Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11940756-B2
Application number	US-202218071729-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2022
Priority date	Dec 11, 2006
Publication date	Mar 26, 2024
Grant date	Mar 26, 2024

Abstract

A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A process cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive drum;
a developing roller configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum;
a coupling including a driving force receiving portion and a driving force transmitting portion, the coupling being operatively connected to the developing roller so that the coupling is capable of transmitting a driving force from the driving force receiving portion to the developing roller through the driving force transmitting portion;
a toner supplying roller in contact with the developing roller, the toner supplying roller being configured to supply toner to the developing roller;
a toner chamber containing the toner;
a developing chamber in which the toner supplying roller is positioned; and
a feeding member positioned in the toner chamber,
wherein the driving force receiving portion is movable relative to the driving force transmitting portion in a direction crossing an axis of the driving force receiving portion such that a position of the axis of the driving force receiving portion relative to an axis of the driving force transmitting portion is changeable, and
wherein, when the process cartridge is oriented with the photosensitive drum and the developing roller positioned at an upper part of the process cartridge, (i) the developing chamber is positioned above the toner chamber, and (ii) the feeding member is configured to feed the toner upward from the toner chamber to the developing chamber.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the feeding member is rotatable.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the feeding member includes a sheet and a shaft.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the driving force receiving portion includes projections.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling is positioned at a side of the process cartridge in a direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the developing roller is capable of moving toward and away from the photosensitive drum, and
wherein a position of the driving force receiving portion relative to the driving force transmitting portion is configured to change in response to movement of the developing roller relative to the photosensitive drum.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a retaining portion configured to retain the driving force receiving portion in a state in which the axis of the driving force receiving portion is offset from the axis of the driving force transmitting portion.

8. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to urge the driving force receiving portion in the direction that crosses the axis of the driving force receiving portion such that the axis of the driving force receiving portion is offset from the axis of the driving force transmitting portion.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling includes an intermediate portion configured to transmit the driving force from the driving force receiving portion to the driving force transmitting portion, and
wherein the driving force receiving portion is movable relative to the intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion is movable relative to the driving force transmitting portion.

10. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling is an Oldham coupling.

Assignees

• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Chadani Kazuo
• Mori Tomonori
• Hashimoto Koji

Classifications

• G03G21/1821 Primary

  means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G03G21/1609 Primary

  for space saving, e.g. structural arrangements · CPC title

• G03G21/1839

  Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body · CPC title

• G03G21/186

  Axial couplings · CPC title

• G03G2221/1657

  transmitting mechanical drive power · CPC title