Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9494916-B2
Application number	US-201615096721-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 12, 2016
Priority date	Jan 11, 2006
Publication date	Nov 15, 2016
Grant date	Nov 15, 2016

Abstract

A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cartridge comprising:
a frame;
a developing roller rotatably supported by said frame;
a coupling member provided at one longitudinal end of said frame and configured to receive a driving force;
a gear provided at the one longitudinal end and configured to receive the driving force from said coupling member;
a covering member provided at the one longitudinal end and configured to cover said gear;
a movable member provided at the one longitudinal end and movable relative to said frame; and
an urging member urging said movable member,
wherein said movable member includes a projected portion capable of projecting beyond said covering member, and said movable member is movable between a first position in which said projected portion projects beyond said covering member and a second position in which said projected portion is closer to said frame than in the first position,
wherein said movable member is movable from the first position to the second position by an urging force of said urging member, and
wherein, when said movable member is in the first position, said movable member is rotatable about an axis parallel with a longitudinal direction of said frame.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein a position of said projected portion is different at least with respect to the longitudinal direction of said frame between when said movable member is in the first position and when said movable member is in the second position.

3. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said movable member moves from the first position to the second position by rotation.

4. A cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein a rotational axis about which said movable member moves from the first position to the second position crosses the longitudinal direction of said frame.

5. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said movable member moves from the second position to the first position by rotation.

6. A cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein a rotational axis about which said movable member moves from the second position to the first position crosses the longitudinal direction of said frame.

7. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said movable member is provided with a cam surface configured to receive a force for movement from the second position to the first position.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising a developing roller gear provided at an end portion of said developing roller and configured to receive a driving force from said coupling member, said developing roller gear being disposed at the one longitudinal end portion of said frame.

9. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said covering member is provided with an opening through which said movable member moves from the first position to the second position.

10. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said covering member is provided with an opening configured to expose said coupling member and a cylindrical portion around the opening.

11. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein, when said movable member is in the first position, said projected portion is contactable to a main assembly contact portion provided in a main assembly to which said cartridge is mounted.

12. A cartridge comprising:
frame;
a developing roller rotatably supported by said frame;
a coupling member provided at one longitudinal end of said frame and configured to receive a driving force;
a gear provided at the one longitudinal end and configured to receive the driving force from said coupling member;
a covering member provided at the one longitudinal end and configured to cover said gear;
a movable member provided at the one longitudinal end and movable relative to said frame; and
an urging member urging said movable member,
wherein said movable member includes a contact portion contactable to a main assembly contact portion provided in a main assembly to which said cartridge is mounted, and said movable member is movable between a first position in which said contact portion is contactable to the main assembly contact portion and a second position in which said contact portion is out of contact with the main assembly contact portion,
wherein said movable member is movable from the first position to the second position by an urging force of said urging member, and
wherein, when said movable member is in the first position, said movable member is rotatable about an axis parallel with a longitudinal direction of said frame.

13. A cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein a position of said contact portion is different at least with respect to the longitudinal direction of said frame between when said movable member is in the first position and when said movable member is in the second position.

14. A cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein said movable member moves from the first position to the second position by rotation.

15. A cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein a rotational axis about which said movable member moves from the first position to the second position crosses the longitudinal direction of said frame.

16. A cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein said movable member moves from the second position to the first position by rotation.

17. A cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein a rotational axis about which said movable member moves from the second position to the first position crosses the longitudinal direction of said frame.

18. A cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein said movable member is provided with a cam surface configured to receive a force for movement from the second position to the first position.

19. A cartridge according to claim 12 , further comprising a developing roller gear provided at an end portion of said developing roller and configured to receive a driving force from said coupling member, said developing roller gear being disposed at the one longitudinal end portion of said frame.

20. A cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein said covering member is provided with an opening through which said movable member moves from the first position to the second position.

21. A cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein said covering member is provided with an opening configured to expose said coupling member and a cylindrical portion around the opening.

Assignees

• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Yoshimura Akira
• Murayama Kazunari
• Nittani Susumu
• Numagami Atsushi

Classifications

• G03G21/1623 Primary

  Means to access the interior of the apparatus · CPC title

• G03G2221/1869

  Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein · CPC title

• G03G2221/169

  Structural door designs · CPC title

• G03G21/1842

  for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence) · CPC title

• G03G21/1803 Primary

  Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof · CPC title