Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9983542-B2
Application number	US-201615364474-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2016
Priority date	Dec 11, 2006
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

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:
(i) a photosensitive drum;
(ii) a first frame configured and positioned to rotatably support said photosensitive drum;
(iii) a developing roller configured and positioned to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
(iv) a second frame configured and positioned (a) to rotatably support said developing roller, and (b) to be connected to said first frame so as to be movable relative to said first frame;
(v) a coupling member provided adjacent to an end of said second frame in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of said developing roller, said coupling member including:
(v-i) a driving force receiving portion configured and positioned (a) to receive a driving force for rotating said developing roller, and (b) to be movable relative to said second frame in a crossing direction crossing a rotational axis of said driving force receiving portion; and

(vi) a retaining portion provided on said first frame and configured to retain said driving force receiving portion such that a position of said driving force receiving portion relative to said second frame changes in response to movement of said second frame relative to said first frame.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said first frame includes:
(iii-i) a bearing member configured and positioned to rotatably support said photosensitive drum; and
(iii-ii) a cleaning frame configured and positioned to store developer that is removed from said photosensitive drum.

3. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said first frame includes a bearing member configured and positioned to rotatably support said photosensitive drum, and
wherein said retaining portion is provided on said bearing member.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said first frame includes a cleaning frame configured and positioned to store developer that is removed from said photosensitive drum,
wherein said retaining portion is provided on said cleaning frame.

5. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a holding portion configured and positioned (a) to rotatably hold said driving force receiving portion, and (b) to be movable together with said driving force receiving portion relative to said second frame in the crossing direction.

6. A cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein said retaining portion is configured and positioned to retain said driving force receiving portion via said holding portion.

7. A cartridge according to claim 5 , further comprising a guiding portion configured and positioned to guide a movement of said holding portion in the crossing direction.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an urging portion configured and positioned to urge said driving force receiving portion toward said retaining portion.

9. A cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein said retaining portion includes a stopping portion configured and positioned to stop said driving force receiving portion that is urged by said urging portion.

10. A cartridge according to claim 8 , further comprising:
a holding portion configured and positioned (a) to rotatably hold said driving force receiving portion, and (b) to be movable together with said driving force receiving portion relative to said second frame in the crossing direction,
wherein said urging portion is configured and positioned to urge said driving force receiving portion via said holding portion.

11. A cartridge according to claim 10 , wherein said retaining portion includes a stopping portion configured and positioned to stop said holding portion that is urged by said urging portion.

12. A process cartridge according to claim 8 , further comprising:
an urging member that includes said urging portion,
wherein said urging member includes an elastic member.

13. A process cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein said elastic member is a spring.

14. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said retaining portion includes a hole in which said driving force receiving portion is retained.

15. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said second frame is movable, relative to said first frame, between a contact position in which said developing roller contacts said photosensitive drum, and a spaced position in which said developing roller is spaced from said photosensitive drum.

16. A cartridge according to claim 15 , wherein, when said second frame takes the spaced position, an axis of said driving force receiving portion is not aligned with the axis of said developing roller.

17. A cartridge according to claim 15 , wherein, when said second frame takes the contact position, an axis of said driving force receiving portion and the axis of said developing roller are substantially aligned with each other.

18. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling member includes a driving force transmitting portion configured and positioned to transmit the driving force from the driving force receiving portion toward said developing roller, wherein said driving force receiving portion is movable relative to said driving force transmitting portion.

19. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling member is an Oldham coupling.

20. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a drum coupling member, provided adjacent to an axial end of said photosensitive drum, to receive a driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum.

21. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said photosensitive drum is unified together, into said first frame, with (a) a charging member configured and positioned to electrically charge said photosensitive drum, and (b) a cleaning member configured and positioned to clean said photosensitive drum,
wherein said developing roller is unified together, into said second frame, with a developer container configured and positioned to contain developer, and
wherein said first frame and said second frame are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

22. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said first frame and said second frame are connected by a shaft.

23. A process cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a supplying roller configured and positioned to supply said developing roller with developer and to be rotatably supported by said second frame.

24. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said first frame includes a bearing member configured and positioned to rotatably support said photosensitive drum, and
wherein said retaining portion is provided as an opening in said bearing member.

25. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said first frame includes a cleaning frame configured and positioned to store developer that is removed from said photosensitive drum, and
wherein said retaining portion is provided as an opening in said cleaning frame.

26. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said retaining portion is provided as an opening in said first frame.

Assignees

• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Chadani Kazuo
• Mori Tomonori
• Hashimoto Koji

Classifications

• G03G21/1609 Primary

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

• G03G21/186

  Axial couplings · CPC title

• G03G2221/1657

  transmitting mechanical drive power · CPC title

• 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

• G03G21/1839

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