JP2013054059A - Developing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing cartridge able to achieve size reduction.SOLUTION: The developing cartridge 25 comprises: a cartridge frame 51; a drive unit 52 which is provided on the left side of the cartridge frame 51 and to which drive force is input from outside; and an electrode unit 53 which is provided on the right side of the cartridge frame 51 and detected by external detecting means. The drive unit 52 is provided with a coupling collar 65. The electrode unit 53 is provided with an electrode collar 73. The coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 53 receive pressing force from a separating member 44 of a drum cartridge 24.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system.

  2. Description of the Related Art As an electrophotographic printer, a printer is known that is detachably provided with a process cartridge that includes a drum cartridge that includes a photosensitive drum and a developing cartridge that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum.

  In such a printer, a configuration is known in which the developing cartridge is close to a photosensitive drum so that toner can be supplied when an image is formed, and is separated so that toner cannot be supplied when an image is not formed.

  For example, the engaging portions protruding from the left and right side surfaces of the developing cartridge are sandwiched between the rear clamping body and the front clamping body provided on the left and right sides of the drum cartridge, and the developing cartridge is brought close to the photosensitive drum or The structure which makes it space apart is proposed (for example, refer the following patent document 1).

  According to this configuration, the developing cartridge is always brought close to the photosensitive drum by pressing the engaging portion of the developing cartridge toward the photosensitive drum by the rear holding member. Further, when the developing cartridge is separated from the photosensitive drum, the engaging portion of the developing cartridge is pressed away from the photosensitive drum by the front holding member against the pressing force of the rear holding member.

JP 2003-84647 A

  However, many members such as a member for receiving driving force and electric power from the main body casing are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the developing cartridge.

  Therefore, if the engaging portions are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the developing cartridge as in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to reduce the size of the developing cartridge.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing cartridge that can be miniaturized.

(1) In order to achieve the above-described object, a developing cartridge according to the present invention includes a developing roller configured to rotate around an axis extending in a predetermined direction, and one of the developing roller in the axial direction with respect to the developing roller. A cartridge frame including a first side wall disposed on the side and a second side wall disposed on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the developing roller, and disposed on one side in the axial direction with respect to the first side wall, from the outside A drive input coupling for transmitting an input driving force to the developing roller, and a developing electrode disposed on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the second side wall and for supplying electric power input from the outside to the developing roller With.

  The drive input coupling includes a first force receiving portion for receiving a pressing force from the outside.

  The developing electrode includes a second force receiving portion for receiving a pressing force from the outside.

  According to such a configuration, the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion for receiving a pressing force from the outside can be provided by using the drive input coupling and the developing electrode.

Therefore, the size can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which a member for receiving an external pressing force is provided separately from the drive input coupling and the developing electrode.
(2) The drive input coupling has a first end farthest from the first side wall in the axial direction, and the developing electrode has a second end farthest from the second side wall in the axial direction. Also good. In this case, the first end may be disposed at the most one position in the developing cartridge in the axial direction, and the second end may be disposed at the most other position in the developing cartridge in the axial direction.

According to such a configuration, the pressing force can be easily received at the outermost first end and second end in the axial direction of the developing cartridge.
(3) Further, the pressing direction of the pressing force received by the first force receiving portion and the pressing direction of the pressing force received by the second force receiving portion may be the same direction.

  According to such a configuration, the driving input coupling and the developing electrode can receive a pressing force in the same direction.

Therefore, a pressing force in a certain direction can be applied to the developing cartridge with high accuracy.
(4) The pressing direction of the pressing force received by the first force receiving portion and the pressing direction of the pressing force received by the second force receiving portion may be a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

  According to such a configuration, the driving input coupling and the developing electrode can receive a pressing force in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

Therefore, the pressing force in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction can be applied to the developing cartridge with high accuracy.
(5) Further, the developing roller may be provided in order to supply a developer to a photoreceptor provided outside. The developing roller may be configured to be separated from the photosensitive member when the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion receive an external pressing force.

According to such a configuration, the developing roller can be separated from the photoconductor using the drive input coupling and the developing electrode.
(6) Further, the developing roller may be configured to be pressed toward the photosensitive member when the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion receive an external pressing force.

According to such a configuration, the developing roller can be pressed toward the photoconductor using the drive input coupling and the developing electrode.
(7) The developing cartridge may be configured to be attached to an external device. The drive input coupling and the developing electrode may be provided with a guide portion for guiding mounting on the external device.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to guide the mounting on the external device using the drive input coupling and the developing electrode.
(8) The drive input coupling includes a coupling portion and a coupling collar having a cylindrical shape arranged so as to cover the coupling portion, and the developing electrode covers the electrode portion and the electrode portion. The electrode collar which consists of the arrange | positioned cylindrical shape may be included. In this case, the first force receiving portion may be a coupling collar, and the second force receiving portion may be an electrode collar.

  According to such a configuration, the coupling portion can be protected by the coupling collar, and the electrode portion can be protected by the electrode collar.

In addition, a pressing force from the outside can be received using the coupling collar and the electrode collar.
(9) The outer diameter of the coupling collar and the outer diameter of the electrode collar may be the same.

  According to such a configuration, the coupling collar and the electrode collar can be more stably pressed.

  According to the developing cartridge and the process cartridge of the present invention, the size can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of a printer including a process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper left rear side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right rear side. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper left rear side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right rear side. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mounting of the developing cartridge to the drum cartridge, and shows a state in which the rear end portion of the developing cartridge is inserted into the rear end portion of the developing cartridge mounting portion. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mounting of the developing cartridge to the drum cartridge following FIG. 6 and shows a state in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mounting of the developing cartridge to the drum cartridge following FIG. 7 and shows a state in which the mounting of the developing cartridge to the drum cartridge is completed. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the process cartridge, and shows a state where the developing cartridge is separated from the photosensitive drum. FIG. 10 is a right side view of the process cartridge, and shows a state in which the developing cartridge is separated from the photosensitive drum. FIG. 11 is a rear view of the process cartridge and shows a state in which the developing cartridge is separated from the photosensitive drum. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the upper left rear side.

1. Overall Configuration of Printer As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 is a horizontal type direct tandem type color printer.

  In the following description, when referring to the direction, the right side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is the front side and the left side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is the rear side, based on the state where the printer 1 is placed horizontally. In addition, when the printer 1 is viewed from the front side, the left and right reference is used. That is, the front side in FIG. 1 is the left side, and the back side is the right side.

  The printer 1 includes a substantially box-shaped main body casing 2 (an example of the outside). A top cover 6 that opens and closes the main body opening 5 is provided at the upper end of the main body casing 2 so as to be swingable around the rear end. The printer 1 includes four process cartridges 11 corresponding to the respective colors.

  The process cartridges 11 are detachably provided in the main casing 2 and are arranged in parallel at intervals along the front-rear direction. Each process cartridge 11 includes a drum cartridge 24 as an example of an external device, and a developing cartridge 25 that is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 24.

  The drum cartridge 24 includes a photosensitive drum 15 as an example of a photosensitive member.

  The photosensitive drum 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is rotatably provided in the drum cartridge 24.

  The developing cartridge 25 includes a developing roller 16 as an example of a developer carrier.

  The developing roller 16 extends in the left-right direction (axial direction), is rotatably provided so as to be exposed rearward at the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 25, and is in contact with the photosensitive drum 15 from the front upper side. The developing roller 16 is rotated about a metal developing roller shaft 30 as a rotation center.

  Further, the developing cartridge 25 includes a supply roller 27 that supplies toner to the developing roller 16 and a layer thickness regulating blade 28 that regulates the thickness of the toner supplied to the developing roller 16. The toner is stored.

  The toner in the developing cartridge 25 is triboelectrically charged between the supply roller 27 and the developing roller 16 and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 16 as a thin layer having a constant thickness.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 is uniformly charged by the scorotron charger 26 and then exposed by the LED unit 12 based on predetermined image data, whereby an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed. It is formed. The toner carried on the developing roller 16 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15, so that a toner image (developer image) is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15.

  The paper S is accommodated in a paper feed tray 7 provided at the bottom of the main casing 2 so as to make a U-turn to the rear upper side by a pickup roller 8, a paper feed roller 9, and a pair of registration rollers 10. The paper is conveyed and fed one by one between the photosensitive drum 15 and the conveying belt 19 at a predetermined timing. By the conveying belt 19, the space between each photosensitive drum 15 and each transfer roller 20 is changed from the front side to the rear side. It is conveyed toward. At this time, the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially transferred onto the paper S to form a color image.

  The sheet S is heated and pressurized when passing between the heating roller 21 and the pressure roller 22. At this time, the color image is thermally fixed on the paper S.

Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed so as to make a U-turn to the front upper side, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 23 provided on the top cover 6.
2. Process Cartridge (1) Drum Cartridge (1-1) Drum Frame As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drum cartridge 24 includes a drum frame 31 as an example of a photoconductor frame formed in a substantially rectangular bottomed frame shape. I have.

  In the description of the drum cartridge 24, when referring to the direction, the photosensitive drum 15 (described later) is based on a state where the drum cartridge 24 is placed on a horizontal surface so that the lower wall 35 of the drum cartridge 24 is on the lower side (see FIG. 2). Is the rear side of the drum cartridge 24.

  The drum frame 31 includes a pair of left and right side walls 32, a front wall 33 laid between the front end portions of the side walls 32, a lower wall 35 laid between the lower end portions of the side walls 32, and a rear end of the side walls 32. An upper wall 34 is provided above the section.

  The side walls 32 extend in the front-rear direction (specifically, the direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side), and are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in side view having a thickness in the left-right direction.

  Further, the both side walls 32 are formed with an exposed groove 37 for exposing a coupling portion 61 (described later) or a contact portion 71 (described later) and a pressing member accommodating portion 41. The side walls 32 are provided with pressing members 42 in the pressing member accommodating portions 41.

  Each exposed groove 37 is formed in a substantially U shape in a side view in which the upper side is opened so as to be cut out downward from the upper end edge at substantially the center in the front-rear direction of both side walls 32.

  Each pressing member accommodating portion 41 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in front view so as to be recessed from the front inner peripheral surface of the exposure groove 37 to the front side.

  Each pressing member 42 is formed in a prismatic shape having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is always urged by the urging member 43 so as to advance from the pressing member accommodating portion 41 to the rear side.

  The front wall 33 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction.

  The lower wall 35 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction continuously to the lower end portion of the front wall 33.

  The upper wall 34 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction, and is provided so as to cover the photosensitive drum 15 from above. A scorotron charger 26 is supported on the upper wall 34.

In the drum frame 31, the developing cartridge 25 is mounted by the front half of the lower wall 35, the side walls 32 and the front wall 33 corresponding to the front half of the lower wall 35, and the front edge of the upper wall 34. The developing cartridge mounting portion 36 is partitioned.
(1-2) Separation member The separation member 44 is provided on both side walls 32 of the drum cartridge 24 so that the separation member 44 faces the pressing member 42 with a space in the front-rear direction at the rear end portion of the exposure groove 37. It has been.

  Each separation member 44 is integrally provided with a rotation shaft 45, a contacted portion 46, and a pressing portion 47.

  The rotation shaft 45 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction.

  The abutted portion 46 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending downward from the lower portion of the rotation shaft 45, and the lower portion is formed to be bent forward.

  The pressing portion 47 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that extends upward from the upper portion of the rotating shaft 45, and is formed so that the upper side portion bends forward.

  Each separation member 44 is rotatably supported by the side wall 32 on the rotation shaft 45.

Each spacing member 44 includes a pressing position (see FIGS. 9 and 10) where the pressing portion 47 advances to the front upper side, and a pressing release position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) where the pressing portion 47 is retracted to the rear lower side. Then, the rotary shaft 45 is rotated as a fulcrum.
(2) Developer Cartridge As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the developer cartridge 25 includes a cartridge frame 51, a drive unit 52 disposed on the left side of the cartridge frame 51, and an electrode unit disposed on the right side of the cartridge frame 51. 53.

In the description of the developing cartridge 25, when referring to the direction, the side on which the developing roller 16 (described later) is disposed is the rear side of the developing cartridge 25, and the layer thickness regulating blade 28 (described later) is disposed. Is the upper side.
(2-1) Cartridge Frame The cartridge frame 51 is formed in a substantially box shape extending in the left-right direction. The cartridge frame 51 includes a first frame 54 that constitutes the lower side of the cartridge frame 51 and a second frame 55 that constitutes the upper side of the cartridge frame 51.

  The first frame 54 is integrally formed with a pair of left and right side walls 56, a front wall 57, and a lower wall 58, and is formed in a bottomed frame shape that opens toward the upper side and the rear side. In the following description, the left side wall 56 as an example of the first side wall is a left wall 56L, and the right side wall 56 as an example of a second side wall is a right wall 56R.

  The side walls 56 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in side view extending in the up-down and front-rear directions, and are opposed to each other with a space in the left-right direction.

  The front wall 57 extends in the left-right direction and extends between the front end portions of the side walls 56.

  The lower wall 58 extends between the lower ends of the side walls 56 so as to extend in the left-right direction and to be continuous with the lower ends of the front wall 57.

The second frame 55 is connected to the front portion of the side walls 56 and the upper end portion of the front wall 57, and is formed in a flat plate shape having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. A layer thickness regulating blade 28 is disposed at the rear end of the second frame 55 so as to be in contact with the developing roller 16 from above.
(2-2) Drive Unit As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the drive unit 52 includes a drive input coupling 66 and a drive side cover 62.

  The drive input coupling 66 includes a coupling portion 61 and a coupling collar 65 as an example of a first force receiving portion.

  The coupling part 61 is supported on the left side of the left wall 56L and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. A coupling recess 63 is formed on the left surface of the coupling portion 61. A gear portion 64 is provided at the right end portion of the coupling portion 61.

  The coupling recess 63 extends in the radial direction of the coupling portion 61 so as to be recessed from the left surface of the coupling portion 61 to the right side, and is formed in a substantially long hole shape in a side view when the center in the radial direction is narrow. The front end of a main body coupling (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2 is inserted into the coupling recess 63 in a state where the developing cartridge 25 is mounted in the main body casing 2 so as not to rotate relative to the main body coupling ( A driving force is input from the main body casing 2 via a not-shown).

  The gear part 64 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the coupling part 61. The gear portion 64 transmits driving force to the developing roller 16 and the supply roller 27 via a gear train (not shown).

  The drive side cover 62 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape extending in the left-right direction and closed at the left end. The drive side cover 62 is formed to have substantially the same size (length in the front-rear direction and length in the vertical direction) as the left wall 56L of the developing cartridge 25.

  The coupling collar 65 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes to the left from the left wall at the approximate center in the front-rear direction of the drive-side cover 62. Note that the right end portion of the coupling collar 65 communicates with the drive side cover 62. Further, the left end edge of the coupling collar 65 is slightly on the right side (inward in the left-right direction) than the left end edge of the left side wall 32 of the drum frame 31 when projected in the front-rear direction when mounted on the drum cartridge 24. Is arranged. The inner diameter of the coupling collar 65 is substantially the same diameter (slightly larger) as the outer diameter of the left end portion of the coupling portion 61.

The drive side cover 62 is screwed to the left wall 56 </ b> L so that the left end portion of the coupling portion 61 is fitted in the coupling collar 65. The coupling recess 63 is exposed from the left end portion of the coupling collar 65.
(2-3) Electrode Unit The electrode unit 53 includes a developing electrode 74 and an electrode side cover 72 as shown in FIG.

  The developing electrode 74 includes a contact portion 71 as an example of an electrode portion and an electrode collar 73 as an example of a second force receiving portion.

  The contact portion 71 is supported on the right side of the right wall 56R and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. Further, the contact portion 71 shares the central axis with the coupling portion 61. Further, the outer diameter of the contact portion 71 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the left end portion of the coupling portion 61. Although not shown, the contact portion 71 is electrically connected to the developing roller shaft 30 in the electrode side cover 72. The contact portion 71 is in contact with a main body electrode (not shown) provided in the main casing 2 in a state where the developing cartridge 25 is mounted in the main casing 2, and a power source (not shown) in the main casing 2. ) Is supplied to the developing roller.

  The electrode side cover 72 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The electrode side cover 72 is formed in substantially the same size (length in the front-rear direction and length in the vertical direction) as the right wall 56R of the developing cartridge 25.

  The electrode collar 73 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes rightward from the right wall at the approximate center in the front-rear direction of the electrode-side cover 72. Note that the left end portion of the electrode collar 73 communicates with the right side of the electrode side cover 72. In addition, the right end edge of the electrode collar 73 is slightly left (inward in the left-right direction) with respect to the right end edge of the right side wall 32 of the drum frame 31 when projected in the front-rear direction when mounted on the drum cartridge 24. Has been placed. The inner diameter of the electrode collar 73 is substantially the same diameter (slightly larger) as the outer diameter of the contact portion 71. The outer diameter of the electrode collar 73 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the coupling collar 65.

The electrode side cover 72 is screwed to the right wall 56 </ b> R so that the contact portion 71 is fitted in the electrode collar 73. Note that the right end portion of the contact portion 71 is exposed from the right end portion of the electrode collar 73.
3. Attachment / Removal of Developer Cartridge to Drum Cartridge In order to attach the process cartridge 11 to the main casing 2, first, the developer cartridge 25 is attached to the drum cartridge 24.

  In order to attach the developing cartridge 25 to the drum cartridge 24, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 25 is held so that the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 25 is disposed on the lower side, and the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 25 is disposed. Is inserted into the rear end portion of the developing cartridge mounting portion 36 from above.

  Then, the developing roller 16 is disposed to face the front side of the photosensitive drum 15 with an interval. Further, the left end portion of the coupling collar 65 and the right end portion of the electrode collar 73 are opposed to the rear side of the pressing member 42.

  Next, the developing cartridge 25 is brought into contact with the pressing member 42 from the rear side with the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73, and the central axis of the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 is a fulcrum in the clockwise direction in the left side view. It is inserted into the developing cartridge mounting part 36 so as to be rotated.

  Then, in the developing cartridge 25, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are guided by the rear surface of the pressing member 42, and the developing cartridge 25 is rotated clockwise about the central axis of the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 as viewed from the left side. However, it is moved into the developing cartridge mounting portion 36. That is, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 function as a guide unit that guides the mounting of the developing cartridge 25 to the drum cartridge 24.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing roller 16 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 15 from the rear side. The coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are in contact with the rear surface of the pressing member 42 from the rear side.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the front end portion of the developing cartridge 25 is further pushed into the front end portion of the developing cartridge mounting portion 36, the developing cartridge 25 has its rear end portion as a fulcrum and its front end portion rotates clockwise as viewed from the left side. And is completely accommodated in the developing cartridge mounting portion 36.

  At this time, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are disposed in the exposure groove 37 so as to press the pressing member 42 forward against the biasing force of the biasing member 43. As a result, the developing cartridge 25 is pressed rearward in the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 so that the developing roller 16 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 15.

  When the developing cartridge 25 is completely accommodated in the developing cartridge mounting portion 36, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are opposed to the front side of the corresponding separation member 44.

  Further, in order to detach the developing cartridge 25 from the drum cartridge 24, the front end portion of the developing cartridge 25 is grasped while pressing the front end portion of the drum cartridge 24, and the developing cartridge 25 is viewed from the left side with the rear end portion as a fulcrum. Turn counterclockwise.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the front end portion of the developing cartridge 25 is detached from the developing cartridge mounting portion 36 upward.

  At this time, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are guided from the lower side to the upper side along the rear surface of the pressing member 42 and separated from the exposure groove 37 to the upper side.

  Then, the front end portion of the developing cartridge 25 is gripped, and the entire developing cartridge 25 is separated from the developing cartridge mounting portion 36 of the drum cartridge 24 upward.

  Thereby, the separation of the developing cartridge 25 from the drum cartridge 24 is completed.

  To attach the process cartridge 11 to the main casing 2, as shown in FIG. 1, the top cover 6 is opened, and the process cartridge 11 is placed at a predetermined position in the main casing 2 with the rear side of the printer 1. The rear lower side and the front side are mounted from the upper side so that the front side is the front upper side of the printer 1.

Thereby, the mounting of the process cartridge 11 to the main casing 2 is completed.
4). Separation of the developing cartridge from the photosensitive drum When the printer 1 prints a color image, all the developing rollers 16 of the developing cartridges 25 are in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drum 15 (see FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, when printing a monochrome (black) image, the developing roller 16 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 15 in the black process cartridge 11K, and the color process cartridges 11 (yellow process cartridge 11Y, magenta process cartridge 11M, and cyan process cartridge 11C). ), The developing roller 16 is separated from the photosensitive drum 15.

  In order to separate the developing roller 16 from the photosensitive drum 15, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the contacted portion 46 of both the left and right separating members 44 is moved rearward by a main body side lever 81 provided in the main body casing 2. Press down.

  Then, both the separating members 44 are rotated clockwise in the left side view, and the pressing portions 47 of the both separating members 44 are respectively left end portions (an example of the first end) of the coupling collar 65 of the driving side cover 62, Alternatively, it is brought into contact with the right end portion (an example of the second end) of the electrode collar 73 of the electrode side cover 72 from the rear lower side (see FIG. 11).

  When both the separating members 44 are further rotated clockwise in the left side view, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are pressed to the front upper side by the separating member 44 against the pressing force of the pressing member 42. The developing cartridge 25 is moved to the front upper side (separating direction).

  That is, the rear lower peripheral edge of the left end portion of the coupling collar 65 acts as a first force receiving portion, and the rear lower peripheral edge of the right end portion of the electrode collar 73 acts as a second force receiving portion.

  When the process cartridge 11 is projected in the left-right direction, the distance D1 (see FIG. 9) between the contact portion T1 between the coupling collar 65 and the separating member 44 and the central axis A (axis line) of the developing roller 16 is an electrode. This is equal to the distance D2 (see FIG. 10) between the contact portion T2 between the collar 73 and the separating member 44 and the central axis A of the developing roller 16.

As a result, the developing roller 16 is separated from the photosensitive drum 15.
5. Operation and Effect (1) According to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the driving side cover 62 of the driving unit 52 receives the pressing force from the separating member 44 of the drum cartridge 24. It has. The electrode side cover 72 of the electrode unit 53 includes an electrode collar 73 that receives a pressing force from the separation member 44 of the drum cartridge 24.

  Therefore, it is possible to receive the pressing force from the separation member 44 of the drum cartridge 24 using the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73.

As a result, the size can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which a member for receiving the pressing force from the separation member 44 of the drum cartridge 24 is provided separately from the drive unit 52 and the electrode unit 53.
(2) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIG. 11, the pressing portions 47 of the both separating members 44 are respectively the left end portion (first end) of the coupling collar 65 of the drive side cover 62, Alternatively, the right end portion (second end) of the electrode collar 73 of the electrode side cover 72 is contacted from the lower rear side. According to such a configuration, the left and right end portions (first end and second end) of the developing cartridge 25 are arranged. ), The pressing force from the separating member 44 can be easily received.
(3) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, both the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 can be pressed to the rear upper side by the separation member 44.

Therefore, the developing cartridge 25 can be pressed to the rear upper side evenly in the left-right direction.
(4) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are pressed rearward and upward by the separating member 44, the developing roller 16 is exposed to light. It can be separated from the drum 15.

Therefore, the developing roller 16 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 15 by using the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73.
(5) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, when the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are pressed to the front lower side by the pressing member 42, the developing roller 16 is moved. It is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 15.

Therefore, the developing roller 16 can be pressed toward the photosensitive drum 15 using the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73.
(6) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 guide the mounting of the developing cartridge 25 on the drum cartridge 24.

Therefore, it is possible to guide the mounting on the drum cartridge 24 using the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73.
(7) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIG. 11, the coupling portion 61 can be protected by the coupling collar 65, and the contact portion 71 can be protected by the electrode collar 73. .

In addition, it is possible to receive the pressing force from the separation member 44 using the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73.
(8) Further, according to the developing cartridge 25, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer diameter of the coupling collar 65 and the outer diameter of the electrode collar 73 are the same.

Therefore, the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 can be pressed more stably.
6). Second Embodiment A printer 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, members similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment described above, the outer peripheral surfaces of the coupling collar 65 and the electrode collar 73 are directly pressed by the spacing member 44.

  However, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a first contact rib 86 protruding toward the rear lower side and extending in the left-right direction is provided on the lower outer peripheral surface of the coupling collar 65, and the electrode collar 73 is provided. A second abutment rib 87 that protrudes toward the rear lower side and extends in the left-right direction is provided on the lower outer peripheral surface.

  Then, the first contact rib 86 and the second contact rib 87 are pressed by the separation member 44.

Also in the second embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.
7). Other Embodiments In the first embodiment described above, the drive input coupling 66 includes the coupling portion 61 and the coupling collar 65, and the developing electrode 74 includes the contact portion 71 and the electrode collar 73. The drive input coupling 66 does not include the coupling collar 65, and the developing electrode 74 does not need to include the electrode collar 73.

  In this case, the developing cartridge 25 receives a pressing force from the separation member 44 at the coupling portion 61 and the contact portion 71. That is, the coupling part 61 functions as a first force receiving part, and the contact part 71 functions as a second force receiving part.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Photosensitive drum 16 Developing roller 24 Drum cartridge 25 Developing cartridge 51 Cartridge frame 52 Drive unit 53 Electrode unit 56L Left wall 56R Right wall 65 Coupling cover 73 Electrode color 86 1st contact rib 87 2nd contact rib A Axis D1 space | interval D2 interval

Claims (9)

A developing roller configured to rotate about an axis extending in a predetermined direction;
A cartridge frame including a first side wall disposed on one side in the axial direction of the developing roller with respect to the developing roller and a second side wall disposed on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the developing roller;
A drive input coupling disposed on one side in the axial direction with respect to the first side wall, for transmitting a driving force input from the outside to the developing roller;
A developing electrode disposed on the other side of the axial direction with respect to the second side wall, and for supplying electric power input from the outside to the developing roller;
The drive input coupling includes a first force receiving portion for receiving a pressing force from the outside,
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing electrode includes a second force receiving portion for receiving a pressing force from the outside. The drive input coupling has a first end furthest away from the first sidewall in the axial direction;
The developing electrode has a second end farthest from the second side wall in the axial direction;
The first end is disposed at a position on one side of the developing cartridge in the axial direction,
2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second end is disposed at a position on the othermost side of the developing cartridge in the axial direction.   3. The development according to claim 1, wherein the pressing direction of the pressing force received by the first force receiving portion and the pressing direction of the pressing force received by the second force receiving portion are the same direction. cartridge.   The pressing direction of the pressing force received by the first force receiving portion and the pressing direction of the pressing force received by the second force receiving portion are directions orthogonal to the axial direction. The developing cartridge as described. The developing roller is provided to supply a developer to a photoreceptor provided outside,
2. The developing roller according to claim 1, wherein the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive member when the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion receive an external pressing force. The developing cartridge as described in any one of -4. The developing roller is provided to supply a developer to a photoreceptor provided outside,
When the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion receive an external pressing force, the developing roller is configured to be pressed toward the photoconductor. The developing cartridge according to claim 1. The developing cartridge is configured to be attached to an external device,
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the driving input coupling and the developing electrode include a guide portion for guiding mounting on the external device. The drive input coupling includes a coupling portion and a coupling collar having a cylindrical shape arranged to cover the coupling portion,
The developing electrode includes an electrode portion and an electrode collar having a cylindrical shape arranged so as to cover the electrode portion,
The first force receiving portion is the coupling collar;
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second force receiving portion is the electrode collar.   The developing cartridge according to claim 8, wherein an outer diameter of the coupling collar and an outer diameter of the electrode collar are the same.

Images