JP2019015978A - Cartridge and drum unit used in electrophotographic image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To develop a technique related to a cartridge having a coupling which can be tilted with respect to a rotational axis of a photoreceptor drum.SOLUTION: A cartridge includes: a rotor; a transmission object member; a coupling member which has a free end and a coupling part, in which at least a part of the coupling part is housed in a housing part so that a rotational axis of the coupling member becomes tiltable with respect to a rotational axis of a transmission object member, and which has a through hole penetrating the coupling part; and a shaft part which penetrates the through hole and can receive rotational force from a transmission part. The shaft part has both ends supported by the transmission object member and has a biasing member biasing the free end of the coupling member toward a downstream side in an attachment direction by being brought into contact with the coupling member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge and a drum unit used in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a laser beam printer.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a configuration in which elements such as a photosensitive drum and a developing roller as a rotating body related to image formation are integrated as a cartridge and is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) is known. Yes. Here, in order to rotate the photosensitive drum in the cartridge, it is desirable to transmit a driving force from the apparatus main body. At this time, a configuration is known in which the coupling force on the cartridge side is engaged with a driving force transmission unit such as a driving pin on the apparatus main body side to transmit the driving force.

  Here, some image forming apparatuses have a configuration relating to a cartridge that can be removed in a predetermined direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. Further, there is known an apparatus main body that does not include a mechanism for moving a drive pin of the apparatus main body in the direction of the rotation axis by opening / closing the cover of the apparatus main body. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a coupling member provided at an end portion of the photosensitive drum can be tilted with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. Accordingly, a configuration is known in which a coupling member provided on the cartridge is engaged with a drive pin provided on the apparatus main body, and a driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the cartridge.

JP 2008-233867 A

  The above-mentioned conventional technology is developed.

  A cartridge that can be mounted on the apparatus main body by moving in a mounting direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotatable engaging portion provided in the apparatus main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and carries a developer. A rotatable rotating member, a receiving member receiving a rotating force from the engaging portion, a rotatable receiving member having a storage portion on the inner side thereof, and a rotating force transmitted to the rotating member. A rotatable coupling member having a free end portion having a portion and a coupling portion having a transmission portion for transmitting the rotational force received by the receiving portion to the transmitted member, wherein the coupling portion is the cup A coupling member having a through-hole that is at least partially housed in the housing portion and penetrates the coupling portion so that the rotation axis of the ring member can be tilted with respect to the rotation axis of the transmitted member; Through the through hole A shaft portion capable of receiving a rotational force from the transmission portion, and both ends of the shaft portion are supported by the transmitted member, and contact the coupling member so that the free end portion of the coupling member A cartridge having a biasing member biasing toward the downstream side in the mounting direction.

  The above-mentioned conventional technology could be developed.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body and a cartridge according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge which concerns on an Example. It is the perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the cartridge which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of a mode that a cartridge is attached or detached to the apparatus main body which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the cartridge was attached or detached to the apparatus main body, accompanying the operation | movement which the coupling member which concerns on an Example tilts. It is explanatory drawing of the coupling member which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the escape part of the coupling member which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the drum unit which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of a mode that the drum unit which concerns on an Example is integrated in a cleaning unit. It is an exploded view of the drive side flange unit which concerns on an Example. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing of the drive side flange unit which concern on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the assembly method of the drive side flange unit which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the bearing member which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the bearing member which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of a mode that the coupling member which concerns on an Example tilts with respect to the axis line L1. It is a perspective view of the drive part of the apparatus main body which concerns on an Example. It is an exploded view of the drive part of the apparatus main body which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the drive part of the apparatus main body which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing in the middle of attachment to the apparatus main body of the cartridge which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing in the middle of attachment to the apparatus main body of the cartridge which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing when mounting to the apparatus main body of the cartridge which concerns on an Example is completed. It is explanatory drawing regarding the coupling guide which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of a mode that the cartridge which concerns on an Example detaches | leaves from an apparatus main body. It is explanatory drawing of a mode that the cartridge which concerns on an Example detaches | leaves from an apparatus main body. It is explanatory drawing in the middle of attachment to the apparatus main body of the cartridge which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the coupling member which concerns on an Example, and a main body side engaging part. It is explanatory drawing of the engagement releasing operation | movement of a coupling member and a main body side engaging part at the time of removing the cartridge which concerns on an Example from an apparatus main body. It is explanatory drawing of the coupling guide which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the coupling member and drive pin which concern on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the cartridge and coupling guide which concern on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the bearing member which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the bearing member which concerns on an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the bearing member which concerns on an Example.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Here, an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system is referred to as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Note that the electrophotographic system refers to a system in which an electrostatic image formed on a photoreceptor is developed with toner. Here, the development method is not related to a development method such as a one-component development method, a two-component development method, or a dry development. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum refers to a configuration in which a photosensitive member is provided on a drum-shaped cylinder surface layer used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  Here, a charging roller, a developing roller, and the like related to image formation acting on the photosensitive drum are referred to as process means. A cartridge including a photoconductor or process means (cleaning blade, developing roller, etc.) involved in image formation is called a process cartridge. In the embodiment, a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing roller, and a cleaning blade are integrated will be described as an example.

  In the embodiment, a laser beam printer will be described as an example among electrophotographic systems used for a wide range of applications such as multifunction peripherals, FAX, and printers. In addition, the code | symbol in an Example is for referring drawings, and does not limit a structure. Also, the dimensions and the like in the examples are for clearly explaining the relationship and do not limit the configuration.

  In the embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is parallel to the rotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction). In the longitudinal direction, the side where the photosensitive drum receives the rotational force from the image forming apparatus main body of the process cartridge is defined as a driving side (driven side), and the opposite side is defined as a non-driving side. Further, when it is described as “upper” (upper side) without any particular description, the upper side in the gravity direction when the image forming apparatus is installed is regarded as the upper side, and the opposite direction (reverse direction) is the lower side in the gravity direction (lower side). ).

  Hereinafter, the laser beam printer in this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The cartridge in this embodiment is a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum as a photosensitive member (image carrier / rotating member) and a developing roller, a charging roller, and a cleaning blade as process means are integrated. This cartridge is detachable (detachable) from the apparatus main body. Here, a rotating body / rotating member that rotates in response to a rotational force from the apparatus main body is provided in the cartridge (gear, photosensitive drum, flange, developing roller), and a member that carries and conveys a toner image is called a carrier. .

  The configuration of a laser beam printer as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the image forming process will be described below with reference to FIGS. Next, the detailed configuration of the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.

§1 (Description of laser beam printer and image forming process)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a laser beam printer apparatus main body A (hereinafter referred to as apparatus main body A) and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B) which are electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge B.

  Hereinafter, the apparatus main body A refers to a portion of the laser beam printer that is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, excluding the removable process cartridge B.

  First, the configuration of a laser beam printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic technique in which a process cartridge B is detachable (attachable and detachable) from the apparatus main body A. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the process cartridge B is disposed below the laser scanner unit 3 as the exposure means (exposure device) in the gravity direction.

  In addition, a sheet tray 4 that accommodates a sheet sheet P as a recording medium (sheet material) that is a target (purpose) on which the image forming apparatus forms an image is disposed below the process cartridge B in the gravity direction.

  Further, in the apparatus main body A, the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, the conveyance roller pair 5c, the transfer guide 6, the transfer roller 7, the conveyance guide 8, and the fixing are sequentially arranged along the conveyance direction X1 of the sheet P from the upstream side. An apparatus 9, a discharge roller pair 10, and a discharge tray 11 are arranged. Note that the fixing device 9 as a fixing unit includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

  Next, an outline of the image forming process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Based on the print start signal, a photosensitive drum 62 (hereinafter referred to as drum 62), which is a rotatable member (photosensitive member) carrying a developer, rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow R with a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). Driven by rotation.

  The charging roller 66 to which the bias voltage is applied contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The laser scanner unit 3 as an exposure unit outputs a laser beam L corresponding to image information input to the laser printer. The laser beam L passes through the exposure window 74 on the upper surface of the process cartridge B and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, a part of the charged photoreceptor is neutralized, and an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the developing unit 20 as a developing device, the developer in the toner chamber 29 (hereinafter referred to as “toner T”) is agitated and conveyed by the rotation of a conveying screw 43 as a conveying member. Then, it is sent out to the toner supply chamber 28.

  The toner T as the developer is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 as the developing means (process means / rotating body) by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 functions as a rotating member that carries and conveys the developer to the developing region in order to develop the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member. The toner T transported to the development area is regulated in the layer thickness of the circumferential surface of the development blade 42 and the development roller 32. The toner T is frictionally charged between the developing roller 32 and the developing blade 42.

  The electrostatic image formed on the drum 62 is developed (visualized) with the toner by the toner T carried on the surface of the developing roller as a rotating member that carries and transports the toner on the surface. That is, the drum 66 carries the developed toner (toner image) on its surface and rotates in the direction of arrow R.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet P stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is moved to the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, and the conveying roller pair 5c in accordance with the output timing of the laser beam L. It is fed from.

  Then, the sheet P is supplied via the transfer guide 6 to a transfer position (transfer nip) between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7. At this transfer position, the toner images are sequentially transferred from the drum 62 as the image carrier to the sheet P as the recording medium.

  The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 as an image carrier and is conveyed along the conveyance guide 8 to the fixing device 9. The sheet P passes through a fixing nip portion between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b constituting the fixing device 9. In this fixing nip portion, the unfixed toner image on the sheet P is fixed to the sheet P by being pressurized and heated. Thereafter, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer residual toner that remains on the drum surface without being transferred to the sheet adheres to the surface of the drum 62 after the toner T is transferred to the sheet. This transfer residual toner is removed by a cleaning blade 77 that contacts the peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, the toner remaining on the drum 62 is cleaned, and the cleaned drum 62 is charged again and used in the image forming process. The toner (transfer residual toner) removed from the drum 62 is stored in a waste toner chamber 71 b of the cleaning unit 60.

  In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, and the cleaning blade 77 all function as process means that act on the drum 62. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment employs a system that removes transfer residual toner with a cleaning blade. However, a system (cleanerless system) that collects transfer residual toner whose charge is adjusted at the same time as development with a developing device can also be used. Good. In the cleanerless system, an auxiliary charging member (such as an auxiliary charging brush) for adjusting the charge of the transfer residual toner also functions as a process unit.

§2 (Description of process cartridge configuration)
Next, the detailed configuration of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge B as a cartridge. The frame of the process cartridge can be disassembled into a plurality of units. The process cartridge B of the present embodiment is a unit in which two units of a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20 are integrated. In the present embodiment, the developing unit 20 that holds the drum 62 and the cleaning unit 60 will be described using a configuration in which two units are connected by two connecting pins 75 as connecting members. Also good. Of course, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of units are not coupled by a coupling member such as a pin, and only a part of the units can be replaced.

  The cleaning unit 60 includes a cleaning frame 71, a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning blade 77, and the like. A drum (cylinder) 62 as a rotating body is provided with a coupling member 86 (coupling) as a driving force transmission component at an end portion on the driving side. A driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the drum 62 as a rotating body via a coupling member 86 (coupling). Therefore, it can be said that the coupling member 86 (coupling) as the drive transmission component is provided at the end (driven side end) on the side where the drum 62 is driven by the apparatus main body A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a drum 62 (photosensitive drum) as a rotating body is rotatable around a rotation axis L1 (hereinafter referred to as an axis L1) as a drum axis (rotation axis of the drum 62). Further, the coupling member 86 as a driving force transmission member is rotatable around a rotation axis L2 (hereinafter referred to as an axis L2) as a coupling axis (coupling rotation axis). Here, the coupling member 86 as a drive transmission member (drive force transmission component) is configured to be inclined (tilted) with respect to the drum 62. In other words, the axis L2 can be inclined with respect to the axis L1 (details will be described later).

  On the other hand, the developing unit 20 includes a toner storage container 21, a lid 22, a developing container 23, a first side member 26L (driving side), a second side member 26R (non-driving side), a developing blade 42, a developing roller 32, and a magnet roller. 34. Here, the toner container 21 has a transport screw 43 (stirring sheet) as a transport member for transporting the toner and a toner T as a developer. Further, the developing unit 20 uses a spring (in this embodiment, a helical spring 46 (coil spring) as an urging member for applying an urging force to restrict the posture of the unit between the developing unit 20 and the cleaning unit 60. Have). Further, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting pin 75 (a connecting pin / pin) as a connecting member to constitute a process cartridge B.

  Specifically, rotation holes 23bL and 23bR are provided at the tips of the arm portions 23aL and 23aR formed in the developing container 23 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20 (axial direction of the developing roller 32). The rotation holes 23bL and 23bR are provided in parallel to the axis of the developing roller 32.

  In addition, fitting holes 71a for fitting the connecting pins 75 are formed in both longitudinal ends of the cleaning frame 71 which is a frame (casing) on the cleaning unit side. Then, the arm portions 23aL and 23aR are aligned with predetermined positions of the cleaning frame 71, and the connecting pins 75 are inserted into the rotation holes 23bL and 23bR and the fitting holes 71a. Thereby, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are coupled so as to be rotatable around the coupling pin 75 as a coupling member.

  At this time, a helical spring 46 (coil spring) as an urging member attached to the base of the arm portions 23aL and 23aR hits the cleaning frame 71, and the developing unit 20 is moved to the cleaning unit 60 with the connecting pin 75 as a rotation center. Energized.

  As a result, the developing roller 32 as the process means is reliably pressed in the direction of the drum 62 as the rotating body. Thereby, the developing roller 32 is kept at a predetermined distance from the drum 62 by a spacer (not shown) as a ring-shaped interval holding member attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

§3 (Description of process cartridge attachment / detachment)
In the above-described configuration, the operation of attaching / detaching the process cartridge B to / from the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A. FIG. 4A is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view seen from the driving side. The drive side refers to the end in the longitudinal direction where the coupling member 86 of the process cartridge B is provided.

  An opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body A. FIG. 4 is a view showing the apparatus main body in a state where the open / close door 13 is opened.

  Inside the apparatus main body A, a drive head 14 as a main body side engaging portion and a guide member 12 as a guide mechanism are provided. Here, the drive head 14 is a drive transmission mechanism on the main body side for driving force to a cartridge provided on the apparatus main body A side and attached to the apparatus, and engages with a coupling member 86 of the cartridge provided on the main body side. The rotational force can be transmitted to the cartridge by rotating the drive head 14 after the engagement. Note that the drive head 14 can be regarded as a coupling on the main body side in that it is engaged with a coupling provided in the process cartridge B to transmit driving. Here, the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body A. Further, the drive head 14 includes a drive shaft 14a as a shaft portion and a drive pin 14b as an applying portion for applying a rotational force (see FIG. 5 (b3)). In this embodiment, the drive pin 14b is described, but a protrusion (protrusion) that protrudes radially outward from the rotation axis of the drive shaft 14a is provided, and the driving force is transmitted from the surface of the protrusion to the cartridge side. It may be a configuration. Alternatively, the drive pin 14a may be welded after being press-fitted into a hole provided in the drive shaft 14a. A hatched portion (shaded portion) in FIGS. 5B1 to 5B4 represents a cut surface. Note that hatching (shading process) is similarly performed on cross-sectional views in FIG.

  A guide member 12 as a guide mechanism is a main body side guide member that guides the process cartridge B into the apparatus main body A. The guide member 12 may be a plate-like member provided with a guide groove, or may be a member provided to guide (guide) the process cartridge B from the lower surface.

  Next, the manner in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIG. 5 while the coupling member 86 as a driving force transmission component is tilted (tilted, swinged, or swung). .

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the state in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A while the coupling member 86 is tilted (tilted, swinged, or swung). FIG. 5A1 to FIG. 5A4 are enlarged views when the vicinity of the coupling member 86 is viewed from the driving side toward the non-driving side. Moreover, FIG.5 (b1) is sectional drawing (S1 sectional drawing) cut | disconnected by the S1-S1 cutting line as described in FIG. 5 (a1). Similarly, FIG. 5 (b2) is the same as FIG. 5 (a2), FIG. 5 (b3) is the same as FIG. 5 (a3), and FIG. 5 (b4) is the same as FIG. It is sectional drawing (S1 sectional drawing) cut | disconnected by the S1 cutting line.

  5A1 to FIG. 5A4 show the process cartridge B attached to the apparatus main body A, and FIG. 5A4 completes the process cartridge B being attached to the apparatus main body A. It shows the state that was done. In FIG. 5, the guide member 12 and the drive head 14 are drawn as parts of the apparatus main body A, and the other parts are parts of the process cartridge B.

  Here, the directions indicated by the arrows X2 and X3 in FIG. 5 are substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis L3 of the drive head 14. Hereinafter, the direction indicated by the arrow X2 is referred to as the X2 direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow X3 is referred to as the X3 direction. Similarly, the X2 direction and the X3 direction are substantially orthogonal to the axis L1 of the drum 62 of the process cartridge. In FIG. 5, the direction indicated by the arrow X2 is the direction in which the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A (downstream in the cartridge mounting direction). The direction indicated by the arrow X3 is a direction in which the process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body (upstream side in the cartridge mounting direction). Further, the direction indicated by the arrow X2 and the direction indicated by the arrow X3 can be combined and regarded as the attaching / detaching direction. In addition, it can be regarded that the meaning of the direction is included in the mounting and dismounting. In this case, the description may be made using expressions such as upstream in the mounting direction, downstream in the mounting direction, upstream in the separation direction, downstream in the separation direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge B has a spring as an urging member (elastic member). In this embodiment, a torsion spring 91 (also called a torsion spring, a torsion coil spring, or a kick spring) is used as this spring. The torsion spring 91 urges the free end portion 86a of the coupling member to fall down in a direction approaching the drive head 14. In other words, in the process of mounting the process cartridge B, the torsion spring 91 biases the coupling member 86 so that the free end portion 86a faces the downstream side in the mounting direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head 14. The process cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body A while keeping the posture (state) in which the free end 86a faces the drive head 14 in the coupling member 86 (details will be described later).

  Here, the axis of rotation of the drum 62 is the axis L1, the axis of rotation of the coupling member 86 is the axis L2, and the axis of rotation of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion is the axis L3. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B1 to FIG. 5B3, the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 and the axis L3. The rotation axis of the drive head 14 is substantially the same as the rotation axis of the drive shaft 14a. Further, since the drive side flange 87 is provided at the end of the drum 62 and rotates integrally therewith, the rotation axis of the drive side flange 87 is substantially the same as the rotation axis of the drum 62.

  When the process cartridge B is inserted to the extent shown in FIGS. 5 (a3) and 5 (b3), the coupling member 86 contacts the drive head 14. FIG. 5 (b3) shows an example in which the drive pin 14b serving as the applying portion for applying the rotational force is in contact with the standby portion 86k1 of the coupling member. This contact restricts the position (tilt) of the coupling member 86, and the amount of tilt (tilt) of the axis L2 with respect to the axis L1 (axis L3) gradually decreases.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the drive pin 14b as the applying portion is in contact with the standby portion 86k1 of the coupling member has been described. However, depending on the phase state of the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 in the rotational direction, the part where the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 come into contact changes. Therefore, it is not restricted to the contact position of the present embodiment. Any part of the free end portion 86 a (details will be described later) of the coupling member may be in contact with any part of the drive head 14.

  When the process cartridge B is inserted to the mounting completion position, the axis L2 is positioned substantially on the same straight line as the axis L1 (axis L3) as shown in FIGS. 5 (a4) and (b4). In other words, the rotation axes of the coupling member 86, the drive head 14, and the drive side flange 87 are substantially straight.

  As described above, the coupling member 86 provided in the process cartridge B and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion engage with each other, so that the rotational force can be transmitted from the apparatus main body to the cartridge. When removing the process cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the state transitions from the state shown in FIGS. 5A4 and 5B4 to the state shown in FIGS. 5A1 and 5B1. Similar to the mounting operation, the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted) with respect to the axis L1, so that the coupling member 86 is detached from the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion. That is, the process cartridge B moves in the X3 direction opposite to the X2 direction (substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis L3 of the drive head 14), and the coupling member 86 is detached from the drive head 14.

  Note that the process cartridge B only needs to move in the X2 direction or the X3 direction only in the vicinity of the mounting completion position. The process cartridge B may move in any direction other than the vicinity of the mounting completion position. That is, it is only necessary that the trajectory of the cartridge immediately before the coupling member 86 engages or disengages with the drive head 14 moves in a predetermined direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis L3 of the drive head 14.

§4 (Description of coupling member)
Next, the coupling member 86 will be described with reference to FIG. The direction of rotation is expressed as clockwise (clockwise), counterclockwise (counter clockwise), clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the direction of hand movement of the clock. The rotation direction R in FIG. 6 is counterclockwise when the non-driving side is viewed from the driving side of the cartridge.

  In addition, in order to explain the configuration of each element described in the drawings, a line drawn for explanation on a plane is called a virtual line, and a surface drawn for explanation in a perspective view or the like is called a virtual plane. When it is necessary to explain using a large number of virtual lines, expressions such as a first virtual line, a second virtual line, and a third virtual line are used. Similarly, when it is necessary to explain using a large number of virtual surfaces, expressions such as a first virtual surface, a second virtual surface, and a third virtual surface are used. Unless otherwise specified, when the inside of the cartridge (cartridge inside direction) or the outside of the cartridge (cartridge outside direction) is expressed, the inside is regarded as the inside (inside direction) and the outside is regarded as the outside (outside direction) based on the frame. .

  FIG. 6A is a side view of the coupling member 86. FIG. 6B is an S2 cross-sectional view of the coupling member 86 taken along the line S2-S2 in FIG. In FIG. 6B, the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion is displayed without being cut.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a state where the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are engaged. Specifically, the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are viewed from the drive side end (end surface) of the cartridge and the outside of the drive head 14 in the direction of the arrow V1 in FIG. FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the coupling member 86. FIG. 6E is an explanatory view of the vicinity of the free end portion 86a (described later), and is a side view as viewed in the direction along the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 receiving the rotational force (the V2 direction in FIG. 6C).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling member 86 has mainly three parts. In short, it consists of two ends and an intermediate part between them.

  The first portion is a free end portion 86a for engaging with the driving head 14 as the main body side engaging portion and receiving a rotational force from the driving head 14. Further, the free end portion 86a has an opening 86m that spreads toward the drive side.

  The second portion is a coupling portion 86c (accommodated portion) that is substantially spherical. The coupling portion 86c is held (coupled / coupled) so as to be tiltable by a drive side flange 87 which is a transmitted member. Of the drum end (cylinder end), a driving flange 87 is attached to one end of the drum, and a non-driving flange 64 is attached to the other end.

  It can be considered that the first portion includes one end side of the coupling member, and the second portion includes the other end side of the coupling member. Further, the second portion can be regarded as including the rotation center when the coupling member rotates (tilts) when held by the drive side flange 87.

  The third portion is a connecting portion 86g that connects the free end portion 86a and the coupling portion 86c.

  Here, the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the connecting portion 86g is smaller than the maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the coupling portion 86c (φZ2 <φZ3) and smaller than the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end portion 86a (φZ2 <φZ1). When other expressions are used, the diameter of at least a part of the joint part 86g is smaller than the largest part of the diameters of the coupling parts. Further, the diameter of at least a part of the connecting portion 86g is smaller than the largest portion of the diameter of the free end portion 86a. This diameter is the maximum rotation diameter around the rotation axis of the coupling member, and refers to the largest diameter portion of the virtual circle drawn by each cross-section of the coupling member on a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling member. ing.

  Further, the maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the coupling portion 86c is larger than the maximum rotation diameter Z1 of the free end portion 86a (φZ3> φZ1). Accordingly, when the coupling member 86 is passed through a hole having a diameter of φZ1 or more and φZ3 or less from the free end portion 86a side, the coupling member 86 is caught in the hole and does not pass. Therefore, it becomes easy to prevent the coupling member 86 from falling off from the unit in which the coupling member 86 is assembled or after the assembly. In the present embodiment, the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end portion 86a is larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the joint portion 86g and smaller than the maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the coupling portion 86c (φZ3> φZ1> φZ2).

  Each maximum rotation diameter φZ1, φZ2, and φZ3 can be measured as shown in FIG. Specifically, the diameter in the radial direction of each part of the coupling member is measured on the cross section including the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the largest diameter for each part is obtained. In addition, you may consider based on the solid figure formed when a coupling member rotates centering around a rotating shaft. Specifically, the point located in the position most distant from the rotation axis in the radial direction among the respective parts constituting the coupling member is specified. Then, a locus drawn when the identified point rotates around the rotation axis of the coupling member may be treated as a virtual circle, and the diameter of the virtual circle may be expressed as a maximum rotation diameter.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the opening 86m has a conical shape as an expanded portion (expanded portion) that expands toward the drive head 14 side in a state where the coupling member 86 is attached to the apparatus main body A. The receiving surface 86f. The receiving surface 86f is an outer peripheral surface of the free end portion, and the receiving surface 86f protrudes outward to constitute a recess 86z inside the free end portion. The recess 86z has an opening 86m (opening) on the side opposite to the side where the drum 62 is provided (cylinder side) in the direction of the axis L2.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C, two claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are pointed with respect to the axis L2 on the tip side of the free end 86a and on the circumference centered on the axis L2. It is arranged in a symmetrical position. Further, standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 are provided between the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2. Here, a configuration including a pair of protrusions has been described, but a single protrusion may be used to transmit a driving force. In this case, the space between the clockwise downstream surface and the upstream surface of the protrusion can be regarded as a standby portion. Here, the standby portion is a space (space) that is required when the drive pin 14b of the drive head 14 provided in the apparatus main body A waits without contacting the claw portion 86d. This space is larger than the diameter of the drive pin 14b as an applying portion for applying a rotational force.

  This space (space) functions as play when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body A. Further, the recess 86z is located inside the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 in the radial direction of the coupling member 86. The radial width of the claw portion 86d is substantially the same as the width of the standby portion.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, when waiting for the rotational force to be transmitted from the drive head 14 to the coupling member 86, the drive pin 14b for applying the rotational force to the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 is provided. Located (preparation position / standby position). Further, in FIG. 6 (d), receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 (see FIG. 6 (a)) that receive the rotational force intersecting the R direction are upstream of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 when rotated in the R direction. Each is provided. Note that the R direction in the figure is a direction in which a driving force is received from the driving head 14 of the apparatus main body during image formation to rotate.

  Here, the drive head 14 and the drive pin 14b that transmit the drive to the process cartridge B constitute a drive transmission mechanism that transmits the drive. Of course, it is conceivable that a single member performs a plurality of functions depending on the shape of the drive head. In that case, the surface of the member which actually contacts with another member and transmits a drive is regarded as a part which performs the function.

  When the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are engaged and the drive head 14 is rotating, the surface of the drive pin 14b on the main body side contacts the side surfaces of the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 of the coupling member 86. Thereby, the rotational force is transmitted from the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion to the coupling member 86 as the drive transmission component.

  Furthermore, relief portions 86n1 and 86n2 are provided at the bases of the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2, which are recessed toward the coupling portion 86c with respect to the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2. The escape portions 86n1 and 86n2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7B is an S3 cross section of FIG.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the coupling member 86 is inclined along the drive pin 14b that applies the rotational force from the state in which the drive pin 14b and the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 are in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 7, when the coupling member 86 is inclined with the receiving portions 86e1, 86e2 and the drive pin 14b in contact with each other, in order to avoid interference between the standby portions 86k1, 86k2 and the drive pin 14b, Relief portions 86n1, 86n2 are provided. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 when the entire standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 are further cut down to the coupling portion 86c side or the drive pin 14b is shortened. However, in the present embodiment, when the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 are cut to the coupling portion 86c side, the rigidity of the coupling member 86 may be lowered, so that the escape portions 86n1 and 86n2 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, in order to stabilize the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling member 86 as much as possible, it is desirable that the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 are arranged at point-symmetrical positions around the axis L2. . Thereby, the rotational force transmission radius becomes constant, and the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling member 86 is stabilized. Further, in order to stabilize the position of the coupling member 86 that receives the rotational force as much as possible, it is desirable that the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 are arranged at positions that face each other by 180 °. In particular, in the configuration in which the outer peripheral portion in the vicinity of the receiving portion at the free end portion does not have a protrusion (鍔) that surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the receiving portion and the standby portion as in the case of this embodiment, the number of receiving portions is Two are preferable. In addition, if it is the structure which equips the outer peripheral part of a receiving part with an annular | circular collar, it will be in the state which is not exposed when a receiving part is seen from a radial direction outer side along a rotating shaft. For this reason, the receiving part is relatively easy to protect when the cartridge is transported, regardless of the orientation of the coupling member. However, in a configuration in which the receiving portion cannot be seen by the heel when viewed from the outside along the rotation axis of the coupling member, the heel tends to interfere with the engaging portion.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, in order to stabilize the position of the coupling member 86 that receives the rotational force, the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 are arranged so that the distal end side approaches the axis L2. It is desirable to incline at an angle θ3 with respect to the axis L2. This is because, as shown in FIG. 6B, the coupling member 86 is drawn toward the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion by the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling member 86. As a result, the conical receiving surface 86f and the spherical surface portion 14c of the drive head 14 come into contact with each other, and the position of the coupling member 86 is more stable.

  Further, the number of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 is set to two in the present embodiment, but can be appropriately changed as long as the drive pin 14b can enter the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 as described above. However, since the drive pin 14b needs to enter the standby part, it is necessary to reduce the width of the claw part itself (circumferential width in FIG. 6C) by increasing the number of installed claw parts. There is. In such a case, it is preferable to use two protrusions (one pair) as in this embodiment.

Furthermore, the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 may be disposed on the radially inner side of the receiving surface 86f. Alternatively, the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 may be disposed at locations protruding radially outward from the receiving surface 86f in the direction of the axis L2. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the driving force is received from the driving head 14 on the side surfaces of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 protruding from the receiving surface 86f along the rotational axis in the direction away from the drum 62. For this reason, the projections of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 of the free end portion 86a that receives the driving force from the apparatus main body are exposed. This is because when an annular ridge that surrounds the protrusion (claw) is provided, when the coupling member 86 is inclined, it interferes with surrounding components, and the angle at which the coupling member 86 can be inclined is limited. . Alternatively, when an annular ridge is provided, the configuration is accompanied by an increase in the size of the cartridge B, such as disposing surrounding parts.
Therefore, the size of the cartridge B (and the apparatus main body A) can be reduced by not providing a shape other than the portion that receives the driving force from the apparatus main body (the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 in this embodiment). On the other hand, since there is no hook surrounding the protrusion, there is an increased risk of contact with other parts during transportation. However, as will be described later, the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 can be accommodated in the outermost portion of the bearing member 76 by urging the coupling member 86 with a spring. Thereby, the possibility that the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are damaged during transportation can be reduced.

  Here, in this embodiment, the protruding amount Z15 of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 from the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 is 4 mm. This is an amount suitable for ensuring that the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 do not interfere with the drive pin 14b and that the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 and the drive pin 14b are engaged with each other even when taking into account component tolerances. It can be changed depending on the component accuracy. However, if the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 are unnecessarily escaped from the drive pin 14b, there is a risk of increasing deformation when driving is transmitted to the coupling member 86. On the other hand, if the protruding amount of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 is increased, the cartridge B and the apparatus main body A are increased in size. Therefore, the protrusion amount Z15 is preferably in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.

In the present embodiment, the length of the free end portion 86a in the direction of the axis L1 is about 6 mm. Therefore, the length of the base portion (the portion other than the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2) of the free end portion 86a is about 2 mm. As a result, the length of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 in the direction of the axis L1 is the same as that of the base portion (claw portion). It is longer than the length of the portion other than 86d1 and 86d2.
The inner diameter φZ4 of the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 is set larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the connecting portion 86g. In this embodiment, φZ4 is 2 mm larger than φZ2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling portion 86c is configured by a substantially spherical shape 86c1, a circular arc surface portion 86q1, 86q2, and a hole portion 86b having a center C as a tilting center on the axis L2.

  The maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the coupling portion 86c is configured to be larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end portion 86a. In this embodiment, φZ3 is 1 mm larger than φZ1. In addition, what is necessary is just to compare a substantial diameter about a spherical part, and when the shape is partly cut-out for the convenience of shaping | molding, you may compare the diameter of a virtual sphere. The arc surface portions 86q1 and 86q2 are arc surfaces obtained by extending an arc shape having the same diameter as that of the joint portion 86g along the axis L2. The hole part 86b which is a through-hole has penetrated in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axis line L2. The through hole 86b, which is a through hole, includes first inclined restricted portions 86p1 and 86p2 orthogonal to the axis L2, and transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 parallel to the axis L2.

  Here, the first inclined restricted portions 86p1 and 86p2 have a planar shape that is equidistant from the center C of the spherical shape 86c1 (Z9 = Z9). Further, the transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 are also planar shapes that are equidistant from the center C of the spherical shape 86c1 (Z8 = Z8). The diameter of the pin 88 that passes through the hole 86b and supports the coupling member 86 so as to be tiltable is 2 mm. Therefore, if Z9 exceeds 1 mm, the coupling member 86 can be inclined. Further, when Z8 is 1 mm, the pin 88 can pass through the hole, and when Z8 exceeds 1 mm, the coupling member 86 has a degree of freedom such that it can rotate a certain amount around the axis L1.

  In addition, among the hole portions 86b of the first inclined restricted portions 86p1 and 86p2, the end portions in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2 reach the outer edges of the arcuate surface portions 86q1 and 86q2. Of the transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2, the end portion of the hole portion 86b in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2 reaches the outer edge of the spherical shape 86c1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 86g has a cylindrical shape that connects the free end portion 86a and the coupling portion 86c, and is a columnar (or cylindrical) shaft portion substantially along the axis L2. is there.

  The material of the coupling member 86 of this embodiment may be a resin such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, PPS, or liquid crystal polymer. Moreover, you may raise rigidity by mix | blending glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc. with these resin, or inserting a metal in the said resin. Further, the entire coupling member 86 may be made of metal or the like. In this embodiment, the best metal for reducing the size of the coupling is used. Specifically, a zinc die casting alloy was employed. The spherical portion on the free end side 86a of the coupling portion 86c is configured so as to cover a part of the spherical surface near the connecting portion 86g. In addition, the total length including the third part from the first part is about 21 mm or less by devising the shape of the coupling member. Further, the length in the longitudinal direction from the tilt center C to the end of the free end that engages with the main body drive pin is 15 mm or less. In addition, the shorter the distance from the center at which the coupling member tilts, the smaller the distance retracted from the drive pin when the coupling is inclined at the same angle. In other words, in order to reduce the size of the cartridge or the like, it is necessary to devise such as increasing the tiltable angle (tilt angle) necessary for avoiding the drive pin if the coupling member is shortened. Further, the free end portion 86a, the coupling portion 86c, and the connecting portion 86g may be integrally formed, or those formed separately may be integrally coupled. Note that the coupling member is attached so as to be able to incline (inclinable) in any inclination direction when the three bodies of the flange to which the photosensitive drum and the coupling member are attached are taken out from the cartridge.

§5 (Drum unit configuration explanation)
The configuration of the photosensitive drum unit U1 (hereinafter referred to as the drum unit U1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the drum unit U1, FIG. 8 (a) is a perspective view seen from the driving side, FIG. 8 (b) is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side, and FIG. 8 (c) is an exploded view. It is a perspective view. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing how the drum unit U1 is incorporated into the cleaning unit 60. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the drum unit U <b> 1 includes a drum 62, a driving side flange unit U <b> 2 to which rotational force is transmitted from the coupling member, a non-driving side flange 64, and a ground plate 65. The drum 62 as a rotating body is a conductive member such as aluminum whose surface is coated with a photosensitive layer. The drum 62 may be hollow inside or solid inside.

  The drive side flange unit U <b> 2 as a transmitted member to which the rotational force is transmitted from the coupling member is disposed at the drive side end of the drum 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8C, in the driving side flange unit U <b> 2, the fixed portion 87 b of the driving side flange 87 which is a transmission member is fitted into the opening 62 a 1 at the end of the drum 62. It is fixed to the drum 62 by adhesion or caulking. And if the drive side flange 87 rotates, the drum 62 will rotate integrally. Here, the drive side flange 87 is fixed to the drum 62 such that the rotation axis as the flange axis of the drive side flange 87 is substantially coaxial (colinear) with the axis L1 of the drum 62.

  Note that “substantially coaxial (on the same straight line)” means not only the same coaxial (on the same straight line) but also a slight deviation from the same axis (on the same straight line) due to variations in component dimensions. Including. The same applies to the following description.

  Similarly, the non-driving side flange 64 is substantially coaxial with the drum 62 and is disposed at the non-driving side end of the drum 62. In this embodiment, the non-drive side flange 64 is made of resin. As shown in FIG. 8C, the non-driving side flange 64 is fixed to the drum 62 by bonding, caulking, or the like in the opening 62a2 at the longitudinal end of the drum 62. The non-drive side flange 64 is provided with a conductive (mainly metal) ground plate 65. The ground plate 65 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the drum 62 and is electrically connected to the apparatus main body A.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the drum unit U <b> 1 is supported by the cleaning unit 60.

  On the non-driving side of the drum unit U1, a bearing portion 64a (see FIG. 8B) of the non-driving side flange 64 is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 78. The drum shaft 78 is press-fitted and fixed to a support portion 71 b provided on the non-driving side of the cleaning frame 71.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, on the drive side of the drum unit U1, a bearing member 76 that is in contact with and supports the flange unit U2 is provided. A wall surface (plate-shaped portion) 76 h as a base portion (fixed portion) of the bearing member 76 is fixed to the cleaning frame 71 by screws 90. Specifically, the bearing member 76 is screwed to the cleaning frame 71. The drive-side flange 87 is supported by the cleaning frame 71 via the bearing member 76 (details of the bearing member 76 will be described later). When the plate-like portion 76h of the bearing member 76 is used as a reference surface, the support member has protrusions inside and outside the cartridge. Since the bearing member 76 which is a support member is a frame of the cartridge, the protrusion protruding from the bearing member 76 can be regarded as a frame protrusion (convex portion). Similarly, with respect to a protrusion (first protrusion) that receives an urging force from the apparatus main body and a protrusion (second protrusion) for attaching a spring, the bearing member 76 is attached to the cartridge frame body, so that the protrusion extends from the frame body. Can be considered. The bearing member 76 and the frame of the cartridge may be provided with ribs, grooves, and thinnings in order to ensure the shrinkage and strength during resin molding at locations other than those specified in the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the bearing member 76 is fixed to the cleaning frame 71 with the screw 90. However, a configuration in which the bearing member 76 is fixed by adhesion or a configuration in which the bearing member 76 is bonded by a molten resin may be used. Further, the cleaning frame 71 and the bearing member 76 may be integrated.

§6 (Description of drive side flange unit)
The configuration of the drive side flange unit U2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the drive side flange unit U2, FIG. 10 (a) is a view from the drive side, and FIG. 10 (b) is a view from the non-drive side. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the drive side flange unit U2, FIG. 11 (a) is a perspective view of the drive side flange unit U2, and FIG. 11 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S4-S4 cut surface of FIG. FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view taken along the section S5-S5 in FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an assembly method of the drive side flange unit U2.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the drive side flange unit U <b> 2 includes a coupling member 86, a pin 88 that is a shaft portion (shaft), a drive side flange 87, and a lid member 89 as a regulating member. Here, the coupling member 86 is engaged with the drive head 14 and receives a rotational force. The pin 88 is substantially columnar (or cylindrical) and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L1. Here, the pin 88 receives a rotational force from the coupling member 86 and transmits the rotational force to the drive side flange 87. At this time, the pin 88 as the shaft portion abuts against the through hole of the coupling member to transmit the rotational force, so that the rotation restricting portion restricts the rotation of the coupling member in the rotational direction by abutting with a part of the through hole. Is provided. Further, in order to restrict the tilt of the pin 88 coupling member 86 as the shaft portion, a tilt restricting portion that abuts with any part of the through shaft and restricts the tilt of the coupling member is provided.

  Further, the drive side flange 87 receives a rotational force from the pin 88 and transmits the rotational force to the drum 62. The lid member 89 serving as a restricting member restricts the coupling member 86 and the pin 88 from dropping off from the driving side flange 87. Accordingly, the coupling member 86 can take various postures with respect to the drive side flange 87. In other words, the coupling member 86 is held so as to be tiltable about a rotation center such as a first posture and a second posture different from the first posture. If attention is paid to the free end portion of the coupling member, various positions (first position, second position different from the first position) can be taken.

  As described above, the drive side flange unit U2 is composed of a plurality of members, and the drive side flange 87 as the first member and the lid member 89 as the second member are integrated to play a role as a flange. The drive-side flange 87 performs both functions of receiving a drive from the pin 88 and transmitting the drive to the drum 62. Conversely, the lid member 89 holds the pin 88 together with the drive side flange 87 without substantially contacting the inside of the drum.

  Next, each component will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the coupling member 86 is provided with the free end portion 86a and the coupling portion 86c (accommodated portion). The coupling portion 86c is provided with a hole portion 86b as a through hole. Inside the hole 86b (inner wall), there are transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 for transmitting the rotational force to the pin 88. In addition, there are first inclined restricted portions 86p1 and 86p2 as inclined restricted portions that come into contact with the pins 88 to restrict the amount of inclination of the coupling member 86 on the inner side (inner wall) of the hole portion 86b (FIG. 15 ( See also b2)). Here, a part of the peripheral surface of the pin 88 as the shaft portion functions as an inclination restricting portion (first inclination restricting portion).

  The drive side flange 87 includes a fixed portion 87b, a first cylindrical portion 87j, an annular groove portion 87p, and a second cylindrical portion 87h. Here, the fixed portion 87b is a portion fixed to the drum 62 so as to contact the inner surface of the cylinder of the drum 62 and transmit the driving force. The second cylindrical portion 87h is provided on the radially inner side of the first cylindrical portion 87j, and the annular groove portion 87p is provided between the first cylindrical portion 87j and the second cylindrical portion 87h. The first cylindrical portion 87j has a gear portion (toothed gear) 87c on the radially outer side and a supported portion 87d on the radially inner side (annular groove portion 87p side). As the tooth shape of the gear portion (gear) 87c, a helical gear is particularly desirable from the viewpoint of drive transmission, but a gear such as a spur gear may be used. The second cylindrical portion 87h of the drive side flange 87 has a hollow shape and has a storage portion (hollow portion) 87i therein. Here, the storage part (hollow part) 87i is a part for storing the coupling part 86c of the coupling member 86 therein. In addition, the drive side of the storage portion 87i is in contact with the coupling portion 86c, and serves as a drop-off prevention portion (overhang portion / drop-off restriction portion) that prevents (regulates) the coupling member 86 from dropping to the drive side. A conical portion 87k is provided. Specifically, the conical portion 87k abuts on the outer periphery of the coupling portion 86c of the coupling member 86 and restricts the coupling member from falling off. More specifically, the conical portion 87k abuts on the substantially spherical portion of the coupling portion 86c and restricts the coupling member 86 from falling off. That is, the minimum inner diameter of the conical portion 87k is smaller than the inner diameter of the storage portion 87i. That is, the conical portion 87k projects (protrudes and overhangs) from the inner surface of the storage portion 87i toward the axial center (cavity side) of the coupling member, and comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the coupling portion 86c to restrict the dropout. be able to.

  In this embodiment, the conical portion 87k has a conical shape with the axis L1 as the central axis, but may be a spherical surface or a plane that intersects the axis L1, for example. On the drive side of the conical portion 87k, an opening 87m for projecting the free end 86a of the coupling member 86 is provided so that its diameter (φZ10) is larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end 86a. It has been. Further on the drive side of the opening 87m, a second inclination restricting portion 87n is provided as another inclination restricting portion that comes into contact with the outer periphery of the coupling member 86 when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). Specifically, the second inclination restricting portion 87n contacts the connecting portion 86g as the second inclination restricted portion when the coupling member 86 is inclined. The gear portion 87 c is a portion that transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 32. Furthermore, the supported portion 87d is a portion supported by the support portion 76a of the bearing member 76 (support member), and is provided on the thick back side of the gear 87c. These are arranged coaxially with the axis L1 of the drum 62.

  Here, when the coupling member 86 is in contact with the first inclination restricting portion, the inclination angle is configured to be smaller than when the coupling member 86 is in contact with the second inclination restricting portion (details will be described later).

  The storage portion 87i provided inside the second cylindrical portion 87h has a pair of groove portions 87e (concave portions) disposed in parallel with the axis L1 at positions shifted from each other by 180 ° around the axis L1. . The groove portion 87e opens to the fixed portion 87b side in the direction of the axis L1 of the drive side flange 87, and is connected to the cavity portion 87i in the radial direction. Further, the bottom of the groove 87e has a retaining portion 87f that is an orthogonal surface orthogonal to the axis L1. Further, the recess 87e has a pair of transmitted portions 87g that receive a rotational force from a pin 88 described later. Here, the groove part 87e (at least a part thereof) and the annular groove part 87p (at least a part thereof) overlap in the direction of the axis L1 (see FIG. 12B). Therefore, downsizing of the drive side flange 87 can be achieved.

  Further, the lid member 89 serving as the restricting member protrudes from the base 89a having a conical shape, the hole 89c provided in the base 89a, and the base 89a substantially parallel to the axis L1, and is shifted by about 180 ° around the axis of the base. A pair of protrusions 89b are provided. The protruding portion 89b has a longitudinal restriction portion 89b1 at the tip in the direction of the axis L1.

  In this embodiment, the drive side flange 87 is made of resin molded by injection molding, and the material thereof is polyacetal, polycarbonate or the like. However, the drive-side flange 87 may be made of metal according to the load torque for rotating the drum 62. In this embodiment, the drive side flange 87 has a gear portion 87 c that transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 32. However, the rotation of the developing roller 32 does not have to be via the drive side flange 87 in particular. In that case, the gear part 87c can be eliminated. However, when the gear portion 87 c is disposed on the drive side flange 87 as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the gear portion 87 c is integrally formed with the drive side flange 87.

  Next, the bearing member 76 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing only the periphery of the bearing member 76 in the cleaning unit U1. FIG. 13A is a side view seen from the driving side. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line S61-S61 in FIG. 13A, and FIGS. 13C and 13D are perspective views. Moreover, FIG.13 (e) is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the S62-S62 cutting line of Fig.13 (a). 14 is a perspective view of the bearing member 76, FIG. 14 (a) is a view seen from the drive side, and FIG. 14 (b) is a view seen from the non-drive side, with a drive side flange 87 added for explanation. ing. FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane S71 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the bearing member 76 mainly has a plate-like portion 76h, a first protruding portion 76j protruding from the plate-like portion 76h to one side (driving side), and a plate-like portion 76h protruding to the other side (non-driving side). It is comprised from the support part 76a as a 2nd protrusion part. Furthermore, the bearing member 76 has a cutout portion 76k as a retracting portion (a portion to be entered) that is recessed from the plate-like portion 76h in the protruding direction (non-driving side) of the support portion 76a. The cutout portion 76k as the retreating portion (the intrusion portion) is a concave portion when viewed from the reference surface of the bearing member 76, and is a groove portion having a width toward the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction in this embodiment. In order to secure the rigidity of the bearing member 76, the recess is preferably a groove shape, but is not limited to this shape. Here, the recess from the reference surface is referred to as a retracting portion because the coupling member is inclined and retracted in order to avoid interference between the coupling and the drive pin on the main body side during mounting. It is. If the way of viewing is changed, the dent from the reference surface can be referred to as a portion to be entered. This is because the inclined coupling member enters the recessed portion. Further, a coupling guide on the main body side, which will be described later, can also enter the recess. It should be noted that at least a part of the coupling member or the coupling guide only needs to enter the above-described recess, and it is not necessary for all of them to enter. Therefore, the dent provided in the frame of the cartridge frame is a retreat space for coupling depending on the way of viewing, and can be called an entry portion into which a coupling member or the like enters.

  Specifically, it is sufficient that the coupling member that is inclined downward in the cartridge mounting direction is configured so that the inclination angle of the coupling member can be increased (retracted) more than in the other direction, and the width expands radially. It may be a shape. The shape of the retracting portion (the portion to be entered) is not limited to the groove, and may be a concave portion that goes to the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction from the rotation shaft of the flange, and is not limited to the groove shape. The first protrusion 76j has a cavity 76i that accommodates the coupling member 86 on the radially inner side, and the cavity 76i is notched via a notch 76j1 provided in a part of the first protrusion 76j. The portion 76k is spatially connected. The cutout portion 76k as the retracting portion is provided on the mounting direction (X2) side of the process cartridge B when viewed from the hollow portion 76i. Thus, the coupling member 86 is configured to be tiltable (tilted) in the mounting direction (X2) side (see FIG. 13). As a result, the coupling member 86 can be retracted (can be largely tilted) into the cutable portion 76k as the retracting portion when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body.

  In addition, in the bearing member 76, the cylindrical support portion 76a enters the annular groove portion 87p of the drive side flange 87 and rotatably supports the supported portion 87d.

  Further, the first projecting portion 76j includes a cylindrical portion 76d that functions as a guided portion and a first positioned portion when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, and a spring receiving portion 76e. Further, a mounting tip portion 76f that functions as a second positioned portion is provided on the tip side in the mounting direction (X2) direction of the notch portion 76k. Here, the cylindrical portion 76d and the mounting tip portion 76f are provided at different positions in the direction of the axis L1 across the plate-like portion 76h and the notch portion 76k, and have arc shapes that are concentric with each other and have different diameters.

  In the present embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 87j, the annular groove portion 87p, the second cylindrical portion 87h, and the groove portion 87e overlap in the direction of the axis L1. For this reason, the support part 76a of the bearing member 76 that enters the annular groove part 87p, the pin 88, the spherical shape 86c1 of the coupling member 86, and the gear part 87c are arranged at positions overlapping in the direction of the axis L1. Furthermore, as described above, the bearing member 76 is provided with the notch 76k that is recessed on the non-driving side from the plate-like portion 76h, and when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted), the coupling member 86 A part is accommodated in the notch 76k. By constituting the components around the coupling member 86 in this way, the amount of the bearing member 76 and the coupling member 86 protruding to the drive side with respect to the position of the gear portion 87c is reduced, and the inclination of the coupling member 86 is reduced. A large amount of (tilting) can be secured. In addition, when each part on sectional drawing which cut | disconnected predetermined solid was orthogonally projected with respect to the virtual straight line, it will be considered that it overlaps when each part overlaps at least partially. In other words, a virtual plane serving as a reference is determined, and if an overlap occurs when each member is projected on the same plane, it is handled as overlapping on the virtual plane.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (e), the first protrusion 76j has an outermost shape in the direction of the axis L1 when the coupling member 86 is inclined toward the notch 76k. The claw portions 86d1, 86d2) are configured to be located outside the claw portions 86d1, 86d2). As a result, the risk of the claws 86d1 and 86d2 of the coupling member 86 unexpectedly colliding with an obstacle during transportation or the like is reduced.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the developing roller 32 pushes the drum 62 in the direction of the arrow X7. That is, the drum unit U1 is pressed toward the notch 76k. Of the support portions 76a that support the drum unit U1 (drive side flange 87 thereof), the notch portion side support portion 76aR has a notch portion 76k. Therefore, the opposite side support part 76aL without the notch part 76k is configured to have relatively higher rigidity than the notch part side support part 76aR. Therefore, in this embodiment, the supported portion 87d is provided on the back side of the thickness of the gear portion 87c and the drive side flange 87 is received on the inner periphery. Accordingly, the opposite side support portion 76aL substantially supports the drum unit U1. As a result, the notched portion side support portion 76aR having inferior rigidity is less likely to be loaded, and the support portion 76a is not easily deformed.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the torsion spring 91 as the biasing means (biasing member) is separated from the axis L <b> 1 of the driving side flange 87 in the attaching / detaching direction of the coupling member 86 and is below the gravity direction (vertical direction). Is provided. The torsion spring 91 includes a cylindrical coil portion 91c, a first arm 91a extending from the coil portion 91c, and a second arm 91b (first end portion, second end portion). The coil portion 91c is attached to the bearing member 76 by being pivotally supported (locked) by the spring hook portion 76g. The spring hook portion 76g has a cylindrical portion that is higher than the coil portion 91c in height (length), and prevents the torsion spring 91 from falling off the spring hook portion 76g. The spring hook portion 76g has a substantially D-shaped cross section with a straight portion in a part of a circle, and the torsion spring 91 is attached to the cartridge by passing this projection through the coil portion 91c. In the state where the torsion spring 91 is attached, the diameter of the coil portion 91 is larger than the diameter of the spring hook portion 76g. The spring hooks 76g and B protrude from the same surface of the end of the cartridge frame in the longitudinal direction toward the outside of the cartridge along the rotational axis direction of the drive side flange.

  In the torsion spring 91, the first arm 91a is in contact with the spring receiving portion 76n of the bearing member 76, and the second arm 91b is in contact with the joint 86g of the coupling member 86 or the spring receiving portion 86h. As a result, the torsion spring 91 urges the coupling member 86 by the urging force F1 so that the free end portion 86a faces the cutout portion 76k. Further, since the width Z11 of the notch 76k is wider than the diameter φZ1 of the tip 86a of the coupling member 86, the tip 86a has a degree of freedom to move up and down with respect to the mounting direction X2. . In the torsion spring 91, since the coil portion 91c is provided below the axis L1, the coupling member 86 is urged so that the tip portion 86a is lowered downward by the urging force F1 and gravity. As a result, the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 is inclined toward the notch 76k with respect to the axis L1, and the tip 86a is in contact with the lower surface 76k1. In the present embodiment, the free end portion 86a is configured to be positioned below the axis L1 by the biasing force F1 of the torsion spring 91. However, this is because the coupling member 86 is inclined so that the free end portion 86a is positioned below the axis L1, as will be described later in FIG.

  As described above, the torsion spring 91 is configured so that the free end portion 86 a of the coupling member 86 faces the direction approaching the drive head 14. However, depending on conditions such as the mounting direction X2, the direction of gravity, and the weight of the coupling member 86, the free end portion 86a of the coupling member 86 faces the X2 direction due to the weight of the coupling member. In this case, the coupling member 86 may be directed in a desired direction using gravity without providing the torsion spring 91 as the biasing means (biasing member). The coupling member 86 of this embodiment is biased by a torsion spring 91 and abuts against the lower side surface of the groove-shaped notch 76k in the gravity direction. Thus, the coupling member is sandwiched between the torsion spring and the lower side surface of the groove, and the posture of the coupling member is stabilized. Naturally, by devising the arrangement of the torsion spring 91 and the like, the coupling member can be brought into contact with the side surface of the groove-shaped notch 76k in the gravity direction. However, it is more stable to stabilize the coupling posture without resisting gravity than to stabilize the coupling posture with the biasing force of the spring against gravity.

  A method for supporting and connecting each component will be described with reference to FIG.

  The position of the pin 88 in the longitudinal direction (axis line L1) of the drum 62 is regulated by the retaining portion 87f and the longitudinal regulating portion 89b1, and the position of the drum 62 in the rotational direction (R direction) is regulated by the transmitted portion 87g. The pin 88 passes through a hole 86 b as a through hole of the coupling member 86. The play between the hole 86b and the pin 88 is set to allow the tilting of the coupling member 86. With this configuration, the coupling member 86 can tilt (tilt, swing, or turn) in any direction with respect to the drive-side flange 87.

  The coupling member 86 is restricted from moving in the radial direction of the drive-side flange 87 by the contact of the coupling portion 86c with the storage portion 87i. Further, the movement from the driving side to the non-driving side is restricted when the coupling portion 86 c comes into contact with the base portion 89 a of the lid member 89. Furthermore, when the spherical shape 86c1 and the conical portion 87k of the driving side flange 87 abut, the movement of the coupling member 86 from the non-driving side to the driving side is restricted. Then, when the transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 and the pin 88 are in contact with each other, the movement of the coupling member 86 in the rotational direction (R direction) is restricted. As a result, the coupling member 86 is connected to the drive side flange 87 and the pin 88.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11D, the width Z12 of the hole 86b is larger than the diameter φZ13 of the pin 88. As a result, the coupling member 86 and the pin 88 are connected with play in the rotation direction (R direction) of the drum 62, so that the coupling member 86 can also rotate a certain amount around the axis L2. .

  Further, as described above, the coupling member 86 is in contact with the base portion 89a or the conical portion 87k and the position in the direction of the axis L1 is regulated. It is comprised so that it may become.

  A method for assembling the drive side flange unit U2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12A, the pin 88 is inserted into a hole 86 b that is a through hole of the coupling member 86.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12A, the pin 88 and the pair of groove portions 87e of the driving side flange 87 are inserted into the storage portion 87i (along the axis L1) together with the coupling member 86 so that the phases of the pair of groove portions 87e are matched. .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12B, the pair of protrusions 89b of the lid member 89 as the regulating member is inserted into the pair of grooves 87e, and the lid member 89 is welded to the drive side flange 87 in this state. Fix by gluing.

  In this embodiment, the diameter φZ1 of the free end 86a of the coupling member 86 is smaller than the diameter φZ10 of the opening 87m. As a result, the coupling member 86, the pin 88, and the lid member 89 can all be assembled from the storage portion 87i side of the drive side flange 87, and assembly can be facilitated. Further, since the diameter φZ3 of the coupling portion 86c is provided smaller than the diameter of the opening portion 87m, the spherical portion 86c1 and the conical portion 87k can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, the coupling member 86 can be prevented from falling off to the drive side, and the coupling member 86 can be held with high accuracy. Therefore, by setting the diameter φZ1 (<diameter φZ10) <diameter φZ3, the drive-side flange unit U2 can be easily assembled and the position of the coupling member 86 can be held with high accuracy.

§7 (Description of the tilting (tilting) operation of the coupling member)
The tilting (tilting) operation of the coupling member 86 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the coupling member 86 (including the axis L2) is inclined (tilted) with respect to the axis L1. FIGS. 15A1 and 15A2 are perspective views of the process cartridge B in a state where the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). FIG. 15B1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S7-S7 in FIG. Moreover, FIG.15 (b2) is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the S8-S8 cutting line of FIG. 15 (a2).

  A state in which the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted) around the spherical center of the coupling portion 86c will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 (a1) and 15 (b1), the coupling member 86 can be tilted around the axis of the pin 88 with respect to the axis L1 around the spherical center of the coupling portion 86c. Specifically, the coupling member 86 can be tilted (tilted) until the second tilt regulating portion 87n of the drive side flange 87 and the second tilt regulated portion (a part of the connecting portion 86g) abut. Here, the tilt (tilt) angle with respect to the axis L1 at this time is defined as a second tilt angle θ2 (second tilt amount, second angle). When the coupling member 86 is inclined about the axis of the pin 88, the hole 86b and the claw portion 86d1 or the claw portion 86d2 are positioned in front of the direction in which the coupling member 86 is inclined (arrow X7 direction). The phase relationship between the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 was set. Specifically, the hole 86d11 satisfies the condition that the tip 86d11 of the claw 86d1 satisfies the condition of 59 ° to 77 ° (θ6 and θ7 in FIG. 11E) with respect to an imaginary line passing through the center of the hole 86b. 86b and claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are arranged. It should be noted that θ6 and θ7 are not limited to the above range, and are preferably in the range of about 55 ° to about 125 °. With this configuration, when any of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 is positioned in front of the direction in which the coupling member 86 inclines, the pin 88 has a large angle with respect to the direction in which the coupling member 86 inclines ( About 55 ° or more and about 125 ° or less). Then, the coupling member 86 at this time can be tilted by the second tilt amount or an amount close thereto, and can be largely tilted compared to the first tilt amount (described later). Thereby, the tip 86d11 can be largely retracted in the direction of the axis L1.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 (a2) and 15 (b2), the coupling member 86 has a first inclined covering around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin 88 with the sphere center of the coupling portion 86c as the center with respect to the axis L1. It can be tilted (tilted) until the restricting portions 86p1, 86p2 and the pin 88 come into contact with each other. According to the phase relationship between the hole 86b (pin 88) and the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2, the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted) around the axis of the pin 88. At this time, the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are located at positions facing each other across the direction in which the coupling member 86 is inclined (the direction of the arrow X8). Here, a tilt (tilt) angle with respect to the axis L1 at this time is defined as a first tilt angle θ1 (first tilt amount, first angle). In this embodiment, the coupling member 86, the drive side flange 87, and the pin 88 are configured so that the first inclination angle θ1 <the second inclination angle θ2 (the reason will be described later with reference to FIG. 25). .

  Further, by synthesizing the inclination (tilting) around the axis of the pin 88 and the inclination (tilting) around the axis orthogonal to the axis of the pin 88, the coupling member can be applied in a direction different from the inclination (tilting) direction described above. 86 can be tilted (tilted). Here, since the tilt (tilt) in all directions is represented by the above-described synthesis of the tilt (tilt), the tilt (tilt) angle in any direction is equal to or greater than the first tilt angle θ1 and the second tilt angle θ2. It becomes as follows. In other words, it can be said that the first tilt angle θ1 (first tilt angle) and the second tilt angle (second tilt angle) or more can be tilted.

  Thus, the coupling member 86 can be inclined (tilted) in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1. That is, the coupling member 86 can be inclined (tilted) in any direction with respect to the axis L1. Further, the coupling member 86 can swing in any direction with respect to the axis L1. Furthermore, the coupling member 86 can pivot in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1. Here, the turning of the coupling member 86 means that the inclined (tilted) axis L2 rotates around the axis L1.

  As described above, the arcuate surface portions 86q1 and 86q2 are surfaces that define the first inclination angle θ1, and the connecting portion 86g is one of the dimensions that determine the second inclination angle θ2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 86g and the arc surface portions 86q1 and 86q2 have the same diameter arc shape, but may be changed as necessary.

§8 (Description of the drive unit of the device body)
The configuration of the cartridge drive unit of the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the drive unit of the apparatus main body A (in the vicinity of the drive head 14 in FIG. 4A), as viewed from the upstream side of the apparatus main body A in the mounting direction (X2 direction) of the process cartridge B. is there. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the drive unit, FIG. 18A is a partially enlarged view of the drive unit, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along the section S9-S9 shown in FIG.

  The cartridge drive unit includes a drive head 14 as a main body side engaging portion, a first side plate 350, a holder 300, a drive gear 355, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 18B, the drive shaft 14a of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion is fixed to the drive gear 355 so as not to rotate by means not shown. Therefore, when the drive gear 355 rotates, the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion also rotates. Further, both ends of the drive shaft 14a are rotatably supported by the support portion 300a of the holder 300 and the bearing 354.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18B, the motor 352 as a drive source is attached to the second side plate 351, and a pinion gear 353 is provided on the rotation shaft thereof. The pinion gear 353 meshes with the drive gear 355. Therefore, when the motor 352 rotates, the drive gear 355 rotates and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion also rotates. The second side plate 351 and the holder 300 are fixed to the first side plate 350, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the guide member 12 as a guide mechanism includes a first guide member 12 a and a second guide member 12 b that guide the mounting of the process cartridge B. Further, a mounting end portion 12c orthogonal to the X2 direction is provided at the end of the first guide member 12a in the cartridge mounting direction (X2 direction). This guide member 12 is also fixed to the first side plate 350.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the holder 300 includes a support portion 300 a and a coupling guide 300 b that rotatably support the drive shaft 14 a of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion. The coupling guide 300b is located on the downstream side (back side of the apparatus main body) of the process cartridge B with respect to the support portion 300a in the mounting direction (X2 direction), and includes a connecting portion 300b1 and a guide portion 300b2. Here, the connecting portion 300b1 has an arc shape with a diameter φZ5 centered on the axis L3, and the diameter φZ5 is set to be larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the free end portion 86a of the coupling member 86. Further, the distal end of the guide portion 300b2 has an arc shape with a diameter φZ6 centered on the axis L3. The diameter φZ6 is provided so as to have a predetermined gap S with respect to the connecting portion 86g of the coupling member 86. Here, the predetermined gap S is a gap that prevents the connecting portion 86g and the guide portion 300b2 from interfering with each other due to component tolerances or the like when the process cartridge B is driven to rotate (see FIG. 22 for details later).

§9 (Explanation of mounting the process cartridge to the main unit)
The mounting of the process cartridge B to the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, parts other than parts for explaining the mounting operation are omitted.

  19, 20, and 21 (a) are views of the apparatus main body A as viewed from the outside on the driving side, and sequentially show how the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A. FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the state of FIG. FIG. 22 is a detailed explanatory view of the vicinity of the coupling member 86 when the process cartridge B is completely attached to the apparatus main body A. FIG. In FIG. 22, the apparatus main body A shows the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion, the coupling guide 300 b of the holder 300, and the guide member 12, and the others show the parts of the process cartridge B.

  FIG. 22A1 shows a state in which the process cartridge B is at the mounting completion position and the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). FIG. 22 (a2) shows a state in which the process cartridge B is in the mounting completion position and the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 is substantially coincident with the axis L3 of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion. . FIG. 22 (a3) is an explanatory view illustrating the relationship with the coupling guide 300b when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). 22 (b1) to (b3) are cross-sectional views taken along the line S10-S10 in FIGS. 22 (a1) to (a3), respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the guide member 12 as the guide mechanism of the apparatus main body A is provided with a retraction spring 356 as an urging member (elastic member). The retraction spring 356 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft 320c of the guide member 12, and the position thereof is regulated by the stoppers 12d and 12e. At this time, the action part 356a of the retraction spring 356 is urged in the direction of the arrow J in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the process cartridge B is mounted to the apparatus main body A, the first arc member 76d of the process cartridge B is disposed on the first guide member 12a, and the rotation stop boss of the process cartridge B is disposed on the second guide member 12b. 71c is inserted along. That is, the process cartridge first arc portion 76d contacts the guide groove on the main body side, and at this time, the coupling member 86 is inclined in the mounting direction (X2 direction) by the torsion spring 91 as an urging member (elastic member). doing. Here, the coupling member 86 is covered with the first arc portion 76 d of the bearing member 76. As a result, the coupling member 86 can continue to be inserted to the vicinity of the mounting completion position in this state without interfering with any part of the apparatus main body A in the insertion path of the process cartridge B.

  Further, when the process cartridge B is inserted in the direction of the arrow X2 in the figure, as shown in FIG. 20, the spring receiving portion 76e of the process cartridge B and the action portion 356a of the retracting spring 356 come into contact with each other. Thereby, the action part 356a is elastically deformed in the arrow H direction in the figure.

  Thereafter, the process cartridge B is mounted at a predetermined position (mounting completion position) (see FIG. 21). At this time, the first arc portion 76d of the process cartridge B contacts the first guide member 12a of the guide member 12, and the mounting tip portion 76f contacts the mounting end portion 12c. Similarly, the rotation stop boss 71c of the process cartridge B comes into contact with the positioning surface 12h of the guide member 12 as a guide mechanism. In this manner, the position of the process cartridge B with respect to the apparatus main body A is determined.

  At this time, the action portion 356a of the retraction spring 356 presses the spring receiving portion 76e of the process cartridge B in the direction of the arrow J in the figure, the contact between the first arc portion 76d and the first guide member 12a, and the mounting tip The contact between the portion 76f and the mounting end portion 12c is reliably performed. Thus, the position of the process cartridge B is accurately determined with respect to the apparatus main body A.

  Further, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, as described above, the coupling member 86 and the driving head 14 as the main body side engaging portion are engaged (see FIG. 5), and the process is performed. The mounting of the cartridge B to the mounting body A is completed.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 22A1 and 22B1, even when the mounting of the process cartridge B is completed, the coupling member 86 continues to be tilted (tilted) in the mounting direction (X2 direction) by the torsion spring 91. Try to. In other words, even when the mounting is completed, the torsion spring 91 continues to apply a biasing force (in a direction substantially coincident with the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction) to the coupling member 86. At this time, the connecting portion 86g contacts the guide portion 300b2 of the coupling guide 300b, and the inclination (tilt) of the coupling member 86 is restricted. By restricting the inclination amount of the coupling member 86 in this way, the pair of claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 and the drive pin 14b of the drive head 14 are in contact with each other at the same time. More specifically, the pair of claw portions are arranged so as to be substantially point-symmetric about the rotation center of the coupling member. When the rotational force is transmitted to the coupling member 86 in this state, as shown in FIGS. 22 (a2) and (b2), due to the couple and the contact between the spherical surface portion 14c and the conical portion 86f, The axis L3 substantially coincides with the axis L2 of the coupling member 86. And the above-mentioned clearance gap S arises between the connection part 86g and the guide part 300b2, and the coupling member 86 can rotate stably.

Here, when the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is not restricted, one of the pair of claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 may not come into contact with the drive pin 14b. In this case, the above-described couple does not work, and the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 and the axis L3 of the drive head 14 cannot be matched.
The coupling guide 300b1 does not interfere with the coupling member 86 even when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted) during the process cartridge B attachment / detachment process. Therefore, the coupling guide 300b is located on the non-driving side with respect to the free end portion 86a (see FIGS. 22 (a3) and (b3)). Further, the notch portion 76k of the bearing member 76 has a shape that is recessed further to the non-driving side than the guide portion 300b2 so as not to interfere with the guide portion 300b2. In addition, the width Z11 of the notch 76k of the bearing member 76 in the direction orthogonal to the S10-S10 cross-sectional line is wider than the width Z14 of the coupling guide 300b. Thereby, the size of the cartridge can be reduced while suppressing the interference between the coupling guide and the cartridge.

  In the present embodiment, the coupling member 86 restricts the inclination (tilting) of the torsion spring 91 by the coupling guide 300b. However, as described above, the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is not limited to that by the torsion spring 91. For example, when the coupling member 86 is inclined by its own weight, the coupling guide 300b may be provided on the lower side in the gravity direction. Thus, the coupling guide 300b may be provided at a position that restricts the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 when the process cartridge B is mounted.

§10 (Description of coupling disengagement operation when the process cartridge is detached)
Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A while releasing the engagement between the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion from the mounting completion position of the process cartridge B. Explain how to leave.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 24, a state in which the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 of the coupling member 86 are respectively positioned on the upstream side and the downstream side in the separating direction (X3 direction) will be described. In this embodiment, in this state, as described above, the phase relationship between the hole portion 86b through which the pin 88 passes and the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 is determined so that the axis of the pin 88 is substantially orthogonal to the detaching direction (X3 direction). It has been. FIG. 24A1 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the coupling member 86 and the apparatus main body A are disengaged when the process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A. FIG. 24 (a1) to (a4) are side views seen from the driving side outside, and FIGS. 24 (b1) to (b4) are cross sections cut along the S12-S12 cutting line of FIGS. 24 (a1) to (a4), respectively. FIG. Further, FIG. 24 shows the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion for the apparatus main body A, the coupling guide 300b of the holder 300, the guide member 320, and the other parts of the process cartridge B as in FIG. ing.

  First, the process cartridge B is moved in the disengagement direction (X3 direction) from the state shown in FIGS. 24A1 and 24B1 (the state where the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are engaged). Then, as shown in FIGS. 24 (a2) and 24 (b2), the coupling member 86 (the axis L2 thereof) is inclined (tilted) with respect to the axis L1 and the axis L3, and the process cartridge B is detached (X3 direction). ) The amount of inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 at this time is determined by the free end portion 86a coming into contact with each portion of the drive head 14 (the drive shaft 14a, the drive pin 14b, the spherical portion 14c, and the tip portion 14d). .

  When the process cartridge B is further moved in the separation direction (X3 direction), as shown in FIGS. 24 (a3) and (b3), the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion are brought into contact with each other. Canceled. The coupling member 86 is further tilted (tilted) by being biased by a torsion spring 91 as a biasing means (biasing member). Here, the inclination angle of the coupling member 86 urged by the torsion spring as the urging member is larger than the inclination angle when it is inclined in a direction other than the urged direction.

  Then, the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is restricted by the second inclination restricting portion 87n and the connecting portion 86g coming into contact with each other. At this time, the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the connecting portion 86g is such that the coupling member 86 can be tilted (tilted) until the claw portion 86d1 on the upstream side in the separation direction is positioned on the non-driving side with respect to the tip portion 14d of the driving head 14. And the second inclination angle θ2. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 24A4 and 24B4, the coupling between the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion is released, and the process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A. can do.

  Similarly, even when the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are in a phase other than those described above, the coupling member 86 is tilted (tilted), rotated as described above, or a combination thereof, so that the drive head 14 serving as the main body side engaging portion is Avoid each part. With this arrangement, it is possible to release the engagement between the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion. As shown in FIGS. 23 (a1) and (b1), when the axial direction of the drive pin 14b is substantially perpendicular to the separation direction (X3 direction), the free end portion 86b faces the opposite side (X2 direction). The claw portion 86d1 avoids the drive pin 14b in the non-drive side direction. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 23 (a2) and (b2), when the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are at positions facing each other across the separation direction (X3 direction), the free end portion 86a is the axis of the drive pin 14b. Tilt (tilt) so as to move along a direction parallel to the direction (X6 direction). As a result, the claw portion 86d1 can place the drive pin 14b in the direction of the arrow X6. In such a case, since the free end portion 86a needs to move below the axis L3 and the axis L1, as described above, the position of the lower surface 76k1 of the bearing member 76 is set, and the torsion spring 91 The direction of the urging force is set so that the free end portion 86a can easily face the lower side. The lower side represented here is not necessarily limited to the direction of gravity. That is, the free end portion 86a only needs to be movable in a direction necessary for the claw portion 86d1 on the downstream side (upstream side in the removal direction) to move away from the drive pin 14b with respect to the mounting direction. . Therefore, when the rotation direction R of the drum 62 is opposite to that of the present embodiment, the claw portion located on the downstream side in the mounting direction is located on the upper side, so that the direction in which the free end portion 86a should move is also the upper side. Become. Therefore, when the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 are positioned above and below the mounting direction X2 of the coupling member 86, the free end is located on the claw portion side where the direction of the rotational force received from the drive pin 14b is the same as the mounting direction. The portion 86a is preferably movable. In the case of the two examples as shown in FIG. 23, the inclination (tilting) angle required for releasing the engagement between the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion is the second angle shown in FIG. It may be smaller than the inclination angle θ2. In the present embodiment, the phases of the hole 86b and the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 of the coupling member 86 so that the inclination (tilting) angle becomes the first inclination angle θ1 in the case shown in FIGS. 23 (a2) and (b2). I have a relationship. Note that FIG. 23B1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S11 in FIG. Moreover, FIG.23 (b2) is S11 sectional drawing of FIG.23 (a2).

  Then, it demonstrates about the dimension regarding each part of a present Example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the diameter of the free end 86a is φZ1, the diameter of the connecting portion 86g is φZ2, the spherical diameter of the substantially spherical coupling portion 86c is φZ3, and the rotation diameter of the claw portions 86d1 and d2 is φZ4. The spherical diameter at the tip of the drive head 14 as the engagement portion on the main body side is SφZ7, and the length of the drive pin 14b is Z5. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 (b1) and 15 (b2), the coupling member 86 can be inclined (tilted) around the axis of the pin 88 (second inclination angle) by θ2, and the axis orthogonal to the axis of the pin 88. A possible amount of tilting (tilting) (first tilting angle) is defined as θ1. Then, as shown in FIG. 22 (b2), the gap between the connecting portion 86g and the guide portion 300b2 when the axis line L2 and the axis line L3 substantially coincide with each other is S.

  In this example, φZ1 = 10 mm, φZ2 = 5 mm, φZ3 = 11 mm, φZ4 = 7 mm, Z5 = 8.6 mm, SφZ7 = 6 mm, θ1 = 30 ° θ2 = 40 °, and S = 0.15 mm. .

  The above dimensions are examples, and similar operations are possible with other dimensions and are not limited to the above dimensions. Specifically, both θ1 and θ2 can be tilted by about 20 ° or more, and may be between about 20 ° and about 60 °. More preferably, both are 25 ° or more and 45 ° or less. Further, while satisfying θ1 <θ2, θ1 is preferably about 20 ° to about 35 ° and θ2 is preferably about 30 ° to about 60 °. The difference between θ1 and θ2 may be in the range of about 3 ° to about 20 °, and is preferably in the range of about 5 ° to about 15 °. As shown in FIG. 25, when the cartridge B is mounted, the mounting tip portion (described later) is positioned on the non-driving side with respect to the leading end portion 14d of the driving head 14, and is positioned on the driving side with respect to the guide portion 300b2. Thus, it is conceivable to design θ1 and θ2. By designing in this way, the coupling 86 can be normally engaged with the drive head 14. Here, the mounting tip portion is the tip portion 86d11 of the claw portion 86d1 when the inclination of the coupling member 86 is the second inclination angle θ2, and the standby portion 86k1 when the inclination is the first inclination angle θ1. Since the standby portion 86k1 is closer to the rotation center C than the tip portion 86d11, the first tilt angle θ1 <the second tilt angle θ2 so that the axis of the mounting tip portion when the coupling member 86 is tilted is set. The position in the L1 direction can be set to the same position. As a result, it is not necessary to unnecessarily widen the gap between the drive head 14 and the guide portion 300b2, and the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B can be reduced in size.

  Further, by satisfying φZ1 <φZ3, the assembly can be easily performed as in the present embodiment. Further, by including φZ1 <φZ10 <φZ3 including the minimum diameter φZ10 of the conical portion 87k as a drop-off preventing portion (overhang portion / drop-off restricting portion), the position of the coupling member 86 in the drive side flange unit U2 Can be determined with high accuracy.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to develop a conventional cartridge that can be removed to the outside of the apparatus main body after moving in a predetermined direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the main body side engaging portion.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, since the configuration other than the free end 286a of the coupling member 286, the drive head 214, and the coupling guide 400b is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted by giving the same reference numerals. In addition, even when attaching the same code | symbol, even if it is a case where a part is changed with the structure of a present Example, the same code | symbol may be attached | subjected.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 as the main body side engaging portion. 26 (a) is a side view, FIG. 26 (b) is a perspective view, and FIG. 26 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line S21-S21 in FIG. 26 (a). Further, FIG. 26D is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line S22-S22 in FIG. 26A, and the cutting line S22-S22 passes through the center of the drive pin 214b as the applying part and is orthogonal to the receiving part 286e1. It is a line to do.

  As shown in FIG. 26, in this embodiment, the shapes of the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 of the coupling member 286 are different from those in the first embodiment. The claw portions 286d1, 286d2 are provided such that inner wall surfaces 286s1, 286s2 facing the axis L2 are provided in a planar shape, and the radial width Z21 of the receiving portions 286e1, 286e2 is provided wider than that in the first embodiment. . That is, compared with the first embodiment, the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 are provided so that the radial width is thicker. When the diameter of the inscribed circle of the inner wall surfaces 286s1 and 286s2 with the axis L2 as the center is φZ22, φZ22 is provided to be larger than the diameter φZ7 of the drive shaft 214a of the drive head 214. Here, in FIG. 26D, the overlapping amount of the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2 and the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 in the axial direction of the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2 (a direction orthogonal to the axis L2 (L3)). The engagement amount is Z23.

  One drive head 214 is provided with a recessed portion 214e recessed from the receiving surface portion 214c and the drive shaft 214a at the base of the drive pin 214b and downstream of the drive pin 214b in the rotation direction (R direction).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 27, the engagement release operation between the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 when the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A will be described in detail. Here, the case where the operation | movement which is characteristic in a present Example is shown is demonstrated. The case where the characteristic operation is shown is a case where the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2 are out of phase by a predetermined amount θ4 with respect to the cartridge B removal direction (X3 direction). As an example, θ4 = 60 °. Will be described.

  FIG. 27 is a view for explaining the operation of the coupling member 286 when the cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A. FIG. FIGS. 27A1 to 27A4 are views of the state in which the process cartridge B is sequentially detached from the apparatus main body A as viewed from the drive side outside of the apparatus main body A. FIG. 27 (b1) to 27 (b4) are cross-sectional views (cross-sectional views taken along the cutting line S23-S23) of FIGS. 27 (a1) to 27 (a4) viewed from the bottom in the detachment direction. For the sake of explanation, the coupling member 286, the drive head 214, and the pin 88 are not cut.

  As shown in FIG. 27 (a1), when the process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A, the cartridge B is in the mounting completion position of the apparatus main body A, and the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 are engaged. Yes. Further, in many cases, the process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A when the series of image forming operations is completed. At this time, the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 of the coupling member are in contact with the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2.

  From here, as shown in FIGS. 27 (a2) and (b2), the cartridge B is moved in the disengagement direction (X3 direction). Then, the cartridge B moves in the removal direction (X3 direction) while the axis L2 of the coupling member 286 is inclined (tilted) with respect to the axis L1 of the drive side flange 87 and the axis L3 of the drive head 214. At this time, the claw portion 286d1 (receiving portion 286e1) on the downstream side of the driving pin 214b1 in the separation direction (X3 direction) remains in contact with the driving pin 214b1.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 27A3 and 27B3, the cartridge B is further moved in the separation direction (X3 direction). Then, the axis L2 is further inclined (tilted), and the first inclined restricted portion 286p1, 286p2 (not shown) and the pin 88 as the first inclination restricting portion, or the second inclination restricting portion, as in the first embodiment. 87n and the connection part 286g as a 2nd inclination controlled part contact | abut. Thereby, the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 286 is regulated. Even in this state, at the phase of the drive pin 214b and the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 (θ = 60 °) as shown in FIG. 27, the claw portion 286d1 (the receiving portion 286e1) is moved further to the non-drive side than the drive pin 214b. Instead, it may remain in contact. This is because the amount of movement of the claw portions 286d1, 286d2 toward the non-driving side due to the inclination (tilting) of the axis L2 is small.

  At this time, since the notch portion 214e is provided in the drive head 214, the coupling member 286 is inclined in the direction of the arrow X5 so that the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 move along the drive pins 214b and 214b2 ( Tilt).

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 27A4 and 27B4, the coupling member 286 is further inclined (tilted) in the direction of the arrow X5 so that the claw portion 286d2 enters the notch 214e. When the coupling member 286 is inclined (tilted), the contact between the claw portion 286d1 and the drive pin 214b1 is released in the direction of the arrow X5. As a result, the process cartridge B can be detached from the apparatus main body A.

  In the present embodiment, compared with the first embodiment, the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 are provided so that the radial width Z21 is increased. Specifically, the width of the base was provided to be about 1.5 mm. Thereby, in the axial direction of the drive pin 214b, the engagement amount Z23 (see FIG. 26D) between the drive pins 214b1, 214b2 and the receiving portions 286e1, 286e2 is larger than that in the first embodiment. Thereby, irrespective of the dispersion | variation in component precision, etc., it can engage reliably with a pair of provision part and receiving part, and can transmit stably. Here, if the width of the base of the receiving portion is wide, a stable driving force can be transmitted, but if it is too wide, it interferes with the driving head and affects it. Therefore, in a virtual plane that includes a receiving portion that is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling member and receives a driving force from the engaging portion, an angle formed by two straight lines connecting both ends of the protrusion from the rotation is about 10 ° or more and about 30 °. The following is preferable. In addition, since it is a site | part which receives a drive, if the surface of rigidity is considered, it can be said that the base width should just be 1.0 mm or more.

  Further, the notch portion 214e releases the engagement between the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 even when the engagement amount Z23 is larger than the gap between the inner diameter φZ24 of the claw portion and the diameter φZ27 of the body portion of the drive head 214. I want. For this reason, the coupling member 86 is provided so as to have a large inclination (tilt) in the direction of the arrow X5. Here, the large inclination means that the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 can move in the direction of the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2 by the engagement amount Z23 or more.

  Next, the configuration of the coupling guide 400b in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the coupling guide 400b is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the gap S2 set between the coupling member 286 and the connecting portion 286g is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling guide 400b. FIGS. 28A1 and 28B1 illustrate a state in which the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A and the axis L2 of the coupling member 286 remains inclined (tilted). Represents. FIGS. 28A2 and 28B2 show a state in which the axis L2 matches the axis L1 and the axis L3. FIG. 28 (b1) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S24 in FIG. 28 (a1). FIG. 28 (b2) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S24 in FIG. 28 (a2).

  As shown in FIGS. 28 (a1) and 28 (b1), the coupling guide 400b is configured so that the engagement between the drive pin 214b and the claw portion 286d1 is not disengaged even when the coupling member 286 is inclined (tilted). The inclination (tilting) of the ring member 286 can be restricted. In the present embodiment, as described above, the engagement amount Z23 is larger than that in the first embodiment. Here, in this embodiment, the gap S2 in FIG. 28 (b2) is larger than the gap S in the first embodiment (see FIG. 22 (b2)). Even under such conditions, even if the amount of inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 increases, the engagement between the drive pin 214b1 and the receiving portion 286e1 does not come off, and rotation can be transmitted normally. Thus, since the gap S2 can be made larger than that in the first embodiment, the dimensional accuracy of the connecting portion 286g and the guide portion 400b2 can be loosened.

  As described above, the engagement amount Z23 between the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2 and the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 is increased, and the notch 214e is provided in the drive head 214. Thus, when the cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body A, the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 can be disengaged. In addition, by adopting the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the gap S2 between the coupling guide 400b and the connecting portion 286g as compared with the first embodiment, and to relax the component accuracy.

Subsequently, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling member 386 and the drive head 314 as the main body side engaging portion. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of the R-shaped portion 386g1 and shows a state where the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A. FIG. 31 is an explanatory view of the bearing member 387 and the coupling member 386, and shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view.
As compared with the first and second embodiments, the coupling member 386 is provided with a lightening 386c2 to a lightening 386c9 at the coupling portion 386c. Further, the diameter of the connecting portion 386g is narrowed, and the thickness formed by the spring receiving portion 386h and the receiving surface 386f is thin. As a result of these, materials can be reduced.

Here, when providing the lightening 386c2 to 386c9, it is preferable to provide the spherical shape 386c1 uniformly in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 29 (d). In the present embodiment, the coupling portion 386c is configured such that a portion where the spherical shape 386c1 is interrupted by the lightening 386c2 to 386c9 and the hole portion 386b does not continuously exceed 90 °. In addition, although described as a spherical shape, it may be expressed as a substantially spherical shape in consideration of a lack of meat or manufacturing variations. If the coupling portion 386c is configured as described above, the position of the coupling member 86 in the drive side flange unit U32 can be stabilized. In particular, the position of the coupling member can be stabilized at the position of the S14-S14 cutting line supported by the storage portion 87i as shown in FIG. 29 (c), or at the position facing the conical portion 87k and the base portion 89a. it can.
Further, the arc surface portion 386q1 and the arc surface portion 386q2 have different diameters.
Further, as shown in FIG. 30, an R shape 386g1 is provided between the connecting portion 386g and the spring receiving portion 386h. As described above, the drive-side flange unit U32 is provided with a backlash that moves the coupling member 386 in a small amount in the direction of the axis L1. When the coupling member 386a approaches the non-driving side in this play, the amount of engagement Z38 in the direction of the axis L1 between the driving pin 314b and the claw portions 386d1 and 386d2 decreases. Here, the amount of engagement Z38 is the distance in the axis L3 direction between the center point of the arc shape of the drive pin 314b and the tip of the claw portion 386d1. In addition, when the coupling member 386 is tilted until the connecting portion 386g and the guide portion 330b2 of the coupling guide 330b come into contact with each other, the amount of engagement Z38 between the drive pin 314b and the claw portions 386d1, 386d2 is reduced, thereby transmitting the driving force. May have an impact. On the other hand, by providing the R-shaped portion 386g1, when the coupling member 386 approaches the non-driving side, the tip of the guide portion 330b2 of the coupling guide 330b and the R-shaped portion 386g1 are close to each other. As a result, the inclination of the coupling member 386 can be made smaller than when the guide portion 300b2 and the connecting portion 86g contact each other as in the first embodiment. Therefore, by providing the R-shaped portion 386g1, it is possible to prevent the amount of engagement Z38 from being reduced due to the coupling member 386 being moved to the non-driving side and the amount of engagement Z38 from being decreased due to the inclination of the coupling member 386 from occurring simultaneously. be able to. Note that the R-shaped portion 386g1 is not limited to the arc shape, and the same effect can be obtained even when the R-shaped portion 386g1 has a conical surface shape, for example.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, in this embodiment, the claw portions 386d1, 386d2 are formed with a flat tip and increase the thickness in the circumferential direction, thereby reducing deformation of the claw portions 386d1, 386d2 during drive transmission. doing. In addition, a spring receiving groove 386h1 is provided in the spring receiving portion 386h in order to define a portion to be pressed from the torsion spring 91 (see also FIG. 30 (d)). If the portion of the spring 91 that comes into contact with the second arm 91b is defined and a lubricant is applied thereto, the sliding between the second arm 91b and the coupling member 386 always includes grease, Generated sound and the like can be reduced. The coupling member 386 is made of metal, and the torsion spring 91 is also made of metal. Even in a state where the coupling member 386 rotates by receiving a driving force from the main body side engaging portion 314, the torsion spring 91 continues to apply a biasing force to the coupling member. For this reason, the metals keep rubbing against each other during image formation, and it is desirable to interpose a lubricant at least between the coupling member 386 and the torsion spring 91 in order to reduce the influence thereof.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29B, the drive pin 314b does not have to be cylindrical in the main body side engaging portion 314. Further, since the diameter sφZ36 of the spherical surface portion 314c is a spherical surface that contacts the thinned receiving surface 386f as compared with the first embodiment, the diameter sφZ6 of the spherical surface portion 14c and the diameter φZ37 of the drive shaft 314a in the first embodiment. Is also getting bigger. Further, in order to smoothly engage (and disengage) the coupling member 386, a taper 314e1 is provided at a step portion between the notch 314e and the drive shaft 314a.
The coupling guide 330b shown in FIG. 30 has a smaller diameter at the tip of the guide portion 330b2 than that of the first embodiment, in accordance with the connecting portion 386g whose diameter is smaller than that of the first embodiment.
Next, the bearing member 376 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 31, the width Z32 of the notch 376k of the bearing member 376 is larger than the diameter φZ31 of the tip 386a, as in the first embodiment, and the tip 386a is in the mounting direction X2 and the axis L1. On the other hand, it faces down. On the other hand, the plate-like portion 376h is configured to be located on the drive side as compared with the first embodiment. Therefore, when the coupling member 386 is inclined, the outermost diameter portion (φZ31 portion) of the distal end portion 386a comes into contact with the lower surface 376k1 of the notch portion 376k. Thus, the downward inclination of the coupling member 386 is defined regardless of the inclination angle of the coupling member 386, and the main body side engaging portion 314b can be more stably engaged. (In the first embodiment, since the conical spring receiving portion 87h is in contact with the lower surface 76k1, the amount of the coupling member 86 depending on the inclination angle of the coupling member 86 is different.)
The spring hook 376g includes a retaining portion 376g1, an insertion port portion 376g2, and a support portion 376g3. Here, the insertion port portion 376g2 and the support portion 376g3 are smoothly connected by a tapered portion 376g4 so that the spring 91 can be inserted smoothly when inserted in the direction of the arrow X10. The outermost diameter Z33 of the retaining portion 376g1 and the insertion port portion 376g2 and the outermost diameter Z34 of the support portion 376g3 are smaller than the inner diameter φZ35 of the coil portion 91c of the spring 91. By configuring the spring hooking portion 376g as described above, the coil portion 91c can be easily inserted into the spring hooking portion 376g, and the support portion 376g3 prevents the coil portion 91c from moving away from the retaining portion 376g1. can do. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the spring 91 comes out of the spring hooking portion 376g. Further, the spring hook portion 376g is configured not to protrude outward (drive side) from the first protrusion portion 376j, thereby reducing the possibility of the spring hook portion 376g being damaged at the time of physical distribution.

  In this embodiment, the retaining portion 376g1 is preferably provided on the side opposite to the coupling member 386 as viewed from the spring hook portion 376g (lower left side in FIG. 31A).

  Briefly, the reaction force F91 received by the torsion spring 91 (the resultant force F91a received by the first arm 91a and the force F91b received by the second arm 91b) is the upper right side on the coupling member 386 side (FIG. 31A). ) Thereby, the coil part 91c approaches the coupling member 386 side. Therefore, setting the position of the retaining portion 376g to the position disclosed in the present embodiment makes it difficult for the torsion spring 91 to be detached while ensuring the mountability of the torsion spring 91. Further, in this embodiment, when the coupling member 386 is inclined until it approaches the coil portion 91c side as shown in FIG. 31 (c), the first arm 91a and the second arm 91b become substantially parallel. Thereby, since the force F91a and the force F91b cancel each other, the reaction force F91 received by the torsion spring 91 is reduced. In this way, by preventing the force F91 from facing the retaining portion 376g1 side, the possibility that the torsion spring 91 falls off from the spring hook portion 376g is reduced.

  In addition, the bearing member 376 is provided with a contact prevention rib 376j5 and a contact prevention surface 376j2 so as to prevent the coupling member 386 from coming into contact with the coil portion 91c. As a result, even when the coupling member 386 is inclined in the direction approaching the coil portion 91c, the leading end portion 386a is brought into contact with the contact prevention rib 376j5 and the contact prevention surface 376j2 so that the tip portion 386a becomes the coil portion 91c. Is prevented from coming into contact. Thereby, possibility that the coil part 91c will remove | deviate from the retaining part 376g1 can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, a space 376j4 for moving the second arm 91b of the spring 91 is provided on the radially inner side of the first protrusion 376j. Here, it is preferable that the second arm 91b has such a length that the arm portion 91b1 of the second arm 91b can always be brought into contact with the spring receiving portion 386h (see FIG. 29) of the coupling member 386. Thereby, it can prevent that the front-end | tip 91b2 of the 2nd arm 91b contact | abuts to the spring receiving part 386h.

  In this embodiment, the torsion spring 91 is prevented from coming off by the shape of the spring hooking portion 376g. However, the silicon spring or hot melt may be applied to prevent the torsion spring 91 from coming off. Further, it may be prevented from coming off by another resin member.

  In the present embodiment, another configuration of the drive side flange unit and a bearing member that pivotally supports the drive side flange unit will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the components other than the drive side flange unit and the bearing member are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals. In addition, even when attaching the same code | symbol, even if it is a case where a part is changed with the structure of a present Example, the same code | symbol may be attached | subjected.

  As shown in FIG. 32, in the present Example, the 1st protrusion part 476j of the bearing member 476 is divided | segmented up and down. This reduces the surrounding structure when inserted into the spring hooking portion 476g, thereby improving the assemblability when the torsion spring 91 is inserted into the spring hooking portion 476g by a tool or an assembling device. In the first embodiment, the support portion 76a is used as the second protruding portion so as to protrude from the plate-like portion 76h to the non-driving side. However, as shown in FIGS. 32 (c) and 32 (d), the supporting portion 476a. May be provided inside the cavity 476i. In this case, it is preferable that the supported portion 487d provided on the driving side flange 487 is provided on the second cylindrical portion 487h as long as the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is not hindered. In this case, since there is no second protrusion (as the support portion 76a) that has entered the annular groove 87p, the drive-side flange 487 does not have to be provided with the annular groove 487p. Alternatively, even when the annular groove portion 487p is provided for the sake of resin molding, when the first cylindrical portion 487j and the second cylindrical portion 487h are connected by the rib shapes 487p1 to 487p4 and driving is transmitted to the driving side flange 487 Can also be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, another configuration of the drive side flange unit and the bearing member that pivotally supports the drive side flange unit will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the components other than the drive side flange unit and the bearing member are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals. In addition, even when attaching the same code | symbol, even if it is a case where a part is changed with the structure of a present Example, the same code | symbol may be attached | subjected.

  As shown in FIG. 33, in this embodiment, the notch 576k of the bearing member 576 is different from the first embodiment. In Example 1, the notch portion 76k was recessed in the non-driving side from the plate-like portion 76h, and had a groove shape parallel to the mounting direction X2. The notch 576k of the bearing member 576 is the same as that of the first embodiment in that it is recessed from the plate-like portion 576h to the non-driving side, but it is not necessary to have a groove shape. It is only necessary to provide a space where the coupling member 86 is inclined by being recessed from the plate-like portion 576h and to define the vertical position of the coupling member 86 (free end portion 86a) by the lower surface 576k1.

  In the first embodiment, the supported portion 87d is provided on the inner periphery of the first cylindrical portion 87j of the drive side flange 87. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 587h is the supported portion 587d. In one bearing member 576, a support portion 576a as a second protruding portion enters the groove portion 587p and pivotally supports the supported portion 587d. Since the second cylindrical portion 587h can protrude more to the driving side than the first cylindrical portion 587j, by providing the supported portion 587d on the second cylindrical portion 587, the supported portion on the first cylindrical portion 587j. The axial support length in the direction of the axis L1 can be made longer than that provided.

(Other examples)
In the above-described embodiment, the coupling member is described as an example of a configuration in which the coupling member is accommodated in the flange unit of the photosensitive drum. However, any configuration may be used as long as the cartridge is driven via the coupling member. Specifically, the developing roller may be rotationally driven via a coupling member. Of course, a developing cartridge that does not include a photosensitive drum and that transmits the rotational force from the engaging portion on the main body side to the developing roller can be suitably applied. In this case, the coupling member 86 transmits the rotational force to the developing roller 32 as a rotating body instead of the photosensitive drum.

  Of course, the present invention can be suitably applied even to a configuration in which the driving force is transmitted only to the photosensitive drum. In the above-described embodiment, the drive-side flange 87 serving as a member to be transmitted is fixed to the longitudinal end portion of the drum 62 that is a rotating body, but may be an independent member without being fixed. For example, it may be a gear member that transmits a rotational force to the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 through gear coupling.

  Further, the cartridge B in the above embodiment is for forming a single color image. However, this is not the case. Each of the configurations and ideas disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be suitably applied to a cartridge that includes a plurality of developing units and forms a multi-color image (for example, a two-color image, a three-color image, or a full color). .

  In addition, the configuration disclosed in the above-described embodiment is applied regardless of whether the cartridge B is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body A in a straight line, a combination of the attachment and removal paths, or a curved path. be able to.

  Each configuration disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied to a cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a drive transmission device used in these.

3 Laser scanner unit (exposure means, exposure device)
7 Transfer roller 9 Fixing device (fixing means)
12 Guide member (guide mechanism)
12a First guide member 12b Second guide member 13 Opening / closing door 14 Drive head (engagement part: main body side)
14a Drive shaft (shaft)
14b Drive pin (applying part)
20 Developing Unit 21 Toner Storage Container 22 Lid 23 Developing Container 32 Developing Roller (Developing Unit, Process Unit, Rotating Body)
60 Cleaning unit 62 Photosensitive drum (photosensitive member, rotating member)
64 Non-drive side flange 66 Charging roller (charging means, process means)
71 Cleaning Frame 74 Exposure Window 75 Binding Member 76 Bearing Member (Support Member)
76b Guide portion 76d First arc portion 76f Second arc portion 77 Cleaning blade (removal means, process means)
78 Drum shaft 86 Coupling member 86a Free end (engagement part: cartridge side)
86b1 transmission part 86p1, 86p2 first inclination (tilting) regulated part 86c coupling part (contained part)
86d1, 86d2 Projection 86e1, 86e2 Receiving portion 86f Receiving surface 86g Connecting portion 86h Spring receiving portion 86k1, 86k2 Standby portion 86m Opening portion 86z Recessed portion 87 Drive side flange (transmitted member)
87b Fixed part 87d Supported part 87e Hole part 87f Retaining part 87g Transmitted part 87k Conical part 87m Opening part 87n Second inclination restricting part 87i Storage part 88 Pin (shaft part / shaft)
89 Lid member (Regulator member)
90 screws (fastening means, fixing means)
A Electrophotographic image forming device body (device body)
B Process cartridge (cartridge)
T Toner (Developer)
P sheet (sheet material / recording medium)
R Rotation direction S Clearance U1 Photosensitive drum unit (drum unit)
U2 Drive side flange unit (flange unit)
L1 Rotation axis of electrophotographic photosensitive drum L2 Rotation axis of coupling member L3 Rotation axis of main body side engaging portion θ1 Inclination angle (first angle)
θ2 Tilt angle (second angle)

Claims (11)

A cartridge that is mounted in the apparatus main body by moving in a mounting direction substantially orthogonal to a rotation axis of a rotatable engaging portion provided in the apparatus main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus;
A rotating body capable of rotating while carrying a developer;
A rotatable receiving member having a storage portion on the inside thereof, to which a rotational force for transmission to the rotating body is transmitted;
A rotatable coupling member comprising a free end portion having a receiving portion for receiving a rotational force from the engaging portion, and a coupling portion having a transmission portion for transmitting the rotational force received by the receiving portion to the transmitted member. The coupling portion is at least partially housed in the housing portion so that the rotation axis of the coupling member can tilt with respect to the rotation axis of the transmitted member, and passes through the coupling portion. A coupling member having a hole;
A shaft portion that passes through the through hole and can receive a rotational force from the transmission portion, and
Both ends of the shaft portion are supported by the transmitted member, and a biasing member that abuts the coupling member and biases the free end portion of the coupling member toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. A cartridge characterized by having.   2. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a support member that rotatably supports the transmission member; and a first member that receives a biasing force when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. . The biasing member is a torsion spring,
2. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that rotatably supports the transmission member and a second protrusion that locks a coil portion of the torsion spring.   The arm of the coil portion of the torsion spring extending from the outside of the cartridge is locked to the support member, and the arm of the coil portion of the torsion spring extending from the inside of the cartridge is in contact with the coupling member. 3. The cartridge according to 3.   A support portion that rotatably supports the transmitted member, a hole portion for allowing the free end portion to be exposed to the outside of the cartridge, and the tilting coupling member provided on the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction from the hole portion. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a support member having a retractable portion that can be retracted. A support member having a support portion for rotatably supporting the transmitted member;
The transmitted member has an annular groove on the outer surface of the cartridge;
2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a support portion of the support member is in contact with a radially outer side surface of the transmitted member of the groove and rotatably supports the transmitted member.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transmitted member includes a drop-off restricting portion that restricts the coupling member from dropping by contacting an outer periphery of the coupling portion. .   The free end portion includes protrusions extending in the rotation axis direction of the coupling member, and the number of protrusions having receiving portions for receiving rotational force from the engaging portions is two of the protrusions, and these protrusions are the receiving portions. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the portion is disposed so as to be substantially point-symmetric about the rotation axis of the coupling member.   9. The tilt of the coupling member is regulated by contacting a part of the transmitted member when the imaginary straight line connecting the two protrusions and the mounting direction are parallel to each other. The cartridge described.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coupling member can tilt about 20 ° or more downstream in the cartridge mounting direction. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is a photoconductor.

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