CN112684688A

CN112684688A - Cartridge, member constituting the cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN112684688A
Application number: CN202011441328.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佐藤昌明; 久保行生; 宗次广幸; 和田晃治
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2014-11-28
Filing date: 2015-11-27
Publication date: 2021-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-27
Also published as: TW201941003A; HUE051729T2; CN110673455A; CN110673455B; CO2017006223A2; CN118050968A; RU2691266C2; MA53836A; RU2663248C1; CN112684687A; ES2812102T3; SG10202011933XA; CN112684688B; GB202017150D0; GB2586416B; PT3226076T; RU2727337C1; SG10202011930YA; GB202017148D0; CN112684687B

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge, a member constituting the cartridge, and an image forming apparatus. A cartridge comprising: a developing roller; a frame for supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported with respect to the frame and movable to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame; and an elastic portion that is provided between the frame and the movable portion and biases the movable portion. The movable part is provided with: a first force receiving portion that receives a force from the apparatus main body in a direction from the first position toward the second position; and a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the apparatus main body in a direction from the second position toward the first position. When the movable part is at the second position and the first force receiving part receives a force from the apparatus main body, the elastic part biases the movable part to move from the second position toward the first position.

Description

Cartridge, member constituting the cartridge, and image forming apparatus

The present application is a divisional application of PCT application entitled "cartridge, members constituting the cartridge, and image forming apparatus", having an application date of 2015, 11-month, 27-year, international application number of PCT/JP2015/083463, national application number of 201580073447.4.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a cartridge detachably mounted on an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and a member constituting the cartridge.

The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium. Examples of the image forming apparatus include an electronic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (e.g., a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

The cartridge is at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) as an image bearing member and a process unit (for example, a developer bearing member (hereinafter referred to as a developing roller)) acting on the photosensitive drum, which have been formed into the cartridge. Such a cartridge is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a cartridge in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller have been integrally formed in the cartridge, and a cartridge in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are formed in a separate cartridge. In particular, the aforementioned cartridge having the photosensitive drum and the developing roller is referred to as a process cartridge. Further, in the arrangement described later, the cartridge having the photosensitive drum is referred to as a drum cartridge, and the cartridge having the developing roller is referred to as a developing cartridge.

The image forming apparatus main body is an image forming apparatus portion remaining after the cartridge is removed.

Background

Conventionally, a cartridge system has been adopted in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge, a drum cartridge, and a developing cartridge are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The system of these cartridges enables a user to service the image forming apparatus by himself without relying on a service person, which greatly improves operability.

Therefore, the cartridge system is widely used in the image forming apparatus.

Further, there is a contact type developing system in which a photosensitive drum and a developing roller are brought into contact to perform development when an image is formed. There has been proposed a developing cartridge having a pressing unit in the developing cartridge for bringing a photosensitive drum and a developing roller into contact (for example, japanese patent laid-open nos. 2011-39564 and 2010-26541).

Now, from the viewpoint of image quality stability and the service lives of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the contact type developing system are preferably spaced apart when no image is formed.

Reference list

Patent document

PTL 1 Japanese patent laid-open No. 2011-39564

PTL 2 Japanese patent laid-open No. 2010-26541

In japanese patent laid-open nos. 2011-39564 and 2010-26541, the pressing unit is a configuration that operates from the apparatus main body only in the direction in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller approach. In the case of spacing the photosensitive drum and the developing roller from each other, it is necessary to provide a spacing unit at a position different from the pressing unit to move the developing roller so that the photosensitive drum and the developing unit are spaced from each other. The developing unit is moved at this time against the pressing pressure that presses the developing roller against the photosensitive drum.

Also, in japanese patent laid-open No. 2010-26541, there is provided a configuration in which a pressing unit is integrated along an axial direction of the developing roller. At this time, the pressing unit must have high accuracy and high rigidity to make the pressing state between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller uniform along the axial direction of the developing roller. That is, the pressing unit becomes more complicated to cause the developing roller to move with respect to the photosensitive drum and to be pressed against the photosensitive drum with high accuracy.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to enable a developer carrying member to move in an accurate manner.

Solution to the problem

In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a cartridge mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable portion movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame; and an elastic portion provided between the frame and the movable portion to urge the movable portion, wherein the movable portion includes a first force receiving portion that receives a force from the apparatus main assembly in a direction moving from the first position to the second position; and a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the apparatus main assembly in a direction from the second position to the first position, and wherein, when the movable portion receives the force from the apparatus main assembly at the first force receiving portion and is in the second position, the movable portion receives an urging force from the elastic portion in a direction to move the movable portion from the second position to the first position.

According to the present invention, the developer carrying member can be moved in an accurate manner.

Drawings

Fig. 1 includes a side view of the developing cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the imaging device;

fig. 3 is a sectional view of the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of a driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the non-driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 6 includes an exploded perspective view of the driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 7 includes an exploded perspective view of the non-driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 8 includes a perspective view of a drive input portion of the developing cartridge;

fig. 9 includes an explanatory view of the periphery of the drive side cover;

fig. 10 includes an explanatory view of the periphery of the drive side cover;

fig. 11 includes explanatory views of the posture of the coupling member;

fig. 12 includes explanatory views of the posture of the coupling member;

FIG. 13 includes an exploded perspective view of the load bearing member and the coupling member;

fig. 14 includes a perspective view of a drive input portion of the developing cartridge;

FIG. 15 includes a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the periphery of the coupling member;

FIG. 16 includes a perspective view of the drum cartridge;

fig. 17 is a perspective view of the non-driving side of the apparatus main body and the cartridge;

fig. 18 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body and the driving side of the cartridge;

fig. 19 includes a side view at the driving side of the developing cartridge;

FIG. 20 includes a perspective view of the drive side swing guide;

fig. 21 includes a side view of the driving side, which shows a process of mounting the developing cartridge to the apparatus main body;

fig. 22 includes a side view of the driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body;

fig. 23 includes a sectional view of a drive input portion of the developing cartridge;

fig. 24 is a front view of the developing cartridge;

FIG. 25 includes a perspective view of the drive side plate;

FIG. 26 includes a perspective view of the side plate at the non-drive side;

fig. 27 includes a side view at the driving side of the driving side swing guide and the developing cartridge;

fig. 28 includes a side view at the driving side of the driving side swing guide and the developing cartridge;

fig. 29 includes side views at the non-driving side of the non-driving side swing guide and the developing cartridge;

FIG. 30 includes a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling member;

fig. 31 includes a side view at the driving side of the driving side swing guide and the developing cartridge;

fig. 32 includes side views at the driving side of the driving side swing guide and the developing cartridge;

FIG. 33 includes a perspective view of the non-drive side bearing;

FIG. 34 includes a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling member;

fig. 35 includes a perspective view at the non-driving side of the apparatus main body;

fig. 36 is a side view at the non-driving side of the apparatus main body and the cartridge;

fig. 37 is a schematic sectional view of the developing cartridge;

FIG. 38 includes a side view illustrating the non-drive side contact/spacer bars and the storage plate;

fig. 39 is a side view illustrating a storage plate;

FIG. 40 is a side view illustrating the non-drive side contact/spacer bars and the storage plate;

FIG. 41 includes a side view illustrating the drive side contact/spacer bar;

fig. 42 includes a side view at the driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body;

fig. 43 includes a side view at the driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body;

fig. 44 is a schematic view illustrating the positions of the contact/spacing rod and the developing pressure spring;

fig. 45 includes front and rear views illustrating the development-side cover;

fig. 46 includes a perspective view illustrating the development-side cover;

fig. 47 includes front and rear views illustrating the drive-side developing bearing;

fig. 48 includes a perspective view illustrating the drive-side developing bearing;

fig. 49 includes a side view at the driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body;

fig. 50 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge;

fig. 51 includes a side view at a driving side and a side view at a non-driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body;

fig. 52 includes a side view at a driving side and a side view at a non-driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body;

fig. 53 is a side view at the driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 54 is a side view at the driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 55 includes a perspective view at the driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 56 includes a side view and a sectional view at the driving side of the developing cartridge;

fig. 57 includes a side view at the driving side and a side view at the non-driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the apparatus main body.

Detailed Description

A cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described by taking as an example a laser beam printer main body, and a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge detachably mountable to the laser beam printer main body. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge is a direction substantially parallel to the photosensitive drum rotation axis L1 and the developing roller rotation axis L0 (the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller). Note that the photosensitive drum rotation axis L1 and the developing roller rotation axis L0 are directions orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The lateral direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge is a direction substantially orthogonal to the photosensitive drum rotation axis L1 and the developing roller rotation axis L0. The direction of mounting/dismounting the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge to/from the laser beam printer main body is the lateral direction of each cartridge. Note that reference numerals in the specification are used to refer to the drawings without limiting the configuration. The side view in the description of the present embodiment is a diagram showing a state viewed from a direction parallel to the developing roller rotation axis L0.

< first embodiment >

(1) General description of image forming apparatus

First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus illustrated in fig. 2 forms an image on a recording medium (sheet) 2 by an electrophotographic image forming process using a developer t according to image information communicated by an external device such as a personal computer or the like. The image forming apparatus has a developing cartridge B1 and a drum cartridge C provided to the apparatus main body a1 to be attachable and detachable by a user. Examples of the recording medium 2 include recording paper, label sheet, OHP sheet, cloth, and the like. The developing cartridge B1 has the developing roller 13 and the like as a developer bearing member, and the drum cartridge C has the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11 and the like as an image bearing member.

As for the photosensitive drum 10, by applying a voltage from the apparatus main body a1, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 11. The charged photosensitive drum 10 is then irradiated with laser light L according to image information from the optical unit 1, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 according to the image information. A developing unit described later develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer t, thereby forming a developer image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the formation of the developer image, the recording media 2 accommodated in the sheet feeding tray 4 are separated and fed one at a time while being regulated by the sheet feeding roller 3a and the separation pad 3b that is in pressure contact with the sheet feeding roller 3 a. The recording medium 2 is then conveyed by the conveying guide 3d to a transfer roller 6 as a transfer device. The transfer roller 6 is biased into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

Next, the recording medium 2 passes through a transfer nip 6a formed by the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 6. A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the developer is applied to the transfer roller 6 at this time, and thus the developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

The recording medium 2 to which the developer image has been transferred is restricted by the conveying guide 3f and conveyed to the fixing unit 5. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c, and a built-in heater 5b is provided in the fixing roller 5 c. While the recording medium 2 passes through a nip 5d formed by the driving roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 2, thereby fixing the developer image transferred onto the recording medium 2 on the recording medium 2. Thus, an image is formed on the recording medium 2.

After that, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 3g and discharged to the discharge portion 3 h.

(2) Description of electrophotographic imaging Process

Next, an electrophotographic image forming process to which an embodiment of the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional explanatory view of the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C.

The developing cartridge B1 has a developing blade 15 and a developing roller 13 as a developing unit and the like in a developing container 16, as shown in fig. 3. The developing cartridge B1 is a developing device that has been formed into a cartridge and is detachably mounted to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

The drum cartridge C also has the photosensitive drum 10, the charging roller 11, and the like in a cleaning frame (photosensitive member supporting frame) 21. The drum cartridge C is also detachably mounted to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

The developer t stored in the developer accommodating portion 16a of the developing container 16 is fed out from the opening 16b of the developing container 16 to the developing chamber 16c by the developer conveying member 17, and the developer conveying member 17 is rotatably supported by the developing container 16 to rotate in the direction of the arrow X17. A developing roller 13 having a magnet roller 12 built therein is disposed in the developing container 16. Specifically, the developing roller 13 is constituted by a shaft portion 13e and a rubber portion 13 d. The shaft portion 13e is a conductive elongated cylindrical object made of aluminum or the like, and a middle portion in the longitudinal direction thereof is covered with a rubber portion 13d (see fig. 6(a) and 6 (b)). Now, the rubber portion 13d covers the shaft portion 13e so that its outer shape is concentric with the shaft portion 13 e. The developing roller 13 attracts the developer t in the developing chamber 16c to the surface of the developing roller 13 by the magnetism of the magnet roller 12. The developing blade 15 is constituted by a supporting member 15a made of a metal plate and an elastic member 15b made of urethane rubber, SUS plate, or the like, wherein the elastic member 15b is arranged to elastically contact the developing roller 13 at a certain contact pressure. The developing roller 13 rotates in the rotational direction X5, which regulates the amount of the developer t adhering to the surface of the developing roller 13, and imparts frictional charge to the developer t. This forms a developer layer on the surface of the developing roller 13. Accordingly, the developing roller 13 receiving the voltage applied from the apparatus main body a1 is subsequently rotated in the rotational direction X5 in a state of being in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, whereby the developer t can be supplied to the development area on the photosensitive drum 10.

In the case of the contact development system of the present embodiment, it is noted that if the state in which the development roller 13 is constantly in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in fig. 3 is maintained, the rubber portion 13b of the development roller 13 may be deformed. Therefore, the developing roller 13 is preferably spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 when there is no development.

The charging roller 11 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10, is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 21, and is biased in the direction of the photosensitive drum 10. The detailed configuration will be described below. The charging roller 11 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by applying a voltage from the apparatus main body a 1. The voltage applied to the charging roller 11 is set to a value such that the potential difference between the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11 is equal to or greater than the discharge charging voltage, and specifically a DC voltage of-1300V is applied as the charging bias. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 was uniformly charged to a charging potential (dark potential) of-700V by contact. The charging roller 11 is driven and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 in this example (described in detail below). An electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is formed by the laser light L from the optical unit 1. Thereafter, the developer t is transferred in accordance with the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10, so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized, thereby forming a developer image on the photosensitive drum 10.

(3) Description of construction of Cleaner-less System

Next, a cleanerless system according to the present example will be described.

In the present embodiment, a so-called cleaner-less system is exemplified in which a cleaning member that removes the transfer residual toner t2 remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 without being transferred is not provided.

As shown in fig. 3, the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow C5. A gap portion (upstream gap portion 11b) exists on the upstream side of the charging nip portion 11a where the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 contact, as viewed from the rotational direction C5 of the photosensitive drum 10. By the electric discharge at this upstream gap portion 11b, the transfer residual toner t2 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer process is charged to the negative polarity which is the same as the polarity of the photosensitive drum. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 was charged to-700V. Due to the relationship of the potential difference here (the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 10 is-700V, and the potential of the charging roller 11 is-1300V), the transfer residual toner t2 having negative charge passes through the charging nip 11a without adhering to the charging roller 11.

The transfer residual toner t2 passing through the charging nip 11a reaches the laser irradiation position d. The amount of the transfer residual toner t2 is not enough to shield the laser light L from the optical unit, and therefore does not affect the process of generating an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10. The transfer residual toner t2 that has passed through the laser irradiation position d and is in the non-exposed portion (the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 on which laser irradiation is not performed) is recovered to the developing roller 13 by electrostatic force at the developing nip 13k where the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in contact. On the other hand, the transfer residual toner t2 (the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 on which laser irradiation has been performed) at the exposed portion is not recovered by the electrostatic force, but continues to exist on the photosensitive drum 10. However, some of the transfer residual toner t2 may be recovered due to a physical force generated by a difference in peripheral speed between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10.

The transfer residual toner t2 that is not transferred to the paper but remains on the photosensitive drum 10 is generally recovered to the developing container 16. The transfer residual toner t2 recovered to the developing container 16 is mixed with the developer t remaining in the developing container 16 and used.

The following two configurations are adopted in the present embodiment so that the transfer residual toner t2 can pass through the charging nip 11a without adhering to the charging roller 11. The first configuration is to provide the optical static electricity eliminating member 8 between the transfer roller 6 and the charging roller 11. The optical static eliminating member 8 is located on the upstream side of the charging nip 11a in the rotational direction (arrow C5) of the photosensitive drum 10. Optical static elimination is performed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 passing through the transfer nip 6a to perform stable discharge at the upstream gap portion 11 b. By setting the potential of the photosensitive drum 10 before charging to about-150V throughout the entire longitudinal area by this optical static eliminating member 8, uniform discharge can be carried out, and the transfer residual toner t2 can be uniformly charged with negative charges at the time of charging.

The second configuration is to rotationally drive the charging roller 11 to have a predetermined peripheral speed difference with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. Although almost all the toner is negatively charged due to the discharge as described above, there is some transfer residual toner t2 that is not fully negatively charged, and this transfer residual toner t2 may adhere to the charging roller 11 at the charging nip 11 a. By rotationally driving the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 so as to have a predetermined peripheral speed difference therebetween, the transfer residual toner t2 can be made to be negatively charged due to friction between the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11. This effectively suppresses the adhesion of the transfer residual toner t2 to the charging roller 11. A charging roller gear 69 (fig. 16(b), details of which will be described later) is provided on one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the charging roller 11, and the charging roller gear 69 engages with the driving-side flange 24 (fig. 16(b), details of which will be described later) provided on one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven in conjunction with the rotational drive of the photosensitive drum 10. The peripheral speed of the surface of the charging roller 11 is set to about 105% to 120% of the peripheral speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

(4) Description of construction of developing cartridge B1

< integral construction of developing cartridge B1 >

Next, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 to which the embodiment of the present invention has been applied will be described. Note that, in the following description, one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1 will be referred to as a driving side at which a rotational force is transmitted from the apparatus main body a1 to the developing cartridge B1. The other side thereof is the other end portion of the developing cartridge B1, and will be referred to as "non-driving side". Fig. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the driving side. Fig. 5 is a perspective explanatory view of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the non-driving side. Fig. 6(a) and 6(B) are a perspective explanatory view (fig. 6(a)) when viewed from the driving side and a perspective explanatory view (fig. 6(B)) when viewed from the non-driving side, in which the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 is exploded. Fig. 7(a) and 7(B) are a perspective explanatory view (fig. 7(a)) when viewed from the non-driving side and a perspective explanatory view (fig. 7(B)) when viewed from the driving side, in which the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1 is exploded.

The developing cartridge B1 has the developing roller 13, the developing blade 15, and the like, as shown in fig. 6 and 7. The developing blade 15 has a driving side end portion 15a1 and a non-driving side end portion 15a2 along the longitudinal direction of a supporting member 15a, the supporting member 15a being fixed to the developing container 16 by

screws

51 and 52. The driving-side developing bearing 36 and the non-driving-side developing bearing 46 are disposed on respective longitudinal end portions of the developing container 16. The developing roller 13 has a driving side end portion 13a, and the driving side end portion 13a is fitted to a hole 36a of the driving side developing bearing 36. The non-driving side end portion 13c is fitted to the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Thus, the developing roller 13 is rotatably supported by the developing container 16. The developing roller gear 29 is arranged on the drive-side end portion 13a of the developing roller 13 concentrically with the developing roller 13, and is arranged outside in the longitudinal direction of the drive-side developing bearing 36, so that the developing roller 13 and the developing roller gear 29 can rotate integrally (see fig. 4). The developing roller gear 29 is a helical gear.

The drive-side developing bearing 36 rotatably supports the drive input gear 27 on the outer side in the longitudinal direction thereof. The drive input gear 27 and the developing roller gear 29 are engaged. The drive input gear 27 is also a helical gear. The teeth of the drive input gear 27 are more than those of the developing roller gear 29.

The coupling member 180 is also disposed concentrically with the drive input gear 27.

The development-side cover 34 is provided at the farthest end at the driving side of the developing cartridge B1, covering the drive input gear 27 and the like from the outside in the longitudinal direction. The frame of the developing cartridge is composed of the developing container 16, the non-driving side developing bearing 46, the driving side developing bearing 36, and the developing side cover 34, and is referred to as a developing frame. Further, the coupling member 180 protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction through the hole 34a in the development-side cover 34. The coupling member 180 as a drive input member is configured to be engaged with a main body side drive member 100 provided to the apparatus main body a1, transmitting (inputting) a rotational force, which will be described in detail later. The configuration is such that the rotational force is transmitted to the rotational force receiving portion 27d1 (see fig. 8(b)) and the rotational force receiving portion 27d2 (illustration omitted) of the drive input gear 27 via the rotational force transmitting portions 180c1 and 180c2 of the coupling member 180. As a result, the configuration is such that the rotational force input to the coupling member 180 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 as the rotating member via the drive input gear 27 and the developing roller gear 29.

The first movable member 120 is provided to the drive-side developing bearing 36. The first movable member 120 is configured to include a driving side contact/spacing rod 70 as a first main body portion and a driving side developing pressure spring 71 as a first elastic portion (an elastically deformable part or member). The driving side contact/spacing rod 70 is a member that receives the elastic force of the driving side developing pressure spring 71.

Note that the first main body portion and the first elastic portion are configured as separate members in the present embodiment. However, the first main body portion and the first elastic portion may be integrally formed in the first movable member 120, and the configuration thereof is not limited. Further, the second movable member 121 is provided to the non-driving side developing bearing 46. The second movable member 121 is configured to include a non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 as a second main body portion and a non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 as a second elastic portion (an elastically deformable part or member). The non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 is a member that receives the elastic force of the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73.

Note that the second main body portion and the second elastic portion are configured as separate members in the present embodiment. However, the second body portion and the second elastic portion may be integrally formed in the second movable member 121 and the configuration thereof is not limited.

The details thereof will be described below.

< coupling Member 180 and peripheral Structure >

The coupling member 180 and the peripheral configuration will be described in detail below.

The coupling member 180, the drive input gear 27, and the coupling spring 185 are provided on the drive side of the developing cartridge B1, as shown in fig. 6(a) and 6 (B). The coupling member 180 engages with the main body side driving member 100 provided to the apparatus main body a1, and transmits rotational force. Specifically, the coupling member 180 is configured to mainly include the rotational force receiving parts 180a1 and 180a2, the supported part 180b, the rotational force transmitting parts 180c1 and 180c2, and the guided part 180d, as shown in fig. 8 (b). The rotational force receiving portions 180a1 and 180a2 of the coupling member 180 are arranged further outside in the longitudinal direction of the drive side end portion 27a of the drive input gear 27 (see fig. 8(a) and 8 (b)). When the main body side drive member 100 is rotated about the rotational axis L4 in the arrow X6 direction (hereinafter, normal rotation X direction), the rotational force applying portion 100a1 of the main body side drive member 100 comes into contact with the rotational force receiving portion 180a 1. Also, the rotational force applying portion 100a2 of the main body side driving member 100 contacts the rotational force receiving portion 180a 2. Accordingly, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180. The supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is substantially spherical, and as shown in fig. 8(b) and 8(e), the support portion 27b supports the supported portion 180b on the inner peripheral surface of the drive input gear 27. The rotational force transmitting portions 180c1 and 180c2 are provided on the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180. The rotational force transmitting portion 180c1 contacts the rotational force receiving portion 27d1 of the drive input gear 27. In the same manner, the rotational force transmitting portion 180c2 contacts the rotational force receiving portion 27d2 of the drive input gear 27. Accordingly, the drive input gear 27 is driven by the coupling member 180 that has been driven by the main body side drive member 100, and therefore the drive input gear 27 rotates in the normal rotation direction X6 about the rotation axis L3.

Now, as shown in fig. 8(c), the rotational axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 and the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are arranged concentrically. However, there is a case where the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are slightly offset in parallel from the concentric state due to a part size deviation or the like, as shown in fig. 8 (d). In this case, the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 rotates in a state inclined with respect to the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27, and the rotational force is transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180. Further, there is also a case where the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 is offset from the concentric state with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and there is an angle between the rotation axis L3 and the rotation axis L4. In this case, in a state where the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180.

As shown in fig. 8(a), a gear portion 27c as a helical gear or a spur gear is formed integrally with the drive input gear 27 concentrically with the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27(a helical gear is used in the present embodiment). The gear portion 27c meshes with the gear portion 29a of the developing roller gear 29. The developing roller gear 29 rotates integrally with the developing roller 13 and thus the rotational force of the drive input gear 27 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 via the developing roller gear 29. The developing roller 13 rotates in the rotational direction X5 about the rotational axis L9.

< construction of electrode portion at non-driving side of developing cartridge >

Next, the storage plate 47 as a contact portion and the electrode portion 47a as an exposed surface, which storage plate 47 and electrode portion 47a are provided at the non-driving side end portion of the developing cartridge B1, will be described with reference to fig. 33(a) and 33 (B). The storage plate 47 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the non-driving side developing bearing 46, and is provided to the side of the supporting portion 46f that rotatably supports the developing roller 13 when viewed from the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72. The storage plate 47 stores manufacturing lots and characteristic information of the developing cartridge B1 for image formation by the apparatus main body a 1. An electrode portion 47a made of metal such as iron, copper, or the like is provided to the storage board 47, and when image formation is performed, the electrode portion 47a is electrically connected to the apparatus main body a1 via the storage board 47 so as to perform communication.

Both end portions of the storage plate 47 are inserted into a first substrate supporting portion 46m and a second substrate supporting portion 46n, which first substrate supporting portion 46m and second substrate supporting portion 46n are provided on the non-driving side developing bearing 46. The memory board 47 and the first and second

substrate support portions

46m and 46n are fixed by press-fitting, adhesion, or the like.

The storage plate 47 is provided with a plurality of electrode portions 47 a. The direction in which these plural electrode portions 47a are arranged and the direction in which the memory plate 47 is inserted into the first and second

substrate support portions

46m and 46n are the same direction.

< Assembly of drive-side cover and peripheral portion >

Next, the configurations of the development-side cover 34 and the coupling lever 55, the development-side cover 34 being provided to the drive-side end portion of the developing cartridge B1, will be described in detail. Fig. 9(a) to 9(d) are a perspective explanatory view and a side view illustrating a manner in which the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 are assembled to the development-side cover 34.

A coupling lever 55 and a coupling lever spring 56 are assembled on the inner side of the development-side cover 34 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the cylindrical lever positioning boss 34m of the development-side cover 34 and the hole 55c of the coupling lever 55 are fitted together, and the coupling lever 55 is rotatably supported by the development-side cover 34, the development-side cover 34 being centered on the rotation axis L11. The coupling lever spring 56 is a torsion spring in which one end portion engages the coupling lever 55 and the other end portion engages the development-side cover 34. Specifically, the operating arm 56a of the coupling lever spring 56 engages the spring hook portion 55b of the coupling lever 55, and the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 engages the spring hook portion 34s of the development-side cover 34 (see fig. 9 (c)).

The coupling spring 185 is assembled on the outer side of the development-side cover 34 in the longitudinal direction, which will be described in detail below.

A method of assembling the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 to the development-side cover 34 will be described in order. First, the cylindrical portion 56d of the coupling lever spring 56 is attached to the cylindrical boss 55a of the coupling lever 55 (fig. 9 (a)). The operating arm 56a of the coupling lever spring 56 now engages the spring hook portion 55b of the coupling lever 55. The fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is deformed in the direction of the arrow X11 centered on the rotation axis L11. Next, the hole 55c of the coupling lever 55 is inserted onto the lever positioning boss 34m of the development-side cover 34 (fig. 9(a) and 9 (b)). The locking portion 55d of the coupling lever 55 is positioned so as not to interfere with the locked portion 34n of the development-side cover 34. Specifically, the locking portion 55d of the coupling lever 55 and the locked portion 34n of the development side cover 34 are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed from the longitudinal direction, as shown in fig. 9 (b).

In the state shown in fig. 9(b), the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is deformed in the direction of the arrow X11, as previously described. When the deformation of the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is released from the state shown in fig. 9(b), the fixing arm 56c engages the spring hook portion 34s of the development-side cover 34. This configuration causes the spring hook portion 34s of the development-side cover 34 to receive the biasing force of the deformation fixing arm 56c of the coupling-lever spring 56. As a result, the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 receives a reaction force from the spring hook portion 34s of the development-side cover 34 in the direction of the arrow X11. Further, the coupling lever 55 receives a biasing force from the coupling lever spring 56 at the spring hook portion 55 b. As a result, the coupling link 55 rotates in the direction of the arrow X11 centering on the rotation axis L11, and is restricted in rotation at a position where the rotation restricting portion 55y abuts against the restricting surface 34y of the development-side cover 34 (see fig. 9a to 9 (c)). Thus, the operation of assembling the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 to the development-side cover 34 is ended.

Note that at this time, the locking portion 55d of the coupling lever 55 is in a state of overlapping the locked portion 34n of the development side cover 34 when viewed in the longitudinal direction. That is, the coupling link 55 is configured so as to restrict the movement in the longitudinal direction and so as to be rotatable only centering on the rotation axis X11. Fig. 9(d) is a sectional view of the locking portion 55d of the coupling lever 55.

< Assembly of development side cover 34 >

The development-side cover 34 is fixed on the outer side of the drive-side development bearing 36 in the longitudinal direction, as shown in fig. 10, at which development-side cover 34, a coupling lever 55 and a coupling-lever spring 56 are integrated. Specifically, the positioning portions 34r1 of the development-side cover 34 and the positioned portions 36e1 of the drive-side development bearing 36 are engaged. This configuration positions the development-side cover 34 with respect to the drive-side development bearing 36 by engagement of the positioning portion 34r2 and the positioned portion 36e 2.

Note that the method of fixing the development-side cover 34 to the drive-side development bearing 36 may be by screwing, an adhesive, or the like, and the configuration thereof is not limited.

When the development side cover 34 is assembled, the rotational force receiving portions 180a1 and 180a2, the guided portion 180d, and the like of the coupling member 180 pass through the hole 34a of the development side cover 34. The coupling member 180 has a configuration exposed on the other side of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction (see fig. 4, 6(a), and 6 (B)). Further, the guided portion 180d (see fig. 8(a) to 8(e)) of the coupling member 180 has a configuration of abutting against the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55.

As described above, the coupling link 55 is configured such that the biasing force acts in the direction of the arrow X11 centering on the rotation axis L11. Therefore, the coupling member 180 receives the biasing force F2 from the coupling lever 55 (see fig. 10 (b)).

Further, a coupling spring 185 is arranged at the development-side cover 34. The coupling spring 185 is a torsion coil spring, and one end portion abuts the development-side cover 34 and the other end portion abuts the coupling member 180. Specifically, the positioning portion 185a of the coupling spring 185 is supported by the spring supporting portion 34h of the development-side cover 34. The fixing arm 185b of the coupling spring 185 is fixed to the spring engaging portion 34j of the development-side cover 34. Also, this configuration causes the operating arm 185c of the coupling spring 185 to abut the guided member 180d of the coupling member 180. The operation arm 185c of the coupling spring 185 is configured such that the biasing force acts in the direction of arrow L12 centered on the rotation axis X12 centered on the positioning portion 185a of the rotation axis X12. Therefore, the coupling member 180 receives the biasing force F1b from the coupling spring 185 (see fig. 10 (c)).

The coupling member 180 that has received the biasing force F2 from the coupling lever 55 and the biasing force F1b from the coupling spring 185 is held in a posture (rotation axis L2) inclined with respect to the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 (fig. 10 (b)). The detailed configuration will be described below. The configuration and the action of the force that keeps the inclined posture of the coupling member 180 at this time will be described below in "the relationship of the force acting on the coupling member 180 when in the second inclined posture D2" to be described later.

< basic operation of coupling Member 180 >

Next, the basic operation of the coupling member 180 in the state of the developing cartridge B1 will be described with reference to fig. 15(a) to 15 (c).

Fig. 15(a) is an enlarged view showing the relationship among the coupling member 180, the drive input gear 27, and the drive-side developing bearing 36 in the longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 15(b) is a perspective view of the driving side developing bearing 36. Fig. 15(c) is a perspective view of the drive input gear 27.

The supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is disposed on the inner portion 27t of the drive input gear 27, and is also wedged between the regulating portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 and the coupling regulating portion 36s of the drive side developing bearing 36. The diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180, the width r27 in the X180 direction of the regulating portion 27s of the drive input gear 27, and the width r36 in the X180 direction of the coupling regulating portion 36s of the drive side developing bearing 36 satisfy the following relationship:

the diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b > the width r27 of the regulating portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 in the direction X180

The diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b > the width r36 of the coupling restricting portion 36s of the driving side developing bearing 36 in the direction of X180

According to this configuration, the movement of the coupling member 180 in the direction of the longitudinal arrow Y180 is restricted by the supported portion 180b, which supported portion 180b is restricted by the restricting portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 of the coupling restricting portion 36s of the drive side developing bearing 36. Further, the supported portion 180b is restricted within the range of the inner portion 27t of the drive input gear 27 along the cross-sectional direction X180 of the coupling member 180. Therefore, the coupling member 180 is configured to be able to tilt in the R180 direction centering on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b even if the movement in the longitudinal direction Y180 and the sectional direction X180 is restricted.

< inclined posture with respect to coupling member 180 >

Next, the tilting operation of the coupling member 180 will be described.

The coupling member 180 has a configuration of receiving the driving force from the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 and being rotatable on the rotation axis L2, as described above. Basically, the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is disposed concentrically with the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 when transmitting the driving force. The case has been further described in which the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 and the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are not concentric but are slightly offset due to a part size deviation or the like.

The present configuration enables the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 to be inclined in the following direction. These can be generally classified into the following three postures.

Reference posture D0: the posture of the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is concentric with or parallel to the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 with respect to the rotational axis L3

First inclined posture D1: among them, the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus main body a1, and the developing cartridge B1 is moved from a state in which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced apart toward a contact state in which they are in contact. The rotational force receiving portions 180a1, 180a2 (hereinafter referred to as rotational force receiving portion 180a) of the coupling member 180 and the supported portion 180b face in the direction of the main body side drive member 100 of the apparatus main body a 1. Details of the spacing state, the contact state, and the like will be described below.

Second tilt posture D2: here, when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus body a1, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the supported portion 180B of the coupling member 180 face the direction of the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus body a 1. Details of the posture at the time of installation and the like will be described below.

Now, the engagement relationship between the coupling member 180 and the drive-side development bearing 36 will be described.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the drive-side development bearing 36 and the coupling member 180.

Fig. 13(a) is a perspective view illustrating the positions of the drive-side development bearing 36 and the coupling member 180. Fig. 13(b) is a view of the driving side developing bearing 36 as viewed from the front at the driving side. Fig. 13(c) is a view in which the coupling member 180 has been added to a view taken along a section XIIIC in fig. 13(b), and fig. 13(d) is a view in which the coupling member 180 has been added to a view taken along a section XIIID in fig. 13 (b).

The phase restriction boss 180e is provided on the coupling member 180 concentrically with the rotation axis L2 and on the inner side in the longitudinal direction, as shown in fig. 13 (a). On the other hand, a recessed phase restriction portion 36kb is provided in the drive-side development bearing 36. The phase restriction unit 36kb is specifically provided with: a first inclination limiting portion 36kb1, the first inclination limiting portion 36kb1 being recessed in the direction of arrow K1a from the center of the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27; and a second inclination limiting portion 36kb2 recessed in the direction of arrow K2a from the center of the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. The phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is located within the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36. That is, the position of the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is restricted by the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36. In other words, the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is movable within the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive-side development bearing 36, and is particularly movable to the first inclination restriction portion 36kb1 and the second inclination restriction portion 36kb 2. When the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is moved to the first inclination restriction portion 36kb1, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are inclined in the direction of the arrow K1b, that is, in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow K1 a. This is a state in which the coupling member 180 assumes the first inclined posture D1. When the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is moved to the second inclination restriction portion 36kb2, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are inclined in the direction of the arrow K2b, that is, in the opposite direction to the arrow K2 a. This is a state in which the coupling member 180 assumes the second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member 180.

< relationship of force acting on coupling member 180 when in reference posture D0 >

The posture of the coupling member 180 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 21(a) to 22(D) with respect to the reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180.

Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the coupling link 55 and the coupling member 180 when the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1 is completed. Fig. 22(a) is a side view when viewed from the driving side, fig. 22(b) is a side view when viewed from the direction of arrow XXIIB in fig. 22(a), and fig. 22(c) is a side view of a cross section taken along a cross-sectional line XXIIC in fig. 22(b) when viewed from the non-driving side.

When the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus body a1 is completed, the coupling member 180 engages the body-side drive member 100. The rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180, the rotational axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are arranged concentrically. In other words, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 (the rotational force applying portion 100a1 and the rotational force applying portion 100a2) are at positions capable of engaging with each other (see also fig. 8 (b)).

The movement of the coupling member 180 before the coupling member 180 is concentric with the main body side drive member 100 will be described with reference to fig. 34(a) to 34 (c). Fig. 34(a) to 34(c) are sectional views illustrating the posture of the coupling member 180 before it is concentric with the main body side drive member 100. Fig. 34(a) is a sectional view illustrating a state where the coupling member 180 is not in contact with the main body side driving member 100, and fig. 34(b) is a sectional view illustrating a state at the time when the coupling member 180 is in contact with the main body side driving member 100. Further, fig. 34(c) is a sectional view of a state where the coupling member 180 is concentric with the main body side driving member 100.

In a state where the coupling member 180 is not in contact with the main body side drive member 100, the coupling member 180 is inclined in the direction of the main body side drive member 100, centering on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180, as shown in fig. 34 (a). The coupling member 180 advances in the direction of arrow X60 while maintaining this posture, the direction of arrow X60 being the direction in which the main body side drive member 100 is disposed. The recessed conical portion 180g is in contact with the protruding portion 100g, the recessed conical portion 180g being disposed on the inner side of the circular portion 180f of the coupling member 180, the protruding portion 100g being disposed on the axial tip of the main body side drive member 100. When the coupling member 180 is further moved in the direction of the arrow X60, the coupling member 180 is moved in a direction in which the inclination of the coupling member 180 is reduced, the inclination being centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180. As a result, the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180, the rotational axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are arranged concentrically. The force to which the coupling member 180 is subjected in this series of operations will be described in detail below, and thus a description thereof will be omitted herein.

A state in which the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 are concentrically arranged is a reference posture D0 with respect to the posture of the coupling member 180 (the inclination angle of the coupling member 180 is θ 2 — 0 °). The phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is separated from the second inclination restriction portion 36kb2 of the drive side development bearing 36 and does not contact any portion of the phase restriction portion 36b of the drive side development bearing 36 (see fig. 22 (c)). The guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is held in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (fig. 22 (a)). That is, the coupling member 180 is in contact with two parts (the coupling spring 185 and the main body side driving member 100), which determines the inclination angle (θ 2) thereof. In this case, even in a state where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus body a1 is completed, the inclination angle (θ 2) of the coupling member 180 may not be 0 ° from θ 2.

The inclined posture (reference posture D0) of the coupling member 180 in the case where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus body a1 is completed will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 14.

Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating the manner in which the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 are engaged. The state illustrated in fig. 14(a) and 14(b) is a side view and a sectional view of the case where the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are concentrically arranged, and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is also concentric.

The guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives the biasing force from the coupling spring 185 in the direction of the arrow F1 (see fig. 22(d)), and the conical portion 180g abuts the projection 100g at the points 180g1 and 180g2 (fig. 8 (e)). As a result, the posture of the coupling member 180 with respect to the main body side drive member 100 is restricted by the two points 180g1 and 180g2 of the conical portion 180 g. That is, the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is concentric with the rotational axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100.

When the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 performs rotational driving from this state, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus main body a1 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 are engaged. This configuration allows the drive to be transmitted from the apparatus main body a1 to the coupling member 180 (see fig. 8(a) to 8 (e)).

In the state illustrated in fig. 14(c), the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotational axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are concentrically arranged, and the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined. Due to the part size deviation, the conical portion 180g of the link member 180 abuts the protruding portion 100g of the main body side drive member 100 and the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g instead of the point 180g2 of the conical portion 180 g. The rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined at this time by the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receiving the biasing force in the direction of the arrow F1 from the coupling spring 185. Therefore, the posture of the coupling member 180 is regulated in fig. 14(c) by the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g of the coupling member 180 coming into contact with the protruding portion 100g of the main body side driving member 100. That is, the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotational axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100. In other words, the inclination angle (θ 2) of the coupling member 180 is not θ 2 — 0 °.

Further, in the state illustrated in fig. 14(d), in the case where the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are not concentric, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined due to the part size deviation (see fig. 8 (d)). Also in this case, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is tilted by the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receiving the biasing force from the coupling spring 185 as in the state illustrated in fig. 14 (c). That is, the inclination angle (θ 2) of the coupling member 180 is not equal to 0 °. However, the posture of the coupling member 180 is restricted by the point 180g1 at which the conical portion 180g of the coupling member 180 contacts the protruding portion 100g of the main body side driving member 100, as in fig. 14 (c).

However, in any one of the states of fig. 14(c) and 14(d), when the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 performs rotational driving, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus main body a1 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 are engaged. This configuration makes it possible to transmit the drive from the apparatus main body a1 to the coupling member 180.

As described above, in the state where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1 is completed, there are the following cases: the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is concentric with the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27; the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is not concentric with the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. In either case, however, when the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 performs rotational driving, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus main body a1 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 are engaged. This configuration allows the drive to be transmitted from the apparatus main body a1 to the coupling member 180. In a state where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus body a1 has been completed and the coupling member 180 is able to receive the driving force from the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus body a1, the posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as a reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180. Note that this configuration makes the inclination angle in a range in which the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 are not disengaged from each other.

The first and second inclined postures D1 and D2 of the coupling member 180 will be described in detail in order below.

< relationship of force acting on the coupling member 180 when in the first inclined posture D1 >

First, the relationship of the force acting on the coupling member 180 when in the first inclined posture D1 will be described with reference to fig. 11(a) to 11 (c).

Fig. 11(a) is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 in a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body a1 and in a spaced state in which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced apart. Fig. 11(B) is a sectional view of the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 within the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36 when viewed from the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1. Further, fig. 11(c) is a sectional view of the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180, which is cut at the position of the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 and viewed from the driving side in the longitudinal direction.

The coupling link 55 receives a biasing force from the coupling link spring 56 (see fig. 9(a)) to rotate in the direction of arrow X11 centering on the rotation axis L11. On the other hand, in a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus body a1, movement in the direction of the arrow X11 is restricted by the abutting portion 80y provided to the apparatus body a 1. Specifically, by the abutment portion 80y contacting the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55, the position of the coupling lever 55 is restricted against the biasing force of the coupling lever spring 56. Note that the abutting portion 80y is formed integrally with the drive-side swinging guide 80 (see fig. 20 (b)). The guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is in a retracted state retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. The contact between the coupling lever 55 and the abutting portion 80y will be described in detail in the detachment process of the developing cartridge B1 described later.

On the other hand, since the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 is in contact with the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180, the force F1a acts on the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. That is, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives a force inclined in the direction of the arrow F1a (see fig. 11 (c)). The phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is configured to be restricted by the guide portion 36kb1a, the guide portion 36kb1b, and the guide portion 36kb1c of the drive-side development bearing 36 at this time, and is configured to finally move to the first inclination restriction portion 36kb 1. That is, this configuration causes the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 to be inclined in the direction of the arrow K1a (fig. 11(b)), while on the other hand, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are inclined in the direction of the arrow K1b (fig. 11 (a)). The above-described posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as a first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180.

The orientation of the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 (the direction of the arrow F1 a) can be orthogonal to the direction of the arrow K1b with respect to the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (see fig. 11 (a)). This direction is the direction of the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 abutting the first inclination restriction portion 36kb1, thereby making it possible to reduce the biasing force of the coupling spring 185 to maintain the first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180. However, this is not limited as long as the coupling member 180 can be held in the first inclined posture D1 by adjusting the biasing force of the coupling spring 185 or the like.

< relationship of force acting on the coupling member 180 when in the second inclined posture D2 >

Next, the relationship of the force acting on the coupling member 180 when in the second inclined posture D2 will be described with reference to fig. 12.

Fig. 12(a) is a side view of the developing cartridge B1, which shows the state of the developing cartridge B1 before being mounted to the apparatus main body a1, i.e., in the state of isolation (natural state) of the developing cartridge B1. Fig. 12(B) is a sectional view of the position of the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 within the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36 when viewed from the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1. Further, fig. 12(c) is a sectional view in which the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 has been cut and viewed from the driving side in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 12(a) illustrates a state where the abutting portion 80y provided to the apparatus main body a1 in fig. 11(a) is not present. At this time, the coupling link 55 receives the biasing force from the coupling link spring 56 in the direction of the arrow X11 centered on the rotation axis L11 and rotates to a position where its guide portion 55e contacts the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. That is, both the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 and the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 are in contact with the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180.

Now, as described above, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives the force inclined in the direction of the arrow F3. At this time, the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is configured to be restricted by the guide portion 36kb2a, the guide portion 36kb2b, and the guide portion 36kb2c of the drive-side development bearing 36 and to be finally moved to the second inclination restriction portion 36kb 2. That is, this configuration causes the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 to be inclined in the direction of the arrow K2a (fig. 12(b)), while on the other hand, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are inclined in the direction of the arrow K2b (fig. 12 (a)). The above-described posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as a second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member.

(5) Description of the entirety of the Drum Cartridge C

Next, the configuration of the drum cartridge C will be described with reference to fig. 16(a) and 16 (b). Fig. 16(a) is a perspective explanatory view of the drum cartridge C viewed from the non-driving side thereof. Fig. 16(b) is a perspective explanatory view in which the cleaning frame 21, the drum bearing 30, the drum shaft 54, and the like have been omitted from the illustration to describe the peripheries of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11.

The drum cartridge C has the photosensitive drum 10, the charging roller 11, and the like, as shown in fig. 16. The charging roller 11 is rotatably supported by a charging roller bearing 67a and a charging roller bearing 67b and is biased against the photosensitive drum 10 by a charging roller biasing member 68a and a charging roller biasing member 68 b.

The driving-side flange 24 is integrally fixed to the driving-side end portion 10a of the photosensitive drum 10 and the non-driving-side flange 28 is integrally fixed to the non-driving-side end portion 10b of the photosensitive drum 10. The driving-side flange 24 and the non-driving-side flange 28 are concentrically fixed to the photosensitive drum 10 by swaging, bonding, or the like. At both end portions of the cleaning frame 21 in the longitudinal direction, the drum bearing 30 is fixed to the driving side end portion and the drum shaft 54 is fixed to the non-driving side end portion by means such as screwing, an adhesive, press fitting, or the like. The drive-side flange 24 integrally fixed to the photosensitive drum 10 is rotatably supported by the drum bearing 30, and the non-drive-side flange 28 is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 54.

A charging roller gear 69 is provided on one end of the charging roller 11 in the longitudinal direction, wherein the charging roller gear 69 meshes with the gear portion 24g of the drive-side flange 24. This configuration allows the rotational force from the apparatus body a1 side to be transmitted to the drive side end portion 24a (not shown) of the drive side flange 24. As a result, when the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven. The peripheral speed of the surface of the charging roller 11 is set to about 105% to 120% of the peripheral speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, as described above.

(6) Description of developer cartridge B1 about attachment/detachment configuration of apparatus main body a1

Next, a method of mounting/dismounting the developing cartridge B1 to/from the apparatus body a 1a 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 17 is a perspective explanatory view of the apparatus body a1 viewed from the non-driving side, and fig. 18 is a perspective explanatory view of the apparatus body a1 viewed from the driving side. Fig. 19(a) to 19(d) are explanatory diagrams of a process of mounting the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1 when viewed from the driving side.

A guided portion 46d having a positioning portion 46B and a rotation stopper 46c is provided to the non-driving side developing bearing 46 at the developing cartridge B1, as shown in fig. 17. A guided portion 34d having a positioning portion 34b and a rotation stopper 34c is provided to the development-side cover 34, as shown in fig. 18.

On the other hand, a driving side guide member 92 and a driving side swing guide 80 are provided to a driving side plate 90 constituting a casing of the apparatus body a1 at the driving side of the apparatus body a1, and as shown in fig. 17, the driving side swing guide 80 moves integrally with the developing cartridge B1 within the apparatus body a 1. Details of the drive-side swinging guide 80 will be described later. The driving-side guide member 92 is provided with a first guide portion 92a, a second guide portion 92b, and a third guide portion 92 c. A groove for the attachment/detachment path X1a following the attachment/detachment path of the developing cartridge B1 is provided to the first guide portion 92a of the driving-side guide member 92, and a groove for the attachment/detachment path X1B following the attachment/detachment path of the developing cartridge B1 is provided to the second guide portion 92B. A groove for following the attachment/detachment path X3 of the attachment/detachment path of the drum cartridge C is provided to the third guide portion 92C of the drive-side guide member 92. The first guide portion 80a and the second guide portion 80b are provided to the driving-side swinging guide 80. The first guide portion 80a of the driving-side swinging guide 80 has formed therein a groove shape following the attachment/detachment path X2a of the developing cartridge B1 as an extension of the first guide portion 92a of the driving-side guide member 92. The second guide portion 80B of the driving-side swinging guide 80 has formed therein a groove shape following the attachment/detachment path X2B of the developing cartridge B1 as an extension of the second guide portion 92B of the driving-side guide member 92.

In the same manner, a non-driving-side guide member 93 and a non-driving-side swinging guide 81 are provided at the non-driving side of the apparatus body a1 to a non-driving-side plate 91 constituting the casing of the apparatus body a1, and as shown in fig. 18, the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 moves in the same manner as the driving-side swinging guide 80. The first guide portion 93a and the second guide portion 93b are provided to the non-driving side guide member 93.

A groove shape of an attachment/detachment path XH1a following the attachment/detachment path of the developing cartridge B1 is formed at the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving side guide member 93. A groove shape of the attachment/detachment path XH3 following the attachment/detachment path of the drum cartridge C is formed at the second guide portion 93b of the non-driving-side guide member 93. The guide portion 81a is provided to the non-drive-side swinging guide 81. A groove shape of the attachment/detachment path XH2a following the attachment/detachment path of the developing cartridge B1 is provided as an extension of the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving side guide member 93 to the guide portion of the guide portion 81a of the non-driving side swing guide 81.

The detailed configurations of the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 will be described below.

< description of non-drive-side electric contact >

Next, the electrical contact portion of the apparatus body a1 will be described with reference to fig. 35.

The non-driving side plate 91 is provided with a power supply unit 120 at a position facing the electrode portion 47a of the storage plate 47 of the developing cartridge B1 when image forming. The power supply unit 120 has a power supply contact 120A, the power supply contact 120A being formed of a wire spring, a leaf spring, or the like, having a spring property and protruding from the power supply unit 120, the power supply contact 120A being connected to a circuit board, not shown.

< mounting of developing cartridge B1 to apparatus body A1>

A method of mounting the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1 will be described below. As shown in fig. 17 and 18, the inside of the apparatus body a1 is exposed by rotating the body cover 94 in the opening direction D1, the body cover 94 being disposed at an upper portion of the apparatus body a1 and being capable of opening and closing.

Thereafter, the guided portion 46d (fig. 17) of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 of the developing cartridge B1 and the first guide portion 93a (fig. 18) of the non-driving side guide member 93 of the apparatus main body a1 are engaged. Further, the guided portion 34d (fig. 18) of the development-side cover 34 of the development cartridge B1 and the first guide portion 92a (fig. 17) of the drive-side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body a1 are engaged. Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the apparatus body a1 following the attachment/detachment path X1a and the attachment/detachment path XH1a formed by the first guide portion 92a of the driving-side guide member 92 and the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving-side guide member 93.

When the developing cartridge B1 is mounted into the apparatus main body a1, the coupling member 180 is in the state of the above-described second inclined posture D2, as described above. The coupling member 180 is inserted into the second guide portion 92b of the driving side guide member 92 while maintaining the second inclined posture D2. To describe in further detail, there is a gap between the coupling member 180 of the driving-side guide member 92 and the second guide portion 92 b. Therefore, while the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the apparatus body a1 after following the attachment/detachment paths X1B and XH1a, the coupling member 180 maintains the state of the second inclined posture D2.

The developing cartridge B1 inserted into the apparatus body a1 following the mounting/dismounting path X1a and XH1a is next inserted into the apparatus body a1 following the mounting/dismounting path X2a and XH2 a. The attachment/detachment paths X2a and XH2a are formed by the first guide portion 80a of the driving-side swing guide 80 and the guide portion 81a of the non-driving-side swing guide 81. To describe in further detail, first, the guided portion 34d provided to the development-side cover 34 is guided by the first guide portion 92a of the drive-side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body a 1. This configuration is such that, as the mounting process continues thereafter, the guided portion 34d is handed over to the first guide portion 80a of the drive-side swing guide 80 of the apparatus body a 1. In the same manner, at the non-driving side, the guided portion 46d provided to the non-driving side developing bearing 46 is guided by the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving side guide member 93 of the apparatus main body a 1. This configuration is such that, thereafter, as the mounting process continues, the guided portion 46d is handed over to the guide portion 81a of the non-driving-side swing guide 81 of the apparatus body a 1.

The coupling member 180 provided at the drive-side end portion of the developing cartridge B1 is handed over from the second guide portion 92B of the drive-side guide member 92 of the apparatus body a1 to the second guide portion 80B of the drive-side swing guide 80 while maintaining the second inclined posture D2. Note that there is a gap between the coupling member 180 and the second guide portion 80b of the drive-side swinging guide 80 in the same manner as described above.

< positioning of developing cartridge B1 >

Next, a configuration by which the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 of the apparatus main body a1 position the developing cartridge B1 will be described. Note that the basic structure is the same for the driving side and the non-driving side, and therefore the description will be made hereinafter taking the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 as an example. Fig. 19(a) to 19(d) illustrate the states of the developing cartridge B1 and the driving-side swinging guide 80 during the process of mounting the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus body a 1.

Fig. 19(a) illustrates a state in which the guided portion 34d of the development-side cover 34 provided to the developing cartridge B1 is guided by the first guide portion 80a of the driving-side swing guide 80, and the developing cartridge B1 is on the attachment/detachment path X2 a.

Fig. 19(B) illustrates a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further mounted from the state in fig. 19 (a). The positioning portion 34b of the guided portion 34d of the development-side cover 34 abuts against the positioning portion 82a of the driving-side pressing member 82 provided on the driving-side swing guide 80 at the point P1.

Further, fig. 20 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating the peripheral form of the driving side swinging guide 80 and the driving side pressing member 82. Fig. 20(a) is a perspective view seen from the driving side in the longitudinal direction, and fig. 20(b) is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 20(c) is an exploded perspective view of the driving side swing guide 80, the driving side pressing member 82, and the driving side pressing spring 83. Fig. 20(d) and 20(e) are enlarged detailed views of the periphery of the driving side pressing member 82.

Now, the driving side pressing member 82 has a hole 82b, a seat surface 82c, and a restricting portion 82d in addition to the positioning portion 82a, as shown in fig. 20(a) and 20 (b). The hole 82b is engaged with the boss 80c of the drive-side swing guide 80, and can be rotatably supported centering on the boss 80c, as shown in fig. 20 (c). Further, one end portion 83c of the driving side pressing spring 83 is in contact with the seat face 82 c. Further, the other end portion 83d of the driving side pressing spring 83 is in contact with the seat surface 80d of the driving side swinging guide 80, as shown in fig. 20 (d). Therefore, the driving side pressing member 82 is configured to receive the biasing force F82 in the direction of rotating in the direction of the arrow Ra1 centering on the boss 80c of the driving side swing guide 80. Note that the rotation of the driving side pressing member 82 in the direction of the arrow Ra1 is restricted by the restricting portion 82d thereof abutting against the rotation restricting portion 80e provided to the driving side swinging guide 80, thereby positioning the driving side pressing member 82. Note that the driving side pressing member 82 rotatably supported by the driving side swing guide 80 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ra2 against the biasing force F82 of the driving side pressing spring 83, as shown in fig. 20 (e). Further, the upper end portion 82e of the driving side pressing member 82 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow Ra2 until it is at a position where it does not protrude from the guide surface 80w of the driving side swing guide 80.

Fig. 19(c) is a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further mounted from the state of fig. 19 (B). A state is illustrated in which the guided portion 34d in which the positioning portion 34b and the rotation stopper 34c of the development-side cover 34 are formed integrally abuts against the proximal inclined surface 82w of the driving-side pressing member 82, thereby pressing the driving-side pressing member 82 downward in the direction of the arrow Ra 2. To describe in detail, the guided portion 34d of the development-side cover 34 abuts against the proximal inclined surface 82w of the driving-side pressing member 82 and presses the driving-side pressing member 82. This causes the driving side pressing member 82 to rotate counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow Ra 2) about the boss 80c of the driving side swing guide 80 against the biasing force F82 of the driving side pressing spring 83. Fig. 19(c) is a state where the positioning portion 34b of the development-side cover 34 and the upper end portion 82e of the driving-side pressing member 82 are in contact. At this time, the restricting portion 82d of the driving side pressing member 82 is separated from the rotation restricting portion 80e of the driving side swing guide 80.

Fig. 19(d) is a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further mounted from the state of fig. 19(c), illustrating a state in which the positioning portion 34d of the developing-side cover 34 and the positioning portion 80f of the driving-side swing guide 80 are in contact. As described above, the structure of the driving side pressing member 82 receives the biasing force F82 in the direction of rotation in the direction of the arrow Ra1 centered on the boss 80c of the driving side swing guide 80. Therefore, the distal inclined surface 82s of the driving side pressing member 82 biases the positioning portion 34b of the development side cover 34 with the biasing force F4. As a result, the positioning portion 34b contacts the positioning portion 80f of the drive-side swing guide 80 at the point P3, and there is no gap between the positioning portion 34b and the positioning portion 80 f. Therefore, the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 is positioned and fixed at the driving side swing guide 80.

The configuration of the non-driving side is the same as that of the driving side, in which a non-driving side swinging guide 81, a non-driving side pressing member 84, and a non-driving side pressing spring 85 are provided corresponding to the driving side swinging guide 80, the driving side pressing member 82, and the driving side pressing spring 83, as shown in fig. 36. Therefore, the positioning portions 46b of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 and the positioning of the non-driving side swing guide 81 are also the same as at the driving side (description will be omitted). According to these, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned and fixed at the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the non-driving-side swinging guide 81.

< operation of the coupling member 180 during the process of mounting the developing cartridge B1 >

Next, the operation of the coupling member 180 in the process of mounting the developing cartridge B1 will be described with reference to fig. 21, 22, and 23.

In the state before the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1, the coupling member 180 assumes the second inclined posture D2 as described above. The coupling member 180 is inserted into the apparatus main body a1 while maintaining the second inclined posture D2. Fig. 21(a) illustrates a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus body a1 and is located on the mounting/dismounting path X2a formed at the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the non-driving-side swinging guide 81. Fig. 21(e) is a diagram of the state in fig. 21(a) viewed from the direction of arrow XXIE in fig. 21 (a). This configuration is such that, with the second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member 180, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 faces the direction of the main body side drive member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 while the developing cartridge B1 is located on the attachment/detachment path X2 a. More specifically, the coupling member 180 is inclined in the direction of the main body side driving member 100 centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b thereof, near where the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 are in contact, which will be described later. The second inclination restricting portion 36kb2 of the drive side developing bearing 36 is formed so as to incline the coupling member 180 in this manner (see fig. 12(b), 13(a) to 13(d), and 15 (a)).

In the state illustrated in fig. 21(B), the developing cartridge B1 has been further inserted into the attachment/detachment path X2a from the state illustrated in fig. 21 (a). Fig. 21(f) is a view seen from the direction of arrow XXIF in fig. 21 (b). This state brings the circular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 into contact with the main body side drive member 100. The coupling member 180 is inclined from the state shown in fig. 21(a) to the state shown in fig. 21(b) in the direction of the main body side drive member 100, and therefore the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 can be easily engaged. Note that the coupling member 180 maintains the second inclined posture D2 by receiving the total force F3 from the coupling lever spring 56 and the coupling spring 185 through the guided portion 180D thereof, as described above (see fig. 12(a) to 12 (c)). In the following description, an angle (inclination angle) formed between the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is θ 2a when the coupling member 180 is at the second inclined posture D2 (see fig. 21 (b)).

In the state illustrated in fig. 21(c), the developing cartridge B1 has been further inserted into the attachment/detachment path X2a from the state illustrated in fig. 21 (B). Fig. 21(g) is a view seen from the direction of arrow XXIG in fig. 21 (c). Fig. 23(a) and 23(b) are sectional views illustrating the relationship of the force at the periphery of the coupling member 180 when the circular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 is in contact with the main body side drive member 100.

The rotation restricting portion 55y and the abutting portion 80y of the coupling link 55 disposed on the drive-side swing guide 80 are in a state of contact. By the circular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 coming into contact with the main body side drive member 100, the inclination angle of the coupling member 180 is changed to θ 2b (≦ θ 2a) from the state shown in fig. 21(b) to the state shown in fig. 21 (c). In more detail, the coupling member 180 receives the force F100 from the main body side driving member 100 at the contact portion. In the case where the force F100 is in the opposite direction to the force F3 initially received by the coupling member 180 and is greater than F3, the inclination angle of the coupling member 180 becomes smaller and approaches a direction relatively parallel to the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. That is, the inclination angle changes centering on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b and becomes θ 2b < θ 2a (see fig. 15(a), 21(b), 21(c), and 23 (a)). The coupling member 180 is in contact with four parts (the coupling lever 55, the coupling spring 185, the main body side drive member 100, and the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36), which determines the inclination angle (θ 2b) thereof.

Fig. 21(d) illustrates a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further inserted into the attachment/detachment path X2a from the state illustrated in fig. 21 (c). Fig. 21(h) is a view seen from the direction of arrow XXIH in fig. 21 (d). The rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 contacts the abutting portion 80y of the drive-side swing guide 80. Therefore, in conjunction with the insertion of the developing cartridge B1 in the direction of the attachment/detachment path X2a, the coupling lever 55 is relatively rotated in the direction of the arrow X11B centering on the rotation axis L11 within the developing cartridge B1. At this time, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 also rotates in the direction of the arrow X11b around the rotation axis L11. As a result, the inclination angle θ 2c of the coupling member 180 decreases along the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 by receiving the biasing force from the coupling spring 185 (θ 2c < θ 2 b). The coupling member 180 is in contact with three parts (the coupling spring 185, the main body side drive member 100, and the phase restriction portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36), which determines the inclination angle (θ 2c) thereof.

Fig. 22(a) to 22(d) illustrate a state in which the developing cartridge B1 has been further inserted in the direction of the attachment/detachment path X2a from the state illustrated in fig. 21(d), and fig. 22(a) to 22(d) illustrate a state in which the attachment of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1 has been completed.

The coupling member 180 engages the main body side drive member 100, and assumes the reference posture D0 (the inclination angle θ 2 of the coupling member 180 is 0 °).

The phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 at this time is separated from the second inclination restriction portion 36kb2 of the drive side development bearing 36 and is not in contact with any portion of the phase restriction portion 36b of the drive side development bearing 36 (see fig. 22 (c)). The guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is maintained in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. That is, the coupling member 180 is in contact with two parts (the coupling spring 185 and the main body side driving member 100), which determines the inclination angle (θ 2) thereof (see the above-described reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180 for details).

< operation of the coupling member 180 during the process of removing the developing cartridge B1 >

Next, an operation of the coupling member 180 in a process of removing the developing cartridge B1 from the apparatus main body a1 will be described.

The operation of removing the developing cartridge B1 from the apparatus main body a1 is the reverse of the above-described mounting.

First, the user rotates the body cover 94 of the apparatus body a1 in the opening direction D1 (see fig. 17 and 18) in the same manner as when mounting and exposes the inside of the apparatus body a 1. The developing cartridge B1 is held in a contact posture in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in contact, by the driving-side swing guide 80, the non-driving-side swing guide 81, and a configuration not shown.

The developing cartridge B1 then moves in the removing direction following the attachment/detachment path XH2 provided to the driving-side swing guide 80 and the non-driving-side swing guide 81.

When the developing cartridge B1 moves, the abutment portion 80y of the drive-side swing guide 80 that has come into contact with the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 moves (from the state shown in fig. 21(d) to the state shown in fig. 21 (c)). In conjunction with this, the coupling link 55 rotates in the direction of the arrow X11 centering on the rotation axis L11. The coupling lever 55 is caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow X11 by further moving the developing cartridge B1, and the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is brought into contact with the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (the state shown in fig. 21 (c)). The coupling member 180 receiving the biasing force from the coupling lever 55 and the coupling spring 185 starts to move in the direction of the second inclined posture D2, as described above. Finally, the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is restricted by the guide portion 36kb2a, the guide portion 36kb2b, and the guide portion 36kb2c of the drive-side development bearing 36, and engages the second inclination restriction portion 36kb 2. The coupling member 180 maintains the state of the second inclined posture D2.

Thereafter, the developing cartridge B1 is removed to the outside of the apparatus body a1 by being moved in a removing direction following the mounting/dismounting path XH1, which is provided to the driving-side guide member 92 and the non-driving-side guide member 93, XH 1.

As described above, the developing cartridge B1, which applies the biasing force to the coupling member 180, is provided with the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56, which enables the coupling member 180 to be tilted in the second tilting posture D2. The direction in which the coupling lever 55 tilts the coupling member 180 is the direction of the mounting/dismounting path X2a of the developing cartridge B1, and further, the configuration is such that the rotating operation of the coupling lever 55 occurs in conjunction with the user performing the mounting/dismounting operation of the developing cartridge B1.

(7) About contact/separation rods as movable members

The driving side contact/spacing bar 70 as the driving side movable member will be described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1(a) is an explanatory view of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 and the peripheral form, and is a sectional view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the driving side.

The driving side contact/spacer bar 70 includes a first contact surface 70a, a second contact surface 70b, a third contact surface 70c, a supported portion 70d, a driving side restricting contact portion 70e, and a first protrusion (one end side protrusion) 70 f. The supported portion 70d of the driving side contact/spacer bar 70 is rotatably supported by the driving side developing bearing 36, the supporting portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36. Specifically, the boss of the supporting portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36 is fitted into the hole in the supported portion 70d of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70, and thus the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is supported so as to be rotatable (in the directions of arrows N9 and N10) centering on the boss of the supporting portion 36 c. That is, the support portion 36c serves as the rotation center of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70. The supporting portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36 is parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13. That is, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is rotatable on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13.

Further, at the third contact surface 70c, the driving side contact/spacing rod 70 is in contact with one end portion 71d of a driving side developing pressure spring 71, the driving side developing pressure spring 71 being a compression spring as a first elastic portion. The other end portion 71e of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is in contact with the contact surface 36d of the driving side developing bearing 36. As a result, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 receives a force in the direction of the arrow N16 from the driving side development pressure spring 71 at the third contact surface 70 c. The driving side developing pressure spring 71 biases (urges) the first contact surface 70a of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 in a direction (N16) away from the developing roller 13. In the individual state of the developing cartridge B1, i.e., in the state before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus main body a1, the driving side restriction contact portion 70e is in contact with the restriction portion 36B provided to the driving side developing bearing 36.

Now, fig. 37 is a view in which the driving side contact/spacer lever 70 has been projected on a sectional view of the developing cartridge B1. The supported portion 70d (the rotation center of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70) is at a position overlapping the developer accommodating portion 16a in fig. 37 (i.e., in the developer accommodating portion 16 a). That is, when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed in the direction of the arrow N11 (see fig. 4) following the direction parallel to the rotational axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the supported portion 70d of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is in a position overlapping the developer accommodating portion 16a of the developing container 16. Although not shown, the non-drive side contact/spacing bars 72 have the same configuration.

Therefore, the degree to which the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 protrude from the developer accommodating portion 16a can be reduced, and the size of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13 can be made compact.

The non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 as the non-driving side movable member will be described with reference to fig. 1 (b). Note that the non-driving side has a similar configuration to the driving side.

Fig. 1(B) is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 viewed from the non-driving side. Note, however, that some parts are not shown to describe the configuration of the non-drive side contact/spacer bars 72.

As shown in fig. 1(b), the non-driving side contact/spacer bar 72 has a non-driving side first contact surface 72a, a non-driving side second contact surface 72b, a non-driving side third contact surface 72c, a supported portion 72d, a non-driving side restricting contact portion 72e, and a non-driving side first projection 72f (the other end side projection). The supported portion 72d of the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 is supported by the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Specifically, the boss of the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 is fitted into the hole of the supported portion 72d of the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72, and therefore the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 can rotate (in the direction of arrows NH9 and NH 10) centering on the boss of the supporting portion 46 f. That is, the support portion 46f is the center of rotation of the non-drive side contact/spacing rod 72. In the present embodiment, the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 is also parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13. That is, the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 is rotatable on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13.

Further, the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 is in contact with one end portion 73e of a non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 at a non-driving side third contact surface 72c, the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 being a compression spring as a second elastic portion. The other end portion 73d of the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 is in contact with the contact surface 46g of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. As a result, the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 receives a force FH10 from the non-driving side development pressure spring 73 in the direction of the arrow NH16 at the non-driving side third contact surface 72 c. The non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 biases (urges) the non-driving side first contact surface 72a of the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 in a direction (arrow NH16) away from the developing roller 13. In the individual state of the developing cartridge B1, i.e., in the state before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus main body a1, the non-driving-side restriction contact portion 72e is in contact with the restriction portion 46e provided to the non-driving-side developing bearing 46.

The restriction portion 36b and the restriction portion 46e are each configured to partially overlap the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 in the biasing direction of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73, as shown in fig. 1. In other words, the driving side contact/spacing rod 70 is sandwiched between the restriction portion 36b and the driving side developing pressure spring 71, and is configured to receive the compression force. That is, the position of the separated portion 70g after the separated portion 70g of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 contacts the regulating portion 36b can be accurately positioned. This also applies to the non-driving side. As a result, the spacing force applied by the spacing mechanism of the apparatus main body, which will be described later, can be received at a highly accurate timing.

The

restriction portions

36b and 46e restrict the respective driving-side contact/spacing bars 70 and non-driving-side contact/spacing bars 72 from moving in a direction away from the developing roller 13. In other words, at the positions where the regulating

portions

36b and 46e are provided, they can regulate the drive-side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-drive-side contact/spacing bar 72 from moving in the direction away from the developing roller 13. When the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10, the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 rotate in the rotational directions N10 and NH10, respectively, to come into contact with the regulating

portions

36b and 46 e. Therefore, this state causes the spacing force applied by the spacing mechanism of the apparatus main body to be transmitted from the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing rod 72 to the driving-side developing bearing 36 and the non-driving-side developing bearing 46 of the developing frame via the restricting

portions

36b and 46 e.

Fig. 44 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship of the regulating portion 36b, the regulating portion 46e, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70, the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72, the driving side developing pressure spring 71, and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. Fig. 44 is a view seen from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction of the rotation axis L0). The restriction portion 36b is configured to at least partially overlap the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the driving side third contact surface 70c with respect to a direction N11, the direction N11 being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction of the rotation axis L0). In the same manner, the restriction portion 46e is configured to at least partially overlap the non-drive side developing pressure spring 73 and the non-drive side third contact surface 72c with respect to the direction N11. Therefore, the spacing force applied by the spacing mechanism described later of the apparatus main body can be received at a highly accurate timing.

The restriction portion 36b is also configured to at least partially overlap the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the driving side third contact surface 70c also with respect to the direction of the arrow M2, as shown in fig. 1. In the same manner, the restriction portion 46e is also configured to at least partially overlap the non-drive side developing pressure spring 73 and the non-drive side third contact surface 72c with respect to the direction of the arrow M2. Note, however, that it is sufficient that the above-described placement relationship of the

restriction portions

36b and 46e can be achieved with respect to one or the other of the N11 direction and the arrow M2 direction.

Now, the biasing force F10 of the driving side development pressure spring 71 and the biasing force FH10 of the non-driving side development pressure spring 73 are set to be different. Also, the driving side third contact surface 70c and the non-driving side third contact surface 72c are arranged at different angles. This can be appropriately selected in consideration of the performance of the peripheral configuration so that the later-described pressing force of the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 is appropriate. Considering a moment M6 (see fig. 27(a)) occurring at the developing cartridge B1 when receiving transmission from the apparatus main body a1 to rotationally drive the developing roller 13, a relationship of F10 < FH10 is set in the present embodiment.

That is, at the driving side, the coupling member 180 rotates in the direction of arrow X6 as shown in fig. 8 (b). The developing cartridge B1 that has received this rotational force rocks integrally with the drive-side swing guide 80 centering on the support portion 80g in the direction of the arrow N6 shown in fig. 27(a) (see fig. 27 (a)). In the case where the rotational force (torque) received by the coupling member 180 from the main body side driving member 100 is sufficiently large, a moment in the direction of the arrow N6 is generated only by the torque of the coupling member 180, thereby generating a force pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the biasing force F10 of the driving side development pressure spring 71 can be made smaller than the biasing force FH10 of the non-driving side development pressure spring 73.

Now, a straight line Z30 passing through the center 13Z of the developing roller 13 and parallel to the mounting/dismounting direction X2 (fig. 17) in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted/dismounted to/from the apparatus body a 1/a 1 is defined, as shown in fig. 1 (a). The driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 is disposed on the side of the straight line Z30 opposite to the photosensitive drum 10 (the lower side in the direction of gravity in the present embodiment). With respect to mounting/dismounting the developing cartridge, due to this configuration, the degree of freedom of placement of the drum cartridge C is increased. Specifically, the configuration in which the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 does not protrude in the direction of the drum cartridges C increases the degree of freedom in placement of the drum cartridges C. There is no need for placement to avoid interference with protruding drive side contact/spacer bars 70, etc.

The first projection 70f of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 projects farther than the developing container 16, the driving side developing bearing 36 and the developing side cover 34 when viewed from the driving side of the developing cartridge in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) (see fig. 10 (a)).

That is, when the developing cartridge is viewed from the driving side (one end side) in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis L0), the first protrusion (one end side protrusion) 70f of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is exposed from the developing frame (16, 46, 36, 34), as shown in fig. 11 (a).

However, when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotational axis L0), the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 does not have to be exposed from the developing frame (16, 46, 36, 34). A configuration may be conceived in which the first projecting portion 70f is not exposed (cannot be seen) so that the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is hidden behind the developing frame when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed from the driving side or the non-driving side.

That is, it is sufficient that the first projection 70f projects from the developing frame (16, 46, 36, 34) in a section of the developing cartridge (see fig. 1(a)) passing through the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 (specifically, the first projection 70f) and orthogonal to the developing direction (the rotational axis L0 of the developing roller 13). According to this configuration, a drive-side apparatus pressing member 150 (see fig. 27(a) to 27(c)) described later can engage the first protrusion 70 f.

In other words, it is sufficient to form the external form of the developing cartridge such that the first protrusion 70f protrudes from the developing frame at a position where the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 70f protrudes with respect to the driving side developing bearing 36 at the position where the driving side contact/spacer bar 70 is arranged. It is also possible to form a configuration in which the first projecting portion 70f is covered by the development-side cover 34, the development-side cover 34 being further outward in the longitudinal direction than the driving-side contact/spacing bar 70, or the first projecting portion 70f is covered by the development container 16, the development container 16 being further inward in the longitudinal direction than the driving-side contact/spacing bar 70.

In summary, when viewed in cross section at the position of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 in the direction of the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 protrudes to form the outer shape of the developing cartridge B1.

Further, the projecting direction (the direction of the arrow M2) of the first projecting portion 70f intersects with the direction in which the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 can move (moving direction: the direction of the arrows N9 and N10) and the direction in which the developing cartridge B1 can move (moving direction: the direction of the arrow N6 (see fig. 27 (a)).

The first projection 70f has a first contact surface 70a in a direction away from the developing roller 13 when viewed from the supported portion 70d of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70. This configuration causes the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 to contact the first contact surface 70a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 when the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 (see fig. 27(a)), which will be described in more detail below. Further, a partitioned portion 70g is provided at the tip of the first projecting portion 70f, the partitioned portion 70g intersecting the projecting direction (the direction of arrow M2) of the first projecting portion 70f and projecting at the side toward the developing roller 13. The partitioned portion 70g has a second contact surface 70 b. This configuration makes the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 contact the second contact surface 70b of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 when the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 (see fig. 28(a) to 28(d)), which will be described in detail later.

Next, the shape of the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 (b). As described above, in the same manner as the driving side, the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 is disposed on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 10 (the lower side in the direction of gravity in the present embodiment) via the straight line Z30, which straight line Z30 passes through the center 13Z of the developing roller 13 and is parallel to the mounting/dismounting direction X2 in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted/dismounted to/from the apparatus body a 1/1. With this configuration, the degree of freedom in placement of the drum cartridge C is increased for mounting/dismounting the developing cartridge. Specifically, the configuration in which the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 does not protrude in the direction of the drum cartridges C increases the degree of freedom in placement of the drum cartridges C. There is no need for placement to avoid interference with the protruding non-drive side contact/spacer bars 72 or the like.

The first projection 72f of the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 projects further outward than the developing container 16 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46 when viewed from the longitudinal direction. The first protruding portion (the other-end-portion side protruding portion) 72f of the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 is exposed from the developing frame (16, 46, 36, 34) when the developing cartridge is viewed from the non-driving side (the other-end-portion side) in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis L0) (see fig. 5).

Note, however, that in the same manner as the first protrusion 70f, the first protrusion 72f need not be exposed when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis L0).

That is, in the same manner as the first protrusion 70f, it is sufficient that the first protrusion 72f protrudes from the developing frame (16, 36, 34) in a section of the developing cartridge, which passes through the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 (specifically, the protrusion 72f) and is orthogonal to the developing direction (the rotational axis L0 of the developing roller 13). According to this configuration, a non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 (see fig. 29(a)) described later can engage the protruding portion 72 f.

In other words, it is sufficient to form the external form of the developing cartridge B1 such that the protruding portion 72f protrudes from the developing frame (from the non-driving-side cover 46 in the present embodiment) at a position where the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. It is also possible to form a configuration in which the developing frame covers the first protruding portion 72f at the longitudinal direction outer side or the longitudinal direction inner side where the non-driving contact/spacing lever 72 is arranged.

In summary, when viewed in cross section at the position of the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 in the direction of the rotational axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 protrudes to form the outer shape of the developing cartridge B1.

Further, the projecting direction of the first projecting portion 72f (the direction of arrow MH 2) intersects the direction in which the non-drive-side contact/spacing lever 72 is movable (the moving direction: the direction of arrows NH9 and NH 10) and the direction in which the developing cartridge B1 is movable (the moving direction: the direction of arrow M1 (see fig. 27(a)) the first projecting portion 72f has a first contact surface 72a in the direction away from the developing roller 13 when viewed from the supported portion 72d of the non-drive-side contact/spacing lever 72. this configuration makes the second contact surface 151B of the non-drive-side apparatus pressing member 151 contact with the first contact surface 72a of the non-drive-side contact/spacing lever 72 when the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 (see fig. 29), which will be described in more detail later.

Further, a spacer 72g is provided at the tip of the first projecting portion 72f, the spacer 72g intersecting with the projecting direction (the direction of arrow MH 2) of the first projecting portion 72f from the developing container 16 and projecting at the side toward the developing roller 13. The spacer 72g has a second contact surface 72 b. This configuration is such that the first contact surface 151a of the non-drive-side apparatus pressing member 151 contacts the second contact surface 72b of the non-drive-side contact/spacing lever 72 when the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 (see fig. 29(b)), which will be described in detail later.

As described above, the driving side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 are provided at both end portions of the developing cartridge with respect to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the developing roller 13. The driving-side contact/spacing bars 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing bars 72 may be arranged further outside than the width of a medium (such as recording paper, label paper, OHP sheet, etc.) for forming an image. In this case, the driving-side contact/spacing bars 70 and the like, the medium, and the conveying member and the like provided to the apparatus body to convey the medium may be arranged at the intersecting position when the apparatus body is viewed along the plate whose normal line is the longitudinal direction. As a result, the size of the apparatus main body can be reduced.

Next, the arrangement of the driving side contact/spacing bars 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing bars 72 will be described with reference to fig. 24. Fig. 24 is a front view of the developing cartridge B1 viewed from the developing roller 13 side. Note, however, that a cross-sectional view around a supporting portion 36a of the driving side developing bearing 36 and a supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 has been obtained, the supporting portion 36a supporting the driving side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13, and the supporting portion 46f supporting the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13.

As described above, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is provided on the driving side end portion of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction. Also, the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 is provided on the non-driving side end portion of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction. The rotating operations of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 (the directions of arrows N9 and N10 in fig. 1(a) and the directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in fig. 1(b)) can be independently rotated without affecting each other.

Now, the driving side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 is supported by the supporting portion 36a of the driving side developing bearing 36 longitudinally further outward than the driving side end portion L13bk of the image forming range L13 b. Further, the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 is supported by the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 longitudinally further outward than the non-driving side end portion L13bh of the image forming range L13 b. The driving side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 are arranged so as to at least partially overlap the range of the total length L13a of the developing roller 13. Further, the driving side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 are arranged to be located further outside of the image forming range L13b of the developing roller 13.

That is, the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the driving-side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 are arranged to at least partially overlap the region L14k, which region L14k is sandwiched between the driving-side end portion L13bk of the image forming range L13b and the driving-side end portion L13ak of the total length L13a of the developing roller 13. Therefore, the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the driving-side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 are located at the vicinity position in the longitudinal direction.

Further, the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 and the non-driving-side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 are arranged to at least partially overlap a region L14h, which region L14h is sandwiched between the non-driving-side end portion L13bh of the image forming range L13b and the non-driving-side end portion L13ah of the total length L13a of the developing roller 13. The non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 and the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 are arranged to satisfy this relationship. Therefore, the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 and the driving-side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 are located at the vicinity position in the longitudinal direction.

(description of contact/separation mechanism)

(developing pressurization and developing interval structure of apparatus main body)

Next, the developing pressing and developing interval configuration of the apparatus main body will be described.

Fig. 25(a) is an exploded perspective view of the driving side plate 90 of the apparatus main body a1 when viewed from the non-driving side, and fig. 25(b) is a side view when viewed from the non-driving side. Fig. 26(a) is an exploded perspective view of the non-driving side plate 91 of the apparatus main body a1 when viewed from the driving side, and fig. 26(b) is a side view when viewed from the driving side.

A driving side guide member 92 and a driving side swing guide 80 for mounting/dismounting the developing cartridge B1 to/from the apparatus body a 1/from the apparatus body a1 are provided to the apparatus body a1, as shown in fig. 25. The driving-side guide member 92 and the driving-side swinging guide 80 guide the driving-side guided portion 34d of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body (see fig. 18).

The drive-side guide member 92 has: a boss-shaped positioned portion 92d, the positioned portion 92d protruding from the driving-side guide member 92; and a rotation restricted portion 92e supported by a hole-shaped positioning portion 90a provided in the drive-side plate 90; and a rotation restricting portion 90b as shown in fig. 25 (a). The drive-side guide member 92 is then positioned and fixed to the drive-side plate 90 by fixing means such as screws (not shown). The driving-side swinging guide 80 is supported by a cylindrical supported protruding portion 80g, and the supported protruding portion 80g is fitted to a hole-shaped support portion 90c provided to the driving-side plate 90. Therefore, the drive-side swinging guide 80 is supported by the drive-side plate 90 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow N5 and the direction of the arrow N6.

Note that, although it has been described above that the support portion 90c provided to the driving-side plate 90 is hole-shaped (recessed-shaped) and the supported protruding portion 80g provided to the driving-side swinging guide 80 is protruding-shaped, the recessed/protruding relationship thereof is not limited thereto, and the recessed/protruding relationship may be reversed.

Further, a driving side biasing unit 76 as a tension spring is provided between the protruding portion 80h of the driving side swing guide 80 and the protruding portion 90d of the driving side plate 90. The driving-side swinging guide 80 is biased in the direction of the arrow N6 by the driving-side biasing unit 76, which draws the protruding portion 80h of the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the protruding portion 90d of the driving-side plate 90 closer. The apparatus main body a1 is provided with a driving side apparatus pressing member 150, which driving side apparatus pressing member 150 brings the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 into contact, and spaces them apart. The driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is supported by a bottom plate (not shown) in a state movable in the direction of arrow N7 and the direction of arrow N8.

On the other hand, a non-driving side guide member 93 and a non-driving side swing guide 81 for mounting/dismounting the developing cartridge B1 to/from the apparatus body a 1a 1 are provided to the apparatus body a1 as shown in fig. 26(a) and 26 (B). The non-driving-side guide member 93 and the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 guide the non-driving-side guided portion 46d of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body (see fig. 18).

The non-drive side guide member 93 has: a boss-shaped positioned portion 93d, the positioned portion 93d protruding from the non-driving side guide member 93; and a rotation restricted portion 93e as shown in fig. 26 (a). The positioned portion 93d and the rotation restricted portion 93e are supported by a hole-shaped positioning portion 91a and a rotation restricting portion 91b provided in the non-driving side plate 91. The non-driving side guide member 93 is then positioned and fixed to the non-driving side plate 91 by fixing means (not shown) such as screws. The non-driving side swing guide 81 is supported by a cylindrical supported protrusion 81g, and the cylindrical supported protrusion 81g is fitted to a hole-shaped support portion 91c provided to the non-driving side plate 91. Therefore, the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 is supported by the non-driving-side plate 91 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow N5 and the direction of the arrow N6.

Note that, although it has been described above that the support portion 91c provided to the non-driving side plate 91 is hole-shaped (recessed shape) and the supported projecting portion 81 provided to the non-driving side swing guide 81 is projecting shape, the recessed/projecting relationship thereof is not limited to this, and the recessed/projecting relationship may be reversed.

Further, a non-driving side biasing unit 77 as a tension spring is provided between the protruding portion 81h of the non-driving side swing guide 81 and the protruding portion 91d of the non-driving side plate 91. The non-driving-side swinging guide 81 is biased in the direction of the arrow N6 by the non-driving-side biasing unit 77, which draws the protruding portion 81h of the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 and the protruding portion 91d of the non-driving-side plate 91 closer.

The apparatus main body a1 is provided with a non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151, and the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 brings the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 into contact and spaces them apart in the same manner as at the driving side. The non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151 is supported by a bottom plate (not shown) in a state movable in the direction of an arrow N7 and the direction of an arrow N8.

(development pressurization and development interval with respect to photosensitive drum)

Next, the pressurization and spacing of the developing roller 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 will be described.

< pressurizing mechanism >

The configuration of the developing roller 13 will be described below.

Fig. 27(a) is a side view showing a state in which the developing roller 13 of the developing cartridge B1 supported by the driving-side swinging guide 80 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Fig. 27(c) is a detailed view of the periphery of the driving side contact/spacer bar 70 in fig. 27(a), in which the driving side swing guide 80 and the development side cover 34 are not illustrated for the sake of description.

In the present embodiment, a so-called contact development system is used in which the developing roller 13 carrying the developer t is brought into direct contact with the photosensitive drum 10 to develop the electrostatic latent image in the photosensitive drum 10.

The developing roller 13 is configured by a shaft portion 13e and a rubber portion 13 d. The shaft portion 13e is a conductive elongated cylindrical body of aluminum or the like and an intermediate portion thereof is covered by a rubber portion 13d along a longitudinal direction thereof (see fig. 6(a) and 6 (b)). Now, the rubber portion 13d covers the shaft portion 13e so that its outer shape is concentric with the shaft portion 13 e. The magnet roller 12 is configured inside the cylinder of the shaft portion 13 e. The rubber portion 13d carries the developer t on its circumferential surface, and a bias is applied to the shaft portion 13 e. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is then developed by bringing the rubber portion 13d in a state of bearing the developer t into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

Next, a configuration will be described in which the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 at a predetermined contact pressure.

As described above, the drive-side swinging guide 80 is supported by the drive-side plate 90 so as to be swingable in the directions of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6. The non-driving-side swinging guide 81 is supported by the non-driving-side plate 91 so as to be swingable in the directions of arrows N5 and N6. The developing cartridge B1 is positioned to the driving-side swing guide 80 and the non-driving-side swing guide 81 as described above. Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 is in a state capable of rocking in the directions of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 within the apparatus main body a1 (see fig. 29(a) and 29 (B)).

In this state, the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is in contact with the first contact surface 70a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70, as shown in fig. 27(a) and 27 (c). Therefore, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is in a state in which it is rotated in the direction of the arrow N9 in fig. 27(c) against the biasing force of the driving side development pressure spring 71. The third contact surface 70c of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 then compresses the driving side development pressure spring 71, and receives the biasing force F10a from the driving side development pressure spring 71. As a result, a moment M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 acts on the drive-side contact/spacing lever 70. At this time, the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is in contact with the first contact surface 70a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70. Accordingly, the first contact surface 70a of the driving-side contact/spacing bar 70 receives the force F11 from the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, so that a moment balanced with the moment M10 acts on the driving-side contact/spacing bar 70. Therefore, the external force of the force F11 acts on the developing cartridge B1. Further, the driving side biasing unit 76 is provided between the protruding portion 80h of the driving side swing guide 80 and the protruding portion 90d of the driving side plate 90, and is biased in the direction of the arrow N12 as described above. Therefore, the external force of the force F12 in the direction of the arrow N12 acts on the developing cartridge B1 positioned by the driving-side swing guide 80.

That is, the developing cartridge B1 receives the moment M6 in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 approach (the direction of the arrow N6) by virtue of the force F11 from the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the force F12 from the driving side biasing unit 76. The elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 by this moment M6 with a predetermined pressure.

Next, fig. 29(a) is a side view showing a state where the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and the developing cartridge B1 supported by the non-driving-side swinging guide 81 has the developing roller 13. Fig. 29(c) is a detailed view of the periphery of the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 in fig. 29(a), in which the non-driving side swing guide 81 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46 are partially omitted for the sake of description.

The configuration of the non-driving side is the same as that of the driving side, and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 and the non-driving side biasing unit 77 act external forces FH11 and FH12 on the developing cartridge B1, as shown in fig. 29(a) and 29 (c). Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 receives the moment (M6) in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 approach (the direction of the arrow N6), and the elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 with a predetermined pressure.

Now, as shown in fig. 27(b), D10 denotes the distance between the center of the supported portion 70D and the center of the third contact surface 70c when viewed from the direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller 13. In the same manner, D11 denotes the distance from the center of the supported portion 70D to the portion of the first contact surface 70a pressed by the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150. The relationship between distance D10 and distance D11 is D10< D11.

Therefore, the third contact surface 70c of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70, which third contact surface 70c is in contact with the one end portion 71d of the driving side developing pressure spring 71, is arranged between the supported portion 70d of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 and the first contact surface 70a in the direction of the projecting direction M2. That is, the relationship between the distance W10 from the third contact surface 70c by the supported portion 70d and the distance W11 from the first contact surface 70a by the supported portion 70d is W10< W11.

Therefore, the relationship between W12 as the movement amount of the first contact surface 70a and the movement amount W13 of the third contact surface 70c is W13< W12, where W13 is W12 × (W10/W11).

Therefore, even in the case where there is an error in the positional accuracy of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, the variation in the amount of compression of the driving-side developing pressure spring 71 is smaller than the error in the positional accuracy of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150. As a result, the accuracy of the pressing force pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 can be improved. The non-driving side has the same configuration and therefore can maintain the same advantages.

Also, the driving side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 are arranged so as to at least partially overlap the range of the overall length L13a of the developing roller 13 in the longitudinal direction, as previously described (see fig. 24). Therefore, the difference in the positions of the first contact surfaces 70a and 72a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 and the driving-side supported portion 13a and the non-driving-side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 in the longitudinal direction can be reduced. The driving side contact/spacing rod 70 receives the force F11 (see fig. 27(a)) and the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 receives the external force FH11 (see fig. 29 (c)). Since the above positional difference is reduced, the moment acting on the driving side developing bearing 36 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46 can be suppressed. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be effectively pressed into contact with the photosensitive drum.

Also, as described above, the rotating operations of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 (the directions of the arrows N9 and N10 in fig. 27(a) and the directions of the arrows NH9 and NH10 in fig. 29(c) and 29 (d)) can be rotated independently without being affected by each other. Therefore, when the developing roller 13 is in a state of being pressed against the photosensitive drum 10, the position of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 in the directions of the arrows N7 and N8 (see fig. 25(a) and 25(b)) and the position of the non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151 in the directions of the arrows N7 and N8 (see fig. 26(b)) can be independently set. Further, it is not necessary to match the rotation directions of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 (the directions of arrows N9 and N10 in fig. 27(a), and the directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in fig. 29(c) and 29 (d)). As a result, the magnitude and direction of the pressing forces F11 and FH11 that press the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 at the driving side and the non-driving side can be optimized. Further, even in the case where there is a relative error in the positions of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151, the pressing forces F11 and FH11 have no influence on each other. As a result, the contact pressure of the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 can be made highly accurate.

Note that the position of the developing cartridge B1 where the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can contact to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 will be referred to as a contact position. On the other hand, the position of the developing cartridge B1 at which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced will be referred to as a spacing position. By the configuration of the developing cartridge B1, the developing cartridge B1 can be selected between the contact position and the spaced position by a mechanism described later.

< construction of electrical connection between developing cartridge and apparatus main body by pressing mechanism >

Next, a configuration of electrical connection between the developing cartridge B1 and the apparatus main body a1 will be described with reference to fig. 38(a) and 38 (B). When the developing cartridge B1 is at the above-described contact position, the electrode portion 47a of the storage plate 47 of the developing cartridge B1 is in contact with the power supply contact 120A of the apparatus main body a 1. The power feeding contact 120A has elastic properties, and therefore is pressed inward by a predetermined amount from the shape 120Aa by the electrode portion 47a before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted, as shown in fig. 39. Therefore, the power supply contact 120A applies the contact pressure FH13 to the developing cartridge B1 in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 move away from each other. On the other hand, a force FH11 that brings the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 close acts on the developing cartridge B1, as shown in fig. 38 (a). At this time, the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 is pressed from the first position in contact with the contact surface 46e of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 to the second position where the projection 72f has been brought closer to the developing roller 13 by the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151, as shown in fig. 38 (a). The electrode portion 47a is located at the downstream side of the moving direction W from the first position to the second position, where the moving direction W intersects with the surface (exposed surface) of the electrode portion 47 a.

Therefore, the force F11 that causes the non-drive side contact/spacing rod 72 to move in the direction W and the contact pressure force FH13 have opposite force components. Now, a contact pressure FH13 of a certain level or higher is required to stabilize the electrical contact between the electrode portion 47a and the power supply contact 120A. In addition to serving to press the elastic layer of the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 in a stable manner, the present configuration also sets the magnitude of the force FH11 of the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 in consideration of the contact pressure F13. That is, a contact pressure FH13 that stabilizes the electrical contact can be ensured by the force FH11 and the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10. Accordingly, the electrode portion 47a and the power supply contact 120A are electrically connected, thus enabling communication between a circuit board (not shown) of the apparatus main body and the electrode portion 47 a.

Now, a case can be conceived in which the external force FH12 of the non-driving-side biasing unit 77 is raised to ensure the contact pressure FH 3. However, in this case, it is necessary to increase the biasing force of the non-driving-side pressing spring 85 so that the developing cartridge B1 does not come loose from the non-driving-side swing guide 81 (see fig. 26(a) and 26 (B)). On the other hand, when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the non-driving-side swing guide 81, the non-driving-side pressing spring 85 is pressed downward by the operation force of the user, as described above. Therefore, the user needs to mount the developing cartridge B1 with a greater force. As described above, attempting to ensure the contact pressure FH13 by the force FH12 of the non-driving-side biasing unit 77 may result in poor user operability. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the contact pressure FH13 is ensured by the force FH11 of the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73, so that the developing cartridge B1 can be positioned without deterioration in user operability.

Also, the relationship between the electrode portion 47a and the non-drive-side contact/spacing bar 72 in the present embodiment can be described as follows, instead of words. For example, along the normal direction Z of the electrode portion 47a at the contact portion of the power supply contact 120A, the distance between the electrode portion 47a and the non-driving-side contact/spacing rod 72 will be referred to as L1 at the first position and L2 at the second position, as shown in fig. 38 (b). The electrode portion 47a at this time is in a position where L2 < L1 is maintained. Therefore, the contact pressure FH13 can be ensured using the force that moves the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 from the first position to the second position.

Further, the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72, the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73, and the storage plate 47 are attached to the non-driving side developing bearing 46 in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 38 (a). That is, the position of the electrode portion 47a as the operating portion for the contact pressure force F13 and the position of the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 as the operating portion for the force FH11 are arranged in the same plane orthogonal to the axis L0 of the developing roller 13. In other words, the electrode portion 47a and the non-driving-side contact/spacing rod 72 at least partially overlap with respect to the direction of the axis L0 of the developing roller 13. Therefore, the posture of the developing cartridge B1 can be further stabilized because the moment between the contact pressure force F13 and the force FH11, which has the rotation axis T in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the developing roller, can be reduced.

Also, the storage plate 47 is not attached to the driving side but to the bearing 46 at the non-driving side. If the storage plate 47 is provided on the driving side, the storage plate 47 may be affected by the driving force acting on the coupling member 180. However, the storage plate 47 is provided to the non-driving side developing bearing 46 in the present embodiment, and therefore is less susceptible to the influence of the driving force, so that the contact pressure FH13 is stabilized.

< spacing mechanism >

Fig. 28(a) is an explanatory diagram describing the state of the developing cartridge B1 at the time of transition from the contact state between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 to the spaced state. Fig. 28(c) is a detailed view of the periphery of the driving side contact/spacer bar 70 in fig. 28(a), in which the driving side swing guide 80 and the development side cover 34 are not shown for the sake of description.

Fig. 28(B) is an explanatory diagram explaining a spaced state of the developing cartridge B1 in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart. Fig. 28(d) is a detailed view of the periphery of the driving side contact/spacer bar 70 in fig. 28(b), in which the driving side swing guide 80 and the development side cover 34 are not illustrated for the sake of description.

Now, in the case of the contact type developing system as in the present embodiment, it is concerned that if the state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in fig. 27(a) is always maintained, the rubber portion 13b of the developing roller 13 may be deformed. Therefore, the developing roller 13 is preferably spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 when there is no development. That is, a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in fig. 27(a) and a state in which the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in fig. 28(b) are preferable.

A partitioned portion 70g protruding in the direction of the developing roller 13 is provided to the driving side contact/partition lever 70. The partitioned portion 70g has a configuration capable of engaging with a first contact surface 150a provided on a driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 provided on the apparatus main body a 1. Further, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 has a configuration movable in the direction of an arrow N7 and the direction of an arrow N8 by a driving force from a not-shown motor.

Next, an operation of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 transitioning to the spacing state will be described. In the contact state of contact between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 shown in fig. 27(a), the first contact surface 150a and the spaced portion 70g are spaced apart in a state where there is a gap of a distance δ 5 therebetween.

On the other hand, fig. 28(a) illustrates a state in which the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is moved by the distance δ 6 in the direction of the arrow N8, in which the contact between the first contact surface 70a of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is separated. At this time, the first contact surface 70a of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow N10 about the supported portion 70d by the biasing force F10 of the driving side developing pressure spring 71, and the driving side restricting contact portion 70e of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is brought into contact with the restricting portion 36b of the driving side bearing member 36. Thus, the drive side contact/spacer bar 70 and the drive side bearing member 36 are positioned. Fig. 28(b) illustrates a state in which the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is moved by the distance δ 7 in the direction of the arrow N8. The driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, which is moved in the direction of the arrow N8, brings the separated surface 70g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 into contact with the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150. At this time, the drive-side regulating contact portion 70e of the drive-side contact/spacer lever 70 contacts the regulating portion 36B of the drive-side bearing member 36, so the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of arrow N8. Now, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned to the driving-side swing guide 80, and the driving-side swing guide 80 is supported by the driving-side plate 90 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow N3 and the direction of arrow N4 and swingable in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6, which will be described below with reference to fig. 41(a) to 41 (d). Therefore, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8 so that the developing cartridge B1 rocks in the direction of the arrow N5. At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart by a gap of a distance δ 8.

The configuration of the non-driving side is also the same as that of the driving side, in which the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 is moved by a distance δ h7 in the direction of an arrow NH8 in a state where the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 and the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 are in contact, as shown in fig. 29(b) and 29 (d). Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 has a configuration to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5 with the supported projection 81g of the swing guide 81 as the center, wherein the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart from each other by the distance δ 8.

Therefore, the contact state and the spaced state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are selected as needed by the positions of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151 provided to the apparatus main body a 1.

When viewed at a section at the position of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 and when viewed from the rotational axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 protrudes from the developing container 16 to form the outer shape of the developing cartridge B1, as shown in fig. 27 (a). Thus, the engagement of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the driving-side device pressing member 150 is facilitated. This configuration also enables a portion of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 to be used to move the developing cartridge B1 between the contact position and the spacing position. The same applies to the non-driving side.

When transitioning from the contact state of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 shown in fig. 27(a) to the spaced state of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 shown in fig. 28(B), the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the developing cartridge B1 rotate integrally. Therefore, the state where the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 is maintained (fig. 28 (b)).

Further, when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in the spaced state shown in fig. 28(b), the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 and the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 85 are in contact. Thus, the link member 180 receives the force F1 and assumes the above-described first inclined posture D1.

As described above, the driving side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 each have a pressure-bearing face (first contact faces 70a and 72a) and a separated face (second contact faces 70g and 72 g). The pressing faces (second contact faces 150b and 151b) and the separating faces (150a and 151a) of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151 act on the pressure-receiving face and the separated face, respectively. Therefore, the contact state and the spacing state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as needed by the individual components of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 (see fig. 27(a), 28(a), and 28 (b)). As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified. Further, the contact state and the spaced state can be controlled by separate members, and therefore, for example, the timing of transition from the contact state to the spaced state can be set with high accuracy.

The driving side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 are independently provided at the end of the developer cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction, as shown in fig. 24. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a contact/spacing lever in the entire longitudinal direction, and therefore the size of the developing cartridge B1 (region Y1 in fig. 24) can be reduced. Therefore, the region Y1 can be used as a space for component parts of the apparatus body a1, and therefore the apparatus body a1 can also be downsized.

< movement of coupling member in conjunction with operation from separated state to contact state >

Next, the movement of the coupling member 180 in conjunction with the contact operation and the spacing operation of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 will be described with reference to fig. 30 and 31.

First, the disengaging operation of the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the spaced state to the contact state will be described.

Fig. 30 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an engaged state of the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 in the developing contact state and the developing interval state.

Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an engaged state of the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 in the development contact state and the development interval state when viewed from the side at the drive side.

At the time of image formation, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is pressed by the biasing force F11 of the driving side apparatus pressing member 150, as shown in fig. 31 (a). The developing roller 13 of the developing cartridge B1 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a developing contact state, and are in contact with a predetermined pressure. The coupling member 180 is in the reference posture D0 as shown in fig. 30 (a). At this time, the developing cartridge B1 is at the engaged position where the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 are engaged. The developing cartridge B1 is in a state in which drive can be transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180 by a force from a rotation motor (not shown).

Further, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is held in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180b of the coupling member 180 (see fig. 11(a) to 11 (c)). The reason is that the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 abuts the abutment portion 80y of the drive-side swing guide 80 and restricts rotation in the direction of the arrow X11 centered on the rotation axis L11 thereof, as described above (see also fig. 11(a) to 11(c) for this purpose).

Next, the posture of the coupling member 180 in the process of the developing cartridge B1 moving from the developing contact state to the developing spaced state will be described.

As shown in fig. 31(b), when the image formation is ended, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151 (not shown) are moved in the direction of an arrow N8. When the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is moved in the direction of the arrow N8, the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow N10 by the biasing force of the driving-side development pressure spring 71 (see fig. 28 (b)). From the state where the drive side restricting contact portion 70e of the drive side contact/spacing lever 70 is in contact with the positioning portion 36b of the drive side developing bearing 36, the drive side apparatus pressing member 150 is further moved in the direction of the arrow N8. The developing cartridge B1 integrated with the driving-side swing guide 80 is then rotated in the direction of arrow N5 centering on the supported projection 80g of the driving-side swing guide 80. The same applies to the non-driving side, in which the developing cartridge B1 integrated with the non-driving side swing guide 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow N5 centering on the supported protrusion 81g (not shown) of the non-driving side swing guide 81. This state is a development interval state in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart. The developing cartridge B1 and the driving-side swing guide 80 move integrally, and therefore the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is also held in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180B of the coupling member 180 in the state shown in fig. 31 (B). This is because the abutting portion 80y is formed integrally with the drive-side swinging guide 80, as described above (see fig. 20 (b)). On the other hand, the biasing force of the coupling spring 185 acts on the coupling member 180. Therefore, in conjunction with the movement of the developing cartridge B1 from the contact state to the spaced state, the axis L2 of the coupling member 180 gradually inclines from the state of the reference attitude D0 to the direction of the first inclined attitude D1, as shown in fig. 30 (B). Then the developing cartridge B1 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow N5, and when the state in fig. 31(c) is reached, the tilting movement of the coupling member 180 is ended. At this time, the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 engages the first inclination restriction portion 36kb1 (see fig. 11(b)) of the drive side development bearing 36, and the axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is held in the first inclined posture D1. As described above, the first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180 is a posture in which the rotational force receiving part 180a of the coupling member 180 faces the direction of the main body side drive member 100 of the apparatus main body a 1. In the state shown in fig. 31(c), the developing cartridge B1 is in the disengaging position in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 have been disengaged. Therefore, this state is such that the force of the motor (not shown) is not drivingly transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member.

The state shown in fig. 31(a) is the posture of the developing cartridge B1 at the time of image formation in the present embodiment. The coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 are engaged, and a driving force is input from the apparatus main body a 1. This configuration is such that when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the state shown in fig. 31(a) to the state shown in fig. 31(B) and 31(c), the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 are disengaged from each other. In other words, this configuration is such that the drive input from the apparatus main body a1 to the developing cartridge B1 is cut off in the process of the developing cartridge B1 moving from the contact state to the spaced state. With the developing cartridge B1, the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 is rotating while the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart. This means that this configuration enables the developing roller 13 to be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 while rotating.

< movement of coupling Member in conjunction with operation from contact State to separated State >

Next, the engaging operation of the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the contact state to the spaced state will be described.

The developing contact operation of the developing cartridge B1 is the reverse of the above-described developing interval operation. In the state shown in fig. 31(B), the developing cartridge B1 is in the disengaging position in which the engagement between the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 is disengaged. In the state shown in fig. 31(b), the driving-side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side device pressing member 151 are moved in the direction of the arrow N7 from the state shown in fig. 31 (c). The developing cartridge B1 and the driving-side swinging guide 80 integrally rotate in the direction of the arrow N6 due to the biasing force of the above-described driving-side biasing unit 76 (see fig. 25(a), 25(B), 27(a), and 27 (c)). The same applies to the non-driving side. Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the spaced state to the contact state. Fig. 30(B) is an intermediate stage of the transition of the developing cartridge B1 from the spaced state to the contact state. This is also a state in which the circular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 are in contact. Specifically, the recessed conical portion 180g disposed on the inner side of the circular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 contacts the protruding portion 100g disposed on the axial end of the main body side drive member 100. The rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined from the state shown in fig. 30(c) to the state shown in fig. 30(b) in the direction of the main body side drive member 100, and therefore the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 can be easily engaged.

Further movement of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side apparatus pressing member 151 from the state shown in fig. 30(b) in the direction of the arrow N7 completes the engagement of the coupling member 180 and the main body-side driving member 100, as shown in fig. 30 (a). At this time, the developing cartridge B1 is located in the engaging position in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 are engaged, and the coupling member 180 assumes the reference posture D0. When the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus body a1, the process of the link member 180 transitioning from the first inclined posture D1 to the reference posture D0 is the same as the process of the link member 180 transitioning from the second inclined posture D2 to the reference posture D0 (see fig. 21(a) to 21 (h)).

In the present embodiment, in the state shown in fig. 31(b), before the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 start to engage, the main body side drive member 100 is rotated by a drive signal from the apparatus main body a 1. Therefore, this configuration causes the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 to engage in the middle of the movement of the developing cartridge B1 from the state shown in fig. 31(c) to the state shown in fig. 31(B) and 31(a), thus inputting drive to the developing cartridge B1. In other words, the configuration is such that in the process in which the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the spaced state to the contact state, drive is input from the apparatus main body a1 to the developing cartridge B1. This is because this configuration enables the coupling member 180 to move in the direction of N9, which is the moving direction of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing rod 72 (see fig. 27(a) to 27 (c)). The main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body a1 is rotating before the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in contact. As a result, this configuration enables the developing roller 13 to rotate while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the speed difference of the circumferential surfaces of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be reduced as the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact, and therefore, the abrasion of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be reduced.

In the case where the apparatus main body a1 has a separate motor, a clutch mechanism is required to cut off the transmission of the rotational force to the developing roller 13 while transmitting the rotational force to the photosensitive drum 10. That is, it is necessary to provide a clutch mechanism capable of selectively cutting off the transmission at the transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force from the motor to the developing roller 13. However, in the present embodiment, the engagement and disengagement of the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 is selected in the process of the developing cartridge B1 moving from the contact state to the spaced state or from the spaced state to the contact state. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the apparatus body a1 or the developing cartridge B1 with a clutch structure, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 and the apparatus body a1 which are comparatively inexpensive and occupy a small space can be realized.

(contact of separated surface of drive side contact/separation rod)

The driving side contact/spacing lever 70 has a separated surface 70g, the separated surface 70g protruding from the tip end portion 70p toward the developing roller 13 side in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70f, as shown in fig. 41 (a). From another perspective, the tip of the first protrusion 70f has a shape curved toward the developing roller 13 side, and the separated surface 70g is formed on the curved tip end portion.

Fig. 41(a) to 41(d) are explanatory views of the presence or absence of the protruding separated surface 70 g. Fig. 41(a) illustrates the present embodiment having the separated surface 70g protruding from the tip end portion 70p toward the developing roller 13 side in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70 f. Fig. 41(b) is an enlarged view of the periphery of the driving side contact/spacer bar 70 in fig. 41 (a). Fig. 41(c) illustrates an example of the separated surface 470g not protruding from the tip end portion 70p toward the developing roller 13 side in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70 f. Fig. 41(d) is an enlarged view of the periphery of the driving side contact/spacer bar 470 in fig. 41 (c).

The separated surface 70g of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 contacts the first contact surface 150a of the driving side apparatus pressing member 150, and the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated by a gap of δ 8 as shown in fig. 41.

The point at which the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 contacts the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 at the separated surface 70g is a contact point 70q, as shown in fig. 41(a) and 41 (b). The point at which the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 contacts the separated surface 70g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 at the first contact surface 150a is a contact point 150 q.

As shown in fig. 41(b), the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 applies the spacing force F17 to the separated surface 70g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 through the contact point 150q, as shown in fig. 41 (b). Therefore, the separated surface 70g of the driving side contact/spacing rod 70 receives the reaction force F18 at the contact point 70 q. At this time, the reaction force F18 is divided into a force component F19 parallel to the first contact surface 150a and a force component F20 perpendicular to the first contact surface 150 a.

The direction of the force component F19 is a direction parallel to the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side device pressing member 150, and therefore the separated surface 70g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 receives a force in the direction of the force component F19 while being in contact with the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side device pressing member 150.

As shown in fig. 41(a), the developing cartridge B1 is positioned to the driving-side swing guide 80, and the driving-side swing guide 80 is swingable in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 centering on the supported protrusion 80g at the driving-side plate (not shown). Further, the driving-side swinging guide 80 is supported by a driving-side plate (not shown) while being slidable in the direction of the arrow N3 and the direction of the arrow N4 when the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, so that the axis of the developing roller 13 can be corrected to be parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 10. This also applies to the non-driving side, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 centering on the supported projection 80g and can slide in the directions of arrows N3 and N4.

Further, the position of the drive-side contact/spacing rod 70 is determined by the contact of the drive-side restraining contact portion 70e of the drive-side contact/spacing rod 70 with the restraining portion 36b of the drive-side bearing member 36, as described above. Therefore, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 receives the force component F19, causing the developing cartridge B1 to attempt to rotate in the direction of arrow N5 centering on the supported projection 80g and slide in the direction of arrow N11.

Therefore, the driving-side contact/spacer bar 70 attempts to move in the direction of the force component F19. The moving direction is a moving direction in which the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 moves to the base side of the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side device pressing member 150, and is a direction in which the driving-side device pressing member 150 engages the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 41(d), the first contact surface 450a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 450 applies the spacing force F21 to the separated surface 470g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 470 through the contact point 450 q. Therefore, the separated surface 470g of the driving side contact/spacer bar 470 receives the reaction force F22 at the contact point 470 q. At this time, the reaction force F22 is divided into a force component F23 parallel to the separated surface 470g and a force component F24 perpendicular to the separated surface 470 g.

The positions of the drive-side contact/spacing bar 470 and the drive-side bearing member 436 are determined by the contact of the drive-side limit contact portion 470e of the drive-side contact/spacing bar 470 with the limit portion 436b of the drive-side bearing member 436. Therefore, the driving side contact/spacing lever 470 receives the force component F23, causing the developing cartridge B1 to attempt to rotate in the direction of arrow N5 centering on the supported projection 80g and slide in the direction of arrow N4.

Therefore, the driving-side contact/spacer bar 470 attempts to move in the direction of the force component F23. Accordingly, the driving-side contact/spacing bar 470 is in contact with the first contact surface 450a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 450 at the distal end portion 470p side along the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 470f, and the amount of engagement of the driving-side contact/spacing bar 470 with respect to the driving-side apparatus pressing member 450 is reduced.

Therefore, the amount of projection of the first projection 470F of the driving side contact/spacing lever 470 needs to be increased by an amount equal to the amount of movement in the direction of the force component F23, requiring space.

As is apparent from the above, the engagement amount can be set smaller in the case where the separated surface 70g is provided, the separated surface 70g protruding from the tip end portion 70p toward the developing roller 13 side in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70 f. That is, the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 engages the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 to a greater extent when the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 in this case than in the case where the protruded separated surface 70g is not provided. As a result, even if the engagement amount is set to be small, the engaged state in which the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 is engaged to the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 can be maintained. Reducing the amount of engagement of the drive side contact/spacing lever 70 and the drive side apparatus pressing member 150 results in a reduction in the size of the developer cartridge B1.

< effects of placing the driving-side contact/separation lever 70, the driving-side developing pressure spring 71, and the regulating portion 36b of the driving-side developing bearing 36 >

This configuration causes the biasing force F10 of the driving side development pressure spring 71 to be generated by compressing the driving side development pressure spring 71 between the third contact surface 70c of the driving side contact/spacing rod 70 and the contact surface 36d of the driving side development bearing 36, which has been described (see fig. 1(a) and 1 (b)). The same applies to the non-driving side.

Specifically, the compression is such that when the development pressurization is carried out, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are brought into contact using the biasing force F10a generated by the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 rotating in the direction of the arrow N9 with the supporting portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36 as the center (see fig. 27 (c)).

Further, when the developing interval is implemented, the driving side contact/interval lever 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow N10 centering on the boss of the supporting portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36 using the biasing force F10, so that the regulating contact portion 70e of the driving side contact/interval lever 70 is brought into contact with the regulating portion 36b of the driving side developing bearing 36. This limits the position of the drive side contact/spacer bar 70. Further, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, and the second contact surface 70b of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 come into contact. This configuration is such that this spaces the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 apart (see fig. 28 (b)). That is, when the development interval is implemented, the configuration is such that the position of the driving side contact/spacing rod 70 is restricted using the driving side development pressure spring 71 for development pressurization.

In particular, the developing cartridge B1 has a configuration detachably mountable to the apparatus main body a1, and therefore it is preferable to accurately position the drive-side contact/spacing lever 70 so that the drive-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the drive-side apparatus pressing member 150 (see fig. 25(B)) are engaged in a certain manner. This is because it is necessary to employ means such as the following to engage the drive-side contact/spacing bar 70 and the drive-side apparatus pressing member 150 in the case where the positioning accuracy of the drive-side contact/spacing bar 70 is poor.

1. A larger distance (gap) is provided between the first contact surface 150a and the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150.

2. A smaller distance (thickness) is provided between the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b of the driving side contact/spacing bar 70.

However, these measures increase the amount of movement of the drive-side apparatus pressing member 150 of the apparatus body a1 in the N8 and N9 directions, resulting in a larger size of the apparatus body a 1.

According to the present configuration, the configuration is such that the position of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 at the time of mounting the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body a1 is restricted using the driving side developing pressure spring 71 used when the developing pressurization is carried out. This contributes to a reduction in the size of the apparatus main body a1 and also enables the timing at which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced apart and the amount by which the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 to be controlled with good accuracy.

Further, according to the present configuration, this configuration enables the position of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 at the time of implementing the developing interval to be positioned with good accuracy using the driving side developing pressure spring 71 for developing pressurization at the time of installing the developing cartridge B1 and at the time of implementing the developing interval. Further, the driving side developing pressure spring 71 for carrying out the developing pressurization is used to restrict the position of the driving side contact/spacing rod 70, so that a new part is not particularly required.

The first contact surface 70a that receives the force that brings the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 and the second contact surface 70b that receives the force for spacing are both provided on a separate part, which is the drive-side contact/spacing lever 70. Integrating the functions in this manner enables the number of parts of the developing cartridge B1 to be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the driving-side contact/spacing bar 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing bar 72 receive a force from the pressing member provided to the image forming apparatus main body, thereby enabling the developing roller to contact and be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum while maintaining the space. This reduces the size of the image forming apparatus and the developing cartridge. Further, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure applied to an electrode portion of the developing cartridge, which is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body, when the developing roller is spaced from the photosensitive drum. By reducing the load applied to the electrode portion, the durability of the electrode portion is improved. The strength of the electrode portion can be suppressed, and therefore the costs of the developing cartridge having the electrode portion and the image forming apparatus having the developing cartridge can be reduced.

The separation of the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C has been described in the present embodiment. That is, the configuration is such that in the developing device, the photosensitive drum 10 is formed into a cartridge separate from the developing cartridge B1 and attached/detached to/from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. However, the application of the present embodiment is not limited to this configuration.

The configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to, for example, a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C are not separated. A configuration may be made wherein a process cartridge, which is configured by rotatably coupling the developing cartridge B1 (developing device) to the drum cartridge C1, is attached/detached to/from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. That is, a configuration may be conceived in which a cartridge (process cartridge) having the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing device has the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 disclosed in the present embodiment.

< relationship among the coupling member 180, the driving-side contact/separation lever 70, and the non-driving-side contact/separation lever 72 >

The coupling member 180 has a configuration in which it is movable at least in the direction of N9 (see fig. 27(c)), which is the moving direction of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing rod 72. Therefore, when the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 are moved in the directions N9 and N10, smooth behavior can be achieved without affecting the engagement between the coupling member 180 and the main body-side drive member 100.

Also, an arrangement is made wherein the direction of N6, which is the direction in which the developing roller 13 contacts the photosensitive drum 10, is the same direction as N13 (direction X6 in fig. 8(b)) which is the rotational direction of the coupling member 180, as shown in fig. 27 (a). According to the present configuration, the couple received by the coupling member 180 from the main body side driving member 100 acts as a moment to rotate the developing cartridge B1 in the direction N6 centering on the supported protrusion 80 g. A moment in the direction N6 acts on the developing roller 13 as a pressing force that presses the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10.

Assuming that the rotational direction of the coupling member 180 is the opposite direction to the direction N6, a moment will act in the direction in which the developing roller 13 escapes from the photosensitive drum 10 due to the rotational force of the coupling member 180 (direction N5 in fig. 27(a)), and therefore the pressing force will be lost. However, in the present embodiment, loss of the pressurizing force is not likely to occur.

Also, a moment in the direction N6 generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 is generated from the negative torque required to rotate the coupling member 180. The load torque of the cartridge varies due to the size of parts and durability, and therefore the moment in the direction N6 generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 also varies. On the other hand, the present embodiment is also a configuration in which the contact/spacing levers 70 and 72 receive a force from the apparatus main body a1 and bring the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Since the pressing force of the contact/spacer bars 70 and 72 in the direction N6 is specified only as the size of the part, durability does not vary.

Therefore, in order to make the developing roller 13 more stably contact with the photosensitive drum 10, the following arrangement is preferable. That is, the moment in the direction N6 that occurs due to the rotational force of the coupling member 180 is preferably smaller than the moment in the direction N6 that occurs due to the contact/spacing bars 70 and 72 receiving the force from the apparatus body a 1. For this reason, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 27(a), the distance connecting the supported protrusion 80g and the coupling member 180 is shorter than the distance between the supported protrusion 80g of the driving-side swinging guide 80 and the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70. According to this configuration, the moment in the direction N6 occurring due to the rotational force of the coupling member 180 can be effective as the pressing force of the developing roller 13. Further, this configuration suppresses the influence caused by the moment fluctuation in the direction N6 occurring due to the rotational force of the coupling member 180, and therefore the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 in a more stable manner.

Further, as shown in fig. 1(a) and 1(b), a direction parallel to a straight line Z31 connecting the rotation center 13Z of the developing roller 13 and the rotation center of the coupling member 180 when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13 is a direction N14 (first direction). When the developing frame is viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13, the developing roller 13 is arranged on one end portion side of the developing frame with respect to the direction N14, and the first protruding portion 70f (specifically, the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 is arranged at the other end portion side of the developing frame. That is, the first protrusion 70f (particularly, the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) is located at a position slightly apart from the developing roller 13.

Therefore, a space for arranging a member such as the coupling member 180 adapted to be located near the developing roller 13 can be secured at the one end portion side of the developing frame. This improves the degree of freedom in layout of members adapted to be located near the developing roller 13 in the developing cartridge B1. Therefore, when viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13, with respect to the direction N14 in the present embodiment, the coupling member 180 is arranged at a position closer to the developing roller 13 than the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70 b).

The drive-side developing bearing 36 also has a recording medium contact portion 36m, and in a state where the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus body a1, the recording medium contact portion 36m is capable of coming into contact with the recording medium 2, which is conveyed toward the transfer nip 6a in the conveying guide 3d in the inside of the apparatus body a 1.

This will be described. As described above, the position of the first protrusion 70f (particularly the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) is arranged at a position distant from the developing roller 13 with respect to the direction N14. Therefore, the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 can be arranged in the apparatus main body a1 at a position distant from the developing roller 13, so the developing roller side portion of the developing cartridge B1, which is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, can be arranged in the vicinity of the conveying guide 3 d. This makes it possible to reduce the dead space between the developing cartridge B1 and the conveying guide 3d within the apparatus main body a 1.

Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 is arranged near the conveying guide 3d in the present embodiment. Therefore, the recording medium contact portion 36m is disposed on the drive-side development bearing 36 at a position closer to the development roller 13 with respect to the direction N14 than the first protrusion portion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) when viewed from the rotational axis direction of the development roller 13.

< details of the development-side cover 34 >

Fig. 45(a) to 46(b) are diagrams illustrating the development-side cover 34 in detail. Fig. 45(a) is a front view of the development side cover 34 viewed from the outside, fig. 45(b) is a rear view of the development side cover 34 viewed from the inside, and fig. 46(a) and 46(b) are perspective views viewed from the front and the rear, respectively.

The development-side cover 34 is one frame member constituting the development frame of the development cartridge B1. The development-side cover 34 is constituted by a plate-shaped front portion 34e and a rear portion 34f, the rear portion 34f being a rear side thereof. The edge of the front portion 34e has an edge portion 34g that surrounds a rear portion 34f provided to protrude from the front portion 34 e.

A hole 34a is provided through the front and

rear portions

34e and 34f, in which hole 34a the coupling member 180 is located on the inner side.

A first projection (positioning portion) 34b is provided on the side of the hole 34a that projects beyond the front portion 34 e. A second projection (rotation stopper) 34c is similarly provided on the side of the first projection (positioning portion) 34b, the second projection 34c being larger than the first projection (positioning portion) 34b in the radial direction and also projecting beyond the front portion 34 e. The second projection (rotation stopper) 34c is located at a position farther from the hole 34a than the first projection (positioning portion) 34 b.

The connecting portion 34k is provided between the first protrusion (positioning portion) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stopper) 34c, connecting the first protrusion 34b and the second protrusion 34c, wherein the first groove 341 is provided between the connecting portion 34k and the front portion 34 e.

A third projection (spring support portion) 34h is provided between the hole 34a and the first projection (positioning portion) 34 b. The third projection (spring support portion) 34h is lower in height than the first projection (positioning portion) 34b and the second projection (rotation stopper) 34 c.

The opposite side portion of the third projection (spring support portion) 34h across the hole 34a is a second groove (34o) where the groove extends in the circumferential direction. The second groove (34o) guides the coupling spring 185.

A fourth protrusion (34p) composed of ridges 34p1 and 34p2 is provided below the first protrusion (positioning portion) 34 b. The ridges 34p1 and 34p2 intersect each other at an obtuse angle. The height of the fourth projection (34p) is lower than the first projection (positioning portion) 34b and the second projection (rotation stopper) 34 c.

An arc-shaped groove 34q passing through the front portion 34e and the rear portion 34f is provided above the first projection (positioning portion) 34b and the second projection (rotation stopper) 34 c. The arc-shaped groove 34q is provided to expose the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 to the outside (see fig. 12 (a)).

The development-side cover 34 also has a cover portion 34 t. The cover portion 34t covers at least one of the drive side contact/spacing lever 70 and at least a portion of the spring 71 so as not to be exposed to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction of the rotational axis of the drive side contact/spacing lever 70). Therefore, the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the spring 71 can be prevented from being subjected to external impact, and the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the spring 71 can be prevented from coming off the driving-side developing bearing 36. Note that it is sufficient that the cover portion 34t covers at least a part of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 or at least a part of the spring 71 without being exposed to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction of the rotational axis of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70).

Therefore, downsizing is enabled by incorporating various functional portions in the development side cover 34. The driving-side contact/spacing bars 70 can also be prevented from external impact.

< details of the drive-side development bearing 36 >

Fig. 47 and 48 are diagrams illustrating the drive-side developing bearing 36 in detail. Fig. 47(a) is a front view of the driving side developing bearing 36 viewed from the outside, fig. 47(b) is a rear view of the driving side developing bearing 36 viewed from the inside, and fig. 48(a) and 48(b) are perspective views as viewed from the front and the rear, respectively.

The drive-side development bearing 36 is a frame member separate from the development-side cover 34, and the development-side cover 34 constitutes a development frame of the development cartridge B1. The drive-side developing bearing 36 is constituted by a plate-like front portion 36f and a rear portion 36g on the rear side thereof. The edge of the front portion 36f has an edge rear portion 36h, which edge rear portion 36h surrounds a rear portion 36g provided to protrude from the front portion 36 f.

The hole 36a is provided through the front portion 36f and the rear portion 36 g. The developing roller 13 is disposed on the inner side of the hole 36a, thereby supporting the developing roller 13. The support may be performed directly by the hole 36a or may be performed via a member.

The projection 36i is provided at a side of the hole 36 a. The protruding portion 36i has a cylindrical shape. A phase restriction portion 36kb that restricts the position of the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is provided on the inner side of the projection 36 i. The phase restriction portion 36kb has a substantially triangular hole portion in which the coupling member 180 is arranged. The phase limiter 36kb is constituted by a first inclination limiter 36kb1 and a second inclination limiter 36kb2, and the first inclination limiter 36kb1 and the second inclination limiter 36kb2 each constitute a part of the groove.

A support portion 36c for supporting the driving side contact/spacing rod 70 is provided at a position facing the hole 36a via a protruding portion 36 i. The support portion 36c has a protruding cylindrical shape.

The restriction portion 36b of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is disposed below the support portion 36 c. The restriction portion 36b has the form of a wall protruding from the front portion 36f, and is located at the edge of the drive-side development bearing 36.

A contact surface 36d for contacting the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is provided below the protruding portion 36i via the restricting portion 36 b. In the same manner as the restricting portion 36b, the contact surface 36d also has the form of a wall protruding from the front portion 36 f.

The hole 36j is provided so as to be sandwiched between the restriction portion 36b and the contact surface 36d when viewed from the front direction of fig. 47(a) with respect to the direction in which the restriction portion 36b and the contact surface 36d are aligned. The hole 36j is provided to expose the drive gear and the like.

Therefore, the position of the coupling member 180 and the position of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 can be maintained with high accuracy by the driving-side developing bearing 36. It is also possible to maintain the position of the developing roller 13 and the position of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 with high accuracy.

< second embodiment >

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 32. Fig. 32 is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the driving side.

The configuration in which the driving-side contact/spacing lever 70 is rotatably provided with respect to the driving-side developing bearing 36 has been described in the first embodiment. However, a configuration may be formed in which the driving side contact/spacing rod 702 is slidably disposed with respect to the driving side developing bearing 362, as shown in fig. 32(a) to 32 (d). The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 32(a) is a side view of the state where the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 from the driving side and a sectional view around the driving side contact/spacing rod 702. The projection 702b of the drive side contact/spacer bar 702 also engages the groove 362c of the drive side development bearing 362. The projection 702j of the drive side contact/spacer bar 702 engages the slot 342y of the development side cover 342. Therefore, the driving side contact/spacer bar 702 is able to slide (linearly move) in the directions of arrows N72 and N82 relative to the driving side development bearing 362 and the development side cover 342. The driving side developing pressure spring 712 is provided with: one end portion 712d, the one end portion 712d being in contact with the third contact surface 702c of the driving side contact/spacing rod 702; and another end portion 712e, the other end portion 712e being in contact with the contact surface 362d of the driving side developing bearing 362. In this configuration, as shown in fig. 32(B), in the same manner as the first embodiment, the developing cartridge B1 receives the external force F11 by the second contact surface 150B of the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 coming into contact with the first contact surface 702a of the driving side contact/spacing lever 702. As a result, the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 at a predetermined pressure.

Next, an operation of transitioning to a state where the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart will be described. Fig. 32(c) illustrates a state in which the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is moved by a distance δ 6 in the direction of the arrow N82, and the first contact surface 702a of the driving-side contact/spacing bar 702 and the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 are separated. At this time, the driving side contact/spacing lever 702 receives the biasing force F10 of the driving side developing pressure spring 71, slides in the direction of the arrow N82, and the regulating contact portion 702e of the driving side contact/spacing lever 702 comes into contact with the regulating portion 362b of the driving side developing bearing 362. Thus, the drive side contact/spacer bar 702 is positioned.

Fig. 32(d) illustrates a state in which the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is moved by the distance δ 7 in the direction of the arrow N82. Since the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 is further moved in the direction of the arrow N82, the separated surface 702g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 702 comes into contact with the first contact surface 150a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, so that the developing cartridge B1 is further moved in the direction of the arrow N82. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 rocks in the direction of the arrow N5 centering on the supported protrusion 80g (not shown) of the swing guide 80. At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a spaced state, and a gap of a distance δ 8 exists between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10.

The configuration of the non-driving side is the same as that of the driving side. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same advantages as those of the first embodiment can be produced (however, the relationship between the positioning error of the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 and the compression amount of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 described in the first embodiment is not included).

< third embodiment >

Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 42(a) to 42 (d). The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 42 is a schematic view of the drive side contact/spacer bar 201 being a leaf spring.

The driving side contact/spacing rod 201 shown in fig. 42(a) to 42(d) is an elastic portion formed of a material such as stainless steel. The driving side contact/spacing rod 201 has a first contact surface 201a, a second contact surface 201b, a support portion 201d, and an elastically deformable portion 201h, wherein the support portion 201d is supported by a supported portion 202b of the bearing 202.

The drive-side apparatus pressing member 203 is provided with a first contact surface 203a and a second contact surface 203b and is slidable in the directions of arrows N7 and N8.

The developing cartridge B1 is positioned by the driving-side swing guide 210 supported at the driving-side plate (not shown) so as to be swingable in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 210B. The non-driving side is the same, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 210B.

When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are pressed together, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, as shown in fig. 42 (a). The second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 is in contact with the first contact surface 201a of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201.

Further, when the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 is moved in the direction of the arrow N7, the second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 deforms the elastic deformation portion 201h of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201, as shown in fig. 42 (b). In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 applies a force F41 to the first contact surface 201a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 201. At this time, the second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F42. Now, the developing cartridge B1 is rotatable in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 centering on the supported portion 201B, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 is moved by the external force of the force F41 in the direction of arrow N5. Thus, the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

Further, when the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 is moved in the direction of the arrow N7, the second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 deforms the elastic deformation portion 201h of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201, as shown in fig. 42 (c). In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 applies a force F45 to the first contact surface 201a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 201. At this time, the second contact surface 203b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F46 from the first contact surface 201a of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201. Since the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 and the posture of the developing cartridge B1 is set, F45> F41 is maintained and the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in fig. 42 (c).

In the case of spacing the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 is moved in the direction of the arrow N8, as shown in fig. 42 (d). The first contact surface 203a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 is in contact with the second contact surface 201b of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201.

Further, when the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 is moved in the direction of the arrow N8, the first contact surface 203a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 applies a force F44 to the second contact surface 201b of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201 while deforming the elastically deformable portion 201h of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201.

At this time, the first contact surface 203a of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F43 from the second contact surface 201b of the driving-side contact/spacing rod 201.

Now, the developing cartridge B1 is rotatable in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 210B, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 210B, and the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the elastically deforming portion (elastic portion) 201h and the portion (movable portion) having the first contact surface 201a and the second contact surface 201b are integrally formed as a part of a single member. Specifically, the driving side contact/spacing bar 201 is formed of a leaf spring. Therefore, the driving side developing pressure spring 71 (see fig. 41(a)) shown in the first embodiment is not required as a biasing member which is a compression spring. Therefore, a space can be secured, and thus the degree of freedom in design of the developing cartridge B1 is increased, or this results in a reduction in size.

Further, the driving side contact/spacing rod 201 has a pressed surface (first contact surface 201a) and a separated surface (second contact surface 201b), as shown in the first embodiment. A pressing surface (second contact surface 203b) and a separating surface (first contact surface 203a) of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 203 act on the pressed surface and the separated surface, respectively. Therefore, by being a single portion of the driving side contact/spacing lever 201, the contact state and the spacing state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as needed. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified.

Although the driving side has been representatively described in the above description, the configuration of the non-driving side may be the same as the driving side. Also, the driving side contact/spacing rod 201 may be a member formed of an elastically deformable resin material or the like.

In any of the above embodiments, a configuration can be applied in which the movable portion and the elastic portion of the present embodiment are integrally formed as one part of one member.

< fourth embodiment >

Next, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 43(a) and 43 (b). The placement of the portion of the contact/spacing bar that receives the biasing force from the spring according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments. The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 43 is a schematic view in which the driving side developing pressure spring 302 is arranged on the opposite side of a straight line passing through the center of the supported portion 301d of the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 and perpendicular to the direction of the arrow M1 in the direction of the arrow M1, the direction of the arrow M1 being the projecting direction of the first projecting portion 301 f.

As shown in fig. 43(a), the driving side contact/spacing rod 301 has a first contact surface 301a, a second contact surface 301b, a third contact surface 301c, a supported portion 301d, a restraining contact portion 301e, and another end portion 301 m. The driving side contact/spacing lever 301 is rotatably supported by the supporting portion 306b via the supported portion 301d with respect to the driving side development bearing 306.

The driving side developing pressure spring 302 is a compression spring in which one end portion 302d is in contact with the third contact surface 301c, and the other end portion 302e is in contact with a contact surface 306d provided to the driving side developing bearing 306.

Now, in the isolated state of the developing cartridge B1, the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 receives a force from the driving side developing pressure spring 302 in the direction of the arrow F30 at the third contact surface 301 c. At this time, the supporting portion 306b is rotated in the direction of the arrow N10, and the restricting contact portion 301e is brought into contact with the restricting portion 306e of the driving side developing bearing 306.

Also, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned by the driving-side swing guide 310, and the driving-side swing guide 310 is supported to be swingable in the directions of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 310B of the driving-side plate (not shown). The non-driving side is also the same, and therefore, the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 310B.

The first contact surface 303a and the second contact surface 303b are provided to the driving-side device pressing member 303, and the driving-side device pressing member 303 is slidable in the directions of the arrows N7 and N8.

In the case of pressurizing the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13, the driving-side apparatus pressing member 303 moves in the direction of the arrow N7. The second contact surface 303b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 303 is then brought into contact with the first contact surface 301a of the driving-side contact/spacing bar 301. The driving side contact/spacing lever 301 is rotatable about the support portion 306b, so the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 rotates in the direction of N20 and the contact portion 301 is restricted from separating from the restriction portion 306 e.

At this time, the third contact surface 301c of the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 receives the biasing force F30 of the driving side development pressure spring 302, and the moment M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 acts on the driving side contact/spacing lever 301. At this time, the second contact surface 303b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 303 is in contact with the first contact surface 301a of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 301. Accordingly, the first contact surface 301a of the driving side contact/spacing bar 301 receives the force F32 from the second contact surface 303b of the driving side apparatus pressing member 303, so that a moment balanced with the moment M10 will act on the driving side contact/spacing bar 301. Therefore, this means that the external force of the force F32 is acting on the developing cartridge B1.

Further, the developing cartridge B1 is rotatable in the arrow N5 and N6 directions about the supported portion 310B, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 is moved in the arrow N5 direction by the external force of the force F32. At this time, the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. The developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and thereby determines the rotational posture of the developing cartridge B1 in the direction of the arrow N5.

Further, when the driving-side apparatus pressing member 303 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the driving-side contact/spacing lever 301 rotates in the direction of the arrow N20 centering on the supporting portion 306B because the developing cartridge B1 cannot rotate in the direction of the arrow N5. The third contact surface 301c of the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 then receives the biasing force F31 of the driving side developing pressure spring 302 (see fig. 43 (b)).

Now, the driving side development pressure spring 302 is further compressed, thus holding F31> F30. The developing cartridge B1 has been unable to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5, and therefore the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10.

In a state where the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced apart, the driving side apparatus pressing member 303 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, and the first contact surface 303a comes into contact with the second contact surface 301 b. Since the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 is rotatable about the support portion 306b in the direction of the arrow N10, the restricting contact portion 301e comes into contact with the restricting portion 306e of the bearing 306, and the driving side contact/spacing lever 301 is positioned.

When the driving-side apparatus pressing member 303 is further moved in the direction of arrow N8, the developing cartridge B1 can be moved in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 centering on the supported portion 310B, and therefore the developing cartridge B1 is moved in the direction of arrow N6 centering on the supported portion 310B. The developing roller 13 is then spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 43(a) and 43(b), the distance between the first contact surface (force receiving portion) 301a and the third contact surface (biasing force receiving portion) 301c is longer than the distance between the first contact surface 301a and the supported portion 301d when viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13. Therefore, the degree of freedom is increased for the positioning placement of a member equivalent to the driving side developing pressure spring 71 described in the first embodiment, which driving side developing pressure spring 71 serves as a biasing member that is a compression spring, and thus the degree of freedom in design is also increased.

Further, the driving side contact/spacing rod 301 has a pressed surface (first contact surface 301a) and a separated surface (second contact surface 301g), as described in the first embodiment. The pressing surface (second contact surface 303b) and the separating surface (first contact surface 303a) of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 303 act on the pressed surface and the separated surface, respectively. Therefore, the contact state and the spacing state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as needed by a single component, which is the driving-side contact/spacing lever 301. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified.

The following configuration may be adopted as a modification of the fourth embodiment. In the present modification, as shown in fig. 54, the restricting portion 336b is provided to the drive-side developing bearing 336. The position of the pressure spring 71 is the same as that of the first embodiment in the present embodiment, and in the configuration, a protruding portion (restricted portion) 360b is provided opposite to the support portion 36c so that the protruding portion 360b is in contact with the restricting portion 336 b. This configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, in which the biasing force from the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is received at the biasing force receiving portion 370 c.

According to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in placing the regulating portion 336b in the drive-side developing bearing 336 is increased. By increasing the distance from the support portion 36c, it is made possible to reduce the force applied to the restricting portion 336b, thereby making it possible to suppress deformation of the container. That is, the relationship among the first contact surface 370a pressed from the second contact surface 150b of the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, the support portion 36c, and the protrusion 360b is as follows. The distance between the first contact surface 370a and the protruding portion 360b is longer than the distance between the first contact surface 370a and the supporting portion 36c when viewed from the axial direction of the developing roller 13. Although the driving side has been representatively described in the above description, the non-driving side may have the same configuration.

Also, the placement of the third contact surface (force receiving portion) 301c according to the present embodiment and/or the restricting portion 336b according to the present modification can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments.

< fifth embodiment >

Next, a fifth embodiment to which the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 50. The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that only the non-driving-side contact/spacing lever 72 is disposed on the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1. The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 and the driving side developing pressure spring 71 are not provided on the driving side of the developing cartridge B1, as shown in fig. 50 (dotted line portion). On the other hand, the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 (not shown) are provided only on the non-driving side. That is, the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 are disposed only at the side portion where the coupling member 180 of the developing frame is not disposed with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13. Note that the side where the coupling member 180 of the developing frame is not arranged with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13 refers to the side where the coupling member 180 is not arranged in the middle of the direction box B1 with respect to the rotational axis of the developing roller 13.

The coupling member 180 rotates in the direction of arrow X6 at the drive side, as shown in fig. 8. The developing cartridge B1 that received its rotational force rocks integrally with the driving-side swing guide 80 in the direction of the arrow N6 shown in fig. 27(a) centering around the support portion 90c (see fig. 27 (a)). When a sufficiently large moment in the direction N6 is generated due to the driving force received by the coupling member 180, it is sufficient to press the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 at the driving side.

On the other hand, the moment in the direction N6, which is obtained at the non-driving side due to the driving force received by the coupling member 180, is not equal to the moment obtained at the driving side, and thus the configuration uses the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 in the same manner as the first embodiment.

The configuration according to the present embodiment, in which the non-driving side contact/spacing bars 72 are provided only at the non-driving side, can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments. The present embodiment can be applied to reduce the cost by reducing the number of parts by omitting the driving side contact/spacing rod 70.

< sixth embodiment >

A sixth embodiment to which the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 51(a) to 52 (b). The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the first force receiving portion that receives the force when contacting the developing roller 13 is provided only at one end of the cartridge B1, and the second force receiving portion that receives the force when spacing the developing roller 13 is provided only at the other end. The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 51 is a diagram illustrating the developing roller 13 in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Fig. 51(a) is a diagram illustrating the driving-side contact/spacing bar 170 and the driving-side bearing 236 supporting the driving-side contact/spacing bar 170, and fig. 51(b) is a diagram illustrating the non-driving-side contact/spacing bar 72 and the non-driving-side developing bearing 246 supporting the non-driving-side contact/spacing bar 72.

The driving-side contact/spacing lever 170 is rotatably supported by the driving-side bearing 236 at the driving side, which is the other end portion with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13, as shown in fig. 51. However, the driving side developing pressure spring 71 as shown in the first embodiment is not provided. Therefore, when the driving-side apparatus pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the driving-side contact/spacing lever 170 rotates in the counterclockwise direction centering on the support portion 236 c. However, the force pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 cannot be applied to the driving side developing bearing 236 to operate the driving side contact/spacing lever 170. However, as in the fifth embodiment, since the coupling member 180 receives the driving force, the driving side receives a moment in a direction of bringing the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 by this moment.

On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 is provided on the non-driving side, which is the other end portion with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13. The first contact surface 72a of the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 presses the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 by being pressed and rotated by the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151, which moves the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 in the N7 direction, thereby pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10.

Fig. 52 is a diagram showing the developing roller 13 spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10.

The driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, which moves in the direction of the arrow N8, brings the driving-side contact/spacing rod 170 into contact with the restriction portion 236b of the driving-side development bearing 236. The driving-side apparatus pressing member 150, which is further moved in the direction of the arrow N8, presses the separated portion 170g of the driving-side contact/spacing lever 170, which moves the developing cartridge B1, and spaces the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10.

Note that a configuration may be formed in which the driving-side contact/spacing rod 170 is fixed to the driving-side bearing 236, or a portion equivalent to the separated portion 170g may be formed integrally with the driving-side developing bearing 236.

On the other hand, the non-driving side does not have the restricting portion 46e for the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, by moving the non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 in the direction of the arrow N8, only the non-driving side contact/spacing lever 72 is caused to rotate in the clockwise direction centering on the supporting portion 246f, and is not used to space the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10. The non-drive side developing pressure spring 73 is at this time at its natural length. The non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 may be spaced apart from the non-driving side contact/spacing rod 72 at this time.

However, the force for spacing is received at the driving side, so it is also possible to implement spacing at the non-driving side by setting the rigidity of the driving-side bearing 236 to a certain level or higher as well. When this interval is implemented, the developing roller 13 may be spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 in an inclined manner. That is, the developing roller 13 is largely spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 at the driving side, but the amount of spacing at the non-driving side is smaller than that at the driving side. Therefore, the rigidity of the drive-side bearing 236 is increased so that the amount of spacing is equal to or greater than the minimum value of the amount of spacing required between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the first force receiving portion (first contact surface 72a) that receives a force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact in the present embodiment is provided only at one end portion of the cartridge B1. Further, a second force receiving portion (separated portion 170g) that receives a force when spacing the developing roller 13 is provided only at the other end portion of the cartridge B1. That is, two portions (a first force receiving portion and a second force receiving portion) that receive forces, which are a force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact and a force when the developing roller 13 is spaced apart, from different directions (opposite directions) of the apparatus main body are provided to the developing cartridge B1. Further, these two portions (the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion) are provided at one end portion and the other end portion of the developing cartridge B1 with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13.

The configurations of the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion according to the present embodiment can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments, except for the fifth embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is not required, and therefore the cost can be reduced compared to the first embodiment. Also, at the non-driving side, the amount of movement of the developing cartridge B1 at the time of spacing can be smaller, so wear at the non-driving side swing guide 81 that movably supports the developing cartridge B1 can be suppressed.

< seventh embodiment >

Next, a seventh embodiment to which the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 53. The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the driving-side contact/spacing rod 70 and the non-driving-side contact/spacing rod 72 are positioned in the state of being held between the restricting

portions

36b and 46e and the pressure springs 71 and 73. However, a configuration may be formed in which the driving-side contact/spacing rod 270 is not positioned between the driving-side developing pressure spring 171 and the restricting portion 36b (the same configuration may also be formed at the non-driving side), as shown in fig. 53. According to this configuration, it can be applied to a case where the free length of the driving side developing pressure spring 171 is short.

The spacer bar 270 is brought into contact with the restriction portion 36b by the action of the drive-side apparatus pressing member 150 moving in the direction N7 (see fig. 28). The spacer bar 270 also compresses the pressure spring 171 by the action of moving in the direction N8. Now, the restriction portion 36b is provided at a position where it can restrict the drive side contact/spacing lever 70 from moving in a direction away from the developing roller 13.

The configuration of the present embodiment can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments.

< eighth embodiment >

An eighth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to fig. 55(a) to 56 (b). The configuration of the coupling member according to the present embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiments. The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, no clutch mechanism is provided at the apparatus main body a1 side, the coupling member 180 is engageable with the main body drive member 100 that is rotating, and the coupling member 180 is disengaged from the main body drive member 100 that is rotating. As for a specific configuration for this purpose, it has been realized by a configuration in which the coupling member 180 can be inclined.

The coupling configuration to be described in the present embodiment is capable of engaging and disengaging the rotating main body drive member 100 without providing a clutch mechanism at the apparatus main body a1 side as in the first embodiment.

Fig. 55(a) is a perspective view showing the coupling member 280 provided to the developing cartridge B2 according to the present embodiment. The development-side cover 34 is not shown. Fig. 55(b) is a perspective view showing a state where the coupling member 280 is being assembled.

The coupling member 280 is configured to be able to advance and retract within the drive input gear 127 in the direction of the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 280. The biasing member 130 is disposed between the coupling member 280 and the drive input gear 127, and the coupling member 280 is biased all the way to the outside in the direction of the axis L2. The rotational force receiving portions 280a1 and 280a2 provided to the coupling member 280 receive the driving force from the main body side driving member 100 (see fig. 8(a) to 8 (e)). Further, the rotational force transmitting portions 280c1 and 280c2 transmit the drive to the developing roller 13 by transmitting the rotational force of the drive input gear 127 to the rotational force transmitting portions 127d1 and 127d 2.

The outer circular conical surface 280e is provided on the distal end side of the coupling member 280. This portion comes into contact with the distal end face of the main body side drive member 100 (see fig. 8(a) to 8(e)) so as to be retracted inward in the direction of the axis L2 and engaged with the main body side drive member 100. The conical portion 280g is provided on the inner side of the outer conical surface 280e in the same manner as the first embodiment, and thus contact with the distal end surface of the main body side drive member 100 causes retraction to the inner side in the direction of the axis L2 and separation from the main body side drive member 100 in the same manner.

According to the above configuration, in the case where the clutch mechanism is not provided on the apparatus main body a1 side, it is made possible to engage and disengage the rotating main body side drive member 100.

The driving side contact/spacing rod 70 and the driving side developing pressure spring 71 are also provided in the same manner as the first embodiment.

Fig. 56(a) is a front view of the present embodiment, and fig. 56(b) is a sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 56 (a).

The coupling member 280 is supported by the biasing member 130 to be movable in the direction of the axis L2. A cylinder outer diameter portion 280h (sliding portion) provided to the coupling member 280 is slidably supported in a cylinder inner diameter portion (sliding portion) 136h in the driving side development bearing 136.

As shown in fig. 56(b), the cylinder outer diameter portion 280h (sliding portion) and the cylinder inner diameter portion (sliding portion) 136h are arranged so as to at least partially overlap with the driving side developing pressure spring 71 in the direction of the axis L2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the moment that twists the driving side developing bearing 136 generated by the force generated by the driving side developing pressure spring 71, and suppress the deformation influence with respect to the sliding

portions

280h and 136 h. Therefore, the advance and retraction of the coupling member 280 in the direction of the axis L2 can be unimpeded.

Also, a plane L2X orthogonal to the biasing direction L2 of the biasing member 130 will be defined. Therefore, the angle θ formed by the biasing direction L4 of the drive-side development pressure spring 71 and the plane L2X is preferably between-45 ° ≦ θ ≦ +45 ° (-45 ° or more and +45 ° or less). Other preferred ranges are between-10 ° ≦ θ ≦ 10 ° (-10 ° or greater and +10 ° or less). A more preferred value is θ ≈ 0 ° (0 ° or substantially 0 °). Therefore, the influence of the biasing member 130 on the biasing force of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 can be suppressed. That is, although the coupling member 280 receives transmission from the main body side drive member 100, the biasing member 130 is always in the biased state. At this time, if the force component generated by the biasing member 130 does not significantly act in the direction of the driving side developing pressure spring 71, the influence on the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is reduced, and the accuracy of the pressing force is improved.

The configuration of the coupling member 280 according to the present embodiment can be applied to any one of the above-described embodiments, and the relationship between the biasing directions L4 and L2 can be achieved as in the present embodiment.

< ninth embodiment >

A ninth embodiment to which the present invention has been applied will be described with reference to fig. 57(a) and 57 (b). The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that it does not have a restriction portion. The configuration which is not described is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The cartridge B1 according to the present embodiment does not have an equivalent member equivalent to the regulating portion 36B provided to the driving side developing bearing 436 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the elastic force of the spring 471 is used in the case of spacing the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10.

One end portion of the spring 471, which is a torsion spring, engages the driving side developing bearing 436 by being held between the engaging portions 436d1 and 436d2 of the driving side developing bearing 436, as shown in fig. 57(a) and 57 (b). On the other hand, the other end of the spring 471 engages the driving side contact/spacing lever 470 by being held between the engaging portions 470c1 and 470c2 of the driving side contact/spacing lever 470.

Fig. 57(a) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with a photosensitive drum, not shown. The first contact surface 470a of the driving side contact/spacing lever 470 is pressed by the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 in the direction of N7, and therefore the developing roller 13 is in a state of contact with the photosensitive drum in a state of compressing the spring 471. At this time, one end of the spring 471 abuts against the engagement portion 436d1, and the other end of the spring 471 abuts against the engagement portion 470c1, so the driving side contact/spacer lever 470 receives the biasing force from the spring 471 via the engagement portion 470c 1. Therefore, an appropriate contact pressure can be maintained between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum.

Fig. 57(b) is a diagram showing the developing roller 13 spaced apart from the photosensitive drum. The separated portion 470g of the driving side contact/spacing lever 470 is pressed by the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 in the direction N8, so that one end of the spring 471 abuts against the engaging portion 436d2, and the other end of the spring 471 abuts against the engaging portion 470c 2. Thus, the spring 471 is in a state of being extended beyond its natural length.

Therefore, the elasticity of the spring 471 can be used to move the driving side developing bearing 436 in a direction in which the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum. Therefore, the developing roller can be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum by the elastic force of the spring by extending the spring beyond its natural length.

< other items >

Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the developing cartridge B1 or B2 and the drum cartridge C are separated. That is, it is configured such that the developing device is formed as a cartridge, developing cartridge B1 or B2 which is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 and is attached/detached to/from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. However, the above-described embodiments can be applied to other configurations than these configurations.

For example, each configuration in the above-described embodiments can be applied to a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 or B2 and the drum cartridge C are not separated. That is, this may be a configuration in which the process cartridge, which is configured by rotatably coupling the developing cartridge B1 or B2 (developing device) to the drum cartridge C, is attached/detached to/from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. That is, the process cartridge has the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing device. The process cartridge has a first movable member 120 and a second movable member 121 as in each of the embodiments.

An example of the process cartridge will be described below. Fig. 49(a) and 49(b) are views of the process cartridge BC attached to the apparatus main body a2 as viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13. Fig. 49(a) illustrates a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and fig. 49(b) illustrates a state in which the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10.

Fig. 49 illustrates the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 as a part of the apparatus main body a 2. The configuration of the apparatus body a2 is the same as the apparatus body a1 described in the above-described embodiment, except that there is a guide member (not shown) to guide the attachment/detachment of the process cartridge BC and there is no drive-side swinging guide 80 or no non-drive-side swinging guide 81. Naturally, the same non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 as in the apparatus main body a1 is provided on the non-driving side of the apparatus main body a 2.

The process cartridge BC mainly has: a driving side developing bearing 536, the driving side developing bearing 536 serving as a developing frame; a photosensitive member supporting frame 521 and a coupling member 180. The driving side developing bearing 536 supports the developing roller 13, the driving side contact/spacing bar 70, and the non-driving side contact/spacing bar 72 (not shown). The configuration of the driving side developing bearing 536 is the same as the driving side developing bearing 36 in the above-described embodiment except that it has the boss 536a rotatably supported by the groove 521a of the photosensitive member supporting frame 521, and therefore, the details of the same parts will be omitted. The photosensitive member supporting frame 521 supports the photosensitive drum 10.

The driving side developing bearing 536 is rotatable with respect to the photosensitive member supporting frame 521 with the boss 536a as a rotation center by supporting the boss 536a by the groove 521 a. A not-shown spring, which is connected from it to the photosensitive member supporting frame 521, biases the driving side developing bearing 536 in the direction in which the developing roller 13 contacts the photosensitive drum 10. Note that the groove 521a may be a circular hole.

In a state where the process cartridge BC is mounted to the apparatus main body a2, the photosensitive member support frame 521 is positioned and fixed from movement by a positioning portion, not shown, of the apparatus main body a 2. The first contact surface 70a of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 at the driving side is pressed by the driving side device pressing member 150, and thus the driving side developing bearing 536 rotates counterclockwise with the boss 536a as a rotation center, as shown in fig. 49 (a). Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

Also, at the driving side, the separated portion 70g of the driving side contact/spacing lever 70 is pressed by the driving side device pressing member 150, and thus the driving side developing bearing 536 rotates clockwise with the boss 536a as the rotation center, as shown in fig. 49 (b). Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10.

Therefore, a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 or B2 is replaced with the process cartridge BC may be formed in any of the above-described embodiments.

The present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, and various variations and modifications are possible. Therefore, for the purpose of disclosing the scope of the invention, the following claims should be studied.

This application claims the benefits of Japanese patent application No.2014-242577 filed on 28/11/2014, Japanese patent application No.2014-242602 filed on 28/11/2014, Japanese patent application No.2014-242578 filed on 28/11/2014, Japanese patent application No.2014-242601 filed on 28/11/2014 and Japanese patent application No.2015-231356 filed on 27/11/2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Reference numerals

13: developing roller

16: developing container

34: developing side cover

36: drive side developing bearing

46: non-driving side developing bearing

70: drive side contact/spacer bar

71: driving side developing pressure spring

72: non-drive side contact/spacer bar

73: non-driving side development pressure spring

A1: main assembly of apparatus

B1: developing box

Claims

1. A cartridge mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a developing roller;

a frame supporting the developing roller;

a movable portion movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame; and

an elastic portion provided between the frame and the movable portion so as to press the movable portion,

wherein the movable portion includes: a first force receiving portion that receives a force from the apparatus main assembly in a direction moving from the first position to the second position; and a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the apparatus main assembly in a direction moving from the second position to the first position, and

wherein when the movable portion receives a force from the apparatus main assembly at the first force receiving portion and is at the second position, the movable portion receives an urging force from the elastic portion in a direction to move the movable portion from the second position to the first position.