JP6743196B2 - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum and is removable from the device body of the image forming apparatus, and a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum, and is removable from the device body of the image forming apparatus. It relates to a process cartridge. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using electrophotography.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet using an electrophotographic technique is known. The image forming apparatus includes, for example, a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a word processor, and a multifunction machine (multifunction printer).

In such an image forming apparatus, first, the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by the charging roller. Then, the charged photosensitive drum is selectively exposed to form an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum. The electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image by the developing device. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording medium such as recording paper or a plastic sheet. After that, the toner image transferred onto the recording material is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the recording medium. In this way, an image is formed on the recording medium.

In such an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing device, and the like are integrated as a cartridge so that maintenance of components in the image forming apparatus can be easily performed. Further, as the process cartridge, there are known configurations such as a cleaning cartridge having a photosensitive drum, a developing cartridge as a developing device having a developing unit, and a toner cartridge for supplying a developer.

Here, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the developing cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus. The developing cartridge has a first frame body that rotatably supports the developing roller, and a second frame body that rotatably supports both ends of the first frame body in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. Then, in the state where the developing cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the second frame body of the developing cartridge is positioned and the first frame body is rotatable. As a result, the developing roller can be brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive drum.

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the second frame body that rotatably supports both ends of the first frame body in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller is configured as one member. Therefore, it is necessary to enlarge the developing cartridge in order to arrange the portion connecting the portions supporting both end portions of the first frame body with respect to the second frame body.

JP, 2013-182036, A

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure for restricting rotation of a moving member or a guide member provided on one side of a cartridge or releasing the restriction .

In order to achieve the above object , a typical configuration of the present invention is
In a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A frame,
A developing roller rotatably supported by the frame,
A guide member configured to be guided by the device main body when the cartridge is attached to the device main body, the guide member being disposed on one side of the cartridge and having a first position with respect to the frame body. A guide member rotatable between the second position and
Between a restricting position for restricting the movement of the guide member with respect to the frame body and a non-restricting position that does not restrict the movement of the guide member with respect to the frame body, the restricting lever being operable on the guide member. A movable control lever,
And a spring for urging the restriction lever from the non-restricted position toward the restricted position .

According to the present invention, the rotation of the moving member or the guide member provided on one side of the cartridge can be restricted or the restriction can be released .

The figure explaining the structure of a front end member and a front regulating member. Schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the drum cartridge according to the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge according to the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of mounting the developing cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment in the image forming apparatus. Exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an external view of the developing cartridge as viewed from the back end member side according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing of the developing cartridge at the rear end member side according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the developing cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Modification of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment is positioned in the image forming apparatus. 1 is a perspective view and a sectional view of a developing cartridge according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Perspective view and sectional view of a conventional developing cartridge Partial sectional view of the rear end member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the front end member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the front side regulation member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the rear end member according to the second embodiment. Schematic sectional view of a retaining member according to a third embodiment. Exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge according to Embodiment 3. Schematic sectional view of the rear end member according to the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the developing cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. Exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is an external view of the developing cartridge according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the rear end member side. Sectional drawing of the developing cartridge at the rear end member side according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation in which the developing roller and the photosensitive drum according to the fourth exemplary embodiment contact and separate from each other. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of mounting the developing cartridge according to the fourth exemplary embodiment in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the mounting of the developing cartridge according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is mounted on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the developing cartridge according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is attached to the apparatus main body.

Embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials and shapes of the components described in the embodiments and their relative arrangements should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. The scope is not limited to the following embodiments.

(Example 1)
<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as the image forming apparatus 100) will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, four photosensitive drum cartridges 9 (hereinafter referred to as drum cartridges 9) (9Y to 9K) and four developing devices 4 (hereinafter referred to as development cartridges 4) (4Y to 4K). And are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 by a mounting member (not shown). Here, in the direction in which the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are inserted into the image forming apparatus 100, the upstream side is defined as the near side and the downstream side is defined as the far side. The developing cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured separately from the drum cartridge including the photosensitive drum, and is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 100, which will be described in detail later.

In FIG. 2, the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are provided side by side in the image forming apparatus 100 with an inclination with respect to the horizontal direction. Each of the drum cartridges 9 has an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drum 1) (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) as an image carrier and a charging member arranged around the photosensitive drum 1. Charging roller 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). Further, each drum cartridge 9 is provided with process means such as a cleaning member 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) as a cleaning member. Here, in each drum cartridge 9, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the process means such as the cleaning member 6 are integrally configured.

Further, each developing cartridge 4 (4Y to 4K) is integrally provided with a developing roller 25 (25a to 25d) as a developer carrying member and a developing blade 35 (35a to 35d) as a developer regulating member. Is provided for the purpose. The charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the developing roller 25 develops the latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). That is, the developing roller 25 carries toner as a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the cleaning member 6 removes the toner as the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the toner image as the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording medium S.

Below the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4, there is a scanner unit 3 as an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by selectively exposing the photosensitive drum 1 based on image information. It is provided. A cassette 17 in which the recording medium S is stored is attached to the lower part of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, a recording medium conveying unit that conveys the recording medium S is provided so that the recording medium S passes through the secondary transfer roller 69 and the fixing unit 74 and is conveyed above the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, as the recording medium conveying means, a feeding roller 54 that separates and feeds the recording mediums S in the cassette 17 one by one, and a conveying roller pair 76 that conveys the fed recording media S are provided. ing. A registration roller pair 55 for synchronizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with the recording medium S is provided as a recording medium conveying unit.

Further, an intermediate transfer unit 5 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is provided above the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 as an intermediate transfer unit. There is. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes a drive roller 56, a driven roller 57, a primary transfer roller 58 (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d) arranged at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 of each color, and a secondary transfer roller 69. And a facing roller 59 disposed at a position facing the. The transfer belt 14 as an intermediate transfer member is stretched around a drive roller 56, a driven roller 57, a primary transfer roller 58, and a secondary transfer roller 69. The transfer belt 14 circulates while facing and contacting all the photosensitive drums 1. Then, by applying a voltage to the primary transfer roller 58 (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d), a toner image as a developer image is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 onto the transfer belt 14.

As described above, each photosensitive drum 1 rotates, is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2, and is further selectively exposed by the scanner unit 3. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 25. As a result, each color toner image is formed on each photosensitive drum 1. Then, in synchronization with the formation of such a toner image, the registration roller pair 55 conveys the recording medium S to the secondary transfer position where the opposing roller 59 and the secondary transfer roller 69 come into contact with each other via the transfer belt 14. To do.

Then, by applying a transfer bias voltage to the secondary transfer roller 69, each color toner image on the transfer belt 14 is secondarily transferred to the recording medium S. The recording medium S onto which the toner image as the color developer image is transferred is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 74. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the recording medium S. After that, the recording medium S is ejected to the ejection portion 75 by the ejection roller 72. The fixing unit 74 is arranged above the image forming apparatus 100.

<Structure of drum cartridge>
Next, the drum cartridge 9 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the drum cartridge 9 (9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K). The drum cartridges 9Y to 9K have the same configuration. In this embodiment, as described above, in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4, the upstream side is defined as the near side and the downstream side is defined as the far side. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the drum cartridge 9.

The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported on the cleaning frame 27 of the drum cartridge 9 (9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K) by a drum front bearing 10 and a drum back bearing 11. A drum coupling 16 and a flange (not shown) are provided on one end side of the photosensitive drum 1 in the rotation center axis direction. As described above, the charging roller 2 and the cleaning member 6 are provided around the photosensitive drum 1.

The cleaning member 6 is composed of a rubber blade 7 and a cleaning support member 8. The tip portion 7a of the rubber blade 7 is arranged so as to contact the photosensitive drum 1 in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning member 6 falls into the removed toner chamber 27a. Further, a squeeze sheet 21 that prevents toner from leaking from the removed toner chamber 27a is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the drive force is transmitted from the main body drive motor (not shown) to the drum cartridge 9, whereby the photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven according to the image forming operation. The charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the drum cartridge 9 via a charging roller bearing 28, and is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 1 by the charging roller pressing member 33. The charging roller 2 is driven and rotated by the photosensitive drum 1.

<Structure of developer cartridge>
Next, the configuration of the developing cartridge 4 as the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the developing cartridge 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) as the developing device. Further, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge 4. In this embodiment, the developing cartridge 4Y containing the toner as the yellow developer, the developing cartridge 4M containing the magenta toner, and the developing cartridge 4C containing the cyan toner are the same. It has a structure of. Further, the structure of the developing cartridge 4K containing the black toner is also the same.

Here, the developing cartridge 4 as a developing device has a developing roller 25 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the direction of arrow B, and a toner supply roller 34 that contacts the developing roller 25 and rotates as a supply member. doing. Further, the developing cartridge 4 has a developing blade 35 that regulates the toner (thickness of the toner layer) on the developing roller 25, and a toner conveying member 36. Further, the developing cartridge 4 as a developing device has a developing frame body 31 that supports the developing roller 25, the toner supply roller 34, the developing blade 35, and the toner conveying member 36.

The developing device frame 31 has a developing chamber 31c in which the developing roller 25 is arranged, and a toner storage chamber 31a provided below the developing chamber 31c. The toner storage chamber 31a and the developing chamber 31c are separated by a partition wall 31d. Further, the partition wall 31d is provided with an opening 31b that connects the toner storage chamber 31a and the developing chamber 31c. Then, as described above, the toner transporting chamber 31a in the developing device frame 31 stirs the stored toner as the developer and transports the toner to the developing chamber 31c through the opening 31b. A member 36 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, the developing roller 25 and the toner supply roller 34 are rotatably supported by the pre-development bearing 12 and the development back bearing 13 at both ends in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. That is, the pre-development bearing 12 and the development back bearing 13 are the pre-development bearing 12 and the development back bearing 13 as a part of the development frame body 31. Further, a developing coupling 23 (drive receiving portion) is provided at the rear end of the toner supply roller 34. A toner supply gear 30 is provided at the front end of the toner supply roller 34. A developing gear 29 that meshes with the toner supply gear 30 is provided at the front end of the developing roller 25. Therefore, when the driving force is transmitted from the main body drive motor (not shown) to the developing coupling 23, the toner supply roller 34 and the developing roller 25 are rotationally driven according to the image forming operation.

A gear cover 20 is provided outside the developing gear 29 and the toner supply gear 30. That is, the gear cover 20 is the gear cover 20 as a part of the developing device frame 31. Here, the configuration of the developing device frame 31 described above is referred to as a developing unit 39. The front end member 37 (corresponding to the one end member or the first end member) and the back are provided at both ends (that is, one end and the other end) of the developing frame 31 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. A side end member 38 (corresponding to the other end side member or the second end member) is provided. That is, the front end member 37 is provided at one end of both ends of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. Further, a rear end member 38 is provided on the other end side of both ends of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. The back side end member 38 is a hanging hole as a back side supported hole that engages with a boss 13a (corresponding to the other end side engaging portion) as a back side support shaft provided in the development back bearing 13. 38a (corresponding to the other end side engaged portion) is provided. In addition, the front end member 37 has a hanging hole as a supported hole on the front side that engages with a boss 20a (corresponding to the one end side engaging portion) as a front support shaft provided on the gear cover 20. 37a (corresponding to the one end side engaged portion) is provided. The boss 20 a is provided so as to project from the gear cover 20 toward the front end member 37. The front end member 37 and the rear end member 38, which are moving members (guide members), are connected to the axis Y (corresponding to the rotation center axis) connecting the boss 13a of the developing back bearing 13 and the boss 20a of the gear cover 20. It is attached so that it can rotate. That is, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 pass through the boss 13a of the development back bearing 13 and the boss 20a of the gear cover 20 (corresponding to the end rotation center axis). It is attached so that it can rotate around. The rotation center axis line Y extends in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. The rotation center axis Y is preferably parallel to the axis of the developing roller 25. Further, in the present embodiment, since the boss 13a and the boss 20a are concentric, the rotation center axis line Y coincides with the back side and the front side. Therefore, the developing unit 39 can rotate about one rotation center axis line Y connecting the boss 13a and the boss 20a. Further, the front end member 37 rotatably supports one end of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25, while the other end of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25 is rotatably supported. It is configured not to support. The rear end member 38 rotatably supports the other end of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25, while supporting the one end of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. Not configured to. That is, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 support either one end or the other end of the developing frame 31 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25, and one end of the developing frame 31 is supported. One side or the other side is not supported. Further, in this embodiment, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are rotatable independently of the developing device frame 31. That is, as shown in the drawing, the front end member 37 is rotatable with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the rear end member 38. The rear end member 38 is rotatable with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the front end member 37. In other words, when the front end member 37 rotates with respect to the developing device frame 31, the rear end member 38 can be stopped with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the front end member 37. .. Further, when the back end member 38 rotates with respect to the developing device frame 31, the front end member 37 can be stopped with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the back end member 38. In this embodiment, the developing device frame 31 takes a plurality of positions with respect to the front end member 37. Then, one of the plurality of positions is a developing position where an image is formed on the recording medium S with toner.

<Structure for attaching/detaching the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4>
Next, a configuration in which the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the drum cartridge 9 (9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K) and the developing cartridge 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) have openings 101 (101a, 101b, 101c) in the image forming apparatus 100. 101d). Here, in the present embodiment, the drum cartridge 9 is inserted in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 6 from the front side to the back side in the axial direction (preferably parallel direction) of the photosensitive drum 1. Further, in the axial direction (preferably parallel direction) of the developing roller 25, the developing cartridge 4 is inserted from the front side to the back side in the direction of arrow F in FIG. Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the upstream side is defined as the front side and the downstream side is defined as the back side in the direction in which the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are inserted.

On the upper side of the image forming apparatus 100, a main body mounting upper guide portion 103 (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) is provided. On the lower side of the image forming apparatus 100, main body mounting lower guide portions 102 (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) are provided. The main body mounting upper guide portion 103 and the main body mounting lower guide portion 102 each have a shape extending along the arrow F direction of the drum cartridge 9 (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1). Then, the drum cartridge 9 is placed on the main body mounting lower guide portion 102 on the front side in the arrow F direction, and the drum cartridge 9 is mounted along the main body mounting upper guide portion 103 and the main body mounting lower guide portion 102 in the arrow F direction. To move. In this way, the drum cartridge 9 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, on the upper side of the opening 101, the main body mounting upper guide portion 104 (corresponding to the first guide portion) extending from the front side to the back side, and on the lower side, the main body mounting lower guide portion 105 (second guide portion). Corresponding to) is provided. The main body mounting upper guide portion 104 and the main body mounting lower guide portion 105 each have a guide shape extending from the front side to the back side along the inserting direction F of the developing cartridge 4. The same applies to the case where the developing cartridge 4 as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100, similarly to the drum cartridge 9. That is, on the front side in the arrow F direction (the axial direction of the developing roller 25), the developing cartridge 4 is provided on the main body mounting upper guide portion 105 provided on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the lower side of the image forming apparatus 100. It is mounted on the main body mounting lower guide section 104 provided. Then, in the direction of arrow F, the developing cartridge 4 is moved along the main body mounting upper guide portion 105 and the main body mounting lower guide portion 104.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , the front end member 37, which is a guide member on the cartridge side , has a main body mounting guide as a first guide portion provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A guided portion 37k as a third guided portion guided by the portion 105 (also corresponding to the one end side guided portion) is provided. Further, the front end member 37 is a guided portion serving as a fourth guided portion that is guided by a body-installed lower guide portion 104 serving as a second guide portion provided in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100. 37h (corresponding to the guided portion on one end side) is provided. On the other hand, in the back end member 38, which is another guide member on the cartridge side , the guided portion 38m (the other guided portion) as the first guided portion guided by the main body mounting upper guide portion 105 serving as the first guide portion is provided. Corresponding to the end side guided portion) is provided. Further, the back side end member 38 has a guided portion 38n as a second guided portion guided by the main body mounting lower guide portion 104 as a second guide portion (also corresponds to the other end side guided portion). Is provided. The guided portion 37k and the guided portion 38m are guided by the main body mounting upper guide portion 105, and the guided portion 37h and the guided portion 38n are guided by the main body mounting lower guide portion 104. Thereby, when the developing cartridge 4 is inserted, the developing cartridge 4 is guided with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in the drawing, in this embodiment, the back side end member 38 is inserted with the downstream side in the insertion direction. That is, in the insertion direction, the rear end member 38 is arranged downstream of the front end member 37. In other words, the back end member 38 is arranged downstream of the developing device frame in the insertion direction, and the front end member 37 is arranged upstream of the developing device frame 31 in the insertion direction. ..

<Structure of the back end member 38>
Next, the configuration of the back end member 38 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 8 is an external view of the developing cartridge 4 as viewed from the back end member 38 side. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 4 on the rear end member 38 side (K-K cross-sectional view in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 7, the development back bearing 13 includes a back regulation member 40 (regulation member or other end regulation member) for regulating the rotation of the back end member 38 with respect to the development back bearing 13. Is attached). In the back side regulating member 40, the developing cartridge 4 is the image forming apparatus 100.
The protruding portion extends in the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 when the developing cartridge 4 is attached and detached. Further, the back side regulating member 40 is movable in a direction in which the developing cartridge 4 as a developing device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, inside the back side regulating member 40, a regulating spring 41 (corresponding to the other end side urging member) as a urging member is attached to the spring support portion 13b of the developing inner bearing 13. There is. The restricting spring 41 as a biasing member presses the inner restricting member 40 toward the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100 in a posture in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the regulation spring 41 urges the rear side regulation member 40 in the direction in which the rear side regulation member 40 and the groove 38f (corresponding to the regulated portion or the other end side regulated portion) are engaged. On the other hand, the rear end member 38 is provided with a groove 38f that can be engaged with the restricting portion 40a of the rear restricting member 40. The groove portion 38f penetrates in the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100. Further, as described above, the development back bearing 13 is provided with the boss 13a, and the back side end member 38 is provided with the hanging hole 38a that can be engaged with the boss 13a.

Here, in a state where the developing cartridge 4 is not mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, the hanging hole 38a and the boss 13a are engaged with each other, and the restriction portion 40a and the groove portion 38f are engaged with each other (FIG. 8 and FIG. 8). 9(a)). As described above, when the restricting portion 40a and the groove portion 38f are engaged with each other, the rear end member 38 cannot rotate about the boss 13a of the developing rear bearing 13. That is, the back side regulating member 40 is fitted into the groove portion 38 f, whereby the development back bearing 13 is positioned with respect to the back side end member 38.

On the other hand, when the rear side regulating member 40 is pressed in the P direction in FIG. 9 from the state where the regulating portion 40a and the groove portion 38f are engaged with each other, the rear side regulating member 40 goes against the pressing force of the regulating spring 41. Move in P direction. Here, the P direction is a direction opposite to the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the engagement between the restricting portion 40a of the back side regulating member 40 and the groove 38f of the back side end member 38 is released (see FIG. 9B). In this state, the developing device frame 31 is rotatable around the boss 13a of the developing device rear bearing 13 with respect to the rear end member 38. Here, FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state in which the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the back side regulating member 40 is pressed in the P direction by the engagement releasing portion 90 provided in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100.

That is, in a state before the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, and in the state where the rear side restricting member 40 is not pressed by the engagement releasing portion 90 provided in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, The back side regulating member 40 and the groove portion 38f are engaged with each other. Therefore, the development back bearing 13 is positioned with respect to the back side end member 38. However, the back side regulating member 40 is pressed by the engagement releasing portion 90 in association with the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the image forming apparatus 100, and the engagement between the back side regulating member 40 and the groove portion 38f is released. As a result, the development back bearing 13 becomes rotatable with respect to the back side end member 38. Here, the back side regulating member 40 is pressed by the engagement releasing portion 90 in the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is detached from the image forming apparatus 100, so that the engagement between the back side regulating member 40 and the groove portion 38f is released. .. At this time, when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the rotation center axis Y of the developing unit 39, the back side regulating member 40 and the groove portion 38f do not overlap. As a result, the developing unit 39 can be rotated with respect to the rear end member 38. As described above, the rotation center axis line Y of the development back bearing 13 is set in a direction (preferably parallel) in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 when the developing cartridge 4 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100. Direction).

As described above, in this embodiment, since the regulating portion 40a and the groove portion 38f are engaged with each other in the state where the developing cartridge 4 is not mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, the developing rear bearing 13 is the rear end member. It cannot rotate with respect to 38. On the other hand, when the developing cartridge 4 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, the restriction portion 40a and the groove portion 38f are disengaged from each other, so that the development back bearing 13 rotates with respect to the back side end member 38. be able to. Here, the restricting portion 40a of the back side restricting member 40 is pressed by the disengagement portion 90 provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100 in conjunction with the operation of inserting the developing cartridge 4 into the image forming apparatus 100. It As a result, the engagement between the restriction portion 40a and the groove portion 38f is released.

<Structure of front end member>
Next, the configuration of the front end member 37 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 7, and 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a front end member 37 and a front side regulation member (regulation lever) 60. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the developing cartridge 4 in a state where the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 1 is a view of the developing cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 10 viewed from the G direction. 1A is a diagram showing a state in which the developing cartridge 4 is being attached to the image forming apparatus 100, and FIG. 1B is a state in which the attaching of the developing cartridge 4 to the image forming apparatus 100 is completed. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the front end member 37 from rotating with respect to the pre-development bearing 12 and the gear cover 20, the boss 37c of the front end member 37 is provided. The front side regulation member 60 is rotatably attached. The front side regulation member 60 corresponds to the regulation member or the one end side regulation member. Here, the boss 37c (the rotation center axis of the boss 37c corresponds to the engagement rotation center axis) extends in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the developing roller 25 (preferably, a direction orthogonal thereto). The front side regulation member 60 is rotatably supported around the boss 37c as a central axis. The boss 37c extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, the front side regulation member 60 extends in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 (preferably in a direction orthogonal thereto) in a posture in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached and detached in the image forming apparatus 100. It is rotatable about the axis of rotation. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to urge the front side regulation member 60 in one direction in the rotation direction of the front side regulation member 60, the front side regulation member 60 and the front side end member 37 are provided between the front side regulation member 60 and the front side end member 37. A torsion coil spring 50 is attached. The torsion coil spring 50 corresponds to the biasing member or the one end side biasing member. The coil spring 50 urges the front side regulation member 60 in a direction in which the front side regulation member 60 and a groove portion 20c (corresponding to the regulated portion or the one end side regulated portion) described later are engaged with each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 50 biases the front side regulation member 60 against the abutting portion 37d as a regulation portion of the front side end member 37. The abutting portion 37d has a predetermined length so that the front-side regulating member 60 does not rotate and the engagement between the front-side regulating member 60 and the groove 20c is not released by the rotation of the front-side regulating member 60 and the groove 20c. At the position, the rotation of the front side regulation member 60 is regulated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the gear cover 20 is provided with a groove portion 20c that engages with the regulation portion 60a of the front side regulation member 60. Here, the groove portion 20c is a groove formed by the ribs 20b1 and 20b2 as shown in FIG. In addition, as described above, the gear cover 20 is provided with the boss 20a, and the front end member 37 is rotatable about the boss 20a as a central axis.

Further, the front end member 37 is provided with a hanging hole 37a that can be engaged with the boss 20a. Then, the boss 20a of the gear cover 20 and the hanging hole 37a are engaged with each other, and the restricting portion 60a of the front-side restricting member 60 and the groove portion 20c of the gear cover 20 are engaged with each other, and the front-side end member 37 is the gear It is attached to the cover 20. As described above, by assembling the front end member 37 to the gear cover 20, it is possible to prevent the front end member 37 from rotating about the boss 20a as a central axis. Then, in the state where the developing cartridge 4 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the posture of the front side regulation member 60 is as shown in FIG.

Then, when the developing cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100, the contact portion 60b of the front side regulation member 60 comes into contact with the main body mounting lower guide portion 104, so that the front side regulation member 60 rotates in the R direction. To do. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1B, the engagement between the restricting portion 60a of the front side restricting member 60 and the groove portion 20c of the gear cover 20 is released. That is, in this embodiment, the main body mounting lower guide portion 104 has a function as an engagement releasing portion that releases the engagement by the front side regulation member 60. At this time, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the rotation center axis Y direction of the developing unit 39 (corresponding to the end rotation center axis direction), the restriction portion 60a and the groove portion 20c do not overlap. In this state, the gear cover 20 and the developing device frame 31 are rotatable about the boss 20a with respect to the front end member 37.

Here, in the present embodiment, the regulation portion 60a of the front side regulation member 60 and the groove portion 20c of the gear cover 20 are engaged with each other, so that the front side end member 37 is prevented from rotating with respect to the gear cover 20. doing. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a tension spring 70 is attached between the boss 37e of the front end member 37 and the boss 20d of the gear cover 20, and the front end member 37 is attached to the boss 20f of the gear cover 20. You may make it contact|abut. In this case, the front end member 37 comes into contact with the boss 20f of the gear cover 20, so that the front end member 37 does not rotate with respect to the gear cover 20.

<Positioning of the developing cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus>
Next, a configuration for positioning the developing cartridge 4 with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the front end member 37 has a guided portion 37k (also having a function as one end side positioned portion) and a guided portion 37h (also having a function as one end side rotation stopping portion). It is provided. On the other hand, the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a main body first positioning portion 99a (corresponding to the first positioning portion) and a main body first rotation stopping portion 106 (corresponding to the first rotation stopping portion). There is. Then, in the state where the mounting of the developing cartridge 4 to the image forming apparatus 100 is completed, the guided portion 37k and the main body first positioning portion 99a are engaged, and the guided portion 37h and the main body first rotation stopping portion 106 are connected. Engage. As a result, the front end member 37 is positioned with respect to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, the rear end member 38 is provided with a second positioned portion 38c (corresponding to the other end positioned portion) and a second rotation stop portion 38d (corresponding to the other end rotation stopper portion). .. On the other hand, the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a main body second positioning portion 98a (corresponding to the second positioning portion) and a main body second rotation stopping portion 98b (corresponding to the second rotation stopper). .. Then, when the mounting of the developing cartridge 4 to the image forming apparatus 100 is completed, the second positioned portion 38c and the main body second positioning portion 98a are engaged with each other, and the second rotation stop portion 38d and the main body second rotation stop. The portion 98b is engaged. As a result, the rear end member 38 is positioned in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100.

Then, as described above, the back side regulating member 40 is pressed by the engagement releasing portion 90 (see FIG. 22) in association with the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the engagement between the back side regulating member 40 and the groove portion 38f is released, and the development back bearing 13 becomes rotatable with respect to the back side end member 38. On the other hand, on the side of the front end member 37, the abutting portion 60b of the front side regulation member 60 contacts the main body mounting lower guide portion 104 in synchronization with the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Contact. Thereby, the front side regulation member 60 rotates, and the front side end member 37 becomes rotatable with respect to the gear cover 20.

Thus, in this embodiment, in the state before the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, the developing cartridge 4 is guided by the main body of the apparatus during mounting with respect to the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38. The gear cover 20 and the development back bearing 13 are positioned. This can prevent the developing roller 25 from coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 in the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, when the mounting of the developing cartridge 4 in the image forming apparatus 100 is completed, the gear cover 20 and the developing back bearing 13 are rotatable with respect to the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38. The developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 can come into contact with and separate from each other. As described above, in this embodiment, the attitude of the developing unit 39 can be determined and the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 rub against each other when the developing cartridge 4 is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus 100. Can be suppressed. In this embodiment, the position of the developing device frame 31 when the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 25 are in contact with each other is the developing position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view and a sectional view of the developing cartridge 4 according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 14 is a perspective view and a sectional view of a conventional developing cartridge 4. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are connected by a connecting member 80c that connects the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38. It was However, in this embodiment, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are configured as separate members. The front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are independently rotatable with respect to the developing unit 39. The developing unit 39 is positioned by the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38, respectively. Therefore, the conventional connecting member 80c is unnecessary, and the developing cartridge 4 can be downsized.

As described above, in this embodiment, the front end member 37 is positioned with respect to the developing unit 39 before the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, when the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the front end member 37 is rotatable with respect to the developing unit 39. This can prevent the developing roller 25 from coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 in the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the gap between the developing cartridge 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 is increased so that the developing roller 25 does not come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 while the developing cartridge 4 is being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. No need to set. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from increasing in size.

Further, in this embodiment, the rear end member 38 is positioned with respect to the developing unit 39 in a state before the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, when the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, the rear end member 38 is rotatable with respect to the developing unit 39. This can prevent the developing roller 25 from coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 in the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the gap between the developing cartridge 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 is increased so that the developing roller 25 does not come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 while the developing cartridge 4 is being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. No need to set. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from increasing in size.

Further, in this embodiment, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are configured as separate members, and the developing unit 39 includes the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38. Are respectively positioned by. Therefore, the conventional connecting member 80c is unnecessary, and the developing cartridge 4 can be downsized.
Further, in this embodiment, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are movable independently of the developing unit 39. Therefore, the developing cartridge 4 can be downsized as compared with the case where the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are integrated. As a result, the entire image forming apparatus can be downsized.

Although the developing cartridge 4 is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a process cartridge including the developing cartridge 4, the photosensitive drum 1, and the charging roller 2 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100.
Further, for example, the cleaning device having the cleaning member 6 may be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and may be detachable from the developing cartridge 4 separately. Alternatively, the photosensitive device having the photosensitive drum 1 may be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and may be detachable from the developing cartridge 4 separately.

(Example 2)
Example 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the back end member 38 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of the front end member 37 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of the front side regulation member 60 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of the back end member 38 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the rear end member 38 has an abutting portion 38g, and the developing back bearing 13 has an abutting portion 13g. Further, the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a retracting member 42 for retracting the developing cartridge 4 in the direction of inserting the developing cartridge 4. When the developing cartridge 4 is inserted to a position where the pulling force receiving portion 38h of the rear end member 38 and the pulling member 42 provided in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100 come into contact with each other, the pulling member 42 receives the pulling force. It is pressed by the portion 38h. Here, the pull-in member 42 is pressed by the pull-in force receiving portion 38h in the direction of inserting the developing cartridge 4 into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. When the pull-in member 42 is pressed by the pull-in force receiving portion 38h, the pull-in member 42 in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100 is rotated by the biasing force of the spring 43, as shown in FIG. Then, a part of the pull-in member 42 in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 pushes the pull-in force receiving portion 38h in the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is inserted.

Here, when pulling out the developing cartridge 4 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the pulling member 42 pulls out the developing cartridge 4 against the force for pulling in the developing cartridge 4. Therefore, a moment is generated in the rear end member 38 in the J direction in FIG. 15B with the second rotation center 38i (the engaging portion between the hanging hole 38a and the boss 13a) as the center. Here, in this embodiment, the abutting portion 38g of the back side end member 38 and the abutting portion 13g of the developing back bearing 13 are in contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rear end member 38 from rotating in the J direction about the second rotation center 38i.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the front end member 37 is provided with an abutting portion 37f, and the gear cover 20 is provided with an abutting portion 20e. Further, a handle 37g is provided on the front end member 37, and the handle 37g is gripped when the developing cartridge 4 is pulled out from the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, a moment is applied to the front end member 37 in the L direction in FIG. 17B with the first rotation center 37p (the engaging portion between the hanging hole 37a and the boss 20a) as the center. However, in this embodiment, the abutting portion 37f of the front end member 37 and the abutting portion 20e of the gear cover 20 are in contact with each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the front end member 37 from rotating in the L direction about the first rotation center 37p.

Next, the operation when the developing roller 25 in the developing unit 39 contacts the photosensitive drum 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the developing cartridge 4 is attached/detached to/from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the abutting portion 37f and the abutting portion 20e come into contact with each other as shown in FIGS. 38g and the abutting part 13g contact.

Then, when the developing cartridge 4 is mounted, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are positioned with respect to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and the front end member 37 and the rear end member are positioned. The member 38 and the developing unit 39 can be rotated. By making the developing unit 39 rotatable about the first rotation center 37p of the front end member 37 and the second rotation center 38i of the back end member 38, the developing roller 25 in the developing unit 39 is exposed to light. Abut the drum 1.

When the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 come into contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 16, when viewed from the axial direction of the developing roller 25, the abutting portion 37f of the front end member 37 and the abutting portion 20e of the gear cover 20 are viewed. The positions of and shift. The abutting portion 37f of the front end member 37 and the abutting portion 20e of the gear cover 20 are separated from each other. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 18B, when the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 come into contact with each other, when viewed from the axial direction of the developing roller 25, the abutting portion 38g of the rear side end member 38 and the developing rear side. The position of the abutment portion 13g of the bearing 13 is displaced. The abutting portion 38g of the back end member 38 and the abutting portion 13g of the developing back bearing 13 are separated from each other.

Therefore, when the developing roller 25 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, the abutting portion 37f of the front end member 37 and the abutting portion 20e of the gear cover 20 do not rub against each other. Further, the abutting portion 38g of the back side end member 38 and the abutting portion 13g of the developing back bearing 13 do not rub against each other. As a result, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the force with which the developing roller 25 in the developing unit 39 presses the photosensitive drum 1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the abutting portion 37f of the front end member 37 and the abutting portion 20e of the gear cover 20 are located apart from the first rotation center 37p of the front end member 37. Are contacted with. Further, the abutting portion 38g of the back side end member 38 and the abutting portion 13g of the developing back bearing 13 are brought into contact with each other at a position apart from the second rotation center 38i of the back side end member 38. This can prevent the front end member 37 from tilting about the first rotation center 37p as a fulcrum and the back end member 38 from tilting about the second rotation center 38i as a fulcrum. In addition, it is possible to improve the operability when attaching and detaching the developing cartridge 4.

(Example 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Here, in the third embodiment, portions having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a retaining member (corresponding to the screw 81 and the washer 80) according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge 4 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the back end member 38 according to the third embodiment.

A configuration for preventing the back side end member 38 from coming off from the boss 13a of the development back bearing 13 in the direction of the rotation center axis Y of the back side end member 38 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the rear end member 38 is assembled to the developing rear bearing 13 such that one end surface 38a1 of the hanging hole 38a in the rear end member 38 contacts the surface 13e of the root portion of the boss 13a. Has been.

Then, the screw 81 is inserted into the screw portion 13d of the boss 13a in a state where the rear end member 38 is assembled to the developing rear bearing 13. At this time, the washer 80 is sandwiched between the tip surface 13f of the boss 13a and the head of the screw 81. In addition, in the present embodiment, the screw 81 and the washer 80 form a retaining member. Here, in the back side end member 38, the length of the hanging hole 38a located between the one end surface 38a1 and the other end surface 38a2 (the length of the back side end member 38 in the rotation center axis Y direction) is It is set smaller than the dimension from the partial surface 13e to the tip surface 13f. As a result, the hanging hole 38a portion of the back side end member 38 is rotatably supported around the rotation center axis Y of the back side end member 38 between the root surface 13e of the boss 13a and the washer 80. To be done. Further, the other end surface 38a2 of the back side end member 38 hits the washer 80, so that the back side end member 38 comes off from the developing back bearing 13 in the rotation center axis Y direction of the back side end member 38. Can be suppressed.

As described above, the length of the hanging hole 38a is set to be smaller than the dimension between the root surface 13e of the boss 13a and the washer 80 in the direction of the rotation center axis Y of the rear end member 38. Therefore, a gap is formed between the back end member 38 and the surface 13e of the root portion of the boss 13a and the washer 80. As a result, the back side end member 38 may be inclined with respect to the rotation center axis Y of the back side end member 38. Here, in this embodiment, the outermost shape I of the other end surface 38a2 of the rear end member 38 is set to be smaller than the outermost shape H of the washer 80. Accordingly, when the back side end member 38 is inclined, the edge portion of the outermost shape H of the washer 80 does not interfere with the back side end member 38.

The other end surface 38a2 is an abutting surface of the back side end member 38 for preventing the back side end member 38 from coming off from the development back bearing 13. That is, the other end surface 38a2 of the back end member 38 contacts only the flat surface portion of the washer 80. Therefore, the back end member 38 can smoothly rotate with respect to the developing unit 39. As a result, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the force with which the developing roller 25 in the developing unit 39 presses the photosensitive drum 1. Although the screw 81 and the washer 80 are separate members in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the screw 81 and the washer 80 may be integrated. Further, in order to further prevent the back side end member 38 from coming off from the developing back bearing 13, a separate nut may be embedded in the boss 13a as the screw portion 13d of the boss 13a and molded. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the front end member 37 is also retained by the washer 80 and the screw 81 with respect to the boss 20a, like the rear end member 38.

(Example 4)
The developing cartridge 4 as the developing device according to this embodiment will be described.

Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the developing roller 25 and the toner supply roller 34 are the pre-development bearing 12 as a part of the developing device frame 31 provided on both sides of the developing roller 25 in the rotation center axis direction. It is rotatably supported by the developing device frame 31 via the developing device inner bearing 13. The developing coupling 23 is provided at the rear end of the toner supply roller 34. A toner supply gear 30 is provided at the front end of the toner supply roller 34. A developing gear 29 that meshes with the toner supply gear 30 is provided at the front end of the developing roller 25. Therefore, the drive force of a main body drive motor (not shown), which is a drive source, is transmitted to the developing coupling 23, so that the toner supply roller 34 and the developing roller 25 are rotationally driven according to the image forming operation. A gear cover 20 as a part of the developing device frame 31 is provided outside the developing gear 29 and the toner supply gear 30.

At both ends of the developing device frame 31 in the direction of the center axis of rotation of the developing roller 25, a front end holder 37 (corresponding to the one end member or the first end member) and a back end holder 38 (others) are provided. Corresponding to the end member or the second end member). Hereinafter, the front end holder 37 will be referred to as the front end member 37. Further, the back side end holder 38 is referred to as a back side end member 38. The back side end member 38 is provided with a hanging hole 38a (corresponding to the other end side engaged portion) that engages with the boss 13a (corresponding to the other end side engaging portion) provided in the developing back bearing 13. ing. Further, the front end member 37 is provided with a hanging hole 37a (corresponding to one end side engaged portion) that engages with a boss 20a (corresponding to one end side engaging portion) provided in the gear cover 20. There is. The front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are rotatable with respect to a rotation center axis Y connecting the boss 13a of the developing back bearing 13 and the boss 20a of the gear cover 20. Therefore, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 are independently rotatable with respect to the developing device frame 31.
That is, as shown in the drawing, the front end member 37 further rotatably supports one end of the developing unit 25 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25, while the developing roller 25 of the developing unit 39 is supported. The other end side in the axial direction is not supported. The rear end member 38 rotatably supports the other end of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25, while supporting the one end of the developing unit 39 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25. Not configured to. That is, the front end member 37 and the rear end member 38 support either one end or the other end of the developing frame 31 in the axial direction of the developing roller 25, and one end of the developing frame 31 is supported. One side or the other side is not supported. Further, the front end member 37 is rotatable with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the rear end member 38. The rear end member 38 is rotatable with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the front end member 37. In other words, when the front end member 37 rotates with respect to the developing device frame 31, the back end member 38 can be stopped with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the front end member 37. .. Further, when the back end member 38 rotates with respect to the developing device frame 31, the front end member 37 can be stopped with respect to the developing device frame 31 and the back end member 38.

<Structure of the movement restricting portion of the rear end member>
Next, a configuration for restricting the rotation of the back end member 38 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25. FIG. 24 is a side view of the developing cartridge 4 according to this embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram (K-K cross-sectional view in FIG. 24) for explaining the configuration in which the developing device frame 31 is positioned with respect to the rear end member 38.

As shown in FIG. 23, a restriction member 340 (corresponding to a restriction member or the other end side restriction member) is attached to the development back bearing 13 as a means for restricting the rotation of the back side end member 38. Further, inside the regulating member 340, a regulating spring 341 (corresponding to the urging member or the other end side urging member) that can be attached to the spring supporting portion 313b of the developing back bearing 13 is provided. The regulation spring 341 applies a biasing force to the regulation member 340, which acts in the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is inserted. On the other hand, the rear end member 38 is provided with a groove portion 338b (corresponding to the regulated portion or the other end side regulated portion) that can be engaged with the regulating portion 340a of the regulating member 340. Further, as described above, the development back bearing 13 is provided with the boss 13a that serves as the swing center axis of the development frame body 31, and the back side end member 38 is provided with a suspension that can engage with the boss 13a. A hole 38a is provided.

The back end member 38 is assembled to the developing device frame 31 in a state where the hanging hole 38a and the boss 13a are engaged with each other and the restricting portion 340a and the groove portion 338b of the restricting member 340 are engaged with each other (FIG. 24, see FIG. 25(a)). Therefore, by engaging the back end member 38 and the restricting member 340, the rotation of the back end member 38 about the boss 13a as a central axis is restricted. On the other hand, when the regulating member 340 is pressed in the P direction of FIG. 25 from the state where the rear end member 38 and the regulating member 340 are engaged, the regulating spring 341 arranged inside the regulating member 340 is compressed. Meanwhile, the regulating member 340 moves in the P direction. Then, the engagement between the restricting portion 340a of the restricting member 340 and the groove portion 338b of the rear end member 38 is released (see FIG. 25B). As a result, the developing device frame 31 becomes rotatable with respect to the back end member 38 about the boss 13a of the developing back bearing 13 as a central axis.

In this manner, by engaging the back end member 38 and the restricting member 340 to restrict the rotation of the back end member 38, the developing cartridge 4 is not mounted in the image forming apparatus 100. The rotation of the developing device frame 31 with respect to the rear end member 38 is restricted. Further, when the developing cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, the restriction releasing portion (not shown) provided in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100 presses the restriction member 340 in the P direction. As a result, the engagement between the back end member 38 and the restriction member 340 is released, and the back end member 38 is rotatable with respect to the developing device frame 31 (relative movement is allowed).

<Description of contact/separation operation>
Next, the operation in which the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 25 are moved toward and away from each other in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an operation in which the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 come into contact with and separate from each other. As shown in FIG. 26, below the developing device frame 31, a developing pressure receiving portion 31e that receives a pressing force from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided. On the other hand, the main assembly of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a developing cartridge pressing member 80 movable in the G1 direction and the G2 direction in FIG.

Further, as described above, when the developing cartridge 4 is mounted, the restriction releasing portion presses the restriction member 340 in the P direction, and the engagement between the back end member 38 and the restriction member 340 is released, so that the development frame The body 31 is rotatable with respect to the rear end member 38. Then, in this state, the developing cartridge pressing member 80 moves in the G1 direction in FIG. 26, so that the pressing portion 80a of the developing cartridge pressing member 80 contacts the developing pressure receiving portion 31e. As a result, the developing frame body 31 swings in the direction of the arrow Y1 and the developing roller 25 presses the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure. Further, when the developing cartridge pressing member 80 moves in the G2 direction in FIG. 26, the separating portion 80b of the developing cartridge pressing member 80 contacts the developing separating press receiving portion 31f, so that the developing frame body 31 is indicated by the arrow Y2. And the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 are separated from each other. With such a configuration, when the image is not formed on the recording medium S, the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be separated from each other. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the image quality due to the deformation of the developing roller 25.

<Structure for mounting/demounting the developing cartridge 4 in/from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100>
Next, with reference to FIG. 27 to FIG. 30, the operation of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an operation of attaching/detaching the developing cartridge 4 to/from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. 28 to 29 are views showing a state in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a state in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100.

In this embodiment, the developing cartridge 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) is inserted into the opening 101 (101a, 101b, 101c, 101d) of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the developing cartridge 4 is provided in the image forming apparatus from the front side to the back side in the direction parallel to the rotation center axis direction of the developing roller 25 (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) (direction of arrow F in FIG. 27). 100 is inserted into the main body.

As shown in FIG. 28, a front cover 110 that can be opened and closed is provided on the front side of the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100. When the front cover 110 is opened, the opening 101 for inserting the developing cartridge 4 is exposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, an upper guide 105 (corresponding to the first guide portion) as a guide member extending from the near side to the far side is provided on the upper side of the opening 101. Here, in this embodiment, the upper guide 105 has a groove shape (concave shape). Further, a lower guide 104 (corresponding to the second guide portion) as a guide member extending from the front side to the rear side is provided below the opening 101. In this embodiment, the lower guide 104 has a groove shape (concave shape). As shown in the drawing, also in this embodiment, the back side end member 38 is inserted with the downstream side in the insertion direction. That is, in the insertion direction, the rear end member 38 is arranged downstream of the front end member 37. In other words, the back end member 38 is arranged downstream of the developing device frame in the insertion direction, and the front end member 37 is arranged upstream of the developing device frame 31 in the insertion direction. ..

Further, as shown in FIG. 24, in the rear side end member 38, a first upper guide rib is formed in an upward direction (substantially vertical direction in this embodiment) orthogonal to the attaching/detaching direction of the developing cartridge 4 (horizontal direction in this embodiment). 338g (corresponding to the other end side guided portion or the first guided portion) projects, and the first lower guide rib 338h (corresponding to the other end side guided portion or the second guided portion) projects downward. Here, as described above, in the state where the developing cartridge 4 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the rotation of the developing cartridge 4 with respect to the rear end member 38 of the developing frame 31 is restricted by the restricting member 340. It is regulated. As described above, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has the regulation mechanism that regulates the rotation of the developing device frame 31 with respect to the rear end member 38.

Then, when the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, first, the first upper guide rib 338g provided on the back end member 38 is provided on the apparatus body side of the image forming apparatus 100. The upper guide 105 is engaged. Further, the first lower guide rib 338h provided on the rear end member 38 is engaged with the lower guide 104 provided on the apparatus main body side of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, in this state, the developing cartridge 4 is pushed in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 27, and the first lower guide rib 338h is slid with respect to the lower guide 104. Then, when the developing cartridge 4 is inserted to a predetermined position as it is, as shown in FIG. 28B, the riding portion 380 b of the first lower guide rib 338 h of the rear end member 38 is moved to the first lower guide 104. It rides on the back side pressure member 106 provided on the back side. The riding portion 337b provided on the front end member 37 rides on the front pressure member 107 provided on the front side of the first lower guide 104.

Further, the abutting portion 338c provided on the back side end member 38 reaches and contacts the back side plate 98 in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the developing cartridge 4 is positioned in the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is inserted. The position where the abutting portion 338c and the rear side plate 98 contact each other is the mounting position. Further, on the back side plate 98 provided in the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, a regulation releasing portion 390 for pressing the regulation member 340 in the developing cartridge 4 is provided. In a state where the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, the restriction member 340 is pressed by the restriction release portion 390, so that the groove portion 338b of the rear end member 38 and the restriction member 340 are engaged with each other. Is released.

Here, FIG. 28C is a diagram showing a state in which the developing cartridge 4 is positioned with respect to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, in conjunction with the operation of closing the front cover 110 in the image forming apparatus 100, the first lower guide including the back side pressing member 106, the front side pressing member 107, the main body pressing spring 108, and the main body pressing spring 109. 104 moves upward. Along with the operation, the back side positioning portion 380d (corresponding to the other end side positioned portion) of the back side end member 38 contacts the abutting portion 98a (corresponding to the other end side positioning portion) of the back side plate 98 ( Figure 34). Further, the front side positioning portion 337c (corresponding to the one end side positioned portion) of the front side end member 37 contacts the abutting portion 99a (corresponding to the one end side positioning portion) of the front side plate 99. As a result, the developing cartridge 4 is positioned with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 30, the rear side end member 38 is provided with a boss 338e (corresponding to the other end side rotation stopper) for restricting the rotation of the rear side end member 38. When the developing cartridge 4 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the boss 338e of the rear end member 38 fits into the rotation stop hole 98b of the rear plate 98. As a result, it is possible to prevent the back end member 38 from rotating in the image forming apparatus 100.

Similarly, the front end member 37 is provided with a rotation stopper 337d for restricting the rotation of the front end member 37. In the state where the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, the rotation stopper 337d (corresponding to the one-side rotation stopper) of the front end member 37 is a body rotation stopper provided on the first lower guide 104. Mates with section 1104. This can prevent the front end member 37 from rotating in the image forming apparatus 100.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, when the developing cartridge 4 is completely attached to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, the back side end member 38 and the front side end member 37 are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 100. It is fixed to the device body. On the other hand, when the developing cartridge 4 is completely attached to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 100, the engagement between the groove portion 338b and the regulating member 340 is released, so that the developing device frame 31 is moved toward the rear end member 38. Can be rotated with respect to. Therefore, the developing device frame 31 can rotate in the image forming apparatus 100, and the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 can contact and separate from each other.

On the other hand, while the developing cartridge 4 is being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the regulation member 340 can regulate the rotation of the developing device frame 31 with respect to the rear end member 38. As a result, the rotation of the developing device frame 31 is restricted while the developing cartridge 4 is being inserted into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, as described above, the rear end member 38 is positioned in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the developing cartridge 4 is inserted, while the developing cartridge 4 is being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. There is. As a result, rotation of the developing device frame 31 with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is suppressed, and contact between the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 is suppressed. It is possible to reduce rattling of the developing cartridge 4 while the developing cartridge 4 is being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and to prevent the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 from coming into contact with each other. ..

In this embodiment, only the rotation of the rear end member 38 with respect to the developing device frame 31 is restricted by the restriction member 340, but the rotation is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the rotation of the front end member 37 with respect to the developing device frame 31 may be restricted by the restriction member 340.

In this embodiment, the various guide ribs are configured to project in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of process cartridges, and the arrangement of the rotation restricting configuration according to the present embodiment is projected in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. Sometimes it is a position included in the developing cartridge. That is, since the rotation restricting structure does not protrude in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, it does not affect the layout design of the plurality of process cartridges. Therefore, in the in-line type image forming apparatus, the above-described rotation regulation can be realized while keeping the space between the adjacent process cartridges to a minimum and avoiding an increase in the size of the apparatus.

25... Developing roller, 37... Front side end member, 38... Back side end member, 39... Developing unit

Claims (9)

In a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A frame,
A developing roller rotatably supported by the frame,
A guide member configured to be guided by the device main body when the cartridge is attached to the device main body, the guide member being disposed on one side of the cartridge and having a first position with respect to the frame body. A guide member rotatable between the second position and
Between a restricting position for restricting the movement of the guide member with respect to the frame body and a non-restricting position that does not restrict the movement of the guide member with respect to the frame body, the restricting lever being operable on the guide member. A movable control lever,
And a spring for urging the regulation lever from the non-regulation position toward the regulation position. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the regulation lever partially rotates around an axis when the regulation lever moves between the regulation position and the non-regulation position. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the direction of the axis of the restriction lever intersects the direction of the axis of the guide member. The cartridge is
A coupling member disposed on the other side of the cartridge for receiving a force for rotating the developing roller,
Said coupling member is the other side that are arranged, the guide member cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which is opposite to the arrangement has been the one side. It said spring, torsion cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which is a coil spring. The cartridge cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a second guide member rotatable. The second guide member is disposed on the other side of the cartridge,
7. The cartridge according to claim 6 , wherein the other side on which the second guide member is arranged is opposite to the one side on which the guide member is arranged. The cartridge further comprises
A regulation member operable on the second guide member, the regulation position for regulating the movement of the second guide member with respect to the frame body, and the movement of the second guide member with respect to the frame body. A non-restricted position that does not regulate, and a regulation member that can move between
A cartridge according to claim 6 or 7 having a second spring for urging the said regulating member to the regulating position. In the image forming device,
A main body of the image forming apparatus,
A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
An image forming apparatus having: