JP6611571B2 - Cartridge, member constituting cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus and a member that constitutes the cartridge.

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

  The cartridge is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) that is an image carrier, or a process means (for example, a developer carrier (hereinafter referred to as a developing roller)) that acts on the photosensitive drum. ) Is a cartridge. The cartridge is detachable from the image forming apparatus. As the cartridge, there are a cartridge in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are integrally formed, and a cartridge in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separately formed as a cartridge. In particular, the former having a photosensitive drum and a developing roller is referred to as a process cartridge. The latter having a photosensitive drum is called a drum cartridge, and the one having a developing roller is called a developing cartridge.

  The image forming apparatus main body is the remaining part of the image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus employs a cartridge system in which a process cartridge, a drum cartridge, and a developing cartridge are detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus. According to these cartridge systems, the maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved.

  For this reason, the cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  Further, there is a contact development system in which development is performed by bringing a photosensitive drum and a developing roller into contact with each other during image formation. In order to bring the photosensitive drum and the developing roller into contact with each other, a developing cartridge (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2) in which pressing means is provided on the developing cartridge has been proposed.

  Here, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the image quality and extending the life of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, in the contact development method, it is desirable that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller be separated from each other during non-image formation.

JP 2011-39564 A JP 2010-26541 A

  In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the pressing means is configured to act from the apparatus main body only in the direction in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are close to each other. When the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other, it is necessary to provide a separating unit that moves the developing unit so that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other at a position different from the pressing unit. At this time, the developing unit is moved against the pressing force that presses the developing roller against the photosensitive drum.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a mechanism in which the pressing unit is integrated in the axial direction of the developing roller is provided. At that time, in order to make the pressing state of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller uniform in the axial direction of the developing roller, it is necessary to make the pressing means highly accurate and highly rigid. That is, in order to move the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum with high accuracy and press the photosensitive drum, the pressing means becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to accurately move the developer carrying member in view of the problems of the conventional configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration according to the present application is as follows.
A cartridge that can be attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus,
A developing roller;
A frame that supports the developing roller;
A movable part supported so as to be movable with respect to the frame and moving to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame;
An elastic part that is provided between the frame and the movable part and biases the movable part;
Have
The movable portion includes a first force receiving portion that receives a force in a direction moving from the first position to the second position from the apparatus main body, and a force in a direction moving from the second position to the first position. A second force receiving portion for receiving from the device body;
When the movable part receives force from the apparatus main body at the first force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part moves the movable part from the second position to the first position. A biasing force is received from the elastic portion.

  According to the present invention, the developer carrier can be pressed and moved with high accuracy.

It is a side view of a developing cartridge. 1 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing of a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge. FIG. 6 is a drive side perspective view of the developing cartridge. FIG. 4 is a non-drive side perspective view of the developing cartridge. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a developing cartridge on the driving side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a developing cartridge on a non-driving side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drive input unit of the developing cartridge. It is explanatory drawing of the drive side side cover periphery. It is explanatory drawing of the drive side side cover periphery. It is attitude | position explanatory drawing of a coupling member. It is attitude | position explanatory drawing of a coupling member. It is a disassembled perspective view of a bearing member and a coupling member. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drive input unit of the developing cartridge. It is sectional drawing and a perspective view of a coupling member periphery. It is a perspective view of a drum cartridge. It is a non-driving side perspective view of an apparatus main body and each cartridge. It is a drive side perspective view of an apparatus main body and each cartridge. FIG. 4 is a side view of the developing cartridge on the driving side. It is a perspective view of a drive side swing guide. FIG. 6 is a drive side view of the process of mounting the developing cartridge on the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a drive side view of the developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a drive input unit of the developing cartridge. It is a front view of a developing cartridge. It is a perspective view of a drive side plate. It is a perspective view of a non-drive side plate. FIG. 6 is a driving side view of the developing cartridge and the driving side swing guide. FIG. 6 is a driving side view of the developing cartridge and the driving side swing guide. It is a non-driving side side view of a developing cartridge and a non-driving side swing guide. It is sectional drawing of a coupling member periphery. FIG. 6 is a driving side view of the developing cartridge and the driving side swing guide. FIG. 6 is a driving side view of the developing cartridge and the driving side swing guide. It is a perspective view of a non-driving side bearing. It is sectional drawing of a coupling member periphery. It is a non-drive side perspective view of an apparatus main part. It is a non-driving side side view of an apparatus main body and each cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing cartridge. It is a side view which shows a non-drive side contact separation lever and a memory board. It is a side view which shows a memory substrate. It is a side view which shows a non-drive side contact separation lever and a memory board. It is a side view which shows a drive side contact / separation lever. FIG. 3 is a drive side view of the developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a drive side view of the developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. It is a schematic diagram which shows the position of a contact-separation lever and a development pressurization spring. It is the front view and back view which show a development side cover. It is a perspective view which shows a development side cover. It is the front view and back view which show a drive side developing bearing. It is a perspective view which shows a drive side developing bearing. FIG. 3 is a drive side view of the developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge. FIG. 4 is a driving side view and a non-driving side view of a developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 4 is a driving side view and a non-driving side view of a developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 4 is a side view of the developing cartridge on the driving side. FIG. 4 is a side view of the developing cartridge on the driving side. FIG. 3 is a drive side perspective view of the developing cartridge. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge on the driving side. FIG. 4 is a driving side view and a non-driving side view of a developing cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body.

  A cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a laser beam printer main body, a drum cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the laser beam printer main body, and a developing cartridge will be described as examples. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge means the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller (the rotating shaft direction of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller). ). The rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller are directions that intersect the recording medium conveyance direction. The short direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller. In this embodiment, the direction in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to and detached from the laser beam printer main body is the short direction of each cartridge. Moreover, the code | symbol in an explanatory note is for referring drawings, and does not limit a structure. In the description of the present embodiment, the side view is a view showing a state viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller.

Example 1
(1) Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory side sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 forms an image with a developer t on a recording medium (sheet) 2 by an electrophotographic image forming process in accordance with image information communicated from an external device such as a personal computer. Further, in the image forming apparatus, a developing cartridge B1 and a drum cartridge C are provided to the apparatus main body A1 so that the user can attach and detach them from the apparatus main body A1. Examples of the recording medium 2 include recording paper, label paper, an OHP sheet, and cloth. The developing cartridge B1 has a developing roller 13 as a developer carrier, and the drum cartridge C has a photosensitive drum 10, a charging roller 11 as an image carrier.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 11 by applying a voltage from the apparatus main body A1. Then, the laser beam L corresponding to the image information is irradiated from the optical unit 1 to the charged photosensitive drum 10, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 10. This electrostatic latent image is developed with the developer t by a developing means described later, and a developer image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

  On the other hand, the recording medium 2 accommodated in the paper feed tray 4 is regulated by the paper feed roller 3a and the separation pad 3b in pressure contact therewith in synchronism with the formation of the developer image, and is separated and fed one by one. . Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed to a transfer roller 6 as a transfer unit by a conveyance guide 3d. The transfer roller 6 is urged so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

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

  The recording medium 2 onto which the developer image has been transferred is regulated by the conveyance guide 3 f and conveyed to the fixing unit 5. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c incorporating a heater 5b. When the recording medium 2 passes through the nip portion 5d formed by the driving roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, heat and pressure are applied, and the developer image transferred to the recording medium 2 is transferred to the recording medium 2. 2 is fixed. As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium 2.

  Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 3g and discharged to the discharge unit 3h.

(2) Description of Electrophotographic Image Forming Process Next, an electrophotographic image forming process to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing cartridge B <b> 1 includes a developing container 16 that includes a developing roller 13 and a developing blade 15 as developing means. The developing cartridge B1 is a developing device formed into a cartridge, and is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  The drum cartridge C includes a cleaning frame (photoreceptor support frame) 21 and a photosensitive drum 10 and a charging roller 11. The drum cartridge C is also attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

  The developer t accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 16a of the developing container 16 is rotated by the developer conveying member 17 rotatably supported by the developing container 16 in the direction of the arrow X17, whereby the opening 16b of the developing container 16 is provided. To the developing chamber 16c. The developing container 16 is provided with a developing roller 13 having a built-in magnet roller 12. Specifically, the developing roller 13 includes a shaft portion 13e and a rubber portion 13d. The shaft portion 13e has a conductive elongated cylindrical shape such as aluminum, and a central portion thereof is covered with a rubber portion 13d in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6). Here, the rubber portion 13d is covered with the shaft portion 13e so that the outer shape is coaxial with the shaft portion 13e. The developing roller 13 attracts the developer t in the developing chamber 16 c to the surface of the developing roller 13 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 12. The developing blade 15 is composed of a support member 15a made of sheet metal and an elastic member 15b made of urethane rubber, SUS plate or the like so that the elastic member 15b elastically contacts the developing roller 13 with a constant contact pressure. Is provided. Then, when the developing roller 13 rotates in the rotation direction X5, the amount of the developer t adhering to the surface of the developing roller 13 is defined, and a triboelectric charge is applied to the developer t. Thereby, a developer layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 13. Then, the developer t is supplied to the developing region of the photosensitive drum 10 by rotating the developing roller 13 to which a voltage is applied from the apparatus main body A1 in the rotation direction X5 while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

  Here, in the case of the contact development method as in this embodiment, if the state where the developing roller 13 is always in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in FIG. 3 is maintained, the rubber portion 13b of the developing roller 13 is deformed. There is a fear. For this reason, it is preferable to keep the developing roller 13 away from the photosensitive drum 10 during non-development.

  A charging roller 11 that is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 21 and biased in the direction of the photosensitive drum 10 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10. The detailed configuration will be described later. The charging roller 11 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by voltage application from the apparatus main body A1. The voltage applied to the charging roller 11 is set to a value such that the potential difference between the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11 is equal to or higher than the discharge start voltage. Specifically, a DC voltage of -1300 V is used as the charging bias. Applied. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly contact-charged to a charged potential (dark portion potential) of −700V. In this example, the charging roller 11 is driven to rotate with respect to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 (details will be described later). Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by the laser light L of the optical means 1. Thereafter, the developer t is transferred according to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10.

(3) Explanation of Configuration of Cleanerless System Next, the cleanerless system in this example will be described below.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a so-called cleanerless system in which a cleaning member for removing the transfer residual developer t2 remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 without being transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is not provided is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive drum 10 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow C5. When viewed from the rotational direction C5 of the photosensitive drum 10, there is a gap (upstream gap 11b) on the upstream side of the charging nip portion 11a, which is a contact portion between the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10. The transfer residual developer t2 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer process is charged to a negative polarity like the photosensitive drum by the discharge in the upstream gap portion 11b. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is charged to −700V. The transfer residual developer t2 charged to negative polarity passes through the charging nip portion 11a without adhering to the charging roller 11 due to the potential difference (photosensitive drum 10 surface potential = −700V, charging roller 11 potential = −1300V). become.

  The untransferred developer t2 that has passed through the charging nip portion 11a reaches the laser irradiation position d. Since the transfer residual developer t2 is not so large as to block the laser beam L of the optical means, it does not affect the process of forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10. The untransferred developer t2 that passes through the laser irradiation position d and is in the non-exposed portion (the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that has not been irradiated with laser) is a developing nip that is a contact portion between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10. In the part 13k, it is recovered by the developing roller 13 by electrostatic force. On the other hand, the untransferred developer t2 in the exposed portion (the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that has received laser irradiation) remains on the photosensitive drum 10 as it is without being recovered electrostatically. However, a part of the transfer residual developer t2 may be recovered by a physical force due to a difference in peripheral speed between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10.

  Thus, the untransferred developer t2 remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 without being transferred onto the paper is generally collected in the developing container 16. The residual transfer developer t2 collected in the developing container 16 is mixed with the developer t remaining in the developing container 16 and used.

  In the present embodiment, the following two configurations are employed in order to pass the residual transfer developer t2 through the charging nip portion 11a without adhering to the charging roller 11. The first is that a light slowing member 8 is provided between the transfer roller 6 and the charging roller 11. The light grading member 8 is located upstream of the charging nip portion 11a in the rotation direction (arrow C5) of the photosensitive drum 10. Then, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 10 after passing through the transfer nip portion 6a is gradually lightened in order to perform stable discharge in the upstream gap portion 11b. By this light grading member 8, the potential of the photosensitive drum 10 before charging is set to about −150 V over the entire longitudinal length, so that uniform discharge can be performed during charging and the transfer residual developer t2 is uniformly made negative. Is possible.

  Second, the charging roller 11 is driven to rotate with a predetermined peripheral speed difference from the photosensitive drum 10. As described above, although most of the toner becomes negative due to the discharge, there remains a residual transfer developer t2 that has not been completely negative, and this residual transfer developer t2 is transferred to the charging roller 11 at the charging nip portion 11a. May adhere. By driving and rotating the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 with a predetermined peripheral speed difference, the transfer residual developer t2 is made negative by sliding between the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11. Is possible. This has an effect of suppressing the adhesion of the transfer residual developer t2 to the charging roller 13. In this embodiment, a charging roller gear 69 (FIG. 16; details will be described later) is provided at one longitudinal end of the charging roller 11, and the charging roller gear 69 is provided on the drive side flange 24 (at the same longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 10). FIG. 16, which will be described later in detail). Therefore, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven as the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven. The circumferential speed of the surface of the charging roller 11 is set to be about 105 to 120% with respect to the circumferential speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

(4) Configuration Description of Developing Cartridge B1 <Overall Configuration of Developing Cartridge B1>
Next, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the side in which the rotational force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A1 to the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction is referred to as a driving side, which is one end side of the developing cartridge B1. The opposite side is referred to as the “non-driving side” as the other end side of the developing cartridge B1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the driving side. FIG. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of the developing cartridge B1 as seen from the non-driving side. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view (a) seen from the drive side and a perspective view (b) seen from the non-drive side, with the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 disassembled. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view (a) viewed from the non-driving side and a perspective explanatory view (b) viewed from the driving side, by disassembling the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the developing cartridge B1 includes a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, and the like. The developing blade 15 has a driving side end 15a1 and a non-driving side end 15a2 in the longitudinal direction of the support member 15a fixed to the developing container 16 with screws 51 and 52. A driving-side developing bearing 36 and a non-driving-side developing bearing 46 are respectively disposed at both longitudinal ends of the developing container 16. The developing roller 13 has a driving side end 13 a fitted in a hole 36 a of the driving side developing bearing 36. Further, the non-driving side end portion 13 c is fitted with the support portion 46 f of the non-driving side bearing 46. As described above, the developing roller 13 is rotatably supported with respect to the developing container 16. Further, a developing roller gear 29 is arranged coaxially with the developing roller 13 at the driving side end 13a of the developing roller 13 on the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the driving side developing bearing 36, and the developing roller 13 and the developing roller gear 29 are integrated. (See FIG. 4). The developing roller gear 29 is a helical gear.

  The drive-side developing bearing 36 rotatably supports the drive input gear 27 on the outer side in the longitudinal direction. The drive input gear 27 meshes with the developing roller gear 29. The drive input gear 27 is also a helical gear. The number of teeth of the drive input gear 27 is larger than the number of teeth of the developing roller gear 29.

  A coupling member 180 is provided coaxially with the drive input gear 27.

  A developing side cover 34 is provided at the driving side end of the developing cartridge B1 so as to cover the driving input gear 27 and the like from the outside in the longitudinal direction. Here, the developing cartridge frame composed of the developing container 16, the non-driving side developing bearing 46, the driving side developing bearing 36, and the driving side cover 34 is referred to as a developing frame. Further, the coupling member 180 protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction through the hole 34 a of the development side cover 34. Although the details will be described later, the coupling member 180 as a drive input member is configured to be engaged with the main body side drive member 100 provided in the apparatus main body A1 and to transmit (input) the rotational force. . Further, the rotational force is transmitted to the rotational force transmitted portion 27d1 (see FIG. 8) and the rotationally transmitted portion 27d2 (not shown) of the drive input gear 27 via the rotational force transmitting portions 180c1 and 180C2 of the coupling member 180. It has a configuration. As a result, the rotational force input to the coupling member 180 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 as a rotating member via the drive input gear 27 and the developing roller gear 29.

  Further, the driving side developing bearing 36 is provided with a first movable member 120. The first movable member 120 includes a drive-side contact / separation lever 70 as a first main body portion and a drive-side development pressure spring 71 as a first elastic portion (elastically deforming portion, member). ing. The drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is a member that receives the elastic force of the drive-side development pressure spring 71.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the first main body portion and the first elastic portion are configured as separable separate bodies. However, the first movable member 120 may be formed integrally with the first main body portion and the first elastic portion, and the configuration thereof is not limited. Further, the non-driving side developing bearing 46 is provided with a second movable member 121. The second movable member 121 includes a non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 as a second main body portion and a non-driving side developing and pressing spring 73 as a second elastic portion (elastically deforming portion, member). It is configured. The non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 is a member that receives an elastic force from the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the second main body portion and the second elastic portion are configured as separable separate bodies. However, as for the 2nd movable member 121, the 2nd main-body part and the 2nd elastic part may be formed integrally, and the structure is not limited.

  Details will be described later.

<Coupling member 180 and peripheral configuration>
Details of the coupling member 180 and the peripheral configuration will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a coupling member 180, a drive input gear 27, and a coupling spring 185 are provided on the drive side of the developing cartridge B1. The coupling member 180 is engaged with the main body side driving member 100 provided in the apparatus main body A1, and the rotational force is transmitted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, the coupling member 180 mainly includes rotational force receiving portions 180a1 and 180a2, supported portions 180b, rotational force transmitting portions 180c1 and 180c2, and a guide portion 180d. Is done. The rotational force receiving portions 180a1 and 180a2 of the coupling member 180 are disposed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the drive side end portion 27a of the drive input gear 27 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). When the main body side driving member 100 rotates around the rotation axis L4 in the direction of the arrow X6 (hereinafter referred to as the forward rotation X direction), the rotational force applying portion 100a1 of the main body side driving member 100 contacts the rotational force receiving portion 180a1. . Further, the rotational force applying portion 100a2 of the main body side driving member 100 contacts the rotational force receiving portion 180a2. Thereby, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body side driving member 100 to the coupling member 180. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8E, the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 has a substantially spherical shape, and the supported portion 180b is supported by the support portion 27b on the inner peripheral surface of the drive input gear 27. Has been. Further, the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is provided with rotational force transmitting portions 180c1 and 180c2. The rotational force transmitting portion 180 c 1 is in contact with the rotational force transmitted portion 27 d 1 of the drive input gear 27. Similarly, the rotational force transmitting portion 180c2 contacts the rotational force transmitted portion 27d2 of the drive input gear 27. As a result, the drive input gear 27 is driven by the coupling member 180 that receives the drive from the main body side drive member 100, and the drive input gear 27 rotates around the rotation axis L3 in the forward rotation direction X6.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8C, the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are set to be coaxial. However, as shown in FIG. 8D, the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 may be slightly shifted from the same axis in parallel due to variations in component dimensions. In such a case, the rotation axis L <b> 2 of the coupling member 180 rotates with respect to the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the drive input gear 27, and the rotational force is transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180. Furthermore, the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 may be slightly deviated from the same axis with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100. In this case, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180 in a state where the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the drive input gear 27 is provided with a gear portion 27c which is a helical gear or a spur gear coaxially with the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. (In this embodiment, a helical gear is used). The gear portion 27 c meshes with the gear portion 29 a of the developing roller gear 29. Since the developing roller gear 29 rotates integrally with the developing roller 13, the rotational force of the drive input gear 27 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 via the developing roller gear 29. The developing roller 13 rotates in the rotation direction X5 around the rotation axis L9.

<Configuration of development cartridge non-driving side electrode section>
Next, the memory substrate 47 as the contact portion and the electrode portion 47a as the exposed surface provided at the non-driving side end of the developing cartridge B1 will be described with reference to FIG. The memory substrate 47 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 and on the support portion 46 f side that rotatably supports the developing roller 13 when viewed from the non-driving side developing pressure lever 72. The manufacturing lot and characteristic information of the developing cartridge 13 are recorded on the memory substrate 47, and are used when image formation is performed by the apparatus main body A1. The memory substrate 47 is provided with an electrode portion 47a made of metal such as iron or copper, and communicates by being electrically connected to the apparatus main body A1 via the contact portion 47 at the time of image formation.

  Both ends of the memory substrate 47 are inserted into a substrate first support portion 46m and a substrate second support portion 46n provided on the non-drive side developing bearing 46, and the memory substrate 47, the substrate first support portion 46m, and the substrate second support portion are inserted. The portion 46n is fixed by means such as press fitting or adhesion.

  A plurality of electrode portions 47a of the memory substrate 47 are provided. The direction in which the plurality of electrode portions 47a are arranged and the direction in which the memory substrate 47 is inserted into the substrate first support portion 46m and the substrate second support portion 46n are arranged in the same direction.

<Assembly of drive side cover and peripheral parts>
Next, the configuration of the developing side cover 34 and the coupling lever 55 provided at the driving side end of the developing cartridge B1 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view and a side view showing how the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 are assembled to the developing side cover 34.

  A coupling lever 55 and a coupling lever spring 56 are assembled inside the development side cover 34 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the lever positioning boss 34m which is the cylindrical shape of the developing side cover 34 and the hole 55c of the coupling lever 55 are fitted, and the coupling lever 55 is attached to the developing side cover 34 around the rotation axis L11. It is supported so as to be rotatable. The coupling lever spring 56 is a torsion coil spring and has one end engaged with the coupling lever 55 and the other end engaged with the developing side cover 34. Specifically, the operating arm 56a of the coupling lever spring 56 is engaged with the spring hooking portion 55b of the coupling lever 55, and the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is the spring hooking portion 34s of the developing side cover 34. (See FIG. 9C).

  A coupling spring 185 is assembled on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the developing side cover 34, and details will be described later.

  A method of assembling the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 to the development side cover 34 will be described in order. First, the cylindrical portion 56d of the coupling lever spring 56 is attached to the cylindrical boss 55a of the coupling lever 55 (FIG. 9A). At this time, the operating arm 56 a of the coupling lever spring 56 is engaged with the spring hook 55 b of the coupling lever 55. Further, the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is deformed in the arrow X11 direction around the rotation axis L11. Next, the hole 55c of the coupling lever 55 is inserted into the lever positioning boss 34m of the developing side cover 34 (FIGS. 9A to 9B). At the time of insertion, the stopper 55d of the coupling lever 55 and the stopper 34n of the developing side cover 34 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, the stopper 55d of the coupling lever 55 and the stopper 34n of the developing side cover 34 do not overlap each other when viewed from the longitudinal direction.

  In the state shown in FIG. 9B, as described above, the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is deformed in the arrow X11 direction. When the deformation of the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is released from the state shown in FIG. 9B, the fixed arm 56c is engaged with the spring hooking portion 34s of the developing side cover 34 as shown in FIG. 9C. Combined. Then, the spring urging portion 34 s of the developing side cover 34 receives the deformed urging force of the fixed arm 56 c of the coupling lever spring 56. As a result, the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 receives a reaction force in the direction of the arrow X11 from the spring hooking portion 34s of the developing side cover 34. Further, the coupling lever 55 receives a biasing force from the coupling lever spring 56 at the spring hooking portion 55b. As a result, the coupling lever 55 rotates about the rotation axis L11 in the direction of the arrow X11, and the rotation is restricted at a position where the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 contacts the restricting surface 34y of the developing side cover 34. (Refer to Drawing 9 (a)-(c)). Thus, the assembly of the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 to the developing side cover 34 is completed.

  At this time, the retaining portion 55d of the coupling lever 55 is overlapped with the retaining portion 34n of the developing side cover 34 when viewed from the longitudinal direction. That is, the coupling lever 55 is configured such that movement in the longitudinal direction is restricted and only rotation about the rotation axis X11 is possible. FIG. 9D shows a sectional view of the retaining portion 55d of the coupling lever 55. As shown in FIG.

<Assembling of development side cover 34>
As shown in FIG. 10, the development side cover 34 in which the coupling lever 55 and the coupling lever spring 56 are integrated is fixed to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the drive side development bearing 36. Specifically, the positioning portion 34r1 of the developing side cover 34 and the positioned portion 36e1 of the driving side bearing 36 are engaged. Further, the position of the developing side cover 34 with respect to the driving side developing bearing 36 is determined by the engagement of the positioning portion 34r2 and the positioned portion 36e2.

  Note that the fixing method of the developing side cover 34 to the driving side developing bearing 36 may be a screw or an adhesive, and the configuration thereof is not limited.

  When the development side cover 34 is assembled, the rotational force receiving portions 180 a 1 and 180 a 2 and the guided portion 180 d of the coupling member 180 pass through the holes 34 a of the development side cover 34. The coupling member 180 is exposed to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). Further, the guided portion 180 d (see FIG. 8) of the coupling member 180 is configured to abut on the guide portion 55 e of the coupling lever 55.

  As described above, the coupling lever 55 is configured such that a biasing force acts in the direction of the arrow X11 around the rotation axis L11. Thereby, the coupling member 180 receives the urging force F2 from the coupling lever 55 (see FIG. 10B).

Further, a coupling spring 185 is installed on the development side cover 34. The coupling spring 185 is a torsion coil spring, and has one end in contact with the developing side cover 36 and the other end in contact with the coupling member 180.
Specifically, the positioning portion 185 a of the coupling spring 185 is supported by the spring support portion 34 h of the development side cover 34. A fixed arm 185 b of the coupling spring 185 is fixed to the spring engaging portion 34 j of the developing side cover 34. Further, the working arm 185 c of the coupling spring 185 is configured to contact the guided portion 180 d of the coupling member 180. The acting arm 185c of the coupling spring 185 is configured such that a biasing force acts in the direction of the arrow L12 about the rotation axis X12 centering on the positioning portion 185a. Thereby, the coupling member 180 receives the urging force F1b from the coupling spring 185 (see FIG. 10C).

  The coupling member 180 that has received the urging force F2 from the coupling lever 55 and the urging force F1b from the coupling spring 185 is tilted with respect to the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 (rotation axis L2). It is held (FIG. 10 (b)). A detailed configuration will be described later. In addition, the structure in which the inclination posture of the coupling member 180 is maintained and the action of force will be described in <Relationship of force acting on the coupling member 180 in the second inclination posture D2> described later.

<Basic operation of coupling member 180>
Next, the basic operation of the coupling member 180 in the state of the developing cartridge B1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of the relationship between the coupling member 180, the drive input gear 27, and the drive-side developing bearing 36 as seen from the longitudinal section. FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the drive side developing bearing 36. FIG. 15C is a perspective view of the drive input gear 27.

The supported portion 180 b of the coupling member 180 is installed in the inside 27 t of the drive input gear 27, and is further sandwiched between the restriction portion 27 s of the drive input gear 27 and the coupling restriction portion 36 s of the drive side developing bearing 36. Further, the diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is such that the width r27 of the restricting portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 in the X180 direction and the coupling restricting portion 36s of the drive side developing bearing 36 in the X180 direction. The following relationship is established with respect to the width r36.
The diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b> (the width r27 of the restricting portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 in the X180 direction)
The diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b> the width r36 in the X180 direction of the coupling restricting portion 36s of the driving side developing bearing 36.

  With this configuration, the longitudinal arrow Y180 of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the supported portion 180b coming into contact with the regulating portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 or the coupling regulating portion 36s of the drive side developing bearing 36. . Further, the cross-sectional direction arrow X180 of the coupling member 180 restricts the supported portion 180b within the range of the inside 27t of the drive input gear 27. For this reason, the coupling member 180 is restricted from moving in the longitudinal direction Y180 and the cross-sectional direction X180, but can be inclined in the R180 direction around the center 180s of the supported portion 180.

<Inclined posture of the coupling member 180>
Next, the tilting operation of the coupling member 180 will be described.

  As described above, the coupling member 180 is configured to receive a driving force from the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 and rotate around the rotation axis L2. Further, the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 at the time of driving transmission is basically set to be coaxial with the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. Further, it has been described that the rotational axis L2 of the coupling member 180 and the rotational axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 may be slightly different from each other depending on the variation in component dimensions.

In this configuration, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 can be inclined in the following direction. They can be roughly divided into the following three postures.
Reference posture D0: posture in which the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is coaxial or parallel to the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. First inclination posture D1: The developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the apparatus main body A1, and the photosensitive drum. The developing cartridge B1 is in the middle of movement from the separated state in which the developing roller 13 and the developing roller 13 are separated to the contacted state. A posture in which the rotational force receiving portions 180a1180a2 (hereinafter referred to as rotational force receiving portions 180a) and the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 are directed toward the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1. Details of the separated state, the contact state, and the like will be described later.
Second inclined posture D2: When the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the apparatus main body A1, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 are directed toward the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1. posture. Details of the posture at the time of wearing will be described later.

  Here, the engagement relationship between the coupling member 180 and the driving side developing bearing 36 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing the relationship between the drive side developing bearing 36 and the coupling member 180.

  FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing the positions of the drive side developing bearing 36 and the coupling member 180. FIG. 13B is a view of the driving side developing bearing 36 as viewed from the front side of the driving side. FIG. 13C is a view in which the coupling member 180 is added to the view seen from the KA cross section in FIG. 13B, and FIG. 13D is the view seen from the KB cross section in FIG. 13B. It is the figure which added the coupling member 180 to the figure.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the coupling member 180 is provided with a phase regulating boss 180e coaxial with the rotation axis L2 and on the inner side in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the drive-side developing bearing 36 is provided with a concave phase restricting portion 36kb. In particular, the phase restricting portion 36 kb is provided with a first inclination restricting portion 36 kb 1 recessed in the arrow K 1 a direction from the center of the rotation axis L 3 of the drive input gear 27 and a second inclination restricting portion 36 kb 2 recessed in the arrow K 2 a direction. The phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is arranged in the phase restricting portion 36kb of the driving side developing bearing 36. That is, the position of the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is restricted by the phase restricting portion 36kb of the drive side developing bearing 36. In other words, the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 can move in the phase restriction part 36kb of the drive side developing bearing 36, and in particular, can move to the first inclination restriction part 36kb1 and the second inclination restriction part 36kb2. It has become a structure. When the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 moves to the first inclination restricting portion 36kb1, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are in the direction opposite to the arrow K1a. Inclined in the direction. This is a state in which the coupling member 180 is in the first inclined posture D1. Further, when the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 moves to the second inclination restricting portion 36kb2, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are in the opposite direction to the arrow K2a. Inclined in the direction of the arrow K2b. This is a state in which the coupling member 180 is in the second inclined posture D2.

<Relationship between forces acting on the coupling member 180 in the reference posture D0>
The posture of the coupling member 180 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 with respect to the reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180.

  FIG. 22 is a view showing the positions of the coupling lever 55 and the coupling member 180 when the developing cartridge B1 is completely attached to the apparatus main body A. FIG. 22A is a side view as viewed from the drive side, FIG. 22B is a side view as viewed from the direction of the arrow X20 in FIG. 22A, and FIG. 22C is a section line in FIG. 22B. It is the side view cut | disconnected by X30 and seen from the non-driving side direction.

  When the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body A1 is completed, the coupling member 180 engages with the main body side driving member 100. The rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180, the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are arranged coaxially. In other words, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a (the rotational force applying portion 100a1 and the rotational force applying portion 100a2) of the main body side drive member 100 are in positions that can be engaged ( (See also FIG. 8).

  Hereinafter, the movement of the coupling member 180 until the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the main body side driving member 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the coupling member until the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the main body driving member 100. FIG. 34A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the coupling member 180 is not in contact with the main body driving member 100, and FIG. 34B is a state in which the coupling member 180 is in contact with the main body driving member 100. It is sectional drawing of the state of an instant. Further, FIG. 34C is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the main body side driving member 100.

  As shown in FIG. 34A, when the coupling member 180 is not in contact with the main body driving member 100, the direction of the main body side driving member 100 is centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180. It is inclined to. The coupling member 180 advances to the arrow X60 that is the direction of the main body driving member 100 while maintaining the posture. Then, in the coupling member 180, the concave conical portion 180g disposed inside the annular portion 180f and the convex portion 100g disposed at the shaft tip of the main body side driving member 100 abut. When the coupling member 180 further advances to the arrow X60, the coupling member 180 moves in a direction in which the inclination of the coupling member 180 decreases around the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180. As a result, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180, the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and the rotation axis L3 of the input gear 27 are arranged coaxially. Details of the force received by the coupling member 180 in this series of operations will be described later, and will be omitted here.

  The state in which the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 are coaxially arranged is that the attitude of the coupling member 180 is the reference attitude D0 (the inclination angle of the coupling member 180). θ2 = 0 °). Further, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is detached from the second inclination regulating portion 36kb2 of the driving side developing bearing 36 and is not in contact with any part of the phase regulating portion 36b of the driving side developing bearing 36 (FIG. 22 ( c)). Further, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is held in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (FIG. 22A). That is, the coupling member 180 abuts against the two components of the coupling spring 185 and the main body side driving member 100, and the inclination angle (θ2) is determined. In such a case, the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 may not be θ2 = 0 ° even when the developing cartridge B1 is completely attached to the apparatus main body A1.

  In the following, the details of the inclined posture (reference posture D0) of the developing coupling 180 when the developing cartridge B1 is completely attached to the apparatus main body A1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a view showing a state when the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 are engaged. 14A and 14B, the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are arranged coaxially, and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view and a cross-sectional view when the axis is also coaxial.

  The guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives an urging force in the direction of arrow F1 (see FIG. 22D) from the coupling spring 185. However, the conical portion 180g contacts the convex portion 100g at points 180g1 and 180g2. (Fig. 8 (e)). As a result, the orientation of the coupling member 180 with respect to the main body side drive member 100 is regulated at two points 180g1 and 180g2 of the conical portion 180g. That is, the rotation axis L <b> 2 of the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the rotation axis L <b> 4 of the main body side drive member 100.

  From this state, when the main body side drive member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 is rotationally driven, the rotational force applying section 100a of the apparatus main body A1 and the rotational force receiving section 180a of the coupling member 180 are engaged. Then, the drive is transmitted from the apparatus main body A1 to the coupling member 180 (see FIG. 8).

  In the state shown in FIG. 14C, the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are arranged coaxially, but the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined. is there. Depending on the component size variation, the conical portion 180g of the coupling member 180 contacts the convex portion 100g of the main body side driving member 100 and the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g, but does not contact the point 180g2 of the conical portion 180g. . At this time, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives an urging force in the direction of arrow F1 from the coupling spring 185, whereby the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined. Therefore, in FIG. 14C, the posture of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the point 180 g 1 of the conical portion 180 g of the coupling member 180 coming into contact with the convex portion 100 g of the main body side drive member 100. That is, the rotation axis L <b> 2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L <b> 4 of the main body side drive member 100. In other words, the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 does not become θ2 = 0 °.

  Further, in FIG. 14D, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 when the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are not coaxial due to variations in component dimensions. An inclined state is shown (see FIG. 8D). Also in this case, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined by the guide portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receiving a biasing force from the coupling spring 185 as in the state shown in FIG. . That is, the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 does not become θ2 = 0 °. However, as in FIG. 14C, the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g of the coupling member 180 abuts on the convex portion 100g of the main body side drive member 100, whereby the posture of the coupling member 180 is regulated.

  However, in either state shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D, when the main body side drive member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 is rotationally driven, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus main body A1 and the cup The rotational force receiving portion 180a of the ring member 180 is engaged. The driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A1 to the coupling member 180.

  As described above, in the state in which the developing cartridge B1 is completely attached to the apparatus main body A1, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 may be simultaneously with the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27, or is coaxial. It may not be possible. However, in any of the above cases, when the main body side drive member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 is rotationally driven, the rotational force applying section 100a of the apparatus main body A1 and the rotational force receiving section 180a of the coupling member 180 are engaged. The driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A1 to the coupling member 180. The orientation of the coupling member 180 in a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is completely attached to the apparatus main body A1 and the coupling member 180 can receive the driving force from the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus main body A1 is the reference attitude of the coupling member 180. This is referred to as D0. The inclination angle is configured to be within a range in which the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side driving member 100 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 are not detached.

  Hereinafter, details of the first inclined posture D1 and the second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member 180 will be described in order.

<Relationship between forces acting on the coupling member 180 in the first inclined posture D1>
First, the force relationship acting on the coupling member 180 in the first inclined posture D1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11A is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body A1 and the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are in a separated state. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the position of the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 in the phase restricting portion 36kb of the driving side developing bearing 36 as viewed from the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1. Further, FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 cut at the position of the guided portion 180d of the longitudinal coupling member 180 and viewed from the longitudinal driving side.

  The coupling lever 55 receives a biasing force that rotates in the direction of the arrow X11 about the rotation axis L11 from the coupling lever spring 56 (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body A1, the movement in the arrow X11 direction is restricted by the abutting portion 80y provided in the apparatus main body A1. Specifically, the position of the coupling lever 55 is regulated against the urging force of the coupling lever spring 56 by the contact between the abutting part 80y and the rotation regulating part 55y of the coupling lever 55. . The abutting portion 80y is formed integrally with the drive side swing guide 80 (see FIG. 20). At this time, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is in a state of being retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. The contact between the coupling lever 55 and the abutting portion 80y will be described in detail in the process of attaching and detaching the developing cartridge B1 described later.

  On the other hand, the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 is brought into contact with the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180, and a force F1a acts. That is, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives a force inclined in the direction of the arrow F1a (see FIG. 11C). At this time, the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is restricted by the guide portion 36kb1a, the guide portion 36kb1b, and the guide portion 36kb1c of the driving side developing bearing 36, and finally moves to the first inclination restricting portion 36kb1. It has become. That is, the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is inclined in the direction of the arrow K1a (FIG. 11B), while the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are in the direction of the arrow K1b. The structure is inclined (FIG. 11A). The above posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as a first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180.

  Here, the direction (arrow F1a direction) of the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 is set to a direction perpendicular to the arrow K1b direction (see FIG. 11A) with respect to the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. You can also This direction is a direction in which the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is abutted against the first inclination restriction portion 36kb1, and by doing so, a coupling spring for holding the coupling member 180 in the first inclination posture D1. The urging force of 185 can be reduced. However, this is not necessary as long as the coupling member 180 can be held in the first inclined posture D1 by adjusting the biasing force of the coupling spring 185 or the like.

<Relationship between forces acting on the coupling member 180 in the second inclined posture D2>
Next, the force relationship acting on the coupling member 180 in the second inclined posture D2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12A is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the apparatus main body A1, that is, when the developing cartridge B1 is in a single product state (natural state). FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the position of the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 in the phase regulating portion 36kb of the driving side developing bearing 36 as viewed from the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1. Further, FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 as seen from the longitudinal driving side. FIG. 12 shows a state in which there is no butting portion 80y provided in the apparatus main body A1 with respect to FIG. At this time, the coupling lever 55 receives a biasing force from the coupling lever spring 56 in the direction of the arrow X11 around the rotation axis L11, and the guide portion 55e contacts the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. Rotate until. That is, the guide portion 55 d of the coupling lever 55 and the guide portion 185 d of the coupling spring 185 are in contact with the guided portion 180 d of the coupling member 180.

  Here, as described above, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives a force inclined in the direction of the arrow F3. At this time, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the guide part 36kb2a, the guide part 36kb2b, and the guide part 36kb2c of the drive side developing bearing 36, and finally moves to the second inclination regulating part 36kb2. It has become. That is, the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is inclined in the direction of the arrow K2a (FIG. 12B), while the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are in the direction of the arrow K2b. The structure is inclined (FIG. 12A). The above posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as a second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member.

(5) General Description of Drum Cartridge C Next, the configuration of the drum cartridge C will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16A is a perspective explanatory view of the drum cartridge C as viewed from the non-driving side. FIG. 16B is a perspective explanatory view in which the cleaning frame 21, the drum bearing 30, the drum shaft 54, and the like are not shown in order to explain the peripheral portions of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the drum cartridge C includes a photosensitive drum 10, a charging roller 11, and the like. The charging roller 11 is rotatably supported by a charging roller bearing 67a and a charging roller bearing 67b, and is urged against the photosensitive drum 10 by a charging roller urging member 68a and a charging roller urging member 68b.

  A driving side flange 24 is integrally fixed to the driving side end 10 a of the photosensitive drum 10, and a non-driving side flange 28 is integrally fixed to the non-driving side end 10 b of the photosensitive drum 10. The driving side flange 24 and the non-driving side flange 28 are fixed coaxially with the photosensitive drum 10 by means of caulking or bonding. At both longitudinal ends of the cleaning frame 21, the drum bearing 30 is fixed to the driving side end, and the drum shaft 54 is fixed to the non-driving side end by means of screws, adhesion, press fitting, or the like. The driving side flange 24 fixed integrally with the photosensitive drum 10 is rotatably supported by a drum bearing 30, and the non-driving side flange 28 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft 54.

  A charging roller gear 69 is provided at one longitudinal end of the charging roller 11, and the charging roller gear 69 meshes with the gear portion 24 g of the drive side flange 24. The driving end 24a of the drum flange 24 is configured to transmit a rotational force from the apparatus main body A1 side (not shown). As a result, as the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven. As described above, the peripheral speed of the surface of the charging roller 11 is set to be about 105 to 120% with respect to the peripheral speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

(6) Description of Attachment / Removal Configuration of Developer Cartridge B1 with respect to Apparatus Main Body A1 Next, a method for mounting developer cartridge B1 with respect to apparatus main body A1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective explanatory view of the apparatus main body A1 viewed from the non-driving side, and FIG. 18 is a perspective explanatory view of the apparatus main body A1 viewed from the driving side. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of the process of mounting the developing cartridge B1 on the apparatus main body A1 as viewed from the driving side.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the developing cartridge B1 is provided with a guided portion 46d having a positioning portion 46b and a rotation stopping portion 46c on the non-driving side developing bearing 46. As shown in FIG. 18, the drive side cover 34 is provided with a guided portion 34d having a positioning portion 34b and a rotation stopping portion 34c.

  On the other hand, on the driving side of the apparatus main body A1, as shown in FIG. 17, a driving side plate 90 constituting the housing of the apparatus main body A1, a driving side guide member 92, and a developing cartridge B1 in the apparatus main body A1. A drive-side swing guide 80 that moves integrally is provided. Details of the drive side swing guide 80 will be described later. The drive guide member 92 is provided with a first guide portion 92a, a second guide portion 92b, and a third guide portion 92c. An attachment / detachment route X1a along the attachment / detachment route of the developing cartridge B1 is provided in the first guide portion 92a of the driving side guide member 92, and an attachment / detachment route X1b along the attachment / detachment route of the developing cartridge B1 is provided at the second guide portion 92b. A groove shape is formed. A groove shape of an attachment / detachment path X3 along the attachment / detachment path of the drum cartridge C is formed in the third guide portion 92c of the drive side guide member 92. The drive-side swing guide 80 is provided with a first guide portion 80a and a second guide portion 80b. The first guide portion 80a of the driving side swing guide 80 is formed with a groove shape along the attachment / detachment path X2a of the developing cartridge B1 on the extension of the first guide portion 92a of the driving side guide member 92. Further, the second guide portion 80b of the driving side swing guide 80 is formed with a groove shape along the attachment / detachment path X2b of the developing cartridge B1 on the extension of the second guide portion 92b of the driving side guide member 92.

  Similarly, on the non-driving side of the apparatus main body A1, as shown in FIG. 18, the non-driving side plate 91 constituting the housing of the apparatus main body A1 is similar to the non-driving side guide member 93 and the driving side swing guide 80. A non-drive side swing guide 81 is provided. The non-driving side guide member 93 is provided with a first guide portion 93a and a second guide portion 93b.

  A groove shape of an attachment / detachment path XH1a along the attachment / detachment path of the developing cartridge B1 is formed in the first guide portion 93a of the non-drive side guide member 93. A groove shape of an attachment / detachment path XH3 along the attachment / detachment path of the drum cartridge C is formed in the second guide portion 93b of the drive side guide member 93. The non-drive side swing guide 81 is provided with a guide portion 81a. The guide portion 81a of the non-drive side swing guide 81 has a groove shape of an attachment / detachment path XH2a along the attachment / detachment route of the developing cartridge B1 on the extension of the first guide portion 93a of the non-drive side guide member 93.

  Detailed configurations of the drive side swing guide 80 and the non-drive side swing guide 81 will be described later.

<Description of non-drive side electrical contact part>
Next, the electrical contact portion of the apparatus main body A1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The non-driving side plate 91 is provided with a power feeding unit 120 at a position facing the electrode unit 47a of the memory substrate 47 of the developing cartridge B1 during image formation. The power feeding unit 120 is provided with a power feeding contact 120A having a spring property formed by a wire spring, a leaf spring, or the like, protruding from the power feeding unit 120, and the power feeding contact 120A is connected to an electric board (not shown).

<Installation of Developer Cartridge B1 to Main Unit A1>
Hereinafter, a method of mounting the developing cartridge B1 on the apparatus main body A1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the inside of the apparatus main body A <b> 1 is exposed by rotating the main body cover 94 disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body A <b> 1 in the opening direction D <b> 1.

  Thereafter, the guided portion 46d (FIG. 17) of the non-driving side bearing 46 of the developing cartridge B1 is engaged with the first guide portion 93a (FIG. 18) of the non-driving side guide member 93 of the apparatus main body A1. Further, the guided portion 34d (FIG. 18) of the developing side cover 34 of the developing cartridge B1 is engaged with the first guide portion 92a (FIG. 17) of the driving side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body A1. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 is moved along the attachment / detachment path X1a and the attachment / detachment path XH1a formed by the first guide portion 92a of the drive-side guide member 92 and the first guide portion 93a of the non-drive-side guide member 93. It will be inserted into the apparatus main body A1.

  Further, when the developing cartridge B1 is attached to the apparatus main body A1, as described above, the coupling member 180 is in the state of the second inclined posture D2. The coupling member 180 is inserted into the second guide portion 92b of the drive side guide member 92 while maintaining the second inclined posture D2. More specifically, there is a gap between the coupling member 180 and the second guide portion 92 b of the drive side guide member 92. Therefore, when the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the apparatus main body A1 along the attachment / detachment paths X1b and XH1a, the coupling member 180 remains in the second inclined posture D2.

  The developing cartridge B1 inserted into the apparatus main body A1 along the attachment / detachment paths X1a, XH1a is then inserted into the apparatus main body A1 along the attachment / detachment paths X2a, XH2a. The attachment / detachment paths X2a and XH2a are formed by the first guide portion 80a of the drive side swing guide 80 and the guide portion 81a of the non-drive side swing guide 81. More specifically, the guided portion 34d provided on the developing side cover 34 is first guided by the first guide portion 92a of the driving side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body A1. Thereafter, the guided portion 34d is delivered to the first guide portion 80a of the drive side swing guide 80 of the apparatus main body A1 along with the mounting process. Similarly, on the non-driving side, the guided portion 46d provided on the non-driving side developing bearing 46 is first guided by the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving side guide member 93 of the apparatus main body A1. Thereafter, the guided portion 46d is delivered to the guide portion 81a of the non-drive side swing guide 81 of the apparatus main body A1 along with the mounting process.

  The coupling member 180 provided at the driving side end of the developing cartridge B1 is driven from the second guide portion 92b of the driving side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body A1 while maintaining the state of the second inclined posture D2. It is delivered to the second guide portion 80 b of the side swing guide 80. As described above, there is a gap between the coupling member 180 and the second guide portion 80b of the drive side swing guide 80.

<Positioning of developing cartridge B1>
Next, a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 is positioned on the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81 of the apparatus main body A1 will be described. Since the basic configuration is the same between the drive side and the non-drive side, the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 will be described below as an example. FIG. 19 shows the state of the developing cartridge B1 and the drive side swing guide 80 in the process of mounting the developing cartridge B1 on the apparatus main body A1.

  In FIG. 19A, the guided portion 34d provided on the developing side cover 34 of the developing cartridge B1 is guided by the first guide portion 80a of the driving side swing guide 80, and the developing cartridge B1 is on the attachment / detachment path X2a. Indicates the state.

  FIG. 19B shows a state where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 is further advanced from the state of FIG. The positioning portion 34b of the guided portion 34d of the developing side cover 34 contacts the positioning portion 82a of the driving side pressing member 82 provided on the driving side swing guide 80 at the point P1.

  Further, FIG. 20 is a perspective explanatory view showing peripheral shapes of the drive side swing guide 80 and the drive side pressing member 82. FIG. 20A is a perspective view seen from the longitudinal direction driving side, and FIG. 20B is a perspective view seen from the longitudinal non-driving side and is a perspective view. FIG. 20C is an exploded perspective view of the drive side swing guide 80, the drive side pressing member 82, and the drive side pressing spring 83. 20 (d) and 20 (e) are enlarged detailed views around the driving side pressing member 82. FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the driving-side pressing member 82 has a hole 82b, a seating surface 82c, and a restricting portion 82d in addition to the positioning portion 82a. As shown in FIG. 20C, the hole portion 82b is engaged with the boss portion 80c of the drive side swing guide 80, and is supported rotatably about the boss portion 80c. Further, one end 83c of a driving side pressing spring 83 which is a compression spring is in contact with the seating surface 82c. As shown in FIG. 20D, the other end 83d of the drive side pressing spring 83 is in contact with the seating surface 80d of the drive side swing guide 80. Thereby, the driving side pressing member 82 is configured to receive the urging force F82 in the direction of rotation in the arrow Ra1 direction around the boss portion 80c of the driving side swing guide 80. Note that the drive-side pressing member 82 is restricted in rotation in the direction of the arrow Ra <b> 1 when the restricting portion 82 d abuts against a rotation restricting portion 80 e provided on the drive-side swing guide 80. Here, as shown in FIG. 20 (e), the driving side pressing member 82 rotatably supported by the driving side swing guide 80 rotates in the direction of the arrow Ra 2 against the urging force F 82 of the driving side pressing spring 83. Is possible. Further, the upper end portion 82e of the driving side pressing member 82 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow Ra2 to a position where it does not protrude from the guide surface 80w of the driving side swing guide 80.

  FIG. 19C shows a state where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 is further advanced from the state of FIG. Then, the guided portion 34d in which the positioning portion 34b of the developing side cover 34 and the rotation stopper 34c are integrated comes into contact with the front side inclined surface 82w of the driving side pressing member 82, whereby the driving side pressing member 82 is moved to the arrow Ra2. It shows a state of being pushed down in the direction. More specifically, the guided portion 34d of the developing side cover 34 comes into contact with the front side inclined surface 82w of the driving side pressing member 82 and presses the driving side pressing member 82. As a result, the driving side pressing member 82 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow Ra2) around the boss portion 80c of the driving side swing guide 80 against the biasing force F82 of the driving side pressing spring 83. . FIG. 19C shows a state in which the positioning portion 34b of the driving side cover 34 and the upper end portion 82e of the driving side pressing member 82 are in contact with each other. At that time, the restricting portion 82 d of the driving side pressing member 82 is separated from the rotation restricting portion 80 e of the driving side swing guide 80.

  FIG. 19D shows a state where the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 is further advanced from the state shown in FIG. 19C. The positioning portion 34b of the driving side cover 34 and the positioning portion 80f of the driving side swing guide 80 are in contact with each other. It is in contact. As described above, the driving-side pressing member 82 is configured to receive the urging force F82 in the direction of rotation in the arrow Ra1 direction around the boss portion 80c of the driving-side swing guide 80. Therefore, the back side inclined surface 82s of the driving side pressing member 82 urges the positioning portion 34b of the driving side cover 34 with the urging force F4. As a result, the positioning portion 34b contacts the positioning portion 80f of the drive side swing guide 80 with no gap at the point P3. As a result, the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 is positioned and fixed to the driving side swing guide 80.

  The configuration on the non-driving side is the same as that on the driving side. As shown in FIG. 36, the non-driving side swing guide 81, corresponding to the driving side swing guide 80, the driving side pressing member 82, and the driving side pressing spring 83, respectively. A non-driving side pressing member 84 and a non-driving side pressing spring 85 are provided. Accordingly, the positioning of the positioning portion 46b of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 and the non-driving side swing guide 81 is the same as that on the driving side (the description is omitted). Thus, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned and fixed to the drive side swing guide 80 and the non-drive side swing guide 81.

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

  As described above, the coupling member 180 is in the second inclined posture D2 before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the apparatus main body A1. The coupling member 180 is attached to the apparatus main body A1 while maintaining the second inclined posture D2. FIG. 21A shows a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the apparatus main body A1 and is on the attachment / detachment path X2a formed in the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81. FIG. 21 (e) is a view seen from the direction of the arrow X50 in FIG. 21 (a) in the state of FIG. 21 (a). The second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member 180 is such that when the developing cartridge B1 is on the attachment / detachment path X2a, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 faces the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1. It is configured as follows. More specifically, in the vicinity where a coupling member 180 (described later) and the main body side driving member 100 abut, the coupling member 180 is centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b in the direction of the main body side driving member 100. Tilt. The second inclination restricting portion 36 kb 2 of the drive side developing bearing 36 is formed so as to incline the coupling 180 in this way (see FIGS. 13, 15, and 12).

  FIG. 21B shows a state where the developing cartridge B1 is further inserted into the attachment / detachment path X2a from the state shown in FIG. FIG.21 (f) is the figure seen from the arrow X50 direction of FIG.21 (b). The annular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 are in contact with each other. Since the coupling member 180 is inclined in the direction of the main body side driving member 100 from the state shown in FIG. 21A to the state shown in FIG. 21B, the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving shaft 100. Can be easily engaged. As described above, the coupling member 180 maintains the second inclined posture D2 when the guided portion 180d receives the resultant force F3 from the coupling lever 56 and the coupling spring 185 (see FIG. 12). ). For the following explanation, the angle (inclination angle) formed by the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 when the coupling member 180 is in the second inclined posture D2 is θ2a. (See FIG. 21B).

  FIG. 21C shows a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further inserted into the attachment / detachment path X2a from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 21 (g) is a view seen from the direction of arrow X50 in FIG. 21 (c). FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the force relationship around the coupling member 180 when the annular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 comes into contact with the main body side driving member 100. FIG.

  The rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 and the abutting portion 80y installed on the drive side swing guide 80 are in contact with each other. From the state shown in FIG. 21 (b) to the state shown in FIG. 21 (c), the coupling member 180 has its annular portion 180f in contact with the main body side driving member 100, so that the inclination angle is θ2b (≦ θ2a). More specifically, the coupling member 180 receives the force F100 from the main body side driving member 100 at the contact portion. When the force F100 is in a direction against the force F3 initially received by the coupling member 180 and is larger than F3, the inclination angle of the coupling member 180 becomes loose, and the rotation of the drive input gear 27 is relatively performed. It approaches a direction parallel to the axis L3. In other words, the inclination angle of the coupling member 180 changes around the center 180s of the supported portion 180b, and θ2b <θ2a (FIGS. 15, 21B, 21C, and 23A). )reference). At this time, the coupling member 180 comes into contact with the four components of the coupling lever 55, the coupling spring 185, the main body side driving member 100, and the phase regulating portion 36kb of the driving side developing bearing 36, and the inclination angle thereof. (Θ2b) is determined.

  FIG. 21D shows a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further inserted in the direction of the attachment / detachment path X2a from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 21H is a view as seen from the direction of the arrow X50 in FIG. The rotation restricting portion 55 y of the coupling lever 55 is in contact with the abutting portion 80 y of the drive side swing guide 80. Therefore, as the developing cartridge B1 is inserted in the direction of the attachment / detachment path X2a, the coupling lever 55 relatively rotates in the direction of the arrow X11b around the rotation axis L11 in the developing cartridge B1. At this time, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 also rotates in the arrow X11b direction around the rotation axis L11. As a result, the inclination angle θ2c of the coupling member 180 decreases along the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 while receiving the urging force of the coupling spring 185 (θ2c <θ2b). Further, the coupling member 180 abuts on the three components of the coupling spring 185, the main body side driving member 100, and the phase regulating portion 36kb of the driving side developing bearing 36, and the inclination angle (θ2c) is determined.

  FIG. 22 shows a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further inserted in the direction of the attachment / detachment path X2a from the state shown in FIG. 21D, and the state in which the mounting of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body A1 is completed.

  The coupling member 180 is engaged with the main body side driving member 100 and is in the reference posture D0 (inclination angle θ2 = 0 ° of the coupling member 180).

  At this time, the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is detached from the second inclination restricting portion 36kb2 of the driving side developing bearing 36 and is not in contact with any part of the phase restricting portion 36b of the driving side developing bearing 36 ( (See FIG. 22 (c)). Further, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is held in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. That is, the coupling member 180 abuts against two components of the coupling spring 185 and the main body side driving member 100, and the inclination angle (θ2) is determined (for details, the reference posture of the coupling member 180 described above). (See D0.)

<Operation of the coupling member 180 in the process of taking out the developing cartridge B1>
Next, the operation of the coupling member 108 in the process of taking out the developing cartridge B1 from the apparatus main body A1 will be described.

  The operation when the developing cartridge B1 is taken out from the main unit A1 is the reverse of the above-described mounting operation.

  First, the user rotates the main body cover 94 of the apparatus main body A1 in the opening direction D1 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) to expose the inside of the apparatus main body A1, as in the case of wearing. At this time, the developing cartridge B1 is held in a contact posture in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in contact with the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81 by a configuration not shown.

  Then, the developing cartridge B1 is moved in the take-out direction along the attachment / detachment locus XH2 provided in the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81.

  As the developing cartridge B1 moves, the abutting portion 80y of the drive-side swing guide 80 that has been in contact with the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 moves (from the state shown in FIG. 21D to FIG. 21C). State shown in). Along with this, the coupling lever 55 rotates in the direction of the arrow X11 around the rotation axis L11. When the developing cartridge B1 is further moved, the coupling lever 55 rotates in the direction of the arrow X11, and the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 contacts the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (FIG. 21C). State shown in). The coupling member 180 that receives the urging force from both the coupling lever 55 and the coupling spring 185 starts to move in the direction of the second inclined posture D2 as described above. Eventually, the phase restriction boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the guide part 36kb2a, the guide part 36kb2b, and the guide part 36kb2c of the drive side developing bearing 36, and engages with the second inclination regulation part 36kb2. Further, the coupling member 180 is maintained in the second inclined posture D2.

  Thereafter, the developer cartridge B1 is moved out along the attachment / detachment locus XH1 provided on the driving side guide member 92 and the non-driving side guide member 93, and the developing cartridge B1 is taken out from the main body A1.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by providing the coupling lever 55 and the coupling spring 56 in the developing cartridge B1 that applies a biasing force to the coupling member 180, the coupling member 180 is brought into the second inclined posture D2. It is possible to incline. The direction in which the coupling member 180 is inclined by the coupling lever 55 is the direction of the attaching / detaching path X2a of the developing cartridge B1, and the rotation operation of the coupling lever 55 is linked to the attaching / detaching operation of the developing cartridge B1 by the user. It has become.

(7) Contact / separation lever as a movable member A drive-side contact / separation lever 70 as a drive-side movable member will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and its peripheral shape, and is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the driving side.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 includes a first contact surface 70a, a second contact surface 70b, a third contact surface 70c, a supported portion 70d, and a drive-side regulating contact. It has a portion 70e and a first protruding portion (one end side protruding portion) 70f. The supported portion 70d of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is rotatably supported by the support portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36 with respect to the driving side developing bearing 36. Specifically, when the hole of the supported portion 70d of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the boss of the support portion 36c of the drive side developing bearing 36 are fitted, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is supported by the support portion. The boss 36c is supported so as to be rotatable (in the directions of arrows N9 and N10). That is, the support portion 36 c becomes the rotation center of the drive side contact / separation lever 70. In this embodiment, the support portion 36 c of the driving side developing bearing 36 is parallel to the rotation axis L 0 of the developing roller 13. That is, the drive-side development contact / separation lever 70 can be rotated on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis L0 of the development roller 13.

  Further, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is in contact with one end 71d of the drive side development pressure spring 71 as a first elastic portion which is a compression spring on the third contact surface 70c. The other end 71 e of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is in contact with the contact surface 36 d of the driving side developing bearing 36. As a result, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 receives a force in the direction of the arrow N16 from the driving side development pressing spring 71 on the third contact surface 70c. The drive-side development pressure spring 71 is biased in a direction (N16) in which the first contact surface 70a of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is separated from the developing roller 13. In the state of the developing cartridge B1 alone, that is, the state before the developing cartridge B1 is attached to the apparatus main body A1, the driving side regulation abutting portion 70e abuts on the regulation portion 36b provided on the driving side developing bearing 36.

  Here, FIG. 37 is a diagram in which the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is projected onto the cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge B1. In FIG. 37, the supported portion 70d (the rotation center of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70) is located at a position overlapping the developer accommodating portion 16a (that is, inside the developer accommodating portion 16a). That is, when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed along the arrow N11 direction (see FIG. 4) that is parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the supported portion 70d of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is developed in the developing container 16. It exists in the position which overlaps with the medicine storage part 16a. Although not shown, the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 has the same configuration.

  Accordingly, the amount of protrusion of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 from the developer accommodating portion 16a can be reduced, and the size of the developing cartridge B1 viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13 can be reduced. it can.

  The non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 as a non-driving side movable member will be described with reference to FIG. The non-driving side has a similar configuration to the driving side.

  FIG. 1B is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 viewed from the non-driving side. However, in order to explain the configuration of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72, some parts are not displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 includes a non-drive side first contact surface 72a, a non-drive side second contact surface 72b, a non-drive side third contact surface 72c, It has a supported portion 72d, a non-driving side regulating contact portion 72e, and a non-driving side first projecting portion (the other end side projecting portion) 72f. The supported portion 72 d of the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 is supported by the support portion 46 f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Specifically, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 is formed by fitting the hole of the supported portion 72d of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 with the boss of the support portion 46f of the non-drive side developing bearing 46. The support portion 46f is supported so as to be rotatable (in the directions of arrows NH9 and NH10). That is, the support portion 46 f is the rotation center of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72. In the present embodiment, the support portion 46 f of the non-drive side developing bearing 46 is parallel to the rotation axis L 0 of the developing roller 13. That is, the non-drive-side development contact / separation lever 72 is rotatable on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis L0 of the development roller 13.

  Further, the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 is in contact with one end 73e of the non-drive side development pressurizing spring 73 as a second elastic portion which is a compression spring on the non-drive side third contact surface 72c. The other end 73 d of the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 is in contact with the contact surface 46 g of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. As a result, the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 receives a force FH10 in the direction of the arrow NH16 from the non-drive side development pressure spring 73 on the non-drive side third contact surface 72c. The non-drive side development pressure spring 73 biases the first contact surface 72a of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 in a direction away from the developing roller 13 (arrow NH16). In the state of the developing cartridge B1 alone, that is, the state before the developing cartridge B1 is attached to the apparatus main body A1, the non-driving side regulating abutting portion 72e abuts on the regulating portion 46e provided on the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the restricting portion 36 b and the restricting portion 46 e are respectively in the urging directions of the driving-side developing pressure spring 71 and the non-driving-side developing pressure spring 73, and the driving-side developing pressure spring 71 and the non-driving pressure spring 71. The driving side developing pressure spring 73 is configured to partially overlap. In other words, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is sandwiched between the restricting portion 36b and the drive-side development pressure spring 71 and receives a compression force. That is, it is possible to accurately position the separated portion 70g after the separated portion 70g of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 contacts the restricting portion 36b. The same applies to the non-driving side. As a result, the separation force by the separation mechanism of the apparatus main body, which will be described later, can be received at a highly accurate timing.

  The restricting portion 36 b and the restricting portion 46 e restrict the movement of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 in a direction away from the developing roller 13. In other words, the restricting portion 36b and the restricting portion 46e are provided at positions where the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 can be restricted from moving away from the developing roller 13, respectively. When the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 are rotated in the rotation directions N10 and NH10, respectively. It abuts on 36b and the control part 46e. As a result, the separation force by the separation mechanism of the apparatus main body causes the drive side development of the developing frame body from the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 via the restriction portion 36b and the restriction portion 46e. The state is transmitted to the bearing 36 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46.

  44 shows the developing roller of the restricting portion 36b, the restricting portion 46e, the drive side contact / separation lever 70, the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72, the drive side development pressure spring 71, and the non-drive side development pressure spring 73. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship of 13 in the longitudinal direction. FIG. FIG. 44 is a view as seen from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (rotation axis L0 direction). The restricting portion 36b is configured such that at least a part thereof overlaps with the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the driving side third contact surface 70c with respect to the N11 direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (direction of the rotation axis L0). Has been. Similarly, the restricting portion 46e is configured to at least partially overlap the non-driving side development pressing spring 73 and the non-driving side third contact surface 72c in the N11 direction. Thereby, the separation force by the separation mechanism of the apparatus main body, which will be described later, can be received at a highly accurate timing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, also in the arrow M2 direction, the restricting portion 36b is configured to at least partially overlap with the driving side developing and pressing spring 71 and the driving side third contact surface 70c. Similarly, in the arrow M2 direction, the restricting portion 46e is configured to at least partially overlap the non-driving side development pressing spring 73 and the non-driving side third contact surface 72c. However, it is only necessary that the restricting portion 36b and the restricting portion 46e are arranged in any one of the N11 direction and the arrow M2 direction.

Here, the urging force F10 of the driving-side developing pressurizing spring 71 and the urging force FH10 of the non-driving-side developing pressurizing spring 73 are set differently. Further, the drive side third contact surface 70c and the non-drive side third contact surface 72c are arranged at different angles. This may be appropriately selected in consideration of the characteristics of the peripheral configuration so that the pressing force of the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 described later is appropriate. In this embodiment, in order to rotationally drive the developing roller 13, in consideration of the influence of the moment M6 (see FIG. 27A) generated in the developing cartridge 13 when receiving drive transmission from the apparatus main body A1,
F10 <FH10
It is set in the relationship.

  That is, on the drive side, the coupling member 180 rotates in the direction of the arrow X6 as shown in FIG. The developing cartridge B1 receiving the rotational force swings around the support portion 80g (see FIG. 27) in the direction of the arrow N6 shown in FIG. When the rotational force (torque) received by the coupling member 180 from the main body side driving member 100 is sufficient, a moment in the direction of arrow N6 is generated only by the torque of the coupling member 180, and the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10. To generate power. Therefore, the urging force F10 of the driving-side developing pressurizing spring 71 may be smaller than the urging force FH10 of the non-driving-side developing pressurizing spring 73.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1A, a straight line Z30 passing through the center 13z of the developing roller 13 and parallel to the mounting direction X2 (FIG. 17) of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body A1 is defined. The driving side contact / separation lever 70 is disposed on the opposite side of the straight line Z30 from the photosensitive drum 10 (lower side in the gravitational direction in this embodiment). With this configuration, the degree of freedom in arrangement with the drum cartridge C is increased when the developing cartridge is attached and detached. Specifically, the configuration in which the drive side contact / separation lever 70 does not protrude in the direction of the drum cartridge C increases the degree of freedom of arrangement of the drum cartridge C. There is no need to make an arrangement that avoids interference with the protruding drive-side contact / separation lever 70 or the like.

  The first projecting portion 70f of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is viewed from the driving side of the developing cartridge along the longitudinal direction (rotating shaft direction), and the developing container 16, the driving side developing bearing 36, the developing side cover 34 ( (See FIG. 10).

  That is, when the developing cartridge is viewed from the driving side (one end side) along the longitudinal direction (rotation axis L0 direction), as shown in FIG. 11, the first protruding portion (one end protruding portion) of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is shown. ) 70f is exposed from the developing device frame (16, 46, 36, 34).

  However, when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed along the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis L0), the driving side separation lever 70 does not necessarily have to be exposed from the developing frame (16, 46, 36, 34). A configuration is also conceivable in which when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed from the driving side or the driven side, the driving side separation lever 70 is hidden behind the developing frame and the first protrusion 70f is not exposed (not visible).

  That is, the projecting portion 70f passes through the drive side separation lever 70 (particularly the projecting portion 70f), and in the cross section of the developing cartridge (see FIG. 1A) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13). It only has to protrude from the body (16, 46, 36, 34). With such a configuration, a drive-side device pressing member 150 (see FIG. 27), which will be described later, can be engaged with the protrusion 70f.

  In other words, it is only necessary that the protruding portion 70f protrudes from the developing device frame to form the outer shape of the developing cartridge at the position where the driving side separation lever 70 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 70f protrudes from the driving side developing bearing 36 at a position where the driving side separation lever 70 is disposed. Temporarily, the protrusion 70f is covered with the developing side cover 34 positioned on the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the driving side separating lever 70, or is covered with the developing container 16 positioned on the inner side in the longitudinal direction from the driving side separating lever 70. It may be a simple configuration.

  In summary, when viewed from the cross section of the position of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 in the direction of the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 protrudes so as to form the outer shape of the developing cartridge B1.

  Further, the projecting direction (arrow M2 direction) of the first projecting portion 70f is the movable direction of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 (moving direction: arrow N9, N10 direction) and the movable direction of the developing cartridge B1 (moving direction: arrow). Crosses the N6 direction (see FIG. 27A)).

  Further, the first protrusion 70 f has a first contact surface 70 a on the opposite side of the developing roller 13 when viewed from the supported portion 70 d of the drive side contact / separation lever 70. Although details will be described later, when the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10, the second contact surface 150 b of the drive-side device pressing member 150 and the first contact surface 70 a of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 Are in contact with each other (see FIG. 27A). Furthermore, a spaced-apart portion 70g that protrudes toward the developing roller 13 is provided at the tip of the first protruding portion 70f, intersecting the protruding direction (arrow M2 direction) of the first protruding portion 70f. The separated portion 70g has a second contact surface 70b. As will be described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 28), the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 and the first contact-separation lever 70 of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 are used. The two contact surfaces 70b are in contact with each other.

  Next, the shape of the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Similarly to the driving side described above, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 passes through the center 13z of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 with respect to the straight line Z30 parallel to the mounting direction X2 of the developing cartridge B1 to the apparatus main body A1. Are arranged on the opposite side (in the present embodiment, on the lower side in the direction of gravity). With this configuration, the degree of freedom in arrangement with the drum cartridge C is increased when the developing cartridge is attached and detached. Specifically, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 does not protrude in the direction of the drum cartridge C, so that the degree of freedom of arrangement of the drum cartridge C is increased. There is no need to make an arrangement avoiding interference with the protruding non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 and the like.

  The first projecting portion 72 f of the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 projects from the developing container 16 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46 as viewed from the longitudinal direction. That is, when the developing cartridge is viewed from the non-driving side (the other end side) along the longitudinal direction (rotation axis L0 direction), the first projecting portion (the other end projecting portion) 72f of the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 is It is exposed from the developing frame (16, 46, 36, 34) (see FIG. 5).

  However, like the first protrusion 70f, the first protrusion 72f does not need to be exposed when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed along the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation axis L0).

  That is, like the first protrusion 70f, the first protrusion 72f passes through the drive-side separation lever 72 (particularly the protrusion 72f) and develops in the cross section of the developer cartridge perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13). What is necessary is just to protrude from a frame (16, 36, 34). With such a configuration, a non-driving side device pressing member 151 (see FIG. 29), which will be described later, can be engaged with the protrusion 72f.

  In other words, at the position where the driving side separation lever 72 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13, the protruding portion 72f protrudes from the developing frame (in this embodiment, the non-driving side side cover 46), thereby forming the outer shape of the developing cartridge B1. It only has to be formed. A configuration in which the developing device frame covers and hides the first protrusion 72f on the outer side in the longitudinal direction and the inner side in the longitudinal direction from the position where the driving side separation lever 72 is disposed may be employed.

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

  Further, the projecting direction (arrow MH2 direction) of the first projecting portion 72f is the movable direction (moving direction: arrow NH9, NH10 direction) of the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and the movable direction (moving direction: move direction :). Crosses the direction of the arrow M1 (FIG. 27A). The first protrusion 72 f has a first contact surface 72 a on the opposite side of the developing roller 13 as viewed from the supported portion 72 d of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72. As will be described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10, the second contact surface 151 b of the non-drive side device pressing member 151 and the first contact surface of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72. 72a abuts the structure (FIG. 29).

  Further, a spaced-apart portion 72g that protrudes toward the developing roller 13 is provided at the tip of the first protruding portion 72f so as to intersect the protruding direction (arrow MH2 direction) of the first protruding portion 72f from the developing container 16. . The separated portion 72g has a second contact surface 72b. As will be described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 29), the first contact surface 151a of the non-drive side device pressing member 151 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 are used. The second contact surface 72b is in contact with the second contact surface 72b.

  Further, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 are provided at both ends of the developing cartridge with respect to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the developing roller 13 as described above. In addition, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 can be disposed outside the media width of recording paper, label paper, OHP sheet, and the like used for image formation. In this case, when the apparatus main body is viewed in a plane whose normal is the longitudinal direction, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the like intersect with the medium and the conveyance member provided on the apparatus main body for conveying the medium. It can also be placed in position. As a result, the apparatus main body can be reduced in size.

  Next, the arrangement of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a front view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the developing roller 13 side. However, a support portion 36a of the driving side developing bearing 36 that supports the driving side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 and a supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 that supports the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13. The vicinity is a cross-sectional view.

  As described above, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is provided at the drive side end in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1. The non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 is provided at the non-drive side end in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1. The rotational movements of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 (the directions of arrows N9 and N10 in FIG. 1A and the directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in FIG. 1B) affect each other. It is possible to rotate independently without giving.

  Here, in the longitudinal direction, the driving-side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 is supported by the supporting portion 36a of the driving-side developing bearing 36 on the outer side of the driving side end L13bk in the image forming range L13b. Further, the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 is supported by the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 on the outer side of the non-driving side end portion L13bh of the image forming range L13b. The drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive-side contact / separation lever 72 are arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps the range of the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13. Further, it is disposed outside the image forming range L13b of the developing roller 13.

  That is, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the driving side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 are sandwiched between the driving side end L13bk of the image forming region L13b and the driving side end L13ak of the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13. It arrange | positions so that L14k and at least one part may overlap. For this reason, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the driving side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 are arranged at positions close to each other in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 are located on the non-driving side end L13bh of the image forming region L13b and the non-driving side end L13ah of the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13. At least a part of the sandwiched region L14h overlaps. A non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and a driven side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 are arranged so as to satisfy this relationship. Therefore, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and the driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 are arranged at positions close to each other in the longitudinal direction. (Description of contact / separation configuration)

(Development pressure and development separation structure of the device body)
Next, the development pressurization and development separation structure of the apparatus main body will be described.

  FIG. 25A is an exploded perspective view of the driving side plate 90 of the apparatus main body A1 as viewed from the non-driving side, and FIG. 25B is a side view of the apparatus main body A1 as viewed from the non-driving side. FIG. 26A is an exploded perspective view of the non-drive side plate 91 of the apparatus main body A1 as viewed from the drive side, and FIG. 26B is a side view of the apparatus main body A1 as viewed from the drive side.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the apparatus main body A1 is provided with a driving side guide member 92 and a driving side swing guide 80 for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge B1 to and from the apparatus main body A1. The driving side guide member 92 and the driving side swing guide 80 guide the driving side guided portion 34d of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body (see FIG. 18).

  As shown in FIG. 25A, the driving side guide member 92 is provided with a boss-shaped positioned portion 92d protruding from the driving side guide member 92 and a rotation restricted portion 92e on the driving side plate 90. It is supported by the hole-shaped positioning part 90a and the rotation restricting part 90b, respectively. Then, the driving side guide member 92 is positioned and fixed to the driving side plate 90 by fixing means such as screws (not shown). The drive-side swing guide 80 is supported by fitting a cylindrical supported convex portion 80g with a hole-shaped support portion 90c provided on the drive-side plate 90. Therefore, the drive side swing guide 80 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the drive side plate 90 in the directions indicated by the arrows N5 and N6.

  In the above description, the support portion 90c provided on the driving side plate 90 has a hole shape (concave shape), while the supported convex portion 80g provided on the driving side swing guide 80 has a convex shape. Although it is explanation, the concavo-convex relationship is not limited to this, and the concavo-convex relationship may be reversed.

  Further, drive side urging means 76 that is a tension spring is provided between the protrusion 80 h of the drive side swing guide 80 and the protrusion 90 d of the drive side plate 90. The drive-side swing guide 80 is urged by the drive-side urging means 76 in the direction of the arrow N6 that brings the protrusion 80h of the drive-side swing guide 80 and the protrusion 90d of the drive-side plate 90 close to each other. Further, the apparatus main body A1 is provided with a drive side apparatus pressing member 150 for bringing the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 into contact with each other and separating the both. The drive-side device pressing member 150 is supported by a bottom plate (not shown) in a state that it can move in the directions indicated by arrows N7 and N8.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 26, the apparatus main body A1 is provided with a non-drive side guide member 93 and a non-drive side swing guide 81 for attaching / detaching the developing cartridge B1 to / from the apparatus main body A1. The non-driving side guide member 93 and the non-driving side swing guide 81 guide the non-driving side guided portion 46d of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body (see FIG. 18).

  As shown in FIG. 26A, the non-driving side guide member 93 includes a boss-shaped positioned portion 93d and a rotation restricting portion 93e protruding from the non-driving side guide member 93. The to-be-positioned portion 93d and the to-be-rotated restricting portion 93e are supported by a hole-shaped positioning portion 91a and a rotation restricting portion 91b provided on the non-driving side plate 91, respectively. Then, the non-driving side guide member 93 is positioned and fixed to the non-driving side plate 91 by fixing means such as screws (not shown). The non-driving side swing guide 81 is supported by fitting a cylindrical supported convex portion 81g to a hole-shaped supporting portion 91c provided on the non-driving side plate 91. Therefore, the non-driving side swing guide 81 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the non-driving side plate 91 in the directions indicated by arrows N5 and N6.

  In the above description, the support portion 91c provided on the non-driving side plate 91 has a hole shape (concave shape), while the supported convex portion 81g provided on the non-drive side swing guide 81 has a convex shape. However, the uneven relationship is not limited to this, and the uneven relationship may be reversed.

  Further, non-driving side urging means 77 that is a tension spring is provided between the protrusion 81 h of the non-drive side swing guide 81 and the protrusion 91 d of the non-drive side plate 91. The non-drive side swing guide 81 is urged by the non-drive side urging means 77 in the direction of arrow N6 that brings the projection 81h of the non-drive side swing guide 81 and the projection 91d of the non-drive side guide member 91 closer.

Similarly to the driving side, the apparatus main body A1 is provided with a non-driving side apparatus pressing member 151 for bringing the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 into contact with the developing roller 13 and separating the both. The non-driving side device pressing member 151 is supported by a bottom plate (not shown) so as to be movable in the directions indicated by arrows N7 and N8. (Development pressure and development separation for photosensitive drum)
Next, pressurization and separation of the developing roller 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 will be described.

<Pressure mechanism>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the developing roller 13 will be described.

  FIG. 27A is a side view showing a state where the developing roller 13 provided in the developing cartridge B1 supported by the driving side swing guide 80 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. FIG. 27C is a detailed view of the periphery of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 in FIG. 27A, and the drive-side swing guide 80 and the development side cover 34 are not displayed for the sake of explanation. .

  In this embodiment, a so-called contact development method is used in which an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by bringing the developing roller 13 carrying the developer t on the surface thereof into direct contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

  The developing roller 13 includes a shaft portion 13e and a rubber portion 13d. The shaft portion 13e has a conductive elongated cylindrical shape such as aluminum, and a central portion thereof is covered with a rubber portion 13d in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6). Here, the rubber portion 13d is covered with the shaft portion 13e so that the outer shape is coaxial with the shaft portion 13e. A magnet roller 12 is built in the cylinder of the shaft portion 13e. The rubber portion 13d carries the developer t on the peripheral surface and applies a bias to the shaft portion 13e. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by bringing the rubber portion 13 d carrying the developer t into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

  Next, a mechanism for pressing the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 with a predetermined contact pressure will be described.

  As described above, the drive side swing guide 80 is supported to be swingable in the directions of the arrows N5 and N6 with respect to the drive side plate 90. The non-drive side swing guide 81 is supported so as to be swingable in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 with respect to the non-drive side plate 91. As described above, the developing cartridge B <b> 1 is positioned with respect to the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81. Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 can be swung in the directions of the arrows N5 and N6 in the apparatus main body A1 (see FIG. 29).

  In this state, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27C, the second contact surface 150b of the drive-side device pressing member 150 and the first contact surface 70a of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 are in contact with each other. It touches. As a result, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is rotated in the direction of arrow N9 in FIG. 27C against the urging force of the drive-side developing pressure spring 71. The third contact surface 70 c of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 compresses the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 and receives an urging force F <b> 10 a from the drive side development pressurization spring 71. As a result, the moment M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 acts on the drive side contact / separation lever 70. At this time, the second contact surface 150b of the drive side device pressing member 150 and the first contact surface 70a of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 are in contact. Therefore, the first contact surface 70a of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is the second contact surface 150b of the drive side device pressing member 150 so that a moment that balances the moment M10 acts on the drive side contact / separation lever 70. Receives force F11. Accordingly, an external force F11 is applied to the developing cartridge B1. Further, as described above, the driving side urging means 76 is provided between the protrusion 80h of the driving side swing guide 80 and the protrusion 90d of the driving side plate 90, and is urged in the direction of the arrow N12. Therefore, the external force of the force F12 is applied to the developing cartridge B1 positioned on the driving side swing guide 80 in the direction of the arrow N12.

  That is, the developing cartridge B1 receives a moment M6 in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 approach (in the direction of arrow N6) due to the force F11 generated by the driving-side developing pressure spring 71 and the force F12 generated by the driving-side urging means 76. By this moment M6, the elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 with a predetermined pressure.

  Next, FIG. 29A is a side view showing a state in which the developing roller 13 provided in the developing cartridge B1 supported by the non-drive side swing guide 81 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. FIG. 29C is a detailed view of the periphery of the drive side abutment / separation lever 72 of FIG. 29A, and a part of the non-drive side swing guide 81 and a part of the non-drive side developing bearing 46 for explanation. Is hidden.

  The non-driving side has the same configuration as that of the driving side. As shown in FIGS. 29A and 29C, the developing cartridge B1 is constituted by the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 and the non-driving side urging means 77. External forces FH11 and FH12 act on the. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 receives a moment (M6) in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 approach (arrow N6 direction), and the elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 with a predetermined pressure. Become.

Here, as shown in FIG. 27B, the distance from the center of the supported portion 70d to the center of the third contact surface 70c when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13 is D10. Similarly, the distance from the center of the supported portion 70d to the portion of the first contact surface 70a that is pressed by the drive-side device pressing member 150 is D11. And the relationship between the distance D10 and the distance D11 is
D10 <D11
It becomes.

Accordingly, the third contact surface 70c of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 that contacts the one end 71d of the drive side development pressure spring 71 is supported by the supported portion 70d of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 in the protruding direction M2. And the first contact surface 70a. That is, the relationship between the distance W10 from the supported portion 70d to the third contact surface 70c and the distance W11 from the supported portion 70d to the first contact surface 70a is:
W10 <W11
It becomes.

Therefore, when the movement amount of the first contact surface 70a is W12, the relationship of the movement amount W13 of the third contact surface 70c is:
W13 <W12
Here, W13 = W12 × (W10 / W11)
It is.

  For this reason, even when an error occurs in the positional accuracy of the driving side device pressing member 150, the change in the compression amount of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is smaller than the positional accuracy error of the driving side device pressing member 150. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the pressing force for pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10. Since the non-driving side has the same configuration, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, as described above, in the longitudinal direction, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 are disposed so as to at least overlap the range of the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13 (see FIG. 24). Therefore, the first contact surfaces 70a and 72a of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side separation lever 72, the drive side supported portion 13a, and the non-drive side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 The positional difference in the longitudinal direction can be reduced. The drive side contact / separation lever 70 receives an external force F11 (see FIG. 27A), and the non-drive side separation lever 72 receives an external force FH11 (see FIG. 29). As a result of reducing the positional difference, the moment acting on the driving side developing bearing 36 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46 can be suppressed. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be efficiently pressed against the photosensitive drum.

  Further, as described above, the rotational movements of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 (FIG. 27 (a), arrows N9 and N10 directions, and FIG. 29 arrows NH9 and NH10 directions) It can be rotated independently. Therefore, when the developing roller 13 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 10, the position of the driving device pressing member 150 in the directions of arrows N7 and N8 (see FIG. 25) and the arrow N7 of the non-driving device pressing member 151, The position in the N8 direction (see FIG. 26) can be set independently. Further, it is not necessary to match the rotation directions of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 (directions N9 and N10 in FIG. 27A and directions NH9 and NH10 in FIG. 29). As a result, the magnitudes and directions of the pressing forces F11 and FH11 for pressing the driving side and non-driving side developing rollers 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 can be optimized. Furthermore, even if there is a relative error between the positions of the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151, the pressing forces F11 and FH11 are not affected. As a result, the contact pressure of the developing roller 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 can be improved.

  The position of the developing cartridge B1 in a state where the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are in contact with each other and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 can be developed is referred to as a contact position. On the other hand, the position of the developing cartridge B1 in a state where the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are separated is referred to as a separated position. The developing cartridge B1 is configured such that the developing cartridge B1 can select a contact position and a separation position by a mechanism described later.

<Configuration of electrical connection between developing cartridge and main body of pressurizing mechanism>
Next, a configuration of electrical connection between the developing cartridge B1 and the apparatus main body A1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the developing cartridge B1 is in the above-described contact position, the electrode portion 47a of the memory substrate 47 and the power supply contact 120A of the apparatus main body A1 are in contact with each other in the developing cartridge B1. Here, since the power supply contact 120A has a spring property, as shown in FIG. 39, a predetermined amount is pushed by the electrode portion 47a from the shape 120Aa before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted. Accordingly, the power supply contact 120A exerts a contact pressure FH13 in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from each other on the developing cartridge B1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 38, a force FH11 is applied to the developing cartridge B1 in a direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are brought close to each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 38A, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 is moved from the first position in contact with the contact surface 46e of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 to the non-driving side device member 151. Thus, the projecting portion 72 f is pushed into the second position approaching the developing roller 13. Moreover, the electrode part 47a exists in the downstream of the moving direction W from a 1st position to a 2nd position, and the moving direction W and the surface (exposed surface) of the electrode part 47a cross | intersect.

  Therefore, the force FH11 that moves the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 in the direction W and the contact pressure FH13 have force components that face each other. Here, in order to stabilize the electrical connection between the electrode portion 47a and the power supply contact 120A, a contact pressure FH13 of a certain level or more is required. In this configuration, in addition to the force for stably pressing the elastic layer of the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10, the magnitude of the force FH11 of the non-drive side developing pressure spring 73 is set in consideration of the contact pressure F13 described above. It is set. That is, it is possible to achieve both the contact pressure FH13 at which the electrical connection is stable and the pressure contact of the developing roller 13 to the photosensitive drum 10 by the force FH11. As described above, the electrode portion 47a and the power feeding contact 120A are electrically connected, and communication between the electric board (not shown) of the apparatus main body and the electrode portion 47a becomes possible.

  Here, a case where the external pressure FH12 of the non-driving side urging means 77 is increased to secure the contact pressure FH13 is also conceivable. However, in that case, it is necessary to increase the urging force of the non-driving side pressing spring 85 so that the developing cartridge B1 does not come out of the non-driving side swing guide 81 (see FIG. 26). On the other hand, the non-driving side pressing spring 85 is pushed down by the operation force of the user when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the non-driving side swing guide 81 as described above. Therefore, the user needs to mount the developing cartridge B1 with a greater force. As described above, if the contact pressure FH13 is to be secured by the force FH12 of the non-driving side urging means 77, the user's handleability may be deteriorated. Therefore, as in this embodiment, by securing the contact pressure FH13 with the force FH11 of the non-drive-side development pressure spring 73, the development cartridge B1 can be positioned without deteriorating the user-friendliness.

  In the present embodiment, the relationship between the electrode portion 47a and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 can also be restated as the relationship described below. For example, as shown in FIG. 38B, in the normal direction Z of the electrode portion 47a at the contact portion of the power supply contact 120A, the distance between the electrode portion 47a and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 is set to Let L1 at one position and L2 at a second position. At this time, the electrode portion 47a is arranged so that L2 <L1. Thereby, the force for moving the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 from the first position to the second position can be used to secure the contact pressure FH13.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 38, in this embodiment, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72, the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73, and the memory substrate 47 are all attached to the non-driving side developing bearing 46. ing. That is, the positions of the electrode portion 47a, which is the contact portion of the contact pressure F13, and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72, which is the portion of the force FH11, are arranged on the same plane perpendicular to the axis L0 of the developing roller 13. Yes. In other words, the electrode portion 47a and the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 overlap at least partially with respect to the direction of the axis L0 of the developing roller 13. Therefore, since the generation of a moment having the rotation axis T in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the developing roller can be reduced between the contact pressure F13 and the force FH11, the posture of the developing cartridge B1 can be further stabilized.

  Further, the memory substrate 47 is attached to the bearing 46 on the non-driving side instead of the driving side. If the memory substrate 47 is provided on the drive side, the drive force acting on the coupling member 180 may be affected. However, in this embodiment, since the memory substrate 47 is provided on the non-driving side developing bearing 46, it is hardly affected by the driving force, and the contact pressure FH13 is stabilized.

<Separation mechanism>
FIG. 28A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 transition from the contact state to the separated state. FIG. 28C is a detailed view of the periphery of the drive side abutment / separation lever 70 of FIG. 28A, and the drive side swing guide 80 and the development side cover 34 are not shown for the sake of explanation. .

  FIG. 28B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a separated state of the developing cartridge B1 in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from each other. FIG. 28D is a detailed view of the vicinity of the drive side abutment / separation lever 70 of FIG. 28B, and the drive side swing guide 80 and the development side cover 34 are not shown for the sake of explanation. .

  Here, in the case of the contact development method as in this embodiment, if the state where the development roller 13 as shown in FIG. 27A is always in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 is maintained, the rubber portion of the development roller 13 is maintained. 13b may be deformed. For this reason, it is preferable to keep the developing roller 13 away from the photosensitive drum 10 during non-development. That is, as shown in FIG. 27A, the state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 and the state in which the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in FIG. It is preferable to take.

  The drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is provided with a separated portion 70g protruding in the direction of the developing roller 13. The to-be-separated part 70g becomes a structure which can be engaged with the 1st contact surface 150a provided in the drive side apparatus press member 150 provided in apparatus main body A1. Furthermore, the driving side device pressing member 150 is configured to receive a driving force from a motor (not shown) and to move in the directions of arrows N7 and N8.

  Next, an operation for shifting the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 to a separated state will be described. In the contact state between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 shown in FIG. 27A, the first contact surface 150a and the separated portion 70g are separated with a gap of a distance δ5.

  On the other hand, FIG. 28A shows a state in which the driving side device pressing member 150 has moved by a distance δ6 in the direction of the arrow N8, and the first side contact surface 70a of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the driving side device pressing. The contact with the second contact surface 150b of the member 150 is in a separated state. At this time, the first contact surface 70a of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 receives the urging force F10 of the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 and rotates around the supported portion 70d in the direction of the arrow N10. The regulation contact portion 70e of the contact / separation lever 70 and the regulation portion 36b of the drive side bearing member 36 come into contact with each other. Thereby, the positions of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the drive side bearing member 36 are determined. FIG. 28B shows a state in which the drive side device pressing member 150 has moved by the distance δ7 in the arrow N8 direction. As the drive-side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, the separated surface 70g of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 contacts the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150. At this time, since the regulation contact portion 70e of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the regulation portion 36b of the drive side bearing member 36 are in contact with each other, the developing cartridge B1 is moved in the arrow N8 direction. Here, the developer cartridge B1 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 41, but is supported so as to be slidable in the directions of arrows N3 and N4 with respect to the driving side plate 90 and swingable in the directions of arrows N5 and N6. The drive side swing guide 80 is positioned. Therefore, when the drive side device pressing member 150 moves in the arrow N8 direction, the developing cartridge B1 swings in the arrow N5 direction. At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from each other by a distance δ8.

  The non-driving side has the same configuration as the driving side. As shown in FIGS. 29B and 29D, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 are in contact with each other. In this state, the non-driving side device pressing member 151 moves in the direction of arrow NH8 by a distance δh7. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 rotates in the direction of arrow N5 about the supported convex portion 81g of the swing guide 81, and the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from each other by a distance δ8.

  As described above, the contact state or the separation state between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 is set as necessary depending on the positions of the driving-side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side device pressing member 151 provided in the apparatus main body A1. Selected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 27A and the like, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is viewed from the rotation axis direction L0 of the developing roller 13 and on the cross section where the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is located. It protrudes from the developing container 16 so as to form the outer shape of the developing cartridge B1. Therefore, the engagement between the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the drive-side device pressing member 150 can be easily performed. Further, the developer cartridge B1 can be moved between the contact position and the separation position by using one component of the drive side contact / separation lever 70. The same applies to the non-driving side.

  Further, when the developing roller 10 and the photosensitive drum 13 shown in FIG. 27A are in contact with each other and the developing roller 10 and the photosensitive drum 13 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. And the developing cartridge B1 rotate together. Therefore, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is maintained in a state of being retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (see FIG. 28B).

  Further, when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 shown in FIG. 28B are in a separated state, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 and the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 come into contact with each other. As a result, the coupling member 180 receives the force F1 and takes the posture of the first inclined posture D1 described above.

  As described above, the driven-side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive-side contact / separation lever 72 are respectively pressed surfaces (first contact surfaces 70a, 72a) and separated surfaces (second contact surfaces 70g, 72g). ). A pressure surface (second contact surfaces 150b and 151b) and a separation surface (150a and 151a) act on the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151, respectively. As a result, the contact state or separation state between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as required by a single component of each of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 ( FIG. 27 (a) and FIG. 28). As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified. In addition, since the contact state or the separation state can be controlled with a single component, for example, the timing at the time of transition from the contact state to the separation state can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 are provided independently at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1. For this reason, there is no need to provide a contact / separation lever in the longitudinal direction, and the developing cartridge B1 can be downsized (region Y1 in FIG. 24). Accordingly, the area Y1 can be used as a space for the component parts of the apparatus main body A1, so that the apparatus main body A1 can be downsized.

<The movement of the coupling member in conjunction with the movement from the separated state to the contact state>
Next, the movement of the coupling member 180 in conjunction with the abutting operation between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 and the separating operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31.

  First, the engagement release operation of the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 when the developing cartridge B1 moves from the separated state to the contact state will be described.

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the engaged state of the coupling member 180 and the main body driving member 100 in the development contact state and the development separation state.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory view seen from the side of the drive side showing the engaged state of the coupling member 180 and the main body drive member 100 in the development contact state and the development separation state.

  During image formation, as shown in FIG. 31A, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is pressed by the driving side device pressing member 150 with the urging force F11. Further, the developing roller 13 of the developing cartridge B1 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a developing contact state in which the photosensitive drum 10 is in contact with a predetermined pressure. In addition, as shown in FIG. 30A, the coupling member 180 is in the reference posture D0. At this time, the developing cartridge B1 is located at an engagement position where the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side drive member 100 are engaged. The developing cartridge B <b> 1 is in a state in which driving can be transmitted from the main body side driving member 100 to the coupling member 180 by the force of a rotating motor (not shown).

  Further, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is held in a state of being completely retracted from the guided portion 180b of the coupling member 180 (see FIG. 11). As described above, the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 contacts the abutting portion 80y of the drive side swing guide 80, and the rotation in the direction of the arrow X11 around the rotation axis L11 is restricted. (Refer to FIG. 11 as well).

  Next, the posture of the coupling member 180 in the process in which the development cartridge B1 moves from the development contact state to the development separation state will be described.

  When the image formation is completed, as shown in FIG. 31B, the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 (not shown) move in the direction of arrow N8. When the drive-side device pressing member 150 moves in the arrow N8 direction, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is rotated in the arrow N10 direction by the urging force of the drive-side development pressure spring 71 (see FIG. 28B). The drive side device pressing member 150 further moves in the direction of the arrow N8 from the state where the contact restricting portion 70e of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the positioning portion 36b of the drive side developing bearing 36 are in contact. Then, the developing cartridge B1 and the driving side swing guide 80 are integrally rotated about the supported convex portion 80g of the driving side swing guide 80 in the arrow N5 direction. The same applies to the non-driving side, and the developing cartridge B1 and the non-driving side swing guide 81 are integrally rotated about the supported convex portion 81g of the driving side swing guide 81 in the arrow N5 direction (not shown). As a result, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from each other. Since the developing cartridge B1 and the drive side swing guide 80 move together, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 is completely disengaged from the guided portion 180b of the coupling member 180 even in the state shown in FIG. Are stored in the evacuated state. This is because the abutting portion 80y is formed integrally with the drive side swing guide 80 as described above (see FIG. 20). On the other hand, a biasing force is applied to the coupling member 180 by a coupling spring 185. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30B, as the developing cartridge B1 moves from the contact state to the separated state, the axis L2 of the coupling member 180 moves from the reference posture D0 to the first inclined posture D1. Slope gradually. When the developing cartridge B1 further rotates in the direction of the arrow N5 to reach the state shown in FIG. 31C, the tilting movement of the coupling member 180 is completed. At this time, as described above, the phase restricting boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is engaged with the first inclination restricting portion 36kb1 of the drive side developing bearing 36 (see FIG. 11), and the axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is the first. It is held in an inclined posture D1. As described above, the first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180 is a posture in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 is directed toward the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1. In the state shown in FIG. 31C, the developing cartridge B1 is located at a release position where the engagement between the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body driving member 100 is released. Accordingly, the force of the motor (not shown) is not transmitted from the main body driving member 100 to the coupling member.

  In this embodiment, the state of the developing cartridge B1 in the image forming state is as shown in FIG. The coupling member 180 and the main body driving member 100 are engaged, and a driving force is input from the apparatus main body A1. Then, as described above, when the developing cartridge B1 moves from the state shown in FIG. 31A to the state shown in FIGS. 31B and 31C, the coupling member 180 and the main body drive are driven. The engagement with the member 100 is released. In other words, the driving input from the apparatus main body A1 to the developing cartridge B1 is cut off in the process in which the developing cartridge B1 moves from the contact state to the separated state. In the developing cartridge B1, the main body driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 rotates while the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 10 while rotating.

<Movement of coupling member in conjunction with movement from contact state to separation state>
Next, the engaging operation of the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 when the developing cartridge B1 moves from the contact state to the separated state will be described.

  The developing contact operation of the developing cartridge B1 is an operation opposite to the developing separation operation described above. In the state shown in FIG. 31B, the developing cartridge B1 is located at a release position where the engagement of the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 with the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body driving member 100 is released. The state shown in FIG. 31B is a state in which the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 have moved in the arrow N7 direction from the state shown in FIG. The developer cartridge B1 and the drive-side swing guide 80 are integrally rotated in the direction of arrow N6 by the biasing force of the drive-side biasing means 76 (see FIGS. 25 and 27) described above. The same applies to the non-driving side. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 moves from the separated state to the contact state. FIG. 30B is a stage in the middle of the development cartridge B1 moving from the separated state to the contact state. Further, the annular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 are in contact with each other. Specifically, the concave conical portion 180g disposed inside the annular portion 180f of the coupling member 180 and the convex portion 100g disposed at the shaft tip of the main body side drive member 100 are in contact with each other. From the state shown in FIG. 30C to the state shown in FIG. 30B, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined in the direction of the main body side drive member 100, so the coupling member 180 and the main body The side drive shaft 100 can be easily engaged.

  When the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 are further moved in the direction of the arrow N7 from the state shown in FIG. 30B, as shown in FIG. And the main body drive member 100 are completely engaged. At this time, the developing cartridge B1 is located at an engagement position where the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body driving member 100 are engaged, and the coupling member 180 is in the reference posture D0. It has become the attitude of. The process of changing the posture of the coupling member 180 from the first inclined posture D1 to the reference posture D0 is the same as that described above when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the apparatus main body A1. This is the same as the process of changing the posture (see FIG. 21).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the main body driving member 100 is rotated by the driving signal of the apparatus main body A1 before the state shown in FIG. 31B where the coupling member 180 and the main body driving member 100 are started to be engaged. Let me. As a result, the coupling member 180 and the main body drive member 100 are engaged during the movement of the developing cartridge B1 from the state shown in FIG. 31C to the state shown in FIG. 31B and FIG. In this case, driving is input to the developing cartridge B1. In other words, driving is input from the apparatus main body A1 to the developing cartridge B1 in the process in which the developing cartridge B1 moves from the separated state to the contact state. This is because the coupling member 150 is movable in the N9 direction (see FIG. 27), which is the moving direction of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72. Before the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact with each other, the main body driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 rotates. As a result, the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 while rotating. Accordingly, when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in contact with each other, the difference in speed between the peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be reduced, so that the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are less consumed. it can.

  Here, when the apparatus main body A1 has a single motor, a clutch mechanism is required to interrupt the transmission of the rotational force to the developing roller 13 while transmitting the rotational force to the photosensitive drum 10. That is, it is necessary to provide a clutch mechanism capable of selectively interrupting the drive transmission in the drive transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force from the motor to the developing roller 13. However, in this embodiment, in the process in which the developing cartridge B1 moves from the contacted state to the separated state, or in the process of moving from the separated state to the contacted state, Disengagement is selected. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a clutch mechanism in the apparatus main body A1 or the developing cartridge B1, and the developing cartridge B1 and the apparatus main body A1 can be made cheaper and space-saving.

(Drive side contact / separation lever contact surface)
As shown in FIG. 41A, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 has a surface to be separated 70g that protrudes toward the developing roller 13 from the distal end portion 70p in the projecting direction of the first projecting portion 70f. From another viewpoint, the first projecting portion 70f has a shape whose tip is bent toward the developing roller 13, and a surface to be separated 70g is provided at the bent portion.

  FIG. 41 is an explanatory view of the presence or absence of protrusion of the separated surface 70g. FIG. 41 (a) shows the present embodiment having a separated surface 70g that protrudes toward the developing roller 13 from the leading end portion 70p on the protruding side of the first protruding portion 70f. FIG. 41B is an enlarged view around the drive side contact / separation lever 70 of FIG. FIG. 41C shows an example having a separated surface 470g that does not protrude toward the developing roller 13 from the tip portion 70p in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70f. FIG. 41 (d) shows an enlarged view around the drive side contact / separation lever 470 of FIG. 41 (c).

  As shown in FIG. 41, the drive-side device pressing member 150, the separated surface 70g of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70, and the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 come into contact with each other. The drum 10 is separated by a gap of δ8.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 41 (a) and 41 (b), the point at which the drive side contact / separation lever 70 contacts the first contact surface 150a of the drive side device pressing member 150 with the separated surface 70g. The contact point is 70q. A point where the driving side device pressing member 150 contacts the separated surface 70g of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 with the first contact surface 150a is defined as a contact point 150q.

  As shown in FIG. 41 (b), the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 applies a separation force F17 to the separated surface 70g of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 from the contact point 150q. Therefore, the separated surface 70g of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 receives the reaction force F18 at the contact point 70q. At that time, the reaction force F18 is divided into a component force F19 parallel to the first contact surface 150a and a component force F20 perpendicular to the first contact surface 150a.

  Since the direction of the component force F19 is parallel to the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 has a separated surface 70g of the drive-side device pressing member 150. A force is received in the direction of the component force 19 while contacting the first contact surface 150a.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 41A, the developing cartridge B1 is formed on a driving side swing guide 80 that can swing in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around a supported convex portion 80g on a driving side plate (not shown). It is positioned. Further, when the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, the driving side swing guide 80 is relative to the driving side plate (not shown) so that the axis of the developing roller 13 can be corrected parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 10. It is supported so as to be slidable in the arrow N3 direction and the arrow N4 direction. Since the same is true on the non-driving side, the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around the supported convex portion 80g, and can slide in the directions of arrows N3 and N4.

  Further, as described above, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is in contact with the regulation contact portion 70e of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the regulation portion 36b of the drive-side bearing member 36. The position is fixed. Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 tries to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5 around the supported convex portion 80g and slide in the direction of the arrow 11 when the driving side contact / separation lever 70 receives the component force F19.

  Therefore, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 tends to move in the direction of the component force F19. This moving direction is a direction in which the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 moves to the base side of the first contact surface 150a with respect to the drive-side device pressing member 150, and the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 is driven to the drive-side device pressing member. 150 is the direction of engagement.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 41 (d), the first contact surface 450a of the drive side device pressing member 450 gives a separation force F21 to the separated surface 470g of the drive side contact / separation lever 470 from the contact point 450q. Yes. Therefore, the reaction force F22 is received at the contact point 470q of the separated surface 470g of the driving side contact / separation lever 470. At that time, the reaction force F22 is divided into a component force F23 parallel to the separated surface 470g and a component force F24 perpendicular to the separated surface 470g.

  The drive-side contact / separation lever 470 is configured such that the regulation contact portion 470e of the drive-side contact / separation lever 470 and the regulation portion 436b of the drive-side bearing member 436 come into contact with each other, and the drive-side contact / separation lever 470, the drive-side bearing member 436 The position of is determined. Therefore, the developing cartridge B1 tries to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5 and slide in the direction of the arrow N4 around the supported convex portion 80g when the driving side contact / separation lever 470 receives the component force F23.

  Therefore, the drive side contact / separation lever 470 tends to move in the direction of the component force F23. Therefore, the drive-side contact / separation lever 470 contacts the first contact surface 450a of the drive-side device pressing member 450 on the distal end portion 470p side of the first protrusion 470f in the protruding direction, and the drive-side contact / separation lever 470 is driven. The amount of engagement with the side device pressing member 450 is reduced.

  Therefore, the drive-side contact / separation lever 470 needs to increase the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 470f by the amount of movement in the component force F23 direction, and space is required.

  From these, when it has the to-be-separated surface 70g which protruded to the developing roller 13 side from the front-end | tip part 70p of the protrusion direction of the 1st protrusion part 70f, engagement amount can be set small. That is, in this case, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is engaged by the driving side device pressing member 150 when the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 as compared with the case where the protruding separated surface 70g is not provided. As a result, even if the engagement amount is set smaller, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 can remain engaged with the drive-side device main body member 150. If the engagement amount between the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the driving side device pressing member 150 is reduced, the developing cartridge B1 is reduced in size.

<Effects of Arrangement of Driving Side Abutment / Separation Lever 70, Driving Side Development Pressurizing Spring 71, and Restricting Part 36b of Driving Side Development Bearing 36>
As described above, the urging force F10 of the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 is such that the drive-side development pressurization spring 71 is connected to the third contact surface 70c of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the drive-side development bearing 36. This configuration is generated by being compressed between the contact surface 36d (see FIG. 1). The same applies to the non-driving side.

  In particular, at the time of development pressurization, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive roller are utilized by utilizing the biasing force F10a generated when the driving side contact / separation lever 70 rotates about the support portion 36c of the driving side developing bearing 36 in the direction of arrow N9. The drum 10 is in contact with the drum 10 (see FIG. 27).

  Further, at the time of development separation, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is rotated around the boss of the support portion 36c of the drive side development bearing 36 using the biasing force F10 in the direction of arrow N10. The restriction contact portion 70e is brought into contact with the restriction portion 36b of the driving side developing bearing 36. Thereby, the position of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is regulated. Further, the drive-side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8 while the second contact surface 70b of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 are in contact. Thus, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated (see FIG. 28B). That is, the driving side pressurizing spring 71 used at the time of development pressurization is used to regulate the position of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 at the time of development separation.

In particular, the developing cartridge B1 is detachable from the apparatus main body A1, and the driving side abutment / separation lever 70 and the driving side apparatus pressing member 150 (see FIG. 25) are securely engaged with each other. It is desirable to position the contact / separation lever 70 with high accuracy. This is because, when the positional accuracy of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is poor, for example, the following measures should be taken to engage the driving side contact / separation lever 70 with the driving side device pressing member 150. Because there is.
1. The distance (gap) between the first contact surface 150a and the second contact surface 150b of the drive-side device pressing member 150 is further increased.
2. The distance (thickness) between the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is set smaller.

  However, these measures increase the amount of movement of the drive-side device pressing member 150 of the device main body A1 in the N8 and N9 directions, resulting in an increase in the size of the device main body A1.

  According to this configuration, the position of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the apparatus main body A1 is regulated by using the driving side developing pressure spring 71 used at the time of development pressing. ing. In addition to contributing to downsizing of the apparatus main body A1, the timing of separating the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 and the amount of separation of the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10 can be accurately controlled.

  Further, according to this configuration, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 at the time of development separation is used by using the drive-side development pressure spring 71 that is used at the time of development separation and when the development cartridge B1 is mounted. The position can be accurately determined. In addition, since the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 used at the time of development pressurization is used to regulate the position of the drive-side contact / separation lever 70, no special new parts are required.

  Further, both the first contact surface 70a that receives the force for bringing the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 and the second contact surface 70b that receives the force for separating the photosensitive drum 10 are provided on the drive side contact / separation lever. 70 on one part. By integrating the functions in this way, the number of parts of the developing cartridge B1 can be reduced.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 receive force from the pressing member provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum. Contact and separation can be performed in a space-saving manner. As a result, the image forming apparatus and the developing cartridge are reduced in size. Further, when the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, an increase in force applied to the electrode portion of the developing cartridge that is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body can be suppressed. Since the load applied to the electrode portion is reduced, the durability of the electrode portion is improved. Since the strength of the electrode portion can be suppressed, it is possible to reduce the cost of a developing cartridge having the electrode portion and an image forming apparatus including the developing cartridge.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C are separated has been described. That is, the developing device is configured as a developing cartridge B1 separately from the photosensitive drum 10, and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, the application of the present embodiment is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied even when the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C are not separated. A configuration may be adopted in which a process cartridge configured by rotatably coupling the developing cartridge B1 (developing device) to the drum cartridge C is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. That is, a configuration in which the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 disclosed in the present embodiment are provided in a cartridge (process cartridge) including the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing device is also conceivable.

<Relationship between Coupling Member 180, Drive Side Contact / Separation Lever 70, Non-Drive Side Contact / Separation Lever 72>
The coupling member 180 is configured to be movable at least in the N9 direction (see FIG. 27), which is the moving direction of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72. Therefore, when the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 move in the directions of N9 and N10, the engagement between the coupling member 150 and the main body side drive member 100 is affected. Smooth operation is possible without any problems.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 27A, the N6 direction, which is the direction in which the developing roller 13 abuts on the photosensitive drum 10, is the same as the N13 direction, which is the rotational direction of the coupling member 180 (X6 direction in FIG. 8). Try to be in the direction. According to this configuration, the couple received by the coupling member 180 from the main body side driving member 100 acts as a moment for rotating the developing cartridge B1 in the N6 direction around the supported convex portion 80g. A moment in the N6 direction is applied to the developing roller 13 as a pressing force that presses the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10.

  If the rotational direction of the coupling member 180 is opposite to the N6 direction, a moment (N5 direction in FIG. 27) in which the developing roller 13 escapes from the photosensitive drum 10 is exerted by the rotational force of the coupling member 180. Pressure is lost. However, in this configuration, such a pressure loss is unlikely to occur.

  Further, the N6 direction moment generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 is generated from a load torque necessary for rotating the coupling member 180. Since the load torque of the cartridge changes through component dimensions and durability, the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 also changes. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the abutment / separation levers 70 and 72 receive force from the apparatus main body A1, and the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10. The pressure applied in the N6 direction by the contact / separation levers 70 and 72 is defined only by the component dimensions, and durability fluctuation does not occur.

  Therefore, in order to bring the developing roller 13 into more stable contact with the photosensitive drum 10, it is desirable to do the following. That is, it is desirable to reduce the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 as compared with the moment in the N6 direction generated when the contact / separation levers 70 and 72 receive a force from the apparatus main body A1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the supported convex portion 80g and the coupling member 180 are more separated than the distance between the supported convex portion 80g of the driving side swing guide 80 and the driving side contact / separation lever 70. The tied distance is shorter. With this configuration, the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 can be effectively used as the pressure applied to the developing roller 13. Further, with this configuration, the development roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 more stably by suppressing the influence of the variation in the N6 direction moment generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 13, a direction parallel to a straight line Z31 connecting the rotational center 13Z of the developing roller 13 and the rotational center of the coupling member 180 is N14 (first Direction). When the developing frame is viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13, the developing roller 13 is disposed on one end side of the developing frame with respect to the N14 direction, and the first projecting portion 70f of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 (particularly, The first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) are disposed on the other end side of the developing device frame. That is, the first projecting portion 70f (particularly, the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) is disposed at a position away from the developing roller 13 to some extent.

  Thereby, it is possible to secure a space in the vicinity of the developing roller 13 for disposing a member such as the coupling member 180 that is suitable to be disposed in the vicinity of the developing roller 13 on one end side of the developing frame. The degree of freedom in the layout of members suitable to be arranged in the vicinity of the developing roller 13 in the developing cartridge B1 is improved. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13, the coupling member 180 is connected to the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) with respect to the N14 direction. It is arranged at a position closer to the developing roller 13 than.

  The drive-side developing bearing 36 has the developing cartridge B1 mounted on the apparatus main body A1 and the recording medium 2 conveyed toward the transfer nip 6a in the conveyance guide 3d inside the apparatus main body A1. A recording medium abutting portion 36m capable of abutting is provided.

  This will be described. As described above, with respect to the N14 direction, the position of the first protrusion 70f (particularly, the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) is a position away from the developing roller 13. As a result, the drive-side device pressing member 150 can be disposed at a position away from the developing roller 13 of the apparatus main body A1, so that the portion on the developing roller side that contacts the photosensitive drum 10 of the developing cartridge B1 is located in the vicinity of the conveyance guide 3d. Can be arranged. Thereby, a dead space can be reduced between the developing cartridge B1 and the conveyance guide 3d in the apparatus main body A1.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the developing cartridge B1 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance guide 3d. Therefore, when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13, the developing roller is more than the first projecting portion 70f (the first abutting surface 70a and the second abutting surface 70b) in the N14 direction of the driving side developing bearing 36. A recording medium contact portion 36 m is provided at a position close to 13.

<Details of development side cover 34>
45 and 46 are diagrams showing details of the development side cover 34. FIG. 45 (a) is a front view of the development side cover 34 as seen from the outside, FIG. 45 (b) is a rear view of the development side cover 34 as seen from the inside, and FIG. 46 is a perspective view as seen from the front and back, respectively. is there.

  The development side cover 34 is one frame member that constitutes the development frame of the cartridge B1. The development side cover 34 includes a plate-like front part 34e and a back part 34f on the back side. At the edge of the front part 34e, an edge part 34g is provided so as to protrude from the front part 34e so as to surround the back part 34f.

  A hole 34a in which the coupling member 180 is disposed inside is provided so as to penetrate the front part 34e and the back part 34f.

  A first protrusion (positioning portion) 34b that protrudes from the front portion 34e is provided on the side of the hole 34a. On the side of the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b, a second protrusion (rotation stop part) 34c that is larger in the radial direction than the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b and also protrudes from the front part 34e is provided. Yes. The second protrusion (rotation stopper) 34c is located farther from the hole 34a than the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b.

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

  A third protrusion (spring support part) 34h is provided between the hole 34a and the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b. The height of the third protrusion (spring support part) 34h is lower than that of the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stop part) 34c.

  On the opposite side with the hole 34a of the third protrusion (spring support portion) 34h as the center, there is a second groove portion (34o) extending in the circumferential direction. The second groove (34o) guides the coupling spring 185.

  Below the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b, there is a fourth protrusion (34p) constituted by ridge lines 34p1 and 34p2. The ridge lines 34p1 and 34p2 intersect with each other, and the intersection angle is an obtuse angle. The height of the fourth protrusion (34p) is lower than that of the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stopper) 34c.

  Above the first protrusion (positioning part) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stopper) 34c, an arcuate groove 34q that penetrates the front part 34e and the back part 34f is provided. The arc-shaped groove 34q is provided to expose the rotation restricting portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 to the outside (see FIG. 12).

  The development side cover 34 has a cover portion 34t. The cover portion 34t does not expose at least a part of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 and at least a part of the spring 71 from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction of the rotation axis of the drive side contact / separation lever 70). Cover like so. As a result, the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the spring 71 can be protected from external impacts, and the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 and the spring 71 can be prevented from falling off the drive-side developing bearing 36. . The cover portion 34t has at least a part of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 or at least a part of the spring 71 outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction of the rotation axis of the drive side contact / separation lever 70). It may be covered so that it will not be exposed.

  As described above, it is possible to reduce the size by consolidating the various functional units in the development side cover 34. Further, the drive side contact / separation lever 70 can be protected from external impact.

<Details of drive-side development bearing 36>
47 and 48 are diagrams showing details of the drive side developing bearing 36. FIG. 47A is a front view of the driving side developing bearing 36 as viewed from the outside, FIG. 47B is a rear view of the driving side of the developing bearing 36 as viewed from the inside, and FIG. 48 is a perspective view as viewed from the front and the back. FIG.

  The drive side developing bearing 36 is a frame member different from the developing side cover 34 that constitutes the developing frame of the cartridge B1. The drive side developing bearing 36 includes a plate-like front part 36f and a back part 36g on the back side. An edge back surface portion 36h is provided at the edge of the front surface portion 36f so as to protrude from the front surface portion 36f so as to surround the back surface portion 36g.

  A hole 36a is provided so as to penetrate the front part 36f and the back part 36g. The developing roller 13 is disposed inside the hole 36a and supports the developing roller 13. You may support directly in the hole 36a, and you may support through a member.

  A protrusion 36i is provided on the side of the hole 36a. The protrusion 36i has a cylindrical shape. A phase restricting portion 36 kb for restricting the position of the phase restricting boss 180 e of the coupling member 180 is provided inside the protruding portion 36 i. The phase restricting portion 36 kb has a substantially triangular hole shape in which the coupling member 180 is disposed inside. The phase restricting part 36 kb is composed of a first inclination restricting part 36 kb 1 and a second inclination restricting part 36 kb 2, and constitutes a part of each groove.

  A support portion 36c for supporting the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is provided at a position facing the projecting portion 36i and the hole 36a. The support portion 36c has a protruding cylindrical shape.

  A regulating portion 36b of the drive side contact / separation lever 70 is provided below the support portion 36c. The restricting portion 36 b has a wall shape protruding from the front portion 36 f and is located at the edge of the drive side developing bearing 36.

  An abutting surface 36d for abutting against the driving side developing pressure spring 71 is provided on the opposite side of the restricting portion 36b and below the protruding portion 36i. The contact surface 36d also has a wall shape protruding from the front portion 36f, like the restricting portion 36b.

  47, a hole 36j is provided so as to be sandwiched between the restricting portion 36b and the contact surface 36d with respect to the arrangement direction of the restricting portion 36b and the contact surface 36d. The hole 36j is provided to expose the drive gear and the like.

  As described above, the position of the coupling member 180 and the position of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 can be maintained with high accuracy by the driving side developing bearing 36. Further, the position of the developing roller 13 and the position of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 can be maintained with high accuracy.

Example 2
Next, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the driving side.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is provided to be rotatable with respect to the driving side developing bearing 36 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 32, the drive side contact / separation lever 702 may be slidable with respect to the drive side developing bearing 362. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 32A is a side view of the state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as viewed from the drive side, and a cross-sectional view around the drive side contact / separation lever 702. The convex part 702 b of the driving side contact / separation lever 702 is engaged with the groove part 362 c of the driving side developing bearing 362. Further, the convex portion 702 j of the driving side contact / separation lever 702 is engaged with the groove portion 342 y of the developing side cover 342. As a result, the drive-side contact / separation lever 702 can slide (linearly move) in the directions of arrows N72 and N82 with respect to the drive-side development bearing 362 and the development side cover 342. The drive-side development pressure spring 712 has one end 712 d that contacts the third contact surface 702 c of the drive-side contact / separation lever 702 and the other end 712 e that contacts the contact surface 362 d of the drive-side development bearing 362. Is provided. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 32B, as in the first embodiment, the developing cartridge B1 has a second contact surface 150b of the drive side device pressing member 150 and a first contact of the drive side contact / separation lever 702. The external force F11 is received by the contact of the surface 702a. As a result, the developing roller 13 contacts the photosensitive drum 10 with a predetermined pressure.

  Next, an operation for shifting the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 to a separated state will be described. FIG. 32C shows a state in which the drive side device pressing member 150 has moved in the direction of arrow N82 by a distance δ6. The first contact surface 702a of the drive side contact / separation lever 702 and the drive side device pressing member 150 are shown. The second contact surface 150b is in a separated state. At this time, the drive side contact / separation lever 702 receives the biasing force F10 of the drive side development pressure spring 71 and slides in the direction of the arrow N82, and the drive side contact / separation lever 702 and the drive side bearing 702e. The restricting portion 362b of the member 362 contacts. Thereby, the position of the drive side contact / separation lever 702 is determined.

  FIG. 32D shows a state in which the drive side device pressing member 150 has moved by the distance δ7 in the arrow N82 direction. As the drive-side device pressing member 150 further moves in the direction of the arrow N82, the separated surface 702g of the drive-side contact / separation lever 702 contacts the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150. The developing cartridge B1 is moved in the direction of arrow N82. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 swings in the arrow N5 direction around the supported convex portion 80g of the swing guide 80 (not shown). At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from each other by a distance δ8.

  The non-driving side has the same configuration as the driving side. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained (however, the positional error of the driving-side device pressing member 150 described in the first embodiment and the driving-side developing pressure spring are described. 71, excluding the relationship of compression amount).

Example 3
Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram in which the drive-side contact / separation lever 201 is a leaf spring.

  As shown in FIG. 42, the drive side contact / separation lever 201 is an elastic body made of a material such as SUS. The drive side contact / separation lever 201 includes a first contact surface 201 a, a second contact surface 201 b, a support portion 201 d, and an elastic deformation portion 201 h, and the support portion 201 d is supported by the supported portion 202 b of the bearing 202. Yes.

  Here, the drive-side device pressing member 203 is provided with a first contact surface 203a and a second contact surface 203b, and is slidable in the arrow N7 direction and the arrow N8 direction.

  The developing cartridge B1 is positioned on a driving side swing guide 210 supported on a driving side plate (not shown) so as to be swingable in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around a supported portion 210b. Since the same is true on the non-driving side, the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around the supported portion 210b.

  When pressurizing the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13, as shown in FIG. 42A, the driving side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N7. The second contact surface 203 b of the drive side device pressing member 203 contacts the first contact surface 201 a of the drive side contact / separation lever 201.

  Further, when the drive side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the second contact surface 203b of the drive side device pressing member 203 is elastic to the drive side contact / separation lever 201 as shown in FIG. The deformation part 201h is deformed. In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side device pressing member 203 applies a force F41 to the first contact surface 201a of the drive-side contact / separation lever 201. At that time, the second contact surface 203b of the drive side device pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F42. Here, since the developing cartridge B1 can rotate around the supported portion 201b in the directions of arrows N5 and N6, the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of arrow N5 by the external force of the force F41. Therefore, the developing roller 13 contacts the photosensitive drum 10.

Further, when the driving side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the second contact surface 203b of the driving side device pressing member 203 is elastic to the driving side contact / separation lever 201 as shown in FIG. The deformation part 201h is deformed. In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side device pressing member 203 applies a force F45 to the first contact surface 201a of the drive-side contact / separation lever 201. At that time, the second contact surface 203 b of the drive side device pressing member 203 receives a reaction force F 46 from the first contact surface 201 a of the drive side contact / separation lever 201. Since the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 and the posture of the developing cartridge B1 is determined,
F45> F41
Thus, as shown in FIG. 42C, the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10.

  As shown in FIG. 42D, when the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are separated from each other, the driving side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N8. The first contact surface 203 a of the drive-side device pressing member 203 contacts the second contact surface 201 b of the drive-side contact / separation lever 201.

  Further, when the drive-side device pressing member 203 moves in the arrow N8 direction, the first contact surface 203a of the drive-side device pressing member 203 deforms the elastic deformation portion 201h of the drive-side contact / separation lever 201 while driving the drive-side device pressing member 203. A force F44 is applied to the second contact surface 201b of the contact / separation lever 201.

  At that time, the first contact surface 203 a of the drive side device pressing member 203 receives a reaction force F 43 from the second contact surface 201 b of the drive side contact / separation lever 201.

  Here, since the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of the arrows N5 and N6 around the supported portion 210b, the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of the arrow N6 around the supported portion 210b and develops from the photosensitive drum 10. The roller 13 is separated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the elastic deformation portion (elastic portion) 201h and the portion (movable portion) provided with the first contact surface 201a and the second contact surface 201b are integrated as a part of one member. Formed. Specifically, the drive side contact / separation lever 201 is configured by a leaf spring. This eliminates the need for the driving-side developing pressurizing spring 71 (see FIG. 41A) as an urging member, which is a compression spring, shown in the first embodiment. For this reason, a space can be secured, which increases the degree of freedom in designing the developing cartridge B1, or leads to downsizing.

  Further, as shown in the first embodiment, the driving side contact / separation lever 201 has a pressed surface (first contact surface 201a) and a separated surface (second contact surface 201b). The pressure surface (second contact surface 203b) and the separation surface (first contact surface 203a) of the drive side device pressing member 203 act on them. As a result, the contact state between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 or the separation state can be selected as necessary with a single component of the drive-side contact / separation lever 201. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified.

  In the above description, the driving side is described as a representative, but the same configuration is possible on the non-driving side. Alternatively, the drive side contact / separation lever 201 may be a member formed of a resin member that can be elastically deformed.

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

Example 4
Next, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the portion that receives the urging force from the spring of the contact / separation lever is different from the above-described embodiments. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  43, the driving side developing pressure spring 302 passes through the center of the supported portion 301d of the driving side contact / separation lever 301, and the arrow is perpendicular to the arrow M1 direction that is the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 301f. It is the schematic diagram arrange | positioned on the opposite side to M1 direction.

  As shown in FIG. 43A, the drive-side contact / separation lever 301 includes a first contact surface 301a, a second contact surface 301b, a third contact surface 301c, a supported portion 301d, and a regulated contact portion 301e. The other end 301m. The drive-side contact / separation lever 301 is supported by the supported portion 301d so as to be rotatable by the support portion 306b with respect to the drive-side developing bearing 306.

  The drive-side development pressure spring 302 is a compression spring, one end 302d is in contact with the third contact surface 301c, and the other end 302e is in contact with the contact surface 306d provided on the drive-side development bearing 306. It touches.

  Here, in the state of the developing cartridge B1 alone, the driving side contact / separation lever 301 receives a force in the direction of the arrow F30 from the driving side developing pressure spring 302 on the third contact surface 301c. At that time, the support member 306b rotates around the support portion 306b in the direction of the arrow N10, and the restriction contact portion 301e contacts the restriction portion 306e of the drive side developing bearing 306.

  The developing cartridge B1 is positioned on a driving side swing guide 310 supported so as to be swingable in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around a supported portion 310b of a driving side plate (not shown). Since the same is true on the non-driving side, the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around the supported portion 310b.

  Here, the drive-side device pressing member 303 is provided with a first contact surface 303a and a second contact surface 303b, and is slidable in the directions of arrows N7 and N8.

  When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are pressed, the driving side device pressing member 303 moves in the direction of the arrow N7. The second contact surface 303 b of the drive side device pressing member 303 contacts the first contact surface 301 a of the drive side contact / separation lever 301. Since the drive-side contact / separation lever 301 is rotatable about the support portion 306b, the drive-side contact / separation lever 301 rotates in the N20 direction, and the restriction contact portion 301e is separated from the restriction portion 302e.

  At that time, the third contact surface 301c of the drive side contact / separation lever 301 receives the urging force F30 of the drive side development pressure spring 302, and a moment M10 in the direction of arrow N10 acts on the drive side contact / separation lever 301. . At this time, the second contact surface 303b of the drive side device pressing member 303 and the first contact surface 301a of the drive side contact / separation lever 301 are in contact. Therefore, the first contact surface 301a of the drive side contact / separation lever 301 is the second contact surface 303b of the drive side device pressing member 303 so that a moment balanced with the moment M10 acts on the drive side contact / separation lever 301. Receives force F32. Accordingly, an external force F32 is applied to the developing cartridge B1.

  Further, since the developing cartridge B1 is rotatable about the supported portion 310b in the directions of arrows N5 and N6, the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of arrow N5 by the external force of the force F32. At this time, the developing roller 13 contacts the photosensitive drum 10. The developing cartridge B1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow N5 when the developing roller 13 contacts the photosensitive drum 10.

  Further, when the driving side device pressing member 303 moves in the direction of arrow N7, the developing cartridge B1 cannot rotate in the direction of arrow N5, so that the driving side contact / separation lever 301 rotates in the N20 direction around the support portion 306b. The third contact surface 301c of the drive side contact / separation lever 301 receives the urging force F31 of the drive side development pressure spring 302 (see FIG. 43B).

Here, since the driving side developing pressure spring 302 is further compressed,
F31> F30
It becomes. Since the developing cartridge B1 has already been unable to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5, the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10.

  When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are separated from each other, the driving side device pressing member 303 moves in the arrow N8 direction, and the first contact surface 303a contacts the second contact surface 301b. Since the drive side contact / separation lever 301 is rotatable about the support portion 306b in the direction of arrow N10, the regulation contact portion 301e contacts the regulation portion 306e of the bearing 306, and the position of the drive side contact / separation lever 301 is determined. .

  Further, when the driving side device pressing member 303 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 around the supported portion 310b, so that the developing cartridge B1 is centered on the supported portion 310b. Move in the direction of arrow N6. Then, the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 43, when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13, between the first contact surface (force receiving portion) 301a and the third contact surface (biasing force receiving portion) 301c. Is longer than the distance between the first contact surface 301a and the supported portion 301d. As a result, the degree of freedom increases in the position arrangement of the member corresponding to the driving-side developing pressurizing spring 71 as the urging member that is a compression spring shown in the first embodiment, and the degree of freedom in design increases.

  Furthermore, as shown in the first embodiment, the drive side contact / separation lever 301 has a pressed surface (first contact surface 301a) and a separated surface (second contact surface 301g). The pressure surface (second contact surface 303b) and the separation surface (first contact surface 303a) of the drive side device pressing member 303 act on them. As a result, the contact state or separation state between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as necessary with a single component of the drive-side contact / separation lever 301. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified.

  Further, as a modification of the fourth embodiment, the following configuration may be adopted. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 54, the drive side developing bearing 336 is provided with a restricting portion 336b. In this modified example, the position of the pressure spring 71 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a protruding portion (restricted portion) 360b is provided in the opposite direction across the support portion 36c, and the protruding portion 360b contacts the restricting portion 336b. It was set as the structure made to do. The configuration for receiving the urging force from the driving side developing pressure spring 71 by the urging force receiving portion 370c is the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to this modification, the degree of freedom increases in the arrangement of the restricting portion 336b in the driving side developing bearing 336. Further, by taking a longer distance from the support portion 36c, it is possible to reduce the force applied to the restricting portion 336b, and it is possible to suppress container deformation. That is, the relationship between the first contact surface 370a pressurized from the second contact surface 150b of the drive side device pressing member 150, the support portion 36c, and the protruding portion 360b is as follows. When viewed from the axial direction of the developing roller 13, the distance between the first contact surface 370a and the protruding portion 360b is longer than the distance between the first contact surface 370a and the support portion 36c. In the above description, the driving side is described as a representative, but the same configuration is possible on the non-driving side.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the arrangement of the third contact surface (biasing force receiving portion) 301c of the present embodiment and the arrangement of the restricting portion 336b of the present modification can be applied.

Example 5
Next, a fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The developing cartridge B1 of this embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 is provided only on the non-driving side. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 50, in the developing cartridge B1 of the present embodiment, the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the driving side developing pressure spring 71 are not provided on the driving side (broken line portion). On the other hand, a non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and a non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 (not shown) are provided only on the non-driving side. That is, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 and the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 are disposed only on the side of the developing frame 13 where the coupling member 180 is not disposed in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. . Note that the side of the developing frame 13 where the coupling member 180 is not disposed with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13 is different from the center of the cartridge B1 with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. The part of the side which is not done is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the coupling member 180 rotates in the direction of the arrow X6 on the driving side. The developing cartridge B1 receiving the rotational force swings around the support portion 90c (see FIG. 27) in the direction of the arrow N6 shown in FIG. When the moment in the N6 direction generated by the driving force received by the coupling member 180 is sufficient, the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 on the driving side only.

  On the other hand, on the non-driving side, since the moment in the N6 direction generated by the driving force received by the coupling member 180 cannot be obtained as much as the driving side, the driven-side contact / separation lever 72 is used as in the first embodiment.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, a configuration in which the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 is provided only on the non-drive side of the present embodiment can be applied. By applying the present embodiment, it is possible to realize cost reduction by reducing the number of parts accompanying the reduction of the drive side contact / separation lever 70.

Example 6
A sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a first force receiving portion that receives a force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with only one end portion of the cartridge B1 is provided, and a second force that receives a force when separating the developing roller 13 only with the other end portion. The point provided with the receiving part is different from the above-described embodiments. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating the time when the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. 51A is a diagram showing the drive side contact / separation lever 170 and the drive side developing bearing 236 that supports the drive side contact / separation lever 170, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing a non-drive side developing bearing 246 that supports

  As shown in FIG. 51, a driving side contact / separation lever 170 is rotatably supported by a driving side developing bearing 236 on the driving side which is the other end with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. However, the driving side developing pressure spring 71 as shown in the first embodiment is not provided. Therefore, when the drive-side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the drive-side contact / separation lever 170 rotates counterclockwise around the support portion 236c. However, the force that presses the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 cannot be applied to the driving-side developing bearing 236 due to the action of the driving-side contact / separation lever 170. However, on the driving side, as in the fifth embodiment, the coupling member 180 receives a driving force and receives a moment in a direction in which the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 by this moment.

  On the other hand, a non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided on the non-driving side which is the other end with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. The first contact surface 72a of the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 is pressed by the drive side device pressing member 151 that moves in the N7 direction and rotates, thereby pressing the non-drive side development pressure spring 73 and developing. The roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10.

  FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating the time when the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

  As the drive-side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, the drive-side contact / separation lever 170 comes into contact with the regulating portion 236b of the drive-side bearing member 236. Further, when the driving side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the separated portion 170g of the driving side contact / separation lever 170 is pressed to move the developing cartridge B1, and the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10. .

  The drive side contact / separation lever 170 may be fixed to the drive side bearing member 236, or the drive side bearing member 236 may be integrally provided with a portion corresponding to the separated portion 170g.

  On the other hand, the non-driving side does not have the restricting portion 46e of the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, even if the non-driving side device pressing member 151 moves in the arrow N8 direction, the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72 only rotates clockwise around the support portion 246f, and the developing roller 13 is moved to the photosensitive drum 10. There is no effect of separating from. At this time, the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 has a natural length. At this time, the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 may be separated from the non-driving side contact / separation lever 72.

  However, since the drive side receives a force for separation, the drive-side bearing member 236 can be separated on the non-drive side by setting the rigidity of the drive-side bearing member 236 to a certain level or more. At the time of the separation, the developing roller 13 may be separated from the photosensitive drum 10 in an oblique manner. In other words, the developing roller 13 on the driving side is largely separated from the photosensitive drum 10, but the separation amount is smaller on the non-driving side than on the driving side. Therefore, the rigidity of the drive-side bearing member 236 is increased so that the distance between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 is not less than the minimum value of the necessary distance. As described above, in this embodiment, the first force receiving portion (first contact surface 72a) that receives the force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with only one end portion of the cartridge B1 is provided. Further, a second force receiving portion (separated portion 170g) for receiving a force when separating the developing roller 13 is provided only at the other end portion of the cartridge B1. That is, two portions (first force receiving portion, first force receiving portion, force for contacting the developing roller 13 with the cartridge B1 and force for separating the developing roller 13 from the apparatus main body, that is, a force for separating the developing roller 13 from the main body of the apparatus. A second force receiving portion) was provided. Further, the two portions (the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion) are provided at one end and the other end of the cartridge B1 with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13.

  The configurations of the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion of the present embodiment can be applied to any of the embodiments other than the fifth embodiment described above.

  According to the present embodiment, the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 is not required with respect to the first embodiment, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, since the amount of movement of the developing cartridge B1 associated with the separation is small on the non-driving side, the consumption of the non-driving side swing guide 81 that supports the developing cartridge B1 so as to be movable can be suppressed.

Example 7
A seventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. Here, regarding the description without explanation, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the positions of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 and the non-drive side contact / separation lever 72 are determined in a state where the driving side contact / separation lever 72 is sandwiched between the regulating portions 36b and 46e and the pressure springs 71 and 73. Indicated. However, as shown in FIG. 53, the drive-side contact / separation lever 270 may not be positioned between the drive-side developing and pressing spring 171 and the restricting portion 36b (the same configuration is possible on the non-drive side). This configuration can be applied when the free length of the driving-side developing pressure spring 171 is short.

  The drive lever device pressing member 150 moves in the N7 direction (see FIG. 28), and the separation lever 270 comes into contact with the restricting portion 36b. Further, the separation lever 270 compresses the pressure spring 171 by the movement in the N8 direction. Here, the restricting portion 36 b is provided at a position where it is possible to restrict the drive-side contact / separation lever 70 from moving in a direction away from the developing roller 13.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of this embodiment can be applied.

Example 8
An eighth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the coupling member is different from those of the above-described embodiments. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the coupling member 180 is engaged with the rotating main body driving member 100 and the coupling member 180 is rotated from the rotating main body driving member 100 without providing a clutch mechanism on the apparatus main body A1 side. Could be disengaged. As a specific configuration for that purpose, the coupling member 180 can be tilted.

  In the present embodiment, a coupling configuration that can be engaged with and released from the rotating main body driving member 100 without providing a clutch mechanism on the apparatus main body A1 side as in the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 55A is a perspective view showing the coupling member 280 provided in the developing cartridge B2 of the present embodiment. The development side cover 34 is omitted. FIG. 55B is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupling member 280 is assembled.

  The coupling member 280 is configured to be movable forward and backward in the direction of the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 280 in the drive input gear 127. A biasing member 130 is provided between the coupling member 280 and the drive input gear 127, and the coupling member 280 is always biased outward in the direction of the axis L2. The rotational force receiving portions 280a1 and 280a2 provided on the coupling member 280 receive a driving force from the main body side driving member 100 (see FIG. 8). Further, the rotational force transmitting units 280c1 and 280c2 transmit the driving force to the developing roller 13 by transmitting the driving force to the rotational force transmitted units 127d1 and 127d2 of the drive input gear 127.

  An outer conical surface 280e is provided on the distal end side of the coupling member 280. The portion comes into contact with the front end surface of the main body side driving member 100 (see FIG. 8), and retracts inward in the direction of the axis L2 to engage with the main body side driving member 100. In addition, since the conical portion 280g is provided inside the outer conical surface 280e as in the first embodiment, it similarly retracts inward in the direction of the axis L2 by contacting the front end surface of the main body side driving member 100. Detach from the drive member 100.

  With the configuration as described above, it is possible to engage and disengage the rotating main body driving member 100 without providing a clutch mechanism on the apparatus main body A1 side.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, a driving side contact / separation lever 70 and a driving side developing pressure spring 71 are also provided.

  Fig.56 (a) is a front view of a present Example, FIG.56 (b) is AA sectional drawing of Fig.56 (a).

  The coupling member 280 is supported by the urging member 130 so as to be movable in the direction of the axis L2. A cylindrical outer diameter portion 280h (sliding portion) provided on the coupling member 280 is slidably supported within a cylindrical inner diameter portion (sliding portion) 136h of the driving side developing bearing 136.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 56 (b), at least a part of the cylindrical outer diameter portion 280h (sliding portion) and the cylindrical inner diameter portion (sliding portion) 127h is the driving side developing pressure spring 71 and the axis L2. It is arranged to overlap in the direction. As a result, a moment that twists the driving-side developing bearing 136 is generated by the force generated by the driving-side developing pressurizing spring 71, and it is possible to suppress the influence on the deformation to the sliding portions 280h and 127h. Therefore, hindering the forward / backward movement of the coupling member 280 in the direction of the axis L2 can be suppressed.

  Further, a plane L2X orthogonal to the urging direction L2 of the urging member 130 is defined. Then, the angle θ formed by the urging direction L4 of the driving-side developing pressure spring 71 and the plane L2X is preferably in the range of −45 ° ≦ θ ≦ + 45 ° (−45 ° or more and + 45 ° or less). More preferably, −10 ° ≦ θ ≦ + 10 ° (−10 ° or more and + 10 ° or less). Most preferred is θ≈0 ° (0 ° or substantially 0 °). Thereby, the influence which the urging member 130 exerts on the urging force of the driving side developing pressure spring 71 can be suppressed. That is, the urging member 130 is always in the urging state while the coupling member 280 is transmitted with the drive from the main body side driving member 100. At that time, if the force component generated by the urging member 130 does not act so much in the direction of the driving-side developing and pressing spring 71, the influence on the driving-side developing and pressing spring 71 is reduced, and the accuracy of the pressing force is improved.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the coupling member 280 of the present embodiment is applied, and the relationship between the urging directions L4 and L2 as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

Example 9
The ninth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that it does not have a restricting portion. The description not described has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  In the cartridge B1 of this embodiment, the drive side developing bearing 436 is not provided with a member corresponding to the restricting portion 36b of the first embodiment. For this reason, when the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10, the elastic force of the spring 471 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 57, one end portion of a spring 471 which is a torsion coil spring is engaged with the driving side developing bearing 436 by being sandwiched between the engaging portions 436d1 and 436d2 of the driving side developing bearing 436. On the other hand, the other end portion of the spring 471 is engaged with the drive side contact / separation lever 470 by being sandwiched between the engagement portions 470c1, 470c2 of the drive side contact / separation lever 470.

  FIG. 57A is a view showing a state where the developing roller 13 is in contact with a photosensitive drum (not shown). The first contact surface 470a of the drive side contact / separation lever 470 is pressed in the N7 direction by the drive side device pressing member 150, so that the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum while the spring 471 is compressed. It becomes a state. At this time, one end portion of the spring 471 hits the engaging portion 436d1, and the other end portion of the spring 471 hits the engaging portion 470c1, and the driving side contact / separation lever 470 is separated from the spring 471 via the engaging portion 470c1. Receive a biasing force. Thereby, an appropriate contact pressure between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum can be maintained.

  FIG. 57B is a diagram showing a state where the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum. When the separated portion 470g of the driving side contact / separation lever 470 is pressed in the N8 direction by the driving side device pressing member 150, one end of the spring 471 hits the engaging portion 436d2, and the other end of the spring 471 is engaged. It strikes the joint 470c2. For this reason, the spring 471 is extended beyond the free length. As a result, the driving-side developing bearing 436 can be moved in the direction in which the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum using the elastic force of the spring 471.

  As described above, the developing roller may be separated from the photosensitive drum by utilizing the elastic force of the spring by extending the spring beyond the free length.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of this embodiment can be applied.

<Other matters>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the developing cartridges B1 and B2 and the drum cartridge C are separated. That is, the developing device is configured as the developing cartridges B1 and B2 separately from the photosensitive drum 10 and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, the embodiments described above can be applied to other configurations.

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

  Hereinafter, an example of the process cartridge will be described. FIG. 49 is a view of the process cartridge BC mounted on the apparatus main body A2 as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. FIG. 49A shows a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and FIG. 49B shows a state in which the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

  In FIG. 49, the drive side apparatus pressing member 150 is described as a part of the apparatus main body A2. Here, the apparatus main body A2 includes the guide member (not shown) for guiding the attachment and detachment of the process cartridge BC, and the embodiment described above except that the drive side swing guide 80 and the non-drive side swing guide 81 are not provided. The configuration is the same as that of the apparatus main body A1 described above. Naturally, a non-driving side device pressing member 151 similar to the device main body A1 is provided on the non-driving side of the device main body A2.

  The process cartridge BC mainly includes a driving side developing bearing 536 as a developing frame, a photosensitive member supporting frame 521, and a coupling member 180. The driving side developing bearing 536 supports the developing roller 13, the driving side contact / separation lever 70, and the driven side contact / separation lever 72 (not shown). The drive-side development bearing 536 has the same configuration as the drive-side development bearing 36 of the above-described embodiment except that the boss 536a is rotatably supported in the long hole 521a of the photosensitive member support frame 521. Therefore, details of similar parts are omitted. The photoconductor support frame 521 supports the photoconductor drum 10.

  Since the boss 536a is supported by the elongated hole 521a, the driving side developing bearing 536 can be rotated with respect to the photosensitive member support frame 521 with the boss 536a as a rotation center. The driving side developing bearing 536 is urged in a direction in which the developing roller 13 abuts on the photosensitive drum 10 by a spring (not shown) that is hung between the driving side developing bearing 536 and the photosensitive member support frame 521. The long hole 521a may be a circular hole.

  In a state where the process cartridge BC is mounted on the apparatus main body A2, the photosensitive member support frame 521 is positioned by a positioning portion (not shown) of the apparatus main body A2 and fixed so as not to move. As shown in FIG. 49 (a), on the driving side, the first contact surface 70a of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is pressed by the driving side device pressing member 150, so that the driving side developing bearing 536 is moved. The boss 536a is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation center. Thereby, the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 49 (b), on the driving side, the separated portion 70g of the driving side contact / separation lever 70 is pressed by the driving side device pressing member 150, whereby the driving side developing bearing 536 is moved to the boss 536a. Rotate clockwise around the center of rotation. As a result, the developing roller 13 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

  Thus, in any of the above-described embodiments, the developing cartridges B1 and B2 may be replaced with the process cartridge BC.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Developing roller 16 Developing container 34 Developing side cover 36 Driving side developing bearing 46 Non driving side developing bearing 70 Driving side contact / separation lever 71 Driving side development pressure spring 72 Non driving side contact / separation lever 73 Non driving side development pressure Spring A1 Main unit B1 Developer cartridge

Claims (36)

A cartridge that can be attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus,
A developing roller;
A frame that supports the developing roller;
A movable part supported so as to be movable with respect to the frame and moving to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame;
An elastic part that is provided between the frame and the movable part and biases the movable part;
Have
The movable portion includes a first force receiving portion that receives a force in a direction moving from the first position to the second position from the apparatus main body, and a force in a direction moving from the second position to the first position. A second force receiving portion for receiving from the device body;
When the movable part receives force from the apparatus main body at the first force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part moves the movable part from the second position to the first position. A cartridge that receives an urging force from the elastic portion.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a restricting portion that abuts on the movable portion at the first position.   The said movable part receives the urging | biasing force from the said elastic part, and abuts on the said control part in the said 1st position when the said movable part is not receiving force in the said 1st force receiving part. Cartridge. A driving input member to which a rotational force for rotating the developing roller is input;
When viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the developing roller is disposed on one end side of the frame body in a first direction parallel to a straight line connecting the rotation center of the developing roller and the rotation center of the drive input member. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first force receiving portion of the movable portion is disposed on the other end side of the frame.   The frame includes a recording medium abutting portion capable of abutting against a recording medium conveyed through the inside of the apparatus main body, and the recording medium contact with respect to the first direction when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the contact portion is disposed closer to the developing roller than the first force receiving portion of the movable portion.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion that is rotatably supported with respect to the frame body.   When viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the distance between the supported portion and the portion of the movable portion that receives the urging force from the elastic portion is the distance between the supported portion and the first force receiving portion. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge is shorter than a distance therebetween. The frame has a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer,
8. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the rotation center of the movable portion is disposed at a position overlapping the developer accommodating portion when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller. Having an electrode portion electrically connected to the apparatus body;
The surface of the electrode part is exposed from the cartridge and intersects a moving direction in which the first force receiving part of the movable part moves when the movable part moves from the first position to the second position. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: Another movable part supported to be movable independently of the movable part with respect to the frame,
It has another elastic part which is provided between the frame and the other movable part, and energizes the other movable part. cartridge. A driving input member to which a rotational force for rotating the developing roller is input;
With respect to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the movable portion is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input member is disposed, and the other movable portion on the side of the frame on which the drive input member is not disposed. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein an urging force of the elastic portion is smaller than an urging force of the another elastic portion.   The said movable part is provided with the 1st protrusion part which protruded rather than the said frame, and the said another movable part is provided with the 2nd protrusion part which protruded rather than the said frame. cartridge.   When viewed from one end side along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the first protrusion is exposed from the frame body, and when viewed from the other end side along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the second protrusion The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the portion is exposed from the frame. 14. The movable portion moves on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, and the another movable portion moves on another plane orthogonal to the rotation axis direction. The cartridge according to any one of the above.   The movable portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the frame, and the protruding portion includes a bent portion toward the developing roller, and the second force receiving portion is provided in the bent portion. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge. When the movable portion receives the force from the device main body at the first force receiving portion and is in the second position with the cartridge mounted in the device main body, the developing roller is placed in the device main body. arranged that contact the photoconductor and those in is in the contact position, when the movable portion is subjected to a force from the apparatus main body there and in the second force receiving portion to the first position, the developing roller is the person The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the cartridge is in a separated position separated from the photosensitive member from a contact position.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are integrally formed. A cartridge that can be attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus,
A developing roller;
A frame that supports the developing roller;
A movable part supported so as to be movable with respect to the frame and moving to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame;
An elastic part that is provided between the frame and the movable part and biases the movable part;
A drive input member to which a rotational force for rotating the developing roller is input;
Have
The frame includes a recording medium abutting portion capable of abutting against a recording medium conveyed inside the apparatus main body,
The movable portion includes a force receiving portion that receives a force in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position from the apparatus main body ,
When the movable part receives a force from the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part applies a biasing force in a direction to move the movable part from the second position to the first position. When viewed from the rotational axis direction of the developing roller, the developing roller is at one end of the frame body in a first direction parallel to a straight line connecting the rotational center of the developing roller and the rotational center of the drive input member. Arranged on the side, the force receiving part of the movable part is arranged on the other end side of the frame,
When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, wherein with respect to the first direction, the recording medium contact portion, characterized in that it is located near the developing roller than the previous SL force receiving portion of the movable portion Cartridge. The cartridge according to claim 18 , wherein the frame body has a restricting portion that abuts on the movable portion at the first position. When the movable part receives no force in the force receiving portion, the movable portion according to claim 19, characterized in that impinges on the regulating portion in the first position under the biasing force from the elastic portion Cartridge. The movable portion includes another force receiving portion that receives a force in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position,
When the movable portion receives the force from the device main body at the force receiving portion and is in the second position with the cartridge mounted on the device main body, the developing roller comes into contact with the photosensitive member. The developing roller is spaced apart from the photoreceptor from the contact position when the movable portion is in the first position and the force receiving portion receives a force from the apparatus main body. 21. The cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 20 , wherein: The cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 21 , wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are integrally formed. A cartridge that can be attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus,
A photoreceptor,
A developing roller;
A frame that supports the developing roller;
A movable part supported so as to be movable with respect to the frame and moving to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame;
An elastic part that is provided between the frame and the movable part and biases the movable part;
Have
The movable part, the a first force receiving portion for receiving the force to move from the first position to the second position from the apparatus main body, a force to move to the first position from the second position A second force receiving portion received from the apparatus main body ,
When the movable portion receives the force from the first force receiving portion and moves to the second position, the developing roller comes into contact with the photosensitive member, and the movable portion moves the movable portion from the second position. Receiving an urging force in a direction to move to the first position from the elastic portion;
The cartridge is characterized in that the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive member by the movable portion receiving a force from the second force receiving portion and moving to the first position. 24. The cartridge according to claim 23 , wherein the frame body has a restricting portion that comes into contact with the movable portion at the first position.   25. When the movable part is not receiving force by the first force receiving part, the movable part receives a biasing force from the elastic part and abuts on the restricting part at the first position. Cartridge. A driving input member to which a rotational force for rotating the developing roller is input;
When viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the developing roller is disposed on one end side of the frame body in a first direction parallel to a straight line connecting the rotation center of the developing roller and the rotation center of the drive input member. The cartridge according to any one of claims 23 to 25 , wherein the first force receiving portion of the movable portion is disposed on the other end side of the frame body. The frame includes a recording medium abutting portion capable of abutting against a recording medium conveyed through the inside of the apparatus main body, and the recording medium contact with respect to the first direction when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller. 27. The cartridge according to claim 26 , wherein the contact portion is disposed closer to the developing roller than the first force receiving portion of the movable portion. The cartridge according to any one of claims 23 to 27 , wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion that is rotatably supported with respect to the frame body. When viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the distance between the supported portion and the portion of the movable portion that receives the urging force from the elastic portion is the distance between the supported portion and the first force receiving portion. 29. The cartridge of claim 28 , wherein the cartridge is shorter than the distance between. The frame has a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer,
When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, the rotation center of the movable portion cartridge according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that it is disposed at a position overlapping with the developer accommodating section. Another movable part supported to be movable independently of the movable part with respect to the frame,
Provided between the another movable portion and the frame, as claimed in any one of different claims 23 to 30 and having an elastic portion, the for urging the another movable portion cartridge. 32. The cartridge according to claim 31 , wherein the movable part includes a first protruding part protruding from the frame, and the another movable part includes a second protruding part protruding from the frame. When viewed from one end side along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the first projecting portion is exposed from the frame body, and when viewed from the other end side along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, the second projecting portion is exposed. The cartridge according to claim 32 , wherein the portion is exposed from the frame. 34. The movable portion moves on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, and the another movable portion moves on another plane orthogonal to the rotation axis direction. The cartridge according to any one of the above. The movable portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the frame, and the protruding portion includes a bent portion toward the developing roller, and the second force receiving portion is provided in the bent portion. 35. The cartridge according to any one of claims 23 to 34 , wherein: 36. The cartridge according to any one of claims 23 to 35 , wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are integrally formed.

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