CN218728621U

CN218728621U - Developing device and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN218728621U
Application number: CN202223013300.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王长彪
Original assignee: Zhuhai Nastar Information Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Nastar Information Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-15
Filing date: 2022-11-11
Publication date: 2023-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-11

Abstract

The application discloses a developing device and an image forming device, wherein the developing device comprises a box body and a guide assembly, the guide assembly comprises a guide shaft, the guide shaft is arranged on the box body, the length of the guide shaft extends along a first direction, and the first direction is the length extending direction of the box body; when the developing device is installed on the image forming equipment, the guide shaft is positioned in a sheet conveying channel formed by the developing device, the drum assembly and the image forming equipment body, so that the sheet is guided to be conveyed through the guide shaft. This application leads through the transport of guiding axle to the sheet to can prevent that the sheet from taking place the condition of card paper, paper fold at transportation in-process skew predetermined direction, having guaranteed printing quality and printing efficiency.

Description

Developing device and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of image forming technology, and in particular, to a developing device and an image forming apparatus.

Background

The developing cartridge is a detachable part widely used in image forming apparatuses, which need to be replaced with a new one after the consumption of printing consumables. The developing box comprises a developing roller, the developing roller is rotatably arranged on the developing box body, and the developing roller comprises a developing roller shaft and a main body part wrapped outside the developing roller shaft.

When the developing cartridge operates, paper is conveyed along a path formed by the developing cartridge, the drum assembly and the image forming apparatus, and during the conveyance, the paper is easily deviated in a predetermined conveying direction to one side, thereby causing paper jam and paper wrinkles, which affects printing quality and printing efficiency.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In order to overcome the problems of the prior art, the present application has a primary object to provide a developing device capable of preventing the paper from shifting during the conveyance.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the following technical solutions are specifically adopted in the present application:

the application provides a developing device, demountable installation is in image forming equipment, image forming equipment includes the drum subassembly, developing device includes:

a box body;

the guide assembly comprises a guide shaft, the guide shaft is arranged on the box body, and the length of the guide shaft extends along a first direction, wherein the first direction is the length extending direction of the box body;

when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the guide shaft is positioned in a sheet conveying passage formed by the developing device, the drum assembly and the image forming apparatus body so as to guide the conveying of the sheet through the guide shaft.

In some embodiments, the guide assembly further comprises a support portion, the support portion defining a mounting opening;

the guide shaft comprises a guide part and a connecting part, the guide part is used for guiding the sheet, and the connecting part is connected to the mounting opening of the supporting part.

In some embodiments, an opening is formed in a side wall of the mounting opening, the connecting portion is provided with an annular groove, and the annular groove is matched with the mounting opening, so that the guide shaft can be clamped in the mounting opening through the annular groove.

In some embodiments, the guide assembly further includes a snap spring engaged with an end of the guide shaft in the first direction and located on a side of the support portion facing away from the guide portion.

In some embodiments, the guide shaft is rotatably connected to the support portion.

In some embodiments, the guide assembly further includes a limiting protrusion disposed at an end of the guide shaft and located at a side of the support portion facing away from the guide portion.

In some embodiments, the guide shafts are provided in plurality, and the plurality of guide shafts are arranged along the first direction and/or the second direction, and the axes of the guide shafts are parallel, wherein the second direction is the width extension direction of the box body.

In some embodiments, the guide assembly further comprises a guide roller sleeved on the guide part of the guide shaft; and/or

The guide assembly further comprises a roller, and the roller is sleeved on the guide portion of the guide shaft.

In some embodiments, the guide roller or the roller is at least partially farther from the cassette than the support portion in a third direction, wherein the third direction is a height extension direction of the cassette.

Accordingly, the present application also provides an image forming apparatus including a body, a drum assembly, and the developing device as described in any of the above embodiments, the developing device and the drum assembly being mounted to the body.

Compared with the prior art, the developing device comprises the box body and the guide assembly, wherein the guide assembly comprises the guide shaft, the guide shaft is arranged on the box body, and the length of the guide shaft extends along the first direction; when the developing device is installed on the image forming equipment, the guide shaft is located in a sheet conveying channel formed by the developing device, the drum assembly and the image forming equipment body, so that the sheet is guided through the guide shaft, the sheet can be prevented from deviating in the preset direction in the conveying process, the situations of paper jam and paper wrinkles are avoided, and the printing quality and the printing efficiency are ensured.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a portion a in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the developing device of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a developing device according to another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of fig. 5 at B.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a developing device according to a third embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a developing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged view of fig. 8 at C.

Fig. 10 is another schematic view of the developing device in fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a developing device provided in a fifth embodiment of the present application.

The attached drawings are as follows:

1. a box body; 11. a first side; 12. a second side; 13. a third side; 14. a fourth side; 15. a fifth side; 16. a sixth side; 2. a guide assembly; 21. a guide shaft; 21a, a first guide shaft; 21b, a second guide shaft; 21c, a third guide shaft; 21d, a fourth guide shaft; 21e, a fifth guide shaft; 21f, a sixth guide shaft; 211. an annular groove; 22. a support portion; 221. an installation port; 23. a clamp spring; 24. a limiting bulge; 25. a guide roller; 26. a roller; 3. a handle; 4. a protective cover; 5. and (6) electrically contacting the surfaces.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, the present application is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

In the description of the present application, unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; unless specified or indicated otherwise, the term "plurality" means two or more, and the term "plurality" means two or more; the terms "connected," "fixed," and the like are to be construed broadly and may, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, integrally connected, or electrically connected; may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" used in the description of the embodiments of the present application are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In addition, in this context, it will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, it can be directly on "or" under "the other element or be indirectly on" or "under" the other element via an intermediate element.

Referring to fig. 1, an embodiment of the present application discloses a developing device that can be detachably mounted on a drum assembly in an image forming apparatus. The developing device comprises a box body 1, a developing assembly, a transmission assembly, a guide assembly 2, an identification assembly and a handle 3, wherein the developing assembly, the transmission assembly, the guide assembly 2 and the handle 3 are respectively arranged on the box body 1. Wherein, the box body 1 is internally provided with an accommodating cavity for accommodating developer; the developing component is used for transferring the developer to the surface of the drum component to form a visible image; the transmission assembly is used for receiving power transmitted from the outside to drive the related components to rotate; the guide assembly 2 is used for guiding the conveying of the sheet material (the sheet material can be paper for example) so as to prevent the sheet material from generating deviation in the conveying process and ensure that the sheet material runs along a preset path; the handle 3 is used for facilitating a user to hold the handle 3 to disassemble and assemble the developing device.

Specifically, the box body 1 has a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13, a fourth side 14, a fifth side 15, and a sixth side 16, the first side 11 and the second side 12 being disposed opposite to each other in the first direction, the third side 13 and the fourth side 14 being disposed opposite to each other in the second direction, and the fifth side 15 and the sixth side 16 being disposed opposite to each other in the third direction. A powder outlet is provided on the third side 13, through which the developer in the accommodating chamber can be output. The handle 3 is provided on the fourth side 14, and the developing device can be easily attached and detached by the handle 3. Wherein, the first direction is the length extending direction of box body 1, and the second direction is the width extending direction of box body 1, and the third direction is the high extending direction of box body 1.

The developing assembly comprises a developing roller, a powder feeding roller and a stirring frame, wherein the developing roller, the powder feeding roller and the stirring frame are rotatably arranged between the first side 11 and the second side 12, and the rotating axes of the developing roller, the powder feeding roller and the stirring frame extend along the first direction. The developer roll is located powder outlet department, and the powder feeding roller is close to in the developer roll setting, and the stirring frame is used for stirring the developer that the intracavity was held to box body 1 to prevent the developer caking.

The transmission assembly is disposed on the first side 11 or the second side 12, and is used for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus to drive the developing assembly to operate. The guiding component 2 is arranged between the first side 11 and the second side 12, and when the developing device is installed on the image forming equipment, the guiding component 2 is located in a sheet conveying channel formed by the developing device, the drum component and the image forming equipment body and used for guiding the conveying direction of the sheet, so that the sheet is prevented from being deviated in the conveying process, and the sheet is ensured to run along a preset path.

The identification component comprises a storage medium and an electric contact surface 5 electrically connected with the storage medium, the storage medium is arranged on the box body 1, and the storage medium contains the related information of the developing box. An electrical contact surface 5 is provided on the protective cover 4, and further, the electrical contact surface 5 is located on a surface of the protective cover 4 near the sixth side 16 of the cartridge body 1, the electrical contact surface 5 being used for contacting with an image forming apparatus to transfer information in a storage medium to an image forming device.

In some embodiments, the developing device further includes a protective cover 4, and the protective cover 4 is disposed on the first side 11 or the second side 12 of the cartridge body 1 for protecting the transmission assembly.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, the guide assembly 2 includes a guide shaft 21 and a plurality of support portions 22, the plurality of support portions 22 are disposed at intervals in the first direction on the case 1, the guide shaft 21 is connected to each support portion 22, and an axis of the guide shaft 21 extends in the first direction. Specifically, each support portion 22 is provided with an installation opening 221, the guide shaft 21 includes a guide portion and a plurality of connection portions, the guide portion is connected to each connection portion, each connection portion of the guide shaft 21 is connected to the installation opening 221 of each support portion 22, so that the guide shaft 21 is connected to the support portion 22, and the guide portion of the guide shaft 21 is used for guiding the sheet.

Further, an opening is opened on the side wall of the mounting opening 221, an annular groove 211 is arranged at the connecting part of the guide shaft 21, and the annular groove 211 is matched with the mounting opening 221. During assembly, the connecting portion of the guide shaft 21 may be installed into the installation opening 221 through an opening, so that the inner wall of the installation opening 221 is engaged with the annular groove 211, thereby limiting the guide shaft 21 in the first direction, and allowing a part of the guide shaft 21 to protrude from the supporting portion 22. In the present embodiment, the side wall of the mounting opening 221 is provided with an opening, so that the mounting of the guide shaft 21 is facilitated, and meanwhile, the guide shaft 21 is always partially protruded from the supporting portion 22, so that the situation that the sheet material is contacted with the supporting portion 22 and blocked by the supporting portion 22 and cannot be contacted with the guide shaft 21 is avoided.

In the present embodiment, there are two supporting portions 22, one supporting portion 22 is disposed at the boundary between the first side 11 and the sixth side 16, the other supporting portion 22 is disposed at the boundary between the second side 12 and the sixth side 16, and both supporting portions 22 extend along the third direction. The number of the guide shafts 21 is two, the two guide shafts 21 are arranged at the sixth side 16 at intervals along the second direction and close to the powder outlet of the box body 1, and two ends of each guide shaft 21 are respectively connected with the two supporting parts 22.

In some embodiments, only one or three or more than three guide shafts 21 may be provided. Meanwhile, three or more support portions 22 may be provided, each support portion 22 is provided at intervals in the first direction on the sixth side 16 of the cartridge 1, the guide shaft 21 is provided with a plurality of guide portions and a plurality of connecting portions, and the connecting portions of each guide shaft 21 are connected to each support portion 22, as shown in fig. 4.

In some embodiments, the guide shaft 21 is rotatably mounted to the mounting opening 221 of the support portion 22, for example, the guide shaft 21 can be rotatably connected to the support portion 22 by mounting a bearing in the mounting opening 221, or the guide shaft 21 can be rotatably connected to the support portion 22 by a clearance fit, which is less expensive. Of course, the guide shaft 21 may be fixedly mounted in the mounting opening 221 of the support portion 22, but the guide effect is inferior to that of the rotatable connection method.

In the present embodiment, the guide shaft 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it is understood that in other embodiments, the guide shaft 21 may be formed in a conical shape, a circular truncated cone shape, or the like.

In some embodiments, at least two annular grooves 211 may be disposed at both ends of the guide shaft 21 (that is, each end of the guide shaft 21 is disposed with at least two annular grooves 211), and the number and the positions of the mounting openings of the supporting portion 22 correspond to those of the annular grooves 211 of the guide shaft 21, so that each annular groove 211 of the guide shaft 21 is engaged with the mounting opening 221 of the corresponding supporting portion 22, and the guide shaft 21 rotates more stably, and is larger in stressed area and not easy to deform.

When the developing device is in an operating state, a passage through which the sheet passes is formed between the developing device and the drum assembly and between the developing device and the image forming apparatus body, and the guide shaft 21 is located in the passage. When the sheet passes through the passage, the sheet is restricted from moving between the two support portions 22 and is in contact with the guide shaft 21, and the guide shaft 21 is restricted in the axial direction due to the engagement of the annular groove 211 with the mounting opening 221, and therefore can only rotate about the axial direction. When the sheet material contacts with the guide shaft 21, the guide shaft 21 can only rotate and cannot axially move, so that the sheet material cannot deviate towards the axial direction of the guide shaft 21 under the action of the friction force between the sheet material and the guide shaft 21, and the problems of wrinkling and jamming of the sheet material caused by deviation are avoided.

Example two

Based on the above embodiment, another specific implementation is disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that in the present embodiment, the guide assembly 2 further includes a snap spring 23, and in the first direction, the snap spring 23 is engaged with two end portions of the guide shaft 21 and is located on a side of the support portion 22 opposite to the guide portion of the guide shaft 21, so that the guide shaft 21 is further limited in the first direction by the arrangement of the snap spring 23, and the axial movement is prevented.

EXAMPLE III

Based on the above embodiments, another specific implementation manner is disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, and as shown in fig. 7, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in the present embodiment, the guide assembly 2 further includes a guide roller 25, and the guide roller 25 is sleeved on the guide portion of the guide shaft 21 to reduce the resistance when the sheet passes through.

Specifically, the guide rollers 25 are provided in plurality, the guide rollers 25 are sleeved on the guide portion of the guide shaft 21 at intervals along the first direction, and each guide roller 25 is rotatably sleeved on the guide shaft 21 to further reduce the resistance of the sheet material during operation. Meanwhile, a limiting piece is arranged on the guide shaft 21, and the guide roller 25 is axially limited by the limiting piece, so that the guide roller 25 is prevented from generating axial displacement in the rotating process, and the sheet is prevented from generating offset in the running process.

Further, in the third direction, the guide roller 25 is at least partially farther from the cassette 1 than the support portion 22, that is, the distance between the end of the support portion 22 away from the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1 and the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1 is smaller than the distance between the end of the guide roller 25 away from the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1 and the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1, thereby ensuring that the support portion 22 and the sheet do not come into contact.

Example four

Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further discloses another specific implementation manner, and referring to fig. 8 to 10, in the embodiment, the guide assembly 2 includes a first guide shaft 21a, a second guide shaft 21b, and a plurality of support portions 22. The plurality of supporting portions 22 are arranged at intervals along the first direction on the sixth side 16 of the box body 1, and each supporting portion 22 is provided with a mounting opening 221. The first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b are arranged in the second direction and are attached to the attachment openings 221 of the respective support portions 22, and the lengths of the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b extend in the first direction, and the axes of the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b are parallel. The first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b may be rotatably mounted to the mounting openings 221 of the respective support portions 22 in a clearance fit manner, or the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b may be rotatably mounted to the mounting openings 221 of the respective support portions 22 in a bearing-mounted manner.

In the present embodiment, four supporting portions 22 are provided, four supporting portions 22 are arranged at equal intervals on the sixth side 16 of the box body 1 along the first direction (i.e. the distance between two adjacent supporting portions 22 is equal), and each supporting portion 22 is integrally formed with the box body 1. It is understood that in other embodiments, the number of the supporting portions 22 is not limited to four, and the distance between two adjacent supporting portions 22 may be different, and the supporting portions 22 may also be detachably mounted on the box body 1.

Further, the guide assembly 2 further includes a limiting protrusion 24, the limiting protrusion 24 is disposed at two ends of the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b in the first direction, is located at a side of the support portion 22 opposite to the guide portions of the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b, and is abutted against the support portion 22, so that the limiting protrusion 24 limits the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b in the first direction, and prevents the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b from moving along the axial direction.

Further, the guiding assembly 2 further includes a roller 26, and the roller 26 is sleeved on the guiding portions of the first guiding shaft 21a and the second guiding shaft 21b and is coaxially disposed with the first guiding shaft 21a and the second guiding shaft 21 b. The roller 26 may be fixed to the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b in a snap-fit manner, and the roller 26 may also be fixed to the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b in an integrally formed manner, so as to ensure that the roller 26 does not axially move relative to the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21 b.

In the present embodiment, the rollers 26 are provided in plurality, and three rollers 26 are respectively and uniformly mounted on the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b between two adjacent supporting portions 22 at intervals.

In order to avoid contact of the support portion 22 with the sheet, the roller 26 is at least partially further away from the cassette 1 than the support portion 22, i.e. the distance between the end of the support portion 22 remote from the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1 and the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1 is smaller than the distance between the end of the roller 26 remote from the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1 and the sixth side 16 of the cassette 1, thereby ensuring that the support portion 22 does not contact the sheet.

In specific implementation, the developing device is installed in the image forming apparatus, so that a channel for the sheet to pass through is formed among the developing device, the drum assembly and the image forming apparatus body, at this time, the roller 26 is located in the channel, and the sheet can contact with the roller 26 when passing through the channel. Under the action of the friction force between the roller 26 and the sheet, the roller 26 drives the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b to rotate, and in the axial direction of the roller 26, because the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b are limited by the limiting protrusion 24, the roller 26 cannot generate displacement in the axial direction, so that when the sheet passes through, if the sheet applies a force perpendicular to the first direction to the roller 26, the friction between the roller 26 and the sheet is rolling friction. If the sheet applies a force parallel to the first direction to the roller 26, the friction between the roller 26 and the sheet is sliding friction, and therefore the sheet is not easily displaced in the first direction.

In some embodiments, the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b are fixedly installed in the installation opening 221 of the support portion 22, and the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b are provided with shaft shoulders, and the roller 26 is rotatably installed on the shaft shoulders of the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21 b.

According to the present invention, the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b are both rotatably connected to the support portion 22, and the roller 26 is rotatably mounted on the first guide shaft 21a and the second guide shaft 21b, so that the resistance of the sheet passing through the passage perpendicular to the first direction can be further reduced, and the sheet can pass through the passage more easily.

EXAMPLE five

Based on the above embodiment, another specific implementation manner is disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, and referring to fig. 11, in this embodiment, the guide assembly 2 includes a first guide shaft 21a, a second guide shaft 21b, a third guide shaft 21c, a fourth guide shaft 21d, a fifth guide shaft 21e, a sixth guide shaft 21f, a plurality of rollers 26, and a plurality of supporting portions 22, each supporting portion 22 is respectively disposed on the sixth side 16 of the box body 1, and each two supporting portions 22 form a group for fixing one guide shaft. The first guide shafts 21a, the second guide shafts 21b, and the third guide shafts 21c are uniformly arranged at equal intervals in the first direction and are connected to the corresponding support portions 22, and the first guide shafts 21a, the second guide shafts 21b, and the third guide shafts 21c are coaxially disposed with their axial directions parallel to the first direction. The fourth guide shafts 21d, the fifth guide shafts 21e, and the sixth guide shafts 21f are uniformly arranged at equal intervals in the first direction and connected to the corresponding support portions 22, and the fourth guide shafts 21d, the fifth guide shafts 21e, and the sixth guide shafts 21f are coaxially arranged with their axial directions parallel to the first direction. The rollers 26 are respectively disposed on the guide shafts, and in the present embodiment, the first guide shaft 21a, the second guide shaft 21b, the third guide shaft 21c, the fourth guide shaft 21d, the fifth guide shaft 21e and the sixth guide shaft 21f are respectively disposed with one rotatable roller 26.

Example six

Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further discloses another specific implementation manner, and the difference between the present embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that in the present embodiment, the guiding component 2 may be a plurality of ribs, the ribs are disposed on the surface of the sixth side 16 of the box body 1, and the distance between at least one rib and the first side 11 of the box body 1 in the first direction is greater than the distance between the electrical contact surface 5 and the first side 11 of the box body 1 in the first direction.

In some embodiments, no rib may be provided on the surface of the sixth side 16 of the case 1 near the first side 11, so that the distance between at least one rib and the first side 11 of the case 1 in the first direction is greater than the distance between the electrical contact surface 5 and the first side 11 of the case 1 in the first direction.

In some embodiments, it is also possible to extend the end of the surface of the sixth side 16 of the case 1 close to the cover 4 in a direction close to the cover 4, the extension at least partially overlapping the cover 4 in the third direction, and to provide ribs on the extension, so that the distance between at least one rib and the first side 11 of the case 1 in the first direction is greater than the distance between the electrical contact surface 5 and the first side 11 of the case 1 in the first direction.

The above description is only for the preferred embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present application should be covered within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A developing device detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus including a drum assembly, characterized by comprising:

a case body;

2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide assembly further comprises a support portion, the support portion defining a mounting opening;

3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein an opening is formed in a side wall of the mounting opening, and the connecting portion has an annular groove that is matched with the mounting opening, so that the guide shaft can be engaged with the mounting opening through the annular groove.

4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the guide member further includes a snap spring engaged with an end of the guide shaft in the first direction and located on a side of the support portion facing away from the guide portion.

5. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the guide shaft is rotatably connected to the supporting portion.

6. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the guide member further includes a stopper projection provided at an end of the guide shaft on a side of the support portion facing away from the guide portion.

7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide shaft is provided in plurality, and the plurality of guide shafts are arranged in the first direction and/or the second direction, and axes of the guide shafts are parallel, wherein the second direction is a width extending direction of the cartridge body.

8. The developing device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the guide assembly further comprises a guide roller which is fitted over a guide portion of the guide shaft; and/or

9. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the guide roller or the roller is at least partially farther from the cartridge than the supporting portion in a third direction, wherein the third direction is a height extending direction of the cartridge.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising a body, a drum assembly, and the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the developing device and the drum assembly are mounted to the body.