to claim 13.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A process cartridge configured to be removably mounted to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a cartridge body;
an image carrier;
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
an identification member indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device, said identification member being removably fitted on said cartridge body,
wherein said identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, and wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer.
2. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member is provided with a configuration dependent on the kind of the developer.
3. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said process cartridge is capable of being mounted to the apparatus body when the configuration of said identification member matches with a configuration of a mount portion included in said apparatus body.
4. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member comprises a handle.
5. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member comprises an engaging member engageable with a guide member configured to guide said process cartridge being mounted to or dismounted from said apparatus body.
6. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member comprises a toner container storing a toner to be replenished to the developing device.
7. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member comprises a protection member configured to selectively cover or uncover an exposed part of the image carrier.
8. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member stores information dependent on the kind of the developer.
9. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information comprises visible information using at least one of a mark, a letter and a color.
10. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information comprises information capable of being electrically recognized.
11. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information comprises information capable of being optically recognized.
12. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 8, wherein said identification member comprises a nonvolatile memory.
13. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the nonvolatile memory allows additional information to be stored therein.
14. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 13, wherein said process cartridge is operable on a mount portion if the information of said identification member is identical with information compared at a mount portion included in the apparatus body.
15. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 14, wherein the information comprises visible information using at least one of a mark, a letter and a color.
16. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 14, wherein the information comprises information capable of being electrically recognized.
17. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 14, wherein the information comprises information capable of being optically recognized.
18. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein a regulating member is provided for regulating an operation of said process cartridge in the apparatus body, and
said identification member is fitted on said cartridge body after said regulating member has been canceled.
19. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein a cleaning blade is provided for cleaning the image carrier, and
said regulating member regulates a pressure with which said cleaning blade contacts said image carrier.
20. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein a charge roller is provided for charging the image carrier, and
said regulating member regulates a distance at which said charge roller faces said image carrier.
21. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the developing device comprises a developing roller configured to feed toner to the image carrier, and
said regulating member regulates a distance at which said developing roller faces said image carrier.
22. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the developing device comprises a seal member configured to prevent the developer from flowing out of said developing device, and
said regulating member comprises said seal member.
23. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a charger configured to charge the image carrier.
24. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the kind of the developer comprises a kind of a color of a toner.
25. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device configured to clean said image carrier.
26. A packed kit of a process cartridge configured to be removably mounted to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
said process cartridge, including
a cartridge body,
an image carrier, and
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
a plurality of identification members, each indicative of a different kind of developer stored in said developing device, said plurality of identification members being configured to be fitted on said cartridge body,
wherein each identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, and wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer.
27. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an apparatus body; and
a process cartridge removably mounted to said apparatus body, said process cartridge including:
a cartridge body,
an image carrier,
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind, and
an identification member indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device, said identification member being removably fitted on said cartridge body,
wherein said identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, and wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least one mount portion is provided for mounting said process cartridge corresponding to the kind of the developer, and
only said process cartridge provided with said identification member engageable with said mount portion is capable of being mounted to said mount portion.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least one mount portion is provided for mounting said process cartridge corresponding to the kind of the developer,
said mount portion comprises a comparing section for comparing information stored in said identification member, and
only said process cartridge provided with said identification member determined to be proper by comparison is allowed to operate on said mount portion.
30. A device unit configured to be removably mounted on an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a device unit body;
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
an identification member removably fitted to said device unit body and indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device,
wherein said identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, and wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer.
31. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said identification member is provided with a configuration dependent on the kind of the developer.
32. The device unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein said device unit is capable of being mounted to the apparatus body when the configuration of said identification member matches with a configuration of a mount portion included in said apparatus body.
33. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said identification member comprises a handle.
34. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said identification member comprises an engaging member engageable with a guide member configured to guide said device unit being mounted to or dismounted from said apparatus body.
35. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said identification member comprises a toner container storing a toner to be replenished to the developing device.
36. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said identification member stores information dependent on the kind of the developer.
37. The device unit as claimed in claim 36, wherein said device unit is operable on a mount portion if the information of said identification member is identical with information compared at a mount portion included in the apparatus body.
38. The device unit as claimed in claim 36, wherein the information comprises visible information using at least one of a mark, a letter and a color.
39. The device unit as claimed in claim 36, wherein the information comprises information capable of being electrically recognized.
40. The device unit as claimed in claim 39, wherein a regulating member is provided for regulating an operation of said device unit in the apparatus body, and
said identification member is fitted on said device unit after said regulating member has been canceled.
41. The device unit as claimed in claim 40, wherein the developing device comprises a seal member configured to prevent the developer from flowing out of said developing device, and
said regulating member comprises said seal member.
42. The device unit as claimed in claim 36, wherein the information comprises information capable of being optically recognized.
43. The device unit as claimed in claim 42, wherein a regulating member is provided for regulating an operation of said device unit in the apparatus body, and
said identification member is fitted on said device unit after said regulating member has been canceled.
44. The device unit as claimed in claim 43, wherein the developing device comprises a seal member configured to prevent the developer from flowing out of said developing device, and
said regulating member comprises said seal member.
45. The device unit as claimed in claim 36, wherein said identification member comprises a nonvolatile memory.
46. The device unit as claimed in claim 45, wherein the nonvolatile memory allows additional information to be stored therein.
47. The device unit as claimed in claim 45, wherein a regulating member is provided for regulating an operation of said device unit in the apparatus body, and
said identification member is fitted on said device unit after said regulating member has been canceled.
48. The device unit as claimed in claim 47, wherein the developing device comprises a seal member configured to prevent the developer from flowing out of said developing device, and
said regulating member comprises said seal member.
49. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a charger configured to charge the image carrier.
50. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein the kind of the developer comprises a kind of a color of the toner.
51. The device unit as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a toner container configured to store a toner.
52. A packed kit of a device unit removably mounted on an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
said device unit, including:
a device unit body, and
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
a plurality of identification members configured to be fitted to said device unit body and each indicative of a different kind of developer stored in said developing device,
wherein each identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer, and
wherein said device unit body and said plurality of identification members are packed up together in said packed kit.
53. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a device unit removably mounted on an apparatus body of said image forming apparatus, said device unit including:
a device unit body,
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind, and
an identification member removably fitted to said device unit body and indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device,
wherein said identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, and wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer.
54. The apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein at least one mount portion is provided for mounting said device unit corresponding to the kind of the developer, and
only said device unit provided with said identification member engageable with said mount portion is capable of being mounted to said mount portion.
55. The apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein at least one mount portion is provided for mounting said device unit corresponding to the kind of the developer,
said mount portion comprises a comparing section for comparing information stored in said identification member, and
only said device unit provided with said identification member determined to be proper by comparison is allowed to operate on said mount portion.
56. A process cartridge configured to be removably mounted to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a cartridge body;
an image carrier;
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
an identification member indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device, said identification member being removably fitted on said cartridge body,
wherein said cartridge body includes a front end and a rear end,
wherein said identification member comprises a plate member with a first face including a projection and a second face opposite said first face, and
wherein said identification member is fitted on a front end of said cartridge body such that said second face directly faces said front end of said cartridge body.
57. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 56, wherein said projection extends substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of said image carrier.
58. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 56, wherein a location of said projection on said first face indicates a color of developer stored in said developing device.
59. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 58, wherein said location of said projection is configured to correspond in position to a hole in a door of said image forming apparatus.
60. A process cartridge configured to be removably mounted to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a cartridge body;
an image carrier;
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
an identification member indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device, said identification member being removably fitted on said cartridge body,
wherein said cartridge body includes
two engaging members extending from a front end to a rear end on opposite sides of said cartridge body, and
two retaining portions formed at a front end of said engaging members,
wherein said identification member is held to said cartridge body by said two retaining portions.
61. The process cartridge as claimed in claim 60, wherein said two retaining portions are configured to mate with any of a plurality of mount rails of any one of a plurality of mount portions of said image forming apparatus.
62. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an apparatus body;
a process cartridge removably mounted to said apparatus body, said process cartridge including:
a cartridge body,
an image carrier,
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind, and
an identification member indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device, said identification member being removably fitted on said cartridge body; and
a door hinged to said apparatus body,
wherein said door includes a mating portion corresponding in position to said identification member.
63. A device unit configured to be removably mounted on an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a device unit body;
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind;
an identification member removably fitted to said device unit body and indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device; and
an image transferring device configured to transfer a toner image from said image carrier to a recording medium.
64. A device unit configured to be removably mounted on an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a device unit body;
a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind; and
an identification member removably fitted to said device unit body and indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device,
wherein said device unit is configured to mate with a pair of mount rails of any one of a plurality of mount portions of said image forming apparatus, and
wherein said identification member is configured to mate with only one of a plurality of mounting portions of a door hinged to said apparatus body of said image forming apparatus.
65. The device unit as claimed in claim 64, wherein the plurality of mount portions of the door hinged to said apparatus body of said image forming apparatus are holes.
66. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an apparatus body; and
a plurality of process cartridges removably mounted to said apparatus body, said plurality of process cartridges each including:
a cartridge body,
an image carrier provided on said cartridge body,
a developing device provided on said cartridge body and configured to develop a latent image formed on said image carrier, said developing device being configured to store a developer of any kind, and
an identification member indicative of a kind of developer stored in said developing device, said identification member being fitted on said cartridge body,
wherein said identification member comprises a plate member formed with a projection, a notch or a hole, and wherein a position of the projection, the notch or the hole on the plate member depends on the kind of the developer,
wherein said cartridge bodies of said plurality of process cartridges are identical to each other, and
wherein said positions of said projections, said notches or said holes on the plate members of said identification members of said plurality of process cartridges are different from each other.